The Nation November 22,2011

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Indigenes renew call for creation of Ibadan State Coach Keshi considers recalling Yakubu, Utaka Chief Justice issues code of conduct for judges

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VOL. 7, NO. 1952 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

KOGI 2011

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•Echocho urges INEC to stop election •AND MORE •I’ll run transparent govt, says Wada •Audu: PDP has turned Kogi to a failed state

•COUNTDOWN TO THE DECEMBER 3 GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION IN THE CONFLUENCE STATE

•PAGES 5 & 37

Boko Haram sponsors: SSS detains senator Suspect names ex-Governor Sheriff, ex-envoy as backers

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ECURITY agents last night arrested a Senator who a suspect named as a Boko Haram sponsor.

Senator Ali Ndume (Borno), who is being held by the State Security Services (SSS), is likely to face trial today in Abuja.

The Nation learnt also that 13 suspects have been arrested by the Joint Task Force in connection with the recent bombings in Damaturu, Yobe State.

Ndume will be arraigned in court with some members of the sect already in SSS custody, sources said.

From Yusuf Alli and Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

A source, who pleaded not to be named for security reasons, broke to The Nation news of the senator’s arrest at about 10.20pm.

He said: “He is presently being detained in SSS custody, pending his arraignment in court.

“Based on the confession of some Boko Haram suspects in custody, we have interrogated Ndume and he has made a statement accordingly. We are going to charge him to court on Tuesday (today) with some of the suspects in our custody.

“With this development, we hope that Nigerians will appreciate that security agencies are doing our best to tackle terrorism.”

Attempts by some Senators to see Ndume last night failed.

A suspect named Ndume, former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff and Nigeria’s former Ambassador to Sao Tome and Principe, the late Saidu Pindar, as financial backers of Boko Haram.

The suspect, Ali Sauda Umar Konduga (a.k.a Usman al-Zawahiri) spoke at the Continued on page 2

•Ndume

•Boko Haram suspect Konduga ... yesterday

•Sheriff

CBN depreciates troubled naira

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HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) depreciated the naira yesterday, bowing to demand pressure at the foreign exchange market and prolonged weakness of the currency.

A dollar will now exchange at the CBN’s official window wholesale Dutch Auction System (wDAS) at N150-160 as against the previous N145-155.

The apex bank, however, left its benchmark interest rate (Monetary Policy Rate - MPR) unchanged at 12 per

ALEX IBRU (1945-2011) PAGES 6&7

By Ayodele Aminu and Nduka Chiejina

cent and its 200 basis point corridor around the benchmark rate – meaning that its recommended deposit rate is 10 per cent and its lending rate is 14 per cent.

The MPR is the interest rate at which the banking watchdog lends to commercial banks. This influences other rates.

Addressing reporters in Abuja after the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, the governor of the CBN, Lamido Sanusi said: “The committee decided to adjust the mid-point of target official exchange rate from N150.00/US$1.00 to Continued on page 2

•Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke cutting the tape to open Oando PLC’s South-South 128km natural gas pipeline spanning Akwa Ibom and Cross River states in Calabar ... yesterday. With her are (from left) Cross River State Governor Senator Liyel Imoke, Mr. Omamofe Boyo, Deputy Group Executive, Oando and Wale Tinubu, Group Chief Executive.

•ENERGY P17 •SPORT P23 •PROPERTY P25 •POLITICS P37 •MARITIME P49

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THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

NEWS

•President Goodluck Jonathan (fifth left) flanked by Chief Justice Dahiru Musdapher and former Chief Justice Muhammadu Uwais and other Justices during the Judges Conference at the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in Abuja ... yesterday.

PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN

Jonathan urges judges to uphold ethics

CBN depreciates naira Continued from page 1

N155.00/US$1.00 and maintain the band of +/-3.0 per cent. This means that the naira should float roughly within a range of N150.00/ US$1.00–N160.00/US$1.00, unless extraordinary shocks necessitate a change in stance.”

The naira, which the banking watchdog has struggled to keep within its target band of three per cent above or below N150 per dollar, traded at N155.21 to the dollar the official window yesterday following a demand surge to $419.22 million. But the CBN sold only $250 million. It sold all the $333.82 million demanded at 154.50 to the dollar at its last auction on Wednesday.

At the interbank market, naira traded at N158.90 to the dollar, having hit an all-time low of N167.40 in October, prior to sharp monetary tightening measures which have since stabilised the local currency.

Sanusi acknowledged the continued demand pressures in the foreign exchange market and the slow rate of reserve

accretion.

He said the committee urged the CBN to continue to seek convergence between wDAS and interbank rates (rates at which banks trade forex with one another). It also told the apex bank “to reduce arbitrage opportunities, avoid speculative attacks, and the emergence of a multiple-exchange rate environment.”

He said the Committee observed some restoration of stability in the Foreign exchange market since the last MPC meeting.

The average exchange rate he said, appreciated at all three segments of the market during the period. He noted that at the wDAS market, the exchange rate opened at N158.48/US$ (including 1% commission) on October 11, 2011 and closed at N156.05/US$ on November 18, 2011, representing an appreciation of N2.43k or 1.53 per cent within the period.

The inter-bank segment selling rate opened at N158.90/ US$ and closed at N158.62/ US$, representing an appreciation of N 0.28k or 0.17 per cent.

At the BDC segment, the selling rate opened at N165.00/

J

•Sanusi

US$ and closed at N160.00/ US$, representing an appreciation of N5.00k or 3.03 per cent for the period.

Analysts had predicted another rate hike of between 2550 basis points after the country’s consumer inflation rose to 10.5 per cent year-onyear in October, from 10.3 per cent the previous month.

Interest rates were hiked by a surprise 275 basis points at an emergency meeting last month.

Sanusi said the headline inflation figure should not be “exaggerated” because it was mostly driven by food inflation and other prices actually declined.

Continued on page 59

UDGES got a challenge from the President yesterday.

He told them to uphold ethics and the executive will, in turn, respect the Judiciary’s independence.

President Goodluck Jonathan spoke at the All Nigeria Judges’ Conference in Abuja.

The biennial conference with the theme: “Towards the sustenance of Judicial Ethics in Nigeria” is organised by the National Judicial Institute (NJI) for Justices, Judges and Khadis of superior courts of record to exchange ideas on development in the judiciary.

Opening the conference, Dr Jonathan said the theme tallies “with our desire to effect the transformation of the entire polity”.

“If our transformation agenda is to succeed and the Nigerian Project is to be a reality, then the Judiciary must continue to sustain its ethics and discharge its constitutional role and responsibilities creditably and within the purview of the Constitution,” the President said, adding: “Fair dispensation of justice

•CJN issues code of conduct From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

is a core value of the judiciary. Fairness, impartiality, integrity and Incorruptibility are also values that the judiciary is expected to hold dear and individual judges must take seriously.”

“No one can deny the importance of the judiciary to the stability of our nation. As a government established on the foundation of the rule of law, we will continue to respect the independence of the Judiciary and provide you with all the support you might need to carry out your duties.

Jonathan pointed out that his administration is, however, concerned about the slow dispensation of justice in many cases.

“We have hundreds of our people spending long periods in jail just waiting for their trials to commence. This means that accused persons are consigned to a life of misery and pain, even before their guilt or innocence is established. Besides, justice is

unwittingly delayed. If the judiciary must continue to enjoy the confidence of the populace, the wheel of justice must move more speedily and must be seen to be doing so, without any compromises. We are determined to provide whatever support that may be needed to tackle this challenge.”

“I urge you all to continue to remain focused, undaunted and continue to hold firmly to your oath of office.

Remember at all times that whenever you decide cases, you are by that singular act putting yourselves on trial before the public.

Chief Justice of Nigeria Dahiru Musdapher emphasised that the Judiciary urgently needs radical reforms.

“We must rise above the daunting challenges of today and restore hope and confidence in the judicial system.

The importance of a credible, efficient, independent, impartial, honest and virile Continued on page 59

Boko Haram: Ex-governor, senator on sponsors list Continued from page 1

State Security Service (SSS) office in Abuja during a session with reporters in the presence of SSS officials.

It was a repetition of the confessional statement he allegedly made to the SSS. Besides its activities in the Northeast, which have caused hundreds of deaths, the group extended its operations to Abuja when its suicide bomber attacked the police headquarters.

The group also killed more than 60 people during its coordinated strikes in Damaturu and Potiskum in Yobe State and Maiduguri, Borno State, early this month.

Boko Haram took its operations to the international arena by attacking the United Nations (UN) building in Abuja in August, killing 24 people.

Konduga said he was trained by the late Boko Haram leader, Mohammed Yusuf, who was summarily executed in police custody in 2009.

Konduga confessed to being a member of “ECOMOG”, political outfit allegedly sponsored by Sheriff.

Why I went to SSS, by Sheriff

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X-Governor Sheriff was at the SSS office in Abuja on July 12 ostensibly to be grilled over his alleged involvement with Boko Haram.

But he denied being grilled. According to him, he merely visited the SSS office to make an input into how Boko Haram menace degenerated after he left office.

Below is part of the story this newspaper published on July 13, after an interview with an ex-Commissioner in the Sheriff government – on Sheriff’s instruction.

A former Governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff said he visited the State Security Service (SSS) to make input into how Boko Haram menace degenerated after he left office.

He said some people are also desperate to crucify him for political reasons to take over the politics of Borno State.

Sheriff, who spoke with our correspondent through one of his former commissioners, said he had never used Boko Haram to consolidate his political fortunes in the state.

The ex-commissioner said: “The governor was never arrested. He actually booked an appointment to see the DiAccording to him, the relationship between the sect and the ex-governor flourished when Sheriff appointed one

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

rector-General of SSS, Mr. Ita Ekpenyong, in my presence. He excused us, along with other aides, to go and see the DG only for us to read that he was quizzed.

“His Excellency went to the SSS to contribute or to make input on how he felt on the situation in Borno State because this thing degenerated after he left office.

“The ex-governor has offered public apology and at this time everybody expected that the thing would abate with that apology only for the thing to degenerate.

“The ex-governor felt it was statesmanly to offer that apology and went to SSS to share ideas on how to arrest this thing from further degeneration.

We want to insist that if the SSS can corroborate this story, the identity of the top official that quizzed him could not have been hidden. But no SSS operative corroborated that ex-Governor Sheriff was even invited.

“It is also more damaging in that story to say that Sheriff collaborated to form Boko Haram to consolidate his

of Boko Haram’s leaders, Fuji Foi, as commissioner. But the relationship went sour after Foi was sacked and eventu-

political power in Borno State. That aspect was opinionated and we did not expect that from either the author or the source.

“What we are suspecting is that some people just want to crucify ex-Governor Sheriff for political reasons so that they can take over the politics of Borno State.”

The former commissioner also added that the ex-governor has no cause to go underground.

He said: “Ex-Governor Sheriff is not running away from the law and if the SSS had invited him of course, he would really oblige.

“It is wrong for some people to, at this critical period and given the innocent lives being lost, try and settle political scores.

“This story only goes to confirm our earlier position to the effect that Boko Haram has assumed a political dimension. This fact is corroborated by no less a body than the SSS itself.”

Responding to a question, the excommissioner added: “The former governor has said that he will go to court to clear his name that he has no link with Boko Haram.”

ally killed in circumstances the sect believed were officially instigated.

The suspect, who spoke

through an interpreter, said it was at this point that the late Pindar stepped in as a major backer of the sect. Ac-

cording to him, Pindar promised the sect N10 million and was on his way to deliver N5 million to the sect when he was killed in a road crash about two months ago.

Konduga said: “Senator Ali Ndume filled the vacuum left

by Pindar. He composed threat text messages that we forwarded to prominent individuals, including Governor Sule Lamido (Jigawa State), Babangida Aliyu (Niger State), Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dalhatu Tafida and exPresident Olusegun Obasanjo.”

“Before his death, Pindar encouraged us to send threat messages to the chairman of the Borno State Election Petition Tribunal, Justice Sambo Adamu, and the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke.”

The Borno Election Petition Tribunal was forced to relocate from Maiduguri to Abuja by the frightening contents of the text messages.

According to the suspect, the relationship between the sect and Ndume grew tepid when the senator was named Continued on page 59

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THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

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NEWS Gbajabiamila sues Jonathan, six others over RECs’ appointment

By Eric Ikhilae

HE Minority Whip in the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has sued President Goodluck Jonathan and six others, over the planned confirmation of the appointment of some Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs).

In the suit, filed at the Federal High Court, Lagos, the lawmaker is challenging Dr Jonathan’s appointment of the RECs, who are mostly members of political parties.

He argued that the step violates the provisions of Section 156(1)(a) of the Constitution.

Also named as defendants in the suit are the Senate; its President, David Mark; the Clerk of the Senate; the Attorney-General of the Federation; the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); and its Chairman.

In an originating summons filed for the plaintiff by his lawyer, Seni Adio of Copley Partners, Gbajabiamila set a single question for the court’s determination.

He wants the court to determine if Section 156(1)(a) or any other section of the Constitution authorises or empowers the President, the Senate, its President and the Clerk of the Senate to appoint and/or confirm the appointment of persons who are members of political parties as RECs and Electoral Commissioners (ECs).

Gbajabiamila averred in a supporting affidavit that the said appointment made in October, included persons who are members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

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Daily Times: Anosike brothers change counsel

By Adebisi Onanuga

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HE Anosike brothers, Fidelis and Noel, both directors of Messrs Folio Communications Limited, escaped arrest by the police as they appeared at a Lagos High Court, Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday with a new defence counsel, Mr. Babajide Koku (SAN).

A Lagos High Court judge, Ikeja, Justice Habeeb Abiru, had issued a bench warrant and ordered the InspectorGeneral of Police, Mr. Hafiz Ringim, to produce and arraign them in court yesterday. They are facing charges of theft preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).

The court order was the climax of their refusal to appear in court to answer the criminal charges brought against them at previous hearings.

The Anosike brothers, who were being represented formerly by Chief Olisa Agbakoba (SAN),are facing charges of theft of N1.7 billion, being property of Daily Times of Nigeria Limited.

Although the Anosike brothers were in court, the EFCC could not arraign them as their counsel pleaded with the court for an adjournment of the matter to a new date.

Political will necessary to fight graft war, says EFCC chair

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HE Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mrs. Farida Waziri, yesterday said unless there is political will, it would be difficult to fight corruption in Nigeria.

She said corruption is the biggest threat to the nation’s economy and national security.

Mrs Waziri spoke at the National Defence College, Abuja, when she delivered a lecture to Course 20 participants on: Economic Crimes and National Security: Challenges for Nigeria.

She said: “First, there must be a political will to fight corruption. When the chips are down, the essence of political leadership is to provide a direction for policies

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

and to provide requisite anti-corruption structures, such as legislation, funding, zero tolerance policies, among others.

“While political will translates to zero tolerance for corruption as well as the provision of effective anticorruption structures, it behoves the anti-corruption agencies to implement and run with the structures.”

The EFCC chairman also claimed that effective administration of justice could assist the anti-corruption crusade of any government.

She said: “We must understand that political will and law enforcement in the world ultimately end in a

court of law. The best any law enforcement agency can do is to properly investigate cases and file charges, after which the courts take over.

“The frustration faced by law enforcement agencies within the tedious common law process of administration of justice must be voided.

“There is a direct nexus between security and the economy and that a poor economy is the anvil on which adverse national interests are forged.”

Mrs Waziri noted that economic security is imperative for any nation She said: “Indeed the rallying cry should be that as a nation, ‘seek ye the kingdom of economic prosperity and every other thing shall be added unto thee’.

“In other words, secure your economy first, and the other essential parameters will be easier to handle,” she said.

She identified four pillars for fighting corruption in any society.

These factors are political will; effective law enforcement; effective and incorruptible judiciary and an independent, virile civil society.

“The civil society cannot afford to pander to select parochial interests but must maintain a clinical sense of objectivity.”

The participants were drawn from the various arms of the nation’s armed forces, law enforcement agencies, including antigraft organisations.

Way out of Boko Haram crisis, by Oritsejafor HRISTIAN Association of Nigeria (CAN) President Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor yesterday examined the Boko Haram crisis in the North, saying it could be resolved through pragmatic approach.

The pastor urged religious leaders and the elite in the North to assist the Federal Government in fishing out those who contribute to insecurity in the country.

He advised the government to look inwards in finding solutions to the sect’s menace and ensure that it does not infiltrate security agencies.

The CAN president said the leadership of security agencies was afraid to tackle the sect because of religious reasons.

Oritsejafor, who addressed reporters at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, noted that if the Federal Government wishes to tackle insecurity, it must engage religious leaders in the North, including sheikhs and imams, to call their youths to order.

He said this, and not the misapplication of the teachings of religions, which lead to destruction of life and property, would ensure an end to insecurity in the North.

Oritsejafor said: “As far as I am concerned, I believe that the northern elite has a very important role to play as to what is generally happening

C

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

today in Nigeria. They must take the bull by the horn.

When we had a similar situation in the Niger Delta, some of us had to go to the creeks, because we knew these boys. We started talking to them and, gradually, we are where we are today.

We have come a long way.

“I believe that leaders in the North must wake up to their responsibilities. It is a fact that these boys or people doing this thing… let’s start with the boys. They are not spirits, they are human beings. A lot of what were taught in Koranic schools should not be misapplied.

“There are sheikhs; there are imams who taught them.

I am very sure they had gone beyond what they were taught. But some of those sheikhs and imams still have some influence over some of the boys.

“Our northern elite should make contacts with the people who can make contacts with some of those boys to find ways to begin to help them find a balance in the way they are thinking. This is because their thinking is not about things that are practical and practicable for Nigeria at this time.

“The government must also look again at the security agencies. They have been polarised along religious

A

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

quarter without the authorisation of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission.

Mohammed, an investigation officer with EFCC, was testifying in the suit filed by the commission against Bankole and his erstwhile deputy, Bayero Usman Nafada.

They are facing a 17-count charge of criminal breach of trust, dishonest use of a

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

M

INISTER of State for Trade and Investment Dr. Samuel Ortom has said the Federal Government would spend N50billion interest-free loan on small and medium scale enterprises to provide jobs.

Ortom spoke in Makurdi during a visit to the newly elected Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Dave Iorhemba.

He said any Nigerian with genuine business acumen would benefit from the loan.

According to him, the loan is available to every Nigerian who indulges in any self-sustaining business that would help ginger the nation’s economy.

He said about N10million will be made available to Nigerians through the Bank of Industries, adding that any entrepreneur who presents convincing evidence of a sustainable business interest would benefit from the package.

The minister regretted that entrepreneurs and potential businessmen in the North have not made themselves available to benefit from the facility.

He urged members of the House of Assembly to enlighten their constituents on the need to exploit the opportunity.

Reps threaten as minister fails to honour invitation From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

F •Oritsejafor...yesterday

lines. We had said it before and we will continue to say it. It is unfortunate, but a lot of people who are supposed to solve the problem are looking first at their religion.

When you do that, Nigeria as a nation would be in trouble.

“So, we must find ways to fish out those kinds of people in the security agencies so that that aspect can be dealt with.

PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

How can you tell me that the bombing of Police headquarters happened without the police knowing, or without the people working with somebody inside? These are the questions, and there are many, many questions.”

He, however, hoped that despite the myriad of problems, Nigeria will not disintegrate.

How Bankole, Nafada obtained loan, by EFCC WITNESS of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Mohammed, yesterday told an Abuja High Court how former Speaker of the House of Representative Dimeji Bankole, obtained a N42billion loan from two banks and shared allowances among members.

The prosecution witness also accused Bankole of approving the increase in the allowances of his colleagues from N17 million to N42 million per member in a

Fed Govt tackles unemployment with N50b interest-free loan

House of Representatives bank account to obtain loan filed against them by the EFCC. The former Speaker was represented by Mr Wale Akanni (SAN).

Bankole and Nafada are accused of sharing the loan to members without the consent and approval of the RMAFC and the extant Revised Financial Regulations of the Federal Government of Nigeria, 2009.

The offences are contrary to sections 97(1), 286 and 311 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Laws of the Federation

of Nigeria (Abuja) 1990, and punishable under Sections 287 and 315 of the same Penal Code Act. Led-in-evidence by the prosecution counsel, Festus Keyamo, Mohammed said the allowances paid to the House members were not captured in last year’s budget.

He said the alleged fraud was planned at a meeting Bankole chaired in his house, adding that the minutes of the meeting would be tendered as an exhibit to prove that the accused conspired to defraud the government.

OR the third time, Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Dieziani Allison-Madueke, yesterday failed to appear before the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream).

The Muraino Ajibola-led committee, last Thursday, threatened to issue a summons for the arrest of the minister if she failed to appear before it yesterday.

The committee said the threat to arrest the minister followed her consistent refusal to appear before the committee after a formal invitation.

The committee yesterday said it was giving Mrs AllisonMadueke till 2pm today to appear before it or risk being compelled by force of the Constitution to appear before it.

The minister had last week failed to honour the committee’s invitation because she reportedly said she was in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, for an event.

She also said it was impossible for her to obey yesterday’s summons because she was in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan.

In a letter to the committee, Mrs Alison-Madueke said she was in Calabar to “flag off the vital Calabar 128-kilometre gas pipeline network project on same day (21 November).”

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

4

NEWS

Jonathan backs PDP chiefs on Bayelsa primary

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday applauded the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on its handling of the primary in Bayelsa State.

The exclusion of Governor Timipre Sylva has generated controversy.

But the President told members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) not to allow themselves to be intimidated by anybody as long as due process was followed.

Jonathan spoke when the party’s Acting Chairman, Abubakar Baraje, led some members of the NWC to the Presidential Villa to felicitate with him on his 54th birthday. They presented a card and a letter to the President.

Jonathan said: “I want to use this opportunity to commend you for what you have been

•Party acted in good faith, says Baraje From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

doing. It is a phase in Nigerian history, this government will be like a transitional phase in Nigerian history.

“It is always difficult for people to appreciate things. I notice that in Nigeria’s political environment, people feel that a leader of the party must always influence the decision of the party. So, influencing the decision of the party now becomes a norm. You made reference to the election, I always say my state, Bayelsa has always been a PDP state from 1999.

“I commend the party, continue to follow due process don’t be intimidated by anybody as long as you are on the right course. And I believe PDP will lead the coun-

try to where Nigerians want it to be,” he said.

The PDP leadership explained why the party went ahead with last Saturday’s governorship primary in Bayelsa State despite the court order.

Baraje said: “There was no injunction, what the party had was a motion on notice, it was not an order to stop anything, it was a motion on notice asking the party why certain prayers in that court papers should not be granted by the

court and that we should show reasons.

“We were able to show reasons why we should go ahead.

It was not an injunction, it was not an order, it was not anything stopping our party, we are a due process party, if the order had come and say stop, we will stop but that order was not to stop us,” he said.

On the request by Governor Timipre Sylva that the party should make public his alleged sin, the PDP acting chairman said the issue in Bayelsa is an internal issue of the party, adding that the party has

the right to present whosoever it desires for an election.

Besides, he said the governor cannot deny not knowing the reason for his exclusion.

Since he has not decided to make it public, the party is also not interested in making it public, Baraje said.

His words: “It is an internal affair of the party. If the governor wants to make it public, he can make it public. If he is saying the party has not told him what he has done, it means he doesn’t want to make it public and the party is not interested in making it

public. All I know is that in accordance with the law, the party has the right to present whoever is convenient to the party and that is what we have done.

On the consequence of the party’s action, Baraje said: “We have our processes and you must go through such processes before you can go to court, if you rush to court and it negates our constitutional provisions, then we will go to court, we will answer whatever you call us for but we will subject you again to the provisions of our constitution.”

OGUN’S 10,000 JOBS SCHEME BEGINS

Dickson applies to be joined in Sylva’s suit

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ARELY 48 hours after winning the governorship ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State, Henry SeriakeDickson has urged the Federal High Court, Abuja, to join him in a suit filed by Governor Timipre Sylva.

Sylva is asking the court to determine the reason behind the failure of the National Working Committee to clear him for the party’s primary last Saturday.

He urged the court to declare him the lawful governorship candidate of the PDP in the state.

The respondents are: the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), the PDP, and the acting National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje.

But Seriake-Dickson, yesterday through his counsel, Joe-Kyari Gadzama(SAN), applied for joinder in the suit.

He said he would be affected by the outcome of the suit filed by Sylva.

A written address in support of the motion on notice reads: “My Lord, it is our firm submission that the applicant ought to be joined as a party in this suit because he will be affected by the outcome, having been cleared to contest the governorship primary election in Bayelsa State.

“He has interest in the subject matter of this suit and its outcome.

“The applicant is a necessary party, who would be affected

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

by the decision of this court in this suit.

“It is our submission that since he would be affected, he ought not to fold his arms and watch the outcome of the proceedings which will ultimately bind him.

“It is trite that the courts are enjoined to join as a party to a suit, a person whom it considers would be bound/affected one way or the other by the judgement of the court in the suit.

Dickson’s counsel also claimed that joining the suit will “circumvent a situation where the applicant is compelled to initiate another court process to protect his interest.

“Also, it is agreed that in election matters, time is of the essence.

“Joining the applicant will save the court’s precious time and that of the parties. It will also avoid multiplicity of suits.”

The motion on notice reads: “That Dickson is a financial member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“That he actively participates in all activities and programmes of the PDP at the ward, state and national levels.

“That he indicated interest to contest the forthcoming governorship primary election of the PDP in Bayelsa State.”

PDP a lawless party, says CPC From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

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HE Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) yesterday described the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a lawless party.

CPC was reacting to the conduct of the primary in Bayelsa State, despite a court order.

It commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the matter.

A statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Rotimi Fashakin, said: “The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) is viewing with interest the obnoxious melodrama that is unfolding in Bayelsa State, as the (PDP) sets out to exude its impunity by going ahead to conduct its party primary in Bayelsa State while disregarding contrary legitimate order from a competent court of law.

“We wish to commend INEC for the deliberate patriotic and law-abiding action in dissociating itself from the charade that took place in Yenagoa on November 19 in the guise of party primary.

“We view this singular gesture as a robust indication of maturity in INEC to reform and play by the rules in the service of our fatherland as far as electoral umpire-ship is concerned.

•Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun presenting an employment letter to Miss Mutiat Adeola in Abeokuta...yesterday.

With them is the Head of Service, Mrs Aderonke Folarin.

INEC chair Jega: electoral work is a thankless job

T

HE Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega, yesterday described the country’s electoral work as a thankless job.

He spoke in Abuja yesterday when the out-going Chairman of River State Independent Electoral Commission, Prof Nimi Briggs, visited him.

Briggs’ tenure ends on Saturday. He presented a booklet on activities of his tenure to the INEC Chairman.

Jega noted that however good somebody performs on electoral duty, it is not immediately appreciated.

He said: “If you say that you pray for them to continue, many of them may probably throw stones at you be-

Tambuwal hails Rivers INEC

T

HE Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, has applauded the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, headed by Prof. Nimi Briggs, for the publication of two books chronicling elections in Nigeria.

The Speaker was presented with the two books, “Making the votes count” and “Enhancing the electoral process,” at the National Assembly yesterday.

He said the books were archival materials that would not only strengthen democracy From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

cause it is a very difficult and thankless job.”

“And to be able to perform since 2007 is really very commendable. I want to say that what you have done only the Almighty God can reward

From Victor Oluwasegun, Abuja

but also accurately present events that occurred during the elections.

The Speaker, who was represented by Asita Honourable, Chairman, House Committee on Local Content, noted that the publication of the books is the ”beginning of our political electoral history as we have some points of reference in the years to come. “ He extolled the commission and congratulated it on the achievement.

you.

“If we keep on trying our best, certainly we will be able to address these challenges and keep on ensuring that we have free, fair and credible elections in our country. So it is a thankless job. It is a difficult job but it is not an impossible job.”

“With time, obviously people recognise the good work that is being done and will come to appreciate it even though they don’t presently.”

He called on governors to ensure that sole administrators and caretaker committees are brought to an end in all local governments.

Fuel subsidy probe: Senate invites EFCC, ICPC

T

HE Senate has invited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Offences Commission (ICPC) to witness the opening of investigation into the management of fuel subsidy in the country.

Chairman of the Joint Committee probing alleged sharp practices in the management of fuel subsidy Senator Magnus Abe said this in Abuja yesterday.

Abe said the probe panel has invited the anti-graft agencies to witness the commencement of the controversial investigation today as observers.

Abe said: “We have just finished a meeting of the Joint Committee mandated to investigate the management of fuel subsidy in the

•Govt agencies refuse to submit memos From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor

country.

“We also resolved that the investigation will be open to all Nigerians. We resolved that all core issues that gave rise to the investigation will be covered.

“We resolved to write and invite the EFCC and the ICPC to attend the sitting as observers. We have already extended letters of invitation to them.”

Abe, who said that “nobody is coming to arrest anybody”, added that the committee felt that relevant agencies like the EFCC and ICPC should attend as observers.

Apart from the EFCC and ICPC, he noted that civil society groups were also invit-

ed to attend “so that they will have records of what is said at the investigation.”

Though he insisted that the presence of EFCC and ICPC officials was not meant to facilitate the arrest of anybody, the lawmaker added “but you can’t have a country where N1.3 trillion disappears and nobody is arrested.”

The committee, he said, also looked at those involved in importation of petroleum products and resolved to scrutinise the criteria for selecting them.

He noted that preliminary findings showed that some of the importers were not qualified to import products in the first place.

Abe lamented that some of the government agencies

asked to send written memorandum to the committee failed to do so.

But he said that the committee decided not to make issue out of the failure of some agencies to comply with its directive since defaulting agencies would still answer questions.

He listed Finance Minister, Petroleum Minister, Group General Manager, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Former Finance Minister, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as some of those summoned to appear before the panel.

The Senate had mandated its committees on Petroleum (Downstream) Finance and Appropriation to investigate alleged illegal deals in the management of fuel subsidy in the country.

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

5

NEWS KOGI 2011

•ALL FOR AUDU: Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, ACN chieftain Rotimi Obadofin, Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi, Osun State Deputy Governor Titi Laoye-Tomori and Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola at the ACN governorship rally in Lokoja...on Sunday

‘I want to change Kogi’ From Mohammed Bashir Lokoja

FORMER First Lady of Kogi State and governorship candidate of the Justice Party (JP), Hajiya Aishat Audu, yesterday said she joined politics to effect a positive change.

She said: “I picked the governorship form before April when it was not certain if my husband will get a platform. My decision to contest the governorship has nothing to do with any arrangement or agreement between the two of us. I am basically in the race to make a difference in Kogi State.

“The state needs somebody who is dynamic, who can create wealth, transform our abundant natural resources to develop the state. I am the right person to provide all these. And as a former First Lady, I have the details of the state and I am ready to make it work, if elected as governor.”

PDP chieftain chides CPC From Mohammed Bashir Lokoja

A FORMER chairman of Okene Local Government Area in the Central senatorial zone of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar Karaku, yesterday said the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) is not a threat to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Karaku, who is the PDP leader in the zone, said the people have decded to support the PDP at the December governorship election.

He said:”From 1999, we have been taking the deputy governorship position and yet nothing meaningful had been achieved. I think we are contended with the position of speakership which we already have. The speaker heads the third tier of government.”

Echocho urges INEC to stop Kogi election

B

ARELY two weeks to the December 3 governorship election in Kogi State, an aggrieved member of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Jibrin Isah Echocho, has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to stop the poll.

Echocho, who won the PDP ticket at the January 12 governorship primary, urged the electoral umpire to pull the brakes in the poll, pending the determination of a subsisting suit.

In a November 17 letter to the INEC Chairman Prof Attahiru Jega, Echocho said there is a suit pending on the

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

matter.

The letter signed by his counsel, R.O Adakole of Messrs S.I Ameh (SAN) and Co, said a chieftain of the PDP, Umar Lawal, is seeking an order of the Federal High Court against the nomination of Captain Idris Wada as the governorship candidate of the party.

Echocho won the PDP governorship primaries held in January before INEC postponed elections in five states, including Kogi.

The letter reads: “We wish to recall that the above suit

was commenced against your commission vie leave of the honorable court granted on the 21st day of September, 2011 whereof the applicant was granted to apply for order of judicial review by way on mandamus,prohibition and other declarative reliefs.

“Upon the grant of the said leave, the enrolled order of the honorable court and tye motion on notice were duly served on your commission and the other parties. We wish to note that the subject matter of the pending action against your commission and the others in the above mentioned suit is the determination of the question of- “who is the can-

didate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Kogi state governorship election, which you had slated for December 3, 2011.

“Take notice that in view of the subsisting action, the res of the matter is subjudice and all actions must wait the determination of the question/actioin as to do otherwise will not only be contemptous but an affront on the course of Justice.

“On the premises of the foregoing, we hereby enjoin you to refrain from taking any further steps including holding of any election pending the determination of the substantive suit.”

Echocho won the PDP pri-

maries held in January before INEC postponed elections in five states including Kogi.

When INEC announced a new date for the election, the Kogi chapter of the PDP conducted another primaries in September. Wada won.

Lawal is asking the court to declare that the January primaries won by Echocho is still valid and subsist and, therefore, the September primary election should be cancelled.

He is contending that it is only in case of death or voluntary withdrawal that a candidate can be changed..

Justice Bilikisu Aliyu will hear the suit on November 24.

PDP has turned Kogi to a failed state, says Audu

K

OGI State voters were yesterday urged to help return the state to the path of development by ensuring victory for the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) on December 3.

The party’s governorship candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu, lamented that Kogi, which was one of the best states when he left office in 2003, has become “a failed state.”

He spoke during his party’s campaign tour of two local government areas - KabbaBunu and Ijumu.

Hundreds of supporters trooped out at Iluke-Bunu, Ayetoro-Gbede and Iyara to listen to Audu.

The Olujumu of Ijumuland, Oba Jerome Sumonu gave

•ACN candidate gets royal blessing From Joseph Jibueze, Lokoja

Audu his royal blessings.

Four prayers - two each in Islamic and Christian ways were said for the candidate by four royal fathers within the communities.

Praying for the party’s success, Oba Sumonu said: “We pray that God Almighty will lead you to the Promised Land.

People believe, you can do it.

“I pray that God will enable you to lead Kogi to El Dorado. Any person that thinks will see the difference between Audu’s administration between 1999 and 2003 and now. The difference is

very, very clear.

“Be rest assured that the people will give you their support. With our prayers, everything is possible.”

Audu said it was “a shame” that Goki has suffered reversed fortunes since he left office. He vowed to halt what he called a deterioration.

The ACN candidate promised to upgrade the College of Agriculture in Kabba to a university.

According to Audu, hospitals are dillapidated, school teachers, ill-treated doctors, council workers and retirees owed salaries while poverty reigns in the midst of plenty.

He said: “During my time when I governed Kogi between 1999 and 2003, Kogi State was the best in terms of infrastructure in the entire country.

“Today, Kogi is the worstperforming state courtesy of a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) bulletin.

“It said Kogi is the only failed state in Nigeria. It’s a big shame. I was named the best performing governor in Nigeria. Since I left, we have had nine years of degradation.

I think enough is enough of PDP government.”

Director-General of the Abubakar Audu Campaign

Organisation, Alhaji Halims Ibrahim, said the ACN government would provide jobs for 25,000 persons who register.

His words: “Even the people who have been retrenched by the present government are being directed to come with their first letter of employment.

“I know for sure that they didn’t terminate their appointments properly. They just threw them out of work without any concern.

“But for people who are not yet employed, we want to get about 25,000 of them registered so that immediately we take over government by the grace of God, those people will be immediately employed.”

I will run transparent government, says Wada

T

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Kogi State, Captain Idris Wada, yesterday promised to operate an open door government, if elected on December 3.

Wada spoke at a rally in Oguma, in Bassa Local Government Area.

The retired pilot, who addressed party supporters,

promised to give a purposeful government where there would be transparency and open door policy.

He said:”As a man with humble background, I am always open to the people. The idea is to get into their feeling and know how to help them.

“I am not going to run a monster-face government, where people will be scared

of approaching me with quality ideas. Sycophancy has always been the bane of a failed government.”

Wada, who promised to provide quality roads in the rural areas, said the OdenyiOguma-Dekina road will enjoy top priority under him.

He urged the people of Bassa to come out enmasse to vote for the PDP.

The rally was for the first to be attended by the runner up of the September 22 PDP primary election in the state, Alhaji Abdularazak Isah Kutepa.

Kutepa said PDP has come to stay in the state and assured the people that whatever differences that might have taken place before and after the primary election has been settled.

•Wada

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

6

NEWS ALEX IBRU (1945 - 2011)

How Ibru cheated death On February 2, 1996, the late publisher of The Guardian, Mr. Alex Ibru, was attacked by gunmen on his way to his 17A, Alexander Road, Ikoyi home. BIODUN SONOWO, then of the Daily Champion, captured the incident . Excerpts from The Daniel from the Lion’s Den

T

HE famous Ibru clan is not a complete stranger to sudden death. In 1974, Onome, eldest son of the family patriarch, Olorogun Michael Ibru, died in a motor accident, along the Ole-IfeIbadan highway. Onomen, then aged 21, was the apple of his father’s eye and heir apparent to the Olorogun.

As the clan has grown over the years, the vicissitudes of life, have like any other, seen them through various trials. They have had their own share of triumph, too. But death has been kept at bay prayers and faith from this deeply religious Christian family.

On Friday evening, February 2, 1996, the grim reaper came calling. The dark one came in the shape of several young men, in the cold from the automatic weapons, and of death-dealing bullets. And the target was the youngest of the Ibru brothers (others in order of seniority are Michael, Felix, Bernard and Goodie), Alexander Uruemu Ibru, 50, and billed to mark 51 st birthday on March 1, 1996.

Until around 6.29 p.m. that is, when a terse statement from Mr. Femi Kusa, Editor-in-Chief of the Gurdian newspapers, confirmed the attack by unknown gunmen.

Who is after Alex Ibru? That is the mystery the police are now trying to unravel.

Piecing the incident together; the drama obviously unfolded around 6 p.m. Alex Ibru, publisher, industrialist and life-time businessman, had just closed for the day in his office suite at the Federal Palace Hotel, on Victoria Island, Lagos.

As he gathered his papers and rang for his driver and assistant, it probably broke down as just another day and time to return to his Ikoyi home, and to his pretty wife, Maiden.

Unknown to him, however, some people were lurking around the five-star hotel, watching his next move, masking sinister motives; robbery or cold-blooded murder, it is not yet clear.

His car, an ash Peugeot 504 salon began the short journey home from Ahmadu Bello Way Victoria Island, to the Ikoyi home of the publisher. Another vehicle was traversing that route that evening. It was a deep blue Peugeot 504 salon car with about five occupants (police have not determined the actual number of attackers).

According to Mr. Kusa’s and the Ibru family’s initial summation, the assassins knew Mr. Ibru’s itinerary and homeward route quite well. Said Mr. Kusa: “Apparently, they expected Mr. Ibru to continue his journey from the Five Cowries Bridge, (linking Ikoyi to Victoria Island) into Kingsway Road.”

It was then the would-be assassin struck at around 6.30 p.m. The driver of the blue Peugeot 504 salon car pulled off the traffic in a sudden swerve, drew level at the other side of the junction, several men (their number is uncertain) jumped out of the car, raced to Mr. Ibru’s car, automatic weapons drawn, and opened fire on him.

Several rounds of bullets were fired into the car and the defenceless occupants. Going by the bullet-ridden marks on the publisher’s car, it was a premeditated at-

He was unique, say IBB, Atiku

F

ORMER military President Ibrahim Babangida and former VicePresident Atiku Abubakar yesterday described the late publisher of The Guardian, Mr. Alex Ibru, as a unique and quintessential newspaper proprietor, whose standard towers above many.

Babangida, in a tribute, said: “ I was shocked because I never heard of any illness or health difficulties through my several telephone conversations with him. It was, therefore, agonising for me to learn of his sudden death. It hurts. It pains. It immediately brings forth nostalgic feelings of all our exchanges and interactions all through life. Alex was a simple man. His simplicity explains his philosophy of life and the way he engaged those who have opportunity to encounter him throughout his sojourn in life. In a diverse cultural setting like Nigeria, a detribalised Nigerian like Alex is all you needed to live in peace and harmony.”

Atiku said: “Mr. Ibru has left behind the legacy of a fiercely independent newspaper, which is read by many.

“Building and sustaining The Guardian as a formidable newspaper that speaks truth to power at all times is a rare feat in Africa, where dictatorships still hold sway, despite the practice of democratic rule.”

Senate Minority Whip Ganiyu Solomon, said: “His death is not only a loss to the journalism and his family but also to the country at large.”

Going back memory lane, the Senate Minority Whip recalled that The Guardian ran foul of the military government because of Ibru’s belief and commitment to the enthronement of democracy.

In his reaction, House of Representatives member, James Faleke stated that the late Ibru left his footprints in the sands of time.

Faleke said: “He brought development to journalism, made The Gaurdian a reference point and contributed positively to the enthronement of democracy in the country through his newspaper’s stance to remain with the people. We will all miss him.”

Who-is-who at the Ibrus’ •Governor Babatunde Fashola •Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan •Chief Ernest Shonekan •Chief John Odigie-Oyegun •Senator Ganiyu Solomon •Chief Nike Akande •Mr. Fola Adeola •Alhaji Lai Mohammed •Dame Abimbola Fashola •Prof. Wole Omole •Princess Sarah Sosan •Chief J.K. Randle •General Ike Nwachukwu •Sir Bode Emmanuel •Dr. Bola Akin-Olugbade •Mr. Tunde Mac-Alabi tack and Alex Ibru was the only target.

Cornered, and in shock, ibru suffered direct hits to his head and right hand. Also in deep shock and temporarily disoriented was the driver. But several powerful emotions were at work in the driver that evening. One was loyalty, another was self-preservation, and a third was duty.

Under attack, the driver rallied, controlled his fear and drove his master at top speed to a private hospital. Unconfirmed reports say it was to renowned private centre of excellence, St. Nicholas Hospital, that the quickly-witted driver drove his boss.

This timely medical attention coupled with his abiding faith in God, saved Ibru’s life. Doctor immediately began battling to save him. They found that at least one bullet had penetrated the head, close to his eye, while another had damage the publisher’s right hand.

As medical personnel at home commenced life-saving procedures, the Ibru family was making frantic arrangements to send the tycoon abroad for more qualitative medical care. Unvoice was the desire to get himout of harm’s way, in case the assailants decided to finish off the job they had bungled earlier, by tracking the publisher to hospital and terminating his life.

By 9.30 a.m. on Sunday, a breakthrough was achieved. A Falcon F-50 modified aircraft took the

publisher to London on a specially-cleared flight. The aircraft was leased from Aero-Leasing Air Ambulance of Switzerland. It arrived in Nigeria on Saturday night.

Earlier, Mr. Ibru’s doctor had advised against a precipitate grueling 10-hour flight, until his condition had been stabilized.

By Monday evening, doctors at the hospital where he was admitted in England, ha performed a sixand-half hour surgery to extract bullets and prices of shrapnel from his skull and hands.

Earlier, doctors at St. Nicholas had performed a life-saving surgery on The Guardian chairman.

The family said on Tuesday that Ibru’s condition was “stable”, and that his doctors “were pleased with his progress”. Only then did many relations, friends, well-wishers and employees of the publisher heaved a collective sigh of relief. By press time, no one could say the extent of permanent damage Mr. Ibru had cheated death.

Other in recent times have not been so lucky. On January 20, this year, seven intruders burst inot the Iju sub-urban home of Mr. Kayode Awosanya, public affairs adviser of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, and pumped him full of bullets snuffing out his life.

In October 1995, another dance of death had been enacted. Five determined young men invaded the Ikeja, Lagos, home of Pa Alfred businessman and elder statesman, locked up other members of the

household and shot the 79-year-old citizen to death. On Christmas day 1995, gunmen trailed Dr. Femi Oyewo, medical director of Pfizer Plc from the church where he had attended the Xmas service. They over-took his car in Ikeja, dragged him out and shot him dead in full view of assailants stole nothing, indicating that the killing was more to their taste than robbing.

Not left out in the orgy of violence are the police, Mr. Bonny David Izegwere, was mowed down in a hail bullets at Ojodu on the outskirt of Lagos. Nothing was stolen and his assailants are yet to be found.

The list is a very long one.

For Alex Ibru, what could be the motive for the seemingly senseless attack? For on year, government proscribed The Guardian newspapers, even though Alex was then Minister of Internal Affairs in the same government.

Then earlier this year, unknown

persons torched part of Rutam House, head office of The Guardian newspaper and associate companies, destroying vital production equipment.

Alex Ibru has found that publishing is a minefield. The first test came barely a year after the paper was born in 1983. In April 1984, two of The Guardian journalists were jailed for one year each by the draconian Buhari/Idiagbon regime who saw press freedom as a threat to the corporate existence of the state. In May 1991, the then military governor of Lagos State, Colonel (as he then was) Raki Rasaki ordered the closure of The Guardian for annoying him with a report that later proved to be true.

But assassination? That is the ultimate occupational hazard, and for Alex Ibru, as he convalesces on hi London hospital bed, it may be too much a price to pay.

-- Culled from the Daily Champion of February 11, 1996

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

7

NEWS ALEX IBRU (1945 - 2011)

•Clockwise from left: The late Ibru; Governor Babatunde Fashola condoling with Ibru’s widow, Maiden, and son, Toke...yesterday; Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan signing the condolence register; Tinubu, PHOTOS: MOSES OMOSEHIN Mrs. Ibru and Chief Paul Akinyelure...yesterday

Chime, Ahmed, Orji, NSA, Arisekola mourn

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OVERNORS Sullivan Chime, Abdulfatai Ahmed, Theodore Orji and the National Security Adviser (NSA) , General Owoye Azazi (rtd) yesterday described the passage of the publisher of The Guardian, Chief Alex Ibru as a huge loss to the country.

Chime said Ibru fought doggedly for the restoration of democracy in the country - a cause that almost cost him his life adding that he had left a trace of excellence in all he ventured into.

Ahmed said: “As a leading light in the Nigerian media industry, Alex Ibru would be remembered as an exemplary leader whose contribution to the growth of modern journalism cannot be quantified.”

The nation, he said, would not forget the deceased in a hurry for his personal efforts at ensuring sustainance of democracy in the country.

