The Nation October 01, 2014

Newspaper of the Year

Court jails Boko Haram men 25yrs

Senate to reject INEC’s 30,000 units NEWS

Page 4

NEWS Page 8

•‘Idea good but timing is wrong’

•Lagos judge finds three guilty

•Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

VOL. 9, NO. 2988 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

•www.thenationonlineng.net

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

NIGERIA AT 54

N150.00

•Mark: Nigeria ’ll be great •Tambuwal seeks good governance •We must not whitewash leadership failure, says Tinubu •Saraki pleads for Chibok girls•What is Nigeria celebrating?

•Nigeria still in the woods (Editorial) •AND MORE ON PAGES 15,19, 27&43

2015: I’m not desperate, says Buhari

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From Tony Akowe, Abuja and Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

ORMER Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari spoke yesterday on the race for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential ticket.

Gen. Buhari, 71, who was Head of State from December 31, 1983 to August 27, 1985, told members of the Buhari Support Group (BSG) in Abuja that though he was confident of getting the ticket, he was not desperate for it.

He is expected to formalise his plan to run next week.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar last week became the first aspirant for the APC ticket to declare his interest in the race.

The APC presidential primary is fixed for December 2.

Gen. Buhari, who has run for president thrice, urged his supporters not to be rude to the party’s leaders or other aspirants.

He was accompanied to yesterday’s event by former Kaduna State Military Administrator Col. Hamid Ibrahim Ali, former Minister of Internal Affairs Brig.-General John Shagaya and former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Alhaji Umaru Dembo.

He said: “With support, I intend to offer myself for the position of the president of the republic on the platform of our great party. I intend to make a formal announcement soon and I hope I can count on your continuing support and sacrifice.

“However, I would like to point out to you that to be more meaningful, your support must Continued on page 2

•UP NIGERIA: Traders hawk Independence branded items in Benin, capital of Edo State...yesterday

PHOTO: NAN

How Fayose led thugs to attack courts, by Ekiti CJ

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WHEN WILL THE CHIBOK GIRLS KIDNAPPED ON APRIL 15 BE FREED?

Judge writes CJN, police chief PDP, APC trade words

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OR the first time, the Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, has spoken on how thugs molested judges in the state.

He identified thugs loyal to the Governor-elect, Mr. Ayo Fayose, as those who perpetrated the assault on judges.

He alleged that Fayose specifically led an army of thugs who attacked the High Court on September 25.

From Yusuf Alli and Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

He also expressed regrets that policemen and security agents watched helplessly as judges were beaten up by the thugs.

He said he had no choice than to close the court in the light of the “prevailing lawlessness” in the state.

Justice Daramola, who is scheduled to appear before the National Judicial

Council (NJC) tomorrow, said the errant thugs beat judges and workers “black and blue”.

Fayose has denied that his supporters beat up Justice John Adeyeye. He described the allegation as not only unfounded, but spurious.

He said: “I am not aware that a judge was beaten up. In fact, this is strange to me.

“This is reckless and strange to me.

I visited the election petition tribunal as a party to the case and I was the only one that was allowed passage by security men. To the best of my knowledge, the three judges handling the tribunal case sat.

“How can I order the people to beat up a judge that has nothing to do with me? At what point was this judge beaten? Was he a member of Continued on page 2

•LIFE P15 •SPORTS P24 •MONEY P26 •INVESTORS P39 •POLITICS P43 •FOREIGN P58

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday reassured that his administration will do everything possible to improve the welfare of Nigerians.

He gave the assurance while receiving a delegation of the Anglican Communion, led by the Most Revd. Nicholas Okoh at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The church conferred a “Primatial Award” on the President during the visit.

Jonathan pleaded for patience from Nigerians, saying meeting all the goals of his transformation agenda could not be overnight.

He said: “For me and the vice president as well as the Federal Government, by the grace of God and the willingness of Nigerians, we will do our best to improve the quality of lives of our people. We have our transformation agenda. It is not something we can do overnight, even if you have all the money in the world. If you want to build a six-storey building, you must give yourself a period that must be a time for you to complete that project.

“We have drawn our map and we have progressed. I believe we are progressing in the right direction. For you to really build a society, you need to do things that are critical and continue to do them well. And those things we now change the world that we are.”

He went on: “If we take issues of economy, transport, and infrastructure, those things that will improve the economy; and if the government continues to do those things very well, it would not take a life-

•President Jonathan (sixth left); Vice President Namadi Sambo (fourth left); Most Rev. okoh (fifth left) and others...yesterday.

Transformation can’t be done overnight, says Jonathan From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

time for this country to change.

It would not take more than 10 years. Within a space of 10 years, you would see major changes.

“We are totally committed to doing our best to improve on the quality of lives of our people. All what we require from you as spiritual fathers is to pray for us for God to give us the wisdom and mind to do what is right because it takes on God to lead.

“Without the fear of God, nobody can lead well. We are all humans. We are pushed into all kinds of situations. But if God is with you, no matter

the challenges, no matter the circumstances you find yourselves. My prayer everyday is for God to use me to improve this country positively. And I believe that is why I am here today.

“My political journey is what nobody can tell. Without God, I wouldn’t have been here because most people know about it, but maybe when I leave office, that is when I will tell the true story of my journey.

“But I believe very clearly that it is God that made it possible; to even be a deputy governor in the first place, not to talk about being a president. I promise I will do my best.”

“I grew up as a member of the Anglican Church. As at that time, it was only Anglican Church that was at my tiny village. But now, I don’t know the number of churches that are there. Almost all the classrooms are churches now.

“I have been a part of the church from the beginning. I attended Anglican Primary School as a pupil. So I have to be very grateful to the Anglican Church that brought me up. I am what I am today because of the Anglican Church.”

Jonathan thanked Christians for praying for Nigeria. He said: Our country is passing through challenges. The whole

Elections: Reps grant INEC powers to deploy troops

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HE House of Representatives has given the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the exclusive powers to “request” for deployment of troops during elections.

The House amended Section 29 (1) of the Electoral Act at plenary while voting on the report to amend the Electoral Act. Deputy Leader Leo Ogor and some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) made spirited attempts to delete the amendment of Section 29, Clause 8 of the Electoral Act No. 6, 2010, which confers the power on INEC. Should the amendment get the Senate’s concurrence and signed into law, INEC will have the power to request for troops during elections, contrary to the

presidential fiat used to deploy the military in the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states.

The amended Section 29(1) reads: “Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law and for the purposes of securing the vote, the Commission shall be responsible for requesting for the deployment of relevant security personnel necessary for elections or registration of voters and shall assign them in the manner determined by the Commission in consultation with the relevant security agencies.

“Provided that the Commission shall request for the deployment of the Nigerian Armed Forces only for the purpose of securing the distribution and

delivery of electoral materials.”

Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha explained to members that, according to the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 8 of the Armed Forces Act, the ultimate power of the president to deploy troops remained “sacrosanct”.

Further debate on the report was postponed due to contention on Clause 9 A member, Simon Yakubu Arabo (Kaduna/PDP), noted that the amendment to Section 31 to delete the proviso to Clause 9, which stipulates that INEC cannot reject any candidate presented by a political party was omitted in the report.

Subsequently, Jerry Manwe, Chairman, House Committee on Electoral Matters, explained the omission.

Fayose have invaded the headquarters of the Judiciary of Ekiti State where Hon. Justice I.O. Ogunyemi was to deliver a ruling on the matter instituted against him.

“The thugs beat workers black and blue while the presiding Judge and lawyers had to run for dear lives. They smashed windows and furniture.

“Meanwhile, the policemen and other law enforcement agents deployed within and without the premises in large numbers were looking on completely uninterested and unconcerned while these thugs were on prowl beating and maiming workers and court users.

“The thugs went on searching for the Judge who ran into hiding. It took your personal intervention when you were duly informed on phone to rush to the scene of the mayhem within the court premises to rescue the said Judge and took him out into safety.”

The Chief Judge insisted that the attacks on judges were preplanned by the said hoodlums, 13 of which the police alleged it had arrested.

The letter further said: “The above in the main was just the beginning of what would appear to be a pre-planned long siege and onslaughts on the Court and its personnel. The political hoodlums showed again in large numbers on Tuesday 23rd and Wednesday 24th of September, 2014 on the spurious ground that they came to listen to the ruling which they did not allow the presiding Judge in Court No. 6 to deliver on Monday 22nd day of September, 2014. No such ruling was slated for hearing since the thugs invaded the premises of the court on Monday before.

“Now on Thursday the 25th day of September, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, the Governor-elect again led thousands of people and thugs into the premises of the High Court beating and maiming the staff.

“The thugs invaded my court where I was to deliver a judgment in a land matter, tore the Record Books, beat the court officials and vandalized the furniture in Court No. 1 “The political thugs descended on Hon. Justice J. A. Adeyeye the presiding Judge in Court

From Victor Oluwasegun, Abuja

He said it was because of pressure on the committee while it was putting the report together.

He however apologised for the error.

Ihedioha said: “My dear colleagues, it is obvious to me that by admission of the omission of the chairman of the committee (Manwe), I want to rule that we suspend further consideration of the report.”

According to him, members will continue the consideration of the report after resumption from the Eid-el-Kabir break.

During yesterday’s plenary, a member, Hon. Chriscato Ikechukwu Ameke, representing Anambra Eastwest Federal Constituency defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

How Fayose led thugs to attack courts, by Ekiti CJ Continued from page 1

the tribunal? Because I went to the tribunal and not the regular court.”

The Chief Judge chronicled the travails of the judges in two letters to the Commissioner of Police in Ekiti State, Mr. Taiwo Lakanu, and the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mariam Alooma Mukhtar.

The letters gave rare insights into the mayhem in Ekiti which forced Governor Kayode Fayemi to declare a 12-hour curfew.

The CJ’s letter to the Commissioner of Police, dated September 26, 2014, reads in part: “ I write the letter to appraise you formally, the sad events of this week at the premises of the High Court of Ekiti State even though I have earlier before now stated this verbally through frantic and distress phone calls.

“May I therefore chronicle the said sad event as hereunder stated please: “On Monday 22nd of September while I was attending the Supreme Court Special Sitting in Abuja, I was called on phone that thugs loyal to Mr. Ayodele

PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN

No. 3 beat and dragged him on the ground. The Judge’s suit was also torn into shreds. I could not gain entrance into the premises of the court and had to hurriedly turn back on being alerted that I was the prime target of the hooligans.”

The Chief Judge narrated how policemen and security agents refused to come to the rescue of the assaulted judges, court workers and users.

The letter added: “It is needless to reiterate here that while the mayhem and attack on judges, staff and property of the Court was in progress, scores of policemen and State Security Service (SSS) operatives posted to protect lives and property within the Court premises looked on and watched without taking any step to save the situation. All entreaties to officers and men of Ekiti State Command to protect the Court as an important institution of State yielded no positive response.

“I should put it on record here again that it took your personal intervention to rush to the Court Continued on page 57

world is passing through challenges. Sometimes, when I listen to the news around the whole world, it reminds me about the Old Testament in days of fighting, fighting and fighting.

“And I always ask: Do we stop fighting? But God has a reason for everything. I believe whatever is happening to Nigeria will be very temporary.

We will go through the challenges. With your prayers, we will go through the challenges.”

Conferring the Primatial Award of Excellence in Christian Stewardship on the President, Rev. Okoh said the essence of the award was to ac-

knowledge his fairness to all in the distribution of the nation’s resources.

Giving reasons for the award, Rev. Okoh said: “By this award, we affirm that you as the leader and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has shared, allocated, distributed the resources of Nigeria fairly, equitably and judiciously to the East, West, North and South of Nigeria to all, including the traditional religionists, Muslims and Christians alike, to men and women, to the youth and children, including the Almajiri.

“This is the essence of this award. Congratulations. May God honour you.”

Senate to reject INEC’s 30,000 units

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ENATORS are to overrule Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Attahiru Jega should he fail to reverse the proposed creation of additional 30,000 polling units.

The commission’s attempt to establish the polling units has received several knocks from Nigerians who have read ulterior motives to the move, especially ahead of the 2015 general elections.

INEC has been accused of unduly favouring some geopolitical zones in the number of new polling units allocated them to the detriment of others.

The Senate Committee on INEC wrote to the electoral

From Onyedi Ojiabor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

umpire to suspend the plan until after the elections.

But Jega has continued to defend the proposal, saying it is meant to reduce the high number of voters in most polling units to manageable proportions during voting.

The chairman Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Andy Uba, told reporters in Abuja that the Senate would pass a resolution to stop the exercise if Jega fails to heed its advice.

Uba, who noted that the idea behind the creation of additional PUs was sound, however said the timing was wrong.

Continued on page 57

2015: I’m not desperate, says Buhari Continued from page 1

extend beyond my person and always be available to the party and all those the party puts forward because it is the party that is the platform.

“You must at all times remember that the APC is a party with several qualified people for each and all the positions that will be contested, including that of the president. It is the primaries that will determine who eventually represents the party and in which capacity.

“If I get the party’s nomination, I expect you to redouble your effort and commitment until we clinch the presidency.

But, in the event that it happens to be one of the other aspirants who wins, I will expect you, as good party men, to extend to him your support. We are a united party and united we shall remain because our strength lies in our unity.

“For this and for other reasons, I must warn all my supporters, volunteers and other well wishers within the party and even out of it not to insult or be rude to any other aspirant or party leader on my behalf.

“My supporters must not engage in any kind of behavior or

conduct that will tarnish the image of any leader or promote division within the ranks of the party. Whoever does that should know that he or she is working for the enemy.

The former leader added: “Today, we are in the 15th year of purposeless leadership by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and all we have seen is unprecedented deterioration in the security and law and order situation, astronomical rise and intensity of corruption and in the failure of governance.

“And as we reach this last lap of the journey, I would like to request that we concentrate all our efforts and energy towards realising and achieving change in this country.

“The only way to meaningful change in this country is to vote the PDP out of power to which it was never legitimately elected anyway. The task before us today is wide ranging and very great.

“The first and most important Continued on page 57

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

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NIGERIA AT 54

We must not whitewash leadership failure, says Tinubu

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LL Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said Nigerians should not celebrate 54 years of independence because the country has not “flourished as it should”.

He said rather than merriment, it is a time to reflect on what could have been.

In an independence anniversary statement by his media office, Tinubu said it would be dangerous to “whitewash” the challenges.

“We are burdened by too many resolvable challenges that remain unresolved. This is not a time for fake cheers and elation at the present state of things just because the calendar has touched this day.

“We need to use this hour soberly by taking stock of the obstacles mounting before us and of the hard direction in which we seem to be heading.

“I fear this direction, if further taken, will lead us not home but to an appointment with failure and national destitution,” he said.

According to Tinubu, the country

By Joseph Jibueze

ought to advance, year by year, toward greater democracy instead of rushing “into the pit of arbitrary, imperious rule that smacks of despotism.”

“If we whitewash the reality of our existence by lying that all is well just because this is Independence Day, then we ignore the troubling signals at our collective peril,” he said.

Tinubu said the 16 years of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rule have been a period of diminishing return, adding that the longer the party remains in power, the less benefit the people derive.

“Nigeria now needs a ‘common sense revolution’, a revolution that calls forth a return to decency, probity, transparency of process and fairness in outcome.

“This is done not by subterfuge, divide and rule and turning Nigeria into a field of discord or a street of broken institutions. It is accomplished by honouring the principles of democratic good governance and

economic justice.

“It is done by persuading the people they are better off as one instead of better off tearing at each other’s throats,” he said.

Blaming the country’s woes on leadership, Tinubu said for the most of the 54 years and for all of the past 15, honest men have been given scant opportunity to lead Nigeria.

He said President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration only has a “vision” for personal enrichment.

“The vaunted Transformation Agenda is but an elaborate name for old-fashion pocket stuffing. They do not have a national blueprint or vision.

“They do have a blueprint and vision for excessive self enrichment.

Their equation is simple. You work, they feast. You toil, they grow fat.

You seek a decent wage; they pilfer the collective treasury to enjoy a king’s ransom,” the APC National Leader said.

Nigeria, Tinubu believes, is saddled with a “reprobate leadership”, while decrying what he called

incessant attempts to stigmatise and physically intimidate a peaceful political opposition.

He bemoaned the militarisation of elections, which he said are features of “a perverse democracy run at gunpoint”, coupled with “brazen assaults on the judiciary.”

“Fifty-four years is enough to have built upon a solid foundation. If we had embraced a few lessons from India and other countries in similar situations like ours, we would be far advanced from where we are,” Tinubu said.

According to him, there is, however, a ray of hope considering the difference being made in Lagos and other progressive states.

He said those states kept faith with the nation’s founding fathers’ best practices and policies. Asiwaju Tinubu urged Nigerians to work for a progressive change.

He added: “Governance is about trust. And this government is not even trusted by itself. This is why it does nothing except feed itself. This is not the road for a better Nigeria.

“We must proceed from this 54th

anniversary to embark on a common sense revolution that brings about a progressive change for the benefit of most of our country men and women, our youth and the vulnerable among us.

“I speak here of a Common Sense revolution that promotes the wellbeing and improves the lot of the average person, regardless of his or her ethnic, religious or regional affiliation.

“In this way, Nigeria will not only be unified in national purpose, it will also have recovered its better path. That will be an Independence Day we can and should celebrate.

Until then, we strive to keep from falling further.

“We dare not remain lost forever.

I am positive that help is on the way.

Nigerians should be prepared for a change. We must rescue Nigeria from those set to cause it irreparable harm.

“The change I talk about is the only route to our deliverance from 16 years of the PDP locusts. Nigeria is ours to keep and its democracy is ours to save.”

Nigeria needs a change, says Lagos APC

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HE Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said the celebration of independence in the face of increasing poverty, corruption, insecurity, impunity and bad governance is a proof that the country has been assailed by bad, corrupt and visionless leadership.

It said the nation needs a change.

The party said for the United Nations to rank Nigeria, the sixth largest producer of oil, as the third poorest country in the world, is worrisome, especially with the rank revelry and masking, which the present government has brought to replace purposeful and good leadership.

In a statement in Lagos by the Publicity Secretary, Joe Igbokwe, APC lamented that when Nigerians should be celebrating the dividends of freedom, they are saddled with a blind and visionless government, which has failed in all facets of leadership.

It said the majority of Nigerians are regretting the flag independence the nation got in 1960, which has decimated rather than improve lives.

‘Respect for rights ‘ll make independence meaningful’

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SUN State Governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has identified people’s freedom to willingly choose their leaders as the hallmark of democracy.

Aregbesola, in a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, said independence, in the true sense of the word, would only make meaning if the citizens had unrestricted free will to elect their leaders at all tiers of government.

According to him, a refusal to allow people’s will and aspirations to be freely expressed most of the time results in chaos and confusion.

Atiku laments unfulfilled dreams

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ORMER Vice President Atiku Abubakar lamented yesterday the nation’s unfulfilled dreams despite its huge resources.

He said the absence of good governance was responsible for the challenges facing the country.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential as-

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From Tony Akowe, Abuja

pirant, in a message to Nigerians on the occasion of the 54th independence anniversary, said it was unfortunate that as the sixth largest producer of oil in the world, the nation’s wealth had not translated into better life for the people because of the absence of good governance.

U.S. rejoices with Nigeria

HE United States (U.S.) has rejoiced with Nigeria on the occasion of th the 54 independence anniversary.

A statement yesterday by the Secretary of State, John Kerry, said: “On behalf of President Barack Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate Nigerians as you celebrate your Independence Day on October 1.

“Our people enjoy an enduring partnership founded on shared values of democracy, security, and respect for human rights and the rule of law.

The United States and Nigeria must continue working to-

gether to thwart destabilising forces that will use violence to undo gains achieved to date through efforts.

“I was honoured to speak with President Goodluck Jonathan at the United Nations General Assembly last week, and to welcome him to Washington, DC, this summer for the U.S.-Africa Leaders’ Summit. We discussed how our two countries can deepen our partnership through trade and collaboration.

“I wish all Nigerians a prosperous future on the 54th anniversary of your independence.”

•Ogun State Governor Senator Ibikunle Amosun addressing a crowd at Ijebu-Ife in Ijebu East Local Government, during his assessment tour of local governments... yesterday.

Mark: Nigeria destined for greatness

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ENATE President David Mark yesterday urged Nigerians to have faith and remain steadfast in promoting peace and unity, no matter the challenges.

Mark, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, to mark this year’s Independence Anniversary, said: “The indivisibility of our nation is not negotiable because there is no better place than Nigeria.”

He recalled the nation’s chequered political history since 1960, during which Nigeria went through a 30month civil war, ethno-religious conflicts and assured that “our crises are surmountable.”

The Senate President dismissed as untrue, insinuation in some quarters that Nige-

From Onyedi Ojiabor,

Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

ria has not made progress since independence, saying: “Let us cast our minds back a little and see the number of road networks, schools, universities, health institutions, telecommunications and a host of others.

“We may not have been where we want to be, but we have made appreciable progress and we can do more.

All we need to do is strengthen our unity as one people with one mission and purpose. The stable democracy has offered us the opportunity to harness our abundant resources for good.

“Nigerians passed through challenges in the past and we came out of them. The secu-

rity challenges, especially this Boko Haram insurgency, can be defeated if we unite to fight them.

“I believe the Boko Haram insurgency is alien to us as a people. We have the capacity to defeat them and confine them to the dustbin of history.”

He promised that genuine complaints and agitations among Nigerians “arising from the structure of our polity can be addressed by the government,” but was quick to point out that “we cannot correct perceived imbalances by taking up arms against our brothers, sisters and nation.”

Saraki to Fed Govt: ensure Chibok girls’ release From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

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ORMER Kwara State Governor Senator Bukola Saraki has enjoined politicians to use the independence anniversary as a turning point to move the country forward.

Saraki, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), also urged the Federal Government to ensure that the over 200 abducted Chibok girls are released.

“I urge Nigerians to keep the demand loud and strong: #BRINGBACKOURGIRLS,” he said.

Tambuwal urges Nigerians to promote good governance

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OUSE of Representatives Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has urged Nigerians to promote the tenets of democracy, good governance and responsible citizenry.

In a statement to mark the Independence Day anniversary issued in Abuja by his Spe-

cial Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam, Tambuwal appealed to the political elite to moderate their utterances and be mindful of their responsibility to the country.

He said with elections scheduled for early next year, leaders must avoid acts that heat

up the polity.

According to him, what is of paramount importance now is for political office holders to approach the poll with the intentions to play by the rules.

The Speaker reiterated his earlier calls that the people must isolate and expose obstacles that hamper the attain-

ment of peace, development and progress.

Congratulating Nigerians on the 54th Independence Anniversary, Tambuwal restated the commitment of the House of Representatives to uphold the ideals of a united Nigeria, which he said shall take its rightful place in the comity of nations.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

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NEWS DSS to appeal El- Rufai judgment From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

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HE Department of State Services (DSS)

has said it would appeal the Federal High Court judgment, asking it to apologise and pay N2 million to former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai.

In a statement by the DSS spokesperson, Ms. Marilyn Ogar, the Service said some facts may have been inadvertently overlooked by the Federal High Court, Awka, which gave the judgment.

The statement said: “As a responsive agency, we hold the Judiciary and its sanctity in high esteem, but when you disagree with certain pronouncements of the court, you have the right to appeal and in this case, we will appeal.

“The instrument setting up the Service and the 1999 Constitution as amended, give the Service statutory powers to detain and investigate any suspect for not more than 48 hours before recourse to a court of law.

“In this instance, the complainant was not confined or detained for more than two hours. If we cannot intercept, detain and investigate, then we would, with due respect, be operating like any ministry.

“It is also pertinent to clarify that the Service never imposed a general restriction on movement during the election as averred. It is the duty of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take measures necessary for the smooth conduct of any election, and in this case it deemed it proper to restrict movement during voting hours.”

‘Probe police pension scam’

By Adekunle Yusuf

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GROUP, the Conscience and Liberation for Federal Civil Servants (CLFCS), has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to further investigate the police pension scam.

The group, in a statement by its Chairman, Abdullahi Musa Yankaba and Secretary Benson Idoha, said the call became imperative, following unfolding events in the board after the EFCC has charged those indicted.

It urged the commission to x-ray roles played individually in the alleged N23billion scam.

The statement said: “We are sure that more people who are moving freely now will be indicted while those who are facing trial will be further indicted.

“Re-opening and re-investigating the case with scientific approaches associated with modern techniques of investigating crimes and fraud will go a long way in assisting your operatives to unravel more tricks used by the perpetrators.

“And those that are grumbling within the board that they are not involved in the fraud will be indicted, when the second round of the investigation begins.”

•From left: National Women Leader (Buhari Organisation), Ms. Sharon Ikeazor, Director-General, Buhari Support Group, Umaru Dambo, former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and Buhari’s Chief of Staff Col. Hameed Ali at a meeting of stakeholders under the Buhari Support Group in Abuja...

PHOTO ABAYOMI FAYESE yesterday.

IBB in high spirits, says Niger govt •To return Oct 10 From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

• Babangida

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FOUR-man Niger State government delegation that visited former military President General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) in a German hospital said the retired leader is in perfect condition.

He is billed to return by

October 10 after a surgery for a bone-related ailment.

The delegation, led by Commissioner for Agriculture, Prof Yahaya Kuta Mohammed, spent over three hours with the former military leader at the private home where he is recuperating.

Babangida left for routine medical treatment on September 6 in company of Aminu, his second son.

His doctors ordered a surgery for Radiculopathy, an ailment he sustained during the Civil War. The government’s visit followed a similar visit by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Other members of the del-

egation included the Chief of Staff, Umar Nasko, IBB’s cousin and DirectorGeneral, State Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Focal office, Dattijo Aliyu and Managing Director State Development Company Mohammadu Aliyu.

It was learnt that Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu planned to lead the delegation but could not make it due.

It was also gathered that three members of the team told the governor that the former leader was recovering.

A member of the delegation, who pleaded for anonymity, said the team informally briefed the governor of Babangida’s condition.

“We were with him (IBB) on Sunday and Monday. He

was in high spirits and in good health.

“He is responding positively well to post-surgery therapy.

“I was with him yesterday after our team had stayed with him for over three hours.

“The team leader delivered the goodwill message to the General.

“He was in high spirits and good frame of mind. The General is good to return home anytime.”

A family source said Babangida will return home after the Sallah celebration.

“Baba has been advised to return after Sallah to keep him away from the crowd and well-wishers who usually visit him during the period.

“Hopefully, we expect him on or before next week.”

Illegal campaign: APC slams INEC for acting too late

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has slammed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for “acting too little, too late” in issuing a warning on illegal public political broadcast and campaign.

It said INEC’s belated action was suspicious.

In a statement in London, United Kingdom, yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, the party said INEC’s action, coming after the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and President Goodluck Jonathan have been campaigning, can only be to the disadvantage of other candidates and parties.

‘’Is it a ploy by INEC to give undue advantage to the PDP and its adopted sole presidential candidate, President Jonathan, in next year’s elections?’’

APC wondered where INEC was when the socalled Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) was organising “noisy rallies” across the country, attended by government officials and designed to benefit the President and his party.

The party also expressed shock that INEC has been slumbering since the socalled Protectors of Nigeria’s Posterity has been running TV adverts solely for Jonathan’s benefit.

‘’When did INEC become aware that these actions are illegal, considering that Section 221 of the 1999 Constitution, which INEC quoted in its warning letter, says ‘no association, other than a political party, shall canvas for votes for any candidate at any election or contribute to the funds of any political party or to the election expenses of any political candidate at an election’.

“What TAN has been doing all along is to canvas for votes for Jonathan, in a clear violation of the constitution as well as the Electoral Act, which bans political campaigns until 90 days before election. ‘’Our party, joined by

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exemplary leaders whose leadership styles are people-oriented, committed and selfless in words and action are involved, then special attention and little celebration is in order,” he said.

Tenebe said the former president’s quest for higher education so far had served as a boost to the student population.

He said the student population had increased from 16,000 in 2010 to 308,000 in 2014 with over 150,000 active students.

The VC said the staff strength also increased from 820 to 2,463 during the period.

The highpoint of the ceremony was the inauguration of the “Corruption and Anti-money Laundering Centre“ in Obasanjo’s honour.

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HE Army yesterday postponed till tomorrow the General Court Martial of some soldiers charged with alleged mutiny.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the trial was to have been held at the Mogadishu Cantonment.

The postponement was confirmed to reporters yesterday by a military source, who pleaded for anonymity.

But the Garrison‘s spokesman, Col. Aliyu Yusuf, claimed ignorance of the court martial but promised to inform reporters, whenever a date was fixed for the trial.

The source also said lawyers representing the accused soldiers met with legal officers of the court martial yesterday morning and agreed to postpone trial till tomorrow because of the Independence holiday.

It was gathered that the soldiers, who are standing trial, were alleged to have committed mutiny by “refusing to join troops for an operation’’ in Maiduguri on August 4.

Senate confirms PenCom, NCAA DGs

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HE Senate confirmed yesterday Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu as the Director-General, National Pension Commission.

It also confirmed Capt Muhktar Usman as the DirectorGeneral, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

This followed the consideration and adoption of the Senate Committee on Aviation on the screening of Captain Muhktar Usman for appointment as Director General of NCAA. Ebenezer C. S. Foby was also confirmed as a commissioner, National Pension Commission.

EU to fund 2015 elections

Obasanjo registers for PhD at NOUN

ORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo registered yesterday for a Master of Arts (MA) and PhD degrees at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

Obasanjo, 77, will study Christian Theology in the School of Arts and Social Sciences.

The former president was among students, who graduated at the institution’s first convocation, in January 2009.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Vincent Tenebe, said admission and registration in universities were not marked by special ceremonies but that Obasanjo’s was a special case.

“When special people are involved, when passionate, sensitive and

well-meaning Nigerians, had publicly alerted INEC to these campaigns and the fact that those behind them are breaking the law, but INEC merely responded with some unbelievable sophistry.

“Now that those illegal campaigns have run for several months, INEC suddenly awoke from its slumber to issue a warning on illegal campaign. ‘’This is unbecoming of an election umpire that expects to be taken seriously, an umpire that is expected not only to be fair but to be seen as such, and one that knows its onions. This caution by INEC is coming too little, too late,’’ APC said.

Mutiny trial postponed

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From Tony Akowe, Abuja

HE Federal Government and the European Union (EU) signed yesterday a N3.3 billion (•15 million) financial agreement for the 11th European Development Fund to support the nation’s electoral cycle.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of National Planning, Dr. Abubakar Sulaiman, said the agreement was to support the rule of law, governance and democracy, which specifically is to contribute to the rejected reinforcement of democracy in Nigeria.

The support, he said, is also aimed at strengthening planning, policy and operational capacities of the electoral management body in the country, including an improved legal framework for election.

The minister said the programme of support for Nigeria’s electoral cycle for the period 2011-2015 is conceived to support civil organisations involved in electoral process and to improve the democratic quality of political engagement.

EU’s Deputy Head in Nigeria Richard Young said: “The EU seeks to build on the success of the previous elections by committing these funds to the new project.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

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•From left: Ekiti State Deputy Governor Prof. Modupe Adelabu; Governor Kayode Fayemi; Vice-Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Prof. Bamitale Omole; and award recipient/wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi at the presentation of a plague to Erelu Fayemi, during the inauguration of Centre for Gender and Social Policy Studies building donated by the Awardee, in Ile-Ife... on Monday.

51 minors were sexually abused or raped in Enugu State between April and August.

Activists and police paint similar pictures all over the country. Assistant Editor SINA FADARE takes a look at the hurdles preventing victims from getting justice as well as the psychological trauma afflicting child victims of sex predators

I •From left: National Leader of All Progressive Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Iyaloja General, Oriade Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Alhaja Dosumu and Iyaloja General of Nigeria, Alhaja Folashade Tinubu-Ojo during the Annual Meeting of the Lagos State Market Leaders in Lagos...yesterday.

•Managing Director/ CEO, Robason Financial Services, Ochonogor Chukwuma, receiving the Award for "African Financial Quality Service Award" from the Deputy Chairman-incouncil, Institute for Government Research Leadership Technology, Prof. John Akanya in Abuja.

•From left: Senior Manager, Segments, MTN, Saidat Lawal-Mohammed; two sponsored customers Hajara Ahmed Aboki (Niger) and Arikewuyo Bola Bilikisu (Lagos) and Customer Knowledge Analyst Marketing & Strategy, Ismail Salami, during the departure of 20 subscribers to Mecca for this year's Hajj, sponsored by MTN at the Murtala International Airport, Lagos.

T was supposed to be a private discussion between two friends, but it got leaked into public domain by chance. Ms. Olu Ilelabaje could not hold herself back at Mulero Busstop along Agege-Pen Cinema axis of Lagos metropolis. She was carried away with her discussion with a friend of hers, not minding who was listening, but the tenacity and the seriousness of her discussion attracted this reporter who was nearby waiting endlessly for a bus that refused to come.

At some point, she looked at the side of this reporter when she guessed that he was equally paying a rap attention to what she was discussing with her childhood friend. Ore, (friend) she repeatedly asked, “How can a sensible man rape her own daughter who is just 11 years old?” At this point, she looked at the direction of her friend for an answer, her eyes misty and voice shaking. Though her friend scolded her with her eye that she should realise that the place was inappropriate to discuss such an issue, Ilelabaje’s tongue was wagging, battling within herself either to cry or to talk as if sharing her burden would help her overcome her challenges.

By the time this reporter moved closer to her, telling her to relax, she quickly recovered, saying “thank you sir.” After knowing the identity of this reporter with a promise that she could get justice if she wanted any about what happened to her first born, she volunteered to pour out her mind later at her friend’s place. She alleged that her first husband, simply identified as Lookman, was a wife beater, which was the reason behind the collapse of their marriage. Since her mother-inlaw insisted that she would not take the first daughter of the family away, the embattled woman left the first born behind when walking out of the marriage, but was allowed to go with the last born who was a year old when they separated.

“Her mother promised to take care of the girl who was six years’ old then and that l am free to see her any time.

But last year, l was told the father took the girl from his mother with the excuse that he needed someone to send on errands and this did not give me the opportunity to see her frequently as I used to do when she was with my mother in law.

“But l was shocked when my friend who lives in the neighborhood, which my former husband stayed at Akowojo area, called me that l should leave everything l was doing and come over to her place. On getting there, l learnt that my daughter had narrated to her how her father had

•A rape victim

Scary had sex several times with her.”

Ilelabaje who said she almost collapsed when she was told and after interrogation, “my daughter told me everything her father has been doing to her with a strict warning that she should not tell anybody.”

It took this reporter a lot of persuasions and assurances before Rukayat (not real name) could express her feelings and how her father cajoled her with a promise to buy her a lot of clothes and shoes before she was deflowered. According to her, the constant pain she was experiencing each time her father mounted her and his repeated warning not to discuss with anybody, including her friends, encouraged her to tell her mother’s friend.

Amidst sobs, she narrated her experience: “The first night was painful and when the pain was much and I was crying profusely, my father went to a nearby chemist shop to buy me some pain relievers and toiletries for my use. He spared me for two days before she resumed and each time he wanted to do it, I was always in pain.

That was when l told my mother’s friend. My father almost killed me for taking such a step.”

Similarly, the experience of Wednesday September 10 will remain evergreen in the minds of Mr. and Mrs. Idris of No 11, Adedoyin Street, and Palm Grove, Lagos mainland. It was the day their 5 year old daughter, Mariam was sexually assaulted by a miscreant who took the advantage of the family’s absence from home. Both parents had gone out in search of means of livelihood, leaving their kids in the hands of their neighbours. The Nation gathered that the couple usually left home very early leaving the their three kids, two boys and a girl in care of their neighbours whose environment is surrounded with miscreants, who are always loitering around the neighborhood.

That day, one of the miscreants identified as Michael a.k.a Iku (death) took advantage of the parents’ absence, and sneaked into the house while the other children were playing outside. When the father who came earlier saw her daughter, he found his daughter in an extremely calm situation, forcing him to ask her what was amiss. Upon more interrogation, she pointed to her private part, saying “this place is paining me.” At this point, the mother was said to have arrived from her daily routine and both examined their daughter’s private part and discovered semen and blood all over her. They both pleaded with the little girl to tell them what happened with a view to identifying

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

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NEWS

‘

The issue of raping minors is so alarming these days that one could reduce it to the issue of poverty. In a situation where a family are squeezed in a room apartment that consists of a father, mother and grown up female children, anything can happen in the night

‘ statistics on rape of minors, others •Daramola

the culprit. Mariam led her parents to the neighborhood where about 10 miscreants were having fun, and pointed to Michael as the culprit.

Michael later confessed after he was arrested by the police from Pedro station. Investigation by The Nation revealed that Michael was a serial rapist in the vicinity and was always going scot-free because his father was one of the landlords. It was learnt that his father was using his influence to shield him whenever he committed the heinous crime.

These cases are just a fraction of the numerous cases of violation of minors in the recent time, either by their father, hoodlum or rapist. And it seems the society is helpless in putting a check to all these social crimes. More worrisome is the age of these victims, ranging from age 3 to 11. Perhaps that was why a chief magistrate at Badagry Court, Mr. Abiodun Effi, refused to grant bail to Uche Umere, 22, for allegedly raping a three-year-old girl. He ordered him to be reminded at the Badagry Prisons till the next hearing of the case on October 21. Umere was arraigned on a two-count charge of sexual assault and indecent treatment of a child.

HE prosecutor, Inspector In nocent Uko, told the court that the accused committed the offence on July 2014 at Seventh Day Adventist Church, Badagry. Uko said that the accused lured the victims to the back of the Church and assaulted her sexually, adding that while he was carrying out his nefarious act, the victim screamed for help to the hearing of a passerby who rescued the girl from the accused. The big question that still remains unanswered is: What could have attracted any sane person to the extent of raping a three-year-old girl?

Though there is poor statistical data on available incidences of minors rape in the country, the recent one made available in Enugu was not only alarming; it is gave cause for concern. The Executive Director of Women Aid Collective, Mrs. R. Ezeilo, said 51 minors were sexually abused or raped in Enugu State between April 2014 and August 2014. According to her, the cases include 30 rape cases, four attempted rapes, 10 sexual assaults, 37 defilements and 15 other cases of domestic violence, adding that the cases emanated from 14 local government areas of the state.

Last February, while still serving as the commissioner of police in Lagos State, Umar Manko, now an Assistant Inspector General of Police, said no fewer than 132 rape cases were reported to the police in 2013. Although

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•IGP Suleiman Abba

he did not give a breakdown of the figure and the people involved, the police boss said rape was among the 30 offences in the state. He added that while rape moved from 129 in 2012 to 132 in 2013, murder rose from 106 to 111 for the years under review, stressing that his command was working hard to reduce the incidents of crime in the state through the training of its personnel and the deployment of intelligence gadgets. This implies that no fewer than 11 girls or women were reportedly raped in the state every month last year, while one lady was raped every three days.

Worse still, many of the recent rapes in the country involve very young children, including toddlers, who are sometimes raped by men old enough to be their grandfathers. In 2013, the Central Hospital, Benin, in Edo State, said it recorded no fewer than 80 cases of rape between March and mid-October. The pathologist who disclosed this, Dr. Jude Uchendu, said that more than 90 percent of the rapes were not committed by strangers, but by people well known to the victims, such as neighbours and blood relations.

In the Niger Delta, one in ten women surveyed said she was either raped or survived a rape attempt last year, meaning that more women were raped in the region than any other part of the country last year, a recent crime survey published by CLEEN Foundation said. The incidence of rape in the region was higher than the national average by 100 per cent. The survey showed that the national average of victims was five per cent – one in every 20 women surveyed.

It also showed that the national incidence of rape almost doubled from three per cent in 2011 to five per cent in 2013. “The incidence of rape has been on the increase from 3 per cent in 2011 to 5 percent 2013 within its geopolitical zones,’’ the report said.

Similarly, in Kano State, no fewer than 100 cases of rape were recorded in Kano courts in 2013. Out of this number, only 40 rapists were convicted.

Also, in Anambra State, some non-governmental organisations working on sexual violence last year recorded 115 incidents of rape, out of which 12 were investigated by the police. In February this year, a serial rapist was arrested by officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, for allegedly raping four children of different parents at Ndibe in Afikpo North Local Government Area of the state. These are just a few examples, as rape cases abound in all parts of the country.

Although the reported cases are only a tip of the rape iceberg, as most cases are not reported because of the stigma

attached to it in the country, the survey done by the CLEEN Foundation can provide a glimpse of the enormity of the problem. With 10 per cent incident of rape or attempted rape, the South-south region took the inglorious title of having the highest rape cases, followed by the North-east – 6 per cent, while the South-west region and North -west regions had statistics of one in every 25 women – four percent each. The North-central followed with three per cent – one in every 33 women polled, while the South -east had the lowest incidence rate of one in every 100 women. Interestingly, most of the victims – 36 per cent – told CLEEN Foundation they were raped near their homes.

Another 19 per cent said they were attacked “at their homes” while 13 per cent said they were attacked in schools or workplace. When respondents were further asked to rate the prevalence of rape, “10 per cent believed it was very widespread, 33 per cent said it happened occasionally, 48 per cent believe it was non-existent while nine per cent said they do not know.’’

Apart from the trauma and injuries sustained in the process, experts say it is a gross violation of the fundamental human and natural rights of the victims. While the stigma is enormous, the trauma suffered by the victims cannot be restituted. The Nation gathered that the punishment for rape, as spelt out in Section 358 of the Criminal Code, is life imprisonment, while an attempt to commit rape attracts 14 years imprisonment. In spite of the stringent penalty for rape, it still thrives because of bottlenecks of legal technicalities, and unwillingness of victims to pursue their cases to logical conclusions. Speaking to The Nation on the current waves of defiling minors in the recent time, Modupe Araoye, a legal practitioner at Falana & Falana’s chamber, said the situation is not only worrisome but a national calamity.

Araoye, who said the major cause of minor sexual assault in the society is poverty, noted that most of those that are affected may either be a house help or those leaving in a face-me-Iface-you apartment. She regretted that the situation is so rampant in the recent time to the extent that the chamber is handling about two cases of sexual assaults on a nine and six year old girls respectively.

“Why would a parent send her daughter of six or nine years old child from the East to Lagos to go and work as house help and you still get money over such a child? A child that is supposed to be in the school, it is a pa-

thetic situation l cannot comprehend it,” she explained.

She equally blamed the rampancy of minors on the fact that it has always been difficult to prove a case of a rape beyond reasonable doubt in the court.

This is because, most times, the defendants always insist on an eye-witness account, which is very difficult. “In most cases, the accused are always set free by the court for lack of evidence.”

The lawyer also argued that such men who find themselves in such a situation should be sent to a psychiatric home for evaluation because she could not see what could attract a man in a 3 to 6 years’ old girl.

UT a clinical psychologist, Dr. Wale Folarin, sees the issue of rape, particularly of minors, as a psychology trauma that needs to be treated as such. Folarin pointed out that the inability of a rapist to control or channel his libidinal energy towards a productive use often leads him to rape minors without thinking of the consequences. According to him, there are three levels of personality traits, the ID, the Ego and the Super Ego. “Rapists are not able to control their ID due to their high libidinal traits and they need immediate satisfaction no matter the consequences. This, in most cases, leads them to committee rape with impunity” The clinical psychologist said that early maturity cell in most girls this days is very high to the extent that a girl of 11 years old has developed an adult traits, which made them a target of a would-be rapist. He emphasised that rapists need psychological therapy in order to bail them out of the emotional bondage they find themselves, just as he canvassed for a holistic approach that would involved all in order to reduce the menace of rape of minors.

A celebrated actress who was a victim of rape, Mrs Foluke Daramola, said poverty played a significant role in the raping of minors or a father raping her daughter.

