The Nation October 02, 2012

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Otedola’s N141b payment for probe

Orubebe testifies at Okah’s trial

NEWS

Page 8

NEWS Page 8

•House demands detail from AMCON

•Minister tells court about ex-militant

www.thenationonlineng.net

VOL. 7, NO. 2266 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

ONDO 2012

N150.00

•Tinubu, other ACN leaders for Ikare rally •I ’ll build seaport, says Akeredolu •Fashola: what has Mimiko done so far?

•AND MORE ON

PAGES 4&5

Joint Task Force steps up battle against Boko Haram THE BROOM REVOLUTION HITS AKURE

Six members killed in fighting Bomb suspects held in Ibadan Sect’s leader vows more attacks From Abiodun Joseph, Maiduguri, Bisi Oladele, Tayo Johnson, Ibadan and Tony Akowe, Kaduna

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T was a bad Independence Day for the fundamentalist Boko Haram sect yesterday.

Six suspected members of the group were killed by the Joint Task Force in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital and Zaria, the university town in Kaduna State.

One was killed in a gun duel in Zaria; five were gunned down in Maiduguri.

But the sect’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, vowed more attacks, saying the group would target government officials’ and military leaders’ wives – in retaliation for the detention of its members’ wives.

Shekau said the nation’s military and security agencies have seized 10 women who are Continued on page 8

•Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (right) and Ondo ACN governorship candidate Rotimi Akeredolu during a campaign rally in Akure, Ondo State...yesterday. Story on page 4

Akeredolu ‘ll transform Ondo, says Fashola

Relief coming for floods victims, says Jonathan

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RYING floods victims may soon get some help from the Federal Government.

President Goodluck Jonathan said yesterday that the Federal Government would collaborate with the affected states and local governments in reaching out to the victims. Many have lost their homes and businesses since the ravaging floods became serious last month.

Besides, Dr. Jonathan assured Nigerians of better days ahead, saying that there has been inflow of foreign investments, which is •The speech an indication of - Page43 e c o n o m i c growth.

The President spoke in a national broadcast to mark Nigeria’s 52nd Independence anniversary.

“In the last few weeks, for example, many of our communities have been ravaged by floods, resulting in the loss of lives and property and the displacement of persons.

“I want to reassure all affected Nigerians that I share in their grief, and our administration is taking steps to address these incidents, in collaboration with the states and local governments.

“We have received the interim report of the presidential team that was set up to assess the flooding situation Continued on page 8

From Damisi Ojo and Leke Akeredolu, Akure

L •Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun inaugurating the NLC Secretariat in Abeokuta...yesterday. Story on Page 59

AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola yesterday said he is optimistic that Ondo State will witness a rapid transformation in all sectors, if the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) standard bearer, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, is voted into office on October 20.

Akeredolu will create employment opportunities for youths, he said.

Continued on page 5

•ENERGY P13 •PROPERTY P17 •SPORT P24 •POLITICS P43 •MARITIME P51

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THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

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THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

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NEWS ONDO 2012

Ex-PDP Secretary joins ACN From Damisi Ojo, Akure

HE former Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akoko North West Local Government, Mr. Phalics Apalowo, at the weekend resigned his appointment and joined the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

Apalowo, speaking with reporters in Akure, said he left the PDP to join those he called “the progressive forces” to take the state to a greater height.

He said his formal declaration would hold on October 4.

The Special Assistant (SA) to Governor Olusegun Mimiko on Special Interest, Mr. Jerry Akinwunmi and former Ilaje Local Government Caretaker Chairman have defected from the ruling Labour Party (LP) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Others are the Personal Assistant (PA) to the Senator representing Ondo South, Boluwaji Kunlere, Oluwanbe Olomu and their supporters, who defected to the PDP at Okitipupa.

The former LP leaders officially joined the PDP at the local government rally of the part held at the weekend.

They were received by the governorship candidate of the PDP, Chief Olusola Oke. The politicians and their supporters said they dumped the LP for the PDP because they have discovered that the party and its leaders do not possess the economic blueprint that could transform the state.