Ahmed, therefore, prayed God to grant the deceased eternal rest and the family left behind the fortitude to bear the loss.

Orji described the demise of Ibru as very shocking and unbelievable. The governor described Ibrus’ exit as a great loss to the nation, as there were few people like him who have touched virtually every aspect of the nation’s economy with resounding success.

His words: “Mr. Ibru’s contribution to the development of the nation in all sectors especially the media cannot be wished away and the media world will surely miss him.”

According to Orji, the late Ibru will forever be remembered for the establishment of The Guardian newspapers regarded as the flagship of the print media.

Azazi said the death of Mr. Alex Ibru came to him as a surprise.

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor and Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

“This painful exit of the publisher of The Guardian newspaper at a time like this has created a vacuum that is too difficult to fill”, he said.

He said: “The late Alex Ibru had no record of using his influential newspaper for blackmail or personal vendetta. Rather, he stood for peace, justice, truth, patriotism and service for humanity.

“I condole with the members of Ibru and The Guardian families over the passage of this great Nigerian and an illustrious son of Agbhara-Otor, Delta State.”

The Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Abdulazeez Arisekola Alao, described the death as painful.

Arisekola-Alao said: “It is with a heavy heart that I received the news of the passing away of our amiable brother, Mr.Alex Ibru, publisher of The Guardian, who I regard as very very dear and affectionate Ibadanman. He was indeed an amiable person. Our prayer: May God Almighty forgive him and accept him into his bossom. May He protect his family, friends and everything he left behind.

“I could recall vividly his disposition and comportment during the 90th birthday celebration of our dear Papa, Archdeacon Emmanuel Alayande (now of blessed memory) at which, my brother, Mr. Alex Ibru, played a prominent role.

He said to me that day: ‘My brother, you are not an Ibadanman more than I am’.

“He was indeed an amiable person. Our prayer: May God Almighty forgive him and accept him into his bossom. May He protect his family, friends and everything he left behind.”

Death a loss to the nation, says Tinubu

F

ORMER Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Tinubu yesterday described the death of Mr. Alex Ibru as a great loss to the nation.

Tinubu, in a statement, said: “The news of the death of Chief Ibru, The Guardian chairman and publisher, at 66, came to me as a shock.

His loss is not just to the Ibru family but to the entire country. But the loss is especially acute to the media, where he birthed Nigeria’s entrance into the era of modern professional journalism, through The Guardian stable.”

To the Ibru family, Tinubu offered condolences: “Please accept my very sincere sympathy over his demise. I pray that God, in his infinite mercy will grant you all the fortitude to bear this loss, and grant you courage and peace for the days ahead.”

Tinubu recalled the tribulations of the late publisher during the regime of Gen. Sani Abacha, after he resigned as Minister of Internal Affairs.

“The Guardian was shut by the military regime and he became a target of anti-democratic elements and security goons. He was shot in the heat of the post-June 12 democratic struggle. But the bullets of oppression could not extinguish the fire for a just and equitable society in him.”

He said in Ibru’s passage, Nigeria has lost “a great mind, a sound entrepreneur, a trail blazer and an icon in the media cum business firmament.”

He added: “That is why today. I mourn with his family and other Nigerians the death of a gentleman and lover of the media and democracy. One who stood to be counted when it mattered most. One who, in his own quiet, yet determined way, supported Nigeria’s struggle to birth a new nation – and one whose name and stewardship will never be forgotten in a hurry.”

Aliyu, Ogunshola, ACN say death a big loss

C

HAIRMAN of the Northern Governors Forum (NGF) and Governor of Niger State Dr Babangida Aliyu, the former President of the Newspapers Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Chief Ajibola Ogunshola and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday described the death of Mr. Alex Ibru, the publisher of The Guardian, as a great loss to journalism profession and the nation.

Aliyu said the nation has lost a great patriot and leader.

In a condolence message issued in Minna by his media aide, Malam Danladi Ndayebo, the governor described the late Ibru as a jack of all trade and master of all, emphasising that the late

By Tajudeen Adebanjo and Jide Orintunsin, Minna

publisher excelled in all areas he ventured into, with exceptional mark of integrity and discipline.

The message reads: “It is no longer news that the late Alex Ibru presided over one of Africa’s most influential newspapers - The Guardian - because of his rare vision and good leadership.

“Ibru’s The Guardian became the flagship of the nation’s newspaper industry not by luck but through hardwork, dedication and honesty of its late publisher ,its reporters, and a strong editorial board consisting of senior journalists, professors, retired generals, former ambassadors, retired civil servants and captains of in-

dustry.’’

Ogunshola, in a tribute, said: “The sad death of Alex Uruemu Ibru, fondly called “Chairman”, is a great loss to Nigeria.

“Even before The Guardian, he was already pre-eminent beyond his peers. The Nigerian press, the Nigerian people; will always be grateful to his memory for establishing The Guardian, which he achieved at the age of 38, and for ensuring that it maintained its lofty heights.

“It is rare to find so much wealth, charm and fame combined in a single frame. Even in grave illness, his charm and beauty shone.

“In a serious country, those who masterminded and launched the near-fatal attack on him 16

years ago and thereby changed his life forever, would be visited upon with commensurate punishment. My wife and I send our condolences to his dear wife, Maiden, to his children and siblings and the larger Ibru family.”

In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said through his Trinity Foundation and the newspaper, The Guardian, as well as his stint in government, the late Chief Ibru touched the lives of many in a positive way and helped to strengthen freedom and democracy.

The statement reads: ‘’His exemplary life of selfless service and entrepreneurship, lived with uncommon humility and absolute

faith in God, is worthy of emulation by all, especially at a time of rising self-centredness and sheer greed in our society. ‘’His words, as quoted by The Guardian, are worth repeating here, “I still don’t know why they did what they did. Only God has the answer. Judgment belongs to God. I don’t hate anybody, I don’t blame anybody.”

The party described the words as reflections of the mindset of a man who eschewed bitterness.

It said: “They offered a peep into the purity of his soul. One of the best tributes that can be paid to the memory of Ibru is for his Foundation and his pace-setting newspaper to continue to work hard to maintain and protect his legacy.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

8

NEWS Explosion at Lagos Marina

By Miriam Ndikanwu

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HERE was pandemonium at the ever busy Marina in Lagos State yesterday, when a sudden explosion left people scampering for safety.

The incident occurred at about 4pm when a combustible container, suspected to be a gas chamber, exploded while a welder was working on one of the vessels on shore.

The explosion, which spewed balls of fire into the air, injured the welder and destroyed some cars.

An eye witness said: “A lot of people thought the Boko Haram sect had struck. There was confusion everywhere with people running for safety.”

The whole area suddenly became deserted and was abandoned by commuters.

Some touts gathered at the scene, trying to take advantage of the incident.

Police spokesman Samuel Jinadu could not be reached as at press time.

Lagos S2peaker allays fear on 2012 budget

By Oziegbe Okoeki

L

•From left: Edun; ACN Southwest Leader Prince Tajudeen Olusi; Senator Tinubu; ACN State Leader Prince Murphy Adetoro; and another party chieftain, Alhaji Odunsi...yesterday

Traders get N13m grant from Senator

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MALL time traders in the 13 council areas within Lagos Central Senatorial Zone are to benefit from a N13 million grant launched yesterday by the senator representing the district, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu.

The grant is tagged, “Petty Traders Empowerment Capital Scheme (PETECS).”

Senator Tinubu said 50 traders would be given a N20, 000 non-interest facility each to invest in their businesses.

She said the scheme is a grant and not a loan.

Senator Tinubu said petty traders are major contribu-

By Wale Adepoju, staff reporter

tors to the sustenance of the informal sector and should be encouraged.

She said the scheme is in line with the promise of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to improve the life of the people.

Senator Tinubu said the scheme is open to all residents of the district.

On the selection process, she said: “Each applicant is expected to complete an application form with two passport photographs and present a well-known sponsor/referee, who is resident in any of

the Local Government Areas or the Local Council Developent Areas (LCDAs) in the zone where such business exists.

“The completed forms are to be submitted to the office of the chairman of their local government of origin through the chairman’s wife.

“The forms should be returned on or before December 5.”

Senator Tinubu said former Commissioner for Finance Mr. Wale Edun would chair the selection committee.

Edun will be assisted by one representative from the Community Development

Council (CDC), the woman leader and the ACN chairman in the local government area.

Also to serve on the committee are the Iyaloja-General of markets and wife of the councils’ helmsmen.

Senator Tinubu said the list of successful beneficiaries would be made public a day before her maiden Town Hall meeting on December 18.

The fund would be managed

by Skye Bank.

Senator Tinubu said the grant would encourage a savings culture and prepare beneficiaries for the proposed cashless society.

Edun said the committee would be fair to all.

AGOS State House of Assembly Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji has said there would be no delay in the passage of the N485.292 billion 2012 budget.

Ikuforiji said the non-existence of House committees would not stall work on the budget, which was presented to the House by Governor Babatunde Fashola last week.

He spoke with The Nation at the weekend.

The Speaker said the House would take the second reading of the 2012 budget on December 5 and 6, by which time the committees would have been constituted.

He said the Assembly would organise a seminar for members on the budget to speed up its passage.

Ikuforiji said: “I assure you that by the time we take the second reading of the bill on December 5 and 6, the committees would have been constituted, because it is already at an advanced stage.”

He said the House leadership has agreed to prune down the number of committees from over 30 to between 18 and 20.

The Speaker said: “The leadership feels that the number, which was over 30 before, is unwieldy and it would be better to trim it down to avoid unnecessary delays in the work of the House. This would also make for more effectiveness and functionality.”

He said the three standard committees on which every legislature revolves would still remain. These are: the Selection Committee, chaired by the speaker, with his deputy as vice chairman; Ethics and Privileges Committee, chaired by the chief whip; and the Business and Rules Committee, chaired by the majority leader.

Others would be merged to reduce the number of committees.

Indigenes call for Ibadan State

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NDIGENES of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, yesterday re-echoed their call for the creation of Ibadan State.

The indigenes, under the aegis of Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), spoke at the annual Ibadan Week celebration.

CCII National President Dr. Bayo Oyero urged the National Assembly to expedite action on the creation of more states in the country.

He said the creation of Ibadan State out of Oyo State would ease administration.

Chairman of Odu’a Investment Company Mr. Shara-

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

fadeen Alli, who belongs to the group, said the creation of Ibadan State is long overdue, considering the fact that other regional capitals like Enugu and Kaduna have since become states.

Alli, who was the chairman of the event, said with the population of Ibadan, which has been said to be the largest city in sub-Sahara Africa, the creation of Ibadan State is imperative.

He praised Oyero’s effort in the quest for the creation of Ibadan State and urged indigenes of the city to support the quest.

Bola Ige’s memorial for Dec •From left: Osun State Commissioner for Information and Strategy Mr. Sunday Akere; State Secretary of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Mr. Gboyega Famodun; and Oyetola...yesterday.

Osun flags off Aregbesola’s first anniversary

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HE Osun State Government yesterday flagged off the one year anniversary of the Governor Rauf Aregbesola administration.

The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, spoke with reporters at the Governor’s Office in Osogbo, the state capital, on activities marking the anniversary.

They include a seven-hour interactive session with the governor, tagged: “Ogbeni till day break”; a world press conference; thanksgiving service / state banquet; investiture of the governor as a patron of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR); state banquet for traditional rulers; conferment

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

of Muslim titles on the governor and the National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; inauguration of several projects; and anniversary lecture/ book launch, among others.

Commissioners and Heads of Agencies will also address the press on the activities of their ministries and agencies in the last one year.

Oyetola, who heads the anniversary committee, said the administration has, in the past year, laid a solid foundation for the transformation of the state.

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HE Annual Memorial Symposium and film show (Ofin-Ga) to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the death of the former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Ajibola Ige (SAN), will hold on December 16 and 17 at the Oduduwa Hall of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State.

The late Asiwaju of Esa-Oke was murdered at his home in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on December 23. His killers are yet to be apprehended.

The topic for this year’s symposium is: “A decade without Cicero: What are the implications on national and individual security, and on Nigerian politics?” It will be discussed by Prof. Akin Oyebode of the University of Lagos.

Prof. Akinwumi Isola will chair the occasion and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is the Chief Guest of Honour.

Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola is the Chief Host, while his Lagos State counterpart, Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN), is the Special Guest of Honour.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

NEWS Ministry promotes dress code

By Jeremiah Oke

THE Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, in collaboration with Legendry Gold Limited, have stepped up the campaign for the Nigerian dress code.

At an event hosted by the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Mr. Edem Duke, in Abuja, Nigerian fabrics were displayed.

Highlights of the occasion include paper presentation, celebrity model show that featured eminent Nigerians modelling indigenous fabrics peculiar to their states, fashion shows, exhibitions and cultural dances.

Lawyers threaten to boycott NBA From Osagie Otabor, Benin

LAWYERS under the aegis of Midwest Bar Forum have threatened to boycott activities of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), if other bar fora failed to support its bid to produce the next president of NBA. This was contained in a communiqué by Edward Aibangbee, secretary; and Razaq Isenalumhe on behalf of chairmen of branches at the end of the meeting held by leaders of the branches at Oleh, Delta State, after the inauguration of Oleh branch.

The Midwest Bar Forum said its leaders should engage other bar fora in strategic dialogue to press for what it termed a legitimate demand.

The forum argued in the communiqué that other fora like the Eastern Bar Forum, Northern Bar Forum and Western bar Forum have all produced the president of NBA twice while the Midwest Bar Forum is yet to be given such opportunity.

Toddler drowns in water tank From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Warri

A TWO-YEAR old child has been found dead in Aleibiri community, Ekeremor Local Government of Bayelsa State.

The child allegedly drowned in a water tank.

Sources said the incident occurred at Gbogbai-ama quarters of the community.

A source said: “We were doing our house chores, when the boy was declared missing. His mother searched everywhere. We were forced to join her but couldn’t find him.

“Later, one of his uncles went to fetch water and discovered his body in the tank.

“We tried to resuscitate him but he was far gone.

This is tragic. His mum has been inconsolable since then.”

•Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin (middle), defence chiefs and delegates at the 39th world congress on military medicine in Abuja ...yesterday

Assembly decries sack of Rivers’ indigenes from Abia A LAWMAKER in the Rivers State House of Assembly has moved a motion for the sack of indigenes of Abia State from the state’s civil service.

Kelechi Nwaugo, representing Omuma Constituency, yesterday said he received a petition from 68 Rivers State indigenes, who were disengaged in Abia State.

Nwaugo said non indigenes, especially those from Abia State, be disengaged from the Civil Service to create room for the 68 who had been laid off in Abia State since October 1.

Another lawmaker, Golden Chioma, said: “ If we keep quiet, tomorrow other states will take us for a ride.”

Chioma noted that there are about 500 Abia indigenes teaching in Rivers State-government owned schools.

He said: “By the time their names are compiled and a letter sent to Abia government, the Abia State indigenes who are working in Rivers State civil service

‘By the time their names are compiled and a letter sent to Abia government, the Abia State indigenes who are working in Rivers State civil service would begin to call their government to order’ From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

would begin to call their government to order.”

Belema Okpokiri, representing Okrika, also lamented that most teachers in government-owned schools are from Imo and Abia states.

“Our people collect money

from them and employ them and even post them to schools in Port Harcourt metropolis while indigenes are posted to rural communities,” he said.

He posited that the names of Abia indigenes be compiled as a signal that the sack could be imminent.

Arguing against the motion, Ewor Robinson (Ahoada East 1), said the state needs non-indigenes to help grow its economy.

He reminded the House that it had once cleared a nonindigene as commissioner and given scholarship to nonindigenes.

Another lawmaker, Igbani Ikwunyi, representing Andoni constituency, said: “Rivers State is the economic hub of the nation and so should be seen to accommodate everyone working in the state.”

He pointed out that in view of the just-concluded

Investors’ Forum, this is an inauspicious time to kick people out of job in Rivers State.

The lawmaker also argued that the government had also just engaged some nonindigenous medical doctors to run its numerous primary health centres.

Ikwunyi advised that the matter be handled with caution because of the reverberating effects it might have on the state.

Benjamin Horsfall representing Asari Toru constituency also advised that the matter be referred to the House Committee on Public Complaints and Petition for investigation.

The Speaker, Otelemaba Amachree sought the leave of the House to commit the matter to the Committee on Public Complaints and Petition headed by Michael Chinda and gave it “two weeks to carry out an indepth investigation into the matter.”

Southsouth governors call for revival of agric

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HE Southsouth Governors’ Forum yesterday ended a oneday meeting in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, with a call on the region to revitalise the agricultural sector.

The Chairman of the forum and Cross River State Governor, Liyel Imoke, who read a communiqué at the end of the meeting, said the council has examined the communiqué of the Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta states (BRACED) Commission .

It directed that an agriculture summit be held on October 18, next year.

Imoke re-affirmed the determination of the forum to

National Assembly to support Jonathan From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

T

•House debates motion

HE National Assembly has pledged continued cooperation and support for President Goodluck Jonathan and his programmes.

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu spoke at the Presidential Villa yesterday when he went to felicitate with the President on his 54th birthday.

He said: “The National Assembly will continue to partner with you in the efforts to make our country a better place for all.”

Ekweremadu, who led a 15-member delegation to the State House, assured the President, “you can count on us at all times.”

From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

improve education in the region, saying such was necessary to generate the required skills for sustainable development.

According to him, the forum plans to host a summit next year in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, involving all stakeholders to find solution to the problems of education in the region.

He explained that the meeting was held to review the development in the region, especially the

circumstances that led to the postponement of the Southsouth Economic Summit.

Imoke said the council has decided that the postponed summit would be held from March 15 to 17, next year in Asaba, Delta State capital.

The chairman directed BRACED to do a feasibility study to guide the states to make contributions to agriculture funds.

On expansion of the economy, the governor ac-

knowledged the council’s recognition of abundant marine resources in the region, and decried the amendment, directing the commission to include expansion of marine resources as an area of focus.

The forum thanked Governor Godswill Akpabio for hosting the meeting.

Those who attended were Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi; Delta State Deputy Governor Amos Ituma and BRACED Commission Chairman Joe Keshi, among others.

Two robbery suspects killed in Rivers

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GANG of armed robbers, including a woman, yesterday engaged men of the Rivers State Police Command in a shoot-out in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

Two of the suspects were killed in the gun duel.

It was gathered that the shoot-out took place on the Olu Obasanjo Road in the oil city.

A Toyota Sport Utility Vehicle RAV 4; four AK-47 rifles; 360 live ammunition and three explosives were

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

recovered from the hoodlums.

Police spokesman Ben Ugwuegbulam, who confirmed the incident, said: “The three men and one woman gang was burst.

“Two were killed and the others escaped.

“Their vehicle and arms, as well as their military colour jackets and fez caps were recovered.

“So far, it is found they shot Shem Graham Dabbey

in front of Micasa Hotel, shot Lucky and Prince at Eligbam, stole N10million at Ocean Marine SY Ltd in September.

“On October 31, they robbed and killed four Everyday Supermarket workers and police escorts.

“On November 4,they attacked Oceanic Bank Special Escort at Rukpokwu Market Junction, killing two policemen and two others.”

Ugwuegbulam added that investigations were on to arrest the hoodlums.

Edo, ANPP bicker over derivation fund From Osagie Otabor, Benin

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HE All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) has urged the Edo State House of Assembly to probe the activities of the state Oil and Gas Oil Producing Areas Commission (EDSOGPADEC).

It alleged that the 40 per cent derivation for oil and gas producing communities from the 13 per cent derivation fund have not been remitted to EDSOGPADEC for the development of Orhionmwon, Ikpoba-Okha and Ovia North East local governments.

The party’s Publicity Secretary, Goodluck Eguaoje Imuokhuede, who made the allegation at a briefing, said the lawmakers should commence the probe from 2008.

But the government said oil communities in the state have been paid their entitlements from the 13 per cent oil derivation fund.

It said the ANPP got its facts wrong in alleging that the state has not paid 40 per cent to EDSOGPADEC since 2008.

Commissioner for Information and Orientation Louis Odion said all oil producing communities got their entitlements as and when due.

According to him, “with the encouragement of Governor Adams Oshiomhole, the affected councils have been utilising their resources judiciously as can be seen in various monumental projects in their localities. This has been widely acknowledged by all.

Man killed in Delta From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Warri

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MEMBER of a vigilance group on Aroh road in Ughelli North Local Government of Delta State was at the weekend killed by unidentified assassins.

The deceased, who was said to have been clubbed to death, was found by the side of the road but his identity could not be ascertained.

It was gathered that security operatives have swung into action but are yet to apprehend the culprits.

The Divisional Police Officer (Ughelli ‘A’) could not be reached for comments but a senior officer confirmed the incident.

The police officer said the police had commenced investigation.

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

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NEWS DSP arrested for shooting hotel steward in Kano

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EPUTY Superintendent of Police (DSP) Emeka Ubani, attached to 35 Squadron of the Mobile Police, Jigawa State, has been arrested for allegedly shooting a hotel steward in Kano.

The steward is receiving treatment at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano.

Acting spokesman of the police command, ASP U.M. Al-Awwal, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said the officer is being interrogated at its Bompai Headquarters.

It was learnt that Ubani allegedly shot Friday Onwuka twice in the chest over a disagreement.

Doctors are said to be bat-

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

tling to save Onwuka’s life.

Ubani, who is said to be on admission in the same ward with Onwuka, sustained injuries when he allegedly attempted to escape.

He reportedly crashed with the victim and two other occupants.

Efforts to contact Police Commissioner Ibrahim Idris, were unsuccessful.

It was learnt that the Police headquarters in Abuja has been briefed and has ordered a thorough investigation.

Ubani was said to have been checked into room 403 of the hotel last Saturday night for a private business.

Police to ban motorcycles in Kwara From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

HE Kwara State Police Command has said it might enforce the state edict banning commercial motorcycles after 9pm in Ilorin, the state capital.

This followed incessant attacks on the residents by unknown assailants.

Police Commissioner Peter Gana told reporters in Ilorin that the command would fish out those behind the attacks.

Scores of people were said to have been killed in the attacks. But Gana said only three people have died, adding that others were recuperating.

The police chief decried the “uncooperative attitude” of the Okada Riders Association in the state, saying the police might call for the ban on commercial motorcycles in Ilorin.

He said investigations had not linked the attacks to ritualists or politicians, ruling out robbery as the motive.

According to him, the attackers rarely take away any valuable from their victims.

Gana said three suspects have been arrested, saying they would soon be charged to court.

He said: “There have been complaints about people being attacked from behind by unknown persons. It is true. There is no hiding from it. Based on our record, we already know the mode of operation and the areas that are now prone to their activities. The areas include Kano Street in Adewole; Sabo Oke; Sani Okin/Gegele Junction; and so many streets around ‘B’ Division.”

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Mark decries politics of bitterness in Benue ENATE President

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David Mark has decried the level of bitterness and acrimony among politicians in his home state, Benue.

He noted that unnecessary bickering is creating disunity and retarding the progress of the state.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, said Mark spoke at the thanksgiving/reception in honour of Interior Minister, Comrade Abba Moro, by the Ugbokolo, an Idoma community in the state.

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor

The statement said the Senate President reminded his people that power belongs to God and that only God decides who to give it to at anytime.

He said: “If God, in His infinite mercy, gives power to leaders, it is only incumbent on all of us to rally round them, respect and support them to succeed. This politics of bitterness, pull-him-down syndrome and in-fighting can only drag us backwards...”

•From left: The Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Elias Mbam; Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu; and his Nassarawa State counterpart, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, at the opening ceremony of the Northcentral zonal advocacy workshop on Economic Diversification and Enhanced Revenue Generation, at the Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre, Minna, Niger State.

Seven killed in Plateau violence

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EVEN persons have been killed in two separate attacks in Plateau State.

In the first attack on Sunday night, four persons were reportedly ambushed by about 20 assailants at Rokot village in Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area and three of them were killed.

During a protest by youths in the area, four people reportedly died.

Spokesman of the Special Task Force on Jos Crises, codenamed Operation Safe Have, Capt. Charles Ekeocha confirmed the deaths.

A survivor, Ezekiel Dadu, said: “I saw the attackers. They were Fulani headsmen and they were as many as 20.

“The attackers used stones and log of woods to create illegal road blocks while they ambushed their victims. We were coming on two motorcycles from Barkin Ladi; there were two of us on each motorcycle. Unknown to us that some people had laid ambush close to the road block, we came down to remove the road block so that we could pass. That was when the attackers came out of the bush and started shooting at us.

“On hearing gunshots, we tried to run but three of us were gunned down. But I was lucky to have escaped. The attackers pursued me in the bush but God helped me to escape.

The attackers easily got those who were on the motorcycles; those of us who came down to remove the road block ran

Youths to surrender arms

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OUR youths participating in the Youth Peace Camp VII programme, tagged: Peace in Jos: Arresting the Cycle of Violence, at Shere Hills, near Jos, the Plateau State capital, have volunteered to surrender their arms.

They said relevant authorities should intensify efforts to recover weapons to ensure that peace returns to the state.

The youths, who were among the 374 youths trained at the camp by the Institute for Governance and Social Research (IGSR), in conjunction with the Department for International Development (DFID) and Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre (CLTC), said they were convinced that “violence does not solve any problem”.

They confessed that their involvement in the orgy of violence on the Plateau has pricked their conscience.

Some other youths also confessed to using drugs.

They urged the authorities to mop up illicit drugs circulating in the state, noting that these influence youths into criminality.

A Junior Secondary School (JSS) 3 pupil, who participated in the programme, confessed to beFrom Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

faster on hearing the gunshots.

Our brothers, waiting on the motorcycle, were gunned down on the spot.”

Ekeocha said: “Our men have been there since morning trying to find out what happened.

They were able to open the road earlier blocked by protesting youths. Calm was later restored in the area.”

Members of the STF were said to have traced the route the

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ing on drug. He denounced the habit, saying most of his peers engage in violence after getting bad advice from adults.

The youngster promised to get rid of the drugs in his possession, saying he had received a better orientation at the camp.

Speaking with The Nation at the end of the seven-day training, Camp Commandant Sadiq Musa noted that with the boldness the youths renounced violent crimes, IGSR’s efforts and those of its partners at curbing violence in Plateau State were yielding positive results.

He said: “In the last one year, IGSR and its partners have trained 3,000 youths from Jos North, Jos South, Jos East and Bassa.

We are going to train 10,000 from the (Jos) four local government areas with additional local government of Riyom and Barkin Ladi in 2012. This is to disabuse the minds of the youths from settling dispute with violence instead of dialogue.

“These peace ambassadors will influence their peers positively and, subsequently, peace will return to the state.”

attackers took.

Rokot villagers identified the deceased as Jacob Davou, 32, with a child; Ezekiel Ishaku, 28, also with a child; and Ishaya Bulus, 25, not married.

Two Fulanis, said to have been arrested by men of the Divisional Police headquarters in Barkin-Ladi over the attacks, have been moved to the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at the state police headquarters in Jos for further investigation.

But the police spokesman could not be reached to confirm the arrest.

Governor Jonah Jang, through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Pam Ayuba, said the government was shocked by the renewed violence as it was making efforts to ensure lasting peace in the state.

“The government is very disturbed and very worried.

We consider this as another assault on the people of the state. When you think that peace is being attained, that is when our detractors come and start another round of killings,” Ayuba said.

Fuel scarcity hits Abuja, Ado-Ekiti From John Ofikhenua, Abuja and Sulaiman Salawdeen, Ado-Ekiti

PUBLIC NOTICE V.AAKASH

From Marie-Therese Peter, Jos

ETROL scarcity yesterday hit the Fedral Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, and Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.

While residents of the FCT experienced acute shortage of the product, those of Ado-Ekiti were in long queues to buy it.

The ubiquitous black marketers took advantage of the situation to hawk the product in plastic containers at outrageous prices.

Investigations at petrol stations in the city revealed that non-supply of the product at the weekend compounded the situation.

In Ado-Ekiti, motorists, motorcycle operators and other consumers were seen carrying Jerry cans and small containers to buy the product.

They had hectic time getting the product at the filling stations.

The petrol marketers cashed in on the situation to make brisk business.

Even those who confessed to having sufficient quantity of the product in their cars and motorcycles, which could last for some time, still joined the long queues.

P

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

11

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

DMO reconstructs 24 states’debts From Nduka Chiejina, Assistant Editor

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HE Debt Management Office (DMO) has re constructed the domestic debts of 24 states.

Its Director-General, Dr. Abraham Nwankwo, disclosed this at a workshop to help states float effective professional functioning debt management departments.

He said the DMO intends to reconstruct the public debts of the other states by the end of next year.

Reconstructing these debts means that there will be a credible data base showing how much states owe contractors, general suppliers, pensioners, teachers, the capital market and how much each state owes banks.

Training for states will last three weeks and the essence of the programme, Nwankwo explained, “is to reinforce the skills of the states in the use of excel for recording and analysing public debts.”

The first batch of states to receive training are Sokoto, Yobe, Borno, Kogi, Ondo, Jigawa, Niger, Gombe Anambra and Bayelsa.

Over the last three years, Nwankwo said the debt office has said worked with the states to assemble their files, collate their data, verify and authenticate them so that it can reconstruct their domestic debt data.

The DMO boss noted: “Having exited the Paris Club it became important to also look at the domestic debts of states and also authentic data on the debts of the Federal Government.

By the end of 2012, Nwankwo said there will be a reliable domestic debt data base for the 36 states.

It is our fervent hope that when the programme is completed, the cost of doing business in Nigeria would reduce through the elimenation of multiple registration and prequalifications in the various MDAs. -Emeka Ezeh DG, BPE

Fuel subsidy row hits budget T

HE Federal Govern ment may be propos ing a N4.8 trillion budget for 2012, it was gathered yesterday.

But the presentation of the Appropriation Bill before the National Assembly

by President Goodluck Jonathan is being delayed by the deadlock in the Executive-Legislature consultation over the proposed removal of fuel subsidy.

The presentation, which was initially slated for this week, may wait till the end of the month to allow more time for consultations so as to reach a consensus.

Last week’s meeting between the President and the National Assembly leadership at the Presidential Villa was deadlocked.

But the Presidency has renewed its lobbying of members of the National

• Okonjo-Iweala, Alison-Madueke, to face Senate today From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

Assembly to endorse the withdrawal of fuel subsidy.

Besides the take-off of the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), the government is proposing savings of about N1.2trillion from the withdrawal of fuel subsidy.

A National Assembly source said: “We are not likely to have the Appropriation Bill this week. I think the unresolved issues over withdrawal of fuel subsidy account for the delay in the presentation.

“But we are hopeful that the disagreement over fuel subsidy palaver will soon be sorted out.”

Another source in the House of Representatives said: “You cannot talk of 2012 budget

without addressing the subsidy palaver. So, you cannot talk of the actual date for the presentation of the 2012 Appropriation Bill.

“The government must present to us facts and figures on the present state of subsidy and proposed palliative measures. When we have the right information, we will then take a position on the planned withdrawal of the fuel subsidy.

“Already, queues are springing up at fuel stations in Abuja to prove a point that the government might impose the withdrawal of subsidy. But we cannot be intimidated and Nigerians cannot be coerced overnight to accept the policy.”

Senate spokesman Enyinnanya Abaribe said:

“The presentation may not hold because when we had interaction with the President, he told us that it might be in two weeks time.

“We are hopeful that before the end of the month, the Executive may send the Appropriation Bill.”

Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke and some top government officials are expected to appear today before the Senate on the factsheet on the withdrawal of subsidy.

A senior government official said last night: “The two ministers and top government officials will present facts and figures in defence of the government’s decision

‘NNPC incapable of managing oil industry’ From Nduka Chiejina, Assistant Editor

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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

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0.2958 206.9 242.1 151.8 1.9179 238 40.472

to withdraw the fuel subsidy.

“They may also unfold government plans on how to cushion the effects of the subsidy.”

Before accepting the withdrawal of fuel subsidy, most Senators and House members had last week asked their leaders to prevail on the President to meet four conditions.

The conditions are: •a publication of the list of the beneficiaries of past fuel subsidy; •presentation of facts and figures or statistics on the true picture of the amount of fuel subsidy; •a comprehensive release of palliative measures Nigerians will enjoy if the subsidy is removed and Action Plan to make the measures work; and •concrete work plan on how to make all refineries function at optimal level.

• UBA Foundation National Essay Competition winner, International School, Lagos pupil Miss Enitan Amodu, flanked by Deputy Managing Director, UBA Plc, Mr Kennedy Uzoka(left) and Ekiti State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Social Development and Gender Empowerment, Mrs. Fola Richie-Adewusi, at the awards presentation, at the UBA House in Lagos … yesterday

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Nigeria must renegotiate offshore oil contracts, says Sanusi

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Lamido Sanusi, said the contracts for oil companies to conduct deep offshore operations must be renegotiated because the fiscal terms are unfavourable to the country.

The companies should “renegotiate this or get out,” Sanusi said yesterday to cheering attendees at an economic conference in Abuja.

“These discussions are not just economic discussions, they’re discussions that go to sovereignty.”

“Unfair fiscal terms”for the deepwater operations, which account for 40 per cent of Nigeria’s oil production, cost the country $5 billion a

year in lost revenue and contribute to the decline of the country’s foreigncurrency reserves, he said.

Fuel subsidies, which the government wants to end, total another $6 billion a year, Sanusi said yesterday outside the conference.

Foreign-currency reserves dropped 3.7 per cent to $32.8 billion on November 4 compared with a year earlier, according to CBN figures.

The country imports most of its fuel products because of a lack of refining capacity, and spends foreign currency in biweekly auctions to support the naira.

Nigeria receives 20 per cent of oil companies’ profits from

deep offshore wells, “which is calculated when the oil companies tell us what their expenses are,” Sanusi added.

Nigeria is the fifth-biggest source of United States’ oil imports. Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Exxon Mobil Corp., Chevron Corp., Total SA and Eni SpA operate joint ventures with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) that pump more than 90 per cent of Nigeria’s crude.

Shell spokesman Precious Okolobo and ExxonMobil spokesman Nigel CookeyGam declined to comment on Sanusi’s remarks.

Total spokesman Charles Ebereonwu, Nigerian Agip Oil Company Ltd. spokesman

Tajudeen Adigun and Chevron spokesman Femi Odumabo didn’t answer telephone calls seeking comment.

The Nigerian government is pushing to renegotiate the terms with the companies through the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), Sanusi said. The proposal for changing oil industry regulation has been in the legislature for more than two years, stalling new projects in the industry as producers including Shell and Total hold off on investment until the law passes.

“I don’t talk to companies, I don’t care what they think,” Sanusi said when asked how oil companies will react to such changes in their contracts.

IGER State Governor Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, has described the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as a haven of corruption and incompetence.

He also said the Federal Government has no business in agriculture, educationthat they should be left in the hands of states and local governments.

Aliyu, who is the Chairman, Northern Governors Forum, stated this while addressing participants at the Northcentral Zonal Advocacy workshop on Economic Diversification and Enhanced Revenue Generation organised by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

He said there was need “to reform our major oil parastatal, the NNPC, because it appears it is incapable of handling the investment and the complex economic issues involved in the oil industry.”

He said it was important to curb the corruption in the industry for the development of the nation’s critical infrastructure and for the improved well-being of Nigerians,noting that an organisation without any record of oil production and how much has accrued to the country since oil exploration started has demonstrated incompetence.

The governor lamented that the continuous crisis between the Federal Account AllocationCommittee (FAAC) and states was unhealthy given that most states were facing financial difficulties with late distribution of revenue by the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), in the last two months.

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

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BUSINESS NEWS Oil spill: NOSDRA fines SEEPCO N68m

Flight Schedule

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

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

MONDAY - FRIDAY

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OR failing to report the oil spillage at its OKW-B location in Okpai-Oluchi Community in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State between March 5 and June 21, this year, the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) has slammed a fine of N68 million on Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company (SEEPCO) Limited.

This is contained in a letter signed by the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of NOSDRA, Sir Peter Idabor and addressed to SEEPCO on the matter.

In a statement issued yesterday by the Deputy Director, Information/Head,Public Affair of NOSDRA, Henshaw Ogubike, said the action of the oil firm is in violation of section 6(2) of the agency’s Act. The section states: “An oil spiller is by this Act to report an oil spill to the Agency in writing not later than 24 hours after the occurrence of an oil spill, in default of which the failure to report shall attract a penalty in N 500,000 for each day of failure to report the occurrence” The statement reads in part: “Accordingly, for failure, neglect or refusal to report the oil spill incident that lasted 136 days, NOSDRA found SEEPCO liable to a penalty of N68 million, which the company must remit to its account within the next 21 days of receipt of the letter of sanction.”

Senate to govt: allay fears in bitumen investment From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

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HE Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on Solid Minerals, Senator Boluwaju Kunlere, yesterday urged the Federal Government to produce a data that could help dispel fears of foreign investors who are interested in the bitumen subsector, especially in Ondo State.

He said nobody has been able to produce commercially viable data on the bitumen deposits in Nigeria and urged the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) to churn out a reliable investment model for the nation’s bitumen deposits.

Speaking in Abuja at the NGSA Stakeholders Forum under the theme: ”Geoscience Information and Data: Availability and Effective Utilisation for National Economic Transformation,” he said the fear is that nobody has been able to ascertain the commercial viability of the bitumen in Nigeria.

His words: “This is an interesting forum because I happen to come from Ondo State, which has the highest bitumen deposit in this country. And that the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency is organising this workshop here, I think it is an opportunity for me to register the interest of my people.

“I want to say that the agency should come out with an encouraging geological data that will allay the fear of investors in the field. The fear is that nobody has been able to determine that the commercial viability of the bitumen in this country. We have it in all over the place and the contractor will say bitumen is the major component of road construction and maintenance in this country.”

The Chairman, House Committee on Solid Minerals, Hon. Isah Hassan Mohammed, said the revenue the country can get from the minerals sector is four times of what it gets from the oil industry.

He urged the stakeholders to be committed to move the sector forward.

• Managing Director, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Mrs Bola Adesola cutting the tape to open the walk for sight, tagged Seeing is Believing. With her on the occasion are Vice-Charman, Nigeria Society for Blind, Asiwaju Fola Osibo (left) Chairman, Mrs Biola Agbaje (2nd left) and Executive Director, Finance of the bank, Mrs Bola Owolabi.

PHOTOS: OLUSEGUN RAPHEAL

Court upholds CBN governor’s powers to fire banks’ CEOs

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HE Court of Appeal in Lagos has upheld a judgment by a Federal High Court in the state, which held that the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Lamido Sanusi, possesses the powers to hire and fire directors of troubled banks.

The court, in a lead judgment read by Justice Inyang Okoro yesterday, upheld the judgment of the lower court delivered by Justice Mohammed Idris.

Justice Idris had held in the judgment on a suit by some aggrieved shareholders of Union Bank of Nigeria that the CBN governor has powers under Sections 33 and 35 of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) to hire and fire directors of any bank found to be in grave situation.

Dissatisfied, the shareholders Danson Izedonmwen and Edith Izedonmwen had through their lawyer, Chuks Nnachukwu went

By Eric Ikhilae

before the appellate court.

They had argued, in their appeal, that the lower court failed to take cognisance the dangers inherent in allowing the CBN governor, being an individual, to take over people’s investment by exercising his supposed powers under BOFIA to take over any bank at will, sack and replace its management with his appointees, who are answerable to him.

Aside affirming the lower court’s decision, the appellate court awarded N30, 000 cost against the appellants. It failed to adduce reasons for its conclusions, saying the full judgment was not ready as at the time of delivery.

Justice Okoro only read the opening and concluding part of the judgment.

One of the Justices, Justice Ibrahim Saulawa explained that the

non-readiness of the full judgment was because of “printer’s devil” as some typographical errors were discovered.

Appellants’lawyer,Chuks Nwachukwu said he would not be able to officially react to the judgment as he was yet to know the reasons the Appeal Court arrived at its conclusion.

Nwanchukwu said he would study the judgment after getting a copy and then take further appropriate step.

The bank chief executives who were sacked in 2009 are Mrs Cecilia Ibru (Oceanic Bank); Francis Atuche (Bank PHB); Sebastian Adigwe (Afribank) and Erastus Akingbola (Intercontinental Bank).

Others are Charles Ojo (Springbank), Bathelomew Ebong (Union Bank), Ike Oraekwuotu (Equitorial Trust Bank and Okey Nwosu (Finbank).

NCAA defends report on British Airways, Virgin

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HE Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has ac cused British Airways (BA) of undermining its authority, saying it stands by its report that British Airways and Virgin Atlantic were involved in fare fixing.

In a statement signed by NCAA Director-General,Dr.Harold Demuren, it stated that it is conscious of its regulatory role in the industry, stating that it took a balanced and objective posture to ensure that the rights of the investigated airlines were respected, as well as the interest of passengers.

Demuren’s statement is coming on the heels of a challenge by the British Airways of NCAA’s legal rights to investigate a matter that happened before its creation. However, Demuren said BA has been confrontational, going by the import of its letter to his organisation over the fare.

He said: “It is noteworthy that as has been characteristic of British Airways, their letter needlessly confronts NCAA that it has acted “unlawfully”, outside of its powers, without legal basis and usurped the Judiciary. While entirely false, these inflammatory statements are needless and do not add anything to any legal points BA seeks to make.

“The only possible objective of such a confrontational approach is to condescend to and undermine

• Nwuche lauds Aviation Minister

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

the regulator. It again, demonstrates the repeated and continuing disregard BA has for Nigerian constituted authority and its exclusive desire to ensure that absolutely nothing interferes with its ability to continue to take advantage of our business without the reciprocal regard and deference required. This kind of acrimonious approach to communication and interaction with the regulator neither promotes nor conveys the type of mutual respect required for a mutually beneficial resolution of differences between the Federal Government and British Airways.”

Demuren said despite the specific issues the airlines’ raised, “I remain confident that the NCAA, both in its process and in content, has acted appropriately within the confines of law.”

He insisted that NCAA complied with the legal requirements for fairness during the investigations, insisting that its investigation “meets the constitutional standard required of such investigative hearings under Section 36(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which provides that the administering authority provides the person affected by its decision an opportunity to make representations before the

decision is made. In the circumstances, there is no procedural unfairness in the investigative process.”

He assured the travelling public that any enforcement action will be entirely consistent with the letter of the law while being both robust and effective, stressing that the policy of protecting Nigeria and Nigerians would be demonstrated in every step NCAA takes over the issue.

Meanwhile, the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chibudom Nwuche has commended the Minister of Aviation Mrs Stella Oduah- Ogiemwonyi for her diligent and firm handling of the recent controversy over distortions in the implementation of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and Britain.

Nwuche, who was fielding questions on the matter from reporters in Abuja at the weekend, described the resoluteness exhibited by the minister in rallying to protect the threatened interest of the nation, as well as that of citizenry, as very laudable. ‘’The prompt response to this unfortunate development and the remarkable display of patriotism by the Minister, are quite commendable and should be emulated by our public officials handling issues like this which tend to negatively affect our nation and its citizens,’’ he stressed.

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

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

LAGOS – KADUNA Aero 08.00 Chanchangi 10.00 Arik 10.00 Arik 15.10

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

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

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LAGOS – WARRI 08.15 11.50 11.55 14.55

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

08.50 09.45 09.40 14.00 15.45 19.55

LAGOS – OWERRI 07.20 14.00 16.30

08.30 15.10 17.40

LAGOS – UYO 10.35

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

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

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

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

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THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

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THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

ENERGY THE NATION

E-mail:- energy@thenationonlineng.net

Why refineries must be audited, by experts After decades of poor returns from the refineries,experts are calling for an audit of the plants.DANIEL ESSIET reports

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ECADES of poor returns from refining crude oil into diesel and other fuels is giving the government concern. Added to this is the fact that the refineries are suffering from chronic under capacity and thus weak margins.

The President, Nigerian Association for Energy Economics (NAEE), an affiliate of the International Association for Energy Economics (IAEE),Prof Adeola Adenikinju, said the issues facing the refining sector has had negative impact on the crude-oil and refined-products market. He said no efforts has been made to add refining capacity in line with its surging domestic demand for fuels.

Adenikinju said despite billions are spent on Turn Around Maintenance on the refineries, the result has been highly questionable outcomes. The effectiveness of the exercise has been poorly evaluated .

He said the high cost of upgrading the refineries, is causing concern across the industry, with the cost running into billion of naira.

Adenikinju stressed the need for an audit of the oil refineries to establish their reliability in the face of increasing unplanned refinery shutdowns. He said an independent audit would establish, with far greater clarity than is currently available, whether it represents value for money, and which types of interventions are effective and which are not.

He said the audit will establish the reliability, availability, and capacities of different facilities. He said efficiency audit is required to identify uneven practices between refineries, such as use of old, inefficient equipment and also whether best practices are widespread.

Overall audits for individual oil refineries will be carried out to identify problem areas where individual refineries perform poorly compared to other refinery averages.

He said audit of the refineries needed to be carried to identify the shortfalls within the system and to suggest improvements. According to him , the costs of failing to identify flaws in refineries and poor implementation has been substantial. He called on the government

to quicken an audit of refineries to expose expenditure to comprehensive scrutiny and to help in the process of defining success and failure.

He said the petroleum industry is in its present state because of the unwillingness by successive governments to consider alternative options in light of changes in demand and supply. According to him, new investments will restore ageing facilities and to increase the economic and financial viability by improving operational efficiencies.

Adenikiju said Operation Performance Evaluation Review (OPER) is necessary to improve production efficiencies.

He said Nigerians tend to think of running as a public utilities — a crucial piece of infrastructure that governments are duty-bound to provide and oversee.

The responsibility of managing refineries, he noted, is no longer a question of public trust; increasingly, it’s a matter of private enterprise.

And with the country facing increasing demand for petroleum products,he said there is a need for massive investments to upgrade them.

Adenikinji, a professor in Department of Economicsand Senior Research Fellow , Centre for Econometrics and Allied Research,University of Ibadan, said there is need for more refineries as demand is still booming.

He said the industry needs to build refining capacity to add value to the crude pump out of the ground.

He said:”We will see more importation of finished petroleum products entering the country because the cost of production is simply lower outside.”

He said it made sense for oil companies to get out of such an unprofitable business and put the capital into exploration and drilling.