“The issue of raping minors is so alarming these days that one could reduce it to the issue of poverty. In a situation where a family are squeezed in a room apartment that consists of a father, mother and grown up female children, anything can happen in the night.”

Mrs Daramola, who has floated a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Passion Against Rape in Africa, to address such an issue, lamented that if care is not taking a girl who experienced rape may not get out of such trauma in her life time. “I am

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a case study. l have to go through a lot of psychological therapy before l could get out of the trauma l faced. In fact, it contributed to the collapsed of my first marriage because l was not emotionally stable,” she told The Nation. She therefore advised that mothers have to be more vigilant about their female children, and knowing them intently.

If this is done, she believes that female children will be free to discuss any issue any time they run into any crisis, thereby having somebody to confer in.

But, Rev. Elijah Ashafa, the pastor of Christ Kingdom Baptist Church, Magboro, Ogun state, said only the intervention of God can curb the incessant raping of minors in the society.

Ashafa, while speaking with The Nation, noted that there should be ways to minister the gospel of Christ to rapists, even as the law takes its course on them, so they can come out refined and re-orientated. “Putting them behind bars does not solve the problem alone because the spirit is still there and must be addressed with spiritual effort to change the person. We have seen cases of even a professor dating a fourteen years’ old girl, with all the knowledge he has acquired and this is because something is still missing in his life that is Christ, It is not a matter of going to church, genuine encounter with Christ is what matters, then every other thing will follow,” he noted Could it be that the society is tilting towards the biblical Sodom and Gomorra where morality has been thrown to the dust bin? Against this backdrop, Mr. Friday Okonofua, an obstetrician and gynecologist, said political commitment is needed to reduce the high incidence of rape.

Okonofua, who is a programme officer for Ford Foundation (West Africa), said: “The rising incidence of sexual abuse of minors in the country is evidence that our policies and laws are not working. In other countries, when such happens, the perpetrators will be sent to life imprisonment or punished.

But in Nigeria, we have some laws and policies that are not being implemented. There are penalties for people who commit such offences, but people are afraid to come out because they feel that nothing will be done.”

He urged the law enforcement agents and the judiciary to live up to their responsibilities and quicken the dispensation of justice.

Araoye recommended that rapists should be sent to life imprisonment.

For Mrs Daramola, death sentence is good for rapists for making their victims permanently losing their emotional bearing.

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Three Boko Haram members get 25 years each

HE Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday sentenced three Boko Haram members to 25 years imprisonment each.

But reporters were not allowed to cover the judgment; only lawyers in the prosecution and defence teams were allowed in court.

A source, who witnessed the verdict but pleaded not to be named because he was not authorised to speak, told reporters that the fourth defendant was acquitted.

The court, last December 3, barred reporters from covering the trial of 17 suspected members of the Islamic sect.

Justice Ibrahim Buba made the order, following an application by the Lagos State Attorney-General and prosecuting counsel, Mr. Ade Ipaye.

Men of the Department of Security Services (DSS) prevented reporters from covering the suspects’ arraignment last November 27.

The accused are: Ali Mohammed, Adamu Karumi, Ibrahim Usman, Bala Haruna, Idris Ali, Mohammed

Police chiefs to issue tinted glass permit From Faith Yahaya, Abuja

ACTING Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Suleiman Abba has authorised police commissioners in charge of state commands to issue tinted glass permits.

In a statement yesterday in Abuja by its spokesman Emmanuel Ojukwu, the acting IGP said the decision would enable the police to bring the service closer to the people.

Abba said the permits have the same authority as those previously issued by the Force headquarters, adding that they are valid throughout the federation.

The police chief said applicants have to get their vehicles examined to ascertain that the tinted glasses are factory-fitted.

•Abba

By Joseph Jibueze

Murtala, Kadiri Mohammed, Mustapha Daura, Abba Duguri, Sanni Adamu, Danjuma Yahaya, Musa Audu, Mati Daura, Farouk Haruna, Abdullahi Azeez, Ibrahim Bukar and Zula Diani.

The attorney-general, it was learnt, entered a nolle prosequi (“do not prosecute”) for two of the defendants.

They were subsequently discharged.

Later, 11 others were discharged in the course of the trial, following another nolle prosequi by the prosecution.

Only four - the first to fourth defendants - went through a a complete trial.

The suspects were first charged with conspiracy to commit terrorism, illegal possession of firearms and being members of a proscribed organisation.

They allegedly committed the offences on March 21, last year, at Plot 5, Road 69, Lekki Phase I Housing Estate, and No. 24, Oyegbeni Street, Ijora-Oloye, Apapa-Iganmu, Lagos.

They were alleged to have in their

possession three packets of explosive construction pipes, 15 detonators and 11 AK-47 rifles with 30 rounds of live ammunition.

Other items also allegedly found on them include 200 rounds of 7.6mm calibre live ammunition, two suitcases containing explosives and a water container filled with explosives.

The offences contravenes sections 13(2) and 17(b) of the Terrorism Act 2013 and Sections 1, 8, 27 (1) (a) and (b) of the Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap F28, Laws of the Federation, 2004, and punishable under Section 8 of the same act.

The source said the discharged fourth defendant was charged with funding terrorism by agreeing to provide money for the escape of the first defendant from detention.

The source said Justice Buba held that the prosecution did not establish the charge against the fourth defendant.

It was learnt that the judge convicted the first to third defendants on all the counts, sentencing them to a

25-year jail term each.

Before the judgment, reporters, other litigants and lawyers, who came for other cases, were asked to leave the courtroom.

The judge sought lawyers’ views on whether or not it was right to deliver the verdict in the presence of the public.

But Mrs Idowu Alakija, from the Directorate of the Public Prosecution (DPP) in the Lagos Ministry of Justice, noted that since the trial was conducted in camera - for security reasons - judgment should also be delivered as such.

Justice Buba, sought to know what the law stipulates on delivering a judgment in camera and how his colleagues in Abuja handled such cases.

He asked to rise for 30 minutes for a short research on the issue.

When he returned by noon, Justice Buba again asked the parties to address him on the legality of delivering a judgment in camera.

Ipaye reiterated what Mrs Alakija said, adding that since the trial was

Bi-Courtney: AMCON appeals sack of Agbakoba

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HE Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has appealed the ruling nullifying the appointment of a former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Dr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), as the receiver/manager for the assets of Bi-Courtney Limited, its Chairman Dr Wale Babalakin (SAN) and three other companies.

Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court Lagos, in a bench ruling on Monday, held that an earlier order by Justice Okon Abang, appointing Agbakoba as BiCourtney’s manager/receiver, was made in error.

He said the order should not have been made because there were pending cases and subsisting orders on the same case before him.

According to him, the true facts were not given to Justice Abang.

“This court has no been misled,” Justice Buba held, adding that Justice Abang’s order was “a nullity”.

Dissatisfied with the ruling, AMCON, through Agbakoba, filed a notice of appeal at the Court of Appeal in Lagos on four grounds.

The appellants said Justice Buba erred in law and misdi-

By Joseph Jibueze

rected himself when he heard and granted the oral application by Bi-Courtney’s lawyers to vacate the receivership, possession and freezing orders by Justice Abang on September 22.

The agency averred that Part XIV of AMCON Practice Directions 2013 was clear that major applications should be filed and served on each party before hearing.

On the second ground, AMCON said Justice Buba misapplied the law when he held that Justice Abang’s order amounted to abuse of court process.

It said the cause of action in the suit before Justice Buba was different from what Justice Abang based his order on.

Besides, the appellant said there was a full disclosure of the relevant materials and facts at the time Justice Abang made the order.

It urged the Appeal Court to overrule Justice Buba, adding that the judge was wrong for ruling that Justice Abang was misled.

On the third ground, AMCON averred that Justice Buba was also wrong when he held that the discharge of Justice Abang’s order had concluded the suit.

It said Sections 49 and 50 of

‘I so deem and set aside the orders of September 22, 2014, made by my brother Abang J. The court was misled. It is within the issues that this court can deal with.’

AMCON Act allows it 14 days, from the date an order is granted, to file a debt recovery action.

On the fourth ground, the appellant submitted that Justice Buba also erred by setting aside Justice Abang’s orders when the oral application by Bi-Courtney’s lawyers were only for the suspension of the execution of Justice Abang’s order.

AMCON averred that Justice Buba’s ruling, which set aside Justice Abang’s order, was made without jurisdiction, whereas a court cannot grant prayers not sought by any of the parties before it.

AMCON is praying the Court of Appeal to nullify Justice Buba’s ruling and uphold Justice Abang’s orders.

In a statement on the matter, Agbakoba said a motion to stay the execution of Jus-

tice Buba’s ruling would be filed soon.

The lawyer was also appointed the receiver of the assets of Chartered Investment Limited, Resort International Limited and Roygate Properties Limited on behalf of AMCON. The Murtala Muhammad Airport 2 (MMA 2) is owned

by Bi-Courtney, pursuant to a concession agreement with the Federal Government.

Roygate Properties acquired the old Federal Secretariat building in Ikoyi, Lagos, following another concession agreement between it and the Federal Government.

AMCON, through Agbakoba, applied to the court for orders of possession and receivership on the assets, following the alleged failure of the companies to pay a cumulative debt of about N50 billion they owed AMCON, which Justice Abang granted.

Babalakin is the chairman of the companies.

In his ruling, Justice Buba held as follows: “This court has no doubt that its process has been abused. It has been misled on the issue of settlement breaking down and obtaining orders ex-parte while cases are pending in court, with orders subsisting.

$9.3m cash transfer: My case, by Oritsejafor

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conducted in secret, the judgment should also be delivered confidentially because a verdict is part of the trial.

The defendants’ lawyers also agreed that the judgment be delivered without the public glare.

Justice Buba asked everyone - except the defendants, their lawyers and some security operatives - to go out of the court room.

Angry reporters, who felt they had the right to report the case since it is in the public’s interest, urged the court’s Deputy Chief Registrar (DCR) and Administrative Head of the Ikoyi Division, Mr. Bello Okandeji, to intervene.

Okandeji led reporters to the court, but fully armed, stern-looking DSS officials at the door to the staircase said they had orders not to allow anyone in.

The court official promised to speak with the judge later to see if a copy of the judgment could be made available to reporters.

HRISTIAN Association of Nigeria (CAN) President Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor has defended his integrity over the movement of $9.3 million to South Africa by two Nigerians and an Israeli, using his private jet.

Pastor Oritsejafor told the National Executive Council meeting of CAN at the National Christian Centre in Abuja that those linking him with the matter are unfair.

He said: “I want to assure you that I will not do anything to tarnish the image of Jesus Christ or compromise the divine standard of the church.

“As you are all aware, the media have been awash in the past few days about an unfortunate incident involving the movement of funds from Nigeria to South Africa. In the unfortunate reports, attempts have been made to link me directly with the transaction.

“So far, I have refrained from making any direct public response pending the time that I would have briefed the leaders of the church and

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

explained my position on the issues to them.

“I believe that the primary institution that I owe any explanation to is the church.

“At the risk of being seen to be defending myself, I wish to confirm to the distinguished leaders of the church that the Bombardier Challenger 601 aircraft in question is mine. The aircraft was presented to me as a gift by members of our congregation and ministry partners worldwide at my 40th anniversary of my call into the ministry.

“May I be permitted to stress that the aircraft was not given to me by the President of Nigeria, neither was it a settlement for any political favour or patronage.

“With the benefit of hindsight, the President of the country was a guest in our church during the anniversary celebration when the jet was presented to me.

“The President of Nigeria has nothing to do with the gift of the

aircraft. By the way, I still wonder why all those saying this still cannot come out to show proof so that the matter can be put to rest once and for all. Let me say that this might be an issue for the courts in the near future.

“In order to ameliorate the cost of maintaining the aircraft, I sought and got the permit to allow the aircraft fly in and out of Nigeria.

“Based on this, I leased the aircraft on August 2, 2014 to a company to run it. It was the leasee that entered into an agreement with the people who carried out the transfer of funds.

Having leased the aircraft to the Green Coast Produce Company Limited, any transaction undertaken with the aircraft can no longer be attached to me.

“Inasmuch as I am shocked and distressed by the incident, I wish to appeal to Christians in Nigeria to remember that a war has been waged against the Nigerian church.

This war is being fought on many fronts and this unfortunate incident

is another dimension in the assault against the church.

“It is clear that those who manipulated this conspiracy desire to create a schism in the church.

“The media hype and the deliberate distortion of information that followed it confirmed that forces that desperately desire to cause division and disunity in the church are at work. Even the devil knows that a house that is divided cannot stand.

“As Christians, we need unity in the church now more than ever. We are witnessing inhuman attacks by religious extremists against Christians in the North, while Christian infrastructure is being destroyed in hundreds.

“If we permit the enemy to divide us, our chances of corporate survival shall be severely threatened.

“Distinguished leaders of the church, please, permit me to state clearly before God and before all of you here present today that I am not a party to the movement of $9.3 million from Nigeria to South

•Agbakoba

“Where a court of law feels its orders are irregularly obtained, or its process abused, it shall deal with the process instantaneously, without any formality, to protect its integrity.

“The order is a nullity, having been obtained ex-parte in the face of subsisting orders already made by this court and which constitute an abuse of the court process.

This court will not suspend it (the order).

“The court has inherent jurisdiction to deal with an abuse of its process and any conduct that impugns its integrity.

“I so deem and set aside the orders of September 22, 2014, made by my brother Abang J. The court was misled. It is within the issues that this court can deal with.”

•Pastor Oritsejafor Africa to purchase arms and ammunition. I am not part of the deal. I know nothing about it.

“If I offend you or you offend me, instead of talking to the media, let us talk to each other within the house of God.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

9

NEWS Falana seeks reopening of Ado-Ekiti courts

By Adebisi Onanuga

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AGOS lawyer Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) has called for the re-opening of courts in Ekiti State.

He also asked the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to obtain the fiat of the state Attorney General to prosecute all those arrested in connection with the attack on the judges of the high court.

Falana, in a statement in Lagos yesterday, titled, “Re-Open Ekiti Courts Now”, said re-opening of the courts has become imperative because several accused persons are languishing in police and prison custody.

“All stakeholders should therefore work together towards the re-opening of all the courts in Ekiti State without any delay,” he said.

He praised the National Judicial Council (NJC) for rising up to the occasion, following the facts and circumstances of the incident.

Ekiti APC alleges plan to arrest leaders

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KITI State All Progressives Congress (APC) has alleged plan by the police to arrest its leaders on trumped-up charge of being the masterminds of the state’s political logjam.

The APC, in a statement by its newly elected Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, said the plan was as a result of an unholy alliance between the police and the state’s Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) designed to blame the ruling party’s leaders for the “ongoing political dark cloud.”

The party said: “The attempt by Ayo Fayose to avoid his past deeds from catching up with him led to his intimidation of the judiciary. We recall that PDP’s calling out of thugs against the judiciary led to the harassment of judges at the Ekiti High Court on two occasions

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

just within one week, and we recall the further breakdown of law and order after the unfortunate and gruesome murder of Chief Omolafe Aderiye.

“In all of these, APC was the innocent victim. Despite the undue provocation by those who felt that the arm of the law was becoming too long and must be cut to size, APC chose the path of honour by remaining calm and unprovoked. Yet the PDP goons continued to look for ways to rope us in and paint us black. Our properties have been destroyed, yet our faith is strong and will remain unshaken.

“History is forever fresh about which of the two parties is the bloodletting one.

History is forever fresh about

which candidate or political gladiator is the troubler of our Israel. There is no one in doubt about the person who holds the key that unlocks the wild doors of the roughnecks, who always unleash mayhem on the state.”

Olatubosun said the APC was aware of clandestine meeting between some police officers and some PDP goons on September 28 at a hotel, Ado Ekiti, where a list of its leaders to be arrested on trumped-up charges was drawn.

The statement claimed that the names of those to be arrested included the Chairman of APC, High Chief Jide Awe; Chief of Staff Yemi Adaramodu; Sola Omonijo; Deji Adesokan; Dele Owoju; Richard Apolola; Niyi Adedipe; Rotimi Olambiwonninu and among others The party recalled that

when it raised the same alarm in June during the election, the security operatives failed to act and eventually launched their offensives against its leaders who committed no offence.

The statement added: “We are here saying again that the people listed have been put on the watch list and once they are arrested, the PDP would start raising allegations against them.

“We are, therefore, calling on the police authorities to check the excesses of their men. It is the utmost interest of the APC leadership that no sinner should go unpunished and, specifically, that the dramatist personae in the activities leading to the present political logjam be brought to book.

“We are now putting the police on notice that the attempt by the PDP and its co-

‘Don’t stop Fayose’s inauguration’ From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

Ex-RTEAN chief: my life under threat

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From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

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ORMER Chairman, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Chief Rotimi Olanbiwonninu (aka Mentilo), raised the alarm yesterday that his life was being threatened.

Olanbiwonninu, in an interview with The Nation in his hideout, said he knew nothing about the death of Chief Omolafe Aderiye (aka Lafeade), who was killed last Thursday.

“It was the belief that I had a hand in his (Omolafe’s) killing that made them destroy my house and burn down my vehicles.

“If I lost all I have worked for all my life, I don’t want to lose my life. I have nothing to do with Omolafe’s killing,” he said.

Appealing to the government and the police to come to his rescue, the RTEAN leader maintained that it was his perceived closeness to the state government, which fuelled such belief.

“I have to be close to any government of the day. That is the constitutional thing for me to do, owing to my past position,” he said.

Mentilo, who explained that he travelled to Abuja two days before the assassination of Aderiye, said: “I was his close friend, although we belonged to different transportation unions.

We don’t even have any business dealings together”.

On how his property and personal belongings were destroyed, Olanbiwonninu said: “They called to inform me my house was being destroyed and my vehicles were on fire. In all, they destroyed 11 vehicles. I was not around to salvage even a pin from the house.

“All I have worked and laboured for in my life were gone. Now, I have continued to receive threats from factions of the transporters that they were still coming for me and that I should be writing my will.

“Why they are threatening to kill me, I don’t know. They have been sending me threat messages that they are coming for me. I have no hand in the death of Omolafe. Ekiti State, the Nigeria Police and all well-meaning Nigerians should come to my rescue.”

horts to divert the attention of the security agencies away from the real culprits has the hands of some of its officers who have been dining with the devil.

“We thus call on all the security agencies, like the police and DSS not to be dragged into the murky past of the PDP, especially, that of Dr. Peter Ayodele Fayose.”

The APC said it remains unyielding in its stance against injustice in the land.

“As a party of strong democratic tenets, we have fought and won several battles against injustice in the past in line with the rule of law. The invasion and attack on the temple of justice with the breakdown of law and order by the PDP led by Fayose has shown that he is either hiding or afraid of his past.”

•Fashola (middle) assisting little Miss Alira to cut the tape at the inauguration of the One-Stop Centre and Temporary Vehicle Tag (TVT) at Oshodi, Lagos…yesterday. With them are: Opeifa (left); Chairman, Oshodi Isolo Local Government Council, Mr. Bolaji Ariyo; Permanent Secretary, Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA), Mr. Akin Hanson and Chairman, House Committee on Transportation Bisi Yusuf.

Fashola inaugurates centre for new driver’s licence

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AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) inaugurated yesterday the Motor Vehicle Administration Agency’s One-Stop Centre.

Fashola, while speaking at the event held at LASTMA yard, Oshodi, said the development was part of the strategies embarked upon by his administration to ensure that transportation is efficient in Lagos.

The governor pointed out that the influx of vehicles necessitated holistic approach to make life easier for the residents in spite of the growing population.

He said: “Today, apart from road solutions, from just about 100, 000 commuters a day, who were travelling on

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

Lagos waterways, I can tell you very confidently today that we now have over 3million passengers every months being moved by about 200 ferries privately owned and licensed and more ferries are coming. Before the end of the year, we will deploy three of the big ferries that Alhaji Lateef Jakande bought during his term.”

Fashola added that the administration has also, through the Lagos Traffic Law, reduced accidents and armed robberies.

Earlier, state Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, said with the new one-stop centre, drivers can process and obtain drivers license in two hours.

TVC News Nigeria begins transmission

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ONTINENTAL Broadcasting Service (CBS) will today begin the transmission of a Nigerianbased news television channels to provide round-theclock local news, reports and analysis for Nigerians at home and abroad.

Head, TVC News Nigeria, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju, said the new station is positioned as the preferred Nigerian channel for breaking news with authoritative and professional journalistic stamp on the nation’s news business.

He said TVC Nigeria “will provide a 24-hour real-time, reliable and accurate Nigeriacentric news, current affairs and documentaries to Nigerian audience.”

Kolade-Otitoju said the

new channel will be the leading television news channel in Nigeria and the first to break the news.

The statement said the channel would focus on people-oriented and developmental journalism that will help the public discover and understand their challenges and discover homegrown solutions.

The Chief Operating Officer, Lemi Olalemi, said the new channel is meant to serve the interest of Nigerians, who desire breaking news and updates on the go and often rely on foreign news agencies for breaking news stories.

His words: “For many years, we understood that we could make a positive contribution to the news and infor-

mation available in and about Nigeria and what we are announcing today will help us achieve that goal.

“TVC News Nigeria will significantly expand our existing viewership and distribution footprint in Nigeria, as well as increase our newsgathering and reporting efforts in the country.

“We have acquired the state-of-the-art equipment and engaged the best hands in the industry across the country to deliver a truly Nigerian news content. I am both exceptionally pleased and very proud that we could take this very important step.”

“Our viewers have clearly demonstrated that they like the way TVC provides the alternative news angles to sto-

ries, compelling, in-depth news to audiences across Africa and indeed the world.

“Our commitment to the voice of the voiceless, bringing stories from under-reported regions of the country and putting the people at the centre of our news agenda is at the heart of what we do. Everyone at TVC takes great pride in the independence, impartiality, professionalism and courage of our journalism.”

The Lagos-based channel is the latest addition to the growing CBS Media Network, which consists of TVC Entertainment, TVC News Africa, Radio Continental and Adaba FM. The channel will broadcast on Consat Channel 190 effective today.

HE Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers has insisted that no attempt should be made to stop the inauguration of Mr. Ayodele Fayose on October 16.

In a statement yesterday at the end of its emergency meeting in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, its chairman, the Onitaji of Itaji, Oba Adamo Babalola, said attempts to subvert the will of the people would be resisted by the people themselves.

The statement said voters spoke at the June 21 governorship election, stressing that what they said must be respected.

The traditional rulers expressed worry about developments in the past few days.

Merit award holds in Ado-Ekiti From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

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FRICAN Youngest PhD degree holder, Dr. Hallowed Oluwadara Olaoluwa, is among 29 distinguished Ekiti indigenes to be honoured with the state’s yearly merit award billed for today in Ado-Ekiti.

Dr. Olaoluwa stunned the academic world earlier in the year when he bagged his PhD in Mathematics from the University of Lagos at 24 years, considered the youngest ever in the continent.

He will be receiving the award in the academic and research category.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Olayinka Oyebode, stated that this year’s merit award would hold at the Ekiti Parapo Square, which will also be commissioned today.

Other distinguished Ekitis to be honoured include the first Nigerian professor of mathematics, the late Prof.

Adegoke Olubunmo and foremost historian, the late Emeritus Professor Jacob Ade-Ajayi, who will be awarded posthumously.

Chief Elemure Ogunyemi, who recently died, will also receive a post-humous award.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

NEWS

Police kill robbers' leader in Anambra

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HE Anambra State Police Command has killed a suspected robbers' gang leader in Awka, the state capital, while a gang of robbers killed a mobile police officer in a shootout.

The command said it smashed a syndicate that specialised in car snatching and arrested five of its members.

The police said it recovered 30 cars, including seven brand new ones, in operations.

The new Police Commissioner Hosea Karma addressed reporters yesterday in Awka when he paraded the suspects at the police headquarters.

The police chief warned criminals to stay away from the state, because there would be no hiding place for them.

He said the suspected car snatchers in police custody were speaking on their activities as the command made progress in its investigations.

According to him, a woman who specialises in using her father's house to keep kidnap victims, has been arrest-

•Native doctor, woman 'kidnapper' arrested •Five other suspects also arrested •AK-47 rifles, others recovered From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

ed.

Karma said the police arrested members of a robbery gang that operated in churches across the state.

The police chief said other members of the gang took to bank robbery.

He said the gang attempted to rob a new generation bank in Awka last weekend.

Karma said the police killed the suspected gang leader, identified as Uzochukwu Onwusorigwe, from Imo State.

He said: "The gang leader met his waterloo in the shootout. We lost a mobile policeman, who was on duty in that bank at the time. But we recovered three AK-47 rifles, three pump action guns with various ammunition and some cartridges. A welding machine, which they wanted

to use to break into the vault of the bank, was equally recovered."

Karma urged parents to keep an eye on their wards and children to ensure that their houses are not used as criminals' den.

"The state government and the House of Assembly have declared war on kidnapping.

So, anybody who allows his property to be used would definitely meet with the full wrath of the law."

The police said they have arrested a native doctor from Nando, who specialised in encouraging young criminals and doing concoctions for them.

The police chief said the native doctor deceived the youths that nobody would arrest them, adding that even if they were arrested, they should not confess because

they would die, if they did.

He said his men raided an uncompleted building at Nnewi on September 25, which criminals allegedly used as their hideout.

Karma said an AK-47 rifle, 1,541 rounds of ammunition, 367 rounds of 5.56mm calibre rounds of ammunition, 30 AK-47 rifle magazines, six locally made pistols, four padlocks and two chains were recovered from suspects.

The police chief said the recoveries showed that the place was used as a den for kidnappers, adding that the recovered items were the tolls the suspects used during their operations.

He said the command also arrested four suspected members of a syndicate that specialised in issuing fake number plates.

According to him, at the

•The suspects in Awka...yesterday.

Otuocha Police Division, a police vigilance patrol seized a bus loaded with 28 split units of air conditioners that were allegedly stolen from a hotel.

Karma said a man, identified to be the brother of the hotel owner and the receiver

of the stolen air conditioners, were arrested.

The police chief urged the residents to be vigilant.

He assured that the command and the state government would always protect them from hoodlums.

Mixed reactions trail Ugwuanyi’s IXED reactions have endorsement continued to trail

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•Abia State Governor Theodore Orji (right) receiving a Naval plaque of excellence from the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral O. U. Jibril, when the governor visited him at the Naval headquarters in Abuja.

APC hails Ohanaeze for not endorsing Jonathan

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HE Southeast chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has hailed the Ohanaeze Ndigbo for avoiding the adoption of President Goodluck Jonathan as the Igbo candidate during the regional organisation’s celebration on Monday in Awka, the Anambra State capital.

The party noted that the group’s action was commendable, despite the pressure by those it called Ndigbo-chopsand band of politicians.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo, at the Igbo Day celebration, shelved

From Chris Oji, Enugu

the adoption of President Jonathan as Igbo’s sole candidate.

A statement by the APC Southeast spokesman, Osita Okechukwu, said: “For this noble act, we salute Ohanaeze Ndigbo leadership for abiding by the old African maxim that it is very dangerous to put all our eggs in one basket, a mistake which the late Amb. Ralph Uwechie’s regime made in 2011.

“The Southeast APC is of the candid view that it is high time Ndigbo thought out of

the box, embarked on an introspection and did a soul search before supporting again the same President who has failed to honour the promises he made to Ndigbo.

“It is glaring that most federal roads in Igbo land are death traps, thus halting economic activities; the Second Niger Bridge may be dead on arrival, as Julius Berger has not been able to source the fund for its execution.

“We must remember that the Ndigbo-chop-sand band of politicians are like shegoats who only care about

their immediate family.

“For example, is it not a paradox that Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyawu, one of the ChopSand-Band leaders was honoured yesterday (Monday)

by President Jonathan with CFR, regardless of the fact that he abandoned Onuimo Silo, an agricultural project meant to preserve the grains of poor peasant farmers in Imo State?

“In sum, we commend Chief Gary Enwo-Igariwey and his leadership for their uncommon patriotism and commitment to ideals of democracy.”

Elechi: 2015 polls may be postponed, if... Police arrest ‘most wanted’

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BONYI State Governor Martin Elechi has said the 2015 elections may be postponed, if the security situation in the country does not improve.

The governor addressed reporters yesterday in Abakaliki, the state capital, as part of activities marking today’s 54th independence anniversary of the nation and 18th anniversary of the state’s creation.

Elechi, who was responding to a question on his successor, said the people would decide who succeeds him in 2015.

He said: “I don’t know why we are so unsettled about this matter. The time table is out and the actors are going to make themselves available. You give the impression that I will single-handedly say this is my successor. It has to come by way of consensus and by elec-

From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

tion. So, please, do not overheat the polity. What is important now is that we face our projects and programmes.

“What if the elections don’t come?

You should pray more that we overcome the destabilising factors that are shaking the nation with probability.

I am not saying they will succeed, but they are with the probability of stalling all elections.

“If the nation is at war - and this is a constitutional provision - such that elections can’t be held, elections will be postponed.

“We should be more concerned about ensuring peace and stability in the country rather than who succeeds who.

“If I am alive till May 29, 2015, I will hand over to somebody.”

robbery, kidnap suspect From Chris Oji, Enugu

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HE Enugu State Police Command has arrested a man it described as “a much wanted notorious armed robbery and kidnap kingpin”.

A statement by its spokesman, Ebere Amaraizu, gave the suspect’s name as Chukwudebelu Onyebuchi, a returnee from Johannesburg, South Africa.

Onyebuchi, the police said, allegedly carried out series of kidnapping and robbery in Anambra and Enugu axes although he lived in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

The police said he was trailed and arrested in Owerri after a gun battle. He was reportedly injured during the operation.

Items recovered from the suspect, the police said, include an AK-47 riffle with bullets stocked under the back seat of a Toyota Corolla car with registration (Lagos) US 45 KJA and a phone.

the endorsement of Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as the Enugu State consensus candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in next year’s election.

Ugwuanyi was handed the consensus ticket last weekend by the PDP caucus in Enugu North, where the ticket was zone to.

While his supporters have hailed the endorsement, those in the camp of the Chairman of the Senate Committee on works, Ayogu Eze, have given it thumbs down.

Eze faulted the process that led to Ugwuanyi’s endorsement, insisting that he was still in the 2015 governorship race.

But a member of the PDP’s Board of Trustees (BoT) from the zone, who participated in the caucus meeting, Mrs. Justina Eze, described the senator’s comments as unfortunate.

She said it was a strange act that should not be encouraged in the interest of the people.

Mrs Eze said the people had been yearning for a sense of belonging in the affairs of the state.

According to her, the process that led to the emergence of Ugwuanyi was democratic and in conformity with the

From Chris Oji, Enugu

PDP constitution 2012, as amended.

Mrs Eze noted that such a distraction, if not controlled, could endanger the chances of the zone from producing the next governor.

She urged Senator Eze to take the party’s decision in good faith and cooperate with Ugwuanyi at the party primary and governorship elections.

Dr. Godsmark Eddy Ugwu, one of the aspirants who stepped down for Ugwuanyi, described Senator Eze’s comments as unwarranted.

The former aspirant said the senator had benefited heavily from the party through the same process he was antagonising.

He said the Enugu PDP, which twice gave Eze the Senate ticket, had been magnanimous to him.

Ugwu noted that Senator Eze should show appreciation rather than anger about the party’s decisions and abide by them.

The politician criticised Senator Eze for describing the caucus meeting as “a gathering of people of my senatorial district”.

NULGE, ALGON to tackle ‘extortion’ in Lagos

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HE Nigerian Union of Local Government Employee (NULGE) and the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) have petitioned the Directorate of Security Services (DSS) over “arbitrary” imposition of taxes on the public by a suspected clique believed to be working for the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

NULGE and ALGON decried the alleged extortion, faking and forgery of government papers by the criminal group.

The petition, dated September 4 and signed by Vincent Ogbonna on behalf of the two bodies, noted that the activities of the TUC affiliate on Lagos State highways, motor parks, companies and other parts of the country, breached the security of motorists, who resisted the illegal actions.

The statement said: “These actions and many more, such as reporting some perpetrators to the law enforcement authorities, have yielded some significant results, save for some who are bent on continuing with the illegalities, including the TUC in Lagos, which mandated a faceless group of impostors, called NUSEPN, as its affiliate body.”

The petitioners said they had begun seminars, symposia and other publications in print and electronic media, in collaboration with another organisation(JMOAN) “in a bid to sensitise the public on the need to curb the activities of the criminals who hide under the cloak of the local government system to extort money from the people via the imposition of stickers”.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

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NEWS

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Tension in Bayelsa over senator’s ambition

HE alleged ambition of the senator representing Bayelsa Central, Emmanuel Paulker, is creating tension in the state.

It was gathered yesterday that besides the ambition of the Presidential Assistant on Domestic Matters, Dr. Waripamowei Dudafa; Paulker was gunning for Dickson’s job.

While Paulker is said to be leveraging on his closeness to President Goodluck Jonathan; Dudafa has been ‘promised’ the seat by the First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan.

It was gathered that as part of his desperate measures, the senator was intimidating core loyalists of Dickson using his connections in Abuja, especially the Office of the Inspector-General of Police.

A source said four loy-

‘Uyo won’t get PDP ticket’ From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

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ORMER Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor Chris Ekpenyong has said power will not go back to Uyo Senatorial District.

He said the district held power for eight years under ex-governor Victor Attah.

Ekpenyong said Governor Godswill Akpabio has convinced the people to zone the governorship position to Eket Senatorial District.

The former deputy governor spoke when a governorship aspirant, Benjamin Okoko, visited him.

Ekpenyong praised Akpabio for ensuring that the zoning of the governorship seat to Eket enjoyed a wide acceptance in the area.

He said the decision of who represents the party would rest primarily on party members and not the governor.

“If there is anything Akpabio has done for the people, it is the fight he has won for the zoning of the governorship position to Eket senatorial district but not for whom will become the next governor.

“The choice of who becomes the governor rests with the people. And if anybody says that the governorship position must go back to Uyo, the person is doing himself a disservice because power must rotate within the state.”

The former deputy governor said Okoko remained the best option for the PDP because of his loyalty to the party.

•Dickson’s loyalists summoned in Abuja From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

alists of the governor from Epie Kingdom have been summoned by the Force Headquarters for questioning.

The source, who pleaded for anonymity, gave their names as Obadiah John, Oborku Oforji, Raymond Manifest and Austin Eliot Sambo.

Paulker, who hails from Epie Kingdom, was said to be uncomfortable that despite factionalising proDickson’s group in the kingdom, key individuals with political influence had failed to join his camp.

The source said: “Paulker is moving against people loyal to the governor using his influence at the federal level to get the police to hound these guys. The IG is allegedly involved.

“What is interesting to know is that these boys are from his Epie clan and he has succeeded in dividing their ranks to create two factions.

“He is hounding the leadership of critical groups in the clan.

“So, all these are parts of his desperation to be governor as he continues to drop the President’s name.

He is moving against the loyalists of the governor.”

The source said the move was also aimed at coercing the summoned loyalists to abandon the governor and join the senator’s camp.

“This is politics of intimidation and it has started causing crisis in that kingdom.

“Though he is a senator, he is very far away from his people. His people don’t like him and that is why he is intimidating them.”

How we rescued Chinese in Cross River, by AIG

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HE Acting Inspector General of Police

(Zone Six), Mark Idakwu, said yesterday that two Chinese nationals were kidnapped on September 16 in Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State.

He said with the efforts of his men, they were rescued 10 days later.

The Chinese are farmers in the IBIAE oil palm estate managed by Wilmar in Biase Local Government.

The AIG said the Chi-

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

nese have safely returned to their farm and their embassy has been alerted.

Idakwu said his men tracked the gang leader to Calabar, where he came to buy food, and arrested him.

The suspect was then made to call his associates that he had got the ransom for the victims.

The AIG said the suspects came down to meet their leaders to get their share and were accosted.

Pastor blames building collapse on sabotage

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ASTOR Moses Erhue, whose church building collapsed last Sunday, has blamed saboteurs for the incident.

Erhue said he was shocked to see his church building, which has 32 pillars, in ruins.

He denied using substandard materials, noting that he saw cracks in the pillars, which according to him, suggested that somebody might have chiselled them.

“I want to thank God that there was no casualty. I was called that the wind fell the building. I was surprised to see that a building where we have 32 pillars, built with standard materials could be brought down in this capacity.”

“I don’t believe that the

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

use of substandard materials brought it down. You can see some cracks in the pillar. Maybe some people came and cracked the pillars. “We will take it by faith. For me, I know that the building cannot be brought down if somebody had not cracked the pillars.

“We held a service here on Sunday and we did not see the crack. We have been building this church for five years. The church is just eight years old.

“The land is surveyed and the building has a plan. If it has a plan then it was approved. I have a contractor and an engineer supervising the building.

I have not quarrelled with anybody.”

1,000 PDP members join Edo APC

O

NE thousand members of the

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Urhonigbe North ward of Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State.

They were received by Deputy Governor Pius

From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

Odubu, who assured them of equal treatment with other APC members.

The deputy governor, who visited the Okaeubo of Urhonigbe, Igie Aimuyo, said the former PDP members would not regret their decision.

Odubu advised party members to keep their temporary voter cards in preparation for permanent voter cards.

The defectors’ spokesman, Friday Osazee, said their decision followed the unprecedented performance by the Adams Oshiomhole-led administration.

12

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

NEWS INEC clears seven for Adamawa poll

T

HE candidates of seven political parties have been cleared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the October 11 governorship by-election in Adawawa State.

They are: Senator Mohammed Jibrilla of the All Progressives Congress (APC); Mr Aminu Furo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA); Mr Aminu Waziri of Kowa Party; Mr Mohammed Malgwi of the National Congress of Progressives (NCP); Acting Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); Amos Sunday of the Progressive People of Nigeria (PPN); and Mr Abdulnasir Hamman of MPPP. INEC accredited 31 observers for the election, 24 of which are domestic organisations and seven interna-

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

tional.

The organisations, according to INEC’s Director for Election and Party Monitoring, Bala Shittu are: Youth Initiative for Advocacy and Advancement; Police Service Commission; Election Monitor; Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reforms; Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness; Centre for Policy Advocacy And Leadership Development; Centre for Civic Education, a.k.a. Transition Monitoring Group (TMG); Justice & Equity Organisation; National Association for Peaceful Elections; Research Initiative for Sustainable Development and Gender Awareness; Women Arise for Change Initiative; Alliance for Credible Election; Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room; Nigeri-

an Bar Association (NBA); Human Right’s Monitor; Independent Election Monitoring Group; African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development; Centre for Women and Adolescent Empowerment; Reclaim Naija; National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies; National Institute for Legislative Studies; Centre for Democracy and Development; New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) Nigeria and Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution.

The international organisations are: European Union Delegation to Nigeria; United States Mission to Nigeria; British High Commission; International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES); UNDP/DGP; UN Women and Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Abuja.

Court suspends judgment on Nyako

J

USTICE Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Lagos has suspended judgment in a suit seeking to reinstate impeached Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako.

The verdict was fixed for yesterday, but the judge said he would not deliver it yet in the interest of justice.

The suit was filed by a Lagos lawyer, Mr. Olukoya Ogungbeje.

Ogunbeje urged the court

By Joseph Jibueze

to compel the Acting Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, to vacate office and reinstate Nyako.

He said the process that led to Nyako’s impeachment was unconstitutional because the ousted governor was not served with the impeachment notice by the House of Assembly.

Fintiri; the House of Assembly; Adamawa Chief Judge Ambrose Mammadi; Chairman of the Impeach-

ment Panel Buba Kajama; the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Inspector-General of Police are the respondents.

Nyako was impeached on July 15 after the House of Assembly adopted the report of a seven-man investigation panel, which indicted him of gross misconduct.

Fintiri, who was then speaker of the House of Assembly, was sworn in as the acting governor.

Flood destroys property in Ilorin

P

ROPERTY worth millions of naira were destroyed yesterday by flood in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

This followed heavy rains, which began around 2am and fell for over four hours.

Worse hit by the flood were Odota, Ita-Amodu bridge and Oko-Erin, around Government Day Secondary School (GDSS).

At Odota, Ilorin West Local Government Area, residents said the flood was

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

caused by shops built on the waterways, which prevented a free-flow of water.

Many fences were washed away. Three vehicles, home appliances, furniture and documents were damaged.

The owner of two of the affected houses, Chief Adams Olanipekun, said water from Olorunsogo caused erosion in Shaka Shaka Street.

Olanipekun said: “The rain started about 2am on Tuesday.

Water from Olorunsogo was blocked by a row of shops around here, which diverted the flood to our houses. The flood, coupled with thunder strikes at 3am, pulled down fences, which fell on three cars and destroyed them beyond repair.”

Residents urged the government to relocate the shops.

Mr. Kehinde David said: “The shops blocked the passage of water from Olorunsogo. Drain must be constructed.”

Suntai, Umar urge court to reject appeal

A

ILING Taraba State Governor Danbaba Suntai and his deputy, Garba Umaru, have urged the Supreme Court to dismiss an appeal seeking to reverse the impeachment of former Deputy Governor Sani Danladi.

The request is contained in the respondents’ brief adopted yesterday by their lawyer, Yusuf Ali (SAN), in an appeal filed by Danladi.

Danladi urged the court to set aside decisions of the Court of Appeal, Yola and the

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

Taraba State High Court, which affirmed his impeachment.

Danladi was impeached by the House of Assembly on October 4, 2012, on the grounds of gross misconduct.

His lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN), argued that his impeachment did not follow due process.

Danladi faulted the sevenman panel set up by the Chief Judge, J. Y. Tuktur, to investigate the allegation of gross

misconduct against him.

He also faulted the House for sitting and impeaching him when the late Isiaka Audu, who used to represent Kurmi Constituency, was yet to be replaced.

Suntai and Umar urged the apex court to uphold the decisions of the two lower courts and dismiss the appeal.

The Assembly; the Speaker, Istifanus Gbana, and the Attorney-General also urged the court to dismiss the appeal.

Justice Walter Onnoghene fixed November 21 for judgment.

Belgore’s supporters join APC

M

EMBERS of the Mohammed Dele Belgore (MDB) Solidarity Team have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State.

The defectors, who are majorly from Ilorin West Local Government Area, hinged their defection on leadership crises and Belgore’s inaccessibility.

The leader of the group, Mr Moshood Abdulsalam from Ajikobi Ward, said: “Our defection is in the best interest of Kwara State. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been destroyed by corrupt state excos and the leadership tussle

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

in my local government has left the party in disarray.”

He said Belgore was insensitive to his supporters and hailed Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed’s efforts on youth employment and empowerment.

The defectors, who submitted their PDP membership cards to the APC leadership in Ilorin West, led by Alhaji S.B. Olarewaju, praised Senator Bukola Saraki for providing “purposeful leadership” and pledged to work with him for the state’s development.

Belgore’s media aide, Rafiu Ajakaye, said: “Our support base remains intact and stronger than it has ever been. We are not aware that anyone from our camp has defected to anywhere.

“We recall that back in February, the APC addressed up to four news conferences to express its frustration at Belgore’s defection to the PDP. Just last month, the APC issued up to three press statements alleging that Belgore sponsored the disruption of the voter registration. We have since taken legal action on that reckless allegation.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

15

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

Life

The Midweek Magazine E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Text only: 08023058761

INDEPENDENCE DAY

•The late Mamman Vasta

•The late Saro Wiwa

“R

IGHT now, I don’t have a house…I don’t have a state… I don’t have a village… I don’t even have a country. Just imagine if there is a ceremony tomorrow in your family in the village, where are you going to hold it where you don’t have a house or a village, it has been taken over. You go to your state, nobody cares about you – in my state people are more concerned with politicking, campaigns and election than the problems of the internally displaced– your family is scattered all over the place. How would you look at yourself – would you look at yourself as a Nigerian? Would you say you have a nation, since your government is not forthcoming with all these crises you have passed through for over five years? You want to tell me the government is not competent enough to bring down these insurgencies with the kind of military that we have over praised and over-estimated and yet we cannot solve the problem. Something is wrong somewhere in our psychology as a

Nigeria at 54: Writers’ lamentation

As Nigerians commemorate the 54th independence anniversary today, writers say it is not yet Uhuru - more should be done to protect and empower the pen-pushers. In this report, they described what independence meant to them and lamented the security challenges that have snatched some leading scholars in the comity of writers. EVELYN OSAGIE writes. nation.