They said the LP led- government is not interested in the development of the riverine areas.

They alleged that the Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC) under the LP has served as an intervention agency for a few leaders of the party, thereby encouraging the diversion of the billions accruing to the agency into the private pockets of a few politicians in the Labour Party.

“Our people are suffering in the hands of the Labour Party. We thought they would add value to our lives, but the reverse is the case.

After watching events, we decided to dump the party for a more progressive party like the PDP, which has been tested and trusted in our local government area.

“We have decided to join hands with the leaders of the party to allow the good work they have done in our area to continue,” they said.

Timilehin Olowofoyeku, the Special Adviser on Media to the incumbent Caretaker Chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area and Timi Sobijoh, Special Assistant to the Ese-Odo Caretaker Chairman also defected to the PDP. Welcoming the new members, Oke and his running mate, Saka Lawal, received them into the PDP fold.

The former PDP National Legal Adviser said the party would do everything to transform the lives of the people of the area.

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•SUPPORT FROM UNUSUAL QUARTERS: Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the Ondo State Secretariat (right) hailing Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) supporters following the motorcade of ACN governorship candidate Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola as they campaigned...yesterday

ACN leaders allege intimidation L

by LP, police EADERS of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ondo State yesterday accused Governor Olusegun Mimiko of intolerance. They alleged that the ruling Labour Party (LP) and the police have struck a deal to molest opposition figures ahead of the October 20 governorship poll.

The party chieftains, who spoke with reporters in Akure, including former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief Wumi Adegbomire, former Commerce and Industry Commissioner, Prince Olu Adegboro, former House of Representatives member, Dr. Jayeola Ajatta and Prof.

Agboola Ogunlowo alleged that suspected LP thugs were harassing ACN members and disrupting their meetings.

Adegbomire, an associate of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and the Asiwaju of Akureland, attributed the onslaught to the growing popularity of the ACN and its standard bearer, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu. He added that the defection to the opposition party has made the governor jittery.

Adegbomire hailed the people for shunning what he described as “the evil of the Labour Party”, which he said had enslaved the land and misused its resources for political trivialities.

The defunct Action Group (AG), Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and

•Ajatta, others report harassment to police

By Emmanuel Oladesu Deputy Political Editor

Alliance for Democracy (AD) chieftain said many people have been cajoled by Mimiko with sweet words, thereby deluding themselves into thinking that the various awards given him were due to good performance.

He added: “If you have performed as you have claimed, why are you afraid of the opposition?

The governor is afraid of the opposition because his achievements are fake and unsubstantiated.

Where are the roads he has built?

Where are the health centres?

Where are jobs for the youth?

Where are the schools he has built, apart from the over-exaggerated mega schools? Can he tell us how much he has received and how much he has wasted on awards?

He will know on October 20 that he is not popular and we cannot be deceived in Ondo State.”

Ajatta condemned the invasion of his street in Ikaramu-Akoko by policemen who scared the people, making the elderly and children to panic.

He said: “Eight police vehicles

came to my home and policemen drove recklessly, harassing me, my household and neighbours who identify with the ACN. This is why I will report the incident to the Commissioner of Police. It is terrible. I am a responsible citizen. Before I came into politics, I had made my name. I am an elder in my community. I am a leader in my party. Why should anybody send police to harass me in my home? It is absurd.”

Ajatta said the election would be decided by competence, past performance and record, adding that power shift is the goal of the people.

He added: “Harassment, molestation, repression and intimidation of the opposition cannot work in Ondo. Nobody will run away from anybody. The state belongs to all of us. Instead of providing jobs for our youths, they are turning them into thugs. This will soon stop.”

Prof. Ogunlowo decried the defacement and tearing of ACN posters across the 18 local governments by hired thugs, saying it is the height of intolerance.