Adenikinju said the refineries need to be privatised to play a t great role in the domestic oil market, where the company is a monopoly provider. Government, he observed, is in a bit of a mess in trying to update the refineries, based on public utility model. He said there are qualified private Nigerian in-

vestors that can take over the stateowned downstream petroleum businesses, and manage them efficiently and profitably.

According to him, private operators are great at managing assets and procuring power because they come in on time and on budget.

Beyond the profit potential for the private sector, the privatisation model can be more efficient for everyone, he added.

He said if the government wants to reposition the oil sector, corruption must be tackled and corporate governance standards improved to achieve this.

While audits to rigorously evaluate each refinery should be required, he noted that it will pay the nation to hand over the refineries to private operators to run.

Adenikinju said the government will improve the oil and gas sector through deregulation and privatisation.

On the balance,the refinery market is not competitive. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation(NNPC) control domestic oil refinery capacity.

Prof Akin Iwayeni said private operators have to be encouraged to establish refineries. This will affect domestic refining ca-

pacity. According to him, the entry of more operators will make it difficult for others to manipulate supplies by intentionally withholding supplies in order to drive up prices.

Some operators had intentionally withheld supplies of petroleum products from the market as a tactic to drive up prices These actions, have costing consumers millions of naira.

Akin Iwayemi,who is the President,Nigerian Economic Society(NCS), said the government should privatise all its refineries and petrochemical units.

Under the NNPC, he said the refineries can never be run efficiently on account of entrenched corruption and its perpetuation by political office-holders who cannot keep their greedy hands away from the millions of dollars required to keep them functioning.

Iwayemi called on the government to halt the wasteful expenditure on turnaround maintenance of the refineries and sell majority equity in them to reputable core investors.

Iwayemi said licences should be issued to interested private sector operators to establishtheir own refineries.

• Adenikinju

Chief Executive Officer,Akan Global Ventures Ltd, Kan Frank, said the refineries should be run in a manner that benefit users , build long-term value for the shareholders, and assure sustained performance and viability of the facilities.

For watchers ,him , the state of the refineries have added the shortages, driving up prices.

• Continued on page 47

• A refinery

SPDC spends N9b on community devt in Niger Delta

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HE Shell Petroleum Develop ment Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC) says it spent N9 billion on community development projects in Niger Delta in 2010 The Managing Director, Mutiu Sunmonu, disclosed this in Abuja.

The event was the first Sustainable Development Partnership Opportunity and Exhibition organised by SPDC in Abuja, and the theme was Powering Progress Together.

It brought together government officials, diplomats, NGOs and development organisations, who thronged the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Memorial Centre and heard testimonies by beneficiaries of GMoU, LiveWIRE, community health and other life-building programmes.

Sunmonu said: “This is one of the biggest corporate social responsibility portfolios operated by a private company in Sub-Saharan Africa, and it shows that we care for

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

the well-being of the communities in which we do business.”

“I am excited about today’s event because it is the first if its kind for us in Abuja. We know from our work in the Niger Delta, that no single actor can meet the scale, complexity and resources required to respond to the challenges of development in communities. That is why we have increasingly partnered with other business entities, government agencies, NGOs and community-based organisations to plan and deliver on our social performance commitments to achieve the desired impact and sustainability.

“He cited the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) initiative which the company introduced in 2006 as a life-changing opportunity for communities who

now choose and implement their projects with funding from SPDC. So far, SPDC has signed and implemented agreements with 26clusters, covering 271 communities in Rivers, Delta and Bayelsa states.

By the end of 2010, a total of 490 projects had been implemented through GMoUs, with more than $65 million provided as funding.

In an address, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, commended SPDC for its GMoU initiative.

He said: “No other question preoccupies the minds of the people of the Niger Delta than rapid development. And peace is the bedrock of all development. Therefore, let this forum mark the beginning of a brighter and more hopeful co-operation and prosperity for the Niger Delta region and Nigeria in general.”

The Amayanabo of Nembe Kingdom, Dr. Edmund Daukoru, who chaired the occasion said: “I’ve come all the way from Bayelsa State to associate with the success of the GMoU and other programmes, which I wish could be standard for all Nigerian communities.” Beneficiaries who made presentations included Mrs. Shade Aderogba, who enjoyed all-year round health care including giving birth under the Community Health Insurance Scheme of IA GMoU Cluster, Mercy Chukwudi and Diana Marcus, who established businesses with Livewire support as well as Chief I. S. Young-Dede the chairman of Nembe City Development Foundation.

Chief Young-Dede, also the Palace Secretary of the Amayanabo of Nembe Kingdom, enthralled the audience with many projects that

have been executed including land marine transport, guest house, roads, ICT centre and printing press.

He added: “We’ve transformed from being a cluster to a foundation capable of attracting support from far and near.”

Precious Njoku, who trained as a welder under the GMoU programme, and is gainfully employed in a big construction company in Port Harcourt. “My story has changed for good,” he declared to the applause of the audience. “It is stories like Precious’s that encourageus,” commented Vice President HSEand Corporate Affairs, Tony Attah. “We will continue to invest in the wellbeing of our people as we do businessin the Niger Delta, and ask other stakeholders including communitiesthemselves to be part of this noble effort.” SPDC had held similar exhibitions in Port Harcourt, Yenagoa, Warri and Lagos.

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

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ENERGY

‘We’ll recover missing N5b royalty’

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COALITION of civil soci eties organisations (CLO) known as Publish What You Pay (PWYP) has said efforts are in progress to ensure that N5billion missing from the banks from 1999 to 2004 and 2005 was recovered within the next one year.

An audit report by the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiatives (NEITI) between 1999 and 2004 had revealed that money that was paid from taxes and royalties from the oil/gas companies into different banks, including the commercial banks in Nigeria was discovered missing.

Speaking during a two-day Oil/ Gas Revenue Tracking Training/ Annual General Meeting in Lagos organised by NEITI, the National Executive Chairperson of the coalition, Mrs. Faith Nwadishi, stressed the need for transparency and accountability in stewardship of public funds by office holders.

She noted that the disappearance of the huge sum of money was not only traceable to corruption but also to high level of irresponsibility by officers concerned.

“It is irresponsibility to the fact that there was supposed to be somebody who was in charge of that money. There was supposed to be somebody who was responsible for the collection of that money, the person must have been careless, that was why that amount of money could not be reconciled or be found anywhere”, she said.

She, however, disclosed that the coalition had contacted the various organisations and institutions that were concerned with the disbursement of the country’s finances including the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation, the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Ministry of Finance on account of the missing money from the Nigeria treasury.

“We are gradually tracing the

By Bidemi Bakare

money. We hope that very soon, we will be able to tell Nigerians where the money is, Nwadishi assured.

She also informed that NEITI had concluded plans to begin audit report of the different sectors of the nation’s economy, including the solid mineral sectors which according to her, was in the interest of ensuring that the revenue accruing from the sector was put into good use for the benefit of the generality of Nigerians and for the economic advancement of the country.

‘We are looking at developing strategies for engagement in that sector. NEITI has come up with strategies and points of actions for engagement in the solid minerals.

They have identified companies that they would begin to update.

By 2012, the first report of the audit report of the solid minerals would be published by NEITI’, she said Calling for support for NEITI to carry out their periodic report of the sectors, Nwadishi stressed the need for people to have the basic knowledge of how the money that is being generated in the country is being used.

She said: “If we support the work NEITI is doing and when they bring out issues like this, we follow it up. We will found out that overtime the right things would be done, monies will no longer be missing.”

On her own part, the Executive Chairperson said the PWYP was committed to building capacity that would ensure proper accountability of revenue and expenditure in the country.

On the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), the woman executive appealed to Nigerians to be patient assuring that the bill would soon be passed into law.

Power deregulation will improve electricity, says expert

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DON, Prof. Frank Okafor, said deregulation in the power sector would assist in improving electricity supply in the country.

Okafor, ,who teaches Power and Control Engineering in the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, University of Lagos, said this in Lagos while delivering an inaugural lecture entitled: Power System Control and Automation; the Challenge of Reliable Power Supply.

He noted that deregulating power system required greater considerations than were proposed for other networks in developed economies.

The university lecturer pointed out that the country’s available installed electricity generating capacity was a little more than 4000 mw, adding that with the country’s population at more than 140 million, translated to about 27watts per person.

“This is not enough for the individual to light a lamp, how much more of taking care of industries that a modern urban centre should do whether as an individual or collectively.

“If we consider that only the Nigerian urban population alone estimated at 50 million, including Niger Republic, which is also connected to Nigeria’s grid, have access to all of the 4000 mw capacity, it would be about 80 watts per person, which is better but not much,” he said.

Okafor said for the country to join the league of world leading countries there was an urgent need to raise the electricity generating and

distributing capacity to 500 watts multiplied by 50 million, which amounted to 25,000 mw.

He said that recently, the Nigerian power system was solely owned by the government, adding that most major projects in the country had been designed to have their own power supply separated from the national grid.

The don said these projects were within the jurisdiction of the existing power supply, adding that Nigeria needed to have grown the capacity of her power system to accommodate them.

“One can, therefore, say that the failure of our power system is assumed in the design of these projects and a policy shift is urgently needed, “ he said.

• From right: Hon. Dakuku Peterside, Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum (Downstream); Hajia Amina Maina, Executive Director (Supply and Trading) MRS Holdings Ltd; and Mr Jude Onoh, Head Corporate Communications/Brand Manager, MRS Oil PLC; at the OTL Africa Downstream Expo in Abuja”

Expert advocates bio-refineries for power

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DON, Dr James Titiloye, has canvassed the estab lishment of bio-refineries as part of a strategy to end the erratic power situation.

Titiloye, who is the Postgraduate Programme Director,European BioEnergy Research Institute,Chemical Engineering and Applied ChemistryAston University, Birmingham UK said development of biorefineries are crucial part of achieving alternative fuel production goals.

Presenting a paper entitled Sustainable Development with Chemical Engineering: Challenges and Opportunities at University of Ilorin(UNILORIN), Ilorin,Kwara State, Titiloye said the existence of commercial-scale biorefineries in the country will provide the opportunity to demonstrate a powerful renewable energy source that could reduce the nation’s dependency on oil.

He said biorefineries use a combination of agro produce to generate electricity which could be supplied to the national power grid.

Since reducing dependence on petroleum products for power supply is the ultimate long-term

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goal, the expert urged the government support the industry to embrace integrated biorefinery concepts through a focus on demonstration and validation of efficient processes for producing biofuels from corn fiber, agricultural residues, and forest products residues as well as various other energy crop feedstocks Highlighting the benefits of alternative energy technologies, the expert said solar energy is a veritable source as the earth receives roughly 174000TW of energy from the sun.One hour of the Sun’s energy,he stated, can power the world’s needs for a year.

Titiloye said there was a decline in fossil fuel reserves which has led to increase in prices of oil.

About two billion people worldwide,he said have no access to electricity and over 50 per cent of these are in sub-saharan Africa.

By projection, he said demand for energy will triple by 2050.

He said the Energy Commission of Nigeria has embarked on pilot projects, which include biogas digester at Ikenne, Ogun State, biogas pilot plant in Sokoto

State and biomass project at Nsukka.

According to him,there was approvals for the establishment of three new energy research centres: These include National Centre for Energy Efficiency and Conservation at University of Lagos, National Centre for Hydropower Research and Development at University of Ilorin and National Centre for Petroleum Research and Development at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University He called on the government to establish legislative and regulating laws to encourage growth and adoption of biomass and bioenergy industries.

He called on the government to identify policy measures to overcome barriers inhibiting low carbon economy.

Currently, there are several significant barriers to the realisation of a self-sufficient biorefinery industry in the country. These include: political and market resistance and lack of supporting infrastructure, such as feedstock, biofuels, and vehicle infrastructure), and market development and penetration issues.

NLNG chief seeks investment in gas infrastructure

HE Deputy Managing Direc tor/Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria LNG Limited, Basheer Koko, has called for investment in gas infrastructure to promote the growth of the industry.

Koko said lack of infrastructure was affecting the outlook for expansion and raise concerns that the industry will struggle to provide the

Joint venture projects coming UNITED Kingdom law firm, McGrigors,, has ad vised on what is believed to be the first in a string of Joint Ventures( JVs) projects as international energy companies target lucrative oil and gas contracts in the country.

The Aberdeen-based energy team advised indigenous conglomerate Jagal Group on a deal which will allow it to join forces with Subsea 7, a global leader in seabed-to-surface engineering and construction and services. The resulting JV, named NigerStar 7, will provide services to oil companies for large and complex projects in the country. McGrigors said the

By Daniel Essiet

groundbreaking deal has come about partially in response to strict new legal requirements in Nigeria aimed at improving local content development Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

McGrigors partner, Roger Connon, who led the legal team on the deal, said similar deals are expected in the coming months. “The Nigerian authorities recently passed a law, The Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act, which is designed to enhance the level of participation of Nigerians and Nigerian companies in the development of the country’s oil and gas industry,” Connon said.

amount and types of capacity needed to meet demand.

Addressing participants at the just concluded OTL Africa Expo in Abuja, he said inadequate downstream infrastructure is inhibiting consumption and market penetration.

He said although the demand for the product is on the increase adding that the current storage facility are limited to quarantee enough supply of gas throughout the country.

On current Storage facilities, Koko said until 2009, only the PPMC had a facility with a 4,000mt capacity and shared jetty with other products was operating.

He said the new NIPCO facility commenced operations in 2009 with 4,000mt capacity, sharing jetty facilities with PPMC. Koko said another new facility (Navgas) commenced operations in 2010 with 8,000mt capacity, and an independent jetty. He said there is Sahara facility with 1,000mt capacity at Calabar and draft restriction was dormant until the third of this year.

He said there is little or no storage infrastructure on the East Coast costing higher trucking cost to places around the South-South and South

East around of the country.

He said absence of well-structured retail outlets except for a few (Forte, Oando and Total) resulting in Koko said the domestic LPG Market had faced severe shortages in the past due mainly to epileptic nature of the supply from refineries which were expected to be the major source.

He said most of the gas currently being produced is exported but that the government is now pushing towards domestic gas consumption.

Through LNG Intervention, he said there is a yearly allocation of 150,000mt to the domestic market to guarantee supply.

Koko said the annual LPG Consumption is approximately 100,000 metric tonnes and that Liquiefied Petroleum Gas is mainly used for cooking and competes with other sources such as DPK (Kerosene) being subsidised and firewood.

He said LPG Price is expensive relative to alternatives such as kerosene which is subsidized and firewood.

On challenges,he said there is extortion by unions at depots and poor road network, all adding to increase price for the end-user.

He called for the establishment of more private Jetties/Storage Facilities & Gas

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

19

EDITORIAL/OPINION EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

COMMENT

Europe’s contagion

A vote for Nigerians Senators’ decision against subsidy removal is most pragmatic

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F only for once, our legislators seem to have begun to think of the people who voted them into power. This is the deduction to be made from reports that President Goodluck Jonathan escaped a vote of no confidence by the Senate on November 15, for his insistence on removal of fuel subsidy. Although the vote of no confidence aspect of it was later denied, we saw no justification for that denial. Notwithstanding, the senators have not given their nod to the president’s proposal on subsidy removal, which is pragmatic and commendable.

We are also happy that the Senate has asked the president to deal with the Boko Haram problem – which the president has not been able to curtail. When one adds the Boko Haram case which has al-

‘Whatever their political leaning, the legislators should find a matter as serious as this as a rallying point; for there will always be a point at which our legislators must shake hands on important issues. The fuel subsidy is one of such issues. The senators have taken a good stand; let them stand by it’

ready given a bad image to the country as an insecure nation to the fuel subsidy removal, one will naturally be apprehensive of the likely consequences.

The scenario next year is that we would be faced with two-pronged social problems: Boko Haram on the one hand and, on the other hand, Labour and civil society groups comprising of students, artisans, traders, the clergy and other Nigerians who are likely to take to the streets as it happened recently, especially in Egypt, when the so-called fuel subsidy is removed.

It is gratifying that the senators are toeing the line of public opinion because they know the consequences of citizens’ revolt. The senators’ stance might have been influenced by the urge to save themselves rather than allow the entire system to come crashing because of the actions or inactions of just one person. In other words, it is now a question of collective survival against an individual’s survival; but it is still better.

From the look of things, the Jonathan presidency seems to have run out of ideas. Perhaps President Jonathan has not understood Nigeria’s problems very clearly and so cannot find solutions to any of them. For a president who is fighting many battles on many fronts at the same time, it is unimaginable that he would continue to add more to his problems almost on a daily basis. Even if, as

some have opined, there is a conspiracy by some powerful people to bring his government to disrepute, we do expect the president as an intellectual to be able to read between the lines, and draw reasonable conclusions from reasonable premises.

Right now, President Jonathan’s popularity has dropped drastically and may continue to drop until the situation becomes hopeless. This is probably what the Senate, in its wisdom, has foreseen and tried to avert. That a people’s revolt has never happened in the country is no proof that it cannot, or will not happen.

In a true democracy, legislators are almost always of one voice when matters that affect the people who voted them into power are concerned. They are always mindful of how their constituencies perceive their activities. There is no good reason why the Senate President should have inervened in a matter of public interest as the fuel subsidy matter the way Senate President David Mark did last week when the senators took up the issue.

Whatever their political leaning, the legislators should find a matter as serious as this as a rallying point; for there will always be a point at which our legislators must shake hands on important issues.

The fuel subsidy is one of such issues.

The senators have taken a good stand; let them stand by it.

Not FG’s business •Primary healthcare is better handled by the local govts

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EPORTS that the National Primary Health Care Development Agency is in dire financial situation, resulting in the abandonment of many lifetouching projects worth about N8.2 billion are disturbing, at least for two reasons. First, they reflect what has become a normal feature of public administration in the country. Secondly, it is another example of an area where the Federal Government is most incompetent to handle but which it has added to its responsibility.

A few weeks ago, there were reports that equipment meant for some essential sectors of the economy, including the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) have been lying fallow at the sea ports for years. This should be shocking considering the abysmal level of power supply in the country. One would have thought that equipment meant for an establishment like the PHCN would be cleared at the ports as soon as they arrive the country; due to their essential nature.

Now, primary health care is suffering the same fate of abandonment of projects in spite of the deficit we have recorded steadily over the years in this important sub-sector. And what is the reason? The projects were abandoned because (according to the former acting executive director of the agency, Dr. Emmanuel Abanida) of the National Assembly’s refusal to approve the release of funds for the projects as and when due, unless they were involved in the execution process.

“The total financial liability on them is about N8.2 billion. Each time we cry to the National Assembly during budget

defence or budget request ... Each time we have the mountain of requests and new additions of new health facilities to be added, it becomes difficult for us.

Even when money is available, the money comes in late at such a time when it is not possible for you to complete these projects, and so the money has to be returned to the treasury and when it is returned, the projects become abandoned”, Dr Abanida told the substantive executive director, Dr Muhammad Ado, when he was handing over the affairs of the agency to him.

Obviously, the lawmakers see the projects as constituency projects which they must be associated with for political purposes. We have joined many Nigerians in condemning the practice of lawmakers also wanting to be involved in contract execution just because the projects are supposed to be in their constituencies. This is not part of their job.

And to hear that they would even prefer that projects which could have benefited the electorate who voted them into the National Assembly could suffer because they were denied participation or involvement in the execution of the contracts is even more annoying. It shows how disconnected the legislators are from the people who sent them to the National Assembly.

But that is even not the issue. Perhaps the issue is the fact that primary healthcare is not the business of the Federal Government in the first place. That is to say we have no need even of the National Primary Health Care Develop-

ment Agency in the first place. Primary healthcare is the responsibility of the local governments. It was in the General Ibrahim Babangida years that primary healthcare came under the Federal Government, when Professor Olikoye Ransome-Kuti was Minister of Health. In fairness to the minister, he discharged the assignment creditably and involved all the stakeholders.

But that cannot be justification to take primary healthcare from the local governments where it rightly belongs. We do not need primary health care on which huge sums of money will be spent from the centre without its impact percolating to the grassroots where it would be better felt. The Federal Government will do well to concentrate on tertiary health care which also needs serious attention.

‘Perhaps the issue is the fact that primary healthcare is not the business of the Federal Government in the first place. ... Primary healthcare is the responsibility of the local governments. It was in the General Ibrahim Babangida years that primary healthcare came under the Federal Government, when Professor Olikoye Ransome-Kuti was Minister of Health. In fairness to the minister, he discharged the assignment creditably and involved all the stakeholders’

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WO years of gross mismanagement of the euro-zone debt crisis have all too predictably produced a wider crisis of market confidence that now threatens the entire 17-nation euro zone. This week’s formation of new technocrat-led governments in Greece and Italy has not calmed fears.

Practically every euro zone country is paying the price in higher interest costs and ebbing economic growth.

The only country that isn’t suffering — yet — is Germany, whose competitive export-driven economy feeds on foreign demand and an exchange rate held down by its neighbors’ troubles. But all European countries cannot be Germany and run net surpluses, especially if Berlin insists on policies that keep factories shuttered and workers unemployed.

And German leaders are wrong if they think their country will remain unscathed as its major trading partners and neighbors unravel.

Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany has been talking a more pro-European line. But she is still insisting on growth-killing austerity as the price for European bailouts and still blocking the European Central Bank from printing more euros and acting as a lender of last resort.

Mrs. Merkel’s advisers insist that she is doing what the German people want. That is not leadership. She needs to challenge her voters’ simplistic stereotypes of southern European sloth and tell them the truth: The real threat to Germany isn’t inflation; it is an economic collapse across Europe. And Germany has a huge amount to lose from a fracturing of the European Union.

European stock and bond markets are already treating that as an ever-more-realistic possibility, shunning even moderate levels of risk and pushing interest rates to unsustainable levels. As far as they can see, Mrs. Merkel and her fellow euro-zone leaders haven’t come up with an adequate plan, sufficient political will or sufficient cash to halt the contagion. As far as we can see, they are right.

The political changes at the top of Greece and Italy are promising. Greece’s new prime minister, Lucas Papademos, and Mario Monti of Italy are internationally credible economists, committed to making painful but much needed reforms, including liberalizing labor markets, shrinking overgrown bureaucracies, shedding state properties and rooting out corruption.

Given their training, they surely understand that their economies are not now strong enough to absorb more austerity, including broad new taxes or further sweeping service cuts. Mr. Papademos and Mr. Monti should press their fellow European leaders for a new and better deal. Even with the best leadership, neither Greece nor Italy will be able, on their own, to restore their fiscal health and help slow the spreading financial contagion. That will require substantial and immediate help from their euro-zone partners, starting with Mrs. Merkel.

An all-out effort by the European Central Bank to buy bonds, lower interest rates and inject new liquidity into the markets may still calm the contagion if it begins in the next few days. The bank’s new president, Mario Draghi, may be willing to play this role, if Germany stops standing in the way.

Mrs. Merkel must make clear that she will support the central bank taking on this expanded role. And now that new, credible leaders are in office in Athens and Rome, she and other euro-zone leaders need to meet with them and negotiate more growth-friendly reform packages. There is very little time left to avoid financial catastrophe.

– New York Times

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

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THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

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EDITORIAL/OPINION

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IR: Who is deceiving who between the hemorrhaging Peoples Democratic Party, the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria and the non-existent Congress for Progressive Change? We hear of ‘political tsunami’, ‘mother of all rallies’, ‘operation sweep ACN’ out of Government House among other orchestrated political rallies in Edo State.

Is the PDP in Edo State harvesting all ACN members and leaving Governor Adams Oshiomhole to his developmental projects? Who is decamping and from where to where?

What is the basis for this recent mass movements and who is the winner or the losers?

If only the PDP leaders in Edo State know the profundity of the damage, Oshiomhole has done on their political structure and psyche through his infrastructural projects across the 18 local government areas, they would not gather to celebrate one confused David Iyoha, a former Speaker in the state House of Assembly under the PDP who decamped to the ACN, and after being disappointed with ‘a party that does not share the money’, went back to his corruption-ridden party.

Somebody actually said: “the roads Oshiomhole is building would not vote for him, he should empower the people so that with money in their pockets, they would mobilize others to vote for him”. The boast around town is that Professor Ambrose Folorunsho Alli performed well but that he was trounced at the polls. I asked; who was instrumental to his defeat? Don’t go far for an answer; the man is still around the corner, lurking.

Who is really harvesting what?

Journalists at the PDP jamboree would testify that, if any decampee, they were not more than a handful and definitely not a prominent member of the ACN. I also hear a former

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

Edo politics: a harvest of deceit PDP chieftain and the only man standing in LP, Isaiah Osifo and former ANPP chieftain, the only voice in the wilderness, Godwin Erhahon were expected to decamp to PDP same day but stalled for obvious reasons. Is this the‘operation sweep ACN’ out of Government House where reporters where simply told to publish 1000 and they went ahead without really investigating or authenticating the figures?

Aren’t the reporters helping to deceive these charlatans since they preferred to deceive themselves? Am sure they don’t know where the rain drenched them or else, they would rather put their houses in order than

this deception they engaged themselves.

But, let’s take a statistics or census of decampees from one party to the other since Oshiomhole assumed office. Edo State had Senator Ehigie Uzamere and two House of Representatives members representing Oredo and Uhunmwode/ Orhionmwon constituencies, Patrick Obahiagbon and Samson Osagie defecting to ACN before the 2011 general election. Besides, 13 members of the Edo State House of Assembly elected under the platform of the PDP dumped the party for ACN. What does Orbih has to say or how would he tag this?

However, just as Orbih was busy celebrating Iyoha, Oshiomhole like a fisherman, was harvesting a big one that almost ruptured the net. And, in the wake, 12 leaders of the PDP and over one thousand followers dumped their party for the ACN at Fugar, Etsako Central. The records and statistics are there for checks.

One thing the leader of the decampees, Chief Stephen Alao, Yerima Fugar, said to Oshiomhole that thrilled everyone was that, “you do not need to come to Etsako Central to campaign because you have built structures that will speak for you. We have decided to follow you to develop the state and no turning

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• Kenneth Amana Benin City, Edo State

Still on fuel subsidy removal

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IR: In the past weeks, political discourse has centred on the issue of fuel subsidy. The discussion has the usual characteristics of the nation’s approach to vital issues; ineptitude, frivolities, catatonia, inanities, dubieties, etc.

In fact, ours is a country of theatrical absurdity, and good enough almost all of us are great actors to this effect. This is the main reason why the journey to nationhood which we started some five decades ago has led us virtually nowhere, as we mendaciously approach important national problem. Nations (like Malaysia, India, etc.) with which we started this journey same time, and who are sincere with

themselves and their countries, are miles ahead today in every field of human endeavour.

Look at our handling of Boko Haram insurgency. Corruption is on the rampage in the country, in spite of having two ‘great’ agencies to combat its menace. Our educational institutions are what were obtainable in 18 th century, yet we are here aspiring to join the league of 20 economies by 2020. PHCN’s main duty is the provision of darkness. And who says the staff of PHCN were on strike recently? We spend billions yearly yet our roads are getting worse each passing day.

Great country, good people, indeed!

Up till this moment we are yet to resolve the issue of minimum wage.

The signing into law of the Minimum Wage Act (as amended) in March this year by the President has clearly settled the issue. Law is simply a regulatory piece of document to guide the collective activities of persons or a group of people for a better society. The law of any land covers all segments of that land, air or water at the federal, state or local government level. This is why one considers the endlessness of the debate on the minimum wage as totally unacceptable. There is absolutely nothing to negotiate on the part of anyone now, as the governors would want us to believe.

President Jonathan, Nigeria has crashed but subsisting IR: I was distressed when President Jonathan was quoted as saying that Nigeria will “crash” if fuel subsidy is not removed.

I am disappointed that the President never knew the responsibility and expectation that he was to discharge even as he became desperate to become Nigeria’s president.

Had Nigeria not crashed, politically and economically before Jonathan’s election in 2011?

Was he talking of total collapse

back”.

What about the political volcanic eruption that occurred at Ayegunle in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area where over 3000 members of the PDP decamped en masse to the ever growing ACN? Remember it was the former vice chairman of Ikeja Local Government, Lagos State, Hon. Jeffery Obasanmi, who lead the decampees and said, “the PDP had disappointed the people by bringing under-development and disunity to Akoko Edo”.

What about the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), in the State, including the chairman of the party in Edo South, Samson Oyegue, who decamped to the ACN, citing the developmental projects of Governor Oshiomhole as reason for their action.

It is unfortunate that the PDP is in a game of self-deceit over who is really harvesting what and this will have a backlash on them.

or what? If so, then the ball is in his court, but ordinary Nigerians will not compromise on fuel price.

The sincerity of the National Assembly (NASS) is also indeterminate. It is said to have presented four conditions to the President, namely; the publication of the list of the beneficiaries of past fuel subsidy; the supply of facts and figures on the current subsidy amount; spellingout the palliative measures that Nigerians will enjoy upon the removal and demonstrating how the

removal will result in optimal functioning of the refineries.

Only the first two conditions are relevant, since they have to do with the shady deals that many Nigerians believe to be the real bane of Nigeria’s development.

The other two are self-serving, calculated to support the subsidy removal.

Take the last condition, for instance.

Why did the NASS not ask the President to account for why the refineries are not functioning optimally; why gas flaring, lack of transparency in the ac-

counting system of the NNPC and the other sectors of our national life?

Nigeria is not crashing because Nigerians are buying fuel cheaper than other countries, but because the rulers overcompensate themselves, don’t care about accountability in public establishments, and they set no priorities.

Whoever does not understand that is unfit to be our ruler. And I feel Nigerian rulers are playing with the fire of revolution.

• Pius Oyeniran Abioje, Ph. D, University of Ilorin.

Now the talk has shifted to fuel subsidy removal. That if the removal is effected it will worsen the economic situation of Nigerian masses is no news. Undoubtedly, we all know the spiral effects of petroleum products upward price adjustment.

But the President and his lieutenants are adamant about this. The action of the President is akin to pulling down the house on oneself.

What is happening in the Arab world to Europe and now America is enough evidence that what affects people’s collective will should be approached with caution, especially now.

Or is someone banking on our usual docility to take the action?

Caution: the people have had enough as they already have their back on the wall. Nigeria is our country and all of us belong to it, high or low. The removal of the subsidy may signal the beginning of the end this beautiful country the Almighty God has given almost everything for survival. I hope Labour will bite this time around if the removal is effected; we are tired of its barking. The removal is akin to a hand shake going below elbow, as the Idoma people will say. It is an open invitation to confrontation.

• Obaike Adejo Department of Chemistry, Benue State University, Makurdi.

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

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EDITORIAL/OPINION

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HE not-so-big screen reeled out the final nominations for the Campus Life Awards Reporter of the Year, with their pictures and scores: Chisom Ojukwu, Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), 127; Hannah Ojo, Obafemi Awolowo Olakunle University (OAU), Ile-Ife, 130, Gabriel Alasa, University of Abimbola lordbeek@yahoo.com, 08054504169 (Sms only, please) Benin, Benin (Uniben), 152.

And the winner is, announced Sam Omatseye, chairman of the The Nation newspaper Editorial Board, with all the drama at his disposal, Gabriel Alasa! As if on cue, all gathered sprang He saw in the The Nation CampusLife Awards, yearly sponup, clapping and smiling, toasting Gabriel, the rave of the sored by Coca-Cola Nigeria and Nigerian Bottling Commoment, who had earlier carted home the Campus Life pany, a rare opportunity to make a distinct mark, despite a Opinion Writer of the Year. Then the soft music: Stand up, lowly and humble birth. He spoke of how he attended the stand up, for the champion, for the champion, stand up ... most public of public schools (read the most ramshackle of As the hall literally stood, Gabriel began a slow “coronaramshackle public schools), reserved for Nigeria’s wretched tion” walk, as his colleagues, in joyful ambush, traded with of the earth. Yet, he had to make good to compete with the him embraces, handshakes and backslaps. As this drama silver spoon kids from the elite of elite schools, when he continued, the audience kept on clapping and cheering. gained admission into Uniben.

At the “high table” (metaphorically so, because that table He spoke of some family challenge, which left him and was raised not by any dais but by the distinguished personhis siblings at the sole care of his mom. But how his mom ages that occupied it), and clapping too, were Senator soldiered on to give the children the best, despite all odds; Oluremi Tinubu, who was guest speaker, Kelvin Balogun, how he got attracted to contributing to Campus Life when managing director of Coca-cola Nigeria, who gave the vote someone commended his control of English. of thanks, Sam Omatseye, Ngozi Agbo, creator and editor Indeed, listening to Gabriel talk of some products of Godof the Campus Life section of The Nation newspaper and forsaken public schools competing with the best in a uniOtunba Yetunde Arobieke, immediate past chairman of versity environment echoed the golden era of the Nigerian Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of university system, climaxing in the 1970s and tailing off in Lagos State, among others. the mid-1990s, when the university was an academic levelOf course, Holy Mallam, fair-skin comedian, was all over ler. the place as comedy merchant-in-chief, getting ribs crackBut that tradition is at risk now with the demolition job ing. But he ran into another joke himself: Remember the the military did of the public university system. The coffin Mallam to keep him holy! is being nailed on that once-upon-a-time glorious system Hardly anyone thought another moving life turnaround

by Nigeria’s ultra-selfish elite. story was afoot until Gabriel Alasa was invited to give his Instead of these elite (most of them made by these same acceptance address, as well as speak on behalf of the other prostrate public universities) to challenge the government winners on the night. He started a tad laboriously, like to fix the system, they see in the decay a growth area to some aircraft labouring to take off, perhaps out of stage make easy money. Hence their motto: my university money fright. But once clear, he delivered one of the most inspirspinning dream is crazier than yours! With an irresponsible ing off-the-cuff speeches for a youth of his age. state and insensitive elite, many otherwise brilliant but indigent Nigerian youths are elbowed out of university education.

Gabriel Alasa’s grass-to-grace story must have resonated well with Senator Tinubu, whose New Era Foundation (NEF) with its brood of One Day Governors and allied winners, has glorious tales to tell.

Like Gabriel Alasa, Alex Paul Ezenagu, attended a humble Lagos public secondary school in downtown Mafoluku, near

Oshodi. It would take placing third in NEF’s Spelling Bee Competition, among Lagos public school pupils, to fire his dream.

Now, he has a double first class degree in Law: one from the University of Ibadan (LLB); and another from the Nigerian Law School, where he just completed his BL (Barrister at Law) programme. Now, he may well be on his way to Oxford or Harvard to further pursue his dream which, but thanks to NEF, would probably have been as dead as mutton!

Egede Job Ewere is another NEF success story. From second position in the Spelling Bee competition in 2002 as a pupil of Dolphin High School, Lagos Island, he just earned a first class in marine biology from the University of Lagos (Unilag). Ewere follows the distinguished steps of the doyen of NEF first class graduates, Emmanuel Aiyenitaju, who had, in 2008, earned a first class in chemistry, from the same Unilag.

Hannah Ojo won the inaugural Campus Life Reporter of the Year in 2009. Two years later, she still hangs in there, emerging the best in political reporting and sharing the sports reporting award with another winner. To have won awards in reporting fields as disparate as politics and sports are no mean feat, anyone with the most rudimental knowledge of how journalism works would admit. That shows the sheer depth and breadth of talent inside these youths, waiting to be tapped. Hannah is yet another non-silver spoon kid who found her dream – thanks to the vision of Mrs Ngozi Agbo’s Campus Life.

Senator Tinubu, Mrs Agbo, The Nation and Coca-cola Nigeria with Nigerian Bottling Company have done very well in helping these otherwise disadvantaged youths find their dreams. But when will the Nigerian state through its agent, the government, totally devote itself to actualising the dream of every Nigerian youth?

When President John Kennedy beseeched Americans to ask not what their country could do for them but what they could do for their country, he spoke with solid conviction that America had always been there for her youths.

In 480 BC, King Leonidas of ancient Sparta and his famous 300 fought and died to the last man at the pass of Thermopylae, against the awesome Persian army. But that was because Sparta had the distinction of taking especial care of its youths and its elderly citizens, who in return felt honoured to give their best to their city state, at the peak of their working lives.

Today, Nigeria seldom cares for its youth; and cares even less for its senior citizens, given the all too reported plight of pensioners.

Nigerian youths expect their country to take care of them.

It is then and only then, that their country can earn their patriotism.

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Now, it is perfectly in order for the unions to push for the rights and privileges of their members – particularly on issues of inviolability and sanctity of contracts and equitable treatment of workers whenever disengagement becomes necessary. But then the clearly, unconscionable tyranny and obduracy which seeks to hobble every initiative of the government is not only injurious to public policy but antithetical to good governance.

I say this because, good or bad, the Power Sector Reform Act 2005 is at the moment part of our statutes. It is too late in the day to pretend that the law is non-existent or to imagine that some powerful unions could arm-twist the government to abandon a law validly made. While I understand the mindset which feeds their antagonism particularly the fears about job losses, the least one expects a responsible organisation to do is to educate themselves first and foremost to its provisions rather than dissipate energies in making it unworkable.

Let me say that I am often amused whenever our unions talks about privatisation as if it is the next most dreadful thing to happen after Lucifer left its celestial throne to dwell among homo sapiens. Nothing of course can be farther from the truth. Privatisation, in my view, if well managed, offers the next best chance to turn the nation’s power sector around. It is not about any magic wands – it is simply a matter of common sense and pragmatism. Even if we pour the entire federal budget into the power sector, it would most likely end up where the NIPP funds went – in the drain. The simple truth is that there is too much corruption and lack of capacity. The system requires new paradigms as against the current business models that are at best archaic and obsolete. Ironically, it is the status quo that the workers actually prefer. See the problem?

As for the so-called consequential job losses – which one is potentially more costly, the painful adjustment to save the industry from itself, or the inexorable path of slow and painful death to be decreed on the industry by a bunch of obdurate workers? In any case, who says things wouldn’t get better after the initial pains? What is the old idea of throwing away the baby with the bathwater coming from?

Permit me to be overly optimistic or even simplistic about the promises of the power reforms. Point is –anything – other than the current status quo would be worth a try.

Let the unions concentrate on winning as much concessions as possible for their members. However, let nothing be done to derail the reform train. It seems the best vehicle yet to take the nation out of darkness.

Moreover, we should perish the thought about presenting the new reforms in an old wineskin of a corrupt and inept power utility superstructure. That would spoil everything.

Are you still with me?

epublican ipples

Tomorrow’s stars today

‘Nigerian youths expect their country to take care of them. It is then and only then, that their country can earn their patriotism’

UT for for some minor reports tucked in between the pages of some newspapers mid-last week, the two-day strike by electricity workers union may well have passed unnoticed by most Nigerians. For an industry whose staple news diet have been the promises of unrealisable megawatts, such was the degree of indifference by perpetually off-grid Nigerians that they couldn’t be bothered whether the electricity workers unions pulled the plugs on what remained of the obsolete systems of the PHCN. Hence they went on their businesses as usual – completely oblivious of the noisome intrusions from the quarters of power-less minders of the power industry.

A keen follower of developments in the power sector would however testify that the action by the workers comes nowhere close to the looming titanic battle as government makes good its plan to follow through, the implementation of the Power Sector Reform Act 2005. Although a minor irritant by all accounts, it was at best, a dress rehearsal of sorts, a mock battle before the real one.

Surprised that the workers are increasingly edgy in the countdown to the critical phases of the power sector roadmap? No one should be. As the H-hour draws close to those critical milestones contained in the roadmap, government’s will and capacity would be tested sorely to the limits.

In a sense therefore, last week’s work-to-rule action by the electricity workers amounted to no more than a storm in a tea pot. While it is important though to understand where the workers are coming from, which is their unbending opposition to the power sector reforms, only an understanding of their psychology would help to put things in better perspective.

Recall that the electricity workers once embarked on a prayer chain to stop Barth Nnaji – from being confirmed as minister of the federal republic? Recall also that when that prayer failed to move their assumed Goliath, they mounted another supplication that their “god” should turn the counsel of the minister into foolishness! If there is any doubts about the desperation of the workers to

‘Why should the workers who felt no compunction about erecting temporary prayer tents in their work places deny the same government of its responsibility to safeguard the vital national assets whenever and wherever it chooses to?’

Policy Sanya Oni sanyaoni@yahoo.co.uk 08051101841

Return to old tactics have their way at all costs, those alone should suffice.

So what’s new that the workers are protesting “the heavy presence of security personnel at various PHCN installations and the ploy of using them on assessment rounds without consultations with relevant unions”?

Of course, the idea that government needed to deploy battalions of military personnel as escorts to the Chinese, Koreans, Indians or any potential investors for that matter to enable them do a due diligence on the plants is ridiculous. Actually, it fits into a pattern of what has become the unions’ paranoia as the alienation of the entities moves apace. Not even the government’s attempt to explain the unusual military presence said to forestall possible sabotage from the dreaded Boko Haram would change things.

Of course, right or wrong, the tense security situation in the country would seem eminently in favour of the government being given the benefit of the doubt on the matter. Having said that, the question remains; why should the workers who felt no compunction about erecting temporary prayer tents in their work places deny the same government of its responsibility to safeguard the vital national assets whenever and wherever it chooses to?

As it later emerged also, the paranoia is only about the deployment of soldiers. A mere administrative exercise in biometric verification has been thrown into the fray.

The workers, it also emerged didn’t like a bit, the idea of scientific verification imposed by the power ministry as a precondition for the payment of the enhanced salary package of 50 percent for workers.

It seems a case of distaste for reforms being carried too far!

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

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EDITORIAL/OPINION

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HE last two weeks or so have brought to the fore, the good, bad and ugly sides of aviation in Nigeria. While some would rather call it Nigerian aviation due to some below standard performance and strange practices by some of the operators and regulators here, aviation worldwide is governed by the same rules and anything outside of these is no longer aviation, you can give it any other name.

In what might considered the good aspect of the industry in Nigeria, the largest airlift of Nigerians across international borders within a short time is currently going on almost smoothly. I am talking about the airlift of Nigerian pilgrims from Jeddah in Saudi Arabia back home after performing the 2011 hajj. An approximately one hundred thousand Nigerian Muslims (this correspondent included) performed the hajj in Saudi Arabia this year as part of three million or so faithful from around the world who answered the call of their maker and completed the fifth pillar of Islam.

Nigerian airlines are mostly involved in this operation expected to end early next month.

Good as this may look, the bad side is that no Nigerian registered aircraft was and is involved and I doubt if any of the technical crews deployed by these Nigerian airlines is a Nigerian. This was a far cry from the days of Nigeria Airways when our dear national carrier used to fly our flag in this kind of operation. And even when it had cause to lease foreign registered aircraft for such a massive

‘While the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Ministry of Aviation should be commended for their bold decision to defend Nigeria against the British, the challenge is in being vigilant as there may still be other foreign airlines similarly inclined to cheat, just as there may be some Nigerians willing to assist them’

That BASA furore airlift it was in most cases dry lease, with Nigerian crews in command. The situations today is different, but blame not the airlines involved, it is a national problem and maybe an international embarrassment too.

As I was trying to catch my flight back home last week at the King Abdul-Aziz International airport in Jeddah, an airport worker who I guess must be an Asian(most of them over there are anyway) wanted to know whether there is a government in Nigeria. And his reason was not farfetched. He couldn’t understand why with all our wealth we don’t have a national carrier of our own. He used to hear and even knew of Nigeria Airways. He wanted to know what happened to the flying elephant. The other pilgrim with me who incidentally is a top notcher in aviation in Nigeria was at a loss just as myself as to what to tell him. We both silently agreed that Nigeria Airways was more than just an airline it was the PR arm of Nigeria in the air. May be it is about time we reconsider the ill-advised liquidation of the airline by the Obasanjo administration and bring back our national carrier.

If there is a Nigeria Airways or any Nigerian airline so designated as our national carrier, the British and their carriers flying into Nigeria would be less audacious in cheating us and taking advantage of our weakness, through the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and Britain.

I am sure you are aware of the ongoing furore generated by the alleged cheating of Nigerian travelers by British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airline (two British carriers) through arbitrary fare increase. My main concern here is not necessarily about this but the skewing

of BASA more in favour of BA in particular (through manipulation and arm twisting) to the detriment of Nigeria and Nigerian carriers flying into the United Kingdom. BA no doubt, because of its size and large capacity could take up all its allotted frequencies which no Nigeria carrier can do today in reciprocity for obvious reasons, but the airline has been using this enormous advantage to squeeze Nigeria out of the market especially in Britain. Flying to Heathrow in London from any Nigerian international airport apart from the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, by a Nigerian airline is difficult, no thanks to the antic of the British carrier, whereas we allow them almost an open sky here, to Heathrow where the money is.

Although the airline has denied any wrongdoing and as usual the details of this furore would not be released especially the fine prints of the BASA, this is not the first time BA would attempt to or indeed cheat us as a result of BASA. As Aviation Correspondent for defunct National Concord in the 80s, I could recall the stories I wrote then on this issue. I still recall that the main issue then was Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano where BA not only wanted to drop passengers but also pick London bound passengers, whereas Nigeria Airways couldn’t do this anywhere in the UK apart from London Heathrow. What they wanted was a freedom not covered by the spirit of the BASA which is founded of reciprocity and fairness. They wanted to be operating multiple flights to London simultaneously from different locations in Nigeria whereas we were allowed to go to only one point, not just due to lack of capacity but some other

administrative measures by the British, which also included the timing of our slot, the location the finger our aircraft was to pack and even the location and size of the office space. All these done to put us at a disadvantage? The BA attempt then became a national issue and was resisted. I don’t know if they are in Kano now, picking passengers, but I know all the foreign airlines are either eyeing the Abuja airport in addition to Lagos or are already there. The implication here is that they would use their capacity to make more money out of Nigeria and Nigerians with our own airlines, lacking in capacity to compete left with the crumbs. This is where our national carrier could come in. It doesn’t necessarily have to be owned by the government, but it won’t be a bad idea either if the government provides the seed money and invites investors, especially local banks and other corporate organisations as well as wealthy individuals to participate. A big and strong Nigerian airline(s), backed by federal might would give these airlines a run for their money and I am sure Nigerian would patronise them. If the foreigners are allowed to make money here (BA is making a lot here as Lagos-London route is one of its most lucrative) Nigerian airlines should also be allowed and encouraged to make money there. I am sure there are other lucrative routes apart from Lagos-London that Nigerian airlines would love to go to.