I am a book freak; I have all my books, 3000 of them, stored in my library in my country home. As the insurgents took over

Letter to a departed friend – Page 17

my house, my library was vandalised, burnt and looted by them and others in the community.

“My family of two wives, children and

dependants, totalling 18, were ferried out of town in the midnight on bike and it took five hours to reach the next safe area where I could pick them away. In fact, a wedding ceremony took place in the chairman’s house - they did the wedding the way we use to do our wedding. They were cool and comfortable as if they have come to stay forever. They hate anything academics to the extent that they are looking for scholars, civil servant, looking for people working for government and so on, we have to run for our dear life.

“Today, Nigeria is faced with its worst national tragedy since independence, we have a dehumanising government, a strangulating corruption, a decadent democracy and an army of ethnic lunatics and religion fanatics let loose on the entire nation with brutal and gruesome consequences.

That no serious work of creative imagination has yet come out in response to these tragedies is an indictment of the relevance and sense of history of the contemporary •Continued on Page 16

Koko gets national honour – Page 17

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

16

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Nigeria at 54: Writers’ lamentation •Continued from Page 15 Nigerian writer.

These are the lamentations of Dr Othman Abubakar, a Maiduguri based scholar and writer. But the insurgency in the North-east is not new or spontaneous, but a mere reenactment of an existing political theatrical script “poorly directed and dramatised by one Col. Gideon Okar who, in his schism and plutonian utopianism carved out a new Nigeria where he flushed out the north-east and consigned it to hell”, according to Othman.

The problem is not entirely that of the writer but the harsh reality of people living in areas where there are insurgencies. If nothing is done to curb the crisis, Othman fears it could get to other parts of the country. In the wake of such precedence the writer is robbed of his patriotism and national consciousness, and “instead his vision is beclouded with abstract, spurious and alien ideologies”.

Othman’s lamentation and fear are not new. Before now, many writers have paid the ultimate prize to crisis, insecurity, violence and “brutal murder”. Prof Festus Iyayi, General Mamman Vasta, Ken Saro Wiwa and Christopher Okigbo are notable Nigerian scholars that were murdered in controversial circumstances. But, for their death, they would have swelled the ranks of literary scholars that parade renowned writers such as Prof Wole Soyinka, Prof J.P. Clark, Gabriel Okara, Elechi Amadi and Obi Chukwuemeka Ike. Security and protection are not new issues on the nation’s front burner. But, the fact still remains that much needs to be done to tackle the issue head on. On the death of the late Iyayi, Soyinka observed that: “The world is watching…the world is waiting and watching if the corpse shown in that image will be interred without a coroner’s inquest. To allow this to happen is to make all of us accessories to a possible crime. It means we are now attuned to the culture of impunity and forfeited all claims to elementary citizen security. Tributes ring hollow if doubts are silenced… We remain haunted by the far too frequent, unexplained decimation in the ranks of the committed. A coroner’s inquest - that is where to begin.”

As Nigeria marks another independence day, some writers spoke on what the day means to them.

National President, Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Remi Raji:

“To me, “Independence” is the state of being beyond dependence, that point of freedom where everything about development and growth is within reach. With “independence” comes the emergence of political, literary as well as economic traditions that is if it is a real independence.

“The challenges are legion. There is the challenge of identity and status: the writer is almost always seen as a niggling critic of the system; whereas this might be true to some extent, it becomes an impediment to any complementary relations or engagement between “authors” and “the authorities”. On account of this and perhaps for some other imprecise reasons, the writer lacks institutional support the kind of which sustains and encourages creativity and industry. Over 50 years of Independence, we still struggle to secure governmental and non-governmental support for Nigerian writer and writing; till date, there is no single, deliberate and concerted effort at developing structures like residencies and fellowships for Nigerian writers and artists. Also, there is the virtual challenge of getting the appropriate support base for publishing and marketing. This is beside the related challenge that the writer faces in matters of copyright as piracy. Unfortunately, it has become a ritual for these challenges and impediments to be reflected upon without any hope of change or transformation.

“No doubt, there is great insecurity in the land; for the writer, it is a symbolic double scare, first, to be literate and secondly, to be

•The late Iyayi

bombers operate with reckless abandon.

Terrorists and insurgents have taken over.

In all these, the writer is endangered because he would be inquisitive to write about the happenings and faces the danger of being caught up in the process. Yet I encourage writers not to be discouraged for I am confident that through their writings they can suggest ways of surmounting the security challenges and bring about protection not just for the writer but for entire citizens.”

Director of Book Development Agency, Niger State, B.M Dzukogi

•Soyinka

creative. In these times when education is a subject of fundamentalist aggression, the writer (this includes the journalist) is endangered. How do you protect a guild, a body of writers or even individual writers who you do not consider significant in any sense of the term to national development?

Clearly, the protection of the Nigerian writer is very secondary, if not an afterthought, in the system.”

Former Minister of State for Education, Dr Jerry Agada “To me, independence means freedom from the shackles of colonial influences. It means being free to be able to make decisions for oneself in terms of political, economic or even cultural considerations.

As a writer independence to me means free-

‘My family of two wives, children and dependants, totalling 18, were ferried out of town in the midnight on bike and it took five hours to reach the next safe area where I could pick them away’- Othman

dom to exercise my creative talents without undue influence or inhibition from any foreign quarters or outside influence. It means the freedom to write freely and comment freely on issues that will make for betterment of the society and world at large.

“As Nigeria celebrates her 54th independence, the writer faces the challenge of asserting his or her rightful position in the affairs of the nation. The writer still struggles to be heard and appreciated. The writer faces the challenges of getting published due to harsh economic conditions. And of course the writer faces the challange of operating in an environment where there is poor reading culture and therefore lacks patronage for his writings.

“The writer like any other Nigerian citizen faces terrible security challenges. There are bomb blasts here and there. Suicide

‘The writer is increasingly getting abandoned. The society cares only when he/ she has been able to make a mark based on his personal efforts’ - Dzukogi

“If I want to pretend I would probably say it means something to me, today. As much as I want to feel its significance, I must admit that I do forget about it these days. In fact, I had to ask today what public holiday would be observed tomorrow. And a staff of mine said ‘1st October”. This is how tragic, Nigeria has become in our lives. When we were in the primary school those days; in the seventies, we waited all year round to celebrate it. Today, it’s all zero expectation about the anniversary of the independence of Nigeria.

“The writer is increasingly getting abandoned. The society cares only when he/she has been able to make a mark based on his personal efforts. While a few governments are trying to create platforms for the growth of writers, a greater majority are busy pumping money to the film industry and nothing for the writing community. Popular culture and sex things are now more valuable to the hard core literature. How can we as a nation, retain our identity by copying the west?

Can we ever beat them in music and all those? In time we will just lose ourselves and become second class dwellers of the world. Even the Bring-Back-the-Book of GEJ is a trash - a good idea now resting in the dustbin of Aso Rock. All they needed to do that time was to ask ANA to power the project through state branches with heavy funding but our colleagues (writers) working with the president aborted the project.

We are on our own in Nigeria as writers.

But in Niger State, we are a pampered lot.

“Heavily vulnerable! There is no security in Nigeria today. As an individual, you are on your own let alone the writer who will want to assume the voice of the people, the risk is more. So, the choice of an option is personal to each writer. But we have no choice than to dare the consequences of being a writer in the face of all kinds of security threats. To do otherwise is to kill the society out rightly because vagabonds will take over power. You die only once.”

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Letter to a departed friend He fought for the oppressed and stood for the weak.

He was a fighter for change. So say many of the writer/essayist, Austyn Njoku, who died in August.

It was a time of sober reflections when his colleagues gathered in Lagos to celebrate him. EVELYN OSAGIE writes.

T

HEY wore long faces. Some came in black. They came to relive their time together, but, as if he was listening, they ended up sending a letter filled with deep emotions to the late Austyn Njoku.

That afternoon, at Eniobanke Arts Centre, Lagos, family, friends and colleagues’ tributes to the late writer, brought back fond memories of him. Each spoke of his moments with him, remembering the deceased qualities, which were said to be worthy of emulation. With their words, one could see that the late Njoku Austyn was many things, but never an “unscrupulous man”.

Folks called him a disciplinarian, a man of principles, an advocate, a defender of the weak, an honest man and so on. But his family called him “special”.

Austyn, as he was fondly called, was born Austin Chukwuemeka Njoku Onyeoziri in Kaduna. He died 20 days to his 49th birthday.

He is survived by his widow, Jemilatu Ashe Njoku and four children - Genevieve, Augusta, Michelle and Emmanuella.

“I was with him the day he died. Even on his sick bed, we talked about so many things.

He was a great listener and a man of great understanding. He was that friend who understood each us and was always there.

When we were told he had cardiac arrest, I fell, stood up, ran to him, pressed his chest and open his eyes. It was indeed an extremely painful demise - his importance is impossible to forget.

“He is irreplaceable husband and father; acted as though immune to the thorns life puts in his way. My dad was extremely disciplined; who always stood for what is right and what he believed in. I miss seeing, touching and running to him for advice. But I still feel him around. I love you dad and do know that your light shines on,”18-year-old Genevieve said.

Those who knew how sharp and blunt Austyn’s pen may be shocked to know that one of his reviews may well have been written by any of his four daughters. It was learnt that Austyn did not only encourage his wards to read or write but also to review books for him which were eventually published.

Fifteen years old, Augusta, who hopes to be a writer and artist someday, said: “He was very special. I would often show him my drawings and write-ups; and he would make me and my sisters help read and write reviews of books for him. He taught me how to write so that people could feel the impact of what I felt. Right from when I could hold a pencil, I’ve always wanted to be a writer; and my dad used to say, probably, the spirit of writing entered me as a baby because he hosted ANA meeting during my naming.

(Laughs) Dad, I would do my best to make you proud and would always smile like you said I should.”

The late Austyn, who was formerly the Association of Nigeria Authors (ANA) National Treasurer and a member of the Advisory Council of ANA Lagos, was a poet, short story writer, a freelance editor, literary consultant and publisher of Jemie books – which

MEMORIAL he named after his wife, Jemilatu.

“Words cannot qualify the feeling of our loss. Austyn and I were really in love and friends from the day we met and when he left. He was a wonderful husband and friend, who always spoke against injustice and evil.

I feel honoured that people also saw what I have been seeing all these years. He would forever live in my heart, and would always be with me each day I wake,” Mrs Njoku said.

His elder brother, Chief Richard called him a “worthy lieutenant who was also a good footballer”.

The event, which was organised by the Lagos Branch of ANA with Eniobanke Arts Centre, had in attendance friends and colleagues from two vocations where Austyn devoted his life and passion – literati and Nigerian Airways.

The array of writers included past ANA presidents, Dagga Tolar and Folu Agoi; Aramotu; Tony Kan; JahmanAnikulapo; Diana Eke; Ralph Tathagata; JeeNkeoma and Rex Emma Odoemenam.

According to ANA Lagos Chair, Mr Femi Onileagbon, ANA has named its welfare drive the Austyn Foundation after the late author, adding that it would publish his unpublished works and an anthology of poems in his honour along with the late Ebereonwu and AmasiatuAmasiatu. “He was a devoted member and stayed faithful to ANA Lagos irrespective of who was Chairman. He was my adviser and willingly humbled himself to assist me in the first year of my tenure as chairman.”

Donating its premises for the event was a mark of honour to the late Austyn, whom the founder of the Eniobanke Arts Centre, Beautiful Nubia, described as “a bosom friend”. Nubia, who has been a close friend of the deceased for 17 years, said he is willing to partner with ANA to celebrate him more in years to come.

He said: “Austyn and I joined ANA Lagos the same day in 1997 and bonded immediately. I used to spend a lot of time with his family. So, it was very painful when I heard the news. If ANA wants, we can hold lotsactivities to honour him every year on his anniversary.”

Njoku’s (poetry, articles, reviews and short fiction) have appeared online on several website, in anthologies, magazines and national dailies including – The Nation, The Guardian, The Sun, Daily Times, ANA Review, WRITASCOPE and The Lumina. His published collections are I been a Crew (1998), which received honourable mention in ANA/ Cadbury Poetry Contest in 1999; Scents of Dawn (2002) which jointly won ANA Delta/ Prof Tanure Ojaide Poetry Prize in 2003 and Night in Lagos (2008).

On her part, Prof AkachiAdimora-Ezeigbo said Austyn death was unbelievable. In her words: “Austyn, it is hard to believe that you’ve bowed out of this vale of tears, our world. Keep smiling and shining wherever

•The late Njoku’s family members

• Members of ANA

you are. JeeNkeoma (go in peace).”

“Austyn, you shouldn’t have died, but you done your bit. Rest in peace,” said Kan, who described Austyn as “calm and jovial”.

For CORA Director Anikulapo, the deceased was committed writer/artist who is always first to CORA events. “Austyn, you lived well; you deserve the rest you are having now” “It is hard to believe what my ears heard,” began Vincent Ikedinachi, “but I think it’s a relief that the tough road on which you rode you’ve finally exited.”

Austyn also worked with the defunct Nigerian Airways. His former colleagues also eulogised his commitment to the cause of the oppressed, describing him as “a general of the struggle” adding that “it was sad that the General did not live to see the end of the fight”. According to them, Austyn fought with them against the unfair treatment of the authorities of the then Nigerian Airways.

The Nigerian Airways Pensioners (Group 2004) Chairman, Mr Jacob Ogunleye, said: “It is very painful that he is no more. We all

met in Nigeria Airways and when government decided liquidate the Nigerian Airways and hash reality dawned on us, we fought many battles together to see that we get our legitimate entitlement from government, in terms of pension. Why should the government force it citizens into taking arms before they recognise us and our entitlement.

“Are they waiting for us to die or turn to another militant group, such as Boko Haram before they give us our due? What happened in the case of NEPA is laudable - the information we have was that the family members of those who died while waiting for this money were fully paid during the payment. We want to draw from that precedence and call on the government to come to the plight of staff of the defunct Nigerian Airways and pay us our entitlements.”

The Nigerian Airways Pensioners (Group 2004) Secretary, Mr Godbless Ozegbe, added: “I look back with deep sense of nostalgia. But I feel happy knowing the very essence of what we shared will always remain. Sleep well brother.”

‘He is irreplaceable as a husband and father; acted as though immune to the thorns life puts in his way.

My dad was extremely disciplined; he always stood for what is right and what he believed in. I miss seeing, touching and running to him for advice. But I still feel him around. I love you dad and do know that your light shines on’

Book ambassador Koko gets national honour

F

OUNDER, Rainbow Foundation and Programme Director of the UNESCO Port Harcourt World Book Capital 2014 project, Mrs Odo Claire ‘Koko’ Kalango, has been awarded the national honour of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON).

As a young girl, Mrs Kalango won the MOBIL National Essay Competition. She wrote on “What can I do for my country?” and represented Nigeria at the Kirby Smith Youth Camp organised by the Li-

AWARD ons Club in Arizona, United States for promising leaders. After writing a weekly lifestyle column in This Day for five years, she founded the Rainbow Book Club and started the “Get Nigeria Reading again!” campaign in 2005. In recognition of her work, she was invited to serve on the READ Campaign of the Federal Ministry of Education (in 2007) and sponsored by the British Council to represent Nigeria

at the Edinburgh International Book Festival (2010). Koko has worked in Nigeria, the UK and the United States, with experience in education, communications and social Development. She is the Festival Director of the Garden City Literary Festival, now Port Harcourt Book Festival. A graduate of French from the University of Benin and International Relations from the University of Lancaster, she is a member of the Royal Institute of International Affairs as well as the Royal African Society.

•Kalango

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

19

COMMENTARY LETTER

EDITORIALS

Nigeria still in the woods

•54 years after obtaining independence, leadership remains the bane of a once promising country

I

T is, again, that period of the year when it is conventional to take stock of national development. Every year, analysts and critics bemoan the state of the nation, but leaders keep dancing ballet, perhaps mocking the people. Little really has changed in the last 54 years.

At independence in 1960, expectations were high that the country would soon soar so high that it would be the envy of the world. It was expected that Nigeria would assume a role that appeared so natural in pulling other African countries out of the woods and buoying the spirit and pride of the black race. Nigeria has therefore, by failing to fulfill its destiny, not only failed her citizens, but the entire black race. It has contributed to the derision with which black people all over the world are held.

It had been expected that within the first decade after independence, Nigeria would have sorted out the basics and set the foundation for development. This has remained a pipe dream. It took only two years for the first set of leaders to lose focus and selfishly launch at one another’s jugular, rather than join hands to realise that the hopes of the people would depend on them. It was therefore no surprise when soldiers, without articulated vision, rolled out the tanks in 63 months to sack the rudderless leadership.

Writers and analysts have over the years identified leadership as the bane of national development. Policies are unstable and short-term. Although it has often been said that a problem identified and diagnosed is half-solved, the Nigerian leader-

ship challenge has defied this reasoning.

The fundamental challenge has been narrowed down to ill-prepared leadership, wrong recruitment processes and procedures and lack of vision. Yet, nothing has been done to correct these ills.

On the political plane, elections are still regarded as battles for which the contestants - both the political parties and candidates - are well fortified with all forms of arsenal and whose machines are lubricated with money usually taken out of the public till. Politicians do all within their power to pervert the process and the result is the emergence of the current set of leaders.

Thus, the economy is a casualty. Funds appropriated for welfare and security of the people as well as provision of infrastructure are diverted to private accounts in preparation for the next election. Works done are shoddy as contractors understand the language of the leaders. No sector stands out. The education sector remains comatose; hospitals designated centres of excellence have become glorified mere consulting clinics, power supply continues to haunt big and small businesses; the roads are in poor state and infrastructure for economic progress remain a source of national embarrassment, performing below even regional standards.

Perhaps the worst evidence of retrogression is the dizzying height to which insecurity has been taken. Life, as depicted by the Hobbesian state of nature, is truly nasty, short and brutish, as death’s shadow is cast on every inch of the Nige-

rian land. The Boko Haram insurgency has not only claimed thousands of lives, it has also seen daring terrorists hang their flag in parts of the country October 1 has thus lost its mystique; the symbolism of a nation, its authority and power are now illusory. Celebration of the day that Nigeria obtained independence is therefore now a hollow ritual. It is unfortunate that the youths who should represent the face of tomorrow have been led to romanticise the past, depicting it, despite leading us to this sorry pass, as a golden era.

On the eve of another general election, we call on all Nigerians to see it as a patriotic duty to elect leaders who can rise to the occasion. The future is here once again. It behoves us to do the needful.

‘October 1 has thus lost its mystique; the symbolism of a nation, its authority and power are now illusory. Celebration of the day that Nigeria obtained independence is therefore now a hollow ritual. It is unfortunate that the youths who should represent the face of tomorrow have been led to romanticise the past, depicting it, despite leading us to this sorry pass, as a golden era’

Raising the alarm •Dilapidated buildings in barracks and religious institutions are exposed

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N the light of the recent collapse of a six-storey building under construction at The Synagogue, Church of All Nations (SCOAN), it is welcome to see that the Lagos State Government has decided to make pre-emptive action its watchword by raising the alarm on structures that it deems unsafe.

In pursuance of this objective, the General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Dr. Abimbola Animashaun, last week alerted the nation to the difficulties it had been encountering in enforcing town-planning laws in police and army barracks, and religious institutions based in the state.

It appears that the agency’s operatives are disallowed from inspecting or evaluating buildings in these zones and are often physically assaulted if they attempt to do so. According to Animashaun, sev-

‘This situation can no longer be tolerated. The Lagos State Government must work with the police, military and religious authorities to ensure that they understand the rationale behind the enforcement of town-planning laws and building regulations. It might require that a code of conduct be drawn up for all corporate bodies to sign up.

Those who refuse to adhere to the law should be taken to court and legally sanctioned’

eral barracks have buildings which are clearly unfit for human habitation, given the huge cracks, crumbling balconies, blown-off roofs and other signs of profound disrepair. The police barracks located in the Iponri and Ikeja areas of the state were singled out for dishonourable mention.

LASBCA’s assertions can easily be verified merely by glancing at many of these barracks from the outside. Such is the filth and disrepair that characterise them that it has long been a wonder that human beings of any kind, to say nothing of security operatives, can live in such insalubrious circumstances. Instead of the elevated levels of cleanliness that are ostensibly an inherent aspect of military discipline and religious faith, what is often encountered are unpainted buildings, fetid and overflowing gutters, piles of trash, abandoned cars and general disorder.

It was indeed the sorry state of the barracks at the Police College, Ikeja (PCI) that compelled the scoop by a television station in January 2013 revealing an in-depth portrayal of its wretched situation as a prelude to remedial action. However, rather than respond accordingly, the police hierarchy and the Federal Government chose to focus on what they regarded as a concerted attempt to “embarrass” them. Given such attitudes, it is no surprise that the squalor of places like the PCI has taken a turn for the worse.

The SCOAN disaster is a costly reminder of the terrible consequences that ensue when laws are flouted and benign neglect takes the place of regular and comprehensive maintenance. It is especially disheartening that police and mili-

tary barracks as well as religious institutions would be so opposed to the enforcement of building regulations. All three bodies are supposed to be embodiments of discipline, self-control and respect for constituted authority, and cannot regard themselves as being above laws that apply to everyone else.

The police and the armed forces are especially notorious when it comes to the lack of subordination to civil authorities.

When members of both organisations are caught in the commission of offences, it is extremely difficult to apprehend them.

Religious institutions seem to have picked up this bad habit as well; members of SCOAN infamously obstructed first-responders from approaching the collapsed building for almost 72 hours after the tragedy struck.

This situation can no longer be tolerated. The Lagos State Government must work with the police, military and religious authorities to ensure that they understand the rationale behind the enforcement of town-planning laws and building regulations. It might require that a code of conduct be drawn up for all corporate bodies to sign up. Those who refuse to adhere to the law should be taken to court and legally sanctioned.

Agencies like LASBCA must build upon the proactive stance of the state government. No construction should be embarked upon without their written permission. A comprehensive regimen of continual inspections and repeated checks should be established to ensure that unscrupulous individuals and organisations are not allowed to get away with short-cuts. Defaulters must be made to face the full weight of the law.

Nigeria: Still searching for her heroes @ 54

IR: When Sir George Taubman Goldie outsmarted the French firms at the lower Niger and amalgamated the individual British firms into the Royal Niger Company, little did he realize that he has laid the foundation stone of what is today called Nigeria.

The treaties that Goldie signed with the riverine chiefs gave Britain sway in the negotiation hall of Berlin West Africa Conference (1884/85). The British delegates to the conference declared authoritatively that “Union Jack alone flew at the lower Niger”. This formally established the area we now call `Nigeria’ as a British protectorate.

This mighty step towards the making of modern Nigeria was completed by Lord Frederick Lugard through his much alluded 1914 amalgamation which made Nigeria a single administrative entity.

Much has been said and written about 1914 amalgamation and majority of then severe criticisms. No doubt, the amalgamation was configured to benefit the British mercantile interest. But what did Nigerian elites do when they became the masters of their own destiny?

They did not just maintain the status quo, they also erected the foundation of the Nigerian State on ethnicity upon which other corrupt practices emanate.

The problem that Nigeria faces today did not start yesterday and will definitely not be solved tomorrow. The problem is intertwined in our history and any worthwhile panacea must go back to the drawing board where the rain started beating us.

When President Goodluck Jonathan inaugurated the National Conference, there were high hopes that the discussion will reconfigure the federation from the debris of what Professor Isawa Eliagwu dubbed ‘military federalism’.

But at the end, the structure was maintained. A structure of highly strong centre and very weak component units which the military foisted on us.

The problem with Nigeria, as Achebe told us, border squarely on leadership. Nigeria has been so unfortunate in the area of leadership.

Since the attainment of self-rule in1960, Nigeria has not seen a detribalized and patriotic leader. One basic element of Nigerian politics is political demagoguery. The masses more often than not, are usually exploited by the elites who see politics not as a means of bringing ‘greatest happiness to the greatest number but a means of quenching their primitive accumulation thirst. Whether in APC or in PDP, Nigerian politicians are the same.

At 54, Nigeria still remains a sleeping giant and a disappointment to Africa and black race as whole. At 54, we celebrate corruption, injustice, power tussle and more importantly Boko Haram.

At 54, Nigeria is still searching for her heroes, her Bismarck, and perhaps her Atatürk.

Let’s pray that she finds him!

• Asikason Jonathan, Enugwu-Ukwu, Anambra State.

Editor’s note: For reasons beyond our control, this column, which features editorials from other climes, is being suspended until further notice.

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: After reading the letter to the editor titled “Why T.B Joshua Should Be Prosecuted,” featured on page 20 of The Nation of Monday, September 29, 2014, by one Olufemi Taiwo of Cornell University, Ithaca, New York and others, I came to the conclusion that theirs was freedom of speech and campaign of calumny taken too far. There was no doubt that the sudden collapse of that sixstorey building-guest house on Friday September 12, was most unfortunate, devastating and a monumental national catastrophe. Depending on one’s sources of information foreign nationals were lost, while many sustained various degrees of injuries.

T.B Joshua is one man of God well known worldwide to have utmost regard for the sanctity of human lives. Through SCOAN and Emmanuel TV many have found reasons to live again and live to the glory of God. So many lives have been positively touched and transformed across cultural and

Pa Akinkunmi’s honour well deserved

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IR: I wish to appreciate the Federal Government of Nigeria under the leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan for the well-deserved honour bestowed on Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi who designed the Nigeria flag. This is a sign that patriotism will be rewarded henceforth.

The honour though belated, can be compared to the Biblical saying ‘When the Lord turn around the captivity of Zion, they were like they that dream’. With the salary for life package added to the honour, I know the younger generation will be encouraged to be more patriotic.

• Adewumi, Tope Humble Omuooke Ekiti, Ekiti State.

painful and unfortunate for the fact that it took place in a solemn environment well known and respected all over the world to have provided solace and succour to millions of people of different race, sex and colour in dire need of spiritual and material helps.

One can imagine the pain and anguish the church and families of the injured and the deceased are going through at this trying moment most especially victims from other nations of the world. In as much as I agree with Taiwo et al that we cannot resurrect the dead … that the truth of this matter is not buried with them, it is equally expedient to add that as humans,

the much we can ask presently in sublime faith and humility is for the all-knowing God to grant the dead eternal rest and the living the fortitude to bear the loss. Suffice it to say that long years of prosecution or even payment of money as compensation can never bring back lost lives?

The alleged frustration of rescue efforts and barring of journalists from the site amounted to a shot at ones foot. This is a sensitive national matter, thus should be visibly placed at the public domain for their judgment despite where it swings to. The prophet and leadership of SCOAN should be ready, willing and humble enough to ac-

knowledge inherent omissions.

This was because the church is likened to a city built on the hill which cannot be hidden. She must endeavour at all times to show the way and live above board and should not be seen to have assumed the nature and character of men.

Taiwo et al, should have interrogated the circumstance(s) behind this unfortunate tragedy before taking up the gauntlet of prosecution against the man of God. First, could there be any correlation between the strange aircraft which hovered over the building before it collapsed? Second, will it not be at the nation’s peril to ignore the theory of terrorism alleged by SCOAN? This is the right time for the Lagos State government, security operatives and the federal government panel to swing into action in order to unravel the mystery behind this calamity. The result of this inquiry, not personal opinions, should then serve as the basis for any action to be taken.

• Sunday Onyemaechi Eze Zaria.

the outcry. The NYSC official portal happened to be one of the sources for this research and alas I discovered I was on the verge of barking up the wrong tree.

As I discovered from the statement on the site, the N4000 for printing of call up letter was not mandatory for all prospective corps members of Batch C 2014 even though all intending corps members must register online. I had to severally re-read the portion of the statement that said “those who wish to collect their call-up letters from their institution need not pay the Four Thousand Naira (¦ 4,000.00) after the online registration” just to be sure I am not getting the message mixed up. There were options, choices that

allow graduates to return to their schools and pick up their call-up letters the old school way or to access and print the letter online.

This discovery from reading the original version of the statement announcing the introduction of the fee for those wishing to access and print out their call-up letters completely disarmed me and with that the desire to join the fray completely evaporated. This for me is an eye opener to what is fast becoming an entrenched culture of rushing to join issues without properly understanding what is at stake.

Hopefully, the experience that would result from the 2014 Batch C would highlight the inherent

benefits in the computerisation of the call-up process such that it would have gained widespread acceptance for the 2015 Batch A. Anyone who has passed through the NYSC scheme will admit that the manual process is at best chaotic and could do with this innovation.

It is noteworthy that the NYSC has reassured that those who elect not to use this service will not be victimised or punished in any way.

This is a promise that the organisation must live up to. It should make the operation of the platform as seamless as possible so that prospective corps members have incentives to adopt it.

• Ayinde Kareem, Abeokuta, Ogun State

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

Re: Why T.B. Joshua should be prosecuted religious divides, troubled individuals, families and organisations were restored, liberated, uplifted, empowered and sicknesses cured.

Nigerian economy has benefited immensely from improved religious tourism through the programmes of the man of God. The picture and video of the man of God weeping profusely when Governor Fashola called on him was not a gimmick and should not have exemplified “self-promotion and nothing short of callous.”

Talking about being above the law, was there any time the man of God rebuffed invitation by security agencies? This particular incident of building collapse was most

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The rush to judgment on NYSC fee

IR: Like many Nigerians, I was on the verge of joining protests against what I had erroneously thought were exploitative steps being taken by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) over the online registration of prospective corps members. My thoughts were shaped and fuelled by the outrage expressed by others who queried why graduates should pay N4000 to serve their fatherland. The eagerness to join the bandwagon was fired by preponderance of opinion that outrightly condemns the move.

Fortunately for me I decided to do a little fact finding before weighing in or adding my voice to

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

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COMMENTS

‘Our Girls’; What country@54? The Great Greed’; ‘OBJECTION’ 40 years later

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UR Girls’ are still unaccounted for since April 15. For them, what is there to celebrate today 1-10-2014, Independence Day? One of them has turned up or has Tony one? Is she pregnant?

Marinho Perhaps. The lives of so many brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers and other family and also friends are in emotional tatters this 1-10-2014. The pain is unquantifiable and all so needless and spread around the areas of conflict in the North-east and the areas of the Fulani War across 10 states. Blood is dead and children women and men are dead. Does no one care? Are we just to say a prayer to a God who gives us everything we need and satisfies our need but not our greed but who we do not listen to or obey?

Can no one with appropriate weapons and uniforms prevent this calculated murder and mayhem across Nigeria? Now there is rumour and counter rumour about who started and who is involved in Boko Haram funding as revealed by a foreign expert whom we have no real doubt about. There are additional questions about helicopter and jet plane crashes and cargoes and the fate of ejecting pilots.

I received a tragic first-hand account of one of many citizens of towns captured temporarily by the Boko Haram. His family escaped into Cameroon before circling back into Nigeria.

Thank God they are all safe but how many are not? In addition, his house was overrun and his magnificent library built up book by book of more than 2000 volumes over 40 years was burnt, reminiscent of Rome burning Alexandria, Egypt.

And who will compensate for such a loss of home, history, memory and library? Nigerians deserve much better medical care for surviving Boko Haram and Fulani Wars. Just as Ebola has forced us to begin the update of our sanitary systems, these Wars should force us to upgrade our emergency facilities.

He who buys weapons of war should cater for the casualties of that war. In a war zone in 2014, 54 years after Independence, good medical services must include a decent modern

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ELEBRATING October 1 each year has become an annual ritual in Nigeria. That day in 1960 marked the end of colonial rule and the enthronement of indigenous leaders in the country.

Today, exactly 54 years after, the country is still groping in the dark and tottering on the brink. The low key nature of the independence celebrations, since a few years back, is a confirmation of the bad times. It appears the older the country becomes, the farther it drifts from its promised land. Not even the advent of civilian governance in 1999 has brought anything significantly different. I say civilian governance because that is what we have in Nigeria today, not the democracy we all crave for.

In essence, our claim to democracy is a ruse. The reasons are glaring for any discerning mind. More than 15 years of civilian governance and 54 years of independence have brought no tangible respite for the long suffering Nigerians. Just look around. More and more people are being sentenced to a life of dependency, want and penury on a daily basis in the country. As a result of this, crime and criminality have taken over on a frightening scale previously unknown in history.

At the moment, the north-east of the country is almost being excised from the rest of the country due to the activities of a few misguided individuals who have taken up arms against the country and their fellowmen. Not even the muchpublicised killing of the real or fake Abubakar Shekau, the acclaimed leader of the notorious terror group known simply as Boko Haram, has brought much relief. More than 200 schoolgirls abducted from their

electronic artificial limb service suitable for human beings, not goats.

What manner of country @54 is still at war with itself since October 1st 1960? Instead of another party and day off work, all 100+m of us should be forced to stand still for one hour and think deeply, and take stock of our sorry state as an LGA, state, country and consider if we are actually a nation. Once again, we have the opportunity to take stock and the result is not good. Have enough citizens not died? Have enough citizens not tried? Has enough blood not been shed? Have enough citizens been left for dead? Have enough true Nigerians not been born? Do our children not deserve better from those who have seized the ruler-ship? Why is our national fabric so torn and badly worn? God has given Nigeria more than its need. But still our political and contractor classes cannot satisfy ‘The Great Greed’.

Why is power used to erect a malignant tower? When did politics become just another Master Class in ‘Budget Disappearing Tricks’, ‘Executive Lawlessness’, ‘Criminal Corruption’ and ‘Neglect’? It seems that too many politicians are boastfully vast in saying the right things 100% in manifestos but deliver only a fraction, 20-40% of the promises in spite of adequate funds. How can we live in a country that allows 4075% of budgets disappearing in inflated salaries, mirage projects and hyper-inflated contracts? Yes, of course there is corruption worldwide but it is unsustainable above double digit corruption percentage rates. Entire countries were built on the corruption of slavery, stolen raw materials from colonised countries and still today the Mafia and other similar organisations have infiltrated government organs which are often ‘Fountains Of Fraud’ and corruption on their own. The stories that came out of cash-cows like Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigerian Football Federation, Pension funds and the most recent ‘unsolved’ and unsettled atrocities – Oil subsidy scam, the $600,000 oil bribery scandal, jets with $9.3m on board, etc.

In my poetry collection OBJECTION written in 1989 there is a poem called ‘An Ode To An Adolescent Nation’ better known as ‘Objection’ about Nigeria being on trial at 28 years old for failing its people. The older ones among the readers

will recall the incidences below. Unfortunately, the poem could have been written today with the items changed JUDGE: At 28 years old, You stand accused of / Pride in your nothingness/How do you plead?

NIGERIA: Guilty out of innocence/ I’m only 28, my Lord/ A minor in the league of nations/ Childish pranks/ Youthful exuberance. Objection!

JUDGE: Did you ‘Objection!’/ When 2/3 of 19 became 12 2/3 and 53 suitcases passed Through the eyes of the needle/ When $2.8 billion in oil money missed monitoring?/When health care eluded the common man?/ And education cutoff points left goats in school/And the gifted at home?/ When railway rotted and rusted?/When your people dined from dustbins?/ And kwashiorkor came calling on the kid?

NIGERIA Stop! Stop JUDGE Nigeria, you are sentenced to one year/ Of total goodness/Failure in this is fatal to your nationhood/ Will you fail?

NIGERIA I’m still young, inexperienced/I’ll only be 29 next year JUDGE Excuses, excuses/ A fool at 28…

Has anything changed since 1988? You be the JUDGE in 2014 for Nigeria@54! Have a Prayerful Anniversary.

‘What manner of country @54 is still at war with itself since October 1st 1960? Instead of another party and day off work, all 100+m of us should be forced to stand still for one hour and think deeply, and take stock of our sorry state as an LGA, state, country and consider if we are actually a nation. Once again, we have the opportunity to take stock and the result is not good. Have enough citizens not died? Have enough citizens not tried?

Has enough blood not been shed? Have enough citizens been left for dead?’

Thinking about Nigeria @ 54 school in Chibok community, Borno State, are still marooned in the evil forest of Sambissa, also in Borno State, where the hoodlums have turned into their operational headquarters. The other day, one of the innocent girls (if the reports are true), almost half dead, was abandoned in one of the villages in Borno State. By the last account of her health status, she was found to be four months pregnant with visible evidence of depression and trauma metamorphosing as some mental illness. Her case is a signpost of the calamity that has befallen the innocent schoolgirls who have been denied the comfort of their parents and families to forcefully co-habit with criminals, drug-addicts, rapists and people on the brink of lunacy. For these girls, there is nothing like independence; what they need and crave for today, is freedom from the hands of their tormentors.

As it is, not only the abducted girls desire freedom; those left behind in Chibok and other villages in the North-east that are currently ravaged by terrorists activities are all desperately looking forward to their emancipation from the hands of their torturers. Recently, the media reported that no fewer than 150 refugees from Nigeria, holed up in a border community in a neighbouring country, were feared dead as the terrorists descended on them and snuffed out their lives. For those ones too, there is nothing like independence celebration.

So, in view of all these occurrences, do we deserve to celebrate the country’s independence at all

‘In the past few years, particularly under the current democracy, the country has again and again demonstrated either unwillingness or lack of capacity to tackle corruption, the hydra-headed monster that has eaten deep into the fabric of the nation’

this year? Certainly no. The day should have been converted into one huge prayer session all over the country in supplication to God Almighty to come and liberate the country from the current pains and anguish confronting it. But our leaders seem to be thinking in the opposite direction, perhaps, because they are comfortable anyway. Why do we pretend that things are normal at a time they are abysmally abnormal?

On Monday, more than 300 people were conferred with national honours. While a good number of them could have merited it, some of them were mere misnomers.

Among them is a former governor of an oil-rich state of the Niger Delta region of the country who, in a bid to avoid prosecution for corruption and other financial malfeasance while in office, approached a court and obtained a “perpetual injunction” from prosecution. Today, he has been rewarded with a national honour. And there are so many other shameless ones in the same boat with him who have been so honoured in the country. Nigeria we hail thee!

In the past few years, particularly under the current democracy, the country has again and again demonstrated either unwillingness or lack of capacity to tackle corruption, the hydra-headed monster that has eaten deep into the fabric of the nation. The country is still enmeshed in the $9.3 million money laundering embarrassment that was discovered in far away South Africa. The government said the money was meant to purchase arms to fight the ongoing terrorists’ war in the country. If that excuse was meant to draw sympathy, it has failed and woefully too. The reason is that Nigerians do not trust their leaders because of their high propensity and proclivity to manufacture and tell lies.

The same government enacted a law banning her citizens from trav-

elling out of the country at anytime with an amount exceeding $10,000.

Now, the government had the effrontery to pack $9.3 million in cash in three suitcases to go and shop for arms across the counter somewhere.

Besides, those who ferried the money out are not government officials, while the vessel or the jet used belongs to a known government apologist and bootlicker in cassock.

There is no amount of explanation that can erase the guilty verdict the people have passed on the government. The public deserve to know the identity of the two couriers involved in this illicit transfer of money that has gone awry. As for the funky man in cassock, it might be too late for him to retrace his steps since he appears to be easily swayed by filthy lucre, for which he makes no pretensions within and outside the country. At least, he is well known all over the place as a commercial ‘Man of God’ who will stop at nothing to smile to the banks to the detriment of his perceived faith. One thing is that he should not allow his greed and selfishness to pit the two major religions against each other in a war of attrition. Based on his antecedents, that is the danger his unguarded pursuit of worldly things could pose to the corporate existence of this country.

After all, there is no need putting on a cassock and behaving more like a Boko Haram convert.

That takes us to the Synagogue church. The building collapse, regrettable and painful as it may be, looks more like an end time thing.

For many years, one man suddenly appeared on the scene from nowhere and started equating himself with the trinity and we were all clapping. Within a few years, he built a stupendous empire with many fairy tales of magical prowess. Now that it seems the chickens are gradually coming home to roost, the same man is crying foul

Dele Agekameh and attempting, at least by his body language, to extract sympathy from the public. If people troop to his miracle city in droves, must he only corner the proceeds from such pilgrimages? Why not out-source, for instance, the lodging, accommodation and feeding of his teeming pilgrims to competent hands? Instead, the man embarked on what a Warri man will call “long throat”. Now see what he has caused for himself and the country. For lack of any serious thing to say, he said that the more than 115 people that perished were “martyrs of faith”. By the way, how many of these martyrs are his relations or offspring? And the man is still walking free all over the place. Anyway, that is a story for another day.

On the political turf, the wave of endorsements and collation of millions of signatures, real and imagined, including the break dancing and the orchestra by our politicians on the threshold of the general elections scheduled for next year, does not give much cheer about the future of the country. Something is seriously wrong. That reminds me of that bespectacled tyrant, General Sani Abacha of blessed (or unblessed) memory. Nigeria we hail thee!

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

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COMMENTS

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AM not one of those who believe that Nigeria has achieved nothing since independence in 1960. There is much to count on the good side- more schools, hospitals, roads, better houses etc. But nation-building is not only about the physical. There is also the intangible aspect which must be worked to promote national unity and development.

Generally, Nigeria has failed to attain half the height she ought to, given the vast resources at her disposal. There has been a lack of capacity and capability to solve problems that hinder nation-building. The fear and mutual suspicion factor dominates the waves and deepens hatred and distrust across country. Nigeria is yet to develop mentally and ideologically to rise above primordial issues and bond with the good and able to become a truly great nation.

Consequently problems of the 1960s such as ethnicity, religious differences corruption that were there at cradle are still with us today in the 21st century. In particular, fear, suspicion and distrust which tended to drive us apart at the dawn of independence have remained unabated threatening the very foundation of the country. The result is disunity - endless desire for division and temptation for breakup. We still make our decisions, choices and preferences on basis of ethnicity, religion

‘In Nigeria, today is always like yesterday- the same story with no lessons learnt, no change in the elite’s mind-set. History appears repeating itself. As the nation clocks 54, the task is to remove the bug of fear and suspicion in society and to make the elites to change old habits, turn a new leaf and make the necessary sacrifice in the national interest.

Nigeria @ 54: Fear and mutual suspicion factor

By John I Abhuere rather than character, ability or collective benefits. In a digital era we have been unreasonably tied to the umbilical-chords and prejudices of our grandparents of the preanalogue technology age. This is largely elite’s failure over time. As we celebrate Nigeria at 54, we must appreciate the fragile nature of national unity and urge the elites to cultivate a healthier attitude to nation building in the years ahead. Their ‘proclivity for secession’, rock the boat, or ‘to hell with the country’ syndrome must change.

Nigeria was destined for greatness until the politicians sowed the seed of discord and retrogression and so delayed the flight to the Promised Land. This came through politics of hatred and bitterness which extinguished the flame of nationalism, evaporated the high hope of independence and injured the glowing sense patriotism among citizens on the morn of freedom in 1960. ‘There was a country’ wrote the celebrated man of letters – Chinua Achebe - a country of great promise imbued with love, security, riches morality, patriotism, fair-play, justice, hard work, cultural and religious tolerance and the prospect of hitting the moon earlier than others on the same level of development . Then things went uneasy and began to fall apart rapidly as a result of the many false steps and negative activities of the political elites. They failed to make Nigerians out of Nigerians but specialized in promoting anti-nation values.

Nigeria is a collective heritage from the British on equal basis. Like other nations, it needs the love, care, hard work, know –how, dedication of citizens and developmentoriented elite to make the desired progress.