He flayed the governor and LP

ACN uncovers plot to disrupt rally

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NDO State chapter of the Action Congress of

Nigeria (ACN) yesterday alleged plot by the ruling Labour Party (LP) to disrupt the party’s mega rally slated for Ikare -Akoko today.

The Akeredolu Campaign Organisation (ACO) alleged that Governor Olusegun Mimiko has made ACN uniform for suspected LP thugs,

By Emmanuel Oladesu Deputy Political Editor

who would cause trouble at the rally to embarrass the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande and other leaders.

ACO’s Director of Publicity and Strategy, Mr. Idowu Ajanaku, said in a statement that the party leaders have

alerted the police to the plot to disrupt the rally.

He said: “ACN has just uncovered a plot by Governor Mimiko to use suspected thugs to disrupt the rally taking place in Ikare-Akoko. We heard about a plan to give some boys ACN uniform to storm Ikare to disrupt the mega rally and embarrass our candidates and leaders.

“We appeal to the Commis-

sioner of Police to make security arrangements to prevent the invasion by thugs. Governor Mimiko has been holding rallies and nobody has disturbed him. He should not cause more troubles in the state. We need tolerance, peace and tranquility during the election. We urge the police to act fast in the interest of peace.

Violence is an ill wind that blows nobody any good.”

chieftains for being desperate to hold on to power despite the handwriting on the wall that their days are numbered.

The academic said ACN leaders and supporters would not yield to the intimidation of any power monger in the state.

He said: “This is a civilised state.

What is required is political tolerance, which is critical to peace and tranquility. The harassment of ACN leaders shows that the ruling party is gripped by the fear that it will lose this election, and indeed, Labour Party will lose the election.”

Former AD Women’s Leader, now an ACN leader, Princess Grace Animola, said the people of the state have realised the error of making an impostor a governor in 2007. She said Mimiko has disappointed the masses.

According to her, the governor has been flaunting markets and bus stops, which are under local governments, as the achievements of his administration.

Animola said: “Who can scare people like us with thugs in this state at this stage of our lives? This strategy of intimidation, attack and psychological assault will not work in a politically-conscious and sophisticated state like Ondo.

It is counter-productive. It will not work. It’s a waste of time.”

A party elder, Chief Bankole Ajayi, the Patron of the Egbe Omo Yoruba in the United States, said politics is still backward in Africa and Nigeria because retrogressive elements are in power.

He added: “I have relocated home from the U.S. because of this election. I went round my state and saw the emptiness. Achievements are advertised in the media without concrete proof. I went to the Specialist Hospital in Akure, which was established in 1947 and the x-ray machine was faulty. The hospital was like a market as people were not attended to. The emergency ward was an eyesore. I can’t see the evidence of good governance. This is why this election is crucial.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

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NEWS ONDO 2012

Tinubu, other ACN leaders storm T Akoko for rally

HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu , National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande and other leaders will storm Ondo State today for the beginning of the state-wide mega rallies at Ikare-Akoko in the Ondo North Senatorial District.

The governorship candidate, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), will unfold his manifestos for

By Emmanuel Oladesu Deputy Political Editor

the 18 local governments to the electorate.

He will be accompanied by his running mate, Dr. Paul Akintelure, whose choice has resulted

in the increase in the number of ACN supporters in the Ondo South Senatorial District.

Also expected at the rally are Southwest governors such as Babatunde Raji Fashola (Lagos), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Ibikunle Amo-

sun (Ogun), and Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti); National Assembly members, leaders, elders and well wishers across the country.

Vice-President Namadi Sambo will also begin the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaigns in Akure today, where the Zonal Leader, Mr. Segun Oni, will raise up the hand of t he go v e r n o r s h i p c an d i d at e , Mr. Olusola Oke.

Akeredolu promises to build seaport in Ilaje HE governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the October 20 election in Ondo State, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), concluded his campaign tour of wards yesterday with a promise to transform the riverine areas by building a seaport in Ilaje to boost the economy.