While the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Ministry of Aviation should be commended for their bold decision to defend Nigeria against the British, the challenge is in being vigilant as there may still be other foreign airlines similarly inclined to cheat, just as there may be some Nigerians willing to assist them.

Other than Europe, especially UK, and US the next big destinations for Nigerians seems to be Dubai and I learnt Etihad and another airline from there is about to join Emirate for the lucrative Nigerian route. Are any of our airlines looking in this direction?

Back to the hajj airlift, the near tragedy involving the loss of tyres on landing by one of the aircraft conveying Nigerian pilgrims back home is a reminder to NCAA not to sleep.

Some of our airlines here would not mind cutting corners. Nigerian aviation!

VIEW FROM THE FOREIGN PRESS

Adamawa 2012: reasons ACN may spring surprises

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OT until recently before I was able to differentiate between politicians who enter into active politics for service to humanity from those who do so for self aggrandizement. This opportunity unveiled itself prior to the just concluded primary election to nominate candidates to elective offices of the various political parties last October in Adamawa State. That period can be likened can to a society where everything goes, simply because most of the political gladiators used available resources at their disposal to polarize the polity with all sorts of mundane issues of ethnic, religious and other ulterior considerations to carry the day.

This, to say the least is unfortunate.

However, in organized societies, people join politics to serve the larger society and for development. They also use politics to better the lots of the people and not themselves. For example, the late Osagyefo, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana had effectively used the vantage position he attained through politics to raise the profile of his people in Africa and the world in general. He equally used the same position to support the liberation movements on the African continent. In all these, there is no record where Nkrumah acquired unbridled and putrefying wealth.

Coming to the home front, the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Nnamdi Azikiwe all of blessed memory, equally used politics as an instrument to light the path of their people through several ways e.g. free education and selflessness. These had to a large extent helped to propel the people to higher level of awareness and sophistication, unlike what obtains now in the country, especially from 1999 to date where most members of the political class do not hide the fact that, they are into politics mainly to feather their nest.

It is a common phenomenon that the people of Adamawa particularly, have been oppressed with politics of do or die, in which politicians carry out all sorts of diabolical

By Edward Wabundani acts to get to political offices. This they do to afford them the opportunity to loot public fund. For example are issues that raised their heads in the state in the last four months where civil servants salaries have remained unpaid, nepotism, family and friend governance as well as alleged bankruptcy and misuse of public fund appear to be the in things. Within the same period, Ghana must go bags of money were shared among party supporters to buy their consciences and cast their votes during the last primaries of their party to enable the sitting government’s second tenure in office.

After almost six decades of hustle and bustle from the former Gongola to the present Adamawa State, the picture of the state has begun to emerge of a great personality the country has hid away from his home base to transform areas far away from his roots. Engineer Markus Gundiri FNSE, mni, was Director General and Commissioner in charge of agriculture, water resources and rural development between 1978 and 1991 in the defunct Gongola State. During that period he designed, constructed and commissioned over 500 isolated rural water supply projects.

Also to his credit are four regional water supply projects meant to provide potable water for 20 communities with an estimated population of 200,000 in addition to over 250 kilometers of rural feeder roads.

Typical of a God-fearing and principled technocrat cum politician, Gundiri at a press conference prior to the just concluded primaries where he emerged the state’s ACN governorship flag bearer, appealed to his supporters “as a matter of policy and principle …to always be prayerful with regard to whom to vote in the primary election”. He added that “you should not be deceived by your individual mundane interest but the collective interest of people of the state”.

The ACN governorship candidate was appointed Deputy Director and Director in

charge of all federal government dams and reservoirs under the Federal Ministry of Water Resources between 1999 and 2009.

During this period, he was in charge of monitoring of all on-going projects in the ministry until his retirement in line with the recent Federal Government policy. He superintended over the design and construction of the Gurara, Galma, Owiwi, Owena, Kontagora and other dam projects located in 22 states of the federation for water supply, irrigation and fisheries among other national assignments given to him within the period under review.

A professional to the core, Engineer Gundiri has devoted his life to the field of engineering where he put in the mandatory years of service before throwing in the towel. From 1975 to date, he has remained undaunted by the hazards of the profession and is not tired of his tools and drawing table, although he has happily retired from service. His exemplary records of service are replete with monumental achievements and great legacies which are spread throughout the nooks and crannies of the country.

Beginning from Nigeria Engineering Works, Port Harcourt, where he sojourned for a year between 1975 and 1976, he cut his teeth as an engineer of repute and was involved in structural steel designs for warehouses, schools, hospitals and markets, his design and construction projects are spread nation-wide. They extend from Maiduguri, Borno State, to the Upper Benue/ Jama’are River Basin Development Authorities in Kano. Here particularly, he was involved in the design, construction and supervision of feeder roads, dams and irrigation projects, culverts and bridges in such diverse areas as Dadin Kowa, Yola, Gassol and Cham between 1976 and 1988.

With this intimidating profile of achievements at the age of 58, no doubt Gundiri who hails from Hong Local Government of the state is a leader for many a people to follow. He has something new for Adamawa people. He has a new movement and a new purpose. To finish

something new, he has definitely left the old order behind, urging the people to embrace this new wind of change.

This is due to the fact that he so much understands human and political psychology that he can without failing, galvanize support, goodwill, understanding and above all acceptance by the electorate irrespective of political and other differences. And so, as the countdown to January 14, 2012 in Adamawa ticks faster, there is little doubt that Markus Gundiri will be able to use the above qualities and evolve a workable development agenda for the state. As a seasoned technocrat who specializes in dam and irrigation engineering, the ACN candidate has what it takes and would reawaken the people’s dampened hope and subsequently take them to the Promised Land. For the state may not be able to get out of the woods until something new is introduced otherwise its resources will continue to be misappropriated for selfish use by the parasitic and predatory political few in our midst. The future of our children’s generation and not ours should be a guiding principle in this onerous task.

• Wabundani wrote from Abuja

‘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’

Nation Tuesday, November 22, 2011

PAGE 23

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HE South African police have confirmed the arrest of a former Nigerian Olympic athlete, Ambrose Monye, for the murder of a Pretoria mother, an event which sent shock waves around South Africa.

ChanĂŠlle Henning, who was driving, was gunned down by two men on a motor bike moments after dropping her four-year-old son at school.

Police said Monye, who competed at the 1988 Olympic Games for Nigeria and won silver medals in the 400 metre and 400 metre hurdles events at the AllAfrica Games, is in custody following his arrest last week Wednesday.

Monye's arrest brings to five the number of suspects so far arrested for the incident.

Police sources claimed one of the suspects - Gerhardus du Plessis - is a policeman who had already confessed to pulling the trigger. The suspects will all be charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

It is unclear what the motive for the murder was and police have denied that Henning was linked to the suspects in any way. There was growing speculation that her estranged husband was linked to the high-profile murder but police say he is not a suspect at this stage.

Two years ago, Monye faced a charge of culpable homicide after beating a Pretoria motorist Neville Olivier to death, earlier this month the former Nigerian Olympic athlete was acquitted of murder.

Ambrose Monye is regarded as one of Pretoria's most dangerous men and has long been on the police's radar for his alleged involvement in drug dealing.

•Ambrose Monye

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

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NATION SPORT Golden Eaglets Heavy rain disrupts Olympic to undergo team first training session MRI scan

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ECHNICAL committee chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Chris Green has revealed players to be invited to the team will undergo medical examinations to ascertain their true ages as the national U-17 coaches get set to commence work officially.

Speaking to brilafm.net, Green said the NFF has resolved to do the right thing this time, as fielding over-aged players will not be good for the development of Nigerian football.

“Its agreed that even in soccer academies we do not have players with real ages but as they are being invited they will undergo some medical test to ascertain their real ages” “we’ll be deceiving ourselves if we go for this completion with over-aged players because when the time comes for these players to play at the top, they would have had their peak at the junior level so this time around, from x-ray to MRI, we have to get it right”.

Keshi tips Aneke to outshine Yekini

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AGLES’ coach Stephen Keshi has tipped NPL hotshot Jude Aneke to become a more lethal finisher than the legendary Rashidi Yekini.

Yekini is the all-time leading goal scorer for Nigeria with 37 goals and the Eagles have struggled since his exit from the international scene to find a worthy successor.

Aneke of Kaduna United set a new alltime goals record of 20 goals this past season and Keshi said that with the right guidance the striker could be a deadlier finisher than Yekini.

“The little I saw of Aneke in training for games against Zambia and Botswana, I was impressed,” said Keshi.

“He is a good striker who knows how to position himself to score goals. I hope to polish his game and then he could be another Rashidi Yekini. He may not be as big as Yekini, but he could be much more ruthless finisher than Yekini when taught what to do. He will be back in the Eagles for the qualifier against Rwanda in the new year.”

Last week, Keshi handed Aneke his Eagles debut against Zambia when he came on late in the second half.

Keshi said he is turning his searchlight on the Nigerian league for players rather than always call up a whole squad of players from abroad.

•Aneke

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EAVY down pour on Sunday evening forced Nigeria National U-23 side to cut short its first training session since arriving, Casablanca, Morocco.

The Dream team V, after a little over fifteen minutes drive from its Hotel Anfa Port camp to the sports facility of Raja Casablanca, was fired up for its first practice session despite the freezing weather with temperature put at 11 degrees Celius.

All 19 players, Technical crew members, Medical team, Media officer, Camp commandant and Equipment Manager, engaged in the warm up exercises in a bid to keep warm.

However, as the training session progressed; the downpour got heavier, a situation that forced Coach Austin Eguavoen to call off the practice session.

“I commend your courage and enthusiasm to go on with the training, but we must stop so as not to incur unnecessary injure to ourselves.” stated Coach Eguavoen after players insisted to continue despite the rain.

The training session lasted for half an hour.

The Olympic Eagles will have their second training session at the Raja Casablanca sports complex, Monday morning.

Pay Kalika's, Yusuf's wages, Siasia charges NFF

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RSTWHILE Super Eagles Coach, Samson Siasia has called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to pay his assistants, Simon Kalika Salisu Yusuf their outstanding wages.

Siasia, who was recently relieved of his job as coach of the senior national team charged the football house to fulfil this obligation as part of the contract terms.

Siasa, however said that his former asistants Simon Kalika and Salisu Yusuf are still being held their outstanding wages and that he did not do the job alone as coach of the Super Eagles.

He Further disclosed that though the NFF has paid him his outstanding wages, it will unfair to hold on to the entitlements of his subordinates.

By David Onyeka

•Siasia

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numbers.Prior to the race,African athletes have not been competing in the WMRA Grand Prix series and the world championships but now we have them in large numbers.An African nation, Eritrea even won the men's team event at the 2010 WMRA world championships held in Kanmik,Slovenia.The world mountain running family is grateful to the Governor of Cross River state, (Senator) Liyel Imoke for his continued support for the race',he said.

Gozzelino also, for the umpteenth time praised the Obudu LOC and the Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN) for always meeting up with their obligations towards athletes who participate in the competition.The WMRA is therefore very pleased not only with the world class organisation of the Obudu mountain race but also the fact that the LOC for the race and the AFN have never owed any athlete any prize money since the inaugural edition of the race in 2005. ''This is a good advertisement for the people running the race and the supervising federation of their honesty and integrity.We are pleased to announce that the race has become one of the important events in the calendar of the WMRA',he further said and thanked Governor Imoke once again for making this happen.

'The Governor has demonstrated that

Eight Nigerian lifters for Commonwealth Championship

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IGHT Nigerian lifters and four officials have been selected to represent the county at the 2011 Commonwealth Powerlifting Championship slated for Bournemouth University, England from December 15 to 18.

The lifters include six male and two male; Waheed Kareem, Oluwatuyi Mathew, Ibrahim Idris, Muritala Muhammed, Sulaiman Samsondeen (male) and Anamemere Mabel, Adesanmi Oluwatoyin and Gloria Moses (female).

According to the Nigerian team’s coach, Enifiok Bassey, as far as Commonwealth is concerned, Nigeria has great chance to excel.

"Our lifters are ready and in good frame

NATION SPORT 2012 LONDON OLYMPIC TICKET

Dream Team V goes spiritual •As players get five days camping allowance

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S the maiden edition of the CAF U-23 tournament in Morocco draws nearer, members of Nigeria's Dream Team V have gone spiritual in their quest to pick an Olympic Games ticket.

The Augustine Eguavoen-tutored side had their first training session disrupted by heavy rains on Sunday and rather than go to sleep, went into intense prayer session as countdown to the competition which kicks off on Saturday with a game against the host nation continues.

“What you confess is what you possess” that was theme of a message delivered by the National U-23 goal Keeper trainer, Alloy Agu as the Dream Team V engaged in its first worship session on Sunday night at its Hotel Anfa Port camp, Casablanca.

Coach Alloy Agu who doubles as the head Pastor, Christ divine church of God, Lagos, Nigeria, anchored his message from the book of Mark 11 vs 24-26 stressing the power in positive confession.

WMRA president, Gozzelino confirms for Obudu ORLD Mountain Running Association (WMRA) president, Bruno Gozzelino has confirmed that he will be at next week's 7th Obudu international mountain race and the third African nations mountain running championships to offer moral and technical support to the local organising committee for the race.

Gozzelino,the Italian who succeeded Danny Hughes as WMRA president three years ago after the death of the Briton said he has conveyed his desire to be at the Obudu Ranch Resort,venue of the highest paying mountain race in the world to William Archibong,chairman of the LOC for the race.

'I will be at the 7th Obudu international mountain race and the third African nations mountain running championships which will hold on the 28th of this month.I have already informed the LOC for the race who has assured that every arrangement has been made for me to be in Obudu as well as another perfect organisation of the race',said Gozzelino who also graced the 5th and the 6th editions of the race in 2009 and 2010 respectively.

'The Obudu international mountain race is an important event in the calendar of the WMRA because it has helped to draw African athletes to the race in large

of mind. We will make a good outing.

We want to improve on our last performance in South Africa," Bassey said.

He noted that with the preliminary list, Nigerian lifters have the chance to excel in each category.

"Our ladies are good prospect for medals because they top listing in their respective categories," he added.

The team manager Aderoju Ismail Ademola added that with things been equal, the contigent are expected to leave the country on December 12.

Nigeria will be competing in the single lift (bench press), complete powerlifting (bench, dead lift andsquatting and unequipped powwerlifting, also known as as raw or classic powerlifting by both the male and female lifters.

The Nigerian lifters have competed in the All Afica since 2006, Junior World Championship in South Africa (2006), World Master, USA (2008), World Men and Women Championship in South Africa (2010).

The Nigeria team is supported by Corner Travels and Tour Limited and Clone Oil and Land Services for the championship.

About 71 lifters will participate in the tournament co-hosted by the British Powerlifting Association and Commonwealth Powerlifting Federation which would feature lifters from many member nations including India, England and Wales, Scotland, Australia, Pakistan, Canada, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago among others.

41

he is not only a sports lover but also one who believes in the development of the youth of his state.The race has also been a good advertisement for the tourism potentials of the state', headded.

“What-so-ever you confess concerning a situation, if you believe and do not entertain any doubt; it shall come to pass” Alloy declared.

He warned that doubt and unforgiveness was a stumbling block to answered prayers.

“Some of you would say I pray always and my prayers are not answered. It’s simple; you doubt your confessions and hold grudges against your neighbour. If you want your prayers answered then you must not doubt and forgive your brothers” Coach Alloy who charged the players to stay positive, keep confessing their desires for the forthcoming championship; urged them not to allow the bottle necks that comes with competitions of this magnitude distract them.

“There is no doubt, we would face a lot of mountains on our way to lifting this title, but if you keeping confessing your desire and keeping working hard, our God is faithful to fulfill that which he has promised” the clergyman decreed.

Shooting Stars of Ibadan, forward Gbolahan Salami wrapped up the worship session with a Muslim prayer.

The entire 30 man contingent attended the worship session.

Meanwhile, players and officials of the Dream team V have been paid their

five days acclimatization camping allowance.

The payment covers from Saturday to Wednesday; when the team would depart Casablanca for Tangier.

The Nigeria Football Federation had earlier paid the players and officials ten days camping allowance to cover for the concentration camp in Ghana.

The Olympic Eagles first two group games would be played in Tangier, under flood lights.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Joel Obi eyes last 16 with Inter •As Ordia eyes victory to advance

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IGERIA international Joel Obi will be in action tonight with Inter Milan against Trabzonspor of Turkey at the Huseyin Avni Aker Stadium as they look to reach the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League.

Inter heads into the match knowing a victory will win Group B should CSKA Moscow fail to defeat Lille. The corresponding fixture from last match ended in a shock 1-0 victory for the Turks at the San Siro and accelerated the departure of manager Gian Piero Gasperini.

His replacement Claudio Ranieri has steadied the ship somewhat, but failure to emerge from the opening phase of the Champions League and the rumour mill would begin turning once again around the Italian club.

Inter won three Champions League games in succession following their surprise loss on Matchday1 and the goals has been evenly spread amongst the likes of Giampaolo Pazzini, Diego Milito and Mauro Zarate. The Nerazzurri’s domestic form is of greatest concern to their dedicated

Keshi considers recalling Yak, Utaka

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IGERIA coach Stephen Keshi has promised to hand recalls to forwards Yakubu Ayegbeni and John Utaka if they continue their run of form.

Both players have been in good form for their respective clubs, with Yakubu scoring a brace for Blackburn over the weekend and Utaka also netting before the international break.

The goals took Yakubu, who was granted British citizenship earlier his year, to five strikes for the season.

Neither have been called up for Nigerian national team since the 2010 World Cup where Utaka was an unused substitute as Nigeria finished bottom of the group with just one point.

Yak played all three games at the tournament, but is infamously

•Joel Obi

remembered and unfortunately vilified for a close-range miss against South Korea; even though he went on to score a penalty less than a minute later.

But Keshi insists that they will get their opportunities.

"John Utaka has been a very good player. An outstanding player with great quality. You just have to know how to use him," the Nigeria coach said.

"I am not surprised about his performance. I know him, just like Yakubu. These are people that have a lot of experience that we can use in the Nigeria team to make us better.

"If you play them in the right position and make them believe they are among the best players in the world, they will give you everything.

supporters right now with Inter currently languishing just above the relegation zone in Serie A. Securing a second round European berth would allow Ranieri the opportunity to focus on moving up the table in Italy before the knockout phase begins in February.

And for Chidi Ordia, his Russia clubside CSKA Moscow hosts French Lige 1 side Lille in the Luzhniki Stadion with the home side knowing a victory would put them in pole position to grab the runners-up spot in Group B. The visiting French side are still searching for their maiden Champions League win of 2011-12 having drawn two of their four matches to date. Transfer rumours surrounding star player Eden Hazard has not helped the buildup to the Moscow encounter but Rudi Garcia’s side remain in title contention back in France and are just three points behind the front-runners PSG and Montpellier.

CSKA are on the verge of making it through to the second round thanks to the goals of Seydou Doumbia whose four strikes have elevated the Moscow club into knockout phase contention.

The corresponding fixture against Lille ended in a 2-2 draw on Matchday1 suggesting Tuesday night’s encounter will be another entertaining affair.

UN supports Copa Lagos

T

HE United Nations has given its support to the COPA LAGOS Beach Soccer Championship which will now hold from December 16 to 18th, 2011.

The Countries taking part in the Copa Lagos include Brazil, South Africa, England and hosts Nigeria.

The Message came via an official of the body, Mr. Wilfried Lemke: “The United Nations considers sport to be a powerful tool to promote development and peace. Sport can unite people of all social classes, cultures, religions and backgrounds in a positive and educational manner.

“As the Special Adviser to the United Nations Secretary-General on Sport for Development and Peace, it is with great pleasure that I offer my support to “Copa Lagos Beach Soccer 2011”, the first international beach Keystone soccer tournament held in West Africa.”

Mr Lemke added that:“The different social activities planned in the context of “Copa Lagos Beach Soccer 2011” will contribute to fostering the development of disadvantaged areas of Nigeria through sport.

Initiatives to run football clinics for youth and to develop educational programmes in schools, will transmit important ideals of sport to the participants. The values taught will contribute to shaping some elementary life skills of the participating young individuals which can be essential for them in the future.

It is commendable that already existing projects like “Clean the Beach”, a “Skin Cancer Awareness Programme” and “Bring the Joy of Sport to Marginalised and Disabled Children” run by the “Beach Soccer Worldwide Foundation” will be integrated and continued during the event and are set to be further strengthened by its positive impact.” “ It is my hope that this initiative can be the starting point of an engagement by the whole Beach Soccer community to contribute sustainably to worldwide development and peace.

“I eagerly await the project’s development and results in the future.

I wish you every success in this endeavour and in your important efforts in Sport for Development and Peace just like a successful completion of the “Copa Lagos Beach Soccer 2011” event.”

I won’t quarrel with players – Keshi

S

UPER EAGLES Coach, Stephen Keshi was on spot on Sunday Evening at the Oriental Hotel, Lekki to watch Liverpool beat Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge.

Keshi alongside fans of the Premier League and sports pundits watched the tactical display of English Football sponsored by MTN. An opportunity was also given to the fans to ask the 'big boss’ salient questions bothering down on the round leather game in the country. ADE OJEIKERE and, STELLA BAMAWO report the event.

With the way the Premier League is being run now, what influence do you think you can bring to improve our national teams?

I am going to give more opportunities to the home-based players. I will speak to the stakeholders. I hope to go back to high school football. We need to develop our younger ones, by giving them more room to develop, for instance the Under-17 we need to teach these young players so that they would have understood the kind pattern of play by the time they come on board the national team so that when they come to the national team they would be better off. I need to know the quality of the players the ability and what they can do to determine what style we would play.

As a player you were a defender of note who scored goals and as a coach whom we have seen in other countries handling their national teams, how do you hope to transform Nigerian football playing pattern?

In 2002, in the Nations Cup held in Mali, I told him (Taribo West) he is here, with me I told him he can go forward, we need more players in front and he made Africa’s 11. . My kind of game is to go the front, it is like a total game move together and come back together. I like attacking but I am not going to attack stupidly I am going to •Keshi attack widely, I like playing 4-4-2 but that style comes in different shapes. I can have four behind, two in the midfield and again I have others around like we played against Botswana. It depends on the game. It takes a while, for the players to understand, you don’t just put the style on the field of play within not just two three training sessions and you expect the players to understand immediately.

It takes a while .

As a Liverpool fan, what is the Liverpool style that you are going to bring as Stephen Keshi in to the national team as a coach , I know, you also like Real Madrid, so which of these styles are you going to bring, to get us excited about the Super Eagles again?

Real Madrid plays the block style.They are an athletic team. This season, they have only conceded one goal. But again it depends on the coach, it depends on what the coach is thinking. The players are followers, the coach is the leader they are just waiting for him to bark out instructions. So what I am trying to say here, is that it depends on the mentality I put in place. I have to give these players a go ahead and confidence to go ahead into the game. You have to see how the games roll and you fit in During the week, you said you would be disappointed to see Mikel Obi play in Sunday's match against Liverpool, what do you intend to put in place to ensure national team players, honour national calls?

Well, it is a good question. I said I would be disappointed to see Mikel play. But again, I only wanted him to play against Zambia for 45 minutes. The first game which was in Benin, he said he had injury, and I said okay. If he said, he couldn't play, there was nothing I could do. It’s his body. This thing about playing for the national team, is not a do or die affair. I don't know why we take playing for the national team to be a big deal. If he is not going to play for Nigeria, so be it. We have so many Nigerian players hungry to play for the country. If I invite Mikel to the team , it does not mean, he is going to start. We must also put trust and confidence in the other players that are playing. I stopped playing but Nigeria is still playing.

Let us put anything about Mikel aside. The Green White Green is bigger than anybody.

In your days, as a player for the national, team, you started the exodus of Nigerian players, to play professional football abroad. There were issues of ego. I am sorry if my language is blunt. You were the coach of Togolese national side, there were issues with Adebayor, as a coach with Mali, there was issue with Keita, and now just two matches in Nigeria, you are beginning to have issues with Mikel.

Is there any way, you can prove all these allegations? Because you journalists are fond of feeding people with wrong information. They are all wrong information. If you know Stephen Keshi, you will know, I am not ready to make quarrel with anybody. I did not have any problem with Adebayor, it was a build up with Adebayor and the Togo FA. it was about money and it extended to the World Cup. I wasn’t at the World Cup with them. Kaita is my player, one of my favorite players in Mali. There was no problem in Mali. I don’t know where you guys got all these information. A journalist needs to get information from both sides. I never had problem with anybody. Mikel problem has been there before I was born. Why are you now putting it on my head. I don't know anything about Mikel.

Can you still bring in that positive impact you brought into Togo to Nigeria, Do you think you can work with Nigeria. Do you think you can bring the Super Eagles to the '94 level ?

What happened in Togo wasn’t just Stephen Keshi but the entire country. We worked together. The journalists, the market women, the people on the street, coaches. We all worked together. When the country(Togo) is going for any competition, we sing one song. We are going to win. But here in Nigeria it is different. When I was in the national team, there was no division. That was why they said I brought in the mafia. We speak one language in my days. If I speak, it is the entire team that has spoken. For us to achieve ,the media, people on the street, and my players have to work as a team. We should understand each other so that we can achieve a lot I am ardent Eagles supporter I am very happy that you said it took Westerhof five years, westerhof had some privileges with the people in high places, so how are you going to manage your own situation?

I am working with home based players too, I will source for quality players, we need time to work, develop the team just like Westerhof did.

I know you can manage discipline , so how do you intend to balance discipline?

The most important thing we need in this life is appreciation. We are all stubborn but we have to know how to manage it. For instance they said the Eagles players are indiscipline, but I have spent five days with them, and I have not seen such. I have to be a role model to them. I have to show it first before they can emulate me. When I say dinner is 7 0’clock and I come down around 7.30. Am I being disciplined?

25

PROPERTY

Tuesday, November 22, 2011 Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.com

* The Environment * Mortgage * Apartments * Security * Homes *Real Estate

email:- property@thenationonlineng.net

The changing landscape of Lagos, Abuja •Developer floats innovative, costly homes in twin cities

•Haven Homes, Magodo GRA, Lagos.

Haven Homes is building choice and stylish homes in Lekki, Magodo and other upscale areas of Lagos and Abuja. Its focus is on unique, luxury homes with western comfort and lifestyle. OKWY IROEGBU writes •CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

• Fashola orders contractors •Queen’s Land Estate targets •Surveyors partners Police on middle income group environmental regulation back to site - PAGE 26

- PAGE 39

- PAGE 40

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

26

PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

Fashola orders contractors back to site

C

ONTRACTORS handling the Ishaga Road near the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) has resorted to noctural work to beat the deadline for the completion the job.

The Lagos State government set the deadline following the delay on completing the work.

Messrs CCCC and DCSA were ordered back to site by Governor, Babatunde Fashola, following complaints by residents that the project, which was temporarily stopped during the rainy season, has been abandoned.

Speaking to reporters the company’s Managing Director, Mr Yomi Pearse, explained that because of the numerous text messages and complaints from those living around LUTH and, others who use the road, the Governor ordered the companies back to site.

He said: “Knowing the importance of this road, obviously, we had text messages and complaints from the residents from LUTH, that the road was abandoned; so the governor ordered us back and said we should complete the road in good time.”

“We now looked at it and we felt the road in the day will disrupt the traffic and human activities around here and things would be very difficult. So we took it upon ourselves.

By Okwy Iroegbu Asst. Editor

We met and we decided and called our men and told them why we must work at night and with some incentives, they agreed. That is why we are here,” he said.

Describing the workers as devoted, the Managing Director added: “Obviously, they know what Lagos State stands for because we all accepted from the beginning that we are going to put in our best in getting this thing done. So when the issue working in the night came up, they accepted”.

On security, Pearse said: “We are secured here. Our office is just around the corner and we have noted the Police around here and there. We are used to the place and the people appreciate what we are trying to do. I don’t think we have any security problems.”

He acknowledged that when reconstructing people suffer some inconvenience, the important thing was to get the work done and very fast in order to lessen the inconveniences on the people.

He added: “We do a good job and put a good road for them. I think they will be happy at the end of the day.”

The project engineer, Mr Jide Akande, said the resort by the com-

•A tractor at the construction site

pany to night construction was informed by the importance of LUTH and the fact that there are no alternative routes to the Hospital.

“If you look at it, the traffic on this road is so high coupled with the fact that there is no alternative routes and what that means is that if you have this volume of traffic and you work during the day, con-

sidering the huge level of traffic that operates on this road, we may hinder a lot of people from accessing their daily routines,” he said.

He said by deciding to work at night, the company has minimised the inconveniences that would have been suffered by the road users adding that the company usually commences work each night when the people would have re-

turned to their homes.

On the temporary suspension of work on the project, Akande said it was as a result of the rainy season. “The weather delayed us for some time, there is nothing we would have done at the peak of the rainy season. But whether it is inconvenient or not, this is a work we must do,” he said.

He said: “To avoid our customers paying dearly for a few extra square metres on ground, we’ve moved the playground to the roof, with natural views.”

Sonuga said combined with galleries on the upper floors, the homes they build produce many imaginative and interesting indoor characters. The unique staircases, he said, are a celebration of steel and wood in modern architecture.

He said: “We, therefore, celebrate your flight between the floors of your home by creating various shapes of stunning staircases, mingling crafted steel and wood in a wonderful combination.”

On the materials and finishing of the homes, Sonuga noted said the homes are built with the highest grade of building materials and high-notch finishing obtainable anywhere in the advanced world.

Speaking on cost, he said they only insist on an initial deposit of 30 per cent of the purchase price of the home while the remaining is spread over a comfortable period for the buyer. However, he said, the prices are from N65 million, which is reasonable given the details and commitment put into the personalised homes.

The changing landscape of Lagos, Abuja •Continued from Page 25

AVEN Homes specialises in creating exotic homes usually seen in Western movies.

The focus, the promoters said, is to provide customers with ultraluxury homes. with unique and individual layouts, abundant natural light, mezzanine levels, galleries, bridges, atriums and, sometimes, roof terraces that can be used for parties.

The company, owned by Nigerians in the United Kingdom (UK), has brought in modern architecture with perfect finishes and regal fitting, providing a truly unique and comfortable haven.

At its house on display at Magodo, a Lagos subsurb the company’s Managing Director, Mr Tayo Sonuga, said a piece of land in Lagos is like gold, expecially in the highbrow areas. Hence, he said there is the need to build luxury homes with all creature comforts.

He said the idea is to create a haven around clients on three floors that is personal to them with emphasis on a pronounced kitchen, a master bedroom on the second floor with long curtains, an atrium that serves as an elevator and a bridge in the dining area that gives the ambience of space in addition to accented walls that make the home contemporary.

He said: “Our homes are also enhanced by an indoor garden, a fountain, a family living area and a penthouse that can be used for engagements and parties. We also create gyms and offices in our homes.

“The idea for us is to integrate and incorporate individual taste into our classy models, unknown before now in the nation’s contemporary real estate industry.”

On the need for the atriums, he said: Our atriums are strategically placed inside each home to import daylight from the roof to all interior spaces and circulate air in the process.

“The atriums transform your

H

•Sitting area with staircase made of steel and wood in Haven Homes.

home to a place where sun, plants and other elements of nature join as one to form a unique tropical haven. The atriums are also a ‘lantern’ at night with our lighting design that forms a string of illumination running through the entire house. They also provide a perfect place to put other features, such as fountains, indoor gardens and others.”

On the unique lighting of their homes, Sonuga said: “Our lights

not only brighten the homes, they also make them warm and wonderful. Our dimmer switches put you perfectly in control as you set the mood lights to the right ambience to match your emotions.”

On the roof top terraces, he said they also call them urban sanctuaries’ which are included to compensate for having less grounds in areas where land is on a high premium.

We, therefore, celebrate your flight between the floors of your home by creating various shapes of stunning staircases, mingling crafted steel and wood in a wonderful combination’ ‘

27

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

E-mail:- law@thenationonlineng.net

•Daudu (SAN)

•Cooper

•President, National Industrial Court, Justice Babatunde Adejumo

At the fifth annual conference of the Section on Legal Practice of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Abuja, lawyers examined laws that need further amendment. They urged the government to exercise caution when signing international treaties, conventions and protocols. The government, they said, should rely on civil society organisations for advice. Other issues treated include violence against women, improving the quality of legal service delivery and litigating against medical negligence. JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU reports.

Expanding frontiers of legal practice

L

AWYERS are contemplating taking the legal profession beyond the usual borders. They examined issues, such as jurisdiction, practice and procedures of the National Industrial Court (NIC), practice at international tribunals and courts, and litigating at the ECOWAS Court.

Experts who spoke on ways to enforce the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights; how best to prepare wills and trusts; how to litigate domestic violence in Nigeria; and areas that need more attention from lawyers, such as medical negligence, product liability and professional malpractices.

It was all at the fifth annual conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Section on Legal Practice (SLP) with the theme: Legal practice in Nigeria: Venturing beyond usual borders. Speakers said with the expanding of the frontiers of legal practice in recent times, there is, therefore, a need

for lawyers to equip themselves to compete with their colleagues elsewhere.

They said there was also the need to expose lawyers to relevant spheres of legal practice that will assist them in building their career to enhance orderliness and growth in the society . They noted that good laws is the only guarantee for a good human society.

Speakers stressed the need for a robust approach to public interest litigation as it relates to the age-long principle on locus standi. They pointed out that with the new rules of frontloading, the cross-examiner is the key actor. Lawyers were encouraged to master the art of cross examination to succeed in court room advocacy.

Associate Dean of the City Law School and Chair of Senate Research Ethics Committee, City University, London, •See page 29

•’JK’Gadzama is 50 - P.30 •We are the best, says Law School Class of ‘88 - P.32

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 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”) .

...RESPONDENTS

•Continued from last week

“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 Practitioner” 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 proceedings” 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 “roll” would be competent to qualify.

The following question would therefore be relevant to pose at this point: Is the name of “MESSRS SEYI SOWEMIMO & CO” a name of a person registered on the roll and entitled to practice as a barrister and solicitor within the meaning of the Legal practitioner’s Act? If the answer is in the positive, the name must be on the roll within the interpretation by their Lordships in the case of Okafor v Nweke supra’ In that case for instance, His Lordship Onnoghen JSC where considering the said two provisions of sections 2(1) and 24 of the Legal practitioners Act had this to say at page 531.

“The combined effect of the above provisions is that for a person to be qualified to practice as a legal practitioner he must have his name in the roll otherwise he cannot engage in any form of legal practice in Nigeria.”

Also in the same tone, his Lordship Oguntade JSC in his contribution fielded the view wherein he condemned the practice by non barrister and solicitors as unconventional and wrong despite the ongoing norm being followed, which the learned jurists concluded should not be allowed to continue or be encouraged.

The learned senior counsel Mr. Sowemimo in his submission however sought to distinguish the case of Ogundele v. Agiri supra which he argued serves as an exception to the decision in Okafor v Nweke, counsel also submitted reliance and approval in Cole v.

Martin (1968) 1 ALL NLR p. 161.

It is pertinent to restate that in addition to section 2(1)and 24 of the legal practitioners Act both decisions made in Okafor v.

Nweke as well as Cole v Martin supra were also of significant consideration by his Lordship Ogbuagu JSC in the case of Ogundele v Agiri. At pages 246 - 247 of the report for instance his Lordship had this to say amongst others on the subject:“....... I had drawn the attention of Mr. Ajibola off record, to the fact that their brief was faulty in that it was signed by “Ajibola & Co. and there is/was no evidence that it is firm duly registered as such...............even recently, in the case of Okafor & Ors v.

Nweke & Ors (2007) 10 NWLR (Pt.1043) 521..........this court per Onnoghen, JSC, dealt with this issue or fact. A partnership or firm unless duly registered as such. With respect, is not a legal practitioner recognized by law or a person entitled to practice as a barrister and Solicitor?

See also Section 2(1) and 24 of the Legal Practitioners Act, Cap. 207, LFN....”

The learned senior counsel, while submitting that the firm was duly registered’ sought further to bring his case within the contemplation of the case of Cole v. Martins supra. In that case, the name and address of the Legal Practitioner representing the appellant was given as ,,Lardner & co.

22 Kakawa Street, Lagos. “The notice of appeal was signed in the name of “Lardner & Co. Their Lordships of the apex court while relying on an earlier decision expatiated on the effect of a notice of appeal signed in the name of a firm of Solicitors. In other words reference was made to the case of The Registered Trustees of Apostolic Church, Lagos Area v. Rahman Akindele 1967 NWLR 263 wherein the apex court had this to say at page 265, on an account of a signature on the prescribed form of appeal bearing “J.A. Cole for J.A. Cole & Co.“Mr J.A. Cole is admittedly a duly registered legal practitioner, and entitled to practice as such under the Legal Practitioners Act, 1962. He has no partner in his practice, but he has registered the name of J.A. Cole & Co. under the Registration of Business Names Act, 1961 and uses that name in his

practice....................................in our view the business name was correctly given as that of the legal practitioner representing the appellant. In signing the notice of appeal, Mr. Cole used his name, that is to say, the name in which he is registered as a legal practitioner, we hold that on any interpretation of the rules there was sufficient compliance with them” In Cole V Martins, and applying the principle in the case of the Registered Trustees of Apostolic church Lagos Area v. Rahman Akindele, under reference, in the same way Mr. J.A. Cole was practicing on his own under the registered business name of J.A. Cole & Co., so was Mr. H.A. Lardner also practicing alone under the registered business name of “Lardner & Co.” The effect however was that where only one person constituted that business he was appropriately described in the term of the registered business name. In other words, it was held that where a legal practitioner practicing alone gives the name under which he is registered as a business name that would suffice and apply as if the legal practitioner’s name is synonymous to the business name. In Cole v. Martin, there was evidence that Mr. H. A. Lardner was practicing alone under the registered business name of “Lardner & Co”. It was further noted that the effect of registering a business name under the Registration of Business Names Act, 1961 was that where only one person constituted that business it was correct to describe him in the terms of the registered business name. In other words that Lardner & co. was solely referred to as Mr. H.A. Lardner. As a corollary, and in the case at hand, there is no evidence before us that MESSRS SEYI SOWEMIMO & co. was a legal practitioner registered under sections 2(1) and 24 of the Legal practitioners Act. There is also no evidence that the person so designated was same in chambers and also practices alone. The relationship drawn by the learned senior counsel Mr. Sowemimo to the authority in Cole v Martins is, with all respect misconceived’ The error I hold is fundamental. In the circumstance it is my view therefore that the case of Ogundele v Agiri is not a departure from Okafor v Nweke as sought to portray by the learned senior counsel.

In confirmation of the stand taken, reference can further be made to the case of N. N. B. Plc v Denclag Ltd. (200s) 4 NWLR [pt.9116) p. s4gwherein at page 573 this court in a similar circumstance held the following and said:.... it is clear that Ibrahim Hamman and Co. to issue is not competent the notice of appeal since the said firm that signed and issued it is not a registered legal practitioner who is competent to issue a notice of

appeal. Section 2 (1) of Legal Practitioners Act 1990 LFN. See also section 24 of the same Act which defines a “Legal” practitioner.”

Having not been issued by a registered legal practitioner, the original notice of appeal, signed, issued and filed by the said firm is incompetent invalid and null and void since it was issued by person not authorized by law to issue it. The said notice of appeal is also incurably defective.”

The said foregoing view was authenticated by their Lordships of the apex court in the case of Oketade v Adewunmi & 4 ors.

(2010) 2-8 SC (Pt.1) 14o at 152-153. The existing standing order as it is for now is the authority in the case of Okafor v Nweke wherein their Lordships of the Supreme Court as earlier stated in a unanimous decision interpreted sections 2(1) and 24 of the Legal Practitioner Act cap 207 LFN L990 and held per Onnoghen JSC with reference having been made earlier in the course of the judgment’ The conclusion arrived at in that case was that the processes filed particularly the motion on notice, the proposed Notice of cross Appeal and Applicants’ Brief of Argument in support of the said Motion on Notice were all held as incompetent in that they were not issued by a legal practitioner known to law and were consequently struck out.

It is pertinent to mention at this juncture that I am very much aware of the submission by the learned senior counsel Mr. Sowemimo, wherein he relied on a certificate of registration of the firm to show that it was duly registered’ With the greatest respect to the senior counsel, I have carefully perused the record of appeal before us and upon which the appeal at hand was entered and I hasten to say that I have not come across any such certificate under reference contained therein the record. There is however a further affidavit deposed to by one Daniel Osai a law clerk in the chambers of Messrs Seyi Sowemimo & Co. counsel to the applicant whereby “Exhibit OS l” was attached evidencing a photocopy of particulars of registration of Seyi Sowemimo & co. with the document being a further affidavit, it presupposes that it is an additional fact to an already existing fact.

In the absence of such, one wonders what the process and the document attached are meant to serve. A further affidavit does not exist in a vacuum. It is also not drawn to our attention that there is any order made and admitting additional record for the hearing of this appeal. That piece of information as well as the purported certificate of registration I hold with all respect, have no relevance to the appellant’s case.

•To be continued

•From left: Emeka Ngige (SAN), Okey Wali (SAN); D. C. Denwige (SAN); Damian Dodo (SAN); Adetola Kazeem (SAN) and Uche Agomo at the fifth yearly conference of the NBA Section on Legal Practice at Rockview Hotel, Abuja.

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

29

LAW COVER CONT’D

Expanding frontiers of legal practice •Continued from page 27

Prof Penny Cooper, in a keynote address entitled: The changing world of witness preparation and witness evidence; adapting our traditional approach, said to properly evaluate a witness’evidence, the trial judge has a responsibility to ensure first, that witnesses are given the opportunity to tell their story in their own words. hen the witness’ story need to be tested for accuracy, completeness and coherence. The quality of the court’s decision is inextricably linked to the effectiveness of witness handling and resultant quality of the witness’ evidence, she said.

She added: “Under the common law, the witnesses’opportunity to tell their story in their own words usually occurs in examination-in-chief and the opportunity for an opposing party to test it usually occurs in crossexamination.

“Examination-in-chief traditionally involves lawyers for the opposing party/ies putting their client’s case to the witness which as a matter of practice rather than law is usually done through leading questions which suggest or imply the desired answer.”

Prof Copper pointed out that, over the last two decades, in many countries operating systems derived from English Common Law, new methods of handling witness evidence have arisen. She emphasised the need to encourage the judiciary to adopt standards of global best practices as is the case in other jurisdictions.

On cases being basically decided on witness evidence, lawyers were enjoined to maintain high professional ethical standards even in cross-examination and pay attention to the quality of questions put to witnesses during cross-examination so that the quality of the law would not be compromised, and to ensure better quality of justice.

How to improve the NIC in view of its expanded jurisdiction was also discussed.

The conference called for appointment of more judges to the court.

Speakers said the court should be established in every division of the high courts of states bearing in mind that issues of employment and child rights abuse are now within the jurisdiction of the court.

There is the need for right of appeal to be provided for against all the decisions of the NIC, as it would be poor judicial practice for the court to be of first instance and at the same time make final and unappealable decisions in respect of some matters, it was said.

Chairman of the SLP Emmanuel Ukala (SAN) stated that the efforts of the Section have been geared towards exposing to lawyers relevant information in all facets of legal practice.

“One of the major challenges of legal practice in Nigeria is the tendency of legal practitioners to restrict themselves to narrow confines of existence. This prevalent attitude accounts for the limitations of the majority of lawyers in Nigeria. This has informed our choice of the theme of this conference.

“A keen observer of our nation in present times is bound to agree that we cannot afford much longer to ignore regular intellectual examination of our corporate existence. We, as legal practitioners, cannot wait for others to lead the way.

“It may seem convenient for others to persist to ignore in ignorance of the danger signals which are now obvious. It may be convenient for those others to say that the lawyers and the courts have failed the nation but it will never be convenient for the lawyers to plead alibi. An uninformed lawyer is however almost always irrelevant in his presence as he is in his absence.

“No human society can do without law.

T

•Ukala (SAN)

•Boma Ozobia, President Commonwealth Lawyers Association

Accordingly a regime of good law is the only guarantee for a good human society.

The search for good law and the practice of good law is the business of the Section on Legal Practice,” he said.

One such law identified as needing a review is the Labour Law, of which the existing one is said to be obsolete. Lawyers were urged to work together for an improvement of the law.

Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Dahiru Musdapher faulted the concept of plea bargaining, describing it as a novel concept of dubious origin invented to provide soft landing to high- profile criminals who loot the treasury entrusted to them.

Represented by Justice Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta of the Supreme Court, Justice Musdapher said the system of plea bargain has no place in Nigerian law – substantive or procedural.

According to him, “it was invented to provide soft landing for high profile criminals who loot the treasury entrusted to them. It is an obstacle to our fight against corruption it should never again be mentioned in our jurisprudence.”

On the use of injunctions against law enforcement agents to avoid arrest, the CJN said: “The guilty are afraid and when a man, who has abused the public trust reposed in him feels the heat of the approaching long arm of the law, he rushes to a judge with flexible conscience who makes him untouchable to the law enforcement agents. It is another obstacle to the struggle to uproot corruption in this country.

“Gentlemen, regard it as part of your inestimable service to your fatherland to take a position on the above issues which constitute a blot on our criminal process. Your voice will be heard and change will be made for the better.”

Reacting to the state of the nation’s prisons, Justice Musdapher said: “I wish to draw your attention to our prisons where fellow human beings are reduced to the barest level of humanity. I think time is ripe to include a provision for suspended sentence in the Criminal Procedure Code andCriminal Procedure Law, after all, as Roscoe Pound said in his introduction to the Philosophy of Law (1922): “The law must be stable but it must not stand still.”

On holding charges, the CJN said: “Every

legal practitioner is familiar with this term by which citizens are dumped in prison by a court which lacks jurisdiction to try them.

It is largely the responsibility for the congestion in prisons across the country.

“The state cannot incarcerate its citizens while scrambling for evidence to build a case against him, and if it has a case it should take the accused to a court of competent jurisdiction. As often in the case when he is set free because he has no case to answer he goes home in shame, a damaged man, without apology, without compensation,” he said.