However by 1966 it was clear that the country was not moving in the right direction. For instance there was evidence of corruption, nepotism, poor governance, display of

sickening opulence, tribalism, misuse of religion, injustice, disregard rule of law and fair-play. The mishandling of the crisis in the western region, the imprisonment of opposition politicians such as leaders of the Action Group by the central government, the lop-sided political structure that ensured the perpetual domination of a region over other regions combined, the ill –fated and unclean census of the time, provocative statements – all indicative of inappropriate atmosphere for national unity ignited crisis of serious proportion. The military struck in 1966 to correct the situation, fought a civil war but to no avail.

The concern is not that these problems arose at that time but their persistence since then.

The elite have proved largely unequal to the task of nation-building. There has been crippling inability to deal with issues that have threatened the unity of our dear country and tendency for misdiagnosis and misinterpretation. Contrary to conventional belief, Nigeria’s problem is not with her cultural diversity or religious difference but elite’s incompetence over time. Nigerians have had inter –tribal and inter religious cordial relationship even before colonial times. The failure of its elites to do those things that promote national unity and development and create sense of belonging accounts for the debilitating fear, mutual suspicion, discontent and endless desire for separation.

The fear factor appears to be deepening and driving the nation nearer to precipice. It has been responsible for attempts to divide the country arbitrarily dating back to the 1950s.

As Ademolekun notes, these include: the threat of the Northern region to break from the country over constitutional issues in 1950, and in 1966 over the introduction of unitary administrative system by the military government of Aguiyi Ironsi, the threat of the west to leave Nigeria over constitutional issue in 1953, the June 12 1993 elections and

Abacha dictatorship, threat of the East in 19667 as result of the pogrom in the north against the Ibos, their exodus home and subsequent declaration of the Republic of Biafra, civil war of 1967-70 ‘to keep Nigeria one’, Delta peoples’ republic declared by Isaac Boro in 1966 and the Niger Delta militant activities leading to the grant of amnesty in June 2009 by President Yar’Adua, the 1990 coup against IBB government led by Major Gideon Orkar which cut part of north off the country, the Boko Haram sectarian groups war against the state and subsequent declaration of caliphates in 2014.

It should be easy to see that there was hardly a decade without serious threat to national unity induced by fear and suspicion due to the insensitivity and ineptitude of the Nigerian elite over time. In Nigeria, today is always like yesterday- the same story with no lessons learnt, no change in the elite’s mind-set. History appears repeating itself. As the nation clocks 54, the task is to remove the bug of fear and suspicion in society and to make the elites to change old habits, turn a new leaf and make the necessary sacrifice in the national interest.

The signs around are discouraging. The old habit persists- provocative statements, intolerance, disregard for morality and rule of law, injustice and inability to punish evil, fear and suspicion is still the order of the day. Two other challenges lay before us: the 2015 General Elections and the imperative of proving wrong the prediction that Nigeria could break-up. The attitude of the elites to national issues is critical because it is the irresponsibility and bitter disagreement of the elites that result in the backwardness or fall of nations. If the Nigerian elite remain lousy, selfish and unpatriotic as ever, things would go sour as predicted. 2015 provides opportunity to prove our mettle- a spring board to heaven or hell. At 54 years, Nigeria is at the threshold of history and the moves of the elites will either make or mar her.

• Dr Abhuere is of Centre for Child Care and Youth Development, Abuja

Abia: Ranting of a defrocked governor

A

S keen observers and major stakeholders in the Abia project, it is our responsibility to alert compatriots of the self destructive campaign of calumny being waged by the enfant terrible of Abia politics, who in his hey days deployed enormous resources and capital to repudiate, sabotage and batter the very essence of the platform on whose trajectory he climbed to power between 1999-2007.

Recall the turbulence and deep seated crisis which wracked the Abia political class that evolved into an atomistic entity perpetually colliding against itself, culminating in over a decade of socio-political denial of Abia share from the Nigerian patrimony.

Under Governor Orji Uzor Kalu (19992007), governance and security in the state were adversely affected by his long-running battle with the Abuja federal authorities.

The feud ultimately culminated in Kalu decamping from PDP to establish the Peoples Progressive Alliance (PPA), the platform he used to build a notorious political machinery that degenerated into mamacracy – an insular, dictatorial family dynasty that constricted the political space and transformed Abia into a political prison.

Senator Chukwumerije captured the scenario thus: ‘Orji Uzor Kalu and his mother have turned the party into a private empire.

All members of the party are mere employees.

The family proprietary structure, unable to meet the vigorous requirements of internal democracy demanded of a political party, suffers serious self-contradiction and faces prospects of a stunted growth’ The net result was the polluting power of poisonous politics which his malevolent operatives used to cause damage to people and ultimately unspeakable destructiveness to those he did not see eye to eye with. Fear, doubt and uncertainty reigned supreme to the extent the Abuja-based elite politicians dared not set foot in Abia in broad daylight otherwise they ran the risk of being dealt with.

The barrage of lies, distortions and misinformation overheated the political space to the extent that many of these eminent sons and daughters were pejoratively tagged ‘efulefu’ (worthless fellows). Orji Kalu perfected the art of political racism and discrimi-

By Chinyemike Torti nation which spawned trench warfare and stalled development.

Today, we now have a listening governor who responds personally to emails and telephone calls including text messages. Governor TA Orji believes that it is your constitutional right to take a robust position that ensures your interest. As a hard boiled bureaucrat versed with the nuances of critical and developmental agenda, the governor fell back on his time tested track record of reflective planning that lays the basis of solid and quality infrastructures.

In the days of Kalu, the civil service was devalued and governance transmuted into a hobbesian structure which diminished personal worth. Even though the ‘master strategist’ was styled an ‘action governor’, the legacy he left was institutional decay, pork barrel politics, infrastructural deficit, mountains of debt (N29billion), unpaid salaries and other tell tale signs of declivity.

Because, Abia had nothing to show for more than its 20 years of existence, Governor Orji had to literally commence from ground zero.

It is against this background, that we examine the acerbic interventions of Orji Uzor Kalu which in his regular newspaper column has serially castigated Governor TA Orji and members of his immediate family.

In deconstructing Orji Uzor Kalu’s executive talk-down ghosted by speech writers, we perceive the motives of bitterness, angst of the disillusioned heir of an expired dynasty seeking for relevance not for the public good, but to hurt the sensibilities of Abia stakeholders whom he holds in utter disdain.

He has been oozing out this twiddle-twaddle of how he “discovered” Governor TA Orji, and developmental indices of governance under his watch. To put the records straight, TA Orji for decades before the emergence of the fourth republic in 1999, was endowed with unblemished family and academic pedigree.

It is patent falsehood to aver that Kalu sprung TA Orji from obscurity. On the contrary, it was the latter as the erstwhile INEC administrative secretary for Abia that saved Orji Uzor Kalu from political extinction when he single-handedly shielded him from very dam-

aging security reports that would have jeopardized his gubernatorial ambition.

Also, it was the same Orji as the Chief of Staff (1999-2007) that brought chutzpah, clout, deportment, comportment, and gravitas to dignify the administration of Kalu who was a political rookie in the paraphernalia of governance. It was also self evident, that Orji stood as a bulwark of defence against all the accusations of financial malfeasance when the EFCC came for Kalu’s jugular in 2007.

Even when mama excellency fled the country for the same reason, it was the same TA Orji that bore the brunt of Abuja’s wrath by spending over three months in solitary confinement at Kirikiri prison where he almost lost the use of an eye.

Of late, Orji Uzor Kalu has been preaching to the gullible on what he did and what his successor did not do in upgrading Abia.

Truth of the matter is that Abia under his watch slid further the path of declivity to a near holocaust entity as evidenced by the decay of Aba. Enyimba city, hitherto the epicentre of Igbo entrepreneurial excellence hit the pits. The master plan of the city was violated, as every open space was converted to shops, kiosks, mini markets, and motor parks. Virtually all the feeder and arterial roads vegetated. Basic essential services like potable water went into extinction.

Umuahia was basically a glorified village bearing the pock marks of the civil war.

Ohafia and other population centres were not better. Rather Orji Kalu’s ancestral home was the sole beneficiary of developmental strides.

Nigerians nay Abians have very long political memories and are not about to forget the shenanigans of the poster boy of toxic politics who debuted some three decades ago in Maiduguri, old Borno State with a dummy donation of controversial dud million naira notes.

Having being marooned in the political wilderness, for some time, Kalu’s strategy to re-launch his structure is predicated on taking pot shots at Governor TA Orji. By so doing, he seeks to ingratiate himself into the good books of the Presidency and the ruling party. But who wants to be associated with a

trouble maker noted for fouling up things?

In any case, Kalu’s presence will add neither quality nor quantity. His comprehensive defeat in the 2011 Abia North Senate race exposed his lack of electoral value.

It was only when he left the party that PDP was able to win all the seats contested.

TA Orji, for the avoidable of doubt is not responsible for Kalu’s travails As a consummate and thorough-bred statesman he has always extended an olive branch to, and welcomed the opposition, including, fault-finders, moaners, grumblers for an inclusive and anti-exclusionary ideal government that will move Abia forward.

According to Governor TA Orji, everyone is welcomed, nothing is unimportant, and no one is insubstantial. The pivotal role of the opposition party, pressure and interest groups is a magna carta enshrined in all constitutional democracies worldwide, as they enliven the market place of ideas, debates and well thought-out alternative policy options to governance.

Governor Orji exhorts that language of discourse should be bereft of verbiage, barefaced falsehood, puerile propaganda, unwholesome and inflammatory utterances, reminiscent of the bourbons, who never seemed to learn from the lessons of history. Problems that call for clear headed and strategic thinking should not be reduced to a pedestrian level of discourse that could undermine the integrity and security of the state.

• Torti is a management consultant and public policy analyst.

‘In deconstructing Orji Uzor Kalu’s executive talk-down ghosted by speech writers, we perceive the motives of bitterness, angst of the disillusioned heir of an expired dynasty seeking for relevance not for the public good, but to hurt the sensibilities of Abia stakeholders whom he holds in utter disdain’

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

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BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net Stories by Taofik Salako

‘Increasing wages demand stifling food production’

NERC ties new electricity tariff to meter availability

By Daniel Essiet

T

HE envisaged growth in food production could be hampered by increasing demand for wages by farm workers, an expert, Prof Abel Ogunwale has said.

While he was not against improved wages for farm workers, Ogunwale, a consultant for the World Bank, noted that inadequate funding was not helping farmers to broaden the production structure which could help them earn more from their farms to pay better wages.

He explained that many farmers were operating from few acres of lands, warning that this does not support the application of science and technology to upgrade agricultural processes to raise productivity.

At the small scale level of farming operated by most farmers, Ogunwale reiterated that there no way they will be able to pay living wages, adding that most of them will be forced to reduce acreage to be able to meet increasing demand for better wages currently the trend in the industry.

This, according to him, is affect food production with few aging farmers willing to receive small wages and younger workers leaving the industry because of poor remuneration to take up commercial motor cycle riding in the cities.

He noted that farmers would have to grapple with high cost of production caused by increasing wages demand and other challenges Calling for improved funding of agriculture, Ogunwale noted that the government can only achieve economic transformation through the sector, based on higher investment, faster productivity growth and production processes to become increasingly competi

NLNG is one of the biggest success stories in our country. From what I am told, the company has invested $13 billion so far since inception, and has become a pacesetter in terms of revenue generation for the government.

-Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga

T

THE Chairman, Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr. Sam Amadi, has said the implementation of the new electricity tariff expected to begin on December 1, may depend on the provision of meters to consumers.

He said interim metering policy introduced by NERC named Credit Advance Payment for Metering Implementation (CAPMI) did not yield the expected result because the electricity distribution companies (DISCos) kicked against it.

Amadi, who spoke to reporters in Abuja, said the distribution companies (DISCOs) complained about the policy, saying that their personnel cost increased following the payment of 50 per cent severance package to la-

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

bour.

“CAPMI has not really yielded the optimum result because DISCOs said their personnel cost went up because of the issue of labour where they had to pay 50 per cent, so they don’t have money,” he said.

He recalled that under the old Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO), the DISCOs were expected to provide meters in 18 months, which did not work out before the commission introduced the CAPMI for customers to pay for meters and get repayment through energy credit.

He said though the policy did not work, the new review would be clear on metering.

Amadi said upon the release

of the N213 billion power sector intervention fund, the commission would table the business plan of the DISCos and the commitment they made as a benchmark.

The NERC boss said the fund was not for future intervention, stressing that it covers the period when the new owners took over the entities on November 1, last year to November 1, this year. He noted that the new operators must indicate the actual losses and the improvement they have made in their operations.

He said: “We will expect that DISCos will come out full swing and roll out meters not on CAPMI basis but on their normal metering plan. And with this new fund coming in, we will give mandate that the action starts

quickly.

“There are many options and we are still discussing. We might make the new tariff contingent for a few months on clearly delivered metering settlement. This is because the biggest let down in this market today is lack of meters and scarcity of energy.

“There is scarcity of energy because of lack of gas, lack of robust metering coupled with revenue shortfall. This has made it difficult to force the DISCos to meet their business plan, which includes metering.

“And don’t forget that the business plans that these new owners used to secure these assets have clear commitment on metering. So our job is to bring up those commitments and sign off with them and use it as a benchmark.”

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$117.4/barrel Cocoa -$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,396.9/troy Sugar -$163/lb MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE -N11.4 trillion JSE -Z5.112trillion NYSE -$10.84 trillion LSE -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -8% Treasury Bills -10.58%(91d) Maximum lending -30% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -1% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $45b FOREX CFA EUR £ $ ¥ SDR RIYAL

-0.2958 -206.9 -242.1 -156 -1.9179 -238 -40.472

• L-R: Immediate past president and Chairman of Council, CIPM, Abiola Popoola FCIPM; President and Chairman of Council, CIPM, Victor Famuyibo FCIPM; GMD/CEO, FirstBank, Bisi Onasanya; Group Executive, Transaction/Private Banking Group, FirstBank, Bernadine Okeke; and Group Executive, Technology and Services, FirstBank, Akin Fanimokun during a courtesy visit by the institute to FirstBank Head Office yesterday…

Power-Industry bailout heads off threat to lenders

N

IGERIA has headed off a threat to its banking industry by propping up struggling power companies with an intervention fund, said analysts including Pabina Yinkere of Vetiva Capital Management Ltd. The 213 billion-naira ($1.3 billion) fund announced by President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration on Sept. 19 will be used to pay off gas-supply debts owed by power companies and to cover revenue shortfalls. It will also help them meet debt-service obligations to banks on loans of almost 500 billion naira, on which some were falling behind.

NIGERIA @ 54

Business: Stunted growth of a nation

- P 27

By Akinola Ajibade with agency report

“The government is reacting to the risk affecting the power industry as a whole and the sustainability of the reform, which dovetails to the banks,” Yinkere said in a phone interview from the commercial capital, Lagos, on Sept. 24.

“This intervention fund will ease the stress in the industry and in effect reduce the probability of loans going bad.”

Nigeria dismantled its power monopoly and sold the hydro-and gas-powered plants it ran last year to try to bring in investment needed to expand electricity supply, with demand more than three times the current output of

about 3,800 megawatts. Companies including Transnational Corp. of Nigeria Plc, Korea Electric Power Corp. (015760) and Forte Oil Plc (FO) paid more than $3 billion for controlling interests in 15 power generators and distributors.

UBA Plc (UBA), Nigeria’s fourth-biggest lender by market value, granted $700 million in loans to several investors, including Transnational, which got $215 million to buy Ughelli Power, the country’s second-biggest gas-fueled plant with capacity for 900 megawatts.

Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (GUARANTY), the largest lender by market value, advanced $170 million to Main-

Stockbrokers’ recipe for capital market growth - P39

stream Energy Solutions Ltd. for the concession of Jebba and Kainji hydropower plants. Zenith Bank Plc (ZENITHBA), the second-biggest lender, provided 40 billion naira for the acquisition of two electricity distribution companies in Lagos. Others such as Ecobank Transnational Inc., Diamond Bank Plc (DIAMONDB) and Skye Bank also provided loans to power investors.

Authorities in Africa’s largest economy are putting together new regulations to protect lenders, electricity consumers and other utilities in the event that the power companies fail, according to central bank Governor Godwin Emefiele and Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke.

$9.3m probe: Labour urges unity among lawmakers

By Toba Agboola

T

HE Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has urged members of the National Assembly to unite to investigate Nigeria’s $9.3million seized by South Africa.

Its Secretary-General, Comrade Musa Lawal, warned that Nigerians were watching and may be pushed to take their destiny in their own hands should the issue be swept under the carpet.

He said: “We commend those lawmakers and other Nigerians who insist that the matter be dispassionately looked into as it is one very scandalous, disgraceful and appalling issue that no one should try to play politics with.”

He queried the circumstances surrounding the $9.3million allegedly meant for the procurement of arms for the government, asking relevant bodies to probe the deal.

He said it was imperative for the government or its agents to clear the air on the smuggled money, rather than allowing unguarded utterances to take pre-eminence in the ongoing controversies surrounding the deal.

“Our senators at the Upper Chamber and representatives members at the Lower Chamber must rise to the occasion for special discussion on the matter as urgent public interest revolves round it because it relates to threat to national security.

“All relevant government agencies must also discharge their responsibilities without fear or favour, showing the world that our country is serious,” he said.

He said as much as the workers would not want to pre-empt the outcome of a thorough probe on the $9.3 million scandal, labour cannot help but wish that the money had been spent to provide infrastructure to the economy.

“We charge all the lawmakers, as bona fide Nigerians that they are, to be deeply concerned about the affairs of our country as they hold the mandate of the people to defend our national interests, to engender good governance and the rule of law, to ensure that corruption is drastically reduced to the barest minimum if not totally eliminated, and to take all requisite measures to keep the nation’s integrity strong and intact in the eyes of the international community,” he said.

The success story of Moi-moi Expresso - P40

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

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THE NATION

BUSINESS MONEY

e-mail: money@thenationonlineng.net

NDIC mulls no premium, no cover policy for banks T

HE Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has said that it is working on achieving a no policy, no cover policy for the Nigerian financial sector.

NDIC Managing Director, Umaru Ibrahim said the corporation, HAS included in the ongoing amendments to its Act, a section that will empower it to cover only institutions that have paid their premium.

He said the implementation of such act, will enable it plug some loopholes and ginger the insured firms to pay their premium promptly.

He said the Corporation is also working on establishing a ‘Resolution Fund’ that will enable it create more buffers to handle cases, should a bank fail.

The NDIC covers all deposit taking financial institution licenced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

These include Deposit Money Banks, Microfinance Banks, Primary Mortgage Banks (PMBs) and Non-Interest Bank. The NDIC cur-

Stories by Collins Nweze

rently provides deposit insurance cover to 24 commercial banks, 880 microfinance banks, 77 primary mortgage banks and one Non-Interest Bank.

Ibrahim explained that NDIC collaborates with the CBN for effective banking supervision, adding that such would protect depositors, foster monetary stability and promote effective and efficient payment system, as well as ensure innovation and competition in the subsector.

He said the Corporation has for several years, carried out these tasks which have resulted in the reduction in examination cycles of banks and led to minimal disruptions in the payment system.

He advised PMBs to adhere to recommended corporate governance practices, based on effective and sustainable risk management practices as instituted by the regulatory authorities.

“Weak corporate governance and risk management frameworks

could result in risky behaviours by PMBs, which could in turn result in the creation of huge toxic assets and ultimately put insured deposits at risk.”

He lamented that the supervisory authorities were deeply concerned about the build-up of toxic assets of micro finance banks, which stood at about 45.70 per cent as against the prescribed maximum of five per cent, while hinting that the corporation’s attention is now being focused on both Micro Finance Bank and PMB sub-sectors so as to address the emerging challenges.

He, however, advised that PMBs should be interested in enhanced risk management standards because some mortgage portfolios are on a predominantly variable rate and therefore highly sensitive to interest rate fluctuations.

He said: “For instance, an increase in interest rate could make mortgage repayment difficult and result in default which may give rise to toxic assets. Furthermore,

new mortgages could become less attractive for consumers’ due assets.

PMBs should be able to assess a consumer’s ability to continue with mortgage repayments in the case of an interest rate rise. A lack of thorough and effective assessments could pose a major risk for many PMBs.” Ibrahim stated that the corporation and the CBN were making concerted efforts to ensure that risk management issues in the financial system were continuously addressed via rapidly developing capacity in the implementation of Basel II and III. The maximum deposit insurance

• Ibrahim

coverage was increased from its set level of N50,000 at inception to N200,000 in 2006. In 2010, it was further raised to N500,000 for commercial banks.

Regulator bars DMBs from int’l money transfer service

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has barred commercial banks from International Money Transfer Service operations.

This policy was contained in a CBN circular to all Deposit Money Banks and stakeholders signed by its Director, Trade and Exchange, Mr. I. O. Gbadamosi.

The circular however said banks can only act as money transfer agents with the express approval of the CBN. The policy also pegged the maximum limit of outbound international money transfer at $2,000 per transaction.

The circular which contains guidelines for the operations of inbound and outbound international money transfer services in the country, also itemised licensing requirements and standard practices, which international money transfer services operators are expected to comply with.

It also prohibits DMBs from operating as international money

transfer service operators, except with the express approval of the CBN. “All international Money Transfer Service Operators in Nigeria shall comply with the provisions of the CBN’s ‘Anti-money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism in Banks and Other Financial Institutions Regulations, 2013’ and all other applicable laws and regulations. A money transfer services operator shall disclose to its customer’s details of applicable exchange rates, commissions, fees and any other amount that may be charged by the banks/ agents involved in a transfer,” it said.

It said operators should have a non-refundable fee of N500,000 and a minimum share capital of $1 million. “An indigenous money transfer service operator who provides regional and or global money transfer service and who wishes to engage a foreign technical partner shall get CBN’s approval. It must also have a minimum net worth of $10 million,” it said.

Wema Bank promotes int’l trade, structured finance • From left: Managing Director, Wema Bank Plc, Segun Oloketuyi; Deputy Director, Trade & Exchange Department, Central Bank of Nigeria, Onyinye Ahuchogu and Deputy Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service, Aber Benjamin during a forum organised by Wema Bank on trade and structured finance for stakeholders in Lagos.

Analysts doubt CBN’s expectations on foreign reserves

A

NALYSTS at FBN Capital have said the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) expectations of foreign exchange reserves increase to about $45 billion by year-end may prove overly ambitious.

The investment and research firm, said the apex bank uses administrative measures to support its exchange-rate agenda. It said the mandatory recapitalisation of bureaux de change to stem leakages is one of such measures.

According to the firm, the fall in the international price of Nigeria’s benchmark Bonny Light crude to about $95/barrel, has fuelled fears

that the CBN will be unable to hold the line on the naira exchange rate.

“There remains a cushion of close to $20/barrel above the assumed export price in the 2014 budget, although in reality pressures in the market develop far more quickly, which we can detect from the reluctance of offshore portfolio investors to participate in the most recent auctions of Federal Government of Nigeria bonds and Nigeria Treasury Bills,” it said.

According to the firm, official statements give the impression that some of the oil production losses have been recovered, a claim, it said, it was unable to confirm in

the absence of a unified source of metering.

“As for the price, we do not think that global demand warrants significant further weakness. We also point to the many geo-political risks and OPEC’s interest in arresting the decline. The level of official reserves has settled on a plateau of $39.6 billion this month, but still provides nine months’ merchandise import cover,” it said.

Another measure to boost the naira, it said, is dollarisation of the banking system. “The CBN data through to March 2014 showed a limited build-up to 25.7 per cent of commercial banks’ total deposits,” it said.

W

EMA Bank Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting international trade. The bank’s Managing Director, Segun Oloketuyi disclosed this during a forum the lender organised on trade and structured finance for stakeholders in Lagos.

The forum, tagged: “Supporting Businesses through renewed Trade Focus” brought together regulators, various stakeholders and regulators in the international trade business in Nigeria.

He said the trade forum was part of efforts at sensitizing stakeholders on developments within the sector as well as brings various parties – stakeholders and regulators together to discuss issues, challenges and chart a way forward for future development and policy formulation.

Oloketuyi also said that as part of the ongoing positive transformation at Wema Bank, the bank was well poised to support businesses in the areas of trade and structured finance. He further disclosed that in recent times, Wema Bank has attracted over $100 mil-

lion in lines of credit for foreign trade and another $50 million in structured finance lines from various institutions.

The Deputy Comptroller of the Nigeria Customs Services, Aber T Benjamin spoke on the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) scheme, which was introduced by the Nigerian Customs Service in 2013 to fast-track the clearance of cargo and reduce costs at the nation’s ports.

He also introduced the new webbased trade portal of the Nigeria Customs Services to handle a customer’s end-to-end trade needs.

Deputy Director, Trade & Exchange Department, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Onyinye Ahuchogu, commended Wema Bank for the strides it has made in the past four years. She also implored all stakeholders.

She also spoke of the CBN’s partnership with other relevant institutions in making the international trade process simple and effective in Nigeria. One of the initiatives that came into being as a result of this partnership is the electronic form ‘M’.

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27

OVERVIEW OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT NIGERIA @ 54

• Jonathan

• Minister of Industry, Olusegun Aganga

• Minister of Power, Chinedu Nebo

Business: Stunted growth of a nation As the nation celebrates her independence today, it is noteworthy to observe that several laudable activities have been ongoing in the various business segments. In Aviation, for example, the recertification and retention of Nigeria’s Category One status deserves recognition. Ditto for the Housing, Maritime, Banking, Energy and Industrial sectors. These various degrees of growth, nonetheless, are percieved as slow and inadequate for a supposed giant of Africa.

AVIATION

T

HE nation’s aviation sector has been quite active in the course of the past year. The immediate past Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah, initiated a series of activities, months before she was removed from office.

During her tenure, she initiated quite a lot of projects including the airports remodeling which bought about the refurbishing of about 22 airports nationwide.

The refurbishing of the airports was carried out in three phases.

Part of the jobs carried out during the remodeling is the complete construction of some old airport terminals as well as the reworking of some terminals.

The minister also initiated the construction of five new international airport terminals, which construction is ongoing under a loan facility from the China Export Import Bank.

The constructions of the terminals have reached different level of completion in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Kano and Abuja.

These projects were on going when the minister of aviation, Princess Stella Oduah was removed from office earlier in the year.

After her removal, which marked another milestone in the history of the sector, a supervising minister: Dr Samuel Ortom was appointed minister.

Ortum promised to implement the programmes initiated by Oduah, which meant the adherence to the aviation master plan and road map.

The supervising minister pursued the programmes of the former minister to see to the completion of all ongoing projects.

While these projects were on going, different aviation agencies including the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) went ahead with the pursuit of Category One recertification of Nigeria by the Federal Aviation Ad-

ministration (US FAA).

The recertification became imperative on the heels of deficiencies identified by the FAA team when they carried out audit on Nigerian aviation.

In the period under review, NCAA made frantic efforts to close all the gaps identified in the last audit in 2009 when the US FAA team visited Nigeria.

While efforts were on going to fix grey areas on Nigerian civil aviation , other agencies including : Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN) and The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency ( NAMA), made efforts to fix critical airport and air navigation facilities at airports across the country .

While these were on going, a new minister of aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka was appointed who promised to complete the projects and policies left behind by Oduah.

As Chidoka commenced implementing programmes and policies of previous ministers, the United States Federal Aviation Administration retained the category one safety rating for Nigeria.

This is the high point of achievement for the aviation sector in the

54 years of independence.

PROPERTY AND ENVIRONMENT Boost for housing sector In the past one year, the Federal Government has revved up efforts to decimate the 17 million housing deficit in the country. The early efforts in this direction includes but not limited to the establishment of the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company, the concessioning of the FESTAC Town Phase II, and validation of the 30 year plan for housing and urban development roadmap.

Other efforts being worked on but yet to be fully consummated include the restructuring of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), the commercialization of the federal housing authority, amongst others.

Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company President Goodluck Jonathan launched the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC),

‘

which is an initiative targeted at addressing the 17 million housing deficit, raising the hope of many home seekers. The launch of the NMRC on January 16 2014, gave hopes that the estimated 17 million housing gap may soon be filled. And with this, the President is convinced that his administration is creating the “enabling environment for primary mortgage banks and other financial institutions to offer real mortgage facilities to Nigerians at affordable rates.”

Interestingly, when the NMRC launched its first application for 10, 000 housing units about two months ago, over 60, 000 applications were received, forcing the government to direct the Company to accommodate all the applicants. The mandate given to the NMRC is to provide mortgagelending institutions with access to long-term finance at an affordable interest rate, which in turn, will enable mortgages to be issued by these institutions to Nigerians at longer tenors and affordable rates.

Simply put, NMRC though is government inspired, but is a private sector-led effort to provide affordable housing for Nigerians through loans accessed from mort-

The mandate given to the NMRC is to provide mortgage-lending institutions with access to long-term finance at an affordable interest rate, which in turn, will enable mortgages to be issued by these institutions to Nigerians at longer tenors and affordable rates

’

gage and commercial banks. It is being implemented as a component of the Nigeria Housing Finance Programme, an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Finance in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Federal Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development (FMLHUD) and the World Bank / International Finance Corporation (IFC).

The NMRC scheme, a vehicle set up to bridge the funding cost of residential mortgages and promote the availability and affordability of good housing to working Nigerians, is to provide mortgage lending banks with increased access to liquidity and longer terms funds in the mortgage market. It is designed to be an integral part of the country’s financial system, with special focus on housing finance and / or the mortgage system. Also, it has the mandate of resolving access to affordable housing finance and, more importantly, as a focal point for creating an enabling environment for housing finance by playing a strong developmental role in supporting the improvement of land, legal framework, housing development and construction.

Thus, it is the latest hope for lowincome earners who currently cannot afford the cost of a mortgage loan. As a take- off for the scheme, the World Bank approved a concessional US$300 million 40year interest free International Development Association (IDA) loan, which is obtained to facilitate the execution of the Housing Finance Programme. About $250 million of the IDA loan will be disbursed in instalments to NMRC as Tier 2 Capital based on key performance indicators – it will be retained on NMRC’s balance sheet to provide credit support for NMRC’s bond issuances. The balance of US$50 million will be allocated to other components of the Housing Finance Programme as follows: $25 • Continued on page 28

28

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

OVER VIEW OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT NIGERIA @ 54 • Continued from page 27 million for the establishment of a Mortgage Guarantee Facility for lower income borrowers and $25 million to support the development and piloting of Housing Microfinance Products. This is where the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), will benefit a $25 million facility from for the purpose of improving on its mass housing programme and also to use same to empower some of its microfinance partners in the housing scheme. This measure is also believed to be a major step that will reposition the Federal Housing Authority (FHA). It is hoped that the introduction of NMRC will bring down the cost of mortgage loan by improving market efficiency, lowering cost of funds and allowing for longer repayment tenor period by financial institutions.

FESTAC Town concession deal After an initiative that began in the early 1980s, the federal government, last month, completed and signed a 30-year concession agreement for the reclamation and infrastructural development of FESTAC Town, Phase II, in Lagos.

The concessionaires, known as Messrs New Festac Property Development Company Limited (NFPDCL), is a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), comprising of four companies- Fung Tai Engineering Limited; PW (Nigeria) Limited; SCC (Nigeria) Limited and Energo (Nigeria) Limited.

Under the terms of agreement, the concessionaire is to transform FESTAC Town into a modern city, in line with the mega city status of the state, and yield great benefits both in the infrastructural and socio economic development of Lagos. Besides, the federal government, through this transaction, is to earn an estimated N25.765 billion as premium for the 30 years of concession and an additional N150 million as ground rent, annually, with three years moratorium period. However, the earnings may increase on annual basis as agreed by both parties in the concession, to reflect market situation. The premium and rent are subject to periodic reviews.

The Agreement also has provision for the active involvement of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), in the implementation of the project.

The Minister of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, Mrs. Akon Etim Eyakenyi, who signed the concession on behalf of the federal government, described the effort as “another great milestone in the transformation agenda of the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan” especially with respect to infrastructural development in the country.

Eyakenyi explained further that part of government’s earning from the concession will be ploughed back to rehabilitate FESTAC Phase I.Beyond the financial benefits derivable from the concession, the Minister said that an approximate 50, 000 housing units will be delivered, while the project is capable of generating over 3,000 jobs every year.

The concession covers the outstanding 1, 126 hectares of land in the FESTAC Phase II. Other Initiatives These include the restructuring of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), and planned commercialization of the federal housing Authority (FHA), amongst others.

INDUSTRY As Nigeria rolls out the drums today to celebrate her 54th independ-

• Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke

• Minister of Agriculture

• CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele

ence anniversary, a globally competitive and vibrant industrial sector ought to be one of the visible signs of a nation that has come of age. Nigerians could not expect less. Within the life of the current administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, various industrialisation programmes and policies have been initiated, most of which held promises of fast-tracking the nation’s quest for industrialisation.

For instance, early in the year, precisely Tuesday, 11th February 2014, the president launched the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP) and the National Enterprise Development Programme (NEDEP). At the launch of NIRP in Abuja, President Jonathan boasted that the programme was the most ambitious and comprehensive road map that would transform the nation’s industrial landscape, boost skills development, enhance job creation, and conserve foreign exchange.

As he put it, “The NIRP is the flagship industrialisation programme ever embarked upon by this country.

It will fast-track industrialisation, accelerate inclusive economic growth, job creation, transform Nigeria’s business environment and stop the drain on our foreign reserves caused by importing what we can produce locally.”

He said NIRP was based on areas where Nigeria has competitive and comparative advantage such as agriculture and agro-products, metals and solid minerals, oil and gas, construction and light manufacturing services.

The president explained that “The goal of the NIRP is to increase the contribution of the manufacturing sector to GDP from the present four per cent to more than 10 per cent over the next five years. This will boost the annual revenue earnings of the Nigerian manufacturers by up to N5trillion per annum.” On the other hand, the NEDEP, he said, would help reposition the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector as the major driver of job creation and inclusive economic growth.

Another policy that raised the adrenalin of Nigerians was the launch of the new Automotive Policy. Essentially, the introduction of the new auto policy on October 3, 2013 was to discourage the importation of cars and encourage local manufacturing of vehicles, which would also gradually phase out used cars, popularly known as ‘tokunbo’. The expectation was that the policy would create jobs and conserve foreign exchange, which was why the 10-year automotive policy includes a phased ban on used cars

and high tariffs to discourage imports.

The nation’s building and construction industry also benefited from government’s sound policy intervention when Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), in a bid to standardise cement products, came out with a policy that classified cement into three different grades for special applications such as 32.5, 42.5 and 52.5.

While the 32.5 grade is for plastering, the 42.5 grade is for casting of beams, slabs and block moulding. On the other hand, the 52. 5 grade for construction of bridges and specialised applications.

Sound as the policies are, industry experts and stakeholders argue that most of the policies are poorly implemented, which is why they appear to have failed to deliver on promises.

The consensus of most of the experts and analysts is that unless and until government summons the necessary political will to walk the talk by implementing the policies to the later, the dream of becoming an industrialised nation would continue to elude Nigeria.

onshore assets including oil blocks in oil mining leases (OMLs) 60, 61, 62, and 63, as well as related infrastructure and facilities in the Joint Venture in which Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited (operator) holds 20 per cent and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation 60 per cent. Oando also took over ConocoPhillips’ interests twelve production stations, approximately 1,490 km of pipelines, three gas processing plants, the Brass River Oil Terminal, and the Kwale-Okpai 480 MW combined cycle gas-fired independent power plant.

ConocoPhillips’ 95 per cent operating interest in OML 131 and 20 per cent non-operating interest in oil prospecting licence (OPL) 214, converted to OML 145 recently were fully transferred to Oando.

ENERGY The energy sector witnessed substantial activities in the last one year.

The power subsector however, took the centre stage in view of government’s aspiration to achieve stable power. The aspiration led to privatization of the successor companies unbundled from the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). The petroleum subsector was not as active as the power sector. There was no new oil discovery as oil firms shunned exploration in view of the uncertainties surrounding some provisions in the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). The situation was worsened by non-passage of bill. International oil companies continued divestment of their interests in some oil blocks.

EMEKA UGWUANYI examines the sector in the past 12 months and reports.

Oil Oando Energy Resources Inc. (OER), the exploration and production subsidiary of Oando Plc, within the last one also closed the transaction on acquisition of divested ConocoPhillips’ upstream oil and gas assets in Nigeria with payment of $1.5 billion. It was a landmark achievement for a Nigerian company.

By concluding the transaction, Oando took over ConocoPhillips’ 20 per cent non-operating interests in

Power On November 1, 2013, the Federal Government handed over the 11 distribution companies: Ikeja, Eko, Ibadan, Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Benin, Jos and Yola Electricity Distribution Companies.

Also six generation companies: Afam, Sapele, Ughelli, Geregu, Shiroro, and Kainji.

The new investors in distributions companies on takeover had an understanding with the power industry regulator, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), to invest combined $1.8 billion in five years between 2013 and 2017 as capital expenditure (CAPEX) to improve supply on sustainable basis through repairs and replacement of damaged and obsolete equipment. Also investors in generation companies had an agreement to rehabilitate and upgrade their plants. They have made reasonable investments but inadequate gas supply has constituted major constraints to power generation and distribution as the distribution companies depend on what is generated.

Despite millions of workers of the defunct PHCN disengaged in April, the distribution companies are still struggling to meet their capital and recurrent expenditures as a result of poor revenue generation. Although they explore other sources of power generation such as embedded and captive power to increase supply and consequently revenue generation, inadequate gas supply has remained a major constraint.

As a result of lack of gas, power generation has in the past one year averaged 3000 megawatts (MW) as against a combined generation capacity of

‘Under the terms of agreement, the concessionaire is to transform FESTAC Town into a modern city, in line with the mega city status of the state, and yield great benefits both in the infrastructural and socio economic development of Lagos’

over 6000MW. To address the problem, the Federal Government through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), is building gas pipeline to some major power plants, while expanding some major trunklines to enhance their capacities.

The Group Executive Director, Gas and Power, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr David Ige, told The Nation that truly the corporation has gas supply challenge and said that when the investors complain about it, that their complaints are genuine. But he noted that the corporation is addressing it. He said: “We have maximized our efforts in infrastructure, every day we are building new pipeline infrastructure. Gas supply has grown from 500 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscf/d) three years ago to 1.5 billion standard cubic of feet per day (Bscf/d). But we are having serious short time challenge and there are two things responsible for that.

“One mostly arises from vandalisation, so at any point in time we are repairing one pipeline or the other.

Escravos-Lagos Pipeline System (ELPS) was down for seven months, ELPS is back, Trans Forcados is down.

At every point in time we have been experiencing one major outage or the other. And the way our system works is that the pipeline artery connects major gas supply assets. Trans Forcados pipeline is connected to Oben, Sapele and Pan Ocean gas plants, so when it is down, we lose three plants at once.

“When ELPS is down, we lose Escravos, so we are truly struggling with these outages and because it happens repeatedly and there is almost no time one of them is not down, all the efforts that we have made in terms of bringing supply up, the consumers never have been able to see the full benefits because there is always one problem or other.

Recently, the Federal Government through Nebo, took delivery of the 248 containers of various power equipment including transmission transformers, lines and conductors, abandoned between 10 and seven years ago (2003 and 2007) in different bonded terminals in Lagos and Onne in Rivers State.

Some of the projects that were stalled including the Aboh-Mbaise substation, Kano Hadejia transmission substations, Oba-Nnewi substation, Danbata substations, Omotosho, Egbin, Aja lines. Others including the Akwa-Ibom 33kva line, Iganga-Ibora substation, Ikorodu, Odogunya, Shagamu transmission line and Nssuka- Ayangba lines, have been restarted.

The Federal Government through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has paid $283.6 million owed gas suppliers over the years to ensure uninterrupted gas supply to power plants.

It also put in place N213 billion power intervention fund to boost supply.

Gas The NNPC through the Gas and Power Directorate has been working to improve gas utilization and commercialization. It ensures that gas exports are on the increase while boosting domestic gas supply and consumption. The Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Company had continued to sustain its production to maintain contractual obligation. In January, it delivered its 3000th LNG cargo, which it said was a demonstration of its reliability as a source of natural gas supply to the global market. Government is also working on streaming the Brass LNG and Olokola LNG.

BANKING The last one year has been eventful in the financial services sector. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele mounted the saddle on June 3rd, after his predecessor was suspended on February 20 for alleged financial recklessness.

• Continued on page 37

Newspaper of the Year

AN EIGHT-PAGE PULLOUT ON THE SOUTHWEST STATES

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

PAGE 29

Day of rage in Ekiti •How hoodlums unleashed terror on Ekiti judiciary, politicians Hoodlums went on the rampage in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital last week, burning, looting and brutalising people. A judge was beaten up and his suit torn. Courtrooms were turned upside down, provoking outrages across the country. SULAIMAN SALAWUDEEN reports.

I

T was not a good week for Ekiti State. For three days last week, hoodlums were on the rampage, wreaking havoc on the High Court, some judges and politicians.

It all started on Monday when thugs believed to be loyalists of Governor-elect Ayodele Fayose •Continued on page 30

INSIDE

•Chief Rotimi Olanbiwoninu

Soka gets health centre

PAGE 32 - 33 & 34

How LAUTECH plans to tackle Ebola PAGE 35

Lagos council chiefs empower physicallychallenged, artisans PAGE 36

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

30

SOUTHWEST REPORT

Day of rage in Ekiti

•One of the affected buildings

Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Chief Omolafe Aderiye was killed.

His death sparked last Friday’s skirmish during which properties including campaign office of Governor Kayode Fayemi and the secretariat of his party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) were destroyed.

A dusk-to-dawn curfew has since been imposed on the state to stem the violence. Two days, before Omolafe’s death, the house of former chairman of the Road Transport Employee Association of Nigeria (RTEA) Rotimi Olanbiwoninu aka Mentilo and six of the cars parked in his compound wee burnt. Most parts of Ado Ekiti are gradually returning to life, but in area like Ijegbo and Ikere Federal Polytechnic roads, passerby are being checked by soldiers and other armed security personnel.

In the beginning That Monday in court, the hoodlum numbering over 100, brandish tree branches and some

letter weapon attacked those they regarded as ‘opposition figures’, dragging them on the floor, slapping them and dealing them blow on the head, face, chest and stomarch. They invaded almost all offices in search of their victims. A target, who attempted to escapte through the windwo was pulled back and brutalised. No fewer than 20 men with canes wept in till body became sore.

But he escaped.

The ‘scene’ of the Justice Ogunyemi, who, also escaped, was his rulling early that day on the application of E-11, a social cultural group in the state, assuming the jurisdiction to hear the case on Fayose’s eligibility to contest the June 21 Governorship Election. The group is claiming that Fayose is yet to discharge the burden place on him by his 2006 impeachment by 2/3 majority member of the then House of Assembly.

The following day peace seem to have returned and people taught the war was over. But

Diamond Bank Hosts first Woman Summit

D

IAMOND Bank’s Head, Micro Small and Medium Enterprise Propositions Chima Nnadozie has said the bank has restructured to focus on women.

He spoke at the first Diamond Woman summit in Ibadan held at Mauve 21 Event Center, Ring road.

He said the bank was working with women but is now prepared to take an advanced step with the Diamond Woman package targeted at women in all sectors.

The event started with a lecture

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan from Dr Tola Owolabi of the Enterprise Development Centre, Pan African University.

Speaking on “Pricing:Getting it Right from the Beginning”, Owolabi said: “Pricing is one of the best strategy of advertising and promoting your business and optimality is the key to ensuring happiness between the businesswoman and her customer.

The Regional Head, Southwest, Diamond Bank, Akin Ogunleye, said im-

portance will be attached to empowering women because when they are empowered there will be development. He added that Ibadan was chosen for the first summit because the women are quite enterprising and very productive.