NBA President Joseph Daudu (SAN) urged for more specialisation among lawyers. He lamented the lack of interest showed by junior lawyers to the conference.

He said: “The topic of this conference is apt as it borders on litigation and legal practice and would have been of immense benefit to junior lawyers, but for their shortsighted approach to issues of legal education.

“People must learn to take advantage of specialisation in the legal practice because the more specialised you are the more comfortable you will live. Looked at from the population of the Bar, it will be to our advantage that we embrace specialisation.

“The Bar must reform and not just criticise others,” he added. communiqué at the end of the con ference stated low remuneration of young lawyers should be discouraged, while lawyers were encouraged to broaden their legal practice by venturing into the lucrative field of practice at international courts and tribunals.

SLP called on the NBA to partner with the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights on its sensitisation trip to the Federal Government of Nigeria, scheduled for November 30 to December 2, this year.

It urged the government to make necessary declarations and provide an enabling environment to enable Nigerians to take advantage of the existence of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

The Section also urged the NBA and its Human Rights committees to work towards gaining observer status at the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to make them more relevant, adding that there is the need for the establishment of a Court

A

‘People must learn to take advantage of specialisation in the legal practice because the more specialised you are the more comfortable you will live. Looked at from the population of the Bar, it will be to our advantage that we embrace specialisation. The Bar must reform and not just criticise others’

•Falana

of Appeal and provisions for right of appeal against the decision of the ECOWAS court.

The communiqué added: “The government of Nigeria should exercise caution and care when signing international treaties and to rely on civil society organisations, such as the NBA for advice and assistance.

“The modern legal practitioner needs to keep himself abreast with the various laws on Wills and Trust so that he can appropriately advise his client on which option is best based on the client’s needs.

“The domestication of Treaty Provisions in CEDAW and ICPD and International Standards to National Laws, signed and ratified by the state, cannot be overemphasised in the bid to curb domestic violence and provide avenues for litigation in the event of a violation.”

SLP called for the passage of the Violence against Women (Prohibition) Bill 2011 to provide a harmonised framework for domestic violence prevention and litigation in Nigeria and demanded general reforms on the customs, norms and laws relating to domestic violence in Nigeria to prohibit sexual violence in intimate settings, and for criminal laws to specifically penalise sexual assault and gender-based violence in the family, home, school and workplace.

“Those Nigerian women should be encouraged to take advantage of interlocutory injunctions like restraining orders against violators. Law enforcement system and police participation is very necessary to improve the litigation procedures associated with domestic violence,” it said.

The section also called for re-socialisation campaigns and widespread public education on gender equality and equity so as to change attitudes about male-female relationship in general.

It said the provision of counseling services to victims of domestic violence is key to their rehabilitation and as such the capacities of support groups, nongovernmental organisations and civil society participation must be built up to respond to victims of domestic violence through several measures.

“Nigerians should be sensitised as to the extent or impact of informed consent giving to medical personnel prior to treatment of a patient.

“Religious beliefs are contributory factors to the lack of interest in the litigation of medical negligence in Nigeria. There is, therefore, a need for lawyers to venture beyond disciplinary proceedings to taking out civil actions so victims can be compensated for medical negligence.

“There is need for more expertise of lawyers in the area of medical negligence so that clients can be better advised on issues arising therefrom,” the SLP said. t urged lawyers to engage in the prac tice of global outsourcing and for em phasis to be placed on quality of service provided. Quality control services should also be clearly defined, it said.

I

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

30

LEGAL OPINION

‘JK’Gadzama is 50

C

HIEF Joseph Kyari Gadzama (SAN) is many things to people. This is borne out of the fact that Gadzama, popularly called J-K by friends and fans, is a jack of all trade who has managed to be master of all.

Born in Mubi, Adamawa State, on November 28, 1961, Gadzama’s tale is a marvel. Not born with a silver spoon, he made bricks out of hay, so to speak. William Shakespeare may well have been talking about Chief Gadzama when he posited in one of his famous works, “Twelfth Night”: Be not afraid of greatness; some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them.

It is superfluous to state that Gadzama belongs to the second category described by the iconic Shakespeare.

He achieved greatness through sweat and toil.

While his giant strides in the legal profession are not unknown to us, it is his ability to also blend in with the non-legal environment that is most uncommon and highly commendable.

Blessed with the uncanny ability to always see the positive side to every situation, no matter how bleak it may seem, Gadzama always sees a light in every tunnel.

In July 2010, when he lost the Nigerian Bar Association presidential election to the incumbent, J.B. Daudu (SAN), Gadzama was the first to congratulate his opponent and would probably have lifted him off the ground were it not for the latter’s “evidence of weight”.

Gadzama, in his 50-year sojourn, has excelled in law practice, business, politics, corporate life and sports. Apart from serving the NBA as former Chairman of the Abuja Branch and former Chairman of the Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL), he is also ViceChairman of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators UK, Abuja Chapter.

In addition, he is also a member of a few high profile corporate bodies. He is the Chairman of the Federal Government Special Committee on the Implementation of Rome Statute on the International Criminal Court. He is also the Chairman, Contract Compliance Committee, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC). He was also a member of the Federal Government Presidential Committee on the Security Challenges in the Northern part of the Country. He was also a member of the Federal Government Presidential Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy and a member of the Lagos Court of Arbitration (LCA).

In recognition of his sterling achievements and selfless dedication to National service, within and outside the legal profession,

LAW AND PUBLIC POWER

By John Unachukwu

Gadzama was conferred with the National Honour of Member, Federal Republic (MFR) by the Federal Government in 2004, during Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration as President.

It is often said that the acquisition of Professional, National and Traditional titles is not what makes a man but his moral character and J-K is not unaware of that saying as he has plunged headlong into the world of philanthropy, setting up two Non-Governmental Organisations-Vox Populi Foundation for leadership and the Late Mallam Kyari Ali Foundation (in honour of his late father). When it was suggested to him that the two NGOs be launched and donations sought for (as is the practice with most NGOs), he flatly refused to do so and insisted on financing both NGOs single-handedly, stating that Charity is not meant to enrich he who is charitable. To him, it is an abomination to either request for or receive donations for the NGOs. While his intellectual ability is well known (he is an avid reader), it is his industry that catches the eye more than anything else. He gives the term “round the clock” a whole new meaning. Able to alight from a grueling flight from India, breeze straight into a board meeting and from there arrive at the firm to “make a living”, Chief Gadzama fits seamlessly into everyendeavour that he finds himself. When asked for the source of his boundless energy, he says he inherited the trait from his late mother and by God’s grace.

Not content with excelling in the legal profession, business, politics, national service and corporate practice, he is also a well known, internationally acclaimed golfer and has won several tournaments in the sport, locally and internationally. He was the Captain of the IBB International Golf & Country Club from 2004 to 2005. Before then, he had served as the Club’s Vice Captain and Honorary Secretary. In addition to the several trophies that he has won as a golfer, he was internationally recognised in the sport when for the first time an African won the International Bar Association (IBA) Holstrom Golf Cup in Prague, the Czech Republic in 2005.

Affectionately called “J-K” by friends, he represented the defunct North Central State in Badminton at the pioneer National Sports Festival in Surulere, Lagos in 1973 while in primary school. He repeated the feat in 1975, 1977 and 1979. He came second in Badminton at the 1979 Oluyole National Sports Festival in Ibadan, this time representing the former Gongola State. His only regret, he says is that he could not win a laurel in squash rackets, table tennis or swimming.

Happily married to his an Arbitrator, working with the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and blessed with six children, the eldest of whom (Madu) is a Law Student and the President, African and Caribbean Law Students Associa-

with gabriel AMALU email:gabrielamalu1@yahoo.com

Guided democracy as the rule IGERIA’S public officials do not learn or care about history. They live for today. So for them democracy should be a hand gun or guided missile. Once in power a politician wants to determine the destination in advance of the next democratic challenge, with scant regard for rules and regulations. Democracy should willy-nilly go to their choice address. The Bayelsa debacle is merely the most recent, and it won’t be the last, because unfortunately every Nigerian politician wants to be a godfather. It is the demon that is devouring our democratic enterprise, and that is very unfortunate.

President Goodluck Jonathan, who is today the culprit in the Bayelsa governorship crisis, is no difference from Governor Sylva or any of the top politicians. They are all pretenders to the democratic enterprise when they want to install their surrogates; as the game plan always is to win at all cost and subverting due process is a fair game. As a run up to the Bayelsa crisis, it is believed that during the national crisis over the ascension to the presidency of President Jonathan, following the incapacitation of President Yar’Adua; Governor Sylva was in the vanguard of those subverting the constitution to stop Jonathan. So far his political enemies, it is a pay back time.

But despite this history, the shame called party primaries in Bayelsa State by the so called biggest party in Africa, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should worry Nigerians. It is an aberration that Mr President who should be the chief priest of constitutionalism and due process of law is now associated with a clear breach of what the law says.

The matter is made worse that even in the face of an order of a court of competent jurisdiction stopping the charade, the PDP went ahead to hold the kangaroo election.

As if lawlessness is a virtue, the PDP’s party officials have vowed several days in advance that they will defy the provisions of section 6(6)(b) of the 1999 constitution which empowers the Court to act as an arbiter in “all matters between persons, or between government or authority and to any person in Nigeria, and to all actions and proceedings relating thereto, for the determination of any question as to civil rights and obligations of that person”. In effect, the President in seeking to pay back Governor Sylva in his own coin, unwittingly deprecated the constitution under which his right to exercise authority on us sorely depend. That is the main tragedy of the Bayelsa crisis.

The other likely tragedy may come later and that is the renewal of militancy in the Niger Delta. Many commentators have argued that Governor Sylva was instrumental to the peace process known as amnesty. If the permutation is true, then there might be a renewal of the insurgency, and where that to happen, the President would take a big share of the blame. But every Nigeria would also be a looser, as the resources that are getting scarcer would further depreciate. Even where Sylva has no such influence to cause trouble, there might be fifth columnists that would gladly fill in to further threaten our common well being.

Like Prof Nwabueze did for President Obasanjo, I hope constitutional law experts have started compiling for publication the constitutional breaches of President Jonathan. Despite the President’s outward meekness, it appears that when he has interests to protect, he acts like a tiger.

One clearest area where the President has consistently shown that he is no pushover is in cases of choosing candidates for public offices. From service and security chiefs, ministers, judges, heads of parastatals to candidates for elections, the president has shown that he was just being humble when he said is not a lion or tiger.

Unfortunately, this clear sightedness in looking after personal interests has not manifested in the President’s handling of the economy and national security. The nation in the hands of Mr. President with all do respect to him has been wobbling and fumbling, and for once since the advent of our current democracy, the issue of the survival of the country as one entity has again become a common discussion among ordinary Nigerians. While the President’s challenges may be some what different from that of his predecessors, what appears to be lacking is the single mindedness he has shown on these selfish interests.

So when the President takes the liberty, others are taking to subvert due process and the constitution just to massage his ego; he must also weigh in weather the times are also auspicious, with regards to our common enemies - the economy and security. Experience has shown that when the economy is doing well, and there is reasonable security of lives and property, the leaders are usually free to exercise occasional abuse of process here and there and yet they get way with it. But this is usually not the case when the times are hard and many would easily believe the leaders are their greatest enemies.

The discarded Prime Minister of Italy, the thuggish Berlusconi who has been taking his country men and women for granted for several years; just realized the limits of political rascality in a bad economy. Pretending to be invincible for years, he was butted out days ago for an economic team to salvage the Italian economy. President Jonathan and the rest of our politicians must have a rethink the way and manner they abuse the process in their determination to foist candidates during elections. While we all know that many of them are not democrats, I guess that they may still need a peaceful country to enjoy their privileges. So I enjoy them to discard guided democracy for us to make progress.

N

•Gadzama

tion, at the University of Reading, United Kingdom, already following in the footsteps of his father. Chief Gadzama is the consummate family man and mentor, a doting father, firm but gentle.

As a “student for life”, he was recently in 2008 called to the English Bar and he also now practises at Middle Temple Lane Chambers in London. He is also the Sardauna of Uba in Borno State and the Okwuluoraof Ukpo in Anambra State.

Chief Gadzama’s achievements all long before now are a reminder of the things that we are capable of when we put our minds to the task. We hope to return 50 years from now to celebrate J-K@100.

Interestingly, he says he has not yet started legal practice and plans to really go into serious legal practice once he turns 50! Having taken the silk at less than 37 years, just 12 years after he was called to the Bar and having forged a reputation as an Advocateper Excellence, one is curious to see what he will achieve once he goes into serious legal practice.

“Once again, we celebrate and felicitate with a top advocate, a Philanthropist, a genuine sportsman, a consummate politician and a complete gentleman as he attains a significant milestone in life,” he said.

LEGAL DIARY Gadzama birthday Friends and associates of chief Joe Kyari Gadzama(SAN) have slated a week to commemorate his 50th birthday. There will be a dinner and a colloquium at the Shehu Musa Yar’adua Centre, Abuja, on Friday, December 2 ,2011 by 4pm and a Golf Tournament at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja on Saturday, December 3, 2011.

There will be also a thanksgiving service at the Church of the Brethren (EYN), Utako, Abuja on Sunday, December 4, 2011.

The topic for the colloquium is The impact of Electronic Evidence in the Nigerian Legal System – the new Evidence Act 2011 in perspective and former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice S. M. A. Belgore, will chair the event.

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

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LAW & DEVELOPMENT Text of the lecture delivered by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Dahiru Musdapher, at the Fellows’ Day of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) at Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja.

Judiciary as bastion of constitutional democracy •Continued from last week

S I have admitted on previous occasions, the extent to which prevalent societal currents have also engulfed the

A

judiciary demands great concern. Judges and the judicial system must remain politically neutral and rise up to safeguard our fledgling democracy. We must deflect the tides of impropriety and immunise the entire judicial system against all identified iniquities.

We have a vision of a Justice system that is simple, fast, and efficient. It must be responsive to the needs and yearnings of the citizenry. I strongly believe we can succeed by adhering to the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy as contained in sections 13 to 24 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). Section 23 provides that: The National Ethics shall be Discipline, Integrity, Dignity of Labour, Social Justice, Religious Tolerance, Self reliance and Patriotism.

It is of fundamental importance that in the adjudication of any matter that is placed before us particularly, those dealing with the interpretation of the Constitution and other statutes, to bear these principles in mind.

These are the goals that Nigerians have set for themselves so we are bound to adhere to these ideals if we are to obliterate cut-throat politics, election rigging, corruption, nepotism, ethnicism and many other wrong doings from our polity.

As judges of our country’s courts, we must act according to the highest dictates of our conscience. We must be guided by the fundamental values and principles of constitutional democracy as well as the value of simple decency. Our judgments and pronouncements must not appear to be against the essence of justice. Surely, the application of these broad principles cannot produce judgments that appear unfair or unjust.

In spite of the foregoing, and in spite of some hiccups, I am of the respectful view that the Nigerian judiciary remains the bastion of constitutional democracy. However, we must do more to earn the respect and confidence of our people and ensure that we play our role in promoting peace and justice in Nigeria.

Things fell apart: context and challenges For a better understanding of the role – and limitations – of the judiciary as the bastion of constitutional democracy, it is important to take stock of the challenges that it grapples with. These include the lack of independence of the judiciary, especially at the state level, in terms of funding, political manipulation of the processes of appointment and removal of Judges by some state chief executives and their respective Houses of Assembly; delays in the administration of justice occasioned, in part, by institutional limitations and incapacities; and corruption.

It is regrettable that some state chief executives treat the judiciary as an appendage of the executive arm. While it is true that, in some cases, this is self-inflicted (because of the way some Judges portray themselves), it does not invariably follow that a distinct arm of government should, because of the actions of a few, be treated with disdain. Sadly, the judiciary in several states still goes cap in hand to the executive begging for funds. By section 162(9) of the Constitution, any amount standing to the credit of the judiciary in the Federation Account is paid directly to the National Judicial Council (NJC) for disbursement to the heads of superior courts, including those at the state level. However, a significant part of the funding requirements of state judiciaries, especially in the area of the provision of infrastructure and welfare of Magistrates and other lower court Judges, remain the responsibilities of states. The plight of the state judiciaries is compounded by the fact that, in spite of the best efforts of the NJC, the processes of appointment and removal of Judges/security of tenure is the subject of political theatrics.

Delay in the dispensation of justice remains a major challenge due, in large measure, to institutional incapacities in the area of infra-

structure (especially e-infrastructure), inbuilt delay mechanisms in the law, as well as failings on the part of some Judges, the official and private Bars, law enforcement agencies, litigants and witnesses. Thus, as My Lord, Hon. Justice Timothy Akinola Aguda, succinctly puts it: The chorus ‘justice delayed is justice denied’ has become a senseless nuisance to most of the persons and institutions which are intimately connected with the administration of justice in our country and a saddening reminder to those directly affected, of a totally bankrupt system of administration of justice.

This is of course extremely sad, since that chorus is absolutely true.

The sobering reality is that “(i)f court backlogs grow at their present rate, our children may not be able to bring a lawsuit to a conclusion within their lifetime. Legal claims might then be willed on, generation to generation like hillbilly funds; and the burden of pressing them would be contracted like a hereditary disease”.

Furthermore, the judiciary is sadly not insulated from the monster of corruption that is ravaging the society. Whatever the motivations and predilections, as Judges, we must be mindful of the fact that: A poor Judge (in terms of integrity) is perhaps the most wasteful indulgence of the community. You can refuse to patronise a merchant who does not carry good stock, but you have no recourse if you are haled before a Judge whose mental or moral goods are inferior. An honest…, able and fearless Judge is the most valuable servant of democracy, for he illuminates justice as he interprets and applies the law…

Similarly, My Lord, Hon. Justice Samson Uwaifo, JSC, captures the incalculable harm that a corrupt Judge inflicts on the society in these graphic terms: A corrupt Judge is more harmful to the society than a man who runs amok with a dagger in a crowded street. The latter can be restrained physically. But a corrupt Judge deliberately destroys the moral foundation of society and causes incalculable distress to individuals through abusing his office while still being referred to as ‘honourable’.1818.

Uwaifo, JSC, Valedictory Speech, reproduced in (2005) 1 SCNJ, at 20. In the words of Oputa, JSC: ...no one should go to the Bench to amass wealth, for money corrupts and pollutes not only the channels of justice but also the very stream itself. It is a calamity to have a corrupt Judge. The passing away of a great Advocate does not pose such public danger as the appearance of a corrupt Judge on the Bench, for in the latter instance, the public interest is bound to suffer and elegant justice is mocked, debased, depreciated and auctioned. When justice is bought and sold, there is no more hope for society.

What our society needs is an honest, trusted and trustworthy judiciary.

It is in view of this reality that in my speech at the commencement of the new Legal Year, I was unequivocal in my denunciation of corruption. As I pointed out, “there is no middle ground and no space on the Bench for those adjudged to be unworthy arbiters of truth.

The choice is simple and our resolve is absolute – “plata o plomo (Gold or Lead). Henceforth, there shall be zero tolerance to judicial corruption or misconduct”.

However, as I further pointed out, it is of equal importance that accusations of impropriety against judicial officers should not be made lightly. It must be appreciated that the integrity of the Judge and the judiciary is a sacred public trust that must be protected and upheld by all. Today, mere suspicions of impropriety emanating from unconfirmed rumours, together with foul innuendoes find ready spaces in our media without proper concern for the far reaching damage being done to not only the jwudge in question but the entire institution of justice. It is rather unfortunate that on several occasions, the media has wittingly or unwittingly allowed itself to be used as a tool by political litigants keen on whipping sentiments towards their cause to disparage the reputation of Judges and the judiciary without exercising due caution.

With the enactment of the Freedom of Information Act, there is no longer any excuse,

‘A poor judge (in terms of integrity) is perhaps the most wasteful indulgence of the community.

You can refuse to patronise a merchant who does not carry good stock, but you have no recourse if you are haled before a judge whose mental or moral goods are inferior. An honest…, able and fearless Judge is the most valuable servant of democracy, for he illuminates justice as he interprets and applies the law’ • Justice Musdapher (CJN)

however tenuous, for speculative journalism. Neither should the era of citizen journalism be misconstrued as a licence for revelling in smear campaigns. An open and democratic society thrives on robust and constructive exchange of ideas, not whimsical and capricious figments of imagination touted as facts.

As we strive to extricate the judiciary from prevailing iniquities, we hope we can rely on the media and other stakeholders to support our efforts and allow us to perform our constitutional duties without being unwittingly dragged into political controversies.

A remarkable feature of the relationship between the judiciary and the media is that, properly understood, they are mutually reinforcing. The independence of the judiciary and the independence of the media are both fundamental to the continued exercise, and indeed the survival, of democratic liberties.

Furthermore, while the judiciary plays a central role in the protection and sustenance of media independence, judicial independence and integrity are also dependent on these freedoms. Consequently, I am of the firm conviction that the days when the possibility of active communication between the judiciary and the media was regarded as an anathema, are wrong in principle and gone forever. This is an age of communication in which, without any infringement on their independence, they can and should speak to each other, to ensure transparent administration of justice and preserve the freedom of the press which are indeed cardinal pillars of constitutional democracy.

Agenda for reform: my vision for the Nigerian judiciary In light of the challenges that the Nigerian judiciary grapples with, there is no disputing the fact that, as it stands today, it appears that the society we serve is not entirely satisfied with our performance. Hard as it may be to accept, it is less important to focus on whether this assessment is fair or not. The important thing is for us to look at ourselves in the mirror and transparently come to terms with the prevailing realities, accept the gap in expectations, and do our utmost to bridge it. Much as we try, we cannot wish away the perception – rightly or wrongly – of the “consumers” of justice.

More importantly, we are conscious of the fact that, as Mackanzie rightly points out: Without armies to carry out their judgments, courts are dependent on the consent of the governed no less than the other branches (of government)...When the image

of the judiciary is tarnished, the moral authority of the courts is critically undermined. The appearance of partiality...is the greatest threat that confronts our Judges. A judiciary that is sufficiently armoured with a good reputation for integrity can withstand other threats...19 It, therefore, follows that the authority of the judiciary rests squarely on the public perception of its propriety. Where public confidence in the judicial system is high, the incidence of people taking the law into their own hands will be minimal. The reverse is obviously the case where public confidence in the judiciary is low. Therefore, when some Nigerians resort to jungle justice, we – as well as lawyers, law enforcement agents and other stakeholders in the justice sector – must, while deprecating their conduct, take a look at ourselves in the mirror, instead of playing the ostrich, and make amends, where necessary.

Breaking the mirror is not the solution. Instead, it aggravates the problem. It simply targets the messenger and ignores, often at great peril, the message. When people patronize shrines and other unorthodox means of seeking redress, we must, instead of scornful, sanctimonious dispositions, take a look at ourselves in the mirror and resolve to make amends, where necessary.

Without a scintilla of doubt, I am convinced that public confidence in the Judge and the judicial system reinforces conviction in the “consumers” of justice that no person, institution or government no matter how powerful or wealthy is outside the sphere of legal authority. Conversely, as De Balzac warns, “the lack of public confidence in the judiciary is the beginning of the end of society”. Therefore, it is a matter of serious concern that prevalent societal currents and iniquities, including the collapse of core values such as integrity, probity, accountability, etc, have also engulfed a significant segment of the judiciary. This is sad. It is an urgent call to action.

In our resolve to restore public confidence in the judiciary, I assure you of our determination to robustly enforce the Code of Conduct for judicial officers, the Code of Conduct for public officers and other relevant laws and regulations.

It is also imperative to explore ways through which to strengthen the provisions of these laws and regulations and the mechanisms for their enforcement. To give one example, I am of the considered view that the Code of Conduct for judicial officers should expressly forbid judges from giving extra-judicial advice to other branches of government. Neither should a Judge engage in any other public or private undertakings that could generate public suspicion of impropriety.

•To be continued

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22 , 2011

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LAW & SOCIETY The Nigerian Law School Class of 1988 held an alumni dinner in Lagos. It was a reunion with interesting subplots. JOSEPH JIBUEZE , who was there, reports

We are the best, says Law School Class of ’88 T

WENTY-THREE years after they left the Nigerian Law School, it was a pleasure to re-unite. For the Class of 1988, there was even added reason for merriment: the class has as its members three serving governors, a former Senate President (now Secretary to the Federal Government), a senator, judges and a former deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

For the period the dinner lasted at the prestigious Motor Boat Club, Ikoyi, governors Babatunde Fashola (SAN) (Lagos), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom) and Liyel Imoke (Cross River) forgot they were state chief executives. It was a joy to see long-forgotten friends; so there was a lot of back-slapping and hugging.

For other members, it was a thing of pride to identify with the success stories being told.

Even the firework display, used in saying ‘thank you’ to the man who thought them at the Law School, and who later became the Director-General, Prof. Kunle Abayomi, did little to hush the voices of recollection.

Billed to begin at 7.pm, the event did not start until over an hour later, but there were no complaints as old friends met again, and soft music played in the background. The well-lit venue was made brighter by white seat overlays. It was at about 8.18pm that Fashola arrived. Three minutes later, Akpabio’s arrival was announced. Everyone wanted to get photographed standing beside them.

Former Deputy Speaker, Chibudom Nwuche, who is the chairman of the Alumni Association, called the class the most distinguished of the Law School. “We’re the envy of all the other classes,” Nwuche added.

For him, the best governed states in Nigeria are governed by members of the class, 90 per cent of whom he argues were “distinguished.”

Fashola, on why he hosted the event, said the initiative was laudable. He joked that Akpabio was missed at the last dinner, but added he understood why. According to him, the governor of oil-rich Akwa Ibom was busy “counting money.”

“It has become increasingly difficult to see him since he got that judgment that vested a lot of oil well on his state. It is quite burdensome to count the money he is making,” Fashola joked.

Not done, he said the money Lagos makes was counted even before it reached the state’s coffers. Now, it has been further reduced by a court judgment which held that the state Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) could no longer impose fines on erring motorists. “But with the array of SANs we have, we hope to overturn that judgment,” said Fashola.

To the governor, members of the class are their brothers’ keepers. “The class has so much success to point to in the leadership of this country. It is difficult to argue that the country is bereft of leadership, but this class has a rich crop of leadership to draw from,” he said.

He urged the members to give their best to the country and “with the best interest of the development of our country” whenever they have an opportunity to serve or give advice. He recommended “advice that lends itself to continuous investment in the country to create the comfort that those we serve deserve.”

Distinguished members of the class were honoured. Responding on their behalf, Akpabio joked that he had to be careful in praising Fashola for his good works. “Whatever I say here means a lot for his future,” he said. Akpabio praised Fashola, saying he has made a difference as governor of Lagos because he applied all he learned as a member of the Class of ’88: “ Not letting the opportunity pass, Akpabio said his dream is to banish poverty from his state. “I’m inviting you to come and see.

You should give me the privilege of hosting the next meeting,” he said, promising to provide chattered flights from Abuja and Lagos for those who wish to come. “You’ll think you are landing in Heathrow if you are landing at night,” he said.

He urged the lawyers to return any Akwa Ibom child working as their house help. “If there is any Akwa Ibom child in your house as a servant, you can go to jail by virtue of

• From left: Former Speaker, House of Representatives, Chibudom Nwuche; Gov. Liyel Imoke of Cross River State,;Gov. Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State; Senator Joy Emordi, former Director-General, Nigerian Law School, Chief Kole Abayom (SAN); Gov. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) of Lagos State and Mrs Nkechi Mba

the Child Rights Law. Since we’re lawyers we must obey the law.”

To Akpabio, anger is the secret of success in government. It was his annoyance at bad governance that drives him towards making a change for his people, he said. He called for unity among Nigerians.

Imoke, who presented an award to Prof Abayomi, said the experience of being taught by him would never be forgotten. “He made Law School interesting. It was the only class I looked forward to go to,” he said.

He recalled a favourite wisecrack of Prof Abayomi while addressing female students who would come to his office: “Ladies, come one at a time.” Imoke described him as “a great teacher and a great producer of men and women of repute.”

But Prof Abayomi was more concerned about the state of the country. He said many were still worried about the future of their children. The lack of security, he said, has not eased tension. People do not know what tomorrow would bring. “The ball is in your court,” he told members of the class.

“Are we running a true federalism?” he asked. “Are our states viable enough? Are we secure?”For him, these are issues that need to be addressed.

On the state of legal education, Abayomi called for the privatisation of the Law School to improve its standard. The Council of Legal Education, he suggested, should be left with the responsibility of preparing policy and issuing licences to the schools. The council would establish teachers/students ratio and develop teaching methods.

“The government of the day cannot fund legal education. The number of teachers is not enough. You cannot build on a faulty foundation,” he said.

Abayomi thanked the class for the honour, saying they were “unique”. “Not very many classes adore the Law School the way you do. You are unique,” he said, joking that teachers’ reward was no longer in heaven.

“I used to think the reward of teachers was in heaven, but the moment I entered here I knew that whatever a man sows, he reaps, and that my reward would start from here. It might be enhanced when I get to heaven or hell as the case may be,” he said, eliciting general laughter.

Awards were given to some members in recognition of their achievements in the academia, the bench, business and law practice. A scheme, the Next Generation Project, was announced by Prof Chidi Odinkalu, a member of the class.

He said every year, two students with exceptional leadership qualities would be chosen from the Law School and mentored by members of the class. Ten kids would also be selected from basic education level for mentoring. Funding would be by subscription.

The class, Odinkalu added, would be incorporated. The aim, he said, is to “sustain an inter-generational dialogue, so that we can begin to recreate our country.”

One of the organisers, Nkechi Mba, said

•Mrs Solape Adio and former Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission, Roland Ewubare

•From left: Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, Pamela Akhigbe, Christie Ray-Okoye, Senator Joy Emordi and Mrs Iheoma Obibi

•Chief Henry Ojuola (left) and Innocent Umar

prior to the event, she got a call from a 23year-old lady who said she wanted to join

the class. Asked why she wanted to join, she said it was because the class had men who are “sexy”.

33

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

LAW & SOCIETY INVESTITURE OF FELLOWS OF THE NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED LEGAL STUDIES (NIALS) AT THE NICON LUXURY HOTEL, ABUJA

•From left: Former Chief Justice of Nigeria, M. A. Belgore CJN (rtd), Chief Justice of Nigeria, Dahiru Musdapher (CJN)

•Chief Edwin Clark (left) and Prof Ayo Ajomo

Director-General, NIALS, Prof Epiphany Azinge (SAN) and Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN)

•From left: Senate leader, Senator Victor Ndoma Egba (SAN), his wife Amaka and Mrs Victoria Awomolo

•From

•From left: Prof Charles Iloegbune, Chief Judge Enugu State, Justice Innocent Umezuluike and President, National Industrial Court, Justice, Babatunde Adejumo

left: Justices of the Supreme Court F. F. Tobai, I. T. Mohammed and J. A.Fabiyi

•From left: Senator Joy Emordi; Mrs Uju and her husband, Chimezie Ikeazor (SAN)

•Hon. Emeke Nwogbo (left) and National Publicity Secretary, NBA, Emeka J.P. Obegolu

•From right: Chief Bayo Ojo (SAN), his wife Justice Folashade and Mrs Heirat Balogun

•From left: M.A. Abubakar, Col Bello Fadile (rtd) and Major-Gen Olakunle Oshanupin PHOTOS: JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU

34

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

LAW & SOCIETY ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION SECTION ON LEGAL PRACTICE AT ROCKVIEW HOTEL, ABUJA

•National Treasurer, NBA, Olufunlayo Oluyede and 2nd Vice President, NBA, Osas Justus Erhabor

•From left: Akin Akinbote, Justice Elise Thomson and Prof. Emeritus Adedokun Adeyemi

•From left: Asst. National Publicity Secretary, NBA, Afam Obi; Adekunle Adeyemi,General Secretary, NBA, Olumuyiwa Akinboro and 2nd Asst. National Secretary, NBA, Paul Ebiala.

•From left: Kevin Nwosu, Dr. Valeri Azinge and Nneamaka Anika

•From left: Kinsley Onwuka, Elachi Agada and Femi Falana

•From left: Mrs Chris Garuba; Emmanuel Ukala (SAN) and Yusuf Ali (SAN)

•From right: Former National Publicity Secretary, NBA, Abdul-Rasheed Muritala and National Publicity Secrtary, NBA, Emeka J. P. Obegolu

•NBA Legal Adviser, Victor Nwaugo and 2nd Asst Secretary Paul Ebiala

•Former 1st Vice President, NBA, Akaraiwe Ikeazor (left) and Welfare Secretary, NBA, Sule Usman

•NBA Secretariat staff. Chinwe Iheukwumere, Brayan Olekanwa, Nneoma Aneto, and Otti Edah PHOTOS: JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

35

LAW & SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL BAR ASSOCIATION (IBA) CONFERENCE IN DUBAI, THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

•From left: NBA President, Joseph Bodunrin Daudu (SAN) and Chairperson, NBA Women's Forum, Hajiya Fatima Kwaku

•Former General Secretary, NBA, Ibrahim Eddy Mark, Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal and Dr. Garba Tetengi.

•President, Commonwealth Lawyers Association, Mrs. Boma Ozobia; Mrs. Chioma Ohakim and Resident Electoral Commissioner, Cross Rivers State, Mike Igini.

•Okey Wali (SAN) and General Secretary NBA, Olumuyiwa Akinboro

•From left: Paul Harris, Secretary West African Bar Association, Wale Fapohunda, Mrs. Esther Bashorun and Chief Solomon Awomolo (SAN)

•From left: Hon K.O Fagbemi; Mrs Ranti Daudu; Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) and Mrs Nnena Ukachukwu.

•From left: Kemi Pinhero (SAN); Shomuyiwa Gbade and Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN)

•From left; Director- General, Vox Populi Foundation, John Egwuonwu, Chief; Chris Uche (SAN) and Jibrin S. Okutepa (SAN)

•Former Commissioner, Legal Services; INEC, M. A. Abubakar (left) and Director, Legal Services INEC, Ibrahim Bawa

•From left: Mrs. Ngozi Jipreze, Director of Administration, NBA; Osita Okoro and Chinelo Iriele PHOTOS: JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU

36

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

LAW REPORT

•From left: Prof Sagay with others at the dinner

•Ubuokwu (SAN)

OAU Law Class of 81 meets in Lagos T

HIRTY years after they graduated, some members of the 1981 set of the Faculty of the then University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU), Ile-Ife, have met at the Marcopolo Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The event, which was attended by their former lecturer, Prof Itse Sagay (SAN), also had in attendance, such distinguished alumni as the Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof Oyelowo Oyewo; former Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Imo State, Jude Nodu, Sunny Dele Akinmusuli, Dolapo Lanlehin, Dr Livy Uboukwu (SAN), Chuka Agbu and Paul Usoro (SAN).

Others were the Dean, Faculty of Law, OAU, Prof Demola Popoola; Nike Ogunbanjo, Tokunbo Alomeja, Ogaga Ovrawali and Pastor Idowu Iluyomade, a Provincial Head, Apapa Family of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

It was an evening of short speeches, ribs cracking and backslapping.

By Joseph Eshanokpe

While welcoming his former colleagues, Oyewo said the aim of the get-together was to look back and give back to the institution and society that produced them.

Comparing the standard of education then and now, he said a lot has changed. ''When you look at things from the technical point, I mean the ICT perspective, we used to read a lot of books and novels. That is a dying culture now. On that we can say, standards have fallen. But on ICT, today's students have a more robust oreintation. ''We were older. Some of us came in with the Higher School Certificate (HSC). We had a lot of skills - writing, pedagogical etc. If you compare that with now, then you can say standards have fallen. But it is a generational factor. Each generation defines its own standards.

After all, our parents also had their complaints against us.''

On performances then and now, he said there is a problem with the present educa-

tional policy. He said whereas in their time one had a choice to attend a technical school or a university, the emphasis at the moment seems veered towards the university. ''But this is wrong,'' he submitted.

He also spoke on the proliferation of private universities, saying the development has affected negatively the law faculties as some of them lack adequate and experienced manpower. ''Before it was UNILAG, UNIFE, UNIBEN etc, but now, we have the private universities. How many of them have enough law teachers, such as professors and associate professors? he asked.

Another alumnus, Toki Mabogunje, said: ''Thirty years is a long time. I have lost a few friends since then. What gladdens my heart is what we have accomplished. We have judges and lawyers, who are now Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs). We need to put together a record of ourselves.This is a celebration of life. Eleven years ago, I left the public service for the private sector. I branched into entrepreneurship and advocacy."

Agbu said: ''It is such a wonderful moment.

In 30 years this is the first time we are coming together. I hope in future we will have such a reunion."

Akinmusuli added: ''I want to thank Prof Oyewo and Usoro, who organised this event.

It is a matter for joy for some of us to be here."

Said Lanlehin: ''When I saw Prof Sagay, I could not have missed him. Nobody would believe he was our lecturer. But I would not have recognised some of us who are babas now. At school, I used to be shy and quiet. We thank God that we are alive.

While Usoro called for regular meetings, Iluyomade called for more publicity for the activities of the group.

Sagay said he was overwhelmed with joy for the meeting. He noted that he could recall the faces of some of them. ''There is no way I won't remember Popoola with his interest in international law.Nike, that is exactly the way you looked 30 years ago." Even then, he said he could not readily remember others.''It is a fulfilled evening for me,” he added.

ings in particular.

He said no driver would claim ignorance of the meaning of road signs, especially zebra crossings, if the spirit of the new Road Traffic Act, especially as it affects the issuance of the new drivers licence, was strictly enforced by the law enforcement agencies.

Kazeem said drivers are expected to undergo training to determine their understanding of the road signs before they would be issued the new drivers licence,adding that this way, members of the Bar would be complementing government‘s efforts aimed at reducing carnage on the roads.

NBA Ikorodu unveils zebra crossings

A

S part of efforts to promote the new Traffic Act and reduce accidents, the Ikorodu Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has unveiled four zebra crossings in the town.

The zebra crossings, which were unveiled as part of activities marking the Law Week of the NBA, are on roads noted for heavy and fast moving traffic.

They are located opposite the Local Government Primary School, Ipakodo and the General Hospital on the Beach Road, at Oju Bode. There is one opposite the palace on Ayangbure Road.

The NBA, according to its Chairman, Prince Adebayo Kazeem, decided to put in place the road sign to mitigate the high accident rate in the area.

“In doing this, we took cognizance of the fact that almost every month we record motor accidents which has an average of about four to five victims. It is caused by careless drivers with total disregard for road traffic signs.

“So, in our own way, we decided that accidents would be reduced if motorists, especially commercial drivers would give effect to zebra crossings which mandates motorists to stop,” he

• Prince Adebanjo (fourth left) at the event.

By Adebisi Onanuga

said.

Kazeem, who noted that most drivers don’t understand the meaning of the road signs, said the NBA intends to embark on an awareness campaign to enlighten motorists and pedestrians on the importance of road signs and zebra cross-

37

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Again, Abia State Governor Theodore Orji has smiled out of the tribunal where he had been locked in a legal tussle with his opponents over the April 26 governorship election. He now has to await the verdict of the Appeal and, possibly, Supreme courts. UGOCHUKWU EKE reports.

Opponents kick as Orji wins Round One G

OVERNOR Theodore Orji, for almost seven months after the April governorship election in Abia State, wore a long face and appear troubled. Reason? Four of the other candidates had raised petitions contesting his victory at the poll. Now, he can leave a sigh of relief. At least until the case come-up for review at the Port Harcourt division of the Court of Appeal.

The governor had earlier defeated both Emenike Owanta of the DFPF and Reagan Ufomba of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), leaving only the case filed by his erstwhile deputy, Chris Akomas of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) and his younger brother and two-time acting governor of the state, Stanley Ohajuruka who contested on the Labour Party (LP) platform.

When the first two petitions were dismissed by the tribunal, many thought that the two remaining ones could defeat the governor, but the state chief executive had always maintained he remained unshakable as the Rock of Gibraltar.

Akomas had approached the governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Umuahia, where he sought to upturn Orji’s declaration as the elected governor of the state by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after the election.

In his ruling, the chairman of the three-man tribunal, Justice Mobolaji Ojo, premised his ruling on the application brought before the tribunal by the first respondent, Governor Orji, who had challenged the competence of the petition by Akomas on six-count grounds, saying that the petition was dead on arrival.

The respondent had challenged the petition on the grounds that the petition was not signed as stipulated in the Electoral Act as amended; failure to state the scores of all the candidates in the said election; non-joining of the political parties; incompetence of the relief and failure to join APGA candidate.

The tribunal, however, ruled in favour of the governor on five grounds out of the six, while throwing out the last - the nonjoining of the APGA candidate, stressing that joining him was not necessary in the petition.

Justice Ojo said that the numerous flaws in Akomas’ petition were fundamental, further describing them as incurable and irredeemable.

He said further: “The petition was already dead on arrival and simply messy that no subsequent argument and submission by any lawyer, no matter how ingenious, could save the petition which was already doomed even before it was presented before the tribunal.”

‘After considering the petitioners’ cases and the defence of the respondents, we came to the conclusion that it was only in two local government areas that minor cases of irregularities were noticed, but it is not enough to invalidate the election’ • Orji

In his reaction to the ruling, counsel to Orji, Uche Ihediwa described it as justifiable ruling which would help the governor to focus on delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of the state.

Ihediwa advised other petitioners and their lawyers to always horn their skills and documents properly within the circle of the electoral act, if they want to run away from incompetent cases.

However, the counsel to Akomas, Mr Emeka Ukachukwu described the ruling as a rape of democracy by the judiciary, adding that the tribunal failed to appreciate the issues raised in their petition.

Ukachukwu hinted: “Akomas

• Akomas

will definitely appeal against this ruling by the tribunal, after I must have briefed him on the outcome of the case”.

In his reaction to the ruling, Orji described his victory against Akomas at the tribunal as a further confirmation that he won overwhelmingly in the last governorship election in the state.

Speaking through his Adviser on Electronic Media, Ugochukwu Emezue, Orji said that he was dedicating the victory to God who had continued to sustain him in all the legal battles against since he assumed office as the governor of the state.

Orji said that he was excited about this victory which came a day after the grand finale of Abia

20th anniversary and the celebration of his 100 days in office, adding that his doors were open for his opponents to join him in his efforts to transform state.

He explained that the efforts and time expended in the legal battles could be utilised for the benefit of Abia people, stressing that it did not suggest that he was afraid, “because at any level, I will be vindicated since I have a divine mandate.”

On the appeal instituted by Regan Ufomba of the APGA and Emenike Owanta of DFPF, the governor maintained that his victory at the last poll remained divine, as he urged them to stop wasting their resources at tribunals.

Orji said: “I have said it over and over again that my victory is divine. God is on the throne. For me, victory will always come my way at every level.”

In the same vein, Ohajuruka’s petition against the election of the governor was thrashed out for lack of merit.

In his ruling, Justice Ojo said that the case was dead even before the tribunal started handling it despite striking out of some paragraphs on September 12 this year.

The reading of the ruling lasted two hours, 40 minutes and the tribunal chairman affirmed that the petitioners failed to prove their case of malpractices and irregularities during the election beyond doubts.

His words: “There is no merit in the petition brought before the tribunal and therefore we are affirming the election of Governor Orji as duly elected as there is no merit in the petition and therefore, the petition is hereby dismissed accordingly.”

Justice Ojo noted that in any election the state candidate in such election cannot be held responsible for any election malpractices, non-compliancy and thuggery, “except it could be proved beyond reasonable doubt that he personally ordered such actions in the elections.”

He said that the petitioners had embarked on a futile exercise, a wild goose chase with the aim of deceiving the tribunal, saying: “On the issue of the party logo on the ballot paper, two of the witnesses were trying to confuse us by saying that it is a sign of a man, • Continued on page 38

KOGI GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION 2011

• The crowd at Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate Prince Abubakar Audu’s gubernatorial campaign in Lokoja ... on Sunday PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

38

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

POLITICS Mrs Funmilayo Olayinka, deputy governor of Ekiti State, surveys the political field after one year in office. She spoke with correspondents in Ado-Ekiti on the health care plan of the Fayemi administration and criticisms by the opposition parties. SALAWUDEEN SULAIMAN was there.

Sokoto: ‘I leave judgment to God’

‘We are building new Ekiti’

S

INCE the Supreme Court early this year suspended the Appeal Court judgement on the Sokoto 2007 governorship election that saw the emergence of incumbent Governor Aliyu Wamakko, the Democratic Peoples’ Party (DPP) gubernatorial candidate, Alhaji Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, had been silent.

Now, he has opened up, saying he has taken his case to God. “I may have been silent but not sleeping. I have been keeping watch on the activities in the judiciary just as I remain determined to put more life to my party. Also, in my earlier reaction, I said judgement would be here on earth or hereafter and therefore, I decided to leave everything to God because it was not proper for me to continue making remarks on issues allegedly concluded. That was why I left everything to Allah to decide for me.

“We have been hearing of the judicial craft on Sokoto matter which remains in decay until it is addressed, otherwise, it will continue to reflect on the judiciary. I am happy and convinced with the recent comment by the CJN that no court has the jurisdiction to stop an Appeal Court judgement,” Dingyadi said.

Asked if he was nursing a fresh ambition ahead of the next round of election in the state, the politician replied: “I am still in DPP and whatever aspiration I have, I will continue to pursue it under DPP. Only my party has the power to say who should vie for any elective position.

It is not for me to decide for the party.

I have aspired before and if given the opportunity again, I will welcome that because it is service to the people and humanity. We are out to serve the people of Sokoto State provided the party will provide the enabling platform as well give us the go ahead by accepting us.”

Many had expected him to follow the foot steps of his mentor and former Governor Attahiru Bafarawa when he reportedly announced his resignation from Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). He explained his stance: “My political platform remains DPP. I am just hearing from you that he has put up his resignation. Anyway, he was in ACN and I am still in DPP. I am in DPP and have been in it for long and will continue to be in the party for its success in Sokoto state and country in general.”

“But there are wide speculations that

O • Dingyadi From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

Governor Wamakko is making moves to appoint you as his Chief of Staff. Is it true? He was asked. His response: “I am just hearing it from you and no one has contacted nor talked with me on that. Wamakko is the governor and Chief Executive Officer in the state as well as leader of his party (PDP). He has the power to take decisions. But as I said earlier, I am in DPP and if I have to work for any party, I need to obtain permission or clearance from my political constituency (DPP) before engaging in that.”