“The invitation is not only for the Diamond Bank customers alone, because we believe that once a woman is really convinced of her benefits from a product then you have a good ambassador with that woman,” Ogunleye said

‘APC encourages internal democracy’

A

N aspirant contesting for Oyo state House of Assembly on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Wasiu Olatunbosun Akere has praised the party for encouraging internal democracy compared to some other parties in the state.

He made this known at a press briefing where he declared his intention to contest for the state assembly in Ibadan Southwest Constituency 1.

According to him, the internal democracy of APC that allows a level playing ground encouraged him to

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan want to contest for the assembly seat considering his best performance of rendering service to humanity.

He said part of his service to humanity include associating with market women to improve on their trade and helping youths to get employment among others saying that if he is giving the opportunity he will do better.

Akere maintained that politics runs in his family as his father had once been a bigwig in the state politics adding that Akere family is well reputed in Orita-

Merin in Ibadan and across for Local governments in the state.

He said if he is voted into the House of Assembly, he will focus on Labour and industrial law to improve standard of the state economy and also to encourage more participants in enhancing a good policies.

He further enthused that his strong influence in grassroot politics coupled with his reputation of rendering service to humanity will earn him the chance to become a member of Oyo state House of Assembly come 2015.

,

•Continued from page 29 stormed the Ekiti State High Court for the hearing of a case bordering on his eligibility to contest the June 21 election which he won. The things disrupted court proceedings and what after the judge.

Justice Isaac Ogunyemi, who was spirited away by the Police.

They returned on Thursday when the election petitioners tribunal was to hear the petition of the All Progressives Congress (APC) challenging Fayose’s election. They moved into the court premises when the Fayose was allowed in by securitymen. Without wasting time, they went round, ransacking the court rooms, smashing windows and beating up anybody who came their way. They beat up Justice John Adeyeye and tore his suit. In the night of that day, the immediate past chairman of the National Union of

•The late Aderiye

The hoodlums torched the offices of All Progressives Congress (APC) and shops/businesses of those identified with the party, including Fayemi’s campaign office and the party’s main office adjacent to it on Ikere road in Ajilosun area

,

Aderiye’s death on Thursday night altered thing is killing in front of his home in Ajilosun in midst of his friend spark violence on Friday as early 7 am hoodlums poused on supposed said on the enemy of the Governor-elect, who they suspected on master-

‘I’ll empower youths’ From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

A

HOUSE of Representatives aspirant under the platform of Accord Party, Oludare Adigun Adesina, has promised to make people empowerment his focus and sponsor laws that would better the lives of people if elected.

Adesina, who wants to represent Ido/Ibarapa Federal Constituency, spoke while declaring his intention at the party secretariat yesterday.

The lawyer said his mission was to reduce unemployment rate in his constituency.

“I want to bring to the notice of people in my constituency my intention to contest for the position of member, house of representatives Ido/Ibarapa constituency. I have a new vision, mission and new direction.

“And I also want to solicit their support. I was The elders and party leaders here are quite aware of my person,” he added.

minded the killing of Aderiye who was Fayose’s ally. The hoodlums tourched the offices of APC, shops/business of those identiify with party including Fayemi’s campaign office and party’s main office adjascent to it on Ikere road in Ajilosun.

THE MENTILO CONNECTION Olanbiwoninu aka Mentilo was a target of the mob, but, he escaped. According to him, the destruction of his house at Oke Ila and burning of his vehicle came as surprise Olanbiwoninu, who said he travelled to Abuja two days before Aderiye’s death, stated: “I was his close friend, although we belonged to different transportation unions”.

He added:“I didn’t know about the development when I was leaving for Abuja on Tuesday and I was there (Abuja) till Thursday evening when I returned to Ado. My return was even to attend a burial on Friday.

I was in my house that Friday

W

OMEN in the Ifako-Ijaiye Federal Constituency of Lagos State have called on Hon. Morufudeen Adeola Adefolabi, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to intensify his efforts in his bid to return to the House of Representatives in 2015.

Hon. Adefolabi was a member of the House of Representatives from 2007 to 2011.

Chief (Mrs) Ganiyat Ololade Gbajumo, the Iyalode of Adegolu Town in Ojokoro Land, made the call on behalf of the Ifako-Ijaiye for Adefolabi Organization during a courtesy visit to the house of the former lawmaker.

Chief Gbajumo said: “Hon. Morufudeen Adeola Adefolabi is a man of the people, and he attained this status through hard work, diligence, generosity, love for his people, honesty, understanding of his people’s problems and other good qualities. He is a man of his word.

If he says this is white, it is white. If he says this is black, it is black. We all love him. We all believe he will

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

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•Cross section of CAC Pastors at the Conference

An annual retreat by pastors and other clergies in the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) came up last Thursday at the Babalola Memorial Miracle Centre, Ikeji-Arakeji in Osun State. DAMISI OJO was there.

CAC pastors seek God’s favour for Nigeria

•A deserted street

around 9:30 am when this multitude came. I did not even think they were coming for me. I just thought they were protesting Aderiye’s death.

“I was a bit at rest when I saw a police van coming behind them but I could not identify the vehicle’s registration number. At a point I heard them mentioning my name in a song they were singing.

“I was in front of my house. I overheard them chanting abusive words and singing songs against me. Then it became apparent they were coming for me. I decided to run. But what I sensed was that although the police were with them, the hoodlums were many and the police could not have overpowered them when they were setting my property on fire.

“In five minutes, they called to inform me my house was on fire, alongside my vehicles. In all they destroyed 11 vehicles. I was not around to salvage even a pin from the house. All I have worked and laboured for in my life is

gone. Now, I have continued to receive threats from factions of the transporters that they are still coming for me and that I should be writing my will. I have no hand in the death of Omolafe.

Ekiti State Government, the Nigeria Police and all well meaning Nigerians should come to my rescue. I know nothing about the death of Aderiye”.

On the streets of Ado Ekiti are tell tales of the mayhemblack patches on roads, razed buildings and burnt vehicle. But the curfew imposed in the state seems to have restored sanity.

The curfew is being enforced by a combined team of soldiers and policemen, who are protecting sensitive institution and roads around Ijegbo and Ajilosun.

There are also police pick-up vans parked at strategic corners to deter trouble makers.

There are rumours of renewed skirmish, but troublemakers are warned daily to desist from such action or face the consequences of that action.

Ifako-Ijaiye women urge ex-lawmaker Adefolabi to re-contest lead us well” Continuing, the Iyalode said: “Hon. Adefolabi was a member of the House of Representatives between 2007 and 2011. Before he became a member of the National Assembly, he was a councillor, local government chairman, LCDA executive secretary and LCDA Chairman.

When he occupied these positions, he performed excellently. All the promises he made were promptly fulfilled. This is the kind of person we want as our representative. He performed to the admiration of all in the past, and this is why we are all calling on him to come out again to lead us.

“Another attribute of Hon. Adefolabi is the fact that he is accessible. If you want to see him, you don’t have to book in advance. Everybody is welcome to his house at anytime of the day. He is a real grassroots person. I am for Hon.

Adefolabi, and most women in the Ifako-Ijaiye Federal Constituency are for him.”

Chief Gbajumo itemized some of the achievements of the former lawmaker by saying: “As the Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Chairman and a member of the House of Representatives, he drove away sorrow from the lives of many people. He replaced sorrow with joy for all of them. He gave out scholarships; he fed pupils free; he introduced poverty-alleviation projects; he took care of widows and their children; he constructed roads and repaired many; he built classrooms; he built libraries and embarked on other projects that made life easy for Ifako-Ijaiye citizens”.

Hon Adefolabi expressed his gratitude to the women for believing in him and promised to continue in his crusade of making people happy in politics of peace and progress.

T

HE 2014 edition of the annual Pastors’ Conference of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) was not only a spiritual avenue for Pastors within the church’s fold to renew their knowledge and teachings of the holy scripture, but also a platform to seek God’s face for a better Nigeria and Nigerians.

This year’s conference which had as its theme “giving and receiving” was attended by pastors in the South West including Edo and Delta states.

President of the CAC worldwide, Pastor Abraham Akinosun took some time to pour out his mind on the state of the Nation.

According to him, the burning issue of Boko Haram in the country today has not been laid to rest because of favouritism by the powers that be.

“This Boko Haram matter, I don’t know why it is very difficult to be uprooted, even in the time of Shagari, Maitashine (a similar band of terrorists) you will remember was eliminated within two years of the Shagari administration, and they were no more in existence” “We don’t know why this Boko Haram is so difficult to uproot, I think it is because of favouritism, they don’t want to touch some people,” Pastor Akinosun said.

The CAC president expressed concern over the fate of the 200 Chibok school girls still in captivity by Boko Haram, stressing that terrorism is a great crime against God. He lamented that “it is disheartening to note that Boko Haram has continued to breach our security at random. A group which started with guerrilla tactics has become so audacious that is now taking territory and naming it its caliphate.

“Let us say this for emphasis, the government should rise to the occasion and retake the towns already seized by the murderous gang, no inch of Nigeria must be lost to these insurgents” While commending the men of the Nigerian Army for their fight against the insurgency, he expressed dissatisfaction on the mutiny attempt on a General Officer Commanding (GOC) by some soldiers serving in the theatre of war in the north east.

The CAC President, however pleaded that the soldiers involved who have been condemned to death by a military court martial should have their sen-

tences commuted to jail terms.

He equally urged the Army council to investigate the reasons behind the 400 soldiers who recently deserted the battle front.

According to him, the soldiers should equally be tried by a court martial, but said if indeed they fled because their weapons were no match for the enemies, the process of procurement of weapons by the military should be reviewed.

Pastor Akinosun further warned politicians to stop addressing the issue of insecurity in the country from partisan standpoint.

He said politicians must depoliticize the issue of insecurity entirely, stressing that whatever ambition they have can only be realized when the country is at peace.

Pastor Akinosun noted that in the event of war, there is no nation in the West African sub region that would serve as place of refuge for Nigerians.

Speaking on 2015 general elections, the pastor said “the 2015 general election is around the corner, we must all start praying for a successful exercise.

We call on politicians to make their campaigns speeches temperate, they should tell us what they have to offer rather than run their opponents down.

“They should shun campaign of calumny and embrace that of issues, they must shun violence in all its ramifications if indeed, their intention was to serve us.

“Nigerians are also urged to vote according to their conscience, they should not be swayed by money or any other base consideration, they should realize that with their votes, they can change the system for the better if they vote wisely”

Pastor Akinosun lamented the lop-sided distribution of wealth in the country, stressing that the gap between the poor and the rich is widening every day.

“There seems to be no concerted effort to reverse this dangerous trend. The poor lives in shanties while the rich and the wealthy live in palatial buildings. The poor, dayin day- day out barely eke out a living in a nation that is, proverbially, flowing with milk and honey” He said.

The man of God charged the federal government to declare a state of emergency on employment with a view to creating jobs across the country.

“Declaring a state of emergency would enable the government to take emergency steps to decongest the job market within a short time. Under this arrangement the government may acquire lands in all parts of the federation and establish emergency farm settlements.

“Government should also review existing manufacturing policy, Nigeria should ban importation of certain products that can be produced locally; for instance Nigeria has a fair comparative advantage in textile production” Pastor Akinosun advised.

Speaking on the theme of the conference, the C A C president revealed that the reason why some Christians are poor today was because they lack the habit of giving.

•Pastor Akinosun

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

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SOUTHWEST REPORT

•Fasedemi cutting the tape to commission the health centre

•The health centre

While the stigma of hosting the forest of horror in Ibadan before it was dismantled by government still lingers for residents of Soka in the Oyo State capital, the people of the community are moving on with their lives as they recently commissioned a health centre they built. TAYO JOHNSON reports.

Soka gets health centre N

OT many expected any good news to come out of Soka in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital so soon after the infamous discovery of an ‘evil’ forest littered with decomposed bodies and dozens of human parts in the community.

But residents of the Oluyole Local Government Area community capital seem to have put the stigma of that discovery behind them and are moving on with their lives.

A couple of weeks ago, the residents in their hundreds converged on Ire Akari Estate in the area to commission a Community Health Centre, the foundation of which was laid on June 8, 2010. The facility expected to serve the primary health needs of the people of the estate as well as 27 other communities comprising of 140 villages in the area was officially commissioned by a former chairman of the estate, Mr. Olayele Fasedemi, a business mogul.

The businessman made some promises at the ceremony which include; donation of a bus, electricity generating set, drugs, medical equipment and money to the health centre.

The residents were over joyous when the medical officer in Oluyole Local Government, Dr. Zainab

Hamzat, announced that the council had transferred a midwife to work at the health centre. Hamzat also said the council would look into the possibility of sending doctors to the health facility soon.

Although the residents expressed joy at the opening of the health facility as they would no longer have to travel for about 10 kilometres to access public healthcare, but they were still very sad that the road that leads to the health centre was in a bad shape.

They wanted the government to adequately equip the health facility in order to complement the hospital beds, tables and chairs, examination couch, drugs and other medical equipments donated by individuals and corporate organizations to the centre.

They therefore appealed to the Chairman of Oluyole Local Government, Mr. Abass Aleshinloye, and Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State to come to their aid.

Lauding the initiative, the Chairman, Ire-Akari Landlords Association, Alhaji Abdulrasaq Fadahunsi, told The Nation that he “used to go from here to Ring Road to access medical care. But the presence of this health facility has changed that now. In the centre, we have delivery bed, examination bed, drugs and we are still looking up to government to provide major equipment for this centre.

“Everything we have here is on personal donations by individuals, groups and through communal efforts from the residents. The estate donated the land and we did the foundation. The government erected the building and painted it. We still want to do flooring of the compound and the fence. Also, we need a borehole from the government for the centre.ý But the major cry of all residents of this area is the deplorable state of the roads in the estate.

We have sent a SOS message to the chairman of the local government, Mr. Abass Aleshinloye. He has promised that he would do it. But he has not done it.

“The roads are almost impassable now. From Idi-Mango where we have the health centre to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the journey used to take about five minutes when the road was good, but now it takes at least 20 minutes.”

Also, the pioneer general secretary of the estate, Mr. Olawale Smith Ogunlaja, stated that the foundation of the health centre was laid on June 8, 2010, after the community sought the assistance of the Community Development Council of Oluyole Local Government, under the state Ministry of Women and Social Welfare.

According to him, the benefits attached to the presence of the health centre in the estate will cut across all the

nooks and crannies of the area.

Recalling the situation before the opening of the health centre, Ogunlaja said:”In the past, we were without health centre within this area.

Then, we used to take our wives and children to Academy, where we had the nearest Primary healthcare Centre of Oluyole Local Government. It is about 10 kilometres to this estate.

“Since the inception of this area, we have never benefitted anything from the government. I am appealing to the government to fix our roads. We want the government to fix Abuja Way, which links Ire-Akari to Idi-Mango Road. It is about two kilometres. Then, the road that comes into the community through Soka also needs urgent attention,” Vice chairperson of the community, Mrs. F.F. Akinwande, said since the foundation of the health centre was laid four years ago, little or nothing was done until a prominent member of the estate, Engineer Fawole, decided to leverage on his influence to ensure the erection of the building.

“To set the health centre in operation, the landlords of Ire Akara Estate have done a tremendous work both in cash and in kind. Some individuals surprised us by their donations both in cash and kind. Some of the churches and the Central Mosque within the estate also played vital roles by their donations.” said she Former chairman of the estate, who began the project, Mr. Olayele Fasedemi, said the health centre would serve the eight communities in the estate, and 19 other communities, comprising 140 villages.

He also expressed his sadness on the deplorable state of the road that leads to the health centre which has not been fixed by the government, adding that the stretch of the road from Soka to Ire-Akari Estate has become an eyesore.

Fadesanmi said:”We want the government to please look at us with mercy. Nobody wants to come and visit us any longer because of the deplorable road. We can’t invite our friends because we are ashamed to invite them to our houses because the roads are impassable. To get to Soka from my place, which should take five minutes, now takes about 20 minutes,” Some of the highlight of the ceremony included a lecture on Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and hypertension

by Dr. Zainab Hamzat, the medical officer at Oluyole Local Government.

On EVD She enlightened members of the community on preventive measures against the virus such as personal hygiene, cleanliness, environmental sanitation, regular hand washing with soap with running water and avoiding contact with faeces, urine, vomits, sweat and saliva of sick persons.

“Anyone who has open wound should please cover it so that the wound will not contaminate the environment. EVD does not have cure for now, but early detection of it will help in curtailing the spread of the virus. So, if anyone in the community manifested symptoms suggestive of EVD, the community should urgently contact the local government,” Hamzat advised.

The doctor also described hypertension as a common ailment that does not show on faces of people, urging adults to ensure regular medical screening to know whether they are hypertensive or not.

“If you want to prevent hypertension, the importance of lifestyle modification cannot be overemphasised apart from administration of drugs. What we eat has a lot to do with our health. I advise adults to eat a lot of vegetables and fruits. They should avoid smoking and taking alcohol and they should do a lot of exercise. This will also help hypertensive patients to respond to treatment.” Hamzat stated.

Boko Haram in the North. We are not helping the Christians affected by this evil. It is not Pentecostalism but holiness and impeccable character that will speak to people. If not for her patience and courage, Mama Ruth would have gone back to England thirty years ago.

She faced great challenges, some of which even threatened her life. So, as Christians, we are to endure persecution, suffering and difficulty.

“If you live for God any where you go you will suffer for righteousness.

Look at Daniel’s example in the Bible.

So words to take home for all of us here is ‘what profits a man to win the whole world and loses his soul.’ I therefore enjoin you brethren to work hard and endure hardship,” Rev. Mike Oye concluded.

In their tribute, Pastors Sarah and Olubi Johnson of the Scriptures Pasture Christian Centre, Ibadan said: “Mama Elton, by the Spirit, doggedly weathered opposition of indigenous religions, occultists, and even physical violence, to pursue her missionary passion. She has also overcome challenges to her personal health, notably Hepatitis and eye problems both of which were miraculous healed. Once, she was clubbed unconscious by a thief that stole her car but miraculously the car was recovered by an alert policeman.ý Mama Ruth Elton is also involved in training missionaries and sending them to work in rural areas. Sadly however, at this time there are not many volunteers for missionary work. She is concerned that the saints are not passionate enough about getting the job of preaching the gospel of the kingdom

Accolades for ‘great’ missionary Ruth Elton at 80

Christian faithful from across Nigeria gathered at Ilesa, Osun State to celebrate the 80th birthday of a renowned British missionary, Ruth Elton.

ADESOJI ADENIYI was there.

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O distance was too long for admirers of Mama Ruth Elton, a British born missionary, particularly those who have benefited from her generosity and benevolence, to be part of her 80th birthday anniversary. ýGuests came from all parts of the federation. They particularly came from towns where Mama Ruth Elton had patiently served in spreading the gospel of the Lord - from Kogi to Ondo, Oyo and Osun States. The celebrant who arrived the shores of Nigeria in 1937, aged three years, when she accompanied her parents Pa Sydney and Mama Hannah Elton on a missionary journey into the country, was introduced to Christian faith by them. And she proved herself a worthy enthusiastic assistant to her parents in spreading the gospel in many parts of the country, particularly rural communities, where residents were yet to hear of the words of the Lord.

The King’s Event Centre in Ilesa, Osun State, the venue of the thanksgiving service and reception, three Saturdays ago was filled to capacity. Adorned in their best attire, the guests paid glowing tribute to ýthe woman described by the preacher at the ceremony, Rev. Mike Oye, as smallish in stature but giant in faith.

After Pastor Joseph Ali said the opening prayer, Rev. Oyeý said he had known Mama Ruth for four to five decades and could testify to her selfless service in the vineyard of the Lord.ý Quoting from the Bible, Revelation 7:9, he said the Church’s mission, by God’s design, is to save lives but lamented that the Church today, par-

ticularly the Pentecostal pastors, had derailed and abandoned this path, instead raising selfish, self centered and disobedient members. The cleric said Mama Ruth understood the need to save the perished and those lost in darkness. Rev. Oye said the celebrant knew that the redemption of the world cost the Lord His blood and, therefore,ý was prepared to do same for the people.

The preacher said: “How to know the love of God is to be prepared to die to save lives. In God’s words we are made to know that ‘That He laid down His life for us to live.’ So we too, like Mama Ruth, must be ready to lay ours too for others to live.

Ruth was raised by wonderful parents. They came to suffer, to teach, to help people, first class evangelists. Ruth was raised in an environment of love.

She grew under parents who lived by God’s principles.”

Speaking further, Rev. Oye said there was an urgent need to raise children in the fear of God just as Timothy’s parents in the Bible and Ruth’s parents had done. He said Mama Ruth’s parents emphasis was not on material values but promoting Christian standards.ý Chiding Christians, who laid back and did nothing about the insurgency of the dreaded Boko Haram terrorist group ravaging the north eastern part of the country, he said “soldiers don’t sit, they go to fight, they suffer, and come back to shine after conquering the enemies.ý” “Boko Haram don’t sit they go to fight, soldiers don’t sit but must go and conquer. I pity those who say Boko Haram can’t come to them in other parts of the country before the rapture. They are coming so it’s important to go out win souls and help others. The problem with us is being disobedient to the words of the Lord. This smallish woman (Mama Ruth) sitting here is a giant of faith, a lioness like David fighting and receiving wounds. One of the reasons why we are not making advances is fear of suffering and love of luxury.ý Even Jesus suffered.

•Ruth Elton

If there is any Christian not suffering for (the) faith then something is wrong.

Ruth Elton stands out in this regard. The Christians in the South are not talking and doing enough about the evil of

done.”

Sam Kputu, the International Director of the Calvary Ministries, said: “There are two ways to spend your life. You either waste or invest it. That life is wasted that is spent just on transient things and ephemeral glories. That life is invested that is spent fulfilling God’s eternal purpose, the redemption of the nation’s. Sister Ruth Elton, like her parents before her, is an example of a life well invested. Many servants of God in Nigeria today as well as many churches and ministries, including ours, Calvary Ministries, are either direct or indirect fruits of the labour of the Eltons in this land.”

According to Emeka and Bade Nwankpaý of the Intercessor For Nigeria: “The story of our lives cannot be told without the testimony of the immeasurable deposit that God made in us using Pa S. G. Elton of blessed memory. We, therefore, appreciate the Elton family more than words can describe.”

Pastor Dejo Akande of the Christ’s Ambassadors Evangelistic Team said: “The contact with Mama Elton encouraged the interest of CAET in missions that culminated in a series of mission trips to the Okene-Keton mission field, beginning fromý 1988. The trip exposed us to great works Mama was doing over the years, especially among the Ebiras, Bassa Komo people and others around the Middle Belt of the country.”

Also, Bishop Joel Ejingwon of theý Gospel Assembly Intercontinental, AgasaOkene, Kogi State said: “Mama, you have positively affected the lives of the entire Ebira nation and it’s environs through your passion for soul wining. Your labour for the kingdom gave birth to the church now known as the Gospel Assembly Intercontinental.”

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When Odu’a honoured its retiring staff From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

L-R: Oba Sikiru Adetona, the FRSC Zonal Commanding Officer Lagos/Ogun states, Assistant Corp Marshal, Godwin Ogagaoghene during the visit by Ogagaoghene Oba Adeota in Ijebu Ode. With them is the FRSC Unit Commander Ijebu-Ode, Mr Issa Seidu.

Awujale, FRSC seek road users cooperation as December approaches

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HE paramount ruler of Ijebu, Dr Sikiru Adetona, and the Southwest Assistant Corps Marshal, Godwin Ogagaoghene, have sought the support of road users in the area.

They emphasised the importance of such cooporation as the festive period is fast approaching.

They spoke during a courtesy visit of the newly elevated Federal Road Safety Corps boss to the palace of the Awujale, in Ijebu Ode. The Awujale described the effort of the commission to reduce crashes as a ‘formidable tools’, urging them to keep the goodwill.

Awujale, urged the commission to engage in sensitizing public in public senitiation, through radio and television jingles on the importance of the scheme.

Ogagaoghene, reacting to the Awujale’s inquisition on why the FRSC couldn’t exploit the radio in its road safety sensitisation campaigns, said they were already working on the prospect.

“We do use the radio medium to reach out to our public already but we are looking to explore expansion opportunities in that ave-

From Jeremiah Oke, Abeokuta nue.

“We know that the radio is more accessible to road users and can reach a larger audience, especially motorists on the road.

“This is why we are already looking into ways to exploit the medium extensively.

“We hope to perfect our arrangements on this before the year ends as we remain committed in our drive to make our roads safer.

The FRSC boss then implored motorists on the need to be safety conscious while on the roads especially during the feared ‘ember’ months.

“We have kept on saying that ember months are not different from any of the other months just that within these months we have an increase in vehicular traffic as a result of the holidays.

“Motorists must ensure that before they put their vehicles on the road they must plan their journey adequately.

“They must ensure that their vehicles meet the minimum safety standards. Their tyres must have the

right pressure, headlights and other lights must be in good condition as well as the brakes.

“They must also use their seatbelts at all times and drive with consideration for other road users because doing this reduces the risks of crashes”.

Ogagaoghene said in his commitment to zero tolerance for traffic offences, he had implemented the Special Intervention Patrol policy of the FRSC. He said his men be executed for up to 20 hours deadly to survey the highways from Lagos to Ibadan and Sagamu to Ore to check for traffic offenders who would not be spared punishment if caught.

Ogagaoghene said the need for logistics could never be over-emphasised on the government as well as stakeholders to provide corps with patrol vehicles.

“The job of safeguarding our roads is enormous which the FRSC cannot handle alone.

“We are reaching out to all our stakeholders, those who have been helping in one way or the other to continue supporting us,” he said.

Activist sues FRSC for alleged extortion

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AN Akure lawyer and activist, Charles TitiFrom Damisi Ojo, Akure loye, has sued the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC) to the Federal High Court in the unilateral imposition of fines by FRSC without Akure for alleged extortion of money by its oper- trial as a violation of section 36(1)(4) of the Constitution. atives from motorists.

He urged the court to declare that FRSC He particularly criticised the fines alare duty bound under section 36 and legedly being collected from traffic of44(1)(2b) of the constitution to prosefenders without trial before the courts cute an offender before imposing as provided for under Chapter 4 of fine and impounding their cars.

1999 Constitution.

The activist asked the court to In an application for the endeclare as null, void and unconforcement of Fundamental Hustitutional the notice of offence man Rights of a driver, Joshua sheet issued by FRSC which Orunto and other drivers and contains clauses allowing a susroad users in Nigeria, Titiloye pected offender to waive his averred that the FRSC issues a constitutional rights to trial charge sheet which allows it to before the court by paying collect fines without trying a fine. suspected offender in line with He contended that section the mandatory provision of 36 and 44 of the constitution the Constitution. made fair hearing in criminal The lawyer said vehicles of trial before a court mandatory citizens are usually impoundbefore conviction and payment ed by the Corps and a custody of fine. fees of N200 charged on the veTitiloye prayed the court to hicle per day until payment of perpetually restrain FRSC, an exunilaterally imposed fine withecutive agency from imposing fine out recourse to any court of law.

•Titiloye and extorting money from the apHe said mobile courts for trial plicant and other motorists without of offenders no longer exist adding proper court trial. that FRSC also created many non-exHe urged the court to direct the FRSC isting offences to punish motorists. to refund the fines paid to its designated He said “offences like deflated extra tyre bank account without trial and conviction of which is unknown to road safety regulation is suspected offenders. now being used to extort money from motorists The lawyer requested for N10 million damages Titiloye therefore urged the Federal High Court to declare the refusal to charge the applicant and on behalf of the applicants.

Hearing in the case by the Federal High Court other road users to a court of competent jurisdiction on allegation of committing an offence and Akure has been fixed for November 5.

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T was a fun filled event at the Premier Hotel, Ibadan when Odu’a Investment Company Limited (OICL) honoured two of its retiring top executiveý at a send forth party.

The retirees were the Executive Director, Finance and Investment; Alhaji Niyi Badmus and the General Manager, Business Development Mr Bola Badmus. Between them, they had accumulated 55 years of meritorious service to the company.

At the event, which was chaired by the Group Managing Director (GMD) of OICL, Mr Adewale Raji, were other members of staff of the company who were there to rejoice with their former bosses retirement.

In his address, Raji commended the retirees for a meritorious service to the company. He described them as diligent, hardworking and commit-

ted employees who worked tirelessly over the years to build the company to its present state.

“They have contributed their quota to sustain the legacy of the company. The contribution of the employees is very essential in the progress of the company, and these two gentlemen have played a pivotal role to-

How •Hospital takes proactive steps against EVD •Ajimobi approves N40m to boost water supply Despite the clean bill of health given to Nigeria by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in the battle against the Ebola Virus Disease, the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso is stepping up efforts to combat an outbreak of the disease in the area. BODE DUROJAIYE reports.

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ETERMINED to compliment Oyo State Government efforts on Ebola,the management of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, has put in place precautionary measures to prevent any outbreak of the deadly virus across the state.

To this end, the teaching hospital has set up a high- powered body known as Ebola Action Committee comprising of community health physicians, epidemiologists and virologists .

The committee headed by a renowned epidemiologist Professor Bayo Parakoyi has embarked on sensitisation and enlightenment programmes for residents of the metropolis through the media and town hall meetings.

Heads of both public primary and secondary as well as proprietors of private schools are not left behind in the preventive and pre-

cautionary measures by the health institution.

Medical and health workers have also been trained and sensitized with standing operational procedures on how to recognize Ebola virus and what to do as basic precautionary measures. Anti-Ebola kits worth millions of naira were also procured.

The kits include Ebola suits, infrared thermometer, masks, goggles and preventive foot wears.

Visitors as well as workers irrespective of status coming into the hospital must undergo screening with infrared thermometer, while water mixed with chlorine is placed at strategic places for everybody to wash their hands.

Addressing journalists in Ogbomoso, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Professor OIadele Sijuwola said: ‘’The outbreak and unfortunate spread of the Ebola Virus

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

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SOUTHWEST REPORT

,

We are a conglomerate and we need to play at the national level and not just at the southwest regional level; we need to impact the nation economically as a whole

,

•L-R: Alhaja Titilayo Badmus her husband, Alhaji Niyi, Mr. Adewale Raji and Mr. Bola Jaiyeoba at the send forth party.

•Adewale Raji

wards ensuring the growth of OICL. People will come and go in this company but the greatest thing they can leave behind is the solid landmark, which these two have left behind” the Odu’a GMD said According to him, ‘we are a conglomerate and we need to play at the national level and not just at the southwest regional level; we need to

ment. Ilori described him as a distinct, stylish and premier personality.

On Mr Badmýus, Ilori said: “He joined the company on November 1, 1985 as the accountant at Western Hotel, now Premier Hotel and rose to the position of the Executive Director, Financeý and Investment till 2014 when he retired. He was a problem

impact the nation economically as a whole.”

Presenting the retirees to the audience, the General Manager, Human Resources, Mr Abimbola Ilori said Mr Jaiyeola started work at the company in 1988 but left in 1999 to join Ikoyi Club only to return later in 2005 and was until his retirement the General Manager, Business Develop-

PHOTOS: FEMI ILESANMI

solver, very focused, and thinks deeply.”

Other members of staff also commended the retirees, especially their wealth of experience. According to one of their subordinates Mr Femi Oni, “they are good people whose absence would be felt at the company.”

Corroborating ýOni’s

statement, another staff Mr Seun Shodun, described one of the retirees, Mr Bola Jaiyeola as a very nice and accommodating man that any worker could approach anytime, anywhere and anyhow for an advice.”

In their responses, ýthe retirees appreciated the reception organized in their honour, stating that it showed how valued the company appreciated their selfless service.

Jaiyeoba noted that their good deeds as expressed by their former colleagues and other staff, would serve as stimulants for them to do more where ever they found themselves.

According to him, “this is a conglomerate; I want the GMD to always be available, whenever the need arises for ýthe staff.”

Badmus advised the staff to be more committed and diligent in the discharge of their duties and responsibilities to the company.

He cýharged the GMD to continue to add value to the work of the founding fathers and also make the welfare of his staff paramount on his agenda.

Awards and gifts items were later presented to the retirees by the GMD, Mr Raji.

LAUTECH plans to tackle Ebola

Disease requires the commitment of every Nigerian, especially a health facility like the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital in Ogbomoso ‘’We do not need to wait till we have a case on our hand before we prepare to contain such. The management appreciates the readiness of our health personnel to work with commitment irrespective of the sensitivity of medical case. It is, therefore, an issue of responsibility to provide the necessary equipment and the enabling environment for our doctors, nurses and other allied staff to attend to the health needs of the people. We already have antiEbola kits which include Ebola suits, infrared thermometer, masks, goggles and preventive foot wears,’’ he added.

Sijuwola also said the hospital was partnering with other stakeholders to sensitise Nigerians on how to contain the virus.

“Adequate dissemination of information is key in this battle against the deadly virus that we have on our laps. It is indeed a challenge, but the spread can be checked. ‘’It is only when people are well informed and educated that they can protect themselves and by extension curtail the spread of the disease.

There has been a lot of misinformation since the virus unfortunately found its way into Nigeria,’’ he said.

Sijuwola added that a temporary observation/isolation rooms have been created besides the accident and emergency unit of the hospital.

He explained that person[s] with abnormal temperature after the screening will be taken to the observation/isolation room through another gate different from the main gate.

The CMD said such person(s) will later be taken to the State Ministry of Health in Ibadan with a standby

ambulance for further examination and intensive care.

The permanent observation/isolation centre for Ebola cases is under construction adjacent the hospital.

On the on-going projects, professor Sijuwola who commended the Senator Abiola Ajimobi-led administration in the state for its determination in ensuring that the teaching hospital remains one of the best in the country hinted that about N1.3billion would be required to complete all the projects.

The CMD announced the approval of N40million by Governor Abiola Ajimobi for the completion of a dam project located at OkeOwode area to boost water supply in the hospital.

When completed water supply to the institution would no longer be a problem. Water is being piped to serve the hospital from the dam which is nearing completion and can supply two million litres of water per day, with additional storage of 1.4 millionlitres capacity in the overhead tank.

A water heater has also been completed to ensure that the hospital functions at optimum capacity. For now, there are four functional boreholes for use at the hospital.

On community health service, Professor Sijuwola disclosed that three health care centres had been established to cater for pri•Professor OIadele Sijuwola mary health needs of the people.

Corroborating this, Head of the Department of Community Health Medicine, Dr. (Mrs) Olugbenga Bello Adenike said each of the three personnel are highly appreciated. health centres located at Kajola, Kotangua and Jabata has catchment areas The teaching hospital has come covering no fewer than twenty-two [22] villages of over 10,000 popula- to stay and your continued suption. port coupled with concerted efDr. Bello stated that the Kajola health centre had been upgraded to a forts of the management will encomprehensive health facility, with intensive health education, screening sure unhindered accomplishment of residents of neighbouring villages and hamlets for hypertension, diabe- of the state government in transtes and malnutrition. forming the institution to an enAccording to her, ‘’we also embarked on home visitations in order viable status.’’ really ensure that the people adequately benefitted from the community On the hospital’s annex in Oyo health medicine. We also observed that most problems that brought pa- town, Sijuwola hinted that both tients to the hospital has environmental components, hence our determi- the management and state govnation to provide the needed assistance to guarantee disease-free and hy- ernment teams had visited the gienic society’’. site for thorough inspection with On the ownership of the institution and staff welfare, the CMD cleared a view to facilitate its completion. the air that the teaching hospital is no longer jointly owned by Oyo and According to him, ‘’unknown Osun State Governments, but now wholly controlled by the Oyo State to the people, the state governGovernment. ment had not abandoned the anWhile commending the entire staff for their sacrifice and steadfastness, nex. Most of the facilities and Sijuwola asserted that in spite of all odds the teaching hospital got accredited equipment needed at the annex within one year, including its post-graduate programme. had been supplied by the contrac‘’Welfare of staff will continue to be accorded utmost attention not only tors. The materials were kept by the hospital management but the owner state government. Diligence, here in Ogbomoso pending the perseverance and sacrifice of the entire workforce, including the medical full completion of the annex.

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Lagos council chiefs empower physically-challenged, artisans

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FOR Medinat Azeez, a physically challenged mother, it was all smile Thursday last week when her name was mentioned as a beneficiary of a hair dryer and an electricity generating set at the community empower programme organised by Conference 57, the umbrella body of chairmen of the 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 Local

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

to change their situation.

Lagos State Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Otunba Henry Lo cal Ajomale who presented the Ajo ma le fla nk ed by ssi ve Co ng res s, He nry tor to Mr s. Me din at Az eez gre tools to the beneficiaries said Pro All of n ma era •L ago s Sta te Ch air n, pre sen tin g a hai r dry er and gen the problem of corruption in Go ver nm ent Ch air me Nigeria will be a thing of the past when the party wrest power from the Peoples Democracy (PDP) in the 2015 generThe visibly excited al elections. mother said she saidAjomale the APC had depended sole- has decided tackle the ly on sporting activ- to menace of ruption ities before now to cino rthe councater for the needs try and focus three carof her family add- on dinal areas ing that with the lat- like; Women evelopest development the Dment; Youth family can now have D e v e l o p Ch air ma n. and Care for rm ent too l fro m the additional income ment o rec eiv ing em po we the disabled.

•K aze em Wa hee d als According that would help imto him:”The isprove their status sue of corruption must be eliminated by

,

Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Lagos State.

The event which held at Teslim Balogun stadium saw scores of physically challenged persons, artisans and youth going home with empowerment tools that would help them start up their own business.

Azeez, a hairdresser, who was assisted to the venue by her 18year old daughter, told The Nation that it meant a life changing experience for her and family.

The visibly excited mother said she had depended solely on sporting activities before now to cater for the needs of her family adding that with the latest development the family can now have additional income that would help improve their status.

Also Kazeem Waheed, another physically challenged person, a tailor who received tools for tailoring alongside a generator to power his shop described the gesture as very noble.

He commended the chairmen for considering the physically challenged in their programme saying that it will go a long way

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an APC government when the party gets into power. This is very important and key to our programmes when it comes to elections in 2015. When the APC takes over government from the PDP, these are the programmes that form part of our manifesto that would be tackled first.”

Harping on the empowerment programme Ajomale said “we are distributing this because we want the average Nigerian to live comfortably. Every Nigerian is a stakeholder in government and we must see to it that everyone gets a chance to develop.

“I want to specially thank the chairmen for this gesture. The

ben efi cia rie s ite ms pre sen ted to •O the r em po we rm ent

equipment that they are giving you is for you to start up (your busi-

ness). It’s a complete set with generator. If there was electricity, there would be no need for generators,

but the federal government has failed to give us power. I want to encourage all the beneficiaries of this laudable gesture to use these items effectively to better your lives and your future.”

He warned people against selling the empowerment tools, urging them to use them to generate more income.

In his address at the event, Chairman of the Conference 57 chairmen, Hon. Sulaimon Akeem noted that poverty seems to have become a natural phenomenon in the country, adding that it has persisted even though successive governments in Nigeria have made efforts to alleviate it.

He said the conference embarked on the exercise due to the success of the first exercise which he said was carried out in August, 2014.

According to him, the empowerment which saw residents of the state carting home items like sewing machines, battery charging machines, vulcanizing machines, generator sets, dryers, refrigerators and food stuffs, among others was the second phase.

He said, “We followed up the materials given to those that benefited from it (the first phase), they actually used it for the purpose the items were meant for as seen in the development of their business that have brought about economic improvement.”

Akeem noted that the program was in fulfillment of one of the promises made to alleviate poverty in Lagos and country.

“You will agree with me, that sourcing for skilled labour from lesser developed countries around the world shows that given the right support, our people will help to develop human capital base , skills, resources and materials that can help to kick start small and medium scale business for the overall development of our society”, he said.

Disabled persons demand their rights

N

IGERIANS living with disability have called on the government and their able bodied compatriots to readdress the way disabled persons are being treated in the country.

Speaking through the Executive Director, Centre for Citizens with Disability (CCD), Mr. David Anyaele, they said that the government has a role to play in the lives of disabled persons who are often neglected, threatened and afflicted.

He spoke during the Disability Awareness week. The annual programme tagged: “Insecurity in Nigeria and the Plight of Persons with Disabilities” was held recently at the Chevron Recreation Centre, Gbagada, Lagos.

Mr Anyaele who lost his two hands to the rebel warlords in the Sierra Leonean civil war of the 90s said the programme was borne out of the on-going Boko Haram insurgency in northern Nigeria and the military response it.

He expressed CCD’s concern at the seeming invisibility surrounding issues affecting citizens with disabilities in the areas where the insurgency is at its highest with bombs exploding almost on a daily basis leading to the disability of those who survived the blasts.

According to him: “When disability occurs, it could lead to loss of self esteem, loss of financial earnings, exposure to abuse, harmful practices, stigma and discrimination.”

He therefore appealed to the National Assembly to speedily harmonize the Disability Bill so as to reduce the pains and agony of living for those concerned. “This is why CCD, a nonprofit organization for people with disabilities is working to promote independent living, educate, sensitize, show human rights and social inclusion, counsel, mobilise support and empower people with disabilities”.

By Olatunde Odebiyi and Omolara Ogunwale

Mr Anyaele said the objective of CCD is to increase public knowledge of an inclusive society that is free from discrimination and exclusion on the grounds of disability and to enhance understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well being of all living with disabilities and their families.

“The government and federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development should not to be silent on the issue of bomb blasts causing disabilities to the victims or soldiers who have suffered disability in responding to insurgency but, rather make effort in having data and provision for them,” he said.

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development Hajia Zainab Maina who was represented by a deputy Director in the ministry Mrs. J.A. Mohammed said the improvement of security in the country lies on the citizens and government. “People with disability should create awareness among themselves in support of the government.

“The present administration realizes that the security of all persons in this country requires the contribution and efforts of both government and the citizens. Government has adopted lots of measures to achieve peace and adequate security, in this regard persons with disabilities, specialized Agencies and Organisation like the CCD which appear to be the most effective vehicles for meeting the needs of this vulnerable group must come forward and set up actions to assist government by providing necessary information on ways of fighting insecurity in the country.

“You are aware that the issue of insecurity is assuming a new and frightening dimension; persons with disabilities and female members of our society are now being used to carry out nefari-

ous activities. I strongly implore persons with disabilities to scale up their advocacy drive by creating awareness among their members on the issue of insecurity in the country”. She said.

Speaking on the barrier faced by people living with disability, one of the resource persons Mrs. Jan Knight lamented that disabled persons suffer different kinds of bad reaction from people and that the environment they find themselves is not welcoming due to discrimination, lack of information, communication, employment and justice.

She urged the society to treat such people with equal right, help those of them in need. Interact and create relationship with them.

The guest speaker at the occasion, deputy Country Director, Mac Arthur Foundation Mr. Dayo Olaide, who was represented by Election Development Consultant Mr. Jide Ojo said everyone is disabled in as much as they are having one problem or the other, noting that disability increases daily in the country with an estimated 22 million persons, representing 10 per cent of Nigeria’s population living with disability.

Speaking on the issue of discrimination which occurs among family and relatives, Olaide said: “Disability is mostly, a social construct where individuals with disabilities have been socially classified as outsiders throughout history. According to the 2013 State of Human Rights in Nigeria report, persons with disabilities faced social stigma, exploitation and discrimination, and relatives often regarded them as source of shame. Many families viewed children with disabilities who could not contribute to family income as liabilities and sometimes severely abused and neglected them. Many indigent with disabilities begged on the streets”.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

37

OVER VIEW OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT NIGERIA @ 54 • Continued from page 28 Emefiele promised to consolidate on Sanusi Lamido Sanusi’s achievements at the apex bank, maintaining tight monetary policy and achieving exchange rate stability. He also promised to gradually reduce interest rate and continually defend the naira while retaining single digit interest rate left by his predecessor.

So far, the CBN under Emefiele has seen some policy reversals and return of two former bank Chief Executive Officers as Chairmen of their respective banks. The return of Jim Ovia and Tony Elumelu as chairmen of Zenith Bank and United Bank for Africa respectively, analysts said, changed the tempo in those lenders.

The CBN under Emefiele uses administrative measures to support its exchange-rate agenda including the mandatory recapitalisation of bureaux de change (BDC) to stem leakages is one of such measures. The BDC policy which reduced the number of operators from over 4,500 to 2,500 was meant to reduce dollar sales to the subsector and defend the local currency.

Equally, on September 1, the Deposit Money Banks commenced the N65 charge on remote-on-us Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) transactions as directed by the CBN. The CBN had cancelled N100 on any remote-on-us (other bank’s ATMs) withdrawal in December 2012, citing the need to encourage people to use the ATM of other banks. However, the reintroduction of the charge sparked criticism from some quarters, but the apex bank and the Bankers Committee stated that the decision is in the economic interest of the country.

They insist that the removal of the charges had a negative effect on the cashless policy adding that today’s takeoff of the N65 fee would create competition among banks and lead to improvement of services to customers.

“The wear and tear as well as the frequency of servicing the ATMs has increased significantly. Indeed, some customers were beginning to abuse the use of ATMs through countless withdrawals. This development has led to increase in cash transactions, which negates the bank’s cashless policy”, the CBN said in a statement.

According to the CBN if a part of this cost goes unabated, the banks may be forced to reject transactions coming from their customers at other banks’ ATMs, thereby frustrating the inter-operability of payment systems.

Equally of significant in the last one year was the redemption of over N1.7 trillion Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) bonds.

Another N1 trillion bond is expected to be redeemed by this month end.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) raised Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) on public sector deposits from 12 per cent to 50 per cent last year July. By March this year, the ratio was further hiked to 75 per cent.

This year, the CRR on private sector deposits equally rose by 300 basis points from 12 per cent to 15 per cent.

For many banks, especially those with weak deposit base, CBN’s actions have been bad for business.

The CRR adjustments removed over N2.3 trillion from banks’ vaults and placed it in CBN’s custody, thereby worsening existing cash crunch faced by lenders.

The impacts changes in cash reserve, reduction on Commission on Turnover (COT) fees, removal of Automated Teller Machine (ATM) charges and increase in contribution to the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) and Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) levies had on lenders’ profitability were profound.

The raise fresh funds needed to consolidate on power sector funding and other viable projects, many banks sought funds through Eurobonds. So far, more than six banks have approached local and international investors in search of new capital. Ac-

cess Bank Plc sold $400 million of subordinated notes in June. FirstBank of Nigeria sold $450 million of bonds on July 18.

Stanbic IBTC, the Nigerian unit of South Africa’s Standard Bank, plans to raise up to N30 billion in Tier II capital. Diamond Bank is also in search of N50.4 billion to boost its operations. Sterling Bank has also raised funds, so were Wema Bank and Ecobank.

The sale of Enterprise Bank also took centre stage, with Heritage Bank and Fidelity Bank emerging the preferred and reserved bidders respectively. An October 13 deadline has been set for the Heritage to pay up or Fidelity will step in.

eBUSINESS At 54 and more than a decade after the telecoms sector was liberaised, quality of services (QoS) remains an issue in the country as subscribers keep complaining of poor service quality.

Though the sector has witnessed tremendous growth considering that the nation had just about 40,000 analogue lines bequeathed to it by state-run but now moribund National Telecommunication Limited (NITEL), analysts say the growth in subscriber figures now nearing 130 million and teledensity almost at 100 per cent is a good development which should be completed with a rich end user experience.

Executive Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Eugene Juwah warned operators that it no longer shall be business as usual as the regulator was prepared to wield the big stick in the newyear. He said the regulator had pandered to the whims and caprices of the operators earlier by lowering with the key performance indicators (KPIs). While the operators kept passing the tests on their networks, subscribers kept gnashing their teeth as they were compelled to pay for services not rendered.

Worried by this development, a tripartite agreement was struck by the Ministry of Communications Technology, NCC and the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) on the way forward. While the CPC said it had the powers within the law establishing to commit erring operators to jail, the Federal Government said it will institute legal proceedings against erring operators. NCC too promised not to spare any operator.

Services providers brought additional foreign direct investments (FDIs) to the sector that grew total FDIs to about $36 billion. The last official total investment figure of $35billion was released by the NCC. At the peak of its frustration over the issue, the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS), on behalf of the subscribers, filed a matter in court demanding for a compensation of N5000 each to the subscribers.

Auction of 2.3gigahertz (GHz) spectrum Pursuant to the Open Access Broadband Plan of the NCC, it successfully auctioned one of the 30megahertz (MHz) slots of the 2.3GHz spectrum band. The slot was won by an indigenous firm, Bitflux. It defeated Globacom to clinch the spectrum.

The auction came two days after the launch of the sensitisation programme under, National Broadband Roadmap, aimed at mobilising the industry, the governments and the general public to become aware and receptive of the various broadband initiatives in our Broadband Roadmap.

Minister, Communications Technology, Dr. (Mrs.) Omobola Johnson said the Broadband Council is already tracking the implementation of the National Broadband Roadmap.

“We have also established very critical collaborations and even signed

• Minister of Communication and Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson

• Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka

some agreements at the various levels between governments at all levels and the telecom operators,” she said, adding that the emergence of a wholesale wireless broadband service provider will key into that aspiration of the Federal Government.

The fact that the ICT sector contributes over eight per cent to GDPmeans that broadband will accelerate the contribution to GDP in many folds.

vative services that will impact on quality of telecommunication service delivery.

Licensing of Infracos The NCC said it has started the process that will lead to the emergence of the first set of infrastructure providers (infracos) in the country.

The regulator said it will license seven Infracos one each in the six geopolitical zones in the country while Lagos will have one.

Auction for 2.6gigahertz (GHz) spectrum The NCC has also started consultative fora preparatory to the auctioning of another spectrum. Its Director, Public Affairs, Tony Ojobo said the consultation will see another auctioning of spectrum in the 2.6GHz band to complement the one issued earlier in the year in which Bitflux, a relatively unknown IT firm beat Globacom to clinch.

Digital switch over The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) said though the country is preparing hard to achieve the deadline set by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) for member states to turn off all analogue transmission signals and switch over to digital transmitters, the heavens will not fall if the nation misses the deadline.

Its Director General, Emeka Mba said the agency is even working ahead of the ITU deadline, promising that digital switch over would be achieved in two months time. Already, the NBC has started pilot implementation of the scheme in Jos, Plateau State capital. According Mba, switching off analogue transmitters by the end of the year ahead of ITU’s deadline would allow the country to tighten all loose ends that might be noticed.

MNP The implementation of the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) scheme flagged off last year remains in force. In a country where subscribers are already used to multisimming (use of multiple subscriber identity module (SIM) cards), the scheme is attracting slow uptake.

Juwah said the introduction of MNP was in furtherance of the commission’s vision of providing not only access to telecommunication services at affordable cost but also to continue to provide the required stimulus and appropriate environment for the introduction of inno-

Launch of Broadband Plan Amid pomp and celebration, the Federal Government launched its roadmap for deepening broadband penetration in the country.

Christened Nigeria’s National Broadband Plan (NNBP) 2013-2018, the 105-page document set ambitious goals for broadband growth in the country because of the multiplier effects affordable, fast and ubiquitous internet access could impact on the various segments of the economy.

The NNBP defines Broadband as an Internet experience where the user can access the most demanding content in real time at a minimum speed of 1.5 megabytes per second (MBPS).

Director, Regulatory Affairs, Airtel Nigeria, Osondu Nwokoro said at per cent broadband penetration presently, there is both a challenge and an opportunity to meet the goal of realising a five-fold increase in broadband penetration by 2017.

The Broadband Commission for Digital Development said: “Access to broadband infrastructure and services must therefore be a top policy priority for countries around the globe, developed and developing alike as well as least developed countries.” It therefore urged “governments and business to work together to develop innovative policy frameworks, business models and financing arrangements needed to facilitate growth in access to broadband worldwide.”

Launch of open access broadband plan NCC formally unveiled the open access broadband model during the year. Under the model, the regulator said it will licence seven operators it called InfraCos. One InfraCo will operate in each of the six geopolitical zones of the country while one will serve Lagos.

Juwah said based on the business models of the InfraCos, they will get subsidy from the Federal Government to boost their operations in the country.

AGRICBUSINESS There were clear trends that agricultural production was increasing. This was coming about as a result of placing increasing amounts of land under cultivation rather than through the use of intensive technologies or varieties that can improve yields. For cereal, increasing levels of production occur principally through increases in cultivated area rather than increases in yields. Millet,maize and sorghum increased in production as a result of increased land under

cultivation.

The Federal Government also inaugurated team to review the Agricultural Transformation Agenda.

Within the year, there were tremendous activities which are vital for the development of agro-industry.

Flour Mills of Nigeria (FMN) announced that it invest in the production and processing of locally grown rice through the participation of local farmers and other stakeholders in the supply chain.

The announcement was made by the company’s group managing director Paul Gbededo, at a ‘Facts Behind the Figures’ event in Lagos.

Gbededo said: the company would start production at the 350,000 metric tons per annum edible oil processing company in Ibadan by the end of this year, our snack business is reaching maturity with the completion of Golden snack facility in Agbara, the $250m Golden sugar investment, our oil palm processing, all these investments would start impacting on the bottom line moving forward.

Dangote Industries said it is investing around $1bn in rice production and processing operations in Nigeria.

The company has bought 150,000 hectares of land in Edo, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kwara and Niger states, for the commercial production of rice.

Understood to be the biggest investment in rice production in Africa, the deal is expected to increase output by 1.4 million tonnes.

“Our goal of making Nigeria a net exporter of rice will be achieved faster by this significant investment.”Dangote Group chairman Aliko Dangote said: “Our goal of making Nigeria a net exporter of rice will be achieved faster by this significant investment, and I congratulate the Minister of Agriculture and his team for the very strong demonstration of public-private sector partnerships and collaboration to drive significant transformation in Nigeria’s agriculture sector.”

Under the MoU, Dangote will also establish two rice mills with a processing capacity of 120,000t a year each. It would be doubled to 240,000t in two years.

Minister of Agriculture Akinwumi Adesina said: “This investment by Dangote Industries Limited is transformational for Nigeria and the rest of Africa.

“The 150,000 hectares of rice farms and the planned 240,000t processing capacity of international quality grade rice is guaranteed to turn Nigeria away from being a rice importing country to a major rice exporter.”

The federal government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Taraba StateGovernment in February 2012 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dominion Farms Limited tobegin large scale rice production in Taraba State.

The Federal Government also launched the staple crops processing.

The cocoa sector expands in response to higher prices. There was a 7 per cent increase in cocoa production forecasts to almost 300,000 tonnes for 2013/14.

This was attributed to the success of cocoa farmers in achieving UTZ certification “shoring up demand and prices for cocoa at the international market”. The increased compliance with internationally recognised certification schemes w as important.

Increased UTZ certification is closely linked in the report to intensified cooperation between leading private sector players and the international cocoa supply chain.

Under its Cocoa Transformation Action Plan, the government is looking to expand cocoa production by 40% to 500,000 tonnes by 2015.

• Continued on page 40

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THE NATION

BUSINESS INSURANCE

NAICOM mulls development plan for consumers

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HE National Insurance C o m m i s s i o n (NAICOM) will unveil an insurance development plan that will include the Insurance Consumers Association of Nigeria (ISCAN), Commissioner for Insurance, Fola Daniel has said.

He made this known at the launch of Public Enlightenment and Consumers Protection Programmes of the Insurance Consumers Association of Nigeria (ISCAN) in Lagos.

L

Stories by Omobola Tolu-Kusimo

Daniel, who was represented by the Commission’s Deputy Commissioner Finance and Administration, George Onekhena, said other stakeholders would also be included in te programme .

He explained that the development plan would help to consolidate and ensure that insurance goals were achieved.

He said the insurance in-

dustry is not of help to many people.

He said: ‘’People should be able to take at least life insurance regardless of their financial capacity.

“This is what insurance is all about and the commission feels that the development plan will help with this situation.’’

The NAICOM boss urged insurance firms to support ISCAN, adding that it is a business meant for all stakeholders.

“The support is necessary as ISCAN activities will increase public demand for insurance and also help to improve the place of insurance stocks in the capital market as well as create employment.

The National President of ISCAN, Adm. Isaac Areola (rtd), said the association was formed solve the problems created by insurance.

According to him, the presence of insurance is not being felt by the people.

Loss Adjusters urge underwriters to increase fees

OST adjusters seem to be making progress to get underwriters agree to a review fees and ensure prompt payment.

The Institute of Loss Adjusters of Nigeria (ILAN) have been agitating for a review of fees for over five years and had feared extinction of their members from the industry owing to poor remuneration.

Besides, the underwriters allegedly owe the adjusters millions of naira.

But the Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA)invited

• Hold AGM ILAN to a meeting to discuss the matter.

ILAN President, Chief Lebi Omoboyowa, said a meeting was held but the initial feedback to the Council was not promising as it appeared that the NIA members were not willing to consider a review of the fees; rather, they seemed more interested in persuading institute’s delegation that the most impor-

tant thing they should consider is the timely payment of fees.

Omoboyowa, who explained this to his members during the institute’s Annual General Meeting in Lagos, said the delegation maintained their position and informed the NIA committee that for us as practitioners, we were in the best position to know where the shoes

hurt and as such we considered the review of the scale a priority.

He said: “The NIA Committee then informed us that they didn’t have the mandate to review the fee at that meeting and that they would revert once they had informed their general house of our position.

“However at the concluded CIIN Professional Forum at the Abeokuta, some of level useful discussions took place, signifying that hope is not completely lost.’’

• From left: Executive Director, Corporate Services, Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Mrs Omolola AbiolaEdewor congratulating Head, Social Media, Sterling Bank Plc, Kelvin Igbodo, and Chairman, Mr. Asue Ighodalo, after Sterling Bank received the Most Innovative Bank Award (for Social Lender) at the Nigeria Telecoms Awards in Lagos.

Royal Exchange makes N828.2m

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OYAL Exchange Plc has posted a profit before tax of N828.21 in its financial year ended December 31, 2013 as against N703.09 million in the previous year.

The company comprises Royal Exchange General Insurance Company Ltd, Royal Exchange Prudential Life Plc, Royal Exchange Healthcare Ltd, Royal Exchange Finance & Asset Management Ltd and Royal Exchange Microfinance Bank Ltd. Shareholders of company are to receive a dividend of 5k per 50k ordinary share for the year under review.

The company also generated gross written premium of N9.08 billion, while that of the preceding year was N7.61 billion, an increase of 19 per cent.

Claims expense for the year

amounted to N2.48 billion in comparison with N1.63 billion reported in 2012, an increase of 52 per cent while underwriting expenses increased by three per cent from N2.13 billion in 2012 to N2.20 billion in 2013.

These translated into net income before overhead expenses of N3.40 billion, as against N2.67 billion in 2012.

Management expenses, on the other hand, rose to N2.53 billion as against an expense of N1.98 billion in 2012, signifying an increase of 28 per cent.

The gross revenue grew to N9.08 billion in 2013, up from N7.61 billion recorded in 2012, which translated to net income before overhead expenses of N3.40 billion, as against N2.67 billion in 2012.

The company’s rise in gross revenue was due principally

to increases in premium contributions from the group Life insurance business, Royal Exchange Prudential Life PIc. Chairman of the Group, Kenneth Odogwu, made this known at the company’s 45th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos.

He said the increase was in accordance with their business expansion initiatives group-wide.

He explained that the rise in management expenses was attributable to branch expansion, retail business development and investments in e-business and information technology.

Group Managing Director, Chike Mokwunye said their philosophy of delivering value to our shareholders without compromising on service standards remains

sustainable.

This, he said, was reflective on our performance metrics in 2013 as earnings per share rose 45 from 11 kobo in 2012 to 16 kobo at the close of 2013.

He said: “Royal Exchange commenced operations for the year kicking off its threeyear Strategic Implementation Programme tagged ‘Road to 25’. This unique initiative - to be concluded in 2015 - is billed to have farreaching transformative impact on our structure, operations and businesses and would reinvigorate our brand towards becoming a stronger, more market-oriented organization with deeper tentacles in the financial services value chain; most especially in the areas of retail insurance, asset management and banking services.

He said the body would ensure that claims were paid and awareness created.

He said the materials on the activities of the association would be printed and distributed to people.

The Director-General, Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Mrs Dupe Atoki, said the council would assist ISCAN. Mrs Atoki, who was represented by Mrs Oluwaleke Ogundipe, CPC Director,

Surveillance Department, said it would offer the council’s channels to distribute materials of the asociation.

President, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) Ayodapo Soderu said if the consumer’s rights were recognised by operators and the responsibilities of clients respected, the industry would flourish as well wrest itself from perennial image problems.

SA Life grossed N4.63b in 2013

S

TANDARD Alliance Life Assurance Ltd has reported that it achieved N4.63 billion gross as against the N4.3 billion it posted the previous year.

A breakdown revealed that N3.45 billion represents performance in gross life premium income, which includes group and individual life businesses while N1.18 billion came from investment-linked products.

The company’s gross life premium of N3.45 billion indicates a 17.3 per cent growth over N2.94 billon achieved in 2012.

During the year under review, the company paid a total claim of N2.78 billion with group life at N1.62billion and deposit administration withdrawal at N1.16 billion to affected policyholders and genuine claims’ beneficiaries in 2013 as against N2.65 billion in 2012.

Chairman of the company, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, who made this known during its 14 th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos, said the company was able to achieve this despite the challenging environment in 2013.

He told the shareholders that the company recorded negative results in 2013 compared with a profit in 2012, clarifying that this was as a result of time apportionment principle applied in recording gross premium income in 2013.

He reassured the owners of the company that the board was finalising strategies to

• Pays N2.78b claims ensure that the planned July time for the meeting was achieved going forward and hinted that “the issue of insecurity challenge induced by the activities of the Boko Haram sect, escalating day in day out in the Northern region, was a permanent experience all through the year and our business offices in these areas were adversely affected”.

Despite these challenges, Emerhor told shareholders that they were committed to pursuing strategies that would bring about optimum utilisation of resources and reducing costs, adding it would soon recapitalise.

He announced that the Board of Directors was working with some potential investors to achieve the above, adding that they are hopeful that the exercise would be concluded before the year ends.

The Managing Director of the company, Mr. Austin Enajemo-Isire, explained that the financial year ended December 31, 2013 was an eventful year in the industry, explaining that NAICOM’s enforcement of the “No Premium, No Cover” policy embedded in the Insurance Act of 2003 and effective January 2013 was a significant plus for the insurance industry as it was expected to enhance cashflows and improve operating investment abilities for insurers.

PenCom okays eight offices for Premium Pension

P

REMIUM Pension Lim ited has got approval from the National Pension Commission (PenCom) for its regional, zonal and branch offices in Minna, Bauchi, Yola, Kaduna, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Kano and Calabar, the Managing Director, Premium Pension, Wilson Ideva has said.

According to him, the company, based in Abuja, has offices spread across the country.

These offices, he said, are a significant improvement on the initial pension centres that were established at the commencement of the new contributory pension scheme.

He said: “We are highly appreciative of PenCom’s

approval of our new offices and several of their other actions supportive of industry growth. The pension industry is driven by cutting edge technology, but at the same time you cannot render pension fund administration by proxy or through agents.

He noted that there was need for operators to ensure uncompromised rendition of quality service and bolster the confidence of Nigerians in the contributory pension scheme.

Ideva added that the sustained increase in branch network was in line with the company’s mission of a c h i e v i n g superior customer satisfaction in life and retirement through best practice.

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39

THE NATION INVESTORS

Stockbrokers’ recipe for capital market growth A new dawn is afoot at the capital market as concerned stakeholders move to boost the fortunes of the sector.

One of those in the vanguard is the Chartered institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), the umbrella body for players in the stock market.

Upbeat about the need for paradigm shift in the industry, the President of the institute, Albert Okumagba, while addressing participants at a forum tagged , ‘Brunch with the President’ in Lagos at the weekend, explained that the institute deemed it necessary at this point to organise the forum , which is the first in the series, to keep members abreast of steps being taken to reposition the institute to become the most strategic professional institute in the country.

According to him, the institute’s ongoing aggressive transformation exercise would reposition it for global competitiveness and attract more investors’ participation in the nation’s capital market.

He explained that CIS was poised to globalise the CIS professional qualification, adding that the new leadership would pursue the passage of the bill which is at the 3rd reading stage at the National Assembly for change of its name to Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment.

“In the new dispensation, the institute is poised to bring all the

Stories by Taofik Salako

practitioners in the Securities and Investment industry to its fold to ensure that the minimum training and certification is maintained for the advancement of the industry in accordance with its statutory powers as it is practiced in other developed market”.

Okumagba pointed out that the institute was partnering with the Nigeria Commodity Exchange (NCX), formerly, Abuja Securities and Commodity Exchange Plc to establish working relationship in the areas of capacity building and certification programmes that would reinforce the growth of the capital market.

“We would also embark on brand projects that would situate the institute in the rightful place in the financial market and the Nigerian economy and make it a strong brand across Africa and globally. An important component of this is to work with the National Assembly on the speedy passage of the CISI Bill”.

Echoing similar sentiments, the Chief Executive Officer of Kitari Consult Limited, Ali Megashi, noted that the steps the CIS was taking to reposition the institute would deepen financial inclusions in the market.

He urged every CIS member to ensure full participate to move the institute forward, noting

that there was need to move the market from the current domination of equities to becoming a debt market in a near future.

“The financial inclusion would be enhanced by our role in CIS which would also move the market from being more of equities to a debt market and this would enable the market to finance long-term projects that would revolutionalise the economy.”

The Chairman, Finance Committee of the institute, Abubakar

Lawal said: ‘’We should bring the institute to the national space, giving our contributions to the economy and to make this happen, we need to reposition our finance, we must be financially strong. We can not do all by ourselves, we must have very qualified men.

“We should look at the next 18 months together and by 2016, we should have surpassed everything we are considering today.

He explained that the administra-

tion meet a negative of N109million on resumption of office, adding that the institute needed to achieve N5billion mark to achieve its objectives.

“We have identified banks, investment banking groups, and governmental organisation that we would work with, and we need about N5 billion. We are still at the take up stage. We need the commitment of our members. There is a lot we can do by resolving to move in one direction as a team, “ he added.

FSB launches proposal cross-boarder resolution

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HE Financial Stability Board (FSB) has launched a public consultation on a set of proposals to achieve the cross-border recognition of resolution actions and remove impediments to the cross-border resolution.

At the St. Petersburg Summit last year, the G-20 made a commitment to undertake the necessary actions to remove obstacles to cross-border resolution and asked the FSB to “develop policy proposals on how legal certainty in crossborder resolution can be further enhanced”.

The consultative document proposes policy measures consisting of: • elements that jurisdictions should consider including in their statutory cross-border recognition frameworks to facilitate effective cross-border resolution as required by the FSB Key Attributes of Effective Resolution Regimes for financial institutions and • contractual approaches to cross-bor-

der recognition that focus on two particular cases where achieving cross-border recognition is a critical prerequisite for orderly resolution: temporary restrictions or stays on early termination and cross-default rights in financial contracts; and the ‘bail-in’ of debt instruments that are governed by the laws of a jurisdiction other than that of the issuing entity.

The FSB’s proposals come alongside important work in the industry to establish contractual solutions to enforcing stays in resolution. The FSB welcomes the progress being made in the development by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (SDA) of a protocol that will address the enforceability of stays in relation to the majority of OTC bilateral derivatives contracts.

The FSB looks forward to the completion of this work over the coming weeks with an initial set of global sys-

temically important banks (G-SIBs) and other large dealer banks adhering to the new ISDA protocol by the time of the Brisbane Summit. FSB members have given their commitment to support this process and will seek to provide for the necessary regulatory or supervisory action so that derivatives and similar financial contracts entered into

by G-SIBs and, where appropriate, other firms with significant derivatives exposures include appropriate contractual language that gives effect to stays in resolution on a cross-border basis by the end of 2015.

The finalisation of the protocol and its broad adoption will be an important step towards addressing the risk that resolution triggers a cascade of termination events in derivatives contracts that lead to disruption in the wider market and undermine the stability measures that the authorities are taking. Together with the FSB’s proposed policy measures they will enhance the predictability and likely success of executing a resolution of a cross-border institution, thereby improving systemic stability and moving the international community ever closer to ending “too big to fail’’.

Pearl Awards Nigeria to reward capital market achievers

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•From left: Dragnet Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Arek Bawa; President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Mr. Albert Okumagba, and First Vice President, Mr. Oluwaseyi Abe, at signing of MoU by the two bodies in Lagos.

Institute, firm sign MOU on membership drive

T

O expand its membership, the Chartered institute of stockbrokers (CIS) has engaged the services of a frontline information technology firm, Dragnet to mobilise a minimum of 150,000 young graduates yearly to enroll in the training and certification by the institute.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the second in the series, aimed at boosting enrollment for the institute’s Professional Diploma programme in Securities and Investment was sealed at the weekend at the institute.

Under the deal, Dragnet would deploy its technical know-how by leveraging on comparative advantage in Information Technology to mobilise potential candidates for the programme yearly. The institute would also recognise Dragnet as a

non-exclusive representative with associated benefits of agreed discount for its efforts among others.

Speaking at the signing, the CIS president, Mr Albert Okumagba, described the event as historic in pursuit of the institute’s membership drive.

Okumagba explained that the MOU was consistent with the plan by the CIS to launch the young Nigerians into the financial world to assist in actualising the National Strategy for Financial Inclusion and Savings, thereby creating jobs for themselves.

Okumagba noted that the qualification had an underlying principle of entrepreneurship as it would enable them to create jobs for themselves .It will also create financial planning houses for the

operators in the entire financial market and the government sector.

Similarly, Dragnet’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr.Arek Bawa hailed the deal as a major leap in the efforts of both the organisatiosn to create financial soldiers fully empowered to create jobs for themselves and scale down the level of unemployment in the economy, stressing the comparative advantage of Dragnet in mobilisation of the young Nigerians, he said: “We have the technology. We have the skill. We have over 20,000 young ones in our graduate scheme. We operate a very standard scholarship scheme and we are associated with skill and integrity. Therefore, we have a strong capacity to support the CIS in driving this great

project to its logical conclusion,” Bawa said.

CIS signed a similar MoU with the Anabel Group. Okumagba said that the ultimate objective of launching the young Nigerians to this new professional opportunity was to provide the much needed back up staff for all operators within the ambit of the financial market including insurance, pension fund operators and other categories.

Meanwhile, the professional examination is now monthly to accommodate more candidates.

The ceremony was witnessed by the first and second Vice president of the CIS, Mr. Oluwaseyi Abe and Mr.Dapo Adekoje and CIS’ Chief Executive Officer, MrAdedeji Ajadi.

HE management and board of Pearl Awards Nigeria, organisers of the prestigious Pearl Awards for high achievers has concluded arrangement to host this year’s edition of the awards.

Addressing journalists in Lagos , President/Chief Executive, Pearl Awards Nigeria, Mr. Tayo Orekoya, said the organisation in keeping with its tradition was poised to recognised major achievers in the capital to boost their morale as well as challenging them to raise the bar in terms of performances in years to come.

The Pearl Awards, which is the only foremost awards for capital market operators in the country, was instituted almost 20 years and has helped operators step up their game, he added.

On the need for the award, he said: “As you’re aware, the Pearl Awards is the only award in this part of the continent that identifies and rewards performance, earnings and returns leadership by companies quoted on the Nigeria Stock Exchange, using empirical and clearly defined criteria and methodology. The award process is based on verifiable facts and figures, assessed utilising credible and acceptable parameters and tools of data evaluation.”

He added: “As widely acknowledged by capital market stakeholders including quoted companies, stockbrokers, registrars shareholders associations, media executives among others, for its objectivity and impartiality over the years, almost two decades after, Pearl Awards remains committed to objectivity, fairness and absolute neutrality in rewarding outstanding quoted companies based on actual performance as reflected in their audited annual reports and other relevant documents from the Nigeria Stock Exchange.”

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP The brand has become a household name. But behind its success is a graduate of English Language, who has revolutionised the making of Moinmoin, a local delicacy made from beans. DANIEL ESSIET reports.

The success story of Moimoi Expresso A

NTHEA Peretu, Moimoi Expresso owner,may not have studied Catering or Hotel Management, but her love for cooking has, no doubt, led her to the land of fortune. While her contemporaries were struggling for the elusive white collar job, she used her passion to carve a niche for herself in the unique sub sector of the quick service restaurant.

Peretu has grown from a homebased start up business to a full fledged retail outlet in Abuja, specialising in moimoi (bean cake) powder making and cooking same.

Peretu holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Language from the University of Abuja and a Diploma in Physical and Health Education from University of Nigeria.

She had worked in a number of places, which did not give her fulfilment. She, however, realised that moimoi and akara eating culture in homes was fast fading away because of the stress involved in preparing them, hence, her venture into Moimoi Expresso business.

To her, it must not be an ordinary experiment, it must stay and she was determined to make it stay. She began to package her moimoi expresso bean powder in neatly cleaned small plastic bowls mixed with onions, seasoning, crayfish and pepper.This helps people prepare moimoi and fry akara at the snap of the fingers.

She revealed that she had no

•Peretu

monmey on her when the idea struck her. Her words: ”I was as broke as a church rat, but I had the idea. I had at the back of my mind that as I was thinking, the next person was also thinking. So, I didn’t just lock the idea up in a box. I moved into action and went to Emana Plaza in Abuja. The only thing I had was my mobile phone, a Blackberry touch two, which I bought some months before. This was in September, 2011.

“I bought the phone for about

Turning hobby to success A young entrepreneur uses technology and innovation to reposition his photography business, writes DANIEL ESSIET.

F

OR more than three years, he has built his business skyward by providing video services from simple tape to digital video disc (DVD) transfers to complex editing to a host of clients, both personal and corporate.

Like many studio owners, Awolowo Segun found his way to the world of home video through his love for photography and video. His hobby and his vision of making an impact in his customers’ lives led him to success.

Segun ’s business began like many startups on a very small scale. His dream of growing a business of his own began on January, 2004 with less than N5,000.

The business has grown over the years. He began to work from home, bringing joy and laughter to his customers with his expertise, tape to DVD transfers, old home movie transfers, photo and video montages, and duplications.

He knew he’d found what he was looking for. His diligence, creativity, customer service skills, drive and sales skills combined to make him a good home video studio owner.

His dining room was home to a huge commercial photo-printer and other accessories.

He was savvy about his business. He had a very lean startup, spending his money and investing his time. Today, his business is well known as it worths more than N20million.

He had a clear idea about the future of his business, but what he needed was guidance and a more dynamic working environment.

Being in a company of inspiring

•Moimoi

N110,000 and I went to Emana Plaza and sold my phone. . I got a very bad deal as the phone was bought for N35,000. But this did not deter me. With the money made from the phone, I went to the market and bought samples of variety of beans in the market. I went ahead to buy products of my competitors and I experimented them.

I realised that it was not every variety of beans that comes tastes alike after processing and there are different ways of processing them, which help to retain the quality and taste.

“In as much as there were other

Business: Stunted growth of a nation • Continued from page 37

MARITIME Auto policy

•Segun

entrepreneurial people, led to lots of interesting conversations and sometimes business opportunities. Is his line of business expensive to start? He said no. “It is not as expensive as many think.” On what it takes to start, he said the materials one needs most important are the clients.

To use his words: ”The most important supply is client. Not money or space. Not even the required equipment because you can source for them without cash.”

He works for a minimum of 12 hours daily, but had done 24 hours on several occasions.

Asked what it takes to run a successful business? He said consistencyand steadfast. He has also learnt to be positive. He has made mistakes, rectified them and worked out how to stop them from happening again.

bean flour products in the market and I wanted to set myself apart, so, I came up with a product with mixed ingredients, that is why mine has onions, seasoning, crayfish and chilly.”

Peretu first experimented with friends and family before she got the final mix.

She started selling to friends and family, church members and attending exhibitions. Eventually, the Moimoi Expresso story began.

According to her, it has not been an easy ride. She has had to cry, smile and laugh in the course of the journey.What, however, gave her

much joy was the wonderful reception the product got from the market.

Her words: ”My happiness is that people, who have bought the product called to ask for more. This shows that I have a premium product. The demand increases by the day and I must tell you that it gives me joy to know that something I thought off could actually go this far. By God’s grace, I know it will go farther. I do get demands from outside the country, which is really exciting. I get calls from people I have not met before; people I don’t know as my customers’ care number keeps ringing.”

Although the business is expanding and a few hands have been recruited, she still handles the mixing to ensure quality control.

“I do my mix the powder myself because it is food and you cannot afford to be careless. The truth is that many people don’t even know where this is coming from so you have a reputation to protect. So, I basically work with three members of staff for now,” she said.

She markets the product online and participated in exhibitions and fairs. “I spoke to a few supermarkets in the country and I have some distributors, “she added.

Despite funding that poses a big challenge to her, she is still positive that the product would go places.

She appealed to the government to come up with a lot of packages to assist entrepreneurs as banks are not assisting small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This is because the requirements banks demand from small businesses are too rigid for start ups.

“The requirements most often are too rigid. The regulatory bodies requirement are damn too stiff. You say you want to assist entrepreneurs, but your guidelines don’t show that you have concern for the small scale enterprises.The requirements you give to big companies are same as the ones you give to small companies.

For someone like me who traded her phone to raise money, you now tell me that I needed to get a big space.

The 35 percent duty imposed on all used vehicles and the recent introduction of 35 per cent duty and 35 per cent levy on brand new vehicle has led to the geometric increase in the prices of vehicles.

While over 99 per cent of the population are complaining that they have not seen the made in Nigeria vehicle being promoted by the Federal Government and its allies in the market, they said the President, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) Price Olayiwola Shittu said the auto policy is like putting the cat before the horse.

Many importers and intending car owners said they are not happy with the policy.

Waivers In the last one year, importers of auto mobiles, fuel, rice, palm oil, energy equipment, textile machinery, steel and fed fat from the waivers granted by the Federal government Statistics from Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANT) showed that the country lost about N200billion to import and export waivers to firms and individuals in the last one years.

Figures also showed that export grants to individuals and companies cost the Federal Government

over N300 billion. The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) declared that Nigeria lost several billion of naira to import duty in the last one year. Operators are still wondering why the figure given by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Federal Ministry of Finance on waiver was not the same during the period under review.

ISPS Code and anti-terrorism measures About 20 port facilities in the country demonstrated effective anti-terrorism measures based on United States Coast Guards rating of the provisions of the International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) Code.

In the last one year the United States Coast Guard worked assiduously with the Federal Government to identify and resolve port security challenges noticed while assessing the status of the facilities.

Findings revealed that some jetties and terminals still lack effective anti-terrorism measures and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) is addressing the problem to pass the litmus test of the ISPS Code.

LABOUR At 54, Labour leaders believe that much is still needed to be done to place Nigeria where she is expected to be.

They said Nigeria has a lot of

potential, except that its leaders have not been able to harness them.

The President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr Bobboi Kaigama, recently said at 54, the country still has a long way to go.

He said there is need for the government to put in more efforts.

He said the Congress would continue to fight for improved living conditions for the Nigerian citizenry.

“We shall not faint in our struggle towards leading Nigeria back to the path of development. We shall continue to interrogate them on their policies.

Health workers strike The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), an association of all medical doctors in Nigeria on July 1 embarked on a nationwide strike.

With the NMA strike, doctors working in government-owned hospitals boycotted work, leaving majority of sick Nigerians stranded.

The inadequate funding of the Residency Training Programme is one of the reasons the NMA is aggrieved.

The body listed about 21 challenges they want the Federal Government to addressed.

Report by Lucas Ajanaku, Emeka Ugwuanyi, Chikodi Okereocha, Okwy Iroegbu-Chikeze, Muyiwa Lucas, Collins Nweze, Daniel Essiet, Kelvin Osa-Okunbor, Oluwakemi Dauda and Toba Agboola

42

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

THE NATION WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 1, 2014

44

POLITICS 54TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY Nigeria is marking its 54th independence anniversary, amidst the fear of insecurity and disintegration. Apart from the American prediction, recent events suggest that it is in deep trouble. Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN examines the issues threatening national unity and their implications for the country’s future.

A

S Nigeria marks its 54th in dependence today, there are fears that the country faces the threat of disintegration. For some time now, a spectre of uncertainty has been hanging over 2015.

The American prediction that Nigeria may disintegrate next year is beginning to sound realistic. This is considering the role the US played in the dissolution of countries like Vietnam, Korea and the Soviet Republic. Critics are always quick to refer to the US prediction as a pointer to the international validation of their position.

To such groups, the political unrest and seemingly intractable security challenges are signals of possible break up. But, the most potent factor for the possible breakup is the North-South divide . Sir Hugh Clifford, Governor-General of Nigeria between 1920 and 1931, described Nigeria as “a collection of independent native states, separated from one another by great distances, by differences of history and traditions and by ethnological, racial, tribal, political, social and religious barriers”.

One of the founding fathers, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, had in 1947, referred to Nigeria as “a mere geographical expression.” A colonial document,which was signed into law at the amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914, showed that Nigerian experiment was meant to last for 100 years, following which it should be reviewed. The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in 2006 wrote on Nigeria: “While Nigeria’s leaders are locked in a bad marriage that all dislike, but dare not leave, there are possibilities that could disrupt the precarious equilibrium in Abuja. The most important would be a junior officer coup that could destabilise the country to the extent that open warfare breaks out in many places in a sustained manner.”

To assess the readiness of its military to respond to a civil war and conflicts in other African countries, the US military in May 2008, conducted a war games test called Unified Quest 2008. Later, a 2013 war date was set to test how Africa Command (AFRICOM) could response to a crisis in Nigeria in the event that rival factions and rebels fight to control the oil fields of the Niger Delta and government collapses. There was another security report titled: “Nigerian Unity in the Balance,” prepared for the United States Army War College. It warned Nigerian leaders against another civil war or an outright break-up. It said: “Having already experienced one brutal civil war, Nigeria is at risk for a recurrence of conflict of dissolution, especially since some of the underpinning motivations of the war remain unresolved.

Despite all this, the US government keeps denying any linkage with the 2015 doomsday prediction. Former US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Terence McCully, insisted that America never predicted that Nigeria would break up by 2015, claiming that the prediction was made by a private agency that carried out a survey rather than the US government. McCully said the US government considered Nigeria a strategic partner in Africa, whose role in peace keeping operation in the continent had been pivotal.

He said; “Nigeria is a country of diverse faiths, and draws its strength from this diversity. In spite of this, perhaps because of it, some people seek to exploit religious differences in Nigeria. But, many Nigerians have reduced to let this happen. His views were echoed by his successor , James

• The late Sir Balewa, Princess Alexandra and former Governor-General James Robertson during indepdence celebrations in 1960.

Can Nigeria avert disintegration?

Entwistle Who, said: “I don’t see any sign of a break up. You have challenges in this country, but you are moving forward towards a bright future. Yes, your country had a devastating civil war just like my own country. It almost tore us into two. The idea that Nigeria is going to fall apart in the coming months is news to me. I am notsure where that idea is coming from.

Nigeria’s fomer Chief of Army Staff Lt. General Theophilus Danjuma dismissed the speculations about disintegration. He said: “Nobody has the mandate to scatter Nigeria and nobody must be allowed to scatter Nigeria.”

Danjuma however, added: “Our society and economy are in tatters in a highly competitive world; our children are missing out in getting qualitative and functional education; the masses of our people are chained down in dehumanising and grinding poverty while we continue to maintain a few islands of false prosperity in a turbulent ocean of penury and squalor. There cannot be peace and harmony where there is wide disparity between the few rich and multitude of poor.”

A lecturer at the University of Lagos, Akoka, Professor Abayomi Akinyeye, shared Danjuma’s view.

He berated the US over its prediction. Akinyeye said every country has its own problem; it is not peculiar to Nigeria. He said although there are indications that all is not well with us because of the rancour and acrimony all over the place, that does not mean the country will break up. The problems are surmountable, he added.

“Those benefitting from the system are all over the country. They will not expect the liquidation of Nigeria. The country is their investment. Those who are benefitting from the contraption will go miles to ensure that it exists.

“It is true we have problems bordering on the unity of the country.

The resolutions passed by the National Conference, if implemented, will ensure equity and justice and address other grievances among the numerous ethnicities,” he added.

Afenifere chieftain Chief Supo Shonibare warned that, if the security challenges persist, it may lead to disintegration. He said the insurgency must be addressed to avert collapse.

Shonibare said: “What is going on now is beyond insurrection. In a situation where a religious group is taking over land and claiming to establish a republic, the continued existence of this country is under serious threat. It is a reflection of leadership failure over the years. But, if corrective measures are put in place to address issues of education, unemployment, insecurity and poor infrastructure, there will be peace and progress”.

He called for a political summit that will chart a new direction for the country. “It is time we have a political summit, irrespective of party affiliations to take a common stand on all factors that could lead to disintegration Foremost constitutional lawyer Professor Ben Nwabueze (SAN) said Nigeria is turning into a failed state.

He said : “As someone who has undertaken a serious intellectual study of the phenomenon of state failure, I can say without fear of contradiction that, while Nigeria may not yet be properly classified as a “failed state,” there are however, many signs that ought to put us on notice, with a view to averting the looming disaster because, given the right mix of factors and circumstances, no nation on earth is immuned from the scourge of failure as it is simply a matter of causes and effects.

Nwabueze added:“In one of the

chapters of my book touching on the subject, it is clearly demonstrated that Nigeria is unusually resilient to have continued to endure as a single political entity. It seems the country has not crossed the irreversible line between life and death, a reality which raises the hope of eventual revival and restoration, if we have the right mix of responsive leadership and determined followership.

“States elsewhere with far less debilitation and institutional abuses have already gone under. For this, we have the abundant petrol-dollars still flowing from the Niger Delta to thank. Without the free oil money, I doubt, if the story would have been the same.

“Everywhere, there are glaring symptoms indicating that all is not well. It does not require rocket science to tell that anarchy has enveloped Nigeria. Just as it is possible for a physician to tell that a patient has malaria or cancer, judging by the symptoms being manifested, it is equally possible for experts on state management and constitutionalists to tell when a particular state has failed.

“There are degrees of state failure, ranging from the partial to the total. That explains why long-term foreign investors have been scared away from the country and those who dared to come want returns on their investment and super profits to happen within the shortest possible time because the future is abnormally unsure or the country’s risk factor is too high.

“Nigeria is in deep trouble. For example, our laws hardly reflect any moral judgment, but the whims of those in charge; the notion of separation of powers, which would have been helpful in checking some of these negative tendencies, is being flagrantly undermined; the executive is not able or is unwilling to

‘Everywhere, there are glaring symptoms indicating that all is not well within the polity. It does not require rocket science to tell that anarchy has enveloped Nigeria. Just as it is possible for a physician to tell that a patient has malaria or cancer, judging by the symptoms being manifested, it is equally possible for experts on state management and constitutionalists to tell when a particular state has failed’

faithfully administer the laws of the land without fear or favour as we have seen in the cases of wicked pension scammers.

“The judiciary cannot be trusted to fairly interpret the laws in the crucial areas of official corruption; self-help and protective ethnic militias are becoming more credible than the official police force; a general sense of insecurity as created by Boko Haram, rampaging kidnappers; and finally people have lost faith in the ability of the state to protect their lives and property.”