He called on the state government to carry those in the opposition along for the even spread of development in the state as well to ensure sense of belonging, saying: “It will help in the positive development of the state.”

He lauded the federal government decision on the Justice Uwais-led committee appointed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria to reform the judiciary. His words: “The committee is a combination of competent and eminent Nigerians who are capable of making justice realisable for the common man’s benefit. It comprises people who have served with all sense of responsibility. I cannot doubt their integrity. I believe there are still people who can do justice to assignments given to them.

“A number of them have been talking of the problems and that I think, informed the CJN’s decision to carefully select them for the judicial system review and further advise him on how best to reform the judicial system in order to give it a better image from what we had before. I am convinced that they are out and determined to do justice to the task given to them. I confident they will.”

Of course, many would expect him to make a plea to the committee on his pending case before the Appeal Court, Sokoto Division. But no; he won’t. “I don’t think I have any call on the committee regarding the matter because to my understanding, it is part of the problems they are handling.”

NE year down the line as deputy governor, how has it been?

I have often told a story, and I am sure you will all agree with me when I tell the story again because I always like it to register. When I decided to move from core banking sector that people knew me with into corporate communications, people did not only try to discourage me but also tried to advise me. One of them looked at me and said, “Funmi, you will have to think of this job very well because the journalists will kill you.

Don’t even think of this corporate affairs job because journalists are terrible.” Thank God, I did that job for five years successfully; none killed me, none hurt me genuinely or maybe went out of their way to hurt me as a person. None maligned me and I thank God that up till today, a lot of your colleagues and my colleagues that I worked with are still my friends. So I tell this all the time to disabuse minds of people that journalists, correspondents are no good people. So far, it’s been so good.

Your government is planning to convert the New Governor’s Office to a hotel and yet a new Deputy Governor’s Office has just been commissioned in the same premises. Don’t you see this as contradiction?

Mr. governor did make the pronouncement that he would like to convert his present office into the original plan which is Hotel and try and build a new governor’s office and the new deputy governor’s office has just been completed and commissioned. As a matter of fact, we are planning to move in any moment from now, maybe in weeks or months. Yes, logistically if the governor moves away from that location tomorrow, it might create some distance because where the governor will relocate to I am not sure we know for now he has not made that pronouncement. The building is not going to be completed in a month or two or three and if I may just drop the hint Mr. Governor’s preference will be to have an office at the Secretariat because he said he will like to be with his people that the normal thing is for the governor to have his office around the

Orji wins Round One

• Continued from page 37

woman and a child, while the other said it is a man, woman and two children. It is confusing as it a sign with a family unit only.”

He noted the 15,720 votes garnered by the first petitioner during the election represented the true votes he got and had been confirmed by the electoral body, stressing that the said confusion based on the party logo did not arise.

The tribunal chairman further said: “After considering the petitioners’ cases and the defence of the respondents, we came to the conclusion that it was only in two local government areas that minor cases of irregularities were noticed, but it is not enough to invalidate the election”.

He explained further: “Even as forensic experts were allowed to inspect the election materials, the

petitioners did not make use of them as they never mentioned that they had materials to present before the election tribunal until the end of the submission of written addresses by both parties.”

The Judge, however, chastised the INEC for its ineptitude during the tribunal sittings: “They were not able to bring the election materials used for the election before the tribunal when requested; it is bad of a public office charged with election matters to behave that way.”

Speaking after the ruling the counsel to Ohajuruka, George Igbokwe said that they are rejecting the judgement as his client will go the Appeal court, “if necessary we will go to the Supreme Court since the amended constitution allows election cases to go up to the apex court in the land.”

Orji was particularly delighted over the outcome of Ohajuruka’s

petition against him. But he said that the case brought before the tribunal by Ohajuruka whom he described as his younger brother is part of democracy. He, however, maintained that he was not annoyed with him over the actions he took against him, saying: “Even as he went against the decision of our people the Ibeku who endorsed me as the governorship candidate from our area.”

“The action of Ohajuruka who is my younger brother is the beauty of democracy even as he failed to obey the culture of our people who are bound to respect their elders. He has no reason to challenge me at the tribunal not to talk of contesting against me.”

Now, the question is whether or not Akomas will carry out his threat to appeal the ruling, thus re-igniting the legal battles. If so, the tussle continues for the embattled governor.

• Mrs Olayinka

people, not five or 12 miles away; that is just the truth. Mr. Governor has expressed that but we don’t know when he might move.

Having said that, if Mr. Governor decides to move to his office or to have a new office at the secretariat, he might also decide to have another deputy governor’s office at the Secretariat and the new deputy governor’s office that we have today of course will be occupied by other people just like some people are almost pushing me out of this office.

Your government at inception made frantic efforts to recoup the multimillion naira micro-credit loan granted by the immediate past government of Chief Segun Oni. It appears nothing is being said about the matter again. Could you please give us update? talked about the loans that had not been repaid. We had published the names of those involved in the spirit of transparency and accountability and to let the people know what is happening to Ekiti money.

As at then, it was almost N2billion that were being owed, to date about N800million has been recovered but we are still chasing the defaulters. Yes, we have done what we are supposed to do ordinarily but if we have been able to recover as much as N800 million, I don’t think we have done badly. What we are going to do with the rest is to charge them to court .We must make these people pay. It is free money. The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice as well as Commissioner for Finance are working on this. And I can assure you that we shall get result at the end of the day. So, those that are still owing, if they know what is good for them, should better pay up.

Much has been said about the state of your health. Certain groups even linked your frequent overseas trips to alleged worsening health situation?

I will answer your question by telling you a story of the late premier of the Western Region, Chief Ladoke Akintola. There was a time people went about with the rumour that he was dead. So, when a journalist met him and said “Baba have you reincarnated because we learnt that you were dead”, Akintola replied: “Can a

dead man still talk”. If the news in town is that the deputy governor is not feeling well like some faceless groups within the state have been speculating, my answer to them would be “Can a dead person talk”? But on a more serious note, if that is the brand of politics that the opposition knows how to play, I would say they should continue. But for us, we are focused and we would continue to do our work .If you like to malign our personal integrity or character, you are free to do so to a certain level. And whatever you get out of it at the end of the day, you should not be surprised. I must also say that we are all human beings created by God with blood and water flowing in us. If a Deputy Governor is ill, should that be something for you to jump at? If a deputy governor goes for medical check up, does that mean he or she is dying? Whenever the opposition thinks my state of health is in question, I think they should just offer a word of prayer .

You have just held another economic summit. What is the assurance that this one would not go the way of the previous summits?

Well, there is no doubt that it was not just an Economic Summit, but Economic and Development Summit. And we did that purposely to attract investors and development partners. I can tell you that the gains of the summit are beginning to roll in .And, since it is not something that we can see right away, believe me in two months time, we shall begin to showcase the gains of the summit because, we did not just gather together to have a party. We have been able to attract investors, some of them currently working with Fountain Holdings Investment. That summit was a success based on our yardstick.

What is happening to primary health care in Ekiti State?

Yes, we launched our free health care in Ekiti about two months ago .But we don’t just stopped there, the quarterly free health mission is still ongoing .We realized that it would take some time for our people to really catch on. We are still trying to let our people understand what Primary Health Care is all about. We are saying the level of HIV is less than one percent. When you talk, about other terminal illnesses the percentage is very low. But it is high when you talk about primary illnesses like malaria, typhoid and so on. A greater number of older people that we have in Ekiti today, according to a study, had never been to the doctor before we started this primary health care programme. I recall the very first we had in Oye town at the twilight of the governorship rerun election, 60 percent of the people we attended to had never seen a doctor in their life. They neither had their blood pressure tested.

Some people are asking why we need to do Free Health Mission when we had introduced Primary Health Care for the aged- 65 years and above, pregnant women and children. And our response is that it would take some time for our people to catch up. We want to move health facilities closer to our people. We don’t want an average Ekiti man to travel far before getting access to medical care.

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

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PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

•Queen’s Land Estate under construction.

Queen’s Land Estate targets middle income group

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UEENS Land Estate—a mixed use development sitting on about 370 acres of land in Agbara Igbesa on Ogun State, is designed for medium income earners including top level civil servants and mobile executives.

The estate developed by Strategic Shelter Development Company (SSDC), a Lagos-based real estate investment and development firm, comprises residential and commercial developments in line with the company’s twin services offering of housing and site and serviced schemes.

The estate, siatuated at AlapotiAdo-Odo near Agbara Estate in Ogun State, parades modern infrastructure including perimeter fencing with gate, tarred/paved road network with quality drainage, electricity, street light on the estate’s major roads, recreational and sporting facilities etc.

•Offers reduced price for bungalows

By Okwy Iroegbu Asst. Editor

Its Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Emeka Oranugo, told The Nation that Queen’s Homes—the housing arm of the estate—is a collection of detached and semi-detached bungalows with modern architecture in both design and finishing.

He said the estate is planned for 280 units of three-bedroom bungalows of different classes and designs, but conceived to set a new standard for moderate income housing in Nigeria with a combination of beauty, quality, comfort and affordability.

He stressed that Queen’s Homes will boast of facilities, such as perimeter fencing with control gates; tarred streets and roads; quality drainage systems; street light; wa-

ter; recreational and sporting facilities plus a mini market and shopping complex.

On payment plans, he said the estate offers flexible payment plans, which affords prospective subscribers to the scheme an option of outright or structured payments. Besides, he pointed out that each unit of the semi-detached bungalow goes for N7.5 million while the fully detached types one sold for N8.2 million per unit.

He added that a buyer, who chooses to pay by instalment, enjoys staggered payments ranging from six to 60 months tenor under varying terms and conditions.

“After the initial deposit of N1.5 million, a buyer who chooses six month tenor for semi-detached house makes a monthly payment of N1,087,500 while, for the fully detached house, such a buyer after the initial deposit of N1.64 million pays N1.189 monthly,” he said.

He added that a buyer that chooses 60-month tenor makes the same initial deposit and pays N176, 250 and N192, 700 for semi-detached and fully detached houses respectively.

Oranugo said the objective of his firm is to provide housing solution to the majority of Nigerians through the promotion and devel-

opment of modern gated communities and estates with first class infrastructure and facilities that guarantee adequate comfort, peace and safety to residents, in the most costeffective and flexible manner.

Furthermore he said the long term plan of his firm is “to become a major player in real estate and construction sectors in the country and beyond.”

He said the interest of the firm on real estate development goes beyond the Estate, and transcends to other estates such as Royal Palms, a mini community of over 200 units of four-bedroom terrace duplexes and a business district; Majesty Garden City, and Queen’s Land Phase 2, all located within the Agbara area in Ogun State .

Asiodu calls for forest regeneration, protection strategy •LCC to celebrate 21st anniversary

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RESIDENT, Nigerian Conservation Foun dation (NCF), Izoma Philip Asioudu, have called on the government to deliver good quality life with less resources.

He spoke at the 22nd yearly general meeting of the foundation over the weekend.

He frowned at the unsustainability of biodiversity, regretting that the precarious nature of the economy has encouraged poverty, which in turn has discouraged the public from participating fully in all conservation and sustainable development strategies and efforts.

He said: “All cultures in Nigeria recognise the importance of culture and its biological diversity for their societies and have, therefore, understood the need to maintain it, however, poverty and greed have come in to alter the precarious balance.

“This is the reason the communities must be supported to participate fully in all conservation and sustainable development strategies and efforts.”

He acknowledged that NCF recognise community participation in the management of renewable natural resources as an integral part of any approach on sustainability.

He reiterated his call for a forest regeneration and protection strategy to increase the forest reserves from less than five per cent to 25 per cent as recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

Asiodu argued that to achieve the target, one political leader should adopt and energetically implement a comprehensive agenda for the environment besides equipping ourselves with modern ways of doing things.

The NCF chief warned that the canvassed corrective agenda must be a long term programme with properly sequenced measures to be implemented immediately and to last for

Stories by Okwy Iroegbu, Asst Editor

some two decades or more.

He regretted that the failure of over 50 years in effectively managing the nation’s forest resources and sustainably remains an illustrative evidence that the country has failed in many areas, especially in wholesome implementation of policies.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), owners of Lekki Conservation Centre, has said progress made in sector in the past two decades in the country may decline if the risk factors in biodiversity loss are not addressed.

The Executive Director of the Foundation, Prof Emmanuel Obot, stated this in a statement to celebrate the 21st year’s anniversary of LCC in Lagos as part of Chevron Nigeria Limited’s 50 years of operation in Nigeria. LCC was donated to the foundation by the oil giant.

Identifying the risk factors, Prof Obot stated: “All cities and other urban centres in Nigeria have degraded all forms of biodiversity that once occupied those environment. ‘’The second phase of the risk is unsustainable exploitation of natural resources in the north exacerbated by southward movement of the Sahara desert.

“The third phase is the impact of corporate bodies that create environmental hazards that seriously threaten biodiversity within their areas of operation. The fourth process is the exploitative livelihood patterns of the urban populace and rural dwellers.”

According to the Professor of Botany, these risks will serve to reverse the successes achieved if they are left unattended by governments, corporate establishments, high net worth individuals, non-governmental organisations and urban and rural peoples.

•Mrs Benebo and Mr Ringim during the presentation.

Surveyors partners Police on environmental regulation

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O assist the Nigeria Police on enforcement of environmental standards and regulations, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), has presented three modules of the Environmental Training Manual to the InspectorGeneral of Police, Mr. Hafiz Ringim.

According to a statement by NESREA, its Director-General, Dr. Ngeri Benebo, who made the presentation, said the manuals would be helpful in police training colleges across

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

the country to educate officers on environmental issues.

She pointed out that training the police on the environment would assist in the enforcement of regulations in the sector.

The statement reads in part: “The training manuals, which were prepared by NESREA in collaboration with the training department of the police is in three modules. The first module is for police constables and non-commissioned Officers, the sec-

ond for Police Inspectors and detectives, while the third is for the Police Academy and Senior Command Officers.”

“The modules were publicly presented by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment, Dr. Bukola Saraki during the NESREA fifth Annual Stakeholders’ Forum.”

While receiving the modules, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Hafiz Ringim, expressed gratitude to NESREA for the promising that the officers would make judicious use of them.

NIESV to hold summit on land administration, management

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HE Nigerian Institution of Es tate Surveyors & Valuers (NIESV) Faculty of Land Administration & Information Systems and the Abuja Branch will on Thursday hold a summit, tagged land administration & management: The FCT experience.

The summit, the organisers, said is aimed at creating necessary awareness among key stakeholders in the FCT Built environment, on the structure of, and practical experience, on issues of land administration and management, including development control, urban economic challenges and

Land titling and registration.

The event would in addition, provide the needed platform for the FCT administration and regulators to articulate, sensitise and educate stakeholders on their efforts to entrench robust land administration and management system in FCT.

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

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With ekpoita :funtreatsvilla@yahoo.com / 08022664898

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1. Finalised (9) 7. Employ (3) 8. Tear (3) 9. Succeeded (3) 10. Consumed (3) 12. per Unit (4) 13. Bird (4) 14. Beer (3) 16. Imitate (3) 18. Bed (3) 19. Resort (3) 21. Justly (9)

MISSING LETTERS All the words in the columns below have lost their first letters as indicated by the blank spaces above them. You are required to find and affix them. When done, all the first letters will form a 9-letter, sexually offensive word or action. Happy Puzzling!‘

SHOWbitzz NO STRINGS ATTACHED

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Eliminate Fuzzy Thinking Alexander Graham Bell

Natalie Portman

Ashton Kutcher exhibits actual subtlety and emotional depth as an actor in this romantic comedy, but the sexual content makes the film questionable for most teens under 17, so they’ll have to witness his growth as an actor in something else. Emma (Natalie Portman) and Adam (Kutcher) met as adolescents, when she rebuffed his advances. They meet again as adults, fall into bed for a one-night stand, then decide to continue the relationship as a sex-only fling. She’s a medical resident who works ridiculous hours and he’s a would-be Hollywood writer trying to escape his famous actor dad’s (Kevin Kline) party-guy rep. Worse yet, his dad has taken up with Adam’s ex-girlfriend (Ophelia Lovibond). It is the softhearted Adam who soon develops stronger feelings for Emma, but she balks — at first.

THE BOTTOM LINE: The sexual situations, though not frequent or with nudity, are quite explicit. Characters also drink, make condom jokes and drug references, and use strong profanity. The movie deals intelligently with the idea that most people can’t sustain long-term sexual relationships without an emotional element.

Pep Talk

Lacking confidence...

Feeling unsure about what you should do next...

Jumping from one marketing strategy to another...

Being unclear about when you’ll reach your business goals...

All of these issues (and many more) can be traced back to one of the biggest challenges struggling entrepreneurs face: lack of focus.

It is called fuzzy thinking.

Fuzzy Thinking Stems From Neglecting to Acquire Critical Information Too many entrepreneurs are missing critical information. Not having this information inflicts incredible damage on their chances of success.

Because it keeps the path to achieving their dreams out of focus, fuzzy.

And you can’t follow a fuzzy path. So they bounce around, get confused, become overwhelmed and attempt to copy what other people are doing... But the path that’ll lead them to success still remains out of focus.

What’s worse is that most entrepreneurs are not only unaware that this information is absolutely essential... they don’t realize it’s missing. So they never track it down.

In order to go from fuzzy thinking to focused thinking, you need to know the answers to three questions...

1. What, exactly, do you want?

2. What’s the absolute minimum necessary to have it?

3. What’s the fastest and easiest way to get it?

Think about it for a moment...

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HUMOUR True Believers The two thousand member Baptist church was filled to overflowing capacity one Sunday morning. The preacher was ready to start the sermon when two men, dressed in long black coats and black hats entered thru the rear of the church.

One of the two men walked to the middle of the church while the other stayed at the back of the church. They both then reached under their coats and withdrew automatic weapons. The one in the middle announced, “Everyone willing to take a bullet for Jesus stay in your seats!”

Naturally, the pews emptied, followed by the choir. The deacons ran out the door, followed by the choir director and the assistant pastor.

After a few moments, there were about twenty people left sitting in the church. The preacher was holding steady in the pulpit. The men put their weapons away and said, gently, to the preacher, “All right, pastor, the hypocrites are gone now. You may begin the service.”

Getting Into Fights A young couple drove several miles down a country road, not saying a word.

An earlier discussion had led to an argument, and neither wanted to concede their position.

Now don’t be fooled by the simplicity of this solution. As they passed a barnyard of mules and pigs, the husband sarcastically asked, “Are they relatives of yours?”

Answering these questions - especially question three - requires some heavy-duty thinking. Nobody can “Yes,” his wife replied. “I married into the family.” give you the answers.

Our ideas like orange plants, spread out in proportion to the size of the box which imprisons the roots.

– Edward Bulwer Lytton

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

43

HEALTH THE NATION

E-mail:- health@thenationonlineng.net

17,000 Nigerian children die of pneumonia N yearly, says WHO O fewer than 17, 700 Nigerian children die from pneumonia-related diseases every year, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Citing a WHO report, the Coalition Against Pneumonia (CAP) said the disease kills more children than any other disease - AIDS, malaria and measles combined.

CAP said Nigeria is among the 15 countries worse hit by the disease.

It said despite the Federal Government’s efforts to eradicate the disease, enough work has not been done.

The coalition urged the government to redouble its efforts in the campaign against the disease.

To tackle the menace, the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN) has called for intensive action to eradicate the disease by integrating injection into routine immunisation.

Pnuemonia can be prevented by immunisation because, “it is an infection in the lungs and can be caused by bacteria, virus, fungus or parasites. The lungs are filled with fluid which blocks the passage of oxygen into the lungs. Clinical features include fever, chills, chest pain, productive cough, weakness, loss of

•How to combat disease, by medical women

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

appetite and difficulty in breathing.

“Pneumonia causes almost one in five under five deaths worldwide yearly. WHO states that it is the single largest cause of death in children worldwide, an estimated 1.4million children under the age of five, 98 per cent of these children are from developing countries.

“Nigeria has the highest child mortality rate in Africa, and it has been confirmed that no fewer than 90,000 children die from pneumonia-related diseases. Of the figure,

Nigeriaaccounts for 17, 700.Lack of attention to the disease has caused too few children to have access to currently available interventions. Vaccination has a vital role to play especially when available, affordable and accessible,” MWAN said in a statement.

“The initiative to form a Global Coalition Against Child Pneumonia was taken in April 2009.

The goal was to create awareness and to encourage governments and other efforts to support the implementation of a range of proven measures to combat the

disease through prevention and treatment. This include donors, policymakers, healthcare professionals and the general public.

“Three years ago, November 12 was set aside to celebrate globally World Pneumonia Day to provide an annual forum for the world to stand together and demand more attention on the disease and intensify the fight against the disease. The coalition co-ordinates World Pneumonia Day and presents a yearly report.

In 2011, the Pneumonia Progress Report examined data and several

‘Nigeria has the highest child mortality rate in Africa, and it has been confirmed that no fewer than 90,000 children die from pneumonia-related diseases. Lack of attention to the disease has caused too few children to have access to available interventions’

‘Fight fake drugs menace’

LASUTH seeks N3.5b lifeline from private investors

By Joseph Eshanokpe

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HE Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) has launched a campagin for a N3.5billion support from private investors.

Its Chief Medical Director, Prof Wale Oke, said LASUTH needs the money to provide more services.

According to him, the hospital has transformed because of the financial support from the government to solve the growing health challenges of the people.

Oke, who spoke during a tour of the hospital by reporters, praised the government in its bid to make the hospital to a true teaching hospital where complex surgeries can be performed in an enabling environment.

The government, he said, is ensuring that there were personnel, equipment and infrastructure to deliver qualitative services to the people by injecting fund into the hospital.

“I don’t want money. What we are telling our prospective spon-

•From left: Deputy Director, Administration, Dr Victor Adekunle, Prof Oke and Director of Administration, Mrs Olajumoke Akinlawon, at the event.

By Wale Adepoju

sors is come and build, endow or even partner with us. I urge the private sector to seize the opportunity of public-private partnership (PPP) to come in and support the government, because it cannot do it alone. The hospital has been living up to its reputation as a teaching hospital. It is training students, conducting research and performing complex surgeries,” he added.

Oke said various projects are ongoing, adding that sponsors are welcomed to provide other facilities that the government may not be able to afford immediately but necessary to the services delivery of the hospital.

Oke said the hospital would en-

courage private investors to come to put in place equipment and infrastructure that are lacking.

He identified the Dental Department extension, security and communications system, the reconstruction of road and drainage network, ambulances for intra and inter-hospital movement and Trust Fund for destitute to access heart surgery and other advanced interventions, including kidney transplant as areas where they can be of help.

Others are cardiology and cardiothoracic unit development, construction, furnishing and equipping of hospital laboratory, renal dialysis machines, anaesthetic machines, and the construction of new House Officers’ resident quarters.

Oke said, the Ayinke House,

which is known as ‘Baby Factory’, would soon be completed as it is being reconstructed.

He said the government’s free medical care for children under 12 and adults above 60 was one of the reasons there were more patients on admission, adding that they are now more aware and making the most of the opportunity.

“The Paediatric and Neonatology Department, Dental Departmen t a n d O p h t h a l m o l ogy unit, among others, have the required facilities to treat complicated cases.

Where the facilities are not available we refer. But we don’t turn patients back. We try to find a solution to their problem,” Oke added.

Why doctors, others are fleeing abroad

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N exodus of doctors and related workers has hit many clinics, hospitals and medical centres nationwide.

They are leaving because of poor infrastructure, pay disparity and poor salary and unfavourable working conditions.

According to the National President, Guild of Medical Directors, Dr Charles Cudjoe, the main reason for the drain is because the

key pneumonia interventions – including exclusive breast feeding, access to health care facility, antibiotic treatment and vaccination against pneumonia’s four leading causes in the 15 countries worst affected including Nigeria. Even though there was some progress but it was not enough. The inclusion of the vaccine into the EPI will indeed assist.”

All hope is, however, not lost on the eradication of the disease, with the recognation of Pfizer’s Prevnar 13® (Pneumococcal 13-valent Conjugate Vaccine (Diphtheria CRM197 Protein) as a cure for it.

Approved in the United States by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in February for the prevention of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in infants and young children, and registered in the same year by the National Agency for Food Drug, Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prevenar 13 provides the broadest serotype coverage of any pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and is currently available in more than 100 countries including Nigeria, South Africa, Sierra Leone Uganda, Kenya, Gambia, Rwanda and Senegal.

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

government secondary and tertiary hospitals have taken over the provision of primary health care (PHC) from private medical institutions in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

Cudjoe said: “They are in control of over 90 per cent of the National Health Insurance

Scheme enrollees, collecting huge capitation fees, thereby preventing private medical institutions that are closer to the people from generating enough income to remain afloat.

“All attempts to get a declaration of a state of emergency in the health sector with a government back up of a single digit interest rate loan for up-

grading of private medical facilities in Nigeria have not yielded positive result. The government has already done it for the agriculture and aviation sector and unless that of the health sector is done urgently, the attempt by government to achieve the health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) will continue to be a mirage.”

HE Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Mrs Fatima Bamidele, has urged Nigerians to tackle the menace of imported fake drugs.

Bamidele, who spoke at the induction of new members of the Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria (IPAN), a parastatal of the ministry, in Ikeja, Lagos, wondered why the country should be a dumping ground for substandard drugs and foods, chemicals and chemical devices.

The problem, she said, has not been solved because some Nigerians are not interested in tackling it. She called for the monitoring of the activities of stakeholders in the industry. She pledged to devote her tenure to the eradication of adulterated drugs and foods.

Mrs Bamidele, represented by the Director of Foods and Drugs, Mrs Mary Okpeseyi, expressed happiness with the calibre of inductees and urged them to join the crusade against fake drugs. ‘’Stand tall to be counted. Project the public analysts’ profession well in, the eradication of the menace,” she advised.

IPAN First Vice-President, Dr Patrick Ojechi, emphasised the role of the institute in nation building, saying it has lived up to its mandate since inception in fighting fake drugs. He said Nigerians are becoming increasingly aware of the negative effects of fake drugs.

He said it is their duty to ensure that Nigerians take safe food, drugs and drink clean water. ‘’Of recent we have to redouble our efforts in public enlightenment in our activities, “ he said.

Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr Joseph Odumosu, who presented a paper at the event, on Impacting on the society through services as public analyst, listed funding, technology, infrastrasture, inadequate membership and patronage and unethical practices as some of the problems facing the public analyst.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVE MBER 22, 2011

HEALTH

Obesity causes diabetes, says expert Health

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RE you too fat? Then you must listen to this.

Obesity, according to an expert, causes diabetes, a deadly disease relating to high sugar level in a person’s system.

The National President of the Diabetic Association of Nigeria (DAN), Dr Sunday Chinenye, said at a seminar tagged: Diabetes education and prevention, in Lagos said, most Nigerians eat too much not minding their fat in take particularly the amount of calories contained in their food.

He lamented the inactive lifestyle of some people, who do not exercise or workout, adding that many of them would prefer driving or taking a taxi or motorcycle

By Wale Adepoju within a walkable distance rather than walk.

“Do not allow your body to get overweight, try and move about and exercise regularly,” he advised.

The black race is more prone to coming down, he said,with diabetes, noting that obese members of a family with history of diabetes are more likely to get the disease.

Chineye said the United Nations has called for more awareness of the disease, provision of adequate facilities for its diagnosis and treatment and provision of essential drugs and technology at affordable price in the

country.

Consultant endocrinologist and Medical Director, Rainbow Specialist Clinic, Lekki, Lagos, Dr Afoke Isiavwe, said the management of the disease involved lifestyle, diet and medication.

A diabetic person, she said, must exercise for at least 30 minutes, three to five times, a week and must eat right, to have his sugar level and blood pressure at a normal rate.

“Children should be educated on the dangers of obesity as it relates to diabetes to make them conscious of what they eat at any given time,” she said.

She urged parents to encourage their children to embrace healthy eating and exercise regularly.

•From left: Director-General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr Paul Orhii; Chairman, Lagos State Master Baker’s Association, Prince Jacob Adejorin and General Secretary, Chief Fatai Folaranmi, at a workshop for bakers by NAFDAC in Lagos.

PHOTO: ABIODUN WIILIAM

Total, others upgrade LUTH paediatric ward

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HE facilities in the Paediatric Unit of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi Araba, has been upgraded, raising hopes of better treatment for children.

They were upgraded by Total on behalf of Production Sharing Contract (PSC) partners comprising NNPC, NEXEN, Chevron, NPDC and Esso.

The project is the first phase in the provision of medical equipment comprising infrastructure refurbishment of 200-bed paediatric ward; three defibrillators; 40 neonatal beds; 60 paediatric beds; one new 200 KVA Perkins generator; one water treatment plant and one new portable ultrasound machine. The project cost about $881, 100.

The second phase will cover infrastructure renovation of the second

ward and provision of medical equipment, such as microscopes; bone marrow aspiration and biopsy needles; cold centrifuge; transport incubators; phototherapy units; bilirubinometres; neonatal and paediatrics beds as well as ward screen and installation and training. It will cost $297, 900. The total cost is N177million.

At the inauguration, the General Manager, Deepwater East, Francois Lecoco; representing Total on behalf of the USAN Project PSC partners, said though the members are an oil and gas prospecting and producing company in Nigeria, “We always had and will continue to have a human face.

Aside from the scholarship awards, which the Total Upstream Companies (TUCN) offer every year coun-

try wide, we have made it a policy to upgrade the quality of lives, not only of members of our host communities but also all over the country.

“It is in furtherance of this philosophy that total, on behalf of the USAN Project PSC partners embarked on the upgrade of LUTH Paediatric Project for which we have come to launch the first phase and the second phase today,” said Lecoco.

To receive the donors and the donations were top management members of LUTH including the Chairman Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC), Dr Gbenga Ogunlewe; Director, Administration, Ayo Olagunju; and foremost paediatricians - Dr Akinsulire; Dr Afolabi Lesi; Dr Edamisan Temiye and the Corporate Affairs Manager, Mrs Hope Nwawolo, among others.

Group calls for promotion of sex education

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HE Project Director, Centre for the Right to Health, Mr Bede Eziefule, has called for the promotion of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of women.

Eziefule spoke at a workshop for civil society groups and the media to sensitise them on their roles in increasing awareness on sexual and reproductive health and rights.

He said issues relating to sexuality were not adequately talked about, particularly to children who he added were not being taught sexual education.

Eziefule said: “There were inadequate SRHR centres which people can visit for information about their sexuality. There is also limited access to the few centres available due to certain reasons.”

By Wale Adepoju He said critical issues, such as circumcision, women’s health rights, family planning techniques and men’s involvement in family planning should be tackled.

Eziefule said adolescents did not have the opportunity to acquire knowledge about their sexuality and rights as most youth centres were not friendly thereby making it uncomfortable for them to access services rendered.

“The few youth centres available are not friendly to the youths when they come in for information and advice thereby making it less appealing for them to want to go there “, he said.

He identified the fear of disclosure to family members and laws

prohibitive of young people under 18 from getting tested for HIV as factors impeding them from visiting the centres.

The promotion of sexual education, Eziefule added would reduce the incidences of rape, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), abortions, unwanted pregnancies and overpopulation in the country.

“Sexual health is an important aspect of health as it is a major issue affecting Nigerians. Adequate awareness for sexual and reproductive health will go a long way in reducing STDs, abortions and overpopulation”, he said.

He urged the media and civil society groups take responsibility as they are gate keepers to the society, describing their as indispensable.

Tourism With Dr Dheeraj Bojwani e-mail: indiasodel@gmail.com

Management of common liver conditions in India

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OUR liver is the largest organ in your body. The liver is the largest glandular organ of the body. It weighs about 3 lb (1.36 kg). It is reddish brown in color and is divided into four lobes of unequal size and shape. The liver lies on the right side of the abdominal cavity beneath the diaphragm. It is also one of the most important. The liver has many jobs, including changing food into energy and cleaning alcohol and poisons from the blood. Your liver also makes bile, a yellowish-green liquid that helps with digestion. The liver is a fascinating organ, essential to life and with the unique ability of regenerating itself from a single portion.

When you think of diseases that could kill you, most people will think about cancer or heart condition. Unfortunately, very few consider how imperative the liver is and more and more people are being diagnosed with seviour liver conditions. The common condition that affects the liver function and causes liver inflammation and tissue damage are as follows: • Liver abscess • Cirrhosis of liver • Cholangiocarcinoma • Hydatid cyst • Jaundice • Hepatic encephalopathy • Flapping tremors • Hepatocellular carcinoma Liver conditions are categorised both by the cause and the effect it has on the liver. There are many kinds of liver diseases. Viruses cause some of them, like hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Others can be the result of drugs, poisons or drinking too much alcohol. If the liver forms scar tissue because of an illness, it’s called cirrhosis. Jaundice, or yellowing of the skin, can be one sign of liver disease.

amino acids may indicate liver disease.

Extensive blood work: • A complete blood count to check for anemia and blood cell abnormalities.

• A complete chemistry screen, including ALT, ALP, AST, bilirubin, glucose, urea, electrolyte levels, albumin, globulin and bile acid levels.

The bile acid levels should be checked on a empty stomach and two hours after feeding. All these values , with the exception of the bile acids, usually are included on a standard Small Animal Data Base Screen.

• A complete urine analysis. Check urobilinogen levels, bilirubin levels, glucose levels, protein levels. Again all this is usually on a standard urinalysis panel.

• Radiograph the abdomen. X rays can show increased liver size, decreased liver size liver abscesses, abnormal mineralization , and circulatory abnormalities (using special dyes) • Ultrasound the liver. Perfect technique for visualizing the circulation of the liver, the bile duct system, the density of the liver tissue, the size of the liver.

• Biopsy of the liver. While this is a surgical technique, it is the ultimate for diagnoses, since it allows us to directly examine and test liver tissue, give an absolute diagnosis and hopefully a final treatment regime.

Biopsies can be taken by full laparotomy, where the surgeon actually looks at the liver and removes a small piece, or they can be done by a biopsy needle guided by ultrasound through the body wall. The liver will regenerate any piece removed, therefore liver biopsy is usually a low risk procedure in capable hands.

The signs and symptoms of various Liver conditions vary from one person to another. Various Liver conditions may not cause any symptoms at first or the symptoms may be vague, like weakness and loss of energy. So if these symptoms stay for more than a week or two then consulting a doctor is very important. In acute liver disease, symptoms related to problems handling bilirubin, including yellow skin and eyes (jaundice), dark urine, and light stools, along with loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are the most common.

Chronic liver disease symptoms may include jaundice, dark urine, abdominal swelling (due to ascites), pruritus, unexplained weight loss or gain, and abdominal pain; these symptoms may not be present until the disease has reached an advanced stage.

Huge rushes of medical tourists have been seen, coming from all across the globe for Liver Treatment in India. The reasons are quiet inevitable, they get world class service catered with quality at par with hospitals par with developed nations.

And the most interesting factor is that these medical treatments or surgeries performed in India come at a very less price easily affordable by overseas patients. Within few years, we have managed hundreds of such medical treatments and surgeries of medical tourists especially a huge number of patients has come from Nigeria, with utmost professionalism and this trend keeps continuing.

The patients coming to India for their medical treatments take back home mesmerising memories.

The goal of medicine with regard to the liver is to prevent liver disease and, if it is diagnosed, to stop its progression toward cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is an end-stage disease with a poor prognosis and can require a liver transplant if liver failure occurs. Thus, lifestyle changes that support liver health, especially abstention from alcohol, are the cornerstone of treatment for liver disease. No matter the cause of cirrhosis, alcohol aggravates the condition and should be avoided.

Signs and symptoms

Diagnosis of liver condition • Examination, specifically noting signs which may indicate liver disease. Periodic ascites, intolerance of a high protein diet, icterus, chronic weight loss, abnormally coloured feces or urine, bleeding disorders, chronic illness, and all that has been mentioned above. Sometimes urinary crystals formed from the improperly metabolised proteins and

Liver condition treatment

Dr. Bojwani is the Chief Executive of Forerunners Healthcare Consultants Pvt Ltd, India’s Pioneer Medical tourism organisation.

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

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THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

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ENERGY

Govt urged to beef up security around gas carriers

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HE Chairman, Southsouth Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr Hyde Ochia, has called on the government to beef up coastal security on gas carriers . This is coming on the heel of growing threats of pirates on gas carriers. Gas carriers face safety challenges as surging global demand spurs traffic through high-risk waterways. They have also been attacked by pirates demanding ransom.

He said gas production has helped to diversify the nation ‘s exports, currently based almost totally on oil.

The potential risk , Ochia noted, put the oil companies under increasing pressure to protect supplies from attacks.

By Daniel Essiet

Ochia said ensuring the security of gas carriers is extremely important to the nation ‘s economic prosperity as it provide another source of revenue apart from oil.

He commended the United States government for guarding oil shipments around Ghana, other countries as pirate attacks on West African coastlines surge.

Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs, US Department of State, Ambassador Johnnie Carson, said the Obama administration is working with Economic Community of West African States(ECOWAS) to fight pirates.

Carson said the US government has noticed the situation and “we have regular navy ships and boats

Rivers targets 24hrs power supply

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IVERS State has assured prospective investors of stable electricity among other incentives to do business.

Speaking at the end of the first Rivers State Investors’ Forum tagged Changes that Works in Port Harcourt, the Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, said the government is making efforts to guarantee constant power supply.

Stressing that Rivers State will be the first in Nigeria to have 24 hours power supply, Amaechi said: ”We have 525 megawatts of power ready for distribution. We are going ahead to distribute and by the end of next year, we will achieve 24 hour electricity supply.”

The governor said improved business environment in the state had made many companies that left the state due to insecurity and poor infrastructure to return .

“The fact that former Prime Minister of Britain, Mr. Gordon Brown is here for this investor’s forum tells you a lot about the security situation in Rivers State.

The fact that a company such as Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) relocating its head office to Port Harcourt tells you a good story of how things have changed for the better in Rivers State,” he declared.

The Commissioner for Power, Mr Augustine Wokocha, reemphasised that companies

By Tonia Osundolire

willing to establish in the state would enjoy constant electricity supply.

According to him, Rivers State was the first state to establish a full-fledged ministry to deliver electricity to its people and has successfully improved electricity supply in the state.

“Our vision is to have a Rivers State where electric power is available, reliable and affordable in every nook and cranny. Similarly, our mission is to ensure that Rivers State meets its energy needs through a sustainable framework that will support the state’s economic growth and provide its citizenry with services that meets their expectations as fast growing economy,” he said.

Wokocha explained that the Rivers State government has recorded significant success in the delivery of electricity in the state in line with its mission and vision statements, declaring that companies establishing the factories and offices of the state would enjoy steady power supply.

“I can assure prospective investors of stable power supply because the Ministry of Power has is creating an enabling environment for rapid industrial and economic regeneration through quality and uninterrupted electricity supply,” he said.

visit West and East of Africa.

The US has become increasingly reliant on oil and gas exports from West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea itself.

According to an 80-page report, published by the Washingtonbased Atlantic Council, 18 per cent of US oil imports and 14 per cent of its natural gas (LNG) imports currently originate in West Africa.

That percentage, the publication said is expected to rise to 25 per cent by 2015. Mr Carson notes that these pirates are now around the Niger Delta, Togo and Benin and further to the Red Sea of the coast of Somalia.

Meanwhile, ECOWAS has called

for action against piracy after governments along the length of the West African coastline have expressed concern about a surge in the number of attacks on cargo ships.

Regional governments met in Cotonou, Benin last month this year to discuss co-ordinating efforts to halt piracy.

As more oil discoveries are being made in the West African sub-region, activities of pirates are said to be springing up. The coastlines of West Africa have for some time now been seeing attacks from pirates on oil carriers.

In August this year, the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) listed five African countries’ sea-shore as

piracy prone areas in its latest Piracy Prone Areas and Warnings report.

The countries are Nigeria, Benin, Guinea, Cameroon and Somalia.

The IMB said the areas are risky for the movement of vessels and ships including oil and chemical tankers due to attacks from pirates who are using weapons and rocket propelled grenade launchers.

“Piracy, drug smuggling and political uncertainty have made the Gulf of Guinea a challenging environment for investors seeking to benefit from natural resources.”

However, the US government has pledged its full support in helping to fight piracy along the coast lines in the region.

ExxonMobil to join search for oil in Liberia

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ANADIAN Overseas Petro leum Ltd.’s (COPL), whollyowned subsidiary, Canadian Overseas Petroleum (Bermuda) Ltd. (COPL B), has entered into a deal that paves the way for US supermajor ExxonMobil’s entrance to frontier West African acreage. COP and ExxonMobil signed an agreement that has ExxonMobil acquiring a significant stake in Liberia’s Block LB13, which COPL B has agreed to acquire from another company in May. Under the terms of the sale, which is subject to the approval of state-run oil firm NOCAL, Upstream News said, the Liberian government, and to the satisfaction or waiver of other closing conditions, ExxonMobil will acquire a 70 per cent interest in the PSC governing Block LB-13 immediately following COPL B’s acquisition of a 100 per cent interest from Peppercoast Petroleum. In return, ExxonMobil will pay COP $55 million and pay COPL B’s portion of the first well to be drilled on Block LB-13 to a maximum of $36 million. If less than $36 million is spent on COPL B’s proportionate cost for the first well, the balance will be applied towards COPL B’s costs of a second well if drilled.

Additionally, ExxonMobil will pay COPL B’s share of joint venture costs estimatedat approximately $6 million up to the completion of the first well. COPL B’s equity interest in the PSC (Block) will be 30 per cent upon closing and ExxonMobil will be

the block’s operator.

The approval of NOCAL and the government is still required for the original proposed acquisition of Block LB-13 by COPL B from its current owner. Discussions are ongoing between Peppercoast, COPL, the government and NOCAL but consent has not yet been forthcoming, and there is no assurance that such consent will be granted.

As previously announced, COPL and COPL B have agreed with the current owner, subject to certain conditions being satisfied or waived, to pay a purchase price of $85 million for a 100 per cent interest in LB-13. The purchase price is to be satisfied by between $45 million and $50 million in cash and the remainder through the issuance of common shares of COPL priced at $0.5473 per share.

If the minimum amount of cash is paid on closing, COPL will be required to issue71,428,908 common shares representing approximately 25 per cent of the number of COPLcommon shares currently outstanding. If the maximum amount of cash is paid on closing,COPL will be required to issue 62,500,295 common shares representing approximately 22 per cent of the number of COPL common shares currently outstanding.

Block LB-13 covers an area of approximately 2,400 sq km off the coast of Liberia. The Block is governed by a PSC having an 8-year term that commenced in May 2007.

The PSC is divided into three phases

of four years, two years, and two years respectively. The second and third phases of the PSC require the drilling of a well in each phase. The second phase of the PSC commenced in May 2011.

In 2010, 2,200 sq km of long offset 3D seismic was shot to evaluate the oil potential of deep-water Cretaceous sands analogous to the recent deep-water oil discoveries offshore Ghana and Sierra Leone. Reviews of the seismic data conducted internally by the company and by independent reserve evaluators DeGolyer and MacNaughton (D&M) have identified the potential for a number of Cretaceous turbidite sand stratigraphic traps on the block that possess strong seismic AVO anomalies and other direct hydrocarbon indicators which possibly suggest the presence of hydrocarbons.

Arthur Millholland, president and CEO of COPL, commented:”We are very pleased towork with ExxonMobil on this project. Offshore West Africa is an exciting region for oil exploration, and though lightly explored to this point, we believe the Liberian basin holds tremendous promise. We look forward to partnering with the Liberian government and NOCAL to invest in and progress the developing oil and gas industry within the country. Based upon our interpretation of the seismic data for the block, we think LB-13 could be the catalyst for the people of Liberia and for COPL as an international oil company.”

Ghana consumption of LPG rises to 20000MT

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EARLY consumption of Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) in Ghana has increased to 20000Metric Tonnes.

Chief Executive Officer, National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Alexander Mould, attributed this to the national promotion programme .He said the position was 5300 metric tonnes (MT) in 1989.

Mould noted that since the launch of the programme it is cheering to note that the annual consumption of LPG has increased from 5300 metric tonnes (MT) in 1989 to the current 20000MT. He said the National Promotion Programme has been influential in the promotion of LPG in Ghana .

Mould said the ministry of Energy and Mines launched the programme in 1990 envisioning that LPG will become a major substitute for firewood and charcoal for cooking.He noted that since the launch of the programme annual consumption of LPG has increased .

The programme,he said has tackled deforestation and desertification, which led to indiscriminate felling of trees to produce firewood

By Bidemi Bakare

and charcoal.

Mould said public enlightenment on the use of LPG has revved up and a lot of people are aware of the benefits of using LPG. T his enlightenment campaign is what actually contributed to the increase in the demand for the products.

Over the past one year, he said a large number of people are now using LPG as fuel in motor vehicles.

This is owing to the subsidy on LPG which makes it much cheaper to use than gasoline.

“Whilst the price advantage for LPG could be justified for its use solely as a substitute for firewood and charcoal, because of the environmental benefits, it is obvious that the motoring public has also seen the enormous opportunity and economic benefit for switching from gasoline to LPG.The unintended bonus given to motorists for using LPG must be removed immediately if we are not to find ourselves in a situation of inadvertently promoting the use of LPG in place of gasoline which is the petroleum product produced in the refinery,” he said.

• From left: Ist Vice-President, Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria (IPAN), Dr Patrick Ojechi; Vice-Chancellor, Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, Prof. Kolawole Jaiyeoba; Registrar/CEO, IPAN, Prof David Oluleye, former Health Secretary, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi and institute’s President, Ganiyu Sanni, at IPAN workshop at Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja.

Why we need audit of the refineries, by experts • Continued from page 17 Last year, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) came out with its position on the nation’s

ailing refineries as it calls for its privatisation if the country is to move forward in the area of crude refining for local consumption. The oil industry regulator said it was

worried about current state of the refineries, which it described as “very poor” even after much efforts to revamp the refineries seems to have failed.

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

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ENERGY

Indian Oil plans to double refining to 123 MT

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TATE-RUN Indian Oil Corp (IOC), the nation’s largest oil firm, plans to double its refining capacity to 123 million tonnes a year by 2020-21, its Director (Refineries) Rajkumar Ghosh has said.