Another lawyer, Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN), shares similar views with Nwabueze. He said the tension among the ethnic nationalities is very high. He warned that, if the complaints by ethnic nationalities are not addressed, Nigeria may go the way of Yugoslavia.”

Akintola added: “Like I did say at the plenary of the National Confab, many countries that had disintegrated were killed by overcentralisation of power. Our leaders don’t appreciate the immediate and remote causes of disintegration of countries like Soviet Union, Yugoslavia, Sudan and the likes.

“Take, for instance, the case of United Kingdom. If not for timely intervention of political leaders from all shades of opinion, Britain would have broken into two.

Look at the kind of concession made by David Cameron. For almost a week, the Prime Minister and the leaders of the opposition were on their kneels begging the Scots, making concession and devolving powers ,both executive, legislative and even judicial powers, to Scotland and Wales.”

To avert disintegration, critics have canvassed some solutions.

Nwabueze said: “Corruption is endemic, the state is seemingly helpless and the population is naturally despondent; ethnic loyalty has supplanted national sentiments while anarchy has displaced law and order.” However, the legal luminary said that Nigeria can be saved, if those in power accept the imperatives of its continuation.

“It is certainly not beyond the President to initiate the process of national revival that is deeper than his present transformation agenda. He can re-dedicate himself to the cause of probity and transparency, promote the rule of law and social justice, open up decent and robust debates and adhere to the immutable principle that posits that sovereignty belongs to the people by boldly divesting himself of the strictures of petty partisan politics and make himself available to the populace, who are calling for a change of the decadent social order”, Nwabueze said.

A sociologist, Dr Ibrahim Muhammed,called for the reevaluation of leadership.

He said: “The leader should not be the office, but the office must be the leader. The office has the physical control of the territory that make the nation state, make collective decisions provide reasonable public services, and be able to interact with other nation states as a full member of the international community. All these are indicators of a stable and enduring nation state.

“When a nation-state, through the office of its leadership can no longer perform its basic responsibility of provision of security and development, and has no effective control over its territory and borders, this nation state is termed a failed state.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 1, 2014

45

POLITICS

Which way Nigeria?

54TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY

•Continued from page 43

ducted by partisan military rulers, who imposed a unitary system, which ironically alienated the newly created states and systematically encouraged further regression to their tribal enclaves.

Military adventure

On October 1, 1960, the future was bright. There were high expectations. •From left: The late Chief Awolowo, the late Dr Azikiwe, the late Sir Balewa, the late Dr Endeley and the late The three premiers have laid examples Sir Bello at the pre-independence constitutional conference of transformational leadership in the Western, Eastern and Northern regions.

‘There is urgent need Also, the colonial masters predicted that, by mid seventies, Nigeria would for a new generation of become a medium ranking world leaders that would clear power playing enviable roles in the comity of nations and shouldering conthe cobwebs of decatinental responsibilities in times of dence and political scavpeace and war.

On January 15, 1966, legitimate auengers. This new generathorities gave way for a dictatorial leadership.The coup deepened the distion of leaders must take trust and suspicion among the unequal our dear country to its regions The mistake of the first military ruler, the late Major-General Thomanifest destiny. If this mas Aguiyi-Ironsi, who foisted the unihappens, we would have tary system on the country, through his controversial unification decree, laid the foundation for marked the beginning of the journey rapid socio-economic to gloom.

From the initial three regions, the growth and development country gave birth to 36 dependent component units, following state creafor the next 50 years’ tion by successive military govern- •Former President Obasanjo, the late President Umaru Yar ‘Adua and Dr ments. But, the structure did not change Jonathan the feelings of primordial sentiments ples’ consent, annulled the most cred- posing few illegitimate leaders at the faces the most challenging test of surby the unwilling partners. ible and unifying election and created top to dominate the bottom millions at vival. Ethnic militant groups are a club of rich military elite, who per- the base. This has further deepened dis- threatening its existence. In the North, Nigeria and Asian Tigers the Boko Haram is demanding a MusIn 1960, Nigeria and some Asian coun- sistently threaten the country with trust between the leaders and the led.

“The patent lack of fairness in the sys- lim state. In the Middlebelt, the tries were on the same pedestal. But, as their ill-gotten wealth.

In a paper titled: “Nigeria in search tem has led to the consolidation of eth- Ombatse Group is unleashing terror. pointed out by Senator Femi Okunrounmu, while visionary Asian of true federalism”, a political scien- nic politics, with each ethnic group that In the Southeast and Southsouth, milileaders embraced the culture of plan- tist, Prof. Dipo Kolawole, lamented has a shot at power thinking it is its turn tants and kidnappers are disturbing the peace. In the Southwest, there is ning for the future, their Nigerian coun- that the military has damaged the fed- to milk the common patrimony. terparts neglected planning. He pointed eral structure, adding that it has been “A lack of social infrastructure, well armed robbery and pockets of kidnapout that India, Singapore and Malaysia difficult to repair it. He pointed out entrenched in developed countries and ping are on the increase. have left Nigeria behind in the march that the practice of unitary system is welfare states, has led to grinding povContest for power of development, although they are not incompatible with the Nigerian real- erty, which has often led to the corrupThe next presidential election will tion of voters and prostitution of the more endowed than Nigeria. “They be- ity The former Vice Chancellor of Uni- vote. For as little as N500, unscrupulous hold next year. Ahead of the poll, the came the Asian Tigers because they versity of Ado-Ekiti, also observed that politicians often buy voters cards off struggle for power between the core have good leaders”, he said.

North and Southsouth is generating India achieved independence in the power-loaded and financially very poor and ignorant citizens.” tension. The North is agitating for 1947. But, by 1997, when it marked its strong central government has repower shift. The oil-rich Southsouth golden jubilee, it was a celebration of duced the component units into weak, Failed state achievements. “India has transformed unequal 36 states and obviously inef- Few years back, a foreign body has fired back, saying that, if power warned that Nigeria may disintegrate returns to the North, there will be no itself into a fast growing economy and fective 774 local governments. next year. Also, in 2009, the former oil money to run the country. The achieved a considerable breakthrough High cost of governance American Secretary of State, Senator implication is that the militants will in agricultural production.

Apart from corruption, other critics Hillary Clinton, said that the country disrupt mining activities in the coastal “In 1991, electricity generation had reached 80,000 mega watts, which could have objected to the high cost of gov- may become a failed state, owing to region.

The federating partners have not still meet their industrial, agricul- ernance. To them, the practice of presi- corruption. “The most immediate tural and domestic needs and most of dential system is very expensive. Urg- source of disconnect between Nigeria’s grudges against the centre. Thus, they the power generating equipment were ing Nigeria to return to the parliamen- wealth and its poverty is a failure of are in stiff competition for power and manufactured in India”, Okunrounmu tary system, former Attorney-General governance at the federal, state and lo- relevance. The debate on the and Minister of Justice Prince Bola cal levels. Lack of transparency and ac- natioinal question is also focusing added.

“Every decade, India has always strug- Ajibola said, apart from its cost-effec- countability have eroded the legitimacy on the unresolved national questiongled to make a point. In 1969, only 22 tiveness, it will foster accountability. of government and contributed to the citizenship and indigeneship, secular“The nation only exists for the po- rise of groups protesting the injustice ity of the state, state and community years after its independence, the country launched an indigenous rocket into litical class, which is not more than and challenging the authorities of the policing, revenue allocation, devolution of power, restructuring, rotation space. In July 1980, she became the sixth one percent of the population’, he la- state”, Clinton said.

Another organisation, ‘Fund for Peace’, or zoning of presidential power, cormember of the World Space Club after mented.

Former university don Prof. Itsey had listed Nigeria among the failed ruption, and national conference. launching an indigenous satellite.

“In 1974, and later in 1988, India deto- Sagay (SAN chided the lawmakers for states. Also on the list are war-torn SoUnitarism nated her own nuclear bomb. At 50, the awarding fabulous salaries and allow- malia, Iraq, Yemen, Chad, Afghanistan, Since 1914, it has been an uneasy country had developed an advanced ances to themselves while most Ni- Congo, Ivory Coast and Haiti. In the computer industry, exporting compu- gerians cannot afford the basic needs last decade, peace has eluded these coun- marriage. The first strain on the tries. In 1994, a former university don, emerging colonial federation came ter and software to other developing of life.

Prof. Adebayo Williams, alluded to with the threat by the Northern deland developed countries.

Problematic elections what he described as frightening memo- egates to the constitutional conference “However, unlike India, which had Election is a nightmare in Nigeria. randa and manuals for disintegration. to split. They shouted “arabah”. But been blessed with visionary leaders— Mahatma Ghandi, Jawaharlai Nehru, The trend now is the militarisation of He said Nigeria may pay the price for the British authorities persuaded them Indra Ghandi and Manmohan Singh, the electoral process through the de- the failure of leadership. “What we are to remain and benefit from oil.

Despite the ethnic suspicions, Nicorrupt coup rulers, who sacked elected ployment of troops. Since elections are witnessing is a man-made disaster of leaders, a who shoved aside the com- rigged, illegitimate rulers are in the epic proportions. The Nigerian State has, geria gave birth to a promising First mitted and patriotic leader have saddle. “Election is a tragic comedy,” so far, become a compelling and com- Republic anchored on true federalism, regional autonomy and fair revenue bestrode the Nigeria’s corridor of said Ajibola. Echoing him, former prehensive failure”, he submitted. power since January 15, 1966, he added. Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu But, is Nigeria a failed state? To some sharing, based on the principles of deriApart from plunging the country into said: “ A rigged electoral system often people, the country is not yet a failed vation, need and national interest. The a protracted civil war, the soldiers of turns simple, routine voting in other state, but a fragile state. However, they only dark side of that epoch was the fortune prolonged the tortuous jour- countries into do or die violence bor- agree that state fragility is a prelude to lack of national outlook and festering of ethnic interests above the national ney to civil rule, jettisoned merit in fa- dering on civil war. This rigged elec- state failure. vour of expediency, ruled without peo- toral process has also succeeded in im- Currently, the fledgling federation interest. But, the situation reflected the

image of Nigeria as a nation-state on an abortive journey to nationhood. The Premier of Eastern Region, Dr. Nnamidi Azikiwe, told his Northern counterpart, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello: “Let us burry our differences.” But, Bello replied: “No, let us understand our differences”. The Premier of Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, said: “Nigeria is a geographical expression”.

The coup of 1966 affected the delicate marriage. The military rejected the federal principle and foisted a unitary system. The army mirrored the polity, its ethnic bias and cravings for power in regional interest. Thus, under the military regime, the country nearly disintegrated when it was plunged into a three year civil war. In post-war period, the North, more or less, consolidated its control of the federal power, until 1999, when the regions renegotiated for power rotation.

Mismanagement

At 54, the sixth largest producer of oil in the world is going backward. The manufacturing sector is gone. Churches and residential buildings are not sprouting up from the industrial estates.

The army of unemployed youths is now a liability, instead of asset. Yet, profligacy, theft and graft have been promoted to an art by the privileged few in government.

Defective constitution

Efforts at resolving the national question through constitution amendment have failed. Dismissing the 1999 Constitution as a ruse, the late Chief Rotimi Williams said the document, which is actually a military decree, lied against itself, when it opened with the preface: “We the people”. The federal constitution ironically favours the centralisation of power, the ratification of the local government creation by the Senate and the disapproval of the state police.

Describing the constitution as a defective document, a lawyer, Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN), said it is a rebellion to true federalism.

In the absence of the state police, governors have been giving support to vigilante groups, ethnic militia and other para-military forces. A lawyer, Kola Awodein (SAN), said these “emergency and quack security men”, who lack proper training and structure, are dangerous.

Culture of graft

Transparency International, has listed Nigeria among the most corrupt countries in the world. n many occasions, the anti-graft agencies are helpless. Reflecting on this classification, Dr. Mathew Kukah blamed the elite for the cankerworm. “Greed will always stand on the way of national interest”, he said.

During his visit to Ghana, United States President Barack Obama said corruption had retarded Nigeria’s progress. “No country is going to create wealth, if its leaders exploit the economy to enrich themselves or police can be bought off by drug traffickers. No business wants to invest in a place where the government skims 20 percent off the top or head of the port authorities is corrupt. No person wants to live in a society where the rule of law gives way to the rule of brutality and bribery. That is not democracy; that is tyranny and now is the time to end it.”

Can Nigeria survive?

To the stakeholders, disintegration is not the answer. They are of the opinion that the restoration of true federalism, with its elements of regionalism, state police, devolution of power and restructuring, may save the country from doom. The country must act fact, said Tinubu, who added that the solution lies in the reform of the electoral system to ensure electoral probity.

“There is urgent need for a new generation of leaders that would clear the cobwebs of decadence and political scavengers. This new generation of leaders must take our dear country to its manifest destiny. If this happens, we would have laid the foundation for rapid socioeconomic growth and development for the next 50 years,” he stressed.

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BUSINESS EXTRA

Nigeria’s FDI flow hits $6.7b

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HE Representative and Regional Director, United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), Dr. Patrick Kormawa yesterday said between last year and this year, investment flow into the country hit $6.7billion mark.

He lamented that in spite of this, unemployment gap kept increasing, adding women were worst hit by the scourge.

Kormawa who spoke during the inauguration of the project advisory group for Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and UNIDO project on National Industrial Skills Gap study in Abuja, said the meeting is part of a large study which ITF under the Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment is conducting.

He said: “We are all aware

• ‘Unemployment rises’ From Franca Ochigbo and Halima Farouk, Abuja

that Nigeria has been growing at about seven per cent per annum over (the past) 10 years, but despite the growth, unemployment has been on the rise. Certain sectors of the economy are still importing labour from outside the country, yet we have people crying for job but when people come to the job market, they don’t meet up to the standard.

“In 2011 the unemployment rate as reported by the National Bureau of Statistics in Nigeria was 23.90 per cent from 5.30 per cent in 2006.

The National Population Commission states that about half of the population is made

up of youths, defined as individuals between 15-34 years of age. Unfortunately as the youth population grow so does the unemployment rate.

“In terms of gender, available statistics show that majority of unemployed youth are female. Women accounted for more than 50 per cent of the unemployed.

“One of the reasons for rising unemployment is the mismatch between available skills and the needs of the labour market in general.

“Another is the inadequacy of the educational curricular to adapt quickly to changing industrial needs, while attitude to work and lack of entrepreneurial acumen are other factors.”

Govt saves N127b from cassava flour, says Adesina

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IGERIA saves N127billion annu ally by adding 20 per cent of high quality cassava flour in making bread, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has said.

Adesina spoke at a training conducted for master bakers on the inclusion of 20 per cent High Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF) at the Garden City Bakery, Port- Harcourt.

In a statement in Abuja by the Ministry’s Director of In-

From Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

formation and Protocol, Tony Ohaeri, the minister explained that the use of HQCF will create more jobs for the youth and help farmers to build up domestic wealth.

Adesina, who was represented by the Regional Director, Southsouth, Mr. Martins Odeh said the training was to empower the participants on the inclusion of 20 per cent HQCF in making

bread.

He urged participants to make use of the opportunity and learn how to use the recipe since Nigeria is a top producer of cassava and not a high consumer.

Adesina emphasised the need to reduce the level of unemployment and the need to reduce the foreignexchange used for the importation of wheat into the Country, so as to build up Nigeria’s gross domestic product (GDP).

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BUSINESS EXTRA

GSM subscriber base hits 130m, says NCC T HE Nigerian Commu nications Commission (NCC) yesterday said subscribers figures in the country has now reached 130 million.

Its Executive Vice Chairman, Dr Eugene Juwah, who spoke in Abuja, said the growth has been phenomenal and significant.

Juwah who was represented by the Commission’s Director, Public Affairs, Tony Ojobo, said the sector began its journey in 2001 with about 400,000 subscribers, noting that by this year, it was a miracle that 130 million Nigerians now use global system for mobile (GSM) communication.

He said in terms of employment opportunities, economic activities and value addition to the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP), the industry remained at the lead, stressing that soon, another revolution would be witnessed in the sector.

The EVC who spoke at the NCC Special Day at the ongoing Abuja International Trade Fair, said the coming revolution in the sector would be precipitated by the massive investment in infrastructure by service providers and the NCC. Juwah said seven infrastructure companies would be licensed in the next few weeks to provide the infrastructural requirements to drive the services.

His words: “130 million subscribers, that is a phe-

From Blessing Olaifa, (Asst. Editor), Abuja

nomenon, that is a miracle.

“We believe that this nation is going to move forward, and just as we saw in the telecommunication sector, we are going to see the miracle in other sectors in this nation.

“You are aware that the Commission has engaged some consultants and we have adopted the open access model for the implementation of broadband in Nigeria.

Now, the challenge has been that of infrastructure.”

He said the NCC is already addressing the infrastructural deficit the sense that seven infrastructure companies are going to be licensed, two of them in the next few weeks, to provide the infrastructural requirement that will drive the services. He stated that this is the beginning of the revolution that is going to happen in the next couple of years in the area of broadband deployment.

He said just as it was witnessed in the area of voice segment, the sector is going to witness same in the area of data, as far as broadband is concerned.

He explained that the foundation is going to be laid with the licensing of seven infrastructure companies regionally, starting from Lagos and Northcentral and later the others will follow.

Juwah said this will usher in the era of digital communication, broadband services, era of enhanced business communication in terms of data. He added that telecommunication still remains the best sector in spite of the challenges in the quality of service delivery.

Director, Consumer Affairs Services, Mrs Mariam Biye, said the Commission in partnership with the Consumer Consultative Council (CCC), is working out modalities on how compensation could reach consumers who have been at the receiving ends of poor quality of services from the various service providers.

She said the compensation so far paid by service providers as a result of various sanctions imposed on them are not in the coffers of NCC, but that of the Federal Government.

She said NCC is also working together with service providers to stop unsolicited text messages and unnecessary depletion of the accounts of GSM users by service providers on spurious and unfounded grounds, stressing that NCC had opened consumers complaint line-622- nationwide for subscribers.

She added that from investigations and some demonstrations recently carried out by service providers, it was discovered that some consumers fell victim of depletion of their accounts due to the products they subscribe to and the type of handset they use.

• From left: Businessmad Consultant, Obi Onyejekwe; Country Manager, Louis Roeder, Frances Lawrence; Managing Director, Spronks Creation Limited, Aderonke Sobodu and Marketing Manager, Louis Roeder, Prakash Sadara Gani, during the press briefing on Nigeria International Wine and Spirit Fair 2014 in Lagos.

PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAM

Lagos to save N12.7b through energy HE Lagos State govern conservation throughout the 31 days in the ment could save month to ensure efficient us-

T

N12.7billion annually by using energy saving appliances in its ministries, parastalals, and other institutions soon, its Commissioner for Energy Resources, Taofiq Tijani, has said.

Tijani, who spoke during the 2014 Edition of the Energy Conservation Month in Lagos, yesterday, said the government has the capacity to save N12.7billion yearly by using energy saving bulbs and appliances in its offices.

He said the government is saving 978,906 Kilowatts per

By Akinola Ajibade

hour(kwh) annaully, by switching to energy saving bulbs in its secretariat, adding that plans are underway to conserve energy to its barest minimum level.

He said the Energy Conservation Month initiative was launched lin 2013 as a Behavioural Change Campaign to enable residents imbibe the habits of conserving energy at homes and offices.

He said the campaign dubbed ‘Conserve Energy, Save Money’ (CESM), ran

age of energy in the state.

He said: “We are persuaded that when people understand the benefits of energy conservation to their own personal finances, it will make adoption of the practice easier.”

He said this year’s edition will witness the commissioning of the Energy Academy, the opening of the 8.8megawatts(Mw) Independent Power Plant in Lagos Mainland by Governor Babatunde Fashola, the launch of Improved Lagos Energy Calculator App among others.

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BUSINESS EXTRA The sale of Enterprise Bank Limited entered the final stage when the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) announced Heritage Bank Limited and Fidelity Bank Plc as preferred and reserved bidders respectively. Although Heritage Bank has paid the initial 20 per cent part payment and still has up till October 13 to make the final payment or Fidelity Bank steps in. COLLINS NWEZE reports on the unfolding opportunities and intrigues that greet the sale.

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HE race for Enterprise Bank sale has been on for over a year. On Thursday, September 11, the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) announced HBCL Investment Services Limited (HISL), sponsored by Heritage Banking Company Limited, as the preferred bidder for Enterprise Bank.

The firm has up till October 13 to balance about N44.8 billion, representing 80 per cent of the N56 billion bid price.

While the clock ticks for Heritage to pay up, Fidelity Bank Plc, the reserved bidder is patiently waiting to step in, should the payment arrangement fail.

But Heritage Bank CEO, Ifie Sekibo assured stakeholders that the lender will beat the deadline.

He is already planning the postEnterprise Bank era, outlining strategies that would transform the new entity to a mega bank.

He confirmed that the lender has already paid the 20 per cent or N11.2 billion of the N56 billion bid prices before the Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) was signed in Abuja about fortnight ago.

The Heritage Bank boss confirmed that the bank had already paid the initial 20 per cent of the total bid price for Enterprise Bank pointing out that efforts were already in place to ensure the payment of the final 80 per cent within the time frame stipulated by AMCON. He said the lender is already working on the process it believes, will finally culminate in the acquisition of Enterprise Bank Limited to further drive its time-proven potentials of creating, preserving and transferring wealth among its teeming customers.

“In line with AMCON’s requirements for the acquisition of Enterprise Bank Limited, HBCL Investment Services Limited (HISL) which is the special purpose vehicle sponsored by Heritage Bank Limited to bid for Enterprise Bank on Friday last week signed the Share Purchase Agreement (SPA).

I am also aware that HISL has paid the initial 20 per cent as specified in the terms of the agreement. Efforts are ongoing to ensure that the balance 80 per cent is also paid in line with the terms, conditions and time frame specified by AMCON. This major step towards the acquisition of Enterprise Bank by HISL and by extension, Heritage Bank, fills us with great excitement. With this take over process going on smoothly, we are sure a more energized bank with improved capacity to create, preserve and transfer wealth will soon emerge,” he assured.

Managing Director, CRC Credit Bureau, Tunde Popoola said the acquisition, when completed, would improve competition in the banking sector.

He explained that in acquisition of this nature, there are different things that are involved including the winner’s ability to pay. He expressed optimism that Heritage will be able to muster the required fund and pay before the deadline expires.

“Don’t forget that they bided on their own. They provided the value of the bid. Where you are bidding and you are providing amount you want to pay, it then means you have a way of sourcing for that fund.

Otherwise, it does not make sense to bid for an amount you will not be able to pay,” he said.

Popoola said the process has been transparent and winners know the timeline they will be given to pay.

Enterprise: Will Heritage beat October 13 deadline?

• Sekibo

He however said the bank must pay without depleting its capital adequacy. “And as a banking institution, they must have the required money without impairing their capital adequacy. If they do not have the means to pay, and the time expires, there is already a reserved bidder,” he said.

He said should Heritage fail to pay, the right to acquire Enterprise Bank will then go automatically to Fidelity Bank. “If they fail to pay, that goes back to the second bidder who will then pay its bid price.

Whichever way it goes, I believe Enterprise Bank will be better for it and the economy will also be better for it because you will see a bank that will run fully with all the potentials,” he said.

AMCON factor The AMCON and Heritage Bank Limited SPA will enable the latter acquire the entire issued and fully paid up ordinary shares of Enterprise Bank Limited.

AMCON had in a statement endorsed by its Head, Corporate Communication, Kayode Lambo announced HBCL Investment Services Limited (HISL), sponsored by Heritage Banking Company Limited (Heritage Bank), as preferred bidder while Fidelity Bank Plc was named reserve bidder for the acquisition of the bridged lender.

The AMCON spokesman said the bid process started with interest shown by 24 parties cutting across local and international boundaries.

The emergence of HISL and Fidelity Bank as preferred and reserve bidders respectively, he said, resulted from a rigorous and competitive bidding process, which was coordinated for AMCON by

• Fidelity Bank CEO Nnamdi Okonkwo

Citigroup Global Markets Limited, Vetiva Capital Management Limited (Financial Advisers) and G. Elias & Co. (Legal Advisers).

The controversy The AMCON has consistently defended the transparency of the deal.

In July, it refuted newspaper report alleging that it interfered with the bid process to favour a particular local bank.

In a statement, Lambo said the bid process leading to the sale of Enterprise Bank has not even reached the stage where any result would be sent to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

It said this suspicion was aggravated when AMCON suddenly changed one of the rules for the sale of the Bank shortly after the final bids were submitted. This, according to the report, prompted the CBN Governor to order AMCON to conduct fresh final bids, based on some specific criteria that would be used to adjudge the bids submitted by the five contesting institutions.

The apex bank is alleged to have seen the result of the final bid submitted by AMCON as inconclusive, with attempt to focus on criteria that would influence the outcome in favour of the particular bank.

But in a reaction, AMCON said it wanted the public to know that after the advisers (Messrs Citibank and Vetiva) who it employed have concluded their work, AMCON’s management and board will consider the result before the approved buyers are officially sent to the CBN. “It is therefore premature for the report to say that AMCON inter-

fered with the process, as the process is still on-going and no names have yet been officially sent to the AMCON board for consideration,” the statement said.

“AMCON has not interfered in any way in the process that is still entirely in the hands of the advisers. When the advisers present their final report, which we expect within the next two weeks, regulatory approval will be required and sought,” the statement said.

Rules of engagement AMCON commenced the sale of Enterprise Bank on September 22nd, last year when it formally invited interested buyers to express interests in acquiring its 100 per cent stake in the bank.

The audited financial statement of the Enterprise Bank Group as at 31 December 2012, show that the Group’s Total Assets stood at N263.5 billion, Customer Deposits at N208.4 billion and Total Equity at N31.9 billion The invitation by AMOCN prompted interests from some Nigerian banks namely Diamond Bank Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc, Sterling Bank Plc, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Standard Chartered Bank, Skye Bank, Heritage Bank Limited and other investment groups.

Others include investors like Taunus Holdings, Sahara Energy, Obat Oil and about 12 private equity firms backed by experienced bankers as well as financial and investment analysts.

AMCON said interested buyers should indicate their interest by submitting an Expression of Interest (EoI) with information such as the “description of acquiring entity or vehicle with evidence of reg-

‘The process has been transparent and winners know the timeline they will be given to pay. He, however, said the bank must pay without depleting its capital adequacy. And as a banking institution, they must have the required money without impairing their capital adequacy. If they do not have the means to pay, and the time expires, there is already a reserved bidder’

istration or incorporation; ownership of the acquiring entity or vehicle; identifying all shareholders with a five per cent or more stake; strategic rationale for the acquisition of Enterprise Bank; relevant financial services industry experience and/or demonstrable evidence of ability to manage a bank of this nature.”

Also, interested buyers were requested to submit evidence of financing capacity, while a consortium should “provide evidence of alliance/partnership/joint venture between members in the consortium, clearly indicating the lead member authorised to submit the EoIs.” The corporation had added: “Upon receipt and evaluation of the EoI, a shortlist of buyers, who in AMCON’s view are deemed to be fit and suitable from a regulatory perspective (amongst other things), will be prepared and will proceed to the first phase of the transaction.

Analysts advised that the potential investor in the bank should have a disciplined board and management that adhere to sound corporate governance principles.

Former Head of Research and Corporate Development, Consolidated Discounts Limited (CDL), Mr. Jimi Ogbobine, argued that tier two banks will benefit more by buying Enterprise Bank. He said the bank’s branch network remains a major strength that ambitious lenders can tap into.

He explained that the legacy bad loans of Enterprise Bank have been bought by AMCON, adding that overall, the offer looks attractive.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Enterprise Bank Limited, Ahmed Kuru, said he was happy leaving behind, a better Enterprise Bank and a happier workforce. He added that he was convinced that customers will have the best deal at the conclusion of the process. “I am convinced our customers expect the best deal at the end of the day. So their expectation should be high,” he said.

He explained that right from the beginning when he was appointed, it was very clear to him that AMCON, at certain point in time will divest from the bank.

Bridged banks Enterprise Bank is wholly owned

by AMCON. Other bridged banks owned by AMCON are Keystone and Mainstreet banks. The corporation had acquired the lenders in August 2011, after the intervention by the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Enterprise Bank was created from the ashes of the defunct Spring Bank, while Keystone Bank and Mainstreet Bank were created from the defunct Bank PHB and Afribank respectively.

As part of efforts to divest its shareholdings in the three banks by 2014, starting with Enterprise Bank, AMCON had appointed Citigroup Global Markets Limited (Citi) and Vetiva Capital Management Limited as Financial Advisers, as well as G. Elias & Company as Legal Adviser to the transaction.

Enterprise Bank commenced operation in August, 2011, as a fullservice commercial bank with a national banking license. The bank operates via a sizeable distribution network of over 160 branches spread across major markets and commercial centres in Nigeria, and with over 177 automated teller machines (ATMs), 57 Cash Centres and 2,000 point of sales (PoS) terminals.

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MONEYLINK Rosabon urges best practice in financial services

CBN institutes collateral registry for MSMEs

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HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday, instituted

Collateral Registry to provide a regulatory framework for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to access secured credit.

In a statement, the bank said it has the statutory responsibility for, among others, the promotion of a sound financial system in the country. It said powers to institute the registry derives from Section 1 (2) of the CBN Act No. 7 of 2007 which details the principal objectives of the lender.

It said the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act, Cap B3 LFN 2004 (BOFIA) is the primary legislation for regulating banking, banks and other financial institutions in Nigeria.

Also, Section 57 of BOFIA authorises the Governor of the CBN

R

Stories by Collins Nweze

to make regulations to give full effect to the objects and objectives of the Act as well as those for the operation and control of all institutions under the supervision of the bank.

Section 1(4) of BOFIA also empowers the CBN either generally or in any particular case to appoint any person who is not an officer or employee of the bank to render such assistance as it may specify in the exercise of its powers, the performance of its functions or the discharge of its duties, or on its behalf of and in the name of CBN. “In furtherance of the aforesaid mandates and in order to improve access to finance for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) while maintaining a strong prudent lending policy, the Governor of the

•CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele

Central Bank of Nigeria, in exercise of the powers conferred on him in that behalf, hereby makes these Regulations for the establishment, maintenance and operation of the Collateral Registry and ancillary matters appertaining thereto,” it said.

Keystone launches ATM for physically-challenged

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EYSTONE Bank Limited yesterday commissioned an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) gallery that was specifically built to accommodate physically challenged persons in the society.

Speaking at the event in Lagos, its Executive Director, Operations and Technology, Mrs. Yvonne Isichei said the bank decided to locate the ATM gallery at its Maryland branch because it is a very busy area.

She explained that the bank introduced the ATM gallery as part of its corporate social responsibility, which according to her, “is all about touching the lives of peo-

ple to demonstrate Keystone Bank’s commitment to financial inclusion as a developmental goal; as well to align with goal of sustainable banking, which is all about being conscious of the needs of those around its environment.”

She noted that some bank customers experience some difficulties using ATMs especially the physically challenged. “We want to make financial services accessible. Financial inclusion is about encouraging everybody, taking it near the people as much as possible. It is about our channels and their workability.

It is supposed to make life easier,” she explained.

She noted that the level of finan-

cial inclusion has continued to grow, expressing optimism that the 2020 target of achieving significant improvement in the level of financial inclusion would be met with structures such as the bank’s ATM gallery for the physically challenged.

Isichei said: “We are happy to know that there has been an appreciable progress, but we still have a long way from achieving a 70 per cent financial inclusion, which is the objective of vision 2020.

“Keystone bank looked at these and so we are really happy that we recognise this need and in recognising it, we have provided a solution and that is why we are gathered today.”

OSABON Financial Services Limited, a financial intermediary and equipment leasing firm, has called for best practice in the country’s financial service industry.

Its Managing Director, Mr. Chukwuma Ochonogor, made the call while receiving the African Financial Quality Service Award conferred on the firm by the Institute for Government Research, Leadership and Technology.

Speaking after receiving the award, he said the success story of Rosabon “has been based on its emphasis on best practices in accordance with customer satisfaction, integrity, professionalism and commitment to excellence in dealing with our customers.”

He explained the centrality of best practice in building the country’s

Offer Price

AFRINVEST W. A. EQUITY FUND ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH BGL NUBIAN FUND BGL SAPPHIRE FUND CANARY GROWTH FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CORAL INCOME FUND FBN FIXED INCOME FUND FBN HERITAGE FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND

168.45 9.17 1.12 1.19 0.69 1.39 1,676.09 1,118.84 121.30 121.16 1,117.51 1.2381 1.2875 0.8705 1.0829

C

HAIRMAN of Skye Bank Plc, Dr. Olatunde Ayeni, has been conferred with the national honour of the Commander of the Order of Niger (CON) by President Goodluck Jonathan in recognition of his contributions to the economy.

Ayeni, lawyer and businessman, was decorated with the honour alongside other eminent Nigerians in Abuja at the 2014 national honours ceremony.

As a businessman, Ayeni has vast interests in various sectors of the economy, including real estate, banking, mortgage, power, maritime, information technology and oil and gas. He joined the Board of the bank in January 2008, and was appointed as its Chairman in December 13, 2011. Ayeni, an accomplished lawyer is the Principal Partner of Legal Resources Alliance

• UBA BALANCED FUND • UBA BOND FUND • UBA EQUITY FUND • UBA MONEY MARKET FUND

GAINERS AS AT 30-10-14

Company, a law firm which he founded.

Ayeni provides overall leadership and direction for the Board of the lender by ensuring that it works towards achieving its strategic objectives.

His vision, sterling leadership and managerial qualities have led to the rapid growth of the bank which currently has over 260 branches and business offices spread across the 36 states of the federation. The bank has over 5000 employees as workforce.

Under his leadership, Skye Bank has undergone a seamless leadership succession which brought in Timothy Oguntayo as Group Managing Director in April this year. The Bank has since embarked upon a strategy of retail business expansion and deliberate deepening of its portfolio in the corporate banking segment.

DATA BANK

Bid Price 167.01 9.08 1.12 1.19 0.69 1.33 1,676.09 1,118.03 120.45 120.30 1,116.70 1,2298 1,2875 0.8539 1.0829

financial service industry, which he said, remained a critical part of her domestic economy that built with due diligence and in line with international best practice.

Ochonogor added that the business of Rosabon “is backed by sound financial packages, expert advice and our products are tailored to suit our customers’ needs. Over the years, our strength and unique selling point has been the speed with which we close transactions and the convenience which we offer our clients.

He said: “In our quest to continually deliver excellent service, we have constantly improved on our processes and have succeeded in eliminating the bottlenecks that have come to be associated with transactions in the financial services sector in Nigeria.”

Skye Bank’s chair gets National Award

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

RETAIL DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM (RDAS) Transaction Dates 24/09/2014 17/09/2014 08/09/2014 ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Inflation: August

8.5%

Monetary Policy Rate

12.0%

Amount Offered in ($) 350m 300m 300m

Amount Sold in ($) 349.96m 299.9m 299.9m

CBN EXCHANGE RATES September 29, 2014

Currency

Buying (N)

Selling (N)

154.70

155.71

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

CHANGE

Foreign Reserves

$39.6b

US Dollar

GUINNESS

190.00

199.50

9.50

Oil Price (Bonny Light/b)

$97.9

Pounds Sterling

250.7724

252.3929

CHAMPION

9.70

10.18

0.48

ANINO

0.21

0.22

0.01

Euro

200.3394

201.634

NESTLE

1,055.00

1,100.00

Swiss Franc

165.7385

166.8095

Yen

1.445

1.4544

CFA

0.286

0.306

231.3531

232.8481

25.1773

25.3409

INTENEGINS

Credit to private Sector (CPS) Primary Lending Rate (PLR)

0.51

0.53

0.02

14.70

0.55

ROYALEX

0.55

0.57

0.02

PORTPAINT

5.32

5.50

0.18

STERLNBANK

2.15

2.20

0.05

32.25

32.99

0.74

PZ

LOSERS AS AT 30-10-14

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

N16.42 trillion.

45.00

14.15

CCNN

Money Supply (M2)

CHANGE

ETERNA

3.80

3.61

-0.19

PREMBREW

4.63

4.40

-0.23

UPDCREIT

9.13

8.68

-0.45

UNILEVER

49.20

46.90

-2.30

N17.2 trillion 16.5%

NIGERIAN INTER-BANK OFFERED RATES (NIBOR)

Tenor

19-09-14 Rate (%) Rate (%) 22-09-14

Yuan/Renminbi

Overnight (O/N)

11.00

10.917

Riyal

41.259

41.5256

1M

12.464

12.393

SDR

232.156

233.6562

3M

13.281

13.201

6M

14.205

14.110

FOREX RATES

RTBRISCOE

0.97

0.93

-0.04

NPFMCRBK

0.98

0.94

-0.04

R-DAS ($/N)

157.29

157.29

LEARNAFRCA

1.40

1.35

-0.05

Interbank ($/N)

162.75

162.75

FCMB

4.45

4.30

-0.15

LIVESTOCK

2.94

2.85

-0.09

Parallel ($/N)

167.50

167.50

33.00

32.00

-1.00

ASHAKACEM

WAUA

GOVT. SECURITIES YIELD – SECONDARY MARKET

Tenor

Sept. 22, 2014

Rates

T-bills - 91

10.10

T-bills - 182

10.22

T-bills - 364

10.30

Bond - 3yrs

11.52

Bond - 5yrs

11.55

Bond - 7yrs

12.13

56

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

57

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

NEWS

Senate to reject INEC’s 30,000 units Continued from page 2

He said: “We have sent a letter to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, and we expressed our reservations over the planned creation of additional polling units across the country.

“What he is doing is good, but the timing is wrong. We are close to an election year and we have so many displaced people in the North Eastern part of the country. So where will the INEC put the new polling units?

“If they (INEC) continue with it (new polling centres), we will pass a resolution to overrule it. It is simple, and once we pass our resolution,

is he going to go ahead and say he doesn’t care?

“There are consequences when you say you don’t care; that is what it is, but I know he (Jega) is a gentleman and he is a man who keeps to his words.

We had a meeting and sent him a letter.

“He should know that his integrity, from what people are saying, is at stake, but that is not our business. And I don’t believe that he has anything in mind against anybody or anything.”

The lawmaker representing Anambra South explained that his committee intervened due to the timing of the exercise, even though the exercise is

geared towards eliminating problems voters usually encounter at polling centres.

Uba added: “There are over 4000 registered voters in Wuse II in Abuja, for instance, and you know the inconvenience when 4000 people are expected to queue up in line.

“It is not possible for all of them to be accredited before voting would start. Many people will come and would be turned back.

“It (the exercise) is a good idea, but the timing is wrong.

Uba is confident that the amendment to the Electoral Act will be concluded as soon as the Senate resumes from the Sallah break.

sition in Nigeria has come together in order to give the PDP a good run for its money.

Gen. Buhari praised members of the BSG for standing. “We don’t have anything to offer you by way of payback for all your massive and unprecedented support, except our commitment to be even with you at all times and to preserve, protect and discharge the trust you will put in our hands.”

Also yesterday, APC members in the Kaduna State House of Assembly endorsed Gen. Buhari.

Minority Leader Muhammad Ali, who led other APC members to address a news conference, said Gen. Buhari remained the only candidate that could

salvage of Nigeria.

Ali said the APC members resolved to endorse Gen. Buhari because he is an incorruptible leader.

“Never in the history of this nation have we come close to a failed state as it is being experienced, owing to the ineptitude of those charged with the responsibility of leading this great nation.

“When General Muhammadu Buhari was the Military Head of State, Nigeria blossomed as a nation and discipline was restored and Nigeria was respected worldwide.

“Many are afraid of Gen. Buhari because they are beholden to corruption and greed,” the lawmaker said.

2015: I’m not desperate, says Buhari

Continued from page 2

is to take away power from those who have been misusing it. Indeed, except for the call of patriotism, public spiritedness and an abiding love for the people of this country, nothing will today make any honest, honourable and sane politician want to be saddled with Nigeria with an economy in trouble, with its perilous security situation, with its extensive and almost unmanageable corruption and with its pervasive lawlessness. And a government (is there really a government?) that is not working.

“We have made all the necessary preparation to take power from the inept ruling party. For the first time, the credible oppo-

How Fayose led thugs to attack courts, by Ekiti CJ Continued from page 2

premises to rescue Members of the Election Tribunal who started sitting within the Court premises on this particular day and escorted them out of the premises into safety when your men and officers would not lift a finger to help us.

“I write this letter to formally inform you that your officers and men posted to guard and protect the integrity of the Court and its personnel in the face of looming danger within the premises of the High Court of Ekiti State have failed us and left us at the mercy of political hoodlums.

“In the premises of the prevailing lawlessness in and around the court premises, I have no other alternative than to direct a closure of the court until the safety of Judges, Magistrates and Staff of Ekiti State Judiciary can be guaranteed by the law enforcement agents. Please accept the assurances of my kindest regards.”

In forwarding a similar letter to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mariam Alooma Mukhtar, the Ekiti Chief Judge on September 27, 2014 said: “Further to my letter dated 25th day of September 2014, I hereby forward to your Lordship my letter to the Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State Command the situation report on events of the preceding week at the premises of the High Court of Ekiti State.

With kindest regards to your Lordship.”

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)yesterday accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of planning to influence the Judiciary, subvert the will of the people and stop the inauguration of Ekiti State Governor- elect Ayo Fayose on October 16.

But the APC denied being interested in stopping Fayose. It accused the PDP of impunity, saying it should allow the judiciary to operate unfettered.

In a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the PDP called for a full investigation into the activities of some officers of the Ekiti State judiciary involved in the crisis.

The statement described what it termed as “underground plot” to stop Fayose’s inauguration as a “slap in the face of the people of the state, assault on democracy and an attempt to rape the judiciary”.

The statement said: “In the past two weeks, we have witnessed series of lies, propaganda, threats and blackmail by the APC in their desperate bid to truncate the wish of the people.

This desperate party has gone notches up in this awkward quest for power by inciting violence and outlandishly calling for the arrest of the state governor-elect.

“After losing roundly in an election widely acclaimed as one of the most credible in our recent history as a nation, the APC in its desperation for power has shamelessly designed a heinous plot to compromise certain judicial officers in order to stop the inauguration of Mr. Ayo Fayose as the democratically elected governor of Ekiti State.

“We have here in our hands an attempt to re-enact the design where the same APC leaders under the defunct ACN sabotaged and truncated the popular mandate given to the PDP in the 2011 governorship election by the people of Osun and Ekiti states through the verdicts of certain judicial officers.

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oye-

gun asked the PDP to leave the court to determine whether or not the Governor-elect of Ekiti State is qualified to contest election into the office.

He said the APC was not out to stop Fayose from being inaugurated and warned PDP against rushing to judgment.

Odigie-Oyegun, who spoke exclusively with our correspondent last night, said the attacks on judges in Ekiti State amounted to abomination.

He said: “We don’t want to stop the inauguration of Fayose . It is absolute rubbish because everybody knows the sequence of events in Ekiti State.

“Since there are issues about Fayose’s qualification before the court, let us not rush to judgment, let us leave it to the Judiciary to decide. We are ready for the legal course up to the Supreme Court.”

Odigie-Oyegun said the APC was not behind the mayhem unleashed on judges in Ekiti State.

He added: “We profit nothing by disturbing the court process.

We know who stands to benefit by obstructing the course of justice.

“It is a terrible trend to desecrate the temple of Justice. What happened in Ekiti amounted to abomination. It is just unfortunate that thugs were mobilised to beat up judges. Nigerians should ask: Who is afraid of the court? Who is afraid of justice?

“We are waiting for what the Judiciary will do to defend their own honour.”

The APC National Chairman warned PDP against recourse to impunity in a democracy.

He said: “They (the PDP) should stop this excessive arbitrariness. Their impunity is now getting to an unacceptable limit.”

From Grace Obike, Abuja

ment to take decisive steps in ensuring that the Chibok girls are rescued from the grips of Boko Haram.

The group spoke in a statement by Hadiza Usman, Oby Ezekwesili, Sa’adatu Mahdi, Mariam Uwaize and Rotimi Olawale.

‘Don’t forget abducted Chibok girls’

M

EMBERS of the #BringBackOurGirls group have urged the government and the international community not to forget the Chibok girls as Nigeria celebrates her 54th independence anniversary.

The group said today should

be a day for sober reflection because the Chibok girls who have been in captivity for 170days cannot experience the peace and unity required that is expected by Nigerians.

They advised the govern-

Norms for an independent prosecutor in the Fight Against Corruption: Some reflections (Being the text of a paper delivered by Femi Falana (SAN) at a seminar organized for EFCC prosecutors by the Justice Research Institute at Abuja from September 24-26, 2014) •Continued from yesterday

Interference by government in the prosecution of corrupt persons in foreign courts

C

ONTRARY to the provisions of the Mutual Legal Assistance Agreement which exists between Nigeria and the United Kingdom a former Attorney-General of Nigeria, Mr. Michael Aandoaka SAN, attempted to frustrate the investigation and prosecution of Chief James Ibori, an ex-governor of Delta State.

But in spite of his desperate moves the ex-governor was eventually tried and convicted in the United Kingdom where he is currently serving a 13-year jail term. Embarrassingly, he had been freed by the Federal High Court in a mock trial in which the accused rejected the prosecutor appointed by the EFCC and chose his own prosecutor as well as the defence counsel!

Having not learnt any lesson from the disgraceful case of Chief Ibori the Federal Government is currently embroiled in an unnecessary controversy with South Africa over the arrest of two Nigerians and an Israeli for smuggling the sum of $9.3 million into that country. The three suspects are alleged to have contravened the provisions of Section 30 of the Financial Intelligence Centre Act NO 38 of 2001 of South Africa which stipulates that a person intending to convey an amount of cash in excess of the prescribed sum of $10,000.00 (ten thousand united states dollars) to or from South Africa “must report the prescribed particulars concerning that conveyance to a person authorised by the Minister for this purpose”.

The centre applied for an order of interim forfeiture from a High Court for seizure of the fund. In granting the application the court ordered that the fund be kept in the Reserve Bank for 90 days. Within that period the suspects are at liberty to convince the court why the fund was not declared. Otherwise, a final order will be made for the confiscation of the money.

As the said sum of $9.3million was not declared at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, the suspects equally breached Section 1 of the Money Laundering Act 2011 of Nigeria which provides that the “transportation of cash or negotiable instruments in excess of $10,000.00 or its equivalent by an individual in or out of the country shall be declared for the Nigeria Custom Service” which shall report same to the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Economic and the Financial Crimes Commission. Instead of allowing the suspects to hire lawyers to contest the seizure of the said sum of $9.3 million in the South African court the Federal Government has said that the huge cash was meant for the purchase of arms. So far, the South African Government has rejected the explanations adduced by Nigeria for not declaring the money.

Relying on diplomatic resolution of the money laundering case against Nigeria will not yield any result. In a country where President Jacob Zuma is under investigation for alleged diversion of public funds to build his spralling mansion in Pretoria, the government of South Africa will not interfere in the pending case of the seizure of the $9.3 millon. Unlike here where the suspects might have been granted amnesty leading to the release of the fund the legal system in South Africa requires that the matter be heard and deermined by the court without any political interference whatsoever.

Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) whose private jet was used to ferry the money to South Africa has denounced those who have dared to challenge the involvement of a plane bought for evangelism in the alleged smuggling of laundered money. In spite of the diversionary statement of CAN, the influential pastor cannot dismiss the scandal with a wave of the hand. With respect, the explanation by CAN that the jet was leased to another company is an admission of the breach of the law. A jet registered for the facilitation of evangelism cannot be leased to another company for commercial purposes as churches are registered under part C of the Company and Allied Matters Act as non-profit making organizations. In recent time, some of our Pastors have been indicted in the United Kingdom for investing

•Falana, SAN

church funds in business in violation of the Charity Act. If Pastor Oritsejafor is lucky that he is not prosecuted for breaching the CAMA he owes Nigerians a public apology. The CAN leadership cannot afford to engage in attacking its political opponents in a matter pertaining to the breach of the law.

The Senate has said that the money in question belongs to the Federal Government. Assuming that is true, why was the fund not declared at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja and at the Oliver Tambo Airport in Johannesburg as required by the money laundering laws of both countries? The fact that the businessmen were awarded a contract for the purchase of arms by the Federal Government does not indict the latter or make it vicariously liable for the alleged criminal action of the contractors. Therefore, the Federal Government should stop embarrassing the country by justifying the brazen impunity of the three suspects. If and when they return to Nigeria they should be arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and prosecuted for the blatant violation of Section 1 of the Money Laundering Act, 2011 which provided that the payment of the sum of $9.3 million to them by the Federal Government is not a defence under the law. After all, Mr. Aminu Lamido, the son of the governor of Jigawa State was recently prosecuted for not declaring $40,000 while travelling out of the country.

Conclusion Although the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission are independent institutions the Executive has overbearing influence on them.

The boards of both agencies are largely constituted by public officers and members of the ruling party. It is common knowledge that both the Code of Conduct Bureau and the Code of Conduct Tribunal are departments in the Presidency! Indeed the prosecution of cases before the Code of Conduct Tribunal is the exclusive preserve of the Attorney-General of the Federation. Since the anti-graft agencies are not independent of the Executive the independence and impartiality of the prosecutors of the anti graft institutions cannot be guaranteed.

In order to stop political interference in the investigation and prosecution of criminal offences including corruption cases, the Federal and State Governments ought to adopt the recommendation of the recently concluded National Conference that the office of the Attorney-General be separated from that of the Minister of Justice in a way that the two offices are not held by the same person. This is the current practice in the United Kingdom and in 10 out of the 15-member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Under that arrangement the Minister or the Commissioner for Justice will be a cabinet member while the Attorney-General will be independent of the Executive and prosecute all indictable offences in the public interest.

‘In a country where President Jacob Zuma is under investigation for alleged diversion of public funds to build his spralling mansion in Pretoria, the government of South Africa will not interfere in the pending case of the seizure of the $9.3 millon’

58

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014 THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014 FOREIGN NEWS Hong Kong democracy protesters seek National Day boost

T

HOUSANDS more people have been joining pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong, ahead of what organisers hope will be the largest day of protests so far.

Tens of thousands of people have been blocking parts of the city for days.

They are demanding that China withdraw plans to vet candidates for the next leadership election in 2017.

Current leader CY Leung has urged the protesters to go home, and Chinese President Xi Jinping has reaffirmed Beijing’s influence on the territory.

Mr Xi told party leaders in Beijing that his government would “unswervingly implement the guidelines of ‘one country, two systems’ and the Basic Law, and steadfastly safeguard the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macau”.

Heavy rain in Honk Kong late on Tuesday failed to dampen the protesters’ enthusiasm

CY Leung has appealed to protesters to go home - but many say they are there for the long haul The streets were relatively quiet on Tuesday but thousands flocked the protest camps as night fell.

The demonstrators - who include students, supporters of the Occupy Central group and others angered by the police response - said they were confident that they would step up the protests for Wednesday’s National Day holiday, which marks the anniversary of the founding of Communist China.

“I think there will be a massive turnout, over 100,000 people tonight and leading into National Day,” Occupy Central activist Ed Chin told AFP news agency.

“We are not afraid of riot police.... We will not leave until Leung Chun-ying resigns,’’ student leader Lester Shum told the crowd.

Turkey hints at Iraq Mosul hostage exchange

T

URKISH President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has hinted that 49 hostages, mostly Turks, may have been freed by Islamic State (IS) as part of a prisoner swap.

They were freed on Saturday, and Hurriyet newspaper reported that 50 IS members were released by Syrian rebel group Liwa al-Tawhid on the same day.

Mr Erdogan told reporters: “You might have an exchange but it takes some effort to prepare for such a thing.”

The Turkish hostages were seized in northern Iraq and

Libyan parliament rivals hold talks

R

EPRESENTATIVES from rival factions in Libya’s new parliament have held UN-brokered talks for the first time in the western oasis town of Ghadames.

Sitting members of the House of Representatives met fellow MPs who have so far boycotted sessions.

The parliament was elected in July but has been hampered by an upsurge in political violence across the country.

Oil-rich Libya has been plagued by instability since the overthrow of Col Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

Militia groups, some of them remnants of forces which helped oust Gaddafi, have been fighting for power among themselves.

held for 101 days.

Turkey is currently struggling to cope with an influx of 138,000 Syrians, most of them Kurds, fleeing an Islamic State offensive in the northern city of Kobane. UN refugee officials have warned that number could surge to 400,000.

The government in Ankara had refused to take part in the air campaign against IS, which has now been extended to Syria as well as Iraq, partly because of fears for the safety of the hostages.

President Erdogan, seen here with his wife (L) and two of the freed hostages, stressed that no ransom was paid The hostages were taken prisoner from the Turkish consulate in Mosul in June. They were moved by IS at the start of September to Raqqa in northern Syria, before being released on Saturday at Tel Abyad near the Turkish border.

The 49, who included the Turkish consul, diplomats, special forces police, children and three Iraqis, were later greeted by flag-waving crowds in the capital, Ankara.

Little explanation was given for their release but Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Turkey’s MIT intelligence agency had led the operation.

In its report on Tuesday, Hurriyet said the wife and children of Islamic State leader Haji Bakr, who was killed in Aleppo in February, were among the prisoners freed by Liwa al-Tawhid.

EU to keep Russia sanctions in place over Ukraine

T

HE EU is to keep sanctions against Russia in place, judging that Ukraine’s peace deal is not fully effective.

EU ambassadors who met on Tuesday had noted some “encouraging developments” since the 5 September ceasefire was agreed, an EU spokeswoman said.

But other parts of the peace deal “will need to be properly implemented”, said the spokeswoman, Maja Kocijancic.

The sanctions target senior Russian officials, as well as Russia’s oil industry, defence firms and banks.

Western governments and the Ukrainian authorities in Kiev accuse Russia of supplying the separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine with heavy weapons and soldiers.

Russia denies the allegations.

EU and US sanctions have been in place since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in March.

At least 3,200 people have died in fighting since April in Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk regions, and thousands of civilians have fled the conflict.

A shaky ceasefire has held since 5 September, and the two sides have since agreed to set up a 30km (19-mile) buffer zone.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

59

60

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

PREMIERSHIP ...PREMIERSHIP ...

SPORT EXTRA

Top four is Man United’s priority – Van Persie

Hughes thrilled with ´deserved´ home win

R

O B I N v a n P e r s i e has said everything is in place for Manchester

United to return to the UEFA Champions League.

United have endured a mixed start to life under new manager Louis van Gaal, winning just two of their opening six Premier League fixtures.

There is plenty of cause for optimism at Old Trafford, however, after United spent almost £141 million on the likes of Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao before the transfer window shut in September.

And while United are yet to completely convince, Dutch striker Van Persie said he believes the Manchester club will be among the top four at the end of May. “That’s our aim this year to be sure,” he said. “To be in the top four.

“If you look at our players, fans, squad, stadium, it’s normal to be in the top four. This year we have a great manager, great staff, great fans so, when you look at everything together, it makes it hard [not to be in the Champions League].

“Everything is in place to be up there competing with the very best teams. I think we can do it and we will.”

With United’s fragile defence under the spotlight, having conceded nine goals in six games, the pressure is on the club’s attackers to produce the goods.

Falcao, Di Maria and captain Wayne Rooney and are all at Van Gaal’s disposal and Van Persie – buoyed after Saturday’s 2-1 win over West Ham – is confident the quartet can strike fear into their opponents.

“I think we can be able to actually do that. If you look at these players, they are great players in their individual way,” Van Persie said.

A

DELIGHTED Mark Hughes never doubted a home win was coming for Stoke City as they delivered with a 1-0 victory over Newcastle United.

Peter Crouch's 15th-minute header was enough to see Stoke to their first Premier League home win of the campaign on Monday.

Hughes, whose side jumped to 11th in the table with the win, was pleased and felt his team deserved the three points.

"We're delighted with that.

It was an important win for us, a big win," he told a news conference. "[There's been] a little bit of negativity around our home form. Our away form is excellent and we're delighted that looks very strong this season because that'll be important for us.

"We're always quite comfortable in the knowledge that we felt it was only a matter of time before our home form turned around.

"It was important that we had a positive result tonight and I think on the balance of play we deserved to win the game.

•Van Persie

“But now we are working together on this project and I think games like winning 4-0 against QPR help. We had a setback against Leicester [losing 5-3], but to win in these circumstances like the weekend sends a

message and shows that even in these difficult games we can win. Now we have to extend that.

“The first half was 11 v 11 and we were playing really well as a whole team. Eight minutes later it was 10 v 11

•Hughes

"In open play, we created any number of chances that on another day we could've converted. We're pleased with the win.

Victor Moses, on loan from Chelsea, provided the cross for Crouch's towering header in the first half.

Hughes said he had been thrilled with the 23-year-old since the Nigeria international's loan move to the club.

The only concern for Hughes is an injury to forward Mame Diouf, who has a suspected hamstring strain and came off midway through the first half.

and the whole thing changed, but the way we fought for each other was unbelievable.

“It was a bit nervewracking at times, but we dug in and we did it so it gave us a lot of confidence.”

Stoke chairman: I feel for Coach Ashley

S

TOKE Chairman Peter Coates says he has sympathy for Mike Ashley following Newcastle's poor start to the season.

Newcastle – who lost 1-0 to Stoke on Monday Night Football – are still without a league win this season and Coates feels for his opposite number at St James' Park.

“Football is a very difficult business,” he told Sky Sports News HQ. “It’s easy when you’re winning but when you’re not, it’s tough. man which ended in 1998 after the club were relegated to

•Coates

the third tier amid protests against his running of the club.

He bought the club back in 2005 and oversaw their promotion to the Premier League three years later – but still re-

members when things were not going so well.

“I had a lot of stick – it was a hostile crowd and an unpleasant environment and it makes it very difficult to work in – for everybody.

“I can remember the police wanting to know where I was going because they’d had threats – I’ve experienced the other side of this business.

“It’s not fun when it’s going wrong, I can assure you.”

Mignolet must improve, says Carragher

F

ORMER Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said Brendan Rodgers should look for a new goalkeeper if Simon Mignolet does not improve.

Mignolet became Liverpool's first choice last season following his arrival from Sunderland in a deal worth £9million, though he has failed to fully convince fans at Anfield.

The Belgium international has come under scrutiny this term, having already conceded 12 goals in eight matches in all competitions.

Liverpool have been linked with a move for former Barcelona keeper and free agent Victor Valdes.

Carragher told Sky Sports on Monday that Mignolet does not make enough "defining" saves after he was unable to deny Everton captain Phil Jagielka from equalising in sensational fashion on Saturday as Liverpool go in search of Premier League glory.

"I think the best goalkeepers who win big trophies make big saves at big moments," said

•Warnock •Carragher

Warnock wary of Jedinak’s absence

C Carragher.

"That was a big moment [the Jagielka goal]. It's not a massive mistake, but can he do better?

"Everyone always talks about Steven Gerrard slipping and costing Liverpool the league and you can never look at one individual and one mistake, but Demba Ba still had to go through.

"You're looking at your keeper and thinking: 'Come on, win us the league. Make that save that's going to be a defining moment in the season.'"

Carragher added: "We can all talk about goalscorers, players who win the league and make a big difference, but goalkeepers make a massive difference and at those big moments you've got to make big saves.

"Up until now in his Liverpool career he hasn't made those big saves. If it continues I can see Liverpool looking for another goalkeeper.

"There was talk of Victor Valdes because he is a free agent, but he has got to improve."

RYSTAL Palace boss Neil Warnock has admitted he is worried how his side will fare without talismanic captain Mile Jedinak in January.

The 30-year-old Eagles skipper will represent Australia as they host the Asia Cup, which begins on the 9th January.

And with the hosts predicted to excel in the tournament, Warnock could be without Jedinak for over three weeks, much to the former Leeds United manager's dismay.

“We will miss him,” Warnock told the London Evening Standard.

“He is the leader of the camp. Everything on and off

the field revolves around him.

"There is the Africa Cup of Nations at about the same time, too, so it will be difficult for a lot of teams in the Premier League in January and February.

"Mile has been able to push forward more than usual this season, too, and I think he can score more goals.”

After a slow start under Warnock, Palace have propelled themselves up the table, and now sit ninth after back-to-back wins over Everton and Leicester.

"The players work hard for each other and, when you look at how we play for each other, we’ve got a good chance of surviving," Warnock added.

61

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

SPORT EXTRA CONTEMPT OF COURT THREAT

I can’t go to jail, says minister S

PORTS Minister Tammy Danagogo has denied that he was served a Jos High Court order restraining the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) from conducting yesterday’s elective congress that produced Delta State Sports Commission’s boss, Pinnick Amaju as its president.

In a chat with the minister shortly after he received the

• Denies being served restraining order From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja High Commissioner of Tanzania, Daniel Ole Njoolay in his Abuja National Stadium Office yesterday, Danagogo told journalists that he was not at risk of going to jail for contempt of court because he did not get any court order

directing the federation not to hold its elective congress.

When asked if he and the NFF delegates at the congress were in contempt of court, Danagogo said: “I can’t speak for the others that you say were served by the court whether they are heading for jail or not, but I am not head-

• Nemanja Matic of Chelsea scores a goal to make the score 1-0 over Sporting Lisbon with a looping header in last night’s UEFA Champions League cracker in Lisbon, Portugal

SPORTING LISBON 0 – 1 CHELSEA

Matic’s header earns Blues vital win

A

LOOPING header from Nemanja Matic was enough to earn Chelsea a crucial win in their Champions League Group Stage clash against Sporting Lisbon last night.

The Serbia international rose to power home from a Cesc Fabregas corner in the 34th minute to claim all three points for the Blues and send them top of Group G after Schalke and Maribor could only muster a draw.

Jose Mourinho’s side started brightly, and Diego Costa should have put his side in front after just two minutes, but his effort was denied by Sporting keeper Rui Patricio.

Andre Schurrle looked lively in the opening stages and should have buried a sitter, but instead his run was stopped by Patricio.

However it was Matic who gave his side the lead with his floating header 10 minutes before the interval, putting Chelsea

in complete control of the game.

Manchester United loanee Nani threatened Thibaut Courtois early in the second half before Oscar wasted another opportunity for the west London outfit.

Diego Costa was brutally halted in his tracks by Mauricio, resulting in a yellow card for the Sporting man, before lashing a shot into the side netting.

Filipe Luis dragged a late effort wide but Chelsea held on to claim all three points in Portugal.

dium after Sergio Aguero’s opener.

It was also Totti’s first ever goal in England, and his second against English opposition during his career - his first coming against Newcastle in 1999.

Italy’s World Cup winner from 2006, who turned 38 on Saturday, has not scored in the Champions League since the 2010-11 season when he scored the winning goal in Roma’s 3-2 group stage victory over Bayern Munich.

It is Roma’s first time back in the top European competition since that campaign, in which they crashed out at the last-16 stage to Shakhtar Donetsk.

RESULTS

Totti becomes oldest goalscorer

R

OMA forward Francesco Totti has become the oldest goalscorer in Champions League history with his strike against Manchester City yesterday.

The Giallorossi veteran became the first ever 38-year-old to score in the elite European competition, leapfrogging Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs who has held the record since 2011 when he scored against Benfica at the age of 37 years and 290 days.

Totti’s record-breaking goal came courtesy of a dinked effort over Man City goalkeeper Joe Hart, which levelled the scores in the first half at the Etihad Sta-

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CSKA 0 - 1 Bayern Man City 1 - 1Roma PSG 3 - 2 Barcelona APOEL 1 - 1 Ajax Sporting 0 - 1 Chelsea Schalke 1 - 1 Maribor Shakhtar 2 - 2 Porto BATE 2 - 1 Athletic TODAY’S FIXTURES Zenit v Monaco Arsenal v Galatasaray Atlético v Juventus FC Basel v Liverpool A’erlecht v Dortmund L’kusen v Benfica L’ogorets v Real Madrid Malmö v Olympiakos

ing for jail.

“I am not schooled to disobey Court orders and I won’t disobey a court order.

I don’t like or encourage anybody to disobey court orders.

I am not aware whether the order has been processed or not. The court has its way of resolving issues. At the end of the day I know that I am certainly not heading for jail,” Danagogo said with laughter.

Speaking further on the matter, the minister said: “I am aware that FIFA has given a lot of directives and there are efforts to implements those directives. You must know that this is NFF’s issue. We try as much as we can as government to allow NFF and their stakeholders to run their affairs. We only come in when we feel there is need to come in, in the public interest.

“So, if FIFA gave them (NFF) directives and they say they are implementing the directives, then so be it. At the end of the day whatever comes out of it as it affects football in Nigeria and Nigerians we will look at what they (the NFF) have done, we will liaise with FIFA and then we will act on it.

“I am aware that there are statements that court ordered. Orders have been made by court and directives have been given and so on and so forth. But you know that these are legal and technical issues. There may be issues of true interpretations of these orders. Lawyers are in a better position to interpret those orders. You (sporting press) don’t have it (the court order), I don’t have it. So we are not in a proper position to say this is this or that is that.

“But at the end of the day we will look at all the issues on ground and we will be able to intervene where necessary in the best interest of this country. We have refused to interfere in the activities of the federation (NFF) but we will intervene (when need be) in the interest of the country.

“Are you aware whether I have been served or not? So you will not know. The last time an order came (from the court and I was served) I quickly acted on it. Let me tell you this; in law the documentary evidence supersedes oral evidence. If you come and tell me now that there is a court order I can jolly well say that that is a gossip or a rumour.

So you don’t tell me about a court order, but you give me or serve me a court order.

“You must read between the lines and properly interpret meanings. The last time you people (sports journalists) are referring to, a mandatory directive was given to the most senior civil officer to take over (the affairs of the Nigeria Football Federation). So you must understand why I had to come in. Somebody was asked to take over and somebody was already there and two people were fighting for one position.

I intervened and said allow the person to be there while we seek FIFA’s clarification on the issue as well as the office of the Attorney General and possibly see how we can resolve the matter.”

• Chukwumerije (left)

Chukwumerije trains for WTF Grand Prix in UK

T

O ensure a good outing at the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) Grand Prix holding in Manchester this month, Beijing Olympics bronze medalist, Chika Chukwumerije has intensified training ahead of the tourney in Abuja.

The Team Nigeria captain to the London 2012 Olympic Games told NationSport yesterday that he is perfecting his skills to ensure he impresses at the tournament.

“I train regularly now and I must ensure I do well to be able to garner points for the Rio 2016 Olympics in Brazil. There is no doubt that it is going to be a tough competition as the world’s best are expected to compete at the tournament holding at the Manchester Central Convention Complex in the United Kingdom (UK) on October 24 to 26. I am getting in shape and I hope to be in top form for the event, which is a massive point-hauling championship in the calendar of the WTF,” he said.

Chukwumerije missed from the China Grand Prix but was able to feature in the Kazakhstan Grand Prix, which ensured his final listing in the top 32 athletes that will compete in the men’s +87kg of the champi-

By Olalekan Okusan onship.

To make it to the last 16 in Kazakhstan last August, Chukwumerije defeated the inaugural Grand Prix finalist, and current 2014 Dutch Opens gold medalist, Guilherme Cezario Felix of Brazil, 8-1 in the opening round, before narrowly bowing to world number three, England’s Mahama Cho 3-5 in the last 16.

Ready for the task ahead in Manchester, he said: “It was critical I got enough momentum to make it to the next Grand Prix in Manchester. Now, I have to get myself back into the kind of shape I should be in, and I am looking forward to the challenge.”

The WTF Grand Prix, is the most interesting and competitive series on the WTF Calendar, and has had the taekwondo world buzzing since the inaugural edition in December 2013.

Only the world’s top 31 athletes in each weight category, based on their recent 2014 WTF Olympic ranking, are eligible for the tournament, and the Grand Prix series have a direct impact on qualification for the Rio 2016 Olympics, as a massive 40 Olympic ranking points are at stake.

Rio 2016: Athletes bank on NSC for more races

N

ATIONAL athletes that featured at the Commodore's Boat Cruise and Race held at the Navy Sailing Club (NSC) on Saturday have called for more races as preparation for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games get underway.

One of the athletes, Gbamire Tunde and some of his colleagues stated that with such races they would be better prepared for the task ahead.

Buoyed by the excellent performances put up by athletes and the large turnout of members of the club for the race, the NSC’s Commodore Giwa Daramola pledged to ensure that there are many more races to keep the athletes busy as the march towards Rio 2016 continues.

By Stella Bamawo Speaking at the end of the race which was the first in the tenure of his administration, the Commodore said: “The athletes have had fun just as guests and members of the club. However, the focus for us is to ensure that we have more races to keep the athletes on their toes at all times. Water sports, comprising sailing, canoeing, rowing, kayaking and a lot more, are Nigeria’s biggest chance of winning many medals and to be counted as a strong force. Nigeria has great potential with the natural resources of water that surrounds us. We also have athletes who with better exposure will do greatly among the very best in the world.”

• Nigarian Olympian, Jonathan Akinyemi

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

62

CITYBEATS Flood sweeps away siblings in Lagos T

WO siblings were swept away by flood during yesterday’s downpour in Lagos.

The tragedy occurred on Richard Abimbola Street in Ilasamaja, Lagos, when the children, a boy (9) and a girl (5), went out to urinate in a nearby drainage.

Their mother was said to have left her elder sister whose makeshift home is near the drainage.

The children had requested to go out and urinate during the rain and their

By Medinat Kanabe

aunt allowed them.

After urinating, they started playing in the rain and the girl fell into the drainage.

Her brother rushed to her rescue and both of them were swept away by the surging floor.

An eyewitness, Tunde James told The Nation that

the girl fell into the canal first. “Her brother tried to rescue her when he also fell in. The wave took them to Jimoh Ibrahim Street, Ilasamaja. The girl was dead when they were found but the boy was still alive. He died on his way to the hospital,” he said.

Their bodies were recovered in a nearby canal after the downpour.

CITYBEATS LINE: 08023247888

Sympathisers gathered in their aunty’s home, weeping after the incident.

Their aunt was inconsolable as she bemoaned her loss.

Sources said when the news of the children’s death was broken to their mother, she fainted and was revived.

It was gathered that when she got to her sister’s house she broke down.

Three bus conductors jailed 21years for armed robbery

A

N Ikeja High Court in Lagos sentenced yesterday three bus conductors to 21years imprisonment for armed robbery.

They bagged seven years each.

They are Paul Sunday, 30; Adewale Taofeek, 27 and Shina Shoyeye, 24.

Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo found them guilty on a twocount charge of conspiracy and armed robbery.

Justice Onigbanjo held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

The prosecution, he said, produced credible, cogent and convincing evidences enough to convict them.

Justice Onigbanjo said the jail term would run concurrently starting from the date the defendants were remanded in prison custody on December 1, 2009.

The findings of the court, he said, were not only based on the confessional state-

‘

A police officer also testified that the first defendant was handed over to him with a wooden gun.

By Adebisi Onanuga

ment made by one of the convicts. The court, the judge said, also looked outside the confessional statement.

In the charge to which they pleaded not guilty, the convicts were said to have robbed Stephen Ameh of his mobile phone and money with a carved wood shaped like a gun.

Justice Onigbanjo said: “I have no doubt that there was indeed robbery on the said date. The defendants were caught with an offensive weapon to wit a carved wood shaped like a gun.

“The prosecution was able to establish a case of robbery. The defendants in their statements claimed to be bus conductors. “The first

’

defendant pointed a wooden gun and asked the victim to surrender his belongings.

“A police officer also testified that the first defendant was handed over to him with a wooden gun.”

A

The defence counsel, Mr. Lateef Salami, pleaded for leniency, saying the convicts had been in prison since 2009.

Objecting to the defence counsel’s plea for leniency, the prosecutor, Mr. Ola Oke, argued that where the law specifies sentence for an offence the court does not have any discretion. He urged the court to pass the sentence.

•Scene of the tragedy

Security man, 40, charged with raping girl, 13

SECURITY guard, Matthew Sunday, who allegedly had carnal knowledge of a 13year-old girl, appeared yesterday before a Yaba Chief Magistrate’s Court in Lagos.

Sunday, 40, who lives in Immaculate High School, Mende, Maryland, in Lagos, is standing trial for child rape.

The Prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Godwin Anyanwu, told

the court that the accused committed the offence on September 25, while guarding the school premises.

Anyanwu said that defendant beckoned to the teenager, who was running an errand for her mother, grabbed her, and forced her into his room.

“Sunday shut the door and forcefully had carnal knowledge of the teenager.

“She came out of his room

bruised and bleeding, which attracted the attention of some officials of the school.

“She was then taken to the hospital with the school bus where it was confirmed that the teenager had been defiled,’’ the prosecutor said.

He said the offence contravened Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The Magistrate, Mrs Yewande Aje-Afunwa, ordered that the file be forwarded to the

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 137 prescribes life imprisonment for anyone found liable of defilement of a minor.

The accused pleaded not guilty.

Mrs Aje-Afunwa granted the accused N100,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum and adjourned the case to October 29 for DPP’s advice.

SHOWBIZ

National honours: What it means to us, say Joke Silva, Kenneth Nnebue

A

GAIN, it was a day of glory for the Nigerian motion picture industry, otherwise called Nollywood, when three of its best, Joke Silva, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde and Kenneth Nnebue, were all conferred with the Member of the Order of Federal Republic (MFR) on Monday by President Goodluck Jonathan at the colourful ceremony held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, as part of the celebratory activities to mark Nigeria’s 54th Independence anniversary.

The veteran Nollywood stars were among the over 313 Nigerians honoured for their contributions to national development, particularly in their areas of endeavour.

One of the recipients, Joke Silva, who turned 53 on Monday when she was conferred with the Member of the Federal Republic (MFR) award, said: “Today happens to be my birthday. For me, it’s the best birthday gift ever. What more can I ask for?”

The versatile actress, who could not conceal her emotions, further said: “One of the surprising things for me was to see the President wear a dazzling smile. It was nice to also see so many honourable Nigerians. You can’t, but feel so honoured in such a moment. So, I feel

By Mercy Michael

greatly honoured and humbled.”

When asked if the award would change anything about her, she said: “Nothing is going to change. I will just continue to work the way I have been working.”

However, Kenneth Nnebue, who is famed for his 1992 movie, Living in Bondage, was absent at the ceremony. The ace movie producer, who initially declined comments on his absence at the awards ceremony, however, said: “From the day I became born-again, I decided to leave the things of the

world. I don’t want to talk about the award. The award I talk about now is the award that Christ will give when he comes”.

Contrary to the insinuations in some quarters, he said his absence at the event didn’t mean that he would not accept the award. According to him, “I don’t fall under the category of those who turn down such honour. It is a good thing and I appreciate it. But I am running a race. You may not understand. I appreciate it, but I am looking at the Cross. I don’t talk about anything except the coming of Jesus Christ.”

4th AFRIFF: 250 movie buffs register in first week

T

HERE are indications that the record of attendees for this year’s Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) will surpass that of previous editions, with 250 applications already received within the first week of registration.

Feelers from the festival secretariat has it that the ongoing registration exercise has recorded an impressive number of requests from filmmakers in Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Cameroon, South Africa, Senegal, Mali, Malawi, Uganda and several other African countries.

Reports say the pack received so far also includes requests from Africans in the Diaspora as well as individual filmmakers and film companies in Europe, United Kingdom, United States and Canada.

For the festival which is in its fourth year, the success story is unprecedented, even as organisers say the best is yet to come.

Since its first edition in 2010, AFRIFF has provided free training and talent development opportunities for young people and aspiring filmmakers. Interestingly, another aspect of this year’s edition which has swelled traffic on the festival’s website is the hands on training and workshop on scriptwriting, cinematography, acting and directing for aspiring filmmakers in Africa.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AFRIFF, Chioma Ude, noted that from this workshop, AFRIFF is planning to take 10 students to a prestigious university in the United States of America for further training in various aspects of filmmaking. She explained that through this initiative and several others, the festival plans to change the economic horizon of the African film industry.

“We believe we can use this model for a social revolution that will change the economic horizon of the African film industry, by providing technical knowledge and skill to enhance the abundant talents in our film community,” she said.

This time, beneficiaries of the training will be expected to shoot a short film after their course abroad, in fulfilment of their training billed to be entered into the festival’s students’ short category for the subseq u e n t AFRIFF in 2015, Ude added.

According to the festival guidelines, registration for the workshops which opened at the new AFRIFF website, www.afriff.com on September 15, will close on October 17, while general registration will end on October 31.

AFRIFF 2014 is scheduled to take place at the popular Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort, Calabar, Cross River State from November 9 to 16.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

63

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan may not have created Boko Haram (BH), but anyone who has doubted charges that he is apparently in no hurry to end the sect’s insurgency because it suits his ambition for another term needs look no further than three major events in the last one month to think again.

First, of course, was the claim, late August, by an Australian Anglican clergy, Dr. Stephen Davis, that former army chief, Lt-General Azubuike Ihejirika, former Borno State governor, Senator Modu Sheriff, and an unnamed Central Bank of Nigerian official were major financial sponsors of BH. Second, was the shocking $9.3 million cash for arms scandal in South Africa that came to light on September 5, involving the Federal Government, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and his controversial private jet. Third, was the Senate’s approval last Thursday of President Jonathan’s request in June for a $1 billion (roughly N170 billion) loan to buy weapons for the war against BH. To begin with the last, the president’s very request for the loan was proof positive that the orchestrated attacks by senior government officials on the governor of Borno State, Alhaji Kassim Shettima, for saying BH was better armed and better motivated than our military was sheer blackmail. For 30 months from mid1967, Nigeria fought a terrible civil war, but under the prudent management of Chief Obafemi Awolowo as Finance minister and prime minister in all but the name, we did not borrow one kobo to arm and motivate our military to win the war. And the chief, who was not even a development economist but only a lawyer, albeit a big lawyer - and his boss, General Yakubu Gowon - did not have the benefit of the stupendous oil wealth that has accrued to this nation since 1999.

The size of this oil wealth has been used as an excuse to put a huge amount of it aside for “rainy days” in the form of Sovereign Wealth Fund, foreign reserve and so on. Now, if the BH insurrection is not rainy days, I don’t know what is.

To seek for a loan to fight BH obviously raises the questions, why borrow when you have put so much away for rainy days and what, in the first place, happened to all those huge amounts that had been budgeted for the fight against the insecurity in the land?

Nothing exposes the use of this insecurity to hide the motive for letting the BH insurrection fester better than the excuse the rump of our senators, led by its leadership, gave for ramming the approval down our throats; the loan, claimed the leadership, had “security implications”, or some words to that effect. When opposition elements raised valid objections based on constitutional and legal requirements for acceding to the president’s request, they were simply rolled over by a voice vote.

Here, it must be said in the senate leadership’s favour that they even allowed for some amount of debate; at the lower chamber, the leadership simply refused to allow any debate on the $9.3 million scandal because it said it was all “a matter of security”, or words to that effect.

The questions about why we needed to borrow in the face of the huge votes for fighting

C

INEMA buffs know that we first had Hollywood, America’s world bestraddling soft power, which unbeknownst to many is its most virile instrument of imperialism. Then came Bollywood, India’s own cinema empire, which captivated the attention of Africa in the 70s, and today, Nollywood, takes the centre-stage.

In fact, the last 20 years have witnessed the ascendance of Nigeria’s cheap home-video flicks, churned out by the dozen.

Love Nollywood or hate it, It tells the Nigerian and African story and it has dominated Africa and the under-developed world. It has helped many countries of Africa realise that even they too have stories to tell the world. For instance, Nollywood could claim to be the gynaecologist that delivered Ghana’s own Ghollywood. And we almost forgot: Nollywood is instrumental to the recent re-basing of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). But please do not ask Hardball for further

VOL.9 NO.2,988

TODAY IN THE NATION ‘What manner of country @54 is still at war with itself since October 1st 1960? Instead of another party and day off work, all 100+m of us should be forced to stand still for one hour and think deeply, and take stock of our sorry state as an LGA, state, country and consider if we are actually a nation.

TONY MARINHO

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

People and Politics By

MOHAMMED HARUNA ndajika@yahoo.com

Again, Boko Haram; a war with no end

•Jonathan

insecurity in the land takes us to the first event, namely, the claim by Dr. Davis that Gen. Ihejirika, Alhaji Modu and an unnamed CBN official have been major financiers of BH. Serious questions can be raised about the Anglican priest’s claims in spite of the fact that he has worked for the federal authorities in the past and he seems to have inside knowledge of BH phenomenon.

First, he provides no evidence for his claim beyond the say-so of the insurgents. And their say-so cannot be sufficient proof since they have good reason to tar the two gentlemen Davis cared to name: the general for at least ostensibly fighting them and the former governor for creating and using them and then dumping them. Second, why refuse to go the whole hog and name the third alleged culprit?

In spite of these and other questions over Davis’s credibility, there can be no justification for the manner in which our Department of State Security, speaking through Ms. Ogar, dismissed Davis, especially in her overzealousness in defending the general and leaving the “bloody civilian” governor to fend for himself. As Ms Ogar knows all too well, in the murky world of state security, stuff happens, as Americans would say.

If you need any evidence that stuff happens, consider the little publicised – at least in the Nigerian media - report Human Rights Watch (HRW) issued on July 21, in which it alleged that “The FBI ( Federal Bureau of Investigation, the American equivalent of our DSS) encouraged and sometimes even paid Muslims to commit

terrorist acts during numerous sting operations after the 9/11 attacks.”

The report was based on HRW’s joint examination with Columbia University Law School’s Human Rights Institute of 27 cases and interviews with 215 people including those charged and convicted in terrorism cases, their relatives, defence and prosecution lawyers and judges.

“In some cases,” the HRW report said, “the FBI may have created terrorists out of law-abiding individuals by suggesting the idea of taking terrorist action or encouraging the target to act.”

Now, remember we are tutored in these things principally by the Americans – along with the Israelis and the British, all three, masters of the dark art and science of warfare - and it would therefore not be surprising if, as good students, we have learnt a thing or two about dirty tricks from them in our fight against insecurity in the land.

In the circumstance, the least our DSS could have done was pretend to investigate Davis’s allegations and not jump to the defence of only one of the two named accused and thus open itself to suspicions that it did so because the one is a Christian and the other a Muslim, especially given the widespread belief among Muslims in the country that its security apparatus is generally anti-Islam and anti-Muslims.

The knee-jerk defence of Ihejirika has become all the more indefensible in the light of recent demands by the Americans, no less, that Ihejirika’s alleged stupendous wealth after serving as army chief needs to be investigated.

For the Americans, it seems, there is correlation between the general’s sudden wealth and the ill-equipment and poor motivation of our army in the fight against insecurity in the land.

Finally, the cash and carry arms(?) deal in South Africa that came to light on September 5.

I put a question mark over “arms” because there is widespread suspicion that the whole thing was simply a long-running money laundering operation involving some influential rogue elements in government and the controversial CAN president and his controversial private jet gone awry, for once.

The Federal Government has claimed ownership of, and responsibility for, the transfer of the $9.3 million cash involved in the CAN president’s private jet, ostensibly to buy arms apparently on the black market because, it says, the Americans have refused to allow it to buy arms in the white market. The Americans have

HARDBALL

How about Chimewood? clarifications on that.

But of course you are not interested in the history of Nigeria’s cinematography; at least not on this space. And Hardball can confirm that he is neither an expert in that world of glitz and make-believe. We are actually intrigued today by the inscrutable and mirthless Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State. Well, Enugu could lay claim to the title of the unofficial headquarters of Nollywood but that feat is with nary a helping from Chime. What then?

Hardball is thrilled by the fact that the Chime household, his government and politics have become repositories of so much dramatic stories to create another cinematic wood and takes the liberty to term it Chimewood.

Here are the bankable themes for block-buster Chimewood flicks. There was the episode of

Governor Chime being sick and abroad for many months and his dowager of a chief of staff be-straddled the state. In such a situation, you would hate to be a deputy governor but that indeed is the story. To prove this point, try these titles: “The Powerful Wrapper” or “The Governor’s Woman”.

There was also the episode recently of Chime ‘cannibalising’ his deputy on account of his rearing chickens in his official residence.

The entire legislature was corralled into impeaching the deputy governor who apparently loved home-bred chicken so much he lost his exalted job. Titles like: “The Chicken Chasers” or “Government Fowl” are suggested here.

A few days ago, Governor Chime called together members of his party and without any such annoying equivocation or even

since denied the charge.

In any case, few people believe government’s defence; as the activist lawyer, Festus Keyamo, said in one of the first reactions to government’s story, it all sounded like “a cock-and-bull story.” In other words, the Federal Government’s story, as an attempt to help extricate the CAN president, is as water tight as a sieve; Oritsejafor has said he only leased his jet to a second company in which he admits he has shares but which in turn leased it to a third party that carried the cash to buy arms under the table for the fight against BH. But, as the retired Anthony Cardinal Okogie said in an interview in last Saturday’s New Telegraph, “The Head of State is a PDP man and he (Oritsejafor) is linked with this rubbish. So what other proof do you want that CAN has become an appendage of the PDP?” Boko Haram’s insurgency, it seems, has, as I once said on these pages, become a war with no end for the purpose of retaining power and wealth by some people.

May the Good Lord by whose mercy these shenanigans have come to light bring an end to the insecurity of the long suffering Nigerians.

The birthday of a septuagenarian...

Professor Shehu Bida, Marafa Nupe, born in Okene, Kogi State, in 1934 is 80 today. He was the first veterinary doctor in the North when he graduated from Veterinary College, Tuskegee, Alabama, USA, in 1967. He received his Masters degree in the USA in 1969 and his PhD from the London University in 1973. He went on to teach the subject in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and became one of its early professors in the seventies.

He eventually retired and went on to serve as one of the few highly educated chairmen of local governments in the North and his native Bida in the eighties. He has since retired from active paid public service and is today one of the most respected elders in Nupeland.

Happy birthday Marafa Nupe and here’s wishes of many more happy returns.

...and the death of a nonagenarian

Last Thursday, my older friend, Alhaji Ahmad Abubakar Jarma, died at 94. All the tributes paid to him talked mostly about his role as a pioneer agriculturalist in the North, being one of the region’s first graduates in the disciple. There was hardly any mention of his role as a selfless community and religious leader who did a lot to popularise the Islamic calendar in the country. It was through his influence, for example, that the New Nigerian under my management in the late eighties started the publication of the lunar dates in its folio.

Interestingly, he was married to Jummai, one of the famous Wusasa, Zaria, Miller twinsisters who were Christians. Husband and wife lived a happy and harmonious life as a couple of different faiths. Readers of Weekly Trust will recall the sisters celebrated their 80th birthday last year.

I will miss Jarma for the elderly advice he often called on the phone to give me. May Allah grant him aljanna firdaus.

•For comments, send SMS to 08059100107

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above prevarication that is the trademark of governance in Nigeria, he told them pointblank whom the next governor would be. Wow! What a great story there. How about titles like: “My Choice is Final” or “When God Has Spoken”?

One more episode and we roll. Never short of drama in his domain, Chime had fallen out with his beautiful, young, second wife, Clara, some months back. It was a bitter quarrel that seized onlookers by the scruff.

Clara accused Chime of inflicting serious psychological trauma on her and holding her without her consent. But hubby said wife was unstable and needed protective custody. She quit the government lodge to stem the ensuing hoopla.

Today Clara writes the most beautiful love letters strewn with roses and published in national newspapers to Chime seeking forgiveness. While Hardball prays for peace and reunion, here is one Chimewood title for the road: “Gubernatorial romantics”.

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