IOC has eight refineries with a combined capacity of 54.2 million tonnes (MT). After including its subsidiary company unit at Chennai, it has a total refining capacity of 64.7 MT. The company “will take up its refining capacity to the level of 123 MT per year by 2020-21”, a company press statement quoted Ghosh as saying.

The additional capacity would come from 15 MT a year new refinery being constructed at Paradip in Orissa by September, 2013 and another similar capacity unit planned on the West coast.

Also, IOC plans to raise its Gujarat refinery capacity to 18 MT by 2016-17 from current 13.7 MT. The capacity would in the next phase be raised to 23 MT by 202021, Ghosh said.

Besides, it has planned expansion of several of its unit, including raising capacity at Mathura refinery to

11 MT from current 8 MT. “IOC refineries collectively are processing crude oil in excess of their design capacity for past five years and there has been sustained improved in the energy conservation management at refineries in spite of meeting stringent quality parameters,” he said.

Gujarat refinery which commissioned IOC’s first Petrochemical Plant of Linear Alkyl Benzene (LAB) successfully is also considering setting up of PX-PTA plant to add value to its hydrocarbon chain, he added.

IOC last year regained its position as the nation’s biggest refiner after it completed expansion of its Panipat unit to 15 MT from 12 MT. Before the expansion, IOC’s eight refineries had a total crude oil refining capacity of 51.2 million tonnes a year and together with its subsidiary Chennai Petroleum Corp Ltd ( CPCL), it had a combined refining capacity of 61.7 million tonnes.

IOC was the largest oil refiner in the country before Reliance started its 29 MT a year only-for-exports unit adjacent to its 33 MT a year plant at Jamnagar.

Extra Azeri gas for Turkey

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ZERBAIJAN is in talks with British Petroleum(BP) and Turkey's Botas on the export of excess gas volumes for the next six years, the state energy company said, providing a source of gas for European consumers keen to cut dependence on Russia.

"SOCAR has some free volumes of gas, and we are ready to sell 1 billion cubic metres (bcm) of gas to Bulgaria," Murad Heydarov, adviser to SOCAR's president, told reporters, referring to an annual volume on offer.

"We started talks with BP and Botas about deliveries of these small volumes to south-east Europe and using their infrastructure," he added.

It was not immediately clear which route could carry the additional gas.

Bulgaria needs 4-5 bcm per year, almost all of which is purchased from Russia. Azerbaijan, for its part, has been receptive to overtures from proponents of a so-called "southern corridor", promising to help diversify sales away from Russia.

Azerbaijan currently sells gas in the domestic market, to neighbouring Georgia and Turkey via the Baku-TbilisiErzurum pipeline and to Russia.

The pipeline pumps gas from the

Shah Deniz field at a full capacity of 5 bcm per year.

Heydarov did not specify when deliveries could start.

"We should clarify how technically possible it is to deliver SOCAR's excess gas to the western border of Turkey with the European Union through the existing infrastructure," he said.

SOCAR and its partners must pick from four contenders to carry gas from the second phase of Shah Deniz, about 10 bcm.

The European Union, keen to establish alternatives to Russian gas, is backing the 33 bcm, 3,000 km Nabucco pipeline project, but the top EU energy official has said it will be "very expensive" at 10 billion euros.

The U.S. energy envoy to the region, Richard Morningstar, said Nabucco still had Washington's political backing but suggested they choose as a first option something cheaper and more scaleable to the gas volumes available.

But the two smaller consortia - the Trans Adriatic Pipeline and Interconnector Turkey-GreeceItaly -- propose to run their pipelines through Greece and could run into financial obstacles if Greece defaults or exits the euro zone.

• From left: Head Regional Manager, South Africa Airways/Middle East, Aaron Munetsi; Chairman NigeriaSouth Africa Chamber of Commerce, Mr Folusho Philips and General Manager, Commercial, South Africa Airways, Theunis Potgieter, during the Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce breatfast meeting at Eko Hotel, Lagos.

Italy’s Gas Plus enters Romania offshore JV

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TALY’s fourth-biggest gas pro ducer, Gas Plus, has entered an offshore gas and oil joint venture in Romania with a 15 per cent stake, part of its push to expand international exploration and production operations, a report Friday said. Romania’s National Agency of Mineral Resources (NAMR) has approved a transfer of the stake in licences for offshore blocks Midia and Pelican in the Black Sea to Gas Plus from Canada’s Sterling Resources, Gas Plus said according to

Reuters. Gas Plus declined to give financial details of the deal, the news wire said.

Under the JV, led by Sterling Resources with a 65 per cent stake and participated in by Petro Ventures with a 20 per cent stake, Gas Plus share of hydrocarbons reserves, including mostly gas, is put at about 1.4 billion cubic metres, the company said. The exploration license is granted until May 2014, it said. Gas Plus said its reserves in Italy are valued at 5.2

‘Many’ offers for Petrobras’ assets

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RAZILIAN giant Petrobras, has “many, many, many” of fers for the $13.6 billion of assets it plans to sell, including fields in the Gulf of Mexico, according to a report.

While Brazil’s state oil producer has yet to decide which assets to sell, the company has received dozens of proposals, chief executive Jose Sergio Gabrielli told Bloomberg in an interview this week.

According to Hellenic Shipping News Petrobras is seeking ways to help finance its $224.7 billion fiveyear investment plan that includes the development of deep-water projects in the pre-salt area of the Santos basin, where the largest oil discovery in Brazil’s history is located.

The company may farm out stakes in 186 exploratory blocks in the Gulf of Mexico, Gabrielli told the news wire.

“We are very well-positioned in the Lower Tertiary in the Gulf of Mexico,” he said. “In the ultra-deep waters, we have several exploratory activities going on right now. And some companies are interested in buying things from us.”

Rio de Janeiro-based Petrobras won approval from US regulators to begin oil and natural-gas pro-

duction at its Cascade-Chinook project in the Gulf of Mexico in March. The project has the capacity to produce 80,000 barrels per day of oil and 16 million cubic feet a day of gas.

Petrobras and its partners including BG Group are planning to use as many as 13 floating production, storage and offloading vessels to pump oil and gas in deep waters off the Brazilian coast.

“We are going to bring the first FPSO ever to the Gulf of Mexico I hope soon,” Gabrielli said. “It is taking more time than we thought. But this year or beginning of next year we are going to be increasing our production.”

Petrobras found traces of oil in an offshore well in the BM-S-9 block of the Santos basin.

The company also said 3 November it found oil in the Logan well in deep waters in the Gulf of Mexico.

The well was drilled at the WR 969 block, operated by Statoil and located 250 miles (402 kilometres) south-west of New Orleans and 7750 feet (2,362 metres) deep, Petrobras said.

Petrobras is going to exit this year with daily production above its target, even as platform shutdowns and delays in drilling-rig deliveries constrain development

Energy & Oil Prices OIL ($/bbl)

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

Nymex Heating Oil Future Nymex RBOB Gasoline Future NATURAL GAS ($/MMBtu)

301.75 268.46

1.33 -0.10 1.92

1.55% -0.09% 2.25%

10/21 10/21 10/21

PRICE* CHANGE % CHANGE TIME -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

• Bloomberg Oil Buyers Guide

of the Carioca and Lula fields in the Santos basin, Gabrielli told Bloomberg.

Output may reach 2.2 million bpd by the end of the year, he said. On average, domestic production may miss this year’s target of 2.1 million bpd, he added. Petrobras should get the flow-rate data for its pre-salt wells off the coast by the middle of next year, when it completes 18 months of pilot projects in the area, he said.

The company paid the government $42.5 billion in shares for the rights in September last year to produce 5 billion barrels of oil from Franco and six other fields including Lula, in the Santos basin. The pre-salt fields in the basin, the largest crude discovery in the Americas since Mexico’s Cantarell field in 1976, lie four miles beneath the seabed. “We began 2008 estimating 15,000 barrels a day” of output at the pre-salt fields, Gabrielli said. “Today, Lula is producing 36,900 barrels a day.” The executive also said while 2012 will be a better year for the US than for Europe, developed nations will continue to have flat economic growth or may enter a recession. “The main reason why the US is going to be better is that the main street is alive,” Gabrielli said. “We are going to continue to see growth in China, India, South America and Africa.”

US loses 15 rigs

Energy prices

Domestic prices of petroleum products Companies

bcm.

“We are very happy about the official entry in one of the most significant offshore projects in the Black Sea,” Gas Plus chief executive Davide Usberti said in the statement. “It represents a concrete and important step in internationalisation of our E&P activities, one of our goals since our IPO in 2006,” he said. Sterling Resources has been long waiting for NAMR to approve its request to grant licences for its partners.

T

HE number of rigs drilling in the US dropped by 15 to a total of 2001, according to the weekly count from Houston-based service company ,Baker Hughes.

Upstream news said the count of rigs drilling for oil dropped by eight to total 1125, while the number of rigs drilling for gas fell by six to total 871. Of states with drilling activity, Oklahoma lost the most rigs, falling by four to total 192. New Mexico also lost three, falling to 79. Alaska, California and Texas lost two rigs each, dropping to totals of six, 44 and 914 respectively. Louisiana lost one rig to total 159.

Wyoming and Colorado each gained a rig to total 80 and 53 respectively.

Totals in Arkansas, North Dakota and West Virginia remained unchanged at 35, 185 and 27 respectively

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

49

MARITIME Customs boss tasked on corruption

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• Cargo ship

PHOTO: OLUWAKEMI DAUDA

NIMASA chief decries ship pollution menace

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IRECTOR-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi, decried the menace of ship pollution at the port. He said NIMASA has adopted best practices to protect marine resources from ship pollution and facilitate the use of water ways for legitimate purposes. Pollution, he said, must be tackled to make Nigerian waters cleaner.

Akpobolokemi said he was not happy that the general environmental issues were not considered by some oil and gas companies operating in the country.

Speaking with The Nation in Lagos, the NIMASA boss said the agency would soon roll out a roadmap on Marine Waste Management in Nigeria to the public.

He said NIMASA had been working to domesticate some of the IMO codes and conventions to protect the maritime sector from ship pollution.

Akpobolokemi said regulations, IMO and Nigerian laws were considered in arriving at the road map structured to provide the ideal platform to grow the business of managing waste generated in the nation’s maritime environment.

The NIMASA boss stressed that the agency would support public private partnership model to facilitate effective management of ship generated waste within the Nigerian marine and coastal environment.

But speaking at a seminar organised by Sea workers in Lagos last weekend, the Chairman, Sea and Cargo Logistics, Raphael Christopher, alleged that many foreign ships are on the nation’s territorial waters doing illegal business, pol-

Stories by Oluwakemi Dauda, Maritime Correspondent

luting the nation’s territorial waters with waste from their ships and seriously depleting fish stocks.

He urged the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, to fashion out a policy that will facilitate effective management of ship generated waste within the Nigerian marine and coastal environment..

To date, Christopher said, 28 countries, with an aggregate merchant shipping tonnage of 26.37 per cent of the world total, have ratified the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) convention.

Speaking on the Effects of Ship Pollution and Ballast Water, Christopher said the ballast waters have been recognised as one of the major vectors causing the invasive alien species in aquatic environments.

He urged the minister to support NIMASA, in formulating the best policies that would protect the nation’s territorial waters from pollution from oil and cargo vessels.

Contributing, a ship owner, Chief Fola Badmus, said shipping has become the first industry to agree on a global carbon dioxide reduction strategy. This month’s vote at the IMO, he said, approved the establishment of an Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) for new ships. “T&E welcomed the decision, but says it cannot be seen as a solution on its own, especially because the EEDI will take many years to be truly effective.”

The adoption of the EEDI, Badmus said, means that ships built after 2013 will have to meet a minimum level

P

make the port attractive for business.

Agbabiaka, however, said it was inevitable for President Jonathan to invest in the new port facilities to cope with the increasing cargo traffic and port congestion before he leaves the office.

The shipper also urged the Managing Director, NPA, Omar Suleiman, to impress the need to have a modern port in the country.

New facilities, Joseph said, should be designed to meet the logistics needs of the maritime industry while anticipating the need for future development.

He called on the government to help in the funding of maritime researches, saying the sector lacks indepth investigation due to poor funding.

He told participants that the de-

Adeniyi, said the fight against corruption in the service would not yield the expected result except the government is ready to enforce the legislation that set up anti-corruption agencies.

Corruption, he said, is so embedded in our national life that everybody appears to be involved in it and if not, must know of someone who is.

Adeniyi said it is widely held that corruption is so pervasive that the public and private sectors are affected.

Contributing, an importer, Mr Frances Solomon, said the focus of the round table was to help Dikko sustain the drive against corrupt tendencies in the service, educating and sensitisation of all officers and men of the service and the general public about the destructive effect of corruption on the economy.

Solomon said running of entries, release of goods without proper examination and documentation, ‘Flying of containers’, improper tallying, conniving with other security agents, bank officials, importers and their agents to defraud government, use of recycled cheques, fake RAR, fake SGD, overlooking of concealment, falsification of documents, under invoicing and under declaration, releasing of prohibited items and aiding and abetting smuggling among others, he said are corrupt practices that need to be checked at the port by Customs.

Stakeholders to promote arbitration •Akpobolokemi

of energy efficiency, with different standards applying to different commercial ships. These standards, he said, would be strengthened over time, with the aim of a 10 per cent improvement for ships built in 201519, 15-20per cent for 2020-24, and 30 per cent for ships delivered after 2024. But as the average life of a ship is around 30 years, it will take a decade or two before the effects of the EEDI start to become widespread.

A member of Fishery Association of Nigeria (FISON),who spoke at the occasion, Ireti Babalola, said insecurity in Africa’s waterways has forced insurers to hike rates for ships passing through the region with the resultant effect of increased prices on consumers.

He urged the government to develop a naval capability to deal with the hazardous of waste dumping from ships and piracy on the nation’s territorial waters.

He said the dumping of toxic waste in the maritime domain, require commitment on the side of the minister to provide capability and cooperation with foreign partners to build maritime capability.

Shippers campaign for new ports in Lagos, Calabar RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has been urged to develop new ports in some major cities like Lagos, Calabar, and Port Harcourt to enable the country compete favourably in West and Central Africa.

Maritime operators said the Federal Government should support the initiatives of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to meet logistics needs of the maritime industry and stop diversion of goods particularly rice and vehicles to neighbouring countries.

Speaking at a forum organised

by Water Ways Logistic and Administration in Lagos, the Managing Director of Sunshine Shipping Industry, Mr Rotimi Agbabiaka hailed President Jonathan for dredging the Lagos Channels to accommodate bigger vessels and

HE Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service(NCS), Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi, has been urged to reduce corruption.

Speaking at a roundtable organised

by Motor Vehicle importers in Lagos , a dealer, Mr Sunday Benjamin, said corruption should be taken seriously by Abdullahi. He alleged that some men and officers of the service are bent on denting the Customs reputation .

Abdullahi, he said, should be determined to fight and rid the service of bad officers and men that are tarnishing the image of the organisation.

Customs high command, he suggested, should be ready to set up internal machinery that would expose Customs officers, accepting bribes from importers, smugglers, clearing agents and other port users and be dismissed from the service.

Speaking on the occasion, a senior Customs officer, who crave anonymity supported Benjamin’s argument.

He said the Comptroller-General and the leadership of the service has put in place some measures to improve the living and working conditions of officers and men of the service, to discourage them from engaging in acts of corruption.

The fight against corruption, the officer said, should not be seen as a fight against individuals or personalities, but a fight against vices in the system.

Another speaker, Mr Shola

velopment of new port facilities would stop diversion of goods particularly rice and vehicles to neighbouring ports in the West African sub-region and lead to increase in vehicle traffic in the country.

The importer also noted that the removal of wrecks and the deepening of the Lagos channel by the NPA would facilitate trade by attracting bigger vessels and lead to increase in gross registered tonnage vessels and ships turnaround time.

The Managing Director, Century Freight and Trade Mr Feyisayo Adesegun, said the maritime industry is endowed with enormous natural resources which can provide great potential and opportunities necessary to achieve rapid and sustainable growth and development.

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AWYERS and stakeholders in the maritime industry said the vision of the maritime community in the country should be to promote domestic and international arbitration, Presenting a paper entitled Arbitration in the Resolution of Maritime Disputes in Nigeria at a seminar organised by the maritime lawyers in Lagos last week, a maritime lawyer, Mr Kolade Adedeji, said the courts, arbitrators and maritime institutions should work together to position Nigeria as a neutral and favourable forum for maritime arbitration nationally and internationally.

According to him, the government has a duty to share in the vision by providing a secured environment with first rate infrastructure.

Adedeji said this would position the country as an attractive place for international arbitration activities.

The maritime lawyer said Nigeria has a viable maritime arbitrators association, adding that it had built up capacity in the field with the availability of highly trained and skilled arbitrators and counsel who appreciate the nature of arbitration proceedings.

Speaking on the issue, the image maker of the Agenda for Good Governance (AGOG), Mr Alaba Arogundade, said the dream of transforming the country into a renowned arbitration centre is on.

In his paper entitled Piracy and armed robbery sea, Mr Louis Mbanefo, Arogundade said there was the need for capacity building for effective maritime security.

Agents decry high tariff on Tokunbo cars

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LEARING agents at TinCan port Apapa, Lagos have decried the high tariff imposed on used vehicles by the Federal Government.

Some months ago, the Federal Government had announced the lifting of ban on some items from the ever-growing list of prohibited goods to meet the local demand of Nigerians.

Used vehicles from between 10 and 15 were among the items that were left off the hook.

Speaking with The Nation at Apapa, Lagos one of the agents, Mr Gbenga Okusanya, said Nigerians applauded the government’s decision.

He argued that the measure is

supposed to ease the plight of the people on the high cost of some vehicles in the open market.

But the high tariff imposed by the government, he said, was affecting their work.

Another clearing agent, Rasaq Gbadamosi, said he was grateful to the Federal Government for the review of the age limit.

He, however, lamented the upward review of the duty to be paid on these vehicles.

“The high tariff regime has discourage so many young people from buying vehicles from us.

Majority of the prefer going to Seme and Idiroko to buy their vehicles and that has affected our business.

Lawyers seek capacity building

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ARITIME lawyers have urged the Federal Government to develop capacity for the maritime industry.

Speaking with reporters in Lagos, the lawyers said the dearth of human and material capacities has been a source of worry in the maritime sector.

They called relevant government agencies at the port to complement stakeholders’ efforts

in capacity-building, noting that businesses blink first in the event of any government policy breakdown.

Speaking on behalf of others, a maritime lawyer and consultant in the industry, Mr Frannk Simpson, said the dream of the youths who are seeking employment is only realisable through job creation via the sector and human capacity building.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

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MARITIME

West Africa to incorporate first shipping line in Nigeria

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EST Africa has inched a step towards realising its dream for a sub-regional shipping line. It has incorporated a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) known as the Sealink Promotional Company Limited in Nigeria.

To ensure the successful operation of the SPV before it dove-tails into the shipping line, the Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FEWACCI) over the weekend approached the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for a grant of $1.5 million.

The leader of the FEWACCI and immediate past president of the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industries Mr Wilson Krofor told the ECOWAS President that if the sub-regional body provides the US$1.5 million grant ECOWAS could have a representative on the board of the SPV and shipping line if it so desires.

The SPV (which is a promotional company)- Sealink Promotional Company Limited - RC 992642 has been incorporated under the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990 of Nigeria, the shares of the promotional SPV is nominally held by FEWACCI–representing ECOWAS’ private sector, Transimex Integrated Logistics Providers – representing Central Africa’s private sector.

Mr Wilson Krofor while making the appeal noted that investors in the SPV can convert their investment into the equity of the shipping line at agreed rates stressing that FEWACCI wants “the project to be an ECOWAS project and there was need to demonstrate that ECOWAS can do it,” the $1.5 million grant he said will put the sealink project on a sound footing.

Before the incorporation of the SPV in Nigeria a couple of weeks ago the

•Minister of Transport Senator Idris Umar From Nduka Chiejina Assistant Editor

Nigeria Export Import Bank (NEXIM) had supported the initiative with $250,000 which the FEWACCI will manage and run until it transforms into the shipping line. $60 million is required for the three ships that the shipping line will commence business with and this is to be financed by shareholders.

Three Major Market Segments have been identified as the routing strategy: these are FreetownConakry-Bissau-Banjul-Dakar (Combined freight and passenger cabotage); Cotonou-CalabarDouala-Libreville (Combined freight and passenger cabotage); and Libreville-Dakar (Freight Only – major ports in range) The total project cost is estimated at $60 million with $36 million to be utilised to purchase vessels, equip-

ment, office space and other infrastructure, while $24 million will be for working capital to cover general and administrative expenses.

The project would be funded through equity ($36 million) and debt financing ($24 million).

Responding, ECOWAS President Ambassador Victor Gbeho assured the FEWACCI of the body’s support for the project “because it is an ECOWAS initiative and it is also in line with the integration agenda of ECOWAS.” ECOWAS he said “wants to refocus ECOWAS from ECOWAS of states to ECOWAS of people by generally doing things together, so as to develop fast. By supporting the sealink initiative, ECOWAS intention he pointed out “is not to develop one or two countries but to develop all ECOWAS countries.”

ECOWAS President Ambassador Victor Gbeho urged FEWACCI “to leave politicians far behind because enterprises run by governments in the first half of the century did not do well this is an opportunity for the business community to turn things around for the better.

He assured the members of the chambers of commerce and industries that he would “talk to political leaders to key into sealink and will respond to the request for the US$1.5 million as soon as ECOWAS governments get the formal request.”

The ECOWAS he said has agreed to improve marine business in the sub region stressing that West Africa “cannot achieve integration unless we can move goods and compete favourably with developed economies.

He lamented the over centralization of power in the hands of politicians which he said is the bane of economic development in West Africa.

‘Why Cabotage fund is delayed’

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HE delay in the disbursement of Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) is to enable the agency screen the companies applying for the fund, the National Maritime administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has said.

Speaking with reporters in his office in Lagos, the Director- General of NIMASA, Mr Patrick Akpobolokemi said: “Politicians see the fund as free money; anybody that has failed election see it as the fund they want to benefit from. They will want to use somebody to front for them to get this fund. But I am maintaining my ground that politicians will not get these funds; non-shipping people will also not get this fund.”

Akpobolokemi said despite pressures from various quarters on him to quickly disburse the money, applicants still have to show enough evidence that they have the right to benefit from the fund, saying that NIMASA will inspect

By Uyoatta Eshiet

all their businesses and facilities before any approval is made.

The fund, which is part of the second phase of the National Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP), was initiated three years ago with the state governments, and it is billed to start by January 2012.

Akpobolokemi said more Nigerians have been penicilled to benefit from the second phase. He explained that enough provision for the scheme have been made in the agency’s budget that was submitted to the National Assembly.

He said the scheme was initiated so that NIMASA will not have to rely on the governors for the programme like it did in the first phase.

Under the new arrangement, NIMASA bears 70 per cent of the payment while the governors are to finance 30 per cent of it.

It was gathered that about eight states have so far participated in the programme and many of them are not within coastal region of Nigeria.

Meanwhile, operators in the maritime sector have renewed their call on NIMASA to start the disbursements of the CVFF to deserving indigenous operators without further delay.

Frontline operator in the maritime sector and the Managing Director, Starz Investment, Greg Ogbeifun, called on the agency to disburse the Fund to deserving local operators. He said even though many of them are duly qualified to benefit from the fund, it is still not made them after all these years.

According to him, indigenous operators hold contracts up to five years that require new vessels; therefore, the fund ought to have been distributed to enhance indigenous participation in the sector.

Security agents lament porous borders

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FFICERS of the Nigerian Customs Service(NCS) are worried over porous borders.The officers working at the land borders along Idiroko area of Ogun State, said the challenges facing Customs in checkmating illegal importation of vehicles and other goods into the country were enormous.

A senior officer, who craved anonymity, said they are not finding it easy to stem criminality along the border towns.

He admitted that the porosity of Idiroko border with Benin Republic, which accounts for the nu-

By Oluwakemi Dauda, Maritime Correspondent

merous illegal routes (1,000 illegal routes as estimated), posed a serious security and economic threat to the country and called for eternal vigilance on the part of Customs official and other security operatives at the border.

While comparing Seme border with Idiroko border, a senior official of the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agents (NDLEA) who does not want his name in print said the Idiroko border faces a greater problem because, while Seme border is bounded by sea and

long stretch of swamp, with one access route, which makes tracking down transnational crime easier.

Idiroko border, he said, is dry land and has numerous illegal routes which make smuggling and drug trafficking easy for their perpetrators.

Other factors, he said, included proximity of residential houses, markets and motor parks to the border‘s main gate, and illegal activities of touts in the area.

He said many security agents have been killed in the process of apprehending smugglers and drug merchants.

Maritime Watch Stakeholders lament low oil import

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Stories by Oluwakemi Dauda, Maritime Correspondent

TAKEHOLDERS are worried over the low participation of indigenous ship owners in the importation of over 12 billion litres of refined petroleum products yearly.

The country, they said, is importing petroleum despite being the sixth producing nation of the commodity in the world.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Maritime Expo (NIMAREX 2012) Planning Committee, Eze Chijioke Egwuagu Collins.

According to him, Nigeria being an import-dependent nation with an import volume of over 82 million tonnes of cargo in 2008, 93.7 million tonnes in 2009 and 100 million tons in 2010, the situation provides a fertile ground for a remarkable participation of indigenous maritime players in the country.

“International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in Nigeria export about 40 million barrels of crude oil per month or 480 million barrels per annum. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on behalf of the Nigerian Government exports 40 million barrels of Crude Oil per month or 480 million barrels per annum “Nigeria has an LNG reserve of over seven trillion cubic metres. LNG tankers are required for the non-stop massive shipment of LNG annually. Nigeria’s upstream Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) offshore exploration operations at present employs about 520 marine equipment, tug boats, crew vessels, barges” to mention a few.

He said NIMAREX, which made its debut in the first quarter of this year with a record of huge success, was primarily set up to serve as the viable platform to showcase such enormous maritime potential to the rest of the world as well as encourage more Nigerians’ participation in the venture.

NIMAREX 2012, he said: “Promises to provide the needed avenue to showcase maritime products, new technologies, service and expertise, as well as provide the platform to unlock various business opportunities in Nigeria’s largely unexploited maritime sector”.

He noted that with such volume of maritime trade and required marine equipment, Nigeria qualifies by her volume of import trade to be a short sea-trade hub of West Africa.

‘Ban importation of used clothes’

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HE Federal Government has been urged to ban the importation of second hand underwear as the new is fast approaching.

Addressing some University of Lagos students on Friday, a don, Dr Saheed Animasahun, said the call became necessary on the basis that the second hand undergarments often cause bacterial and fungal infections that affect the skin. These, he said, include itching in the groin area, athlete’s foot, candidiasis and yeast infections.

“Almost 13 years of uninterrupted democracy, Nigerians have no business of wearing second hand clothing if our political leaders are sincere with their electoral promises.

“It is sad when you see Nigerians including university undergraduates going to the market to buy second hand clothes. It saddens me and it is a thing of serious concern to our group and that is why we are calling on President Jonathan to champion the enactment of a law that will prohibit importation of second hand clothes,” Animasahun said.

Animasahun urged the government to empower Customs so that any consignment of used goods found to contain undergarments should be confiscated and destroyed.

He said the government should enact a law that would ban the importation, clearance from the ports of entry and sale of used under-garments in the country.

He expressed his disappointment with importers of used clothing that have ignored the health risk involved in wearing used undergarments including brassieres, pants, handkerchiefs and singlets.

But a used items importer in Lagos, Mr Gabriel Samson, said the call was uncharitable.

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106 vessels, 93 tankers berth

TOTAL of 106 vessels and 93 tankers called at the ports last week according to information made available to The Nation by the COPI LPC Traffic office at the Apapa Ports Complex.

Daily analysis of the shipping position (ships awaiting berth) on a daily basis, shows that 21 vessels and 14 tankers were at the berths on Monday.

Of the 21 vessels, 18 were slated to berth at the ENL terminals.

They were laden with foods, mostly rice and fish. TICT, Ports and Cargo and Nigerdock terminals each had one vessel allocated to it. They carried containers and general cargo.

The 14 tankers carried a combined 299,609 metric tons of assorted petroleum products. Nine of the tankers were laden with PMS while the rest carried JET A1 and AGO and most of the products were off loaded at the IBAFON terminals.

ENL Terminals hosted 15 out of the 22 vessels that were awaiting berth on Tuesday. The 15 vessels were laden with food (rice and fish).Port and Cargo, N/Dock, J/ DAMS and ABTL hosted to a vessel each carrying general products, steel products and bulk cement. TICT terminals had three

By Uyoatta Eshiet

vessels allocated to it all carrying containers. In the same vein, the 17 tankers carried a combined total tonnage of 343,183 metric tons of assorted petroleum products. As usual, nine out of the 17 tankers were laden with PMS. A total of 388,009 metric tons of petroleum products were slated to be received on Wednesday. These quantity were laden in a total of 19 tankers. Eleven of the tankers carried PMS alone while the rest carried JET A1, DPK, AGO as well as LUB OIL. Of the 22 vessels that were awaiting berth, 15 of them were for the ENL terminals laden with rice and fish while the rest had on board containers, PKC, steel Products and bulk cement.

One of the vessels awaiting berthing processes was a Diplomatic Call with no declarations of its contents.

According to the information made available for shipping position on Thursday, 12 out of the 20 tankers that were awaiting berth were laden with PMS, three carried JET A1, one carried DPK, three carried AGO while one carried LUB OIL. On the other hand, of the 21 vessels for that day, 15 were slated to berth at the ENL terminals as usual with food items, rice and fish.

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

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EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 21-11-11 2ND-TIER SECURITIES Company Name LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC PRESCO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 20 22

Quotation(N) 0.50 7.37

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 105,000 52,500.00 640,577 4,724,874.87 745,577 4,777,374.87

Quotation(N) 1.99 5.30

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 233,200 463,586.00 177,797 924,170.81 410,997 1,387,756.81

Quotation(N) 0.50 1.40

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 1,062 531.00 287,829 403,339.67 288,891 403,870.67

Quotation(N) 4.91 3.09 2.14 4.27 1.51 9.68 14.54 8.00 4.65 1.05 2.84 0.57 0.57 12.17

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 1,836,715 8,785,527.12 1,331,165 4,008,230.85 306,980 655,974.00 1,070,670 4,519,429.10 5,487,312 8,339,481.82 23,151,510 224,593,766.17 12,291,199 180,540,486.06 354,745 2,837,986.98 3,707,729 16,766,386.80 871,231 921,135.86 7,150,950 19,973,356.84 6,726,514 3,700,611.48 1,523,074 868,271.68 40,310,493 486,501,932.07 106,120,287 963,012,576.83

Quotation(N) 202.00 6.00 91.90 0.93

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 124,780 25,510,857.36 1,520 8,664.00 1,829,334 168,019,669.40 35,000,000 32,550,000.00 36,955,634 226,089,190.76

Quotation(N) 13.60 4.75 103.10 38.10

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 124,643 1,699,630.36 294,118 1,436,644.80 43,333 4,486,067.10 422,148 16,281,579.00 884,242 23,903,921.26

Quotation(N) 8.55 15.91

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 45,489 376,825.83 199,518 3,304,053.68 245,007 3,680,879.51

AIR SERVICES Company Name AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 7 43 50

AUTOMOBILE & TYRE Company Name DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC R. T. BRISCOE (NIGERIA) PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 15 16 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 106 42 20 32 48 482 339 15 81 17 144 29 10 271 1,636 BREWERIES

Company Name GUINNESS NIGERIA PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC NIGERIAN BREWERIES PLC PREMIER BREWERIES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 40 2 215 7 264 BUILDING MATERIALS

Company Name ASHAKA CEMENT PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTHERN NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC LAFARGE WAPCO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 26 17 10 35 88 CHEMICAL & PAINTS

Company Name BERGER PAINTS NIGERIA PLC CHEMICAL AND ALLIED PRODUCTS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 14 36 50

COMMERCIAL/SERVICES Company Name COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC RED STAR EXPRESS PLC TRANS NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 14 1 17

Quotation(N) 0.50 2.27 3.45

No of Deals 65 54 75 50 244

Quotation(N) 30.00 0.65 30.50 26.00

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 832,931 24,806,288.94 2,932,200 1,872,451.25 3,389,575 98,423,269.16 339,209 8,862,272.15 7,493,915 133,964,281.50

CONSTRUCTION Company Name JULIUS BERGER NIGERIA PLC ROADS NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 4 1 5

Quotation(N) 38.43 7.17

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 15,836 608,628.28 200 1,504.00 16,036 610,132.28

No of Deals 3 3

Quotation(N) 1.70

No of Deals 20 31 126 95 26 14 11 36 1 1 361

Quotation(N) 48.00 12.68 5.60 4.90 62.00 3.08 4.05 405.00 0.50 0.50

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 63,072 2,987,177.80 261,523 3,291,539.85 2,120,063 12,070,367.74 1,546,117 7,599,988.84 33,804 2,095,508.93 364,681 1,081,650.80 214,050 862,700.00 31,537 12,811,307.45 5,000 2,500.00 8,653 4,326.50 4,648,500 42,807,067.91

No of Deals 1 6 6 14 1 1 29

Quotation(N) 0.79 1.23 27.00 2.17 9.05 1.43

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 240 182.40 20,500 23,985.00 1,850 47,452.50 142,380 310,503.60 10,000 86,000.00 10,000 13,600.00 184,970 481,723.50

Quotation(N) 3.38

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 2,953,813 9,534,298.91 2,953,813 9,534,298.91

HOTEL & TOURISM Company Name IKEJA HOTEL PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 69 69

INDUSTRIAL/DOMESTIC PRODUCTS Company Name B. O. C. GASES NIGERIA PLC FIRST ALUMINIUM NIGERIA PLC VITAFOAM NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 4 9 19 32

Quotation(N) 6.80 0.50 5.30

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 103,818 705,966.42 2,004,000 1,002,000.00 87,724 461,281.20 2,195,542 2,169,247.62

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 21-11-11 REGENCY ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC STACO INSURANCE PLC STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC INTERCONTINENTAL WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 41 1 19 3 5 1 2 23 6 1 3

Quotation(N) 0.53 0.50 2.44 0.53 1.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 1.00

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 2,048,136 1,086,296.62 6,000 3,000.00 1,555,597 3,893,856.68 47,955 25,376.15 600,000 865,780.00 10,000 5,000.00 8,000 4,000.00 3,946,800 1,973,400.00 2,319,430 1,159,715.00 1,000 500.00 163,500 163,875.00

1 1 2 2 1 112

0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50

130,000 4,000 10,000 67,770 14,492 10,932,680

65,000.00 2,000.00 5,000.00 33,885.00 7,246.00 9,293,930.45

Quotation(N) 0.77

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 8,000 5,920.00 8,000 5,920.00

Quotation(N) 0.69

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 1,902,429 1,306,563.89 1,902,429 1,306,563.89

LEASING Company Name C&I LEASING PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 2 MARITIME No of Deals 58 58

MORTGAGE COMPANIES No of Deals 1 1

Quotation(N) 0.50

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 11,840 5,920.00 11,840 5,920.00

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS Company Name CRUSADER NIGERIA PLC. DEAP CAPITAL MANAGEMENT AND TRUST PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 2 4

Quotation(N) 0.50 2.02

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 15,000 7,500.00 51,100 103,222.00 66,100 110,722.00

Quotation(N) 1.65

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 2,776,377 4,332,632.07 2,776,377 4,332,632.07

PACKAGING Company Name NIGERIAN BAG MANUFACTURING COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 49 49

PETROLEUM(MARKETING) Company Name CONOIL PLC ETERNA OIL & GAS PLC. FORTE OIL PLC MOBIL OIL NIGERIA PLC. OANDO PLC TOTAL NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 23 17 33 4 143 14 234

Quotation(N) 35.00 3.61 13.42 141.00 26.00 200.00

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 11,661 387,893.25 462,182 1,676,308.66 202,025 2,710,490.34 1,998 278,890.00 835,747 21,646,677.59 7,573 1,460,129.75 1,521,186 28,160,389.59

PRINTING & PUBLISHING Company Name ACADEMY PRESS PLC. UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 8 10

Quotation(N) 2.24 3.70

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 33,220 74,412.80 149,600 554,026.00 182,820 628,438.80

Quotation(N) 12.90

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 21,952 269,615.52 21,952 269,615.52

REAL ESTATE Company Name UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. PLC Sector Totals

INSURANCE Company Name AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CORNERSTONE INSURANCE CO. PLC. CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INSURANCE PLC GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC GUARANTY TRUST ASSURANCE PLC GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC N.E.M. INSURANCE CO. (NIG.) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. PRESTIGE ASSURANCE PLC.

ment Company of Northern Nigeria dropped by 25 kobo to N4.75. Eterna Oil lost 19 kobo to close at N3.61. Custodian Insurance lost 12 kobo to close at N2.44 while May and Baker Nigeria dropped 11 kobo to close at N2.17 per share.

Meanwhile, UAC of Nigeria topped the gainers’ list with a gain of 92 kobo to close at N30.50. Forte Oil followed with a gain of 63 kobo to close at N13.42. Cadbury Nigeria added 30 kobo to close at N12.68. Nigerian Breweries gathered 25 kobo to close at N91.90.

Access Bank gained 16 kobo to close at N4.91. University Press added 15 kobo to close at N3.70, while Honeywell Flour gained 14 kobo to close at N3.08 per share.

Total turnover stood at 181.3 million shares valued at N1.46 billion in 3,400 deals. Banking subsector remained the most active with a turnover of 106.50 million shares worth N967.25 million in 1,664 deals.

Breweries subsector ranked second on the activity chart with a turnover of 36.96 million shares worth N226.1 million in 264 deals.

Insurance subsector placed third with a turnover of 10.93 million shares valued at N9.29 million in 112 deals.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE

Company Name ASO SAVINGS AND LOAND PLC Sector Totals

HEALTHCARE Company Name EVANS MEDICALPLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXOSMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. MORISON INDUSTRIES PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC Sector Totals

Economist and securities advisor, Sterling Capital, Sewa Wusu, said the downward market trend might have bottomed out and there could only be a slight moderation to price decline till the end of the year.

Aggregate market capitalisation of all quoted companies dropped slightly to N6.384 trillion as against its opening value of N6.392 trillion. The All Share Index (ASI) also slipped from 20,311.51 points to 20,286.44 points.

The decline was largely due to bearishness in the financial services sector where most banks suffered price depreciation. Guaranty Trust Bank lost 26 kobo to close at N14.54, First Bank of Nigeria dropped by 10 kobo to N9.68. Zenith Bank declined by eight kobo to N12.17. Sterling Bank lost five kobo to close at N1.05.

Fidelity Bank lost seven kobo to close at N1.51. Skye Bank dropped two kobo to close at N4.65, while Diamond Bank lost a kobo to close at N3.09 per share.

Other top losers included BOC Gases, which dropped by 30 kobo to close at N6.80.

Dangote Flour Mills lost 29 kobo to close at N5.60. Ce-

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 61,675 109,781.50 61,675 109,781.50

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 UTC NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

Company Name JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Sector Totals

ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY Company Name CUTIX PLC Sector Totals

T

HE Nigerian stock market relapsed fur ther yesterday in spite of the decision by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to keep the benchmark interest rate unchanged at 12 per cent.

Both aggregate market capitalisation of quoted equities and stock market’s benchmark value index dropped by 0.1 per cent, representing a loss of N8 billion.

But market analysts said any increase in the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) by the apex bank would have worsened the market situation especially given the slowdown impact of the year-end selling pressures.

Managing Director, GTI Securities, Tunde Oyekunle, said the stability of the interest rate would help to moderate the flight from equities as investors would have sold off their investments in equities in favour of fixed-income securities if the apex bank had increased the interest rate.

He said the strong fundamentals of the equity market would help to sustain the attraction of the stock market, although the increased demand for cash and uncertainties in the global economy might weigh on the Nigerian market.

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 8,000 4,000.00 260,000 591,870.00 500 1,640.00 268,500 597,510.00

CONGLOMERATES Company Name PZ CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC UAC OF NIGERIA PLC UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

Stock market remain under pressure despite stable MPR

No of Deals 8 8

ROAD TRANSPORTATION Company Name ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1

Quotation(N) 0.56

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 5,500 2,970.00 5,500 2,970.00

THE FOREIGN LISTINGS Company Name ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED Sector Totals Overall Totals

No of Deals 28 28

Quotation(N) 11.19

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 382,870 4,235,152.60 382,870 4,235,152.60

3,393

181,285,340

1,461,881,868.85

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

55

MONEY LINK

CBN issues guidelines for cheque truncation

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday, issued expo sure draft guidelines for cheque truncation in the country. The rules came after considering responses from deposit money banks on how best it should be run.

A statement from the CBN, described cheque truncation as a process of stopping the physical movement of the cheque, replacing it with the image of the instrument and the corresponding data contained in Magnetic Ink Char-

By Collins Nweze

acter Reader (MICR) line. Unlike the more common form of physically presenting a cheque to the paying bank, a truncated cheque is typically stored by the presenting bank electronically.

The cheque details are captured, typically by the bank presenting the cheque or its clearing agent and electronically presented in an agreed format to the clearing house for onward delivery to the paying bank for payment.

The CBN by virtue of Section 47 of the CBN Act No. 7 of 2007, is charged with the duty of facilitating the clearing of cheques, credit instruments for banks and for this purpose to organise, in conjunction with other banks, clearing houses in such places as the bank may consider necessary.

The apex bank said the process is expected to reduce cost and days of clearing instruments, articulate the rights and responsibilities of presenting and

paying banks and facilitate the implementation of an effective and efficient payment system in the sector.

IT explained that the cheque is dematerialised by the bank where the cheque is initially presented, while the clearing house acts as an intermediary for data and image flow between the presenting and the paying bank.

The Nigerian Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS) is the Central Image Warehousing Agency (CIWA) for storage and certification of cheque images even as the paying bank may request for any image from CIWA for the purpose of proof of payment. Such data retrieval would be provided on online real time basis.

Besides, all cheques are eligible for cheque truncation subject to value limits that may be imposed by the CBN from time to time. The minimum re-

Banks grow deposits by over N2tr

T

WENTY four banks have grown their deposits by over N2trillion, from N9.785trillion recorded in December 2010 to N12.40 trillion in August 2011.

Also, the banks have been able to increase their assets from N17.332trillion to N18.40 trillion during the period under review.

The Chief Executive officer, Stanbic/ IBTC Pension Managers Limited, Demola Sogunle gave this indication during a forum organised by the company in Lagos.

Sogunle, while x-raying the roles of bonds, among other securities instruments in the financial industry, said the banks have been appreciably increase

T

By Akinola Ajibade

their assets and deposits over a six year period.

He noted that the deposits and the assets of the banks have been on the upward trend since 2004 to2010.

Citing reports from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the National Insurance Deposit Corporation (NDIC), Sogunle said 89 banks recorded deposit of N1.814 trillion in 2004, while 25 banks pooled together deposits of N2.467 trillion in 2005.

He said, deposits grew from N3.412trillion in 2006 to N9.980trillion in 2009 before it later fell to N9.785trillion in 2010.

He said: “The ratio of total deposits

to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has been moving in upward direction during the period. Similarly, the ratio of total assets to Gross Domestic Product moved in the same manner.

He observed that bond’s market has deepened, largely due to the activities of the deposit money banks in the country.

“Banks and Discount Houses currently hold most of the Federal Government Bonds (FGN Bonds). Banks and Discount Houses accounted for 68.8 per cent of the government’s bonds in 2010, Brokers (0.8 per cent), Parastaltals(10.0 per cent), Pension Fund ( 11.8 per cent), while other institutions hold 8.6 per cent of the bonds”, he noted.

Firm to spend $37m on forex training

T

HE ACM Gold Nigeria, a forex trading firm, is planning $37 mil lion training for traders in the market over the next one year. The training will cover the 36 states of the Federation and Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Investment Manager, ACM Gold, Daniel Ademoh disclosed this during the official launch of the company in Lagos. He said the training is simply to create awareness about forex training.

He said for the traders to get it right, education is key and that the firm is committed to empowering them in that area. “We are going to do both basic and advanced training because we know that when the full benefits unfold, forex will be a major contributor to Nigeria’s economy,” he said.

He said empowering more Nigerians to understand and participate in forex trading will make more dollar available in the country and help stabilise the forex market.

He said traders need to understand that forex trading is not a gamble, but follows deliberately planned process,

UBA rewards students with N2.2m

HE United Bank for Africa (UBA) would give out N2.25 million to three students that emerged winners in the UBA Foundation National Essay Competition.

The winners are Miss. Amodu Enitan, 15-year student of International School, UNILAG, who won the star prize of N1 million; Miss Orji Philippa of Dority International School, Aba, who came second will get N750,000 and Miss. Nwajiaku-Nwadike Nneka, 16, who won N500,000.

The winners will also have the opportunity of being the bank’s

ambassadors in their respective schools. The winning entries were selected from 1,000 entries from different parts of the country, which were reduced to 12, before the final selection.

The Managing Director, UBA Foundation, Ijeoma Aso, said the winners emerged after a rigorous assessment that involved a written test at the bank’s head office in Lagos, after initial entries. She said the supervision was painstaking and brought out the best among the participants.

Deputy Managing Director, UBA, Kennedy Uzoka, said the bank was guided by pedigree in its selection process, adding that the purpose is to help the students fulfil their dreams.

He said the winners will become ambassadors of the bank, and will get automatic employment in the bank on completion of their education.

“They will be employed by the bank after school. We are hiring young, to ensure greater fulfilment of the individual’s goals. We are also going to replicate same in other countries where we operate,” he said.

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 21-11-11 SYMBOL FO HONYFLOUR AIRSERVICE JAPAULOIL UPL ACCESS UACN BAGCO IKEJAHOTEL GUARANTY

O/PRICE 12.79 2.94 1.90 0.66 3.55 4.75 29.58 1.61 3.30 12.38

C/PRICE 13.42 3.08 1.99 0.69 3.70 4.91 30.50 1.65 3.38 12.68

CHANGE 0.63 0.14 0.09 0.03 0.15 0.16 0.92 0.04 0.08 0.30

LOSER AS AT 21-11-11 SYMBOL MEMABANK CCNN ETERNAOIL DANGFLOUR MAYBAKER RTBRISCOEE CUSTODYINS STERLNBANK FIDELITYBK BOCGAS

O/PRICE 0.60 5.00 3.80 5.89 2.28 1.47 2.56 1.10 1.58 7.10

C/PRICE 0.57 4.75 3.61 5.60 2.17 1.40 2.44 1.05 1.51 6.80

Amount

Offered ($) Demanded ($)

MANAGED FUNDS

OBB Rate Call Rate

that can only be effective when the necessary skills are available. They also need to understand the risk involved in forex, and how these risks can be managed effectively.

Ademoh, said Nigeria’s forex and commodity trading business is becoming more competitive with the entrance of ACM Gold, which has a strong presence in South Africa. He said the firm will simplify trading and make it more appealing to interested Nigerians.

He said Nigeria’s trade balance is in negative because it imports more than it exports, adding that earning more dollars will help the country balance the economy.

A director of the company, Rashad Hussain, described ACM Gold as a leader in online forex and commodity trading, offering a wide array of products and instruments to trade. He noted that the firm is already creating magnetism with traders, investors and common people who are practically saying ‘Naija’s Got Forex’!

DATA BANK

Tenor

NIDF NESF

tention period of physical cheques is five years, while the electronic image would be retained for a minimum period of 10 years, the CBN said.

Also, truncation would be mandatory for all banks at a particular centre from a cut-off date as may be determined by the CBN. The cut-over date would be announced well in advance and the participating banks are required to undertake a formal certification test to demonstrate operational readiness for the conversion to cheque truncation.

Under the new regime, cheques shall clear on a T+1 basis such that customers receive value in the morning of T+2, while the point of transaction is left to the discretion of the presenting bank.

This means that settlement occurs on a transaction date plus one day, plus two days.

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 1.04 0.88 1,639.36 8.24 1.39 1.87 7,251.90 193.00

9.08 1.00 118.69 99.71 0.74 1.04 0.87 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 0.03 0.25 0.19 0.29 0.11 0.07 0.12 0.05 0.07 0.30

• 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 22, 2011

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

57

NEWS

Obi returns 1,040 schools to mission

•New owners get N6b

A

NAMBRA STATE Governor Peter Obi has returned 1, 040 primary schools to their original owners.

The governor also gave the churches N6b for the maintenance of the schools.

The money will be distributed to the affected churches over the next 15 months.

Addressing the people at the Women Development Centre in Awka, Obi said the handover was necessitated by the forceful take-over of mission schools in 1970 by the government. ‘’The collapse of education in the state is directly connected with the take over of schools owned by the missionaries, churches and voluntary organisations in 1970.

That singular exercise signalled the disappearance of morality and building of char-

From Nwanosike Onu, Anambra

acter from our school system.

This can no longer be allowed,’’ he said.

He urged the churches to reciprocate government’s gesture.

Minister of State for Education Ezenwo Onyeso Wike hailed the state government’s gesture, saying it was aimed at repositioning the education sector.

Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Ahmed Modibo Mohammed, hailed Obi’s gesture and assured of UBEC’s continued support to “The handover of schools by the state government is a step in the right direction and one that would boost education in the state,” Wike said.

Catholic Arch bishop of Onitsha Valerian Okeke also

•Minister of Education, Ezenwo Nyeson Wike, Anglican Arch bishop of the Niger province, Rev. Christian Efeobi, Anambra Governor Peter Obi, Metropolitan Arch bishop of Onitsha Catholic Province, Rev. Valerian Okeke and National Chairman of APGA ,Victor Umeh.

hailed the government’s gesture. “You have written your name in gold and you have wiped the tears of our people.

You have rectified anomalies of the civil war and the fault of our past leaders. With this action, the church has forgiven them for forcefully taking over our schools,’ he said.

Why Nigeria’s not secured, by Atiku

F

ORMER Vice-President Atiku Abubakar yesterday gave insight into why there is insecurity in the country.

Poor governance, among other issues, Atiku said, is the cause of the rising wave of insecurity in Nigeria.

He spoke at the annual founder’s day celebration of the American University of Nigeria, Yola, with the theme: ‘socioeconomic dimensions of Nigeria’s internal security challenges’.

The former Vice-President said government should fix the education system and get youths back to school.

His words: “What kind of society are we building when about 80 per cent of schoolage children in the Northeast and some parts of the Northwest are not in school?

“Our energies on what needs to be done urgently, enforce rules, value the people, show fairness and equity and assist and protect the most needy and vulnerable.”

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

In a statement by the Deputy Director Communications of (AUN), Innocent Okorie Nwobodo, Atiku said: “One of the tragedies of the Nigerian situation, in my view, is that we tend to think of security as though it is disconnected from economic and political development, when in fact, they are interrelated. Sometimes we even look for imaginary enemies when the enemies are us. What I am trying to say here is that the rising wave of insecurity in the country results largely from socio-economic challenges: high level of unemployment; high level of illiteracy; and poor and unaccountable governance. Put another way, it largely results from the inability of the government to fulfill the aspirations of our people, especially our young people.

NDDC creates awareness on sustainable environment

I

N its bid to ensure the sustainability of the environment in the Niger Delta, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is creating awareness on the management of environmental degradation.

NDDC’s campaign team spoke in Umuahia, Abia State,during a workshop on capacity building as change agents in sustainable environment for representatives of youth groups, non-governmental organisations, community leaders and government agencies.

Director of Environmental Protection and Control, Sam Ayadi-Yala, called for good management of the environment.

An Abia State University teacher,Dr Eugene Kalu, advocated a “waste radicalisation” approach in tackling environmental problems.

From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

The university teacher said radicalisation of waste management involves provision of incentives “to incorporate individuals and organisations into the mainstream of waste management.

“Radicalisation is real and workable. It is not just another solution. In situations where existing waste service delivery is either too costly or inadequate, radicalisation should be employed to enhance efficiency at lower operational costs,” he said.

Kalu recommended, among other things, that waste generators should be encouraged to separate wastes at source into degradable and non-degradable wastes.

Imo to strengthen security HE Imo State Government is to strengthen security in the state, Governor Rochas Okorocha has said.

The governor spoke during a meeting with traditional rulers, Presidents- General of town unions and Transition Committee chairmen in Orlu.

He urged them to work in collaboration with security agents to curb crime in the zone.

Okorocha addressed them at Rochas Foundation College, Ogboko.

He decried the increasing kidnapping cases in the state,

T

From Emma Mgbeahurike, Owerri

especially in Orlu zone.

He regretted that barely two weeks after his Operation Rescue Mission / Community Policing was launched, about six people were again kidnapped and warned that government would deal decisively with criminals.

Okorocha was accompanied to the meeting by his deputy Jude Agbaso; Brigade commander, 34FAB Obinze, Maj Gen A.I. Danpome, Commissioner of Police Mohammed Abubakar, among oth-

ers.

The police commissioner said an information box had been opened at the Police Headquarters in Owerri and urged the public to volunteer information.

Agbaso urged traditional rulers to expose criminals in their communities.

House of Assembly Speaker Benjamin Uwajimogu said a law has been enacted against kidnapping.

According to him, the penalty for kidnapping is death.

Highlight of the occasion was the launching of Operation Rescue/Community Policing.

Anglican Arch Bishop of the Niger Province and Bishop of Aguata Diocese Rev. Christian Efobi also commended Obi’s action.

The Anambra State government has established a committee to look into schools whose handover have been delayed.

Justice Godwin Ononiba (rtd) is the chairman of the

committee.

Wike yesterday decried the poor state of Federal Science Technical College (FSTC) in Anambra State.

The minister spoke when he visited Awka Technical School and Federal Government College (FGCN).

“This place is dirty and unkempt. What I saw at Adamawa State is far better than here.

It means pupils don’t learn here and you call this place a technical session, it is not even equipped, let alone being well equipped,” he said.

The minister said the state was part of the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

The pupils solicited the assistance of the Federal Government.

Police arrest five robbery suspects in Anambra

T

HE Anambra State Police Command yesterday arrested five robbery suspects.

The hoodlums reportedly attacked Catholic faithful on Sunday during the Corpus Christi’s procession in Awka.

Five persons were allegedly injured during the attacks.

The hoodlum engaged in a gun duel with security operatives, it was learnt.

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

A source said the six-man gang operated from a red Mitsubishi bus, adding: “Some of the Catholic faithful sustained injuries and were taken to an unidentified hospital when the suspects were shooting sporadically to disperse the crowd. We never knew they were being pursued by security operatives”.

Director, State Security Service (SSS), Alex Okehi, declined comments.

58

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

59

NEWS Jonathan urges judges to uphold ethics •Continued from page 2 judiciary in building a stable democratic nation cannot be overemphasised; it is indeed a necessary pillar of constitutional democracy and a necessary ingredient towards building a peaceful and decent society.”

The CJN reiterated his resolve to improve the judiciary for the benefit of all, as, according to him, Justices, performance is “mostly based on where we falter rather than where we succeed.

“However, it is important for Nigerians to appreciate the complexity of the challenges we face today,” he said.

Lamenting the numerous challenges confronting the nation, Justice Musdapher said perhaps in the commonwealth nations, none is as burdened, encumbered, harassed, inundated and over-stretched with political cases and disputes as much as the Nigerian Judiciary.

But, according to him, Nigeria can boast of having produced some of the finest judicial officers within the Commonwealth countries, which operate and administer common law.

Going down memory lane, the CJN recalled that “ before independence and through to the post-independence era, Judges in Nigeria were rarely accused of corruption, whether rightly or wrongly. Indeed, corruption or any type of vice was seen as an abomination and anathema within Judicial circles, whether at the Supreme Court, Appellate Courts, Magistrates’ Courts, Customary or Native Courts”.

“The role of an adjudicator is an onerous and unenviable one, we must discharge our functions impartially, effectively and in the best interest of Justice, and in accordance with the law; without regard to any undue influences, sentiments or show of favouritism. There must be zero tolerance to judicial dishonesty and corruption.

“Therefore, personal bias or prejudice on the part of a judge is improper and should not be tolerated. Antagonism or favoritism directed personally at a party by a judge indicates that the judge does not have the requisite degree of impartiality to decide a case fairly.....”

“Another aspect of this mandate is that judges must not lend the prestige of their offices to advance the private interests of others. The office was created for the purpose of administering justice; it was not intended to be used to support the private ventures of others. Accordingly, it is a gross violation for a judge to use the prestige of his office to do favours for friends or relatives. For example, it is improper for a judge to intercede in criminal proceedings before another judge on behalf of a friend or relative.”

He went on: “As Judges, we do not aspire to power and do not seek to rule. We must not stretch the confines that invariably bind us as Judges. The determination of the questions placed before us regulate and stabilise this great nation, protect its democratic values and practices and, ultimately, its future.

Consequently, we must rise to the challenge and restore public confidence in our judicial system.”

Justice Musdapher also cautioned Judges against deciding cases on technical grounds instead of the substantive issues.

This attitude, he said, “is strictly unwarranted as procedural rules are there to regulate the conduct of proceedings and ensure that the process for the attainment of justice is fair and equitable”.

CBN depreciates naira •Continued from page 2 Finance Minister and Coordinator of the Economy Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is due to unveil the 2012 budget this month, which is expected to show an increase in overall spending, while plans to remove subsidies on petrol imports beginning next year is also expected to put upward pressure on inflation.

Sanusi said the CBN would be ready to react if fuel subsidy removal pushed up inflation but he didn’t expect the policy to have the strong impact on prices some expect.

He noted that the external reserves position has continued to improve, closing at US$34.38 billion of international reserves as at November 17, 2011.

Commenting on the naira depreciation, Managing Director of Financial Derivatives Limited, Bismark Rewane, said this was a goof development, which will take lots of pressure off the CBN’s forex window.

“That was a smart move.

Demand for forex at the CBN’s window will decline, CBN will be able to meet demands and it will help mop up liquidity,” he Head of Macroeconomics and Regional Head of Re-

search, Africa, Global Research of Standard Chartered, Razia said there is no implicit devaluation.

“The announcement merely confirms a situation that should allow the NGN to trade close to previous levels, closing any differential between the WDAS and interbank FX rate. This will be important for price stability considerations going forward, lessening the need for further tightening. The announcement merely plays catch up with where the market already finds itself.

“We expect the CBN to reinforce its price stability credentials, intervening in the interbank market to restore confidence where necessary, and supporting this with ongoing tight monetary policy – mainly through OMOs. The move on the FX rate is positive in that it closes any gap with the interbank market, demonstrates the responsiveness of policymakers to market pressures, and hopefully also allows for the gradual re-accumulation of FX reserves, while keeping the price level relatively stable. Given the external risks facing the Nigerian economy, this is a sound course of action,” she said.

•Director-General National Orientation Agency (NOA), Alhaji Idi Farouk (left), with his National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) counterpart , Mr Chris Onyemenam, during NIMC officials’ visit to NOA in Abuja...yesterday.

• Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs Elizabeth Emuren, discussing with Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina, at a women-focussed forum with Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) in Abuja...yesterday. With them is the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Millennium Development Goals (MDGS), Dr Precious Gbeneol.

Boko Haram: Ex-governor, senator on sponsors list

•Continued from page 2 as a member of the Galtimari Committee on Security in the Northeast.

“We questioned Ndume’s membership of the committee, but he explained to us that he had no link with exGovernor Sheriff and that he would supply us the telephone numbers of members of the Galtimari committee.

He could not fulfil the promise before I was arrested.”

The Galtimari committee has submitted its report which President Goodluck Jonathan promised to implement, saying: “perpetrators would be dealt with and that the heavens would not fall”.

Giving reasons for sending threat messages to the prominent individuals, Konduga said Ndume told them that Obasanjo was a strong backer of Sheriff and the message was meant to get the ex-President to withdraw his support for him.

The message to the tribu-

nal chairman was to threaten him to rule in favour of the PDP in the Borno State governorship election petition.

The election was won by the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).

The message to the Attorney General was to make him prevail on the tribunal to rule in favour of the PDP. The message to Governors Lamido and Aliyu was to check their relentless verbal attacks on the sect.

One of the threat messages was also sent to former Senator and ex-Works Minister Sanusi Daggash. According to the suspect, Ndume told the sect that Daggash was working against the interest of the PDP in Borno State.

According to Konduga, all the messages were scripted

by Ndume and forwarded to him for onward transmission to the various individuals. He also provided the telephone numbers of the individuals.

The suspect expressed the

sect’s dissatisfaction with the various political figures they had contact with because, according to him, they always failed to keep their promises when the sect members needed them most.

SSS spokesperson Marilyn Ogar who addressed the press conference where the suspect was paraded before reporters, said the revelation had confirmed the position of the SSS that Boko Haram members enjoy political patronage and sponsorship.

She said the suspect was arrested on November 3 by a joint security operation at Gwange, Maiduguri. According to Ogar, Konduga claimed to be one of the spokesmen of the sect.

The SSS spokesperson said the suspect confessed that following the compulsory registration of SIM cards, he was asked to steal a SIM which he used in sending the threat messages.

Ogar revealed that the sus-

pect had been using a pseudo name, Usman Al-Zawahiri, to conceal his identity. She confirmed that analysis of the suspect’s phone confirmed constant communication between him and the legislator (preferring not to mention his name).

She said: “Meanwhile, analysis of Al-Zawahiri’s phone has confirmed constant communication between him and the legislator”.

The SSS reiterated its commitment to addressing the security threat posed by Boko Haram and other fundamentalist groups, including the dimensions of political patronage and sponsorship of extremist and violent groups.

Ndume was the Minority Leader of the sixth House of Representatives. He was elected on the platform of the ANPP. He defected to the PDP shortly before the April elections, apparently having fallen out with ex- Governor Sheriff who is in absolute control of the ANPP in Borno State.

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

60

FOREIGN NEWS Swaziland denies eviction of Queen from royal palace A SENIOR Swazi royal official has denied reports that King Mswati III’s 12th wife, Nothando Dube, has been evicted from the palace.

Queen Dube told South Africa’s Sunday Times newspaper she was ordered to “pack and leave” leave more than a week ago after she pepper-sprayed a guard.

But royal governor Timothy Velabo Mtetwa told the Times of Swaziland she was away visiting her grandmother.

Last year, Queen Dube, 23, denied allegations that she had an affair.

In the interview with the privately owned Sunday Times, Queen Dube said she had had an argument with a security guard who refused to let her out of the palace last Saturday.

She wanted to take the youngest of her three children, aged two, to hospital after she had injured herself while playing - but the guard said she was not allowed to leave, the report says. “[He] threatened to hit me, saying I am not going anywhere with my child, who was bleeding from a deep wound,” the newspaper quotes Queen Dube as saying.

The allegations by the South African newspaper are unfounded as [Queen Dube] left with her bodyguards.”

AIDS-related deaths down by 21%, says UN agency A IDS-related deaths are at the lowest level since their 2005 peak, down 21%, figures from UNAids suggest.

Globally, the number of new HIV infections in 2010 was 21% down on that peak, seen in 1997, according to UNAids 2011 report.

The organisation says both falls have been fuelled by a major expansion in access to treatment.

Its executive director, Michel Sidibe, said: “We are on the verge of a significant breakthrough.”

He added: “Even in a very difficult financial crisis, countries are delivering results in the Aids response.

“We have seen a massive scale up in access to HIV treatment which has had a dramatic effect on the lives of people everywhere.”

This latest analysis says the number of people living with HIV has reached a record 34 million.

Sub-Saharan Africa has seen the most dramatic improvement, with a 20% rise in people undergoing treatment between 2009 and 2010.

About half of those eligible for treatment are now receiving it.

UNAids estimates 700,000 deaths were averted last year because of better access to treat-

ment.

That has also helped cut new HIV infections, as people undergoing care are less likely to infect others.

In 2010 there were an estimated 2.7m new HIV infections, down from 3.2m in 1997, and 1.8m people died from Aids-related illnesses, down from 2.2m in 2005.

The figures continue the downward trend reported in previous UNAids reports.

The UN agency said: “The number of new HIV infections is 30-50% lower now than it would have been in the absence of universal ac-

cess to treatment for eligible people living with HIV.” Some countries have seen particularly striking improvements.

In Namibia, treatment access has reached 90% and condom use rose to 75%, resulting in a 60% drop in new infections by 2010.

UNAids says the full preventive impact of treatment is likely to be seen in the next five years, as more countries improve treatment.

Its report added that even if the Aids epidemic was not over: “The end may be in sight if countries invest smartly.”

The charity Medecins Sans Frontieres urged governments to keep up their funding.

UK cuts financial ties with Iranian banks

A

FTER publication of a critical United Nations report about nuclear weapons production in Iran, Chancellor George Osborne orders all British credit and financial institutions to stop trading with Iranian banks.

The unprecedented move by the United Kingdom reflects mounting fears among the international community, including the US and Canada, over Iran’s nuclear strategy.

The latest assessment last week by the United Nations watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), concluded that the only explanation for some alleged undercover nuclear

activities is weapons production.

Tehran has vehemently denied its nuclear programme is designed for anything other than civil nuclear fuel.

But George Osborne said today: “We believe that the Iranian regime’s actions pose a significant threat to the UK’s national security and the international community.

“Today’s announcement is a further step to preventing the Iranian regime from acquiring nuclear weapons,” he added.

The Treasury said that the move would damage Iran’s nuclear programme, as banks play a “crucial role” in the way it operates.

A ban on transactions with all Iranian banks - including

the Central Bank of Iran - will also prevent UK institutions being “unknowingly used by Iranian banks for proliferation-related transactions”, said a spokesman.

Foreign Secretary William Hague has refused to rule out possible military action in the future if the stand-off continues.

He said that the IAEA report for the UN provided further evidence and more detail about “possible military dimensions of the Iranian nuclear programme”.

“We have consistently made clear that until Iran engages meaningfully, it will find itself under increasing pressure from the international community,” said Mr

• David Cameron

Hague.

“The swift and decisive action today co-ordinated with key international partners is a strong signal of determination to intensify this pressure.”

Obama signs bipartisan bill to help jobless veterans

H

ERALDING a rare moment of bipartisan agreement, President Barack Obama signed into law yesterday legislation aimed at helping unemployed veterans find work while putting more cash in the hands of companies with government contracts.

The legislation, which creates tax breaks for companies that hire jobless veterans, marks the first proposal from Obama’s $447 billion jobs bill to be signed into law. The rest of the package of new taxes and spending has largely failed to garner support from Republican lawmakers.

“Because Democrats and Republicans came together, I’m proud to sign those proposals into law,” Obama said during a signing ceremony Monday.

Looming over the brief moment of unity, however, was the apparent failure of lawmakers from both parties to agree on $1.2 trillion in spending cuts ahead of a Wednesday deadline by a special committee. While Obama didn’t directly address the looming deadline, he said the American people deserve bold, bipartisan action.

“My message to every member of Congress is keep going. Keep working. Keep finding more ways to put bipartisanship aside and put more Americans back to work,” he said.

Egypt cabinet offers to resign as Cairo protests grow

E

GYPT’S cabinet has offered to resign after three days of protests against the country’s military rulers, state media have reported.

Cabinet spokesman Mohammed Hegazy said the resignation had not yet been accepted by the military council.

As he spoke, thousands of people swelled crowds of protesters in Cairo’s Tahrir Square.

More than 20 people have been killed and nearly 1,800 injured in three days of violence in the Egyptian capital.

Egyptian activist groups have been demanding the military council hand power to a civilian government.

“The government of Prime Minister Essam Sharaf has handed its resignation to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces,” cabinet spokesman Mohammed Hegazy said in a statement carried by the official Mena news agency.

“Owing to the difficult circumstances the country is going through, the government will continue working.”

The BBC correspondent in Cairo says the issue now for the military is whether it is prepared to appoint a new cabinet and give its members greater powers.

The biggest criticism in recent days has been that the military has taken too much power for itself, he adds.

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

61

NATION SPORT

Nothing personal against Barca, says Ibrahimovic A

C Milan striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic says there will be nothing personal about Wednesday’s Champions League match against Barcelona, the club he left in acrimonious circumstances 18 months ago.

Ibrahimovic missed the 2-2 draw at Nou Camp earlier in Group H and will now have to make do with a match that is reduced to a virtual friendly after both sides qualified for the last 16 in the previous round of games.

“I was disappointed but for me playing against a former team is nothing personal,” the

volatile Swede told UEFA.com. “Of course it’s emotional, a big game, but in the end it’s like any other game. There’s no need to overhype it.”

Ibrahimovic fell out with Barca coach, Pep Guardiola when he was offloaded at the end of the 2009/10 season, calling him “the philosopher who has shattered my dream”.

“Even when I left the team, I knew I’d left the best team in the world,” said the 30-yearold.

“But, for me and all the other parties involved, I think the best solution was to leave the

club. Given the results for both sides, it was the best solution.

“I think Milan are the biggest club I have ever played with,” added Ibrahimovic, who won three Italian titles with arch-rivals Inter Milan before his spell with Barcelona.

“I felt at home from my first day here - they welcomed me with open arms.

“I think this game is more about prestige,” he added.

“It’s good to come first, but sometimes it’s good to come second; both can be positive or negative.”

Sidney Sam: Ballack can help us beat Chelsea

N

IGERIA-BORN Bayer Leverkusen attacker Sidney Sam is eagerly anticipating the Champions League Group E match at home to Chelsea and is hopeful of getting a good result.

The Bundesliga outfit were

beaten 2-0 in the away game back in September, but Sam is hopeful of doing better on Wednesday and feels the presence of Michael Ballack could prove to be crucial.

“Chelsea are a tight team; they are a team with big names.

• Ibrahimovic

That’s what characterises them.

They are very robust and play well. They play the ball up front very quickly and directly,” Sam was quoted as saying on the official Uefa website.

“They are a great team. We did quite well at Stamford Bridge and might have got a bit more, maybe a draw. But now we play Chelsea at home. We want to win the game and will give everything.

“Michael Ballack has international experience and is a great player, and he can help us young players. When it is not going too well, he is there and he pushes the team; he is a leader and any team could do with him. Of course, he has been giving us advice.

Chelsea are his old club and he can help us.”

van Basten loves Barca style • Sam

M

ARCO Van Basten would have loved to play for the current Barcelona side, the Milan legend has revealed.

Speaking to El Mundo Deportivo ahead of

Arteta’s Camp Nou grounding

A

S Arsenal aim to book a knockout berth against Borussia Dortmund, Mikel Arteta tells Champions how lessons learned at FC Barcelona help him flourish under Arsène Wenger.

Seven years ago, a prominent figure in Spanish football in

FIXTURES WEDNESDAY Petersburg v APOEL Nicosia BATE .b v Viktoria Plzen Valencia CF v Racing Genk Leverkusen v Chelsea Marseille v Olympiacos Arsenal v B. Dortmund S.Donetsk v FC Porto AC Milan v FC Barcelona

England rang David Moyes and asked him: “Are you still looking for a central midfielder?

Somebody who can govern your attack? Are you willing to take a risk on someone who is on the bench in a team not really doing that well?”

At the time, Mikel Arteta was a regular among the substitutes for his beloved Real Sociedad de Fútbol. The normally cautious Everton manager decided to trust his instincts and ‘go for it’. Rarely has a foreign player been such a perfect match for a club and their philosophy.

Yet after almost 180 Premier League games in a blue shirt, in September, Arteta joined Arsenal. He had watched Everton grow: a new training

ground, European nights, an FA Cup final. But at 29, he wanted a new challenge before it was too late.

Arteta went to Arsenal in the aftermath of one of the most protracted transfer sagas in memory, as Cesc Fàbregas finally returned to Barcelona.

That deal left a gap in the Arsenal dressing room and an even bigger one on the pitch.

Comparisons with his countryman are inevitable, but Arteta insists that does not faze him: “If I try and replace Cesc, that’s where it will go wrong. I’ve been here weeks, he was at Arsenal for eight years, it would be impossible for me to replace him in that sense.”

Wednesday’s Champions League clash between Milan and Barca, the Dutchman hailed the quality of the Spanish outfit.

“This Barcelona side has more quality than Arrigo Sacchi’s Milan side which I played in,” he stated. “We were more physical.

“It would have been nice to have been able to appear in such a side, a team who play without the shackles of tactics.

“The difference between Pep Guardiola’s side and my Milan team lies in the way they play with and without the ball.

“We always pressed and had a holding midfielder like Frank Rijkaard in front of the defence. They have three playmakers who constantly change positions.

“It seems easy from the outside, but it is not.”

The Italian club need to beat Barcelona at San Siro if they are to achieve their ambition of winning the group.

“Milan have more of a chance in this one as it’s not

a home and away clash,” Van Basten continued.

“However, Barcelona are technically and tactically superior to everyone. They are the essence of football –

a joy to watch.”

Barca are two points ahead of Milan with two games to go. Both sides have already qualified for the last 16 of the competition.

Tears as Sharks’ coach is buried THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

62

SPORT EXTRA

D

ELE Ajiboye has played down the chances of Nigeria’s Dream Team V winning the Caf Under-23 Championship.

The championship billed to kick off in Morocco will also serve as the 2012 Olympic qualification for the football event.

The 21-year-old goalkeeper told SuperSport.com that the priority of the Nigerian Under23 is to book a place at next year’s Olympic soccer event in London.

PUBLIC NOTICE OKERE I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OKERE PEACE UDO now wish to be known and addressed as MRS PEACE FELIX UCHENNA. All formal document remain valid general public take note.

LONDON 2012 OLYMPIC QUALIFIERS

Ajiboye plays down Nigeria’s chances “The hope of the whole country now rests on us, and that is a big burden to carry after the senior team failed to qualify for the Nations Cup next year.

We will give our best at the championship in Morocco but there is one thing I cannot guarantee right now. It will be dif-

LOSS OF DOCUMENT This is to notify the general public of the Loss of the Original Copy of Deed of Conveyance dated 16th January, 1977 and registered as No. 90 at Page 90 in Volume 1601 at the Lagos State Lands Registry Office, Ikeja, covering all that property measuring an area of approximately 4826.60 square yards situated at No. 90, Kudirat Abiola Way, Oregun, Lagos State belonging to MAG FUNITURES AND INTERIOR DECORATORS LIMITED. General Public to please take note.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT This is to notify the general public of the Loss of the Original Copy of Deed of lease dated 1st April, 1977 and registered as No. 8 at Page 8 in Volume 1621 at the Lagos State Lands Registry Office, Ikeja, covering all that property measuring 7,354.59 square metres situated at No. 90, Kudirat Abiola Way, Oregun, Lagos State belonging to MADAM MODUPE ADEBAYO. General Public to please take note.

ficult to say we will win the title.

“We don’t want to put ourselves under unnecessary pressure by saying we want to win the title. But winning a ticket to the Olympic Games will be a very good gift for our fans and an opportunity to have at least a team to watch next year,” Ajiboye said.

The former Wikki Tourists’ keeper further said he is confident in the current group of

players despite some key players unable to make the team due to club commitment.

“This team has got very good players, and we have had one of the best preparations going for the tournament and I believe we will do well,” he said.

Ahead of their opening game against Morocco on November 26, Ajiboye pointed out that it is imperative for Austin Eguavoen’s men to start on a winning note.

IGI unveils U-19 Football talent

T

HE maiden edition of the IGI U-19 Football talent was unveiled to the press on Saturday in Lagos.

According to the sponsors of the event, the grassroot tourney is a coporate vision of building a better future for the younger generation.

The event has attracted an army of participants from all major street-soccer zones in the Lagos metropolis and its environs, including Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja, Lagos Island and Epe. A core selection team of renowned Nigerian and foreign football club scouts were saddled with the responsibility of screening the participants. At the final stage

By Stella Bamawo of the screening, 2 outstanding players will be selected and kept together to train routinely for possible selection by local and foreign scout.

The IGI U-19 football talent is therefore designed to discover budding talents between ages of 1 and 19, with the aim of helping them to hone their potentials and providing them an opportunity to play professional football in Nigeria or oversees.

Meanwhile, a football tournament for the grassroots team has been slated for Onikan Stadium, December 3.

I

T was sorrow, tears and gnashing of teeth as Sharks Football Club of Port Harcourt at the weekend committed to mother earth the remains of one of its assistant coaches, Barnabas Chimezie, who recently passed on after a brief illness.

The coach, who was with the club for over three seasons before the illness which restricted him from active work for some months and finally ledto his demise a fortnight ago.

Speaking after the coach was laid to rest over the weekend, Sharks media officer, Idaa Confidence told NationSport that the Sharks family will always

•From left, Former Falcons’ coach Ronaldson Odeh, Opeyemi Lawal, IGI Consultant, and Mr. Rotimi Fashola of IGI at the unveiling of the IGI Football talent hunt.

From Florence Nkem Israel, Port Harcourt miss him.

"The vacuum created by coach Barnabas Chimezie will take a long time before the family of Sharks can get over it. We will always miss him.

"We all felt and are still feeling very bad about the development but there is absolutely nothing we can do about it, the only thing we can do is to send our condolence to the family hoping that God will give them the fortitude to bear the loss.

"We will always continue to remember him because it will be very difficult for us as a family to forget him".

Glo reiterates support for NFF

T

ELECOMMUNICATIONS giant, Globacom has assured the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the coaches, the players and Nigerians in general of its commitment towards the comprehensive development of the game of football in Nigeria and Africa.

Globacom’s Head of North West Territory, Mr. Lorenzo Gomez made this remark at the official unveiling of the new Coach of Super Eagles, Mr. Stephen Keshi in Abuja recently.

According to him “ with the failure of the Super Eagles to qualify for the 2012 African Cup of Nations tournament, Nigerians expected the NFF to

take the bull by the horn and take measures that will lead to the restoration of our national pride in continental and global football ” Mr. Gomez commended the NFF for its commitment to raising the standard of the game in the country adding that Globacom looks forward to steady progress of the game in Nigeria. “ Our football has not grown as envisaged in the past 10 years and the country needs unity of purpose not only from the NFF, Super Eagles players and in-coming coaches but also from millions of Nigerians who must support the team to take the critical step back to the top” he added.

DUBAI BEACH SOCCER INTERCONTINENTAL CUP

Super Sand Eagles begin title chase

N

LOSS OF DOCUMENT This is to notify the general public of the Loss of the Original Copy of Deed of Conveyance dated 4th March, 1975 and registered as No. 38 at Page 38 in Volume 1489 at the Lagos State Lands Registry Office, Ikeja, covering all that property measuring an area of approximately 4826.60 square yards situated at No. 90, Kudirat Abiola Way, Oregun, Lagos State belonging to MRS. MODUPE ADEBAYO. General Public to please take note.

Tears as Sharks’ coach is buried

IGERIA’s national beach soccer team, the Super Sand Eagles will today begin their campaign at the inaugural Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup against the 2011 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Champions, Russia at 'The Walk' in JBR (Jumeirah Beach Residence), Dubai.

The coach Adamu Audu-led side is drawn in Group B alongside host UAE, Russia and Tahiti, while Group A has Brazil, Mexico, Switzerland and Oman.

Nigeria will also file out against the hosts on Wednesday before facing Tahiti in their last group game on Thursday.

By Akeem Lawal The five-day event which begins today and ends on Saturday will see teams compete for the first major title after the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup held in Italy in September, where the Super Sand Eagles reached the quarter finals and came close to ousting four-time world champions, Brazil before bowing out 8-10 after extra time. Russia however secured a shock victory over Brazil in an epic final.

Meanwhile, three key members of the squad, Abu Azeez (Bridge Boys FC), Kyande Emmanuel (Adamawa United) and Shehu Miajama (Wikki Tourists FC).

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

63

SPORT EXTRA NATIONAL SCHOOL SPORTS FESTIVAL

DALA TENNIS TOURNEY:

Cross River shows class in Athletics

Defending champions vow HE Female defending champion of the to retain titles

T

EAM Cross River has continued to show class in the Athletics events of the ongoing National School Sport Festival tagged, “Calabar 2011”, making good their pretournament boasting.

Elizabeth Ipuele accounted for the first gold medal in the senior girls 3000metres, while Melody Bassey also won gold in the shot put event.The team also claimed the two gold medals in the junior boys and girls 800metres.

Team Lagos also continued its good run, as the team yesterday added three gold to its medals haul to increase its tally to 17 in the championship.

With the three gold coming from boxing, the team, however, tied in the event with Ogun which also has three gold like Lagos.

Lagos has on Sunday won 14 gold medals from gymnastics while the team is still hoping for more medals from swimming event, which will be concluded today.

Team Kaduna’s Blessing Michael finshed second in in the

•As Lagos is three gold medals better

By Innocent Amomoh senior girls’ 3000metres.

With a time of 10.43.09secs to pick silver, while Team Cross River also finished third with Blessing Ayang running

10.47.09 to settle for bronze.

Lagos’ gold medalist in the boys' 49kg, Taiwo Abiodun attributed his victory to training they were exposed to before the competition. “We did it not find it hard to win in this competition

because we prepared very well for this competition,” he said.

Team Ondo is second on the medal table with 10 gold medals won from gymnastics, while Ekiti has six gold as well as Cross River.

INT’L SCHOOL LAGOS INTER-HOUSE SPORT

Bursary House emerge’s winner

B

URSARY House garnered 13 gold 7 silver and 5 bronze medals to emerge overall winners at the 22nd edition of the Inter-House Sports of International School Unilag Lagos on Thursday.

The competition which took place at the Sports Center of the University of Lagos’ also saw Jade House emerge second best with 11 gold, 13 silver and 14 bronze medals while Purple House was third with 7 gold, 9 silver and 5 bronze medals.

The event which started with an opening prayer by the Vice-

By David Onyeka Principal A.O.Adebayo, was graced by dignitaries and invited guest such as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos Professor Adetokunbo Sofoluwe, Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor A Bello and Professor Modupe Ogunlesi.

The Inter-House Sport proper began with the Tracks and Field events which comprised of 100m Junior Girls, 100m Junior Boys,100 Senior Girls, 100m Senior Boys and 400m Junior Girls.

Others were the 400m Junior

Boys,400 Senior Girls, 400m Senior Boys,200m Junior Girls, 200m Junior Boys,4X100m relay for Junior Girls and Senior Girls and also 4X 100m for junior Boys and senior Boys.

Invited schools took part in events such as the 200 senior girls, 200m senior boys and the high Jump, 4 X 100m relay for invited secondary school girls and also 4X100m relay for invited secondary school boys.

The other side attraction was the match pasts which was led by the boys scout and closely followed by the six sports houses.

T

ongoing Lawn Tennis and Hard Court in Kano, Fatima Abinu declared that she is battle ready to defend and retain her title.

Abinu, the four time female champion of the tennis tournament who spoke to NationSport yesterday in Kano, stated that she has trained very hard to ensure that she retains her title.

“I’ve trained hard and I’m praying God to crown my efforts in defending my title in this year’s tournament.”

She disclosed that she is not relaxing in her effort to emerge the best as she is not underrating any player.

“I’m not underrating any player as all players for this year’s game are good. I am training seriously to ensure that I emerge the female champion for the fifth consecutive time.”

Abinu, said she expects to see improvement in this year’s championship, the calibre of players on the list of the main draws are good.

She commended the organizers and the Kano state government for jacking up this

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano year’s prize money, pointing out that this will serve as a source of encouragement for the players to exhibit their skills in order to emerge winners.

The defending champion called on individual corporate bodies and other stakeholders to support the organizers, noting that it will help in improving the only surviving tennis tournament in the North.

Meanwhile, Shehu Lawal who is the defending champion for the male singles defeated Onyejiaka Emmanuel 6/1, 6/3 to advance to the next stage, with a vow to defend his title.

Also, Sunday Maku, a former champion had an early exit in the men’s singles main draw as Atseye Henry defeated him, 7/6, 6/3 to advance to the next stage.

Also Badamosi Ibrahim trashed Owolabi Jesola, 6/2, 6/3, while Michael Moses beat Umar Aliyu 6/4, 6/3, as Hamidu Abdullahi won Salami Ganiyu 7/3, 6/4, with Enosoregbe Clifford defeated Maduka Nonso with 6/3, 6/3 to get to the next stage of the tournament.

www.thenationonlineng.net

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

TOMORROW IN THE NATION

VOL. 7

NO.1,952

‘Where is Rueben Abati? I am afraid there is the possibility that he may have been sucked in by the system. Hello, hello Abati... It seems there is permanent network failure! God help us’’

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

W

HEN I saw a picture of members of the Federal Executive Council passing around a substance said to have been made from cassava flour the other day, I sensed that President Goodluck Jonathan was getting ready to launch a new phase of his Transformation Agenda, this time in the culinary sector.

My mind raced back some 25 years, to the Structural Adjustment Programme, which was at bottom an agenda of transformation by a less evocative name, when it was not just the economy that was to be re-structured, but the culinary taste of the degenerate public as well, especially its addiction to bread made from wheat flour.

This addiction, the authorities said back then, was costing the federal exchequer a staggering N300 million by way of import bill alone – money that could and indeed should be spent on worthier pursuits.

Those in the policy establishment, reasoning that we shall always have the public and its degenerate tastes with us, hit upon a win-win solution: Grow the wheat at home instead of importing it. That way, you save the foreign exchange for really essential urgent imports,and at the same time cater to the addiction of the degenerate public aforementioned.

Who could object to such a master stroke, especially when practically every measure that had been taken to kill the addition had failed?

First, they banned wheat and wheat flour imports. The stuff flooded the country as never before. When they tightened the rules, the confectioners set up bakeries in towns around the border with Benin Republic where wheat flour was available for the asking, and trucked their products to Lagos, guaranteed an insatiable clientele. Wheat flour imports may be banned, but not the importation of bread.

While the ban was in force, the authorities launched a public education campaign in which they described bread made from wheat flour as an acquired taste that could be easily satisfied by working with other raw materials: yam, maize, millet, guinea corn, cocoa, cassava, kolanut, groundnut, palm kernel, coconut, cocoyam, water yam, beniseed, beans – the list was endless.

A good many of these products had shown great promise in the laboratory, so much so that the flour mills had retooled their plants to make flour or paste suitable for baking bread from just about any edible farm produce.

One particular product proved so promising that the Armed Forces Ruling Council adopted it as an official snack, with

OLATUNJI DARE

AT HOME ABROAD olatunji.dare@thenationonlineng.net

Forward to the past?

‘

•Dr. Jonathan

General Oladipo Diya, no less, vouching on national television for its culinary and nutritional virtues.

But something terrible seems to have happened to it between Federal Industrial Research Laboratories, Oshodi, where it was developed, and the test market. The sample that reached me, courtesy of my editorial perch at Rutam House, was as brittle as a clump of sand held in place by the merest sprinkling of cement, and about as tasty as sawdust.

The product never caught on.

So, in keeping with its human rights policy, the Administration decided to grow the wheat at home and satisfy the domestic addiction aforementioned even while saving the foreign exchange equivalent of N300 billion. With some luck, the effort might even yield a huge surplus that could

RIPPLES Subsidy: JONATHAN LAUNCHES FRESH STRATEGIES TO WOO SENATORS –News

WOO senators to WOUND Nigerians?

Dr Jonathan is staking his agenda of transformation, if not his Presidency, on revoking all over again the pesky perennial that, like their predecessors, they have chosen without research and without fear to call a “subsidy.”

‘

be exported to earn foreign exchange.

Thus was born the regime’s National Accelerated Wheat Production Programme.

In no time at all, every state drew up contingency plans to cope with a mega harvest. Night after night, the NTA dutifully showed vast tracts of lush farmland chockfull of ripening wheat, and it seemed only a matter of time before Nigeria would become a frontline member of the Organisation of Wheat Exporting Countries, OWEC. And when military president General Ibrahim Babangida showed up in person to launch the wheat harvest each year, it was clear that the programme had, as they said back then, “come to stay.”

One particular scène clings in my memory. As the combined harvester whirred and whooshed into action and

HARDBALL

I

F we had an answer to the dangerous dimension police extra-judicial killings have taken, we would have embraced it. The fact is that we don’t. But much worse, while the people seem to have resigned themselves to tolerating the killings, the police have on their own learnt to look at their unlawful acts as something they are always fated to do. Many orderly room trials, suspension or sacking of police officers, and condolence visits by top police officers to victims of police brutality and extra-judicial killings have done little to stem the killings or stanch the flow of innocent blood. In the past few months alone, there have been scores of people alleging their relatives to have been executed by the police or even sexually abused right there in police custody. It is not certain how long the police think they can keep up the killings without drawing a terrible and tragic response from the rest of the country. It does appear, however, that sooner or later the consequences will come.

It is the ineluctable way nature works.

Even though the police killings recounted below were carried out sometime ago, it continues to stir the soul to read the tragic stories of the recent killing of the traditional chief of Bamgbelu Paraf community in Lagos State, Chief Amos

The killing fields of Nigeria Oriyomi, and so many others, some of them young youth corps members and promising students. Like many other police killings before the latest, very little consequences have followed the vainglorious and overzealous use of police arms. In most instances, apart from the dismissal of erring and murderous police officers, nothing much was ever done to mollify the rage and bitterness many families experience anytime their innocent loved ones were cut down in their prime.

The punishment meted out to offending police officers for the heinous and disgraceful of killing innocent and unarmed citizens has become terribly inadequate. More, it is no longer realistic to just punish extra-judicial killings; indeed, the sensible option is to prevent the madness from ever occurring. There is a huge opportunity for the federal government to go beyond merely expressing remorse over the killings or even sometimes just punishing errant

DELE AGEKAMEH

sucked in the golden grain after separating it from the chaff, one awestruck military governor who had invited Babangida to superintend the event giddily exclaimed, “Wallahi, this is historic.”

Bumper harvest followed bumper harvest in official proclamations. Still, flour millers could hardly find any wheat to buy. Following the announcement of yet another record harvest in Kano which had emerged as the nation’s wheat-growing capital, a consortium of millers sent word of their intent to purchase to the military governor. The governor replied that the entire crop had been bought by a party he would not identify, the eminent public servant and entrepreneur, Ahmed Joda, told me back then.

When Babangida stopped attending the launch of the harvest, I knew that the game was up.

The whole thing had been a gigantic swindle, in which practically every state, from the desiccated Sahel to the mangrove swamps on the Atlantic shoreline claimed that nature had endowed it specially to produce in superabundance wheat of the finest quality till the end of time. Federal funds and other assets poured in.

The effort turned out to be one of greatest boondoggles in recent memory.

The wheat campaign, as I have noted, was conducted as part of a Structural Adjustment Programme. It is necessary to add that a crucial element in the package of reforms was the removal of an alleged subsidy on petrol to align its cost with that of coca cola, discourage smuggling, adulteration, and wasteful consumption The wheel has turned full circle.

Dr Jonathan is staking his agenda of transformation, if not his Presidency, on revoking all over again the pesky perennial that, like their predecessors, they have chosen without research and without fear to call a “subsidy.”

And the substance passed round at a recent meeting of the Federal Executive Council and advertised as a product of cassava flour provides a subtle hint that the transformation could reach right down to the culinary habits of Nigerians addicted to wheat bread.

A super-accelerated national wheat production programme may not be on the drawing board. But no one should be surprised if there is a renewed campaign to ban wheat and wheat flour imports and replace them with cassava flour.

Plus ça change . . . .

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•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above officers. It is time the government went beyond these ineffective approaches. It must work out sound measures to prevent psychopathic killers in uniform from instigating a massive revolt against it. We have had cause in this place to warn the government against letting itself be overwhelmed by the same factors that gave the Maghreb its earthshaking revolts.

Whether it is capable of listening or not, it is important for the government to know that Nigeria is not so immutable as to be unaffected by destabilising factors, particularly self-inflicted ones.

The federal government already has all the encouragement it needs to rein in torture, extra-judicial killings, and other forms of police malfeasance. It must press ahead diligently to do that onerous job.

But if it fails to perform its functions in line with constitutional provisions, anarchists may one day get up and embrace drastic self-help measures obviously not in the interest of the power elite. In addition, even if the weight of being elected president of Nigeria does not push Dr Goodluck Jonathan to take the job of changing police attitude to work, he should at least, like the rest of us, feel the shame of being policed by men in uniform who see themselves as beggars and killers.

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