The ACN standard bearer, his running mate, Dr. Paul Akintelure and other party leaders like Chief Tayo Alasoadura, Director- General of the Akeredolu Campaign Organisation (ACO), Madam Erelu Modupe Johnson, the Women’s Leader, Mr. Wale Omojuwa, Chief

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Olu Tawose, Chief Ade Odoro among others were given a rousing reception by the supporters.

The traditional rulers at the event promised to support Akeredolu and his running mate by mobilising their subjects to vote for them.

The ACO spokesman, Mr. Idowu Ajanaku, said in a statement that he cried because of the environmental degradation he saw during his visit to the Ugbo Constituency.

He said despite the oil wealth, the people are wallowing in poverty.

Ajanaku decried the parlous state of the people and identified with them. He promised that they would no longer be neglected if Akeredolu is elected the governor.

Ajanaku said the electorate are justified to feel cheated by the Governor Olusegun Mimiko-led Labour Party administration.

The ACO spokesman assured the Ilaje people that under the Akeredolu leadership, the area would be transformed, as the seaport would attract economic activities from the neighbouring countries, which would complement the operations of the Lagos ports.

“The seaport will serve as a source of income for the government and create jobs for the people,” he added.

Ajanaku said Akeredolu would fulfil his promise to the electorate and would not abandon projects like Governor Mimiko who could not inaugurate a road in the three and a half years of his administration and who specialised in petty projects, such as building of market stalls, town halls and motor parks, while the rural areas and cities are in deplorable condition despite receiving over N600 billion from the federation account.

Akeredolu ‘ll transform Ondo, says Fashola •Continued from page 1 He said the masses are lamenting that the Olusegun Mimiko administration has failed to provide the basic amenities.

Fashola, who spoke at the ACN State Secretariat in Akure during a prayer session organised by the Muslim chapter of the party, assured the indigenes that the ACN government would not betray them.

The Lagos State Governor described Akeredolu as a trustworthy person, adding that he defended them at the election tribunals because of the injustice by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He said Akeredolu was part of the team that retrieved the mandate of the party from the oppressors.

He said: “I’m glad to be in this state today to canvass for votes and mobilise the people to support ACN and its candidate, Akeredolu. He has demonstrated that he is capable of wiping away tears from the eyes of the masses because in the past he fought for injustice and defended the masses. He led the legal team that restored the stolen mandates of the Ekiti, Osun, Edo and Ondo governors.

“He will never betray the people

and the party. Ondo people will smile during his tenure. Today, ACN remains the only party that has changed the lives of the masses in the country. I hope you are aware of the transformation projects already executed in Lagos, what Governor Adams Oshiomhole is doing in Edo. At present, Ekiti State is witnessing rapid transformation. I am delighted that my neighbour, the Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, has built a bridge and a six-lane road. None of these states has the resources Ondo has.

“The current administration in the state has enough resources to change the living standard of the masses, but it has failed to do so.

The governor has failed to provide jobs for the youths.

“I was disappointed when I read in a newspaper that the ruling Labour Party government promised to revamp the moribund industries in the state, if the people vote for him.

My question is, what has he been doing in the last three and a half years? This is political propaganda.

ACN will never make a promise without fulfilling it.

“Ondo has oil, gas and cocoa. This state is the pillar of cocoa production in the Southwest. As at now,

the state should have been producing chocolates for export. By initiating this, there will be employment opportunities for the people. “In Lagos, we have engaged our people through the creation of jobs. Over 7,000 people have been employed at the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA), 17,000 people have benefited from our skill acquisition programme and they are now independent, feeding their families. I don’t know why Ondo’s own is different.

“ACN under the leadership of Akeredolu, popularly called Aketi, will revamp the moribund industries established by the leaders of our party such as the late Chief Adekunle Ajasin and Chief Adebayo Adefarati. Akeredolu will never betray you, he is committed to the development of the state and I am sure during his regime, Ondo will witness rapid transformation because he knows the blueprint of the ACN. Our blueprint is transformation and creation of job opportunities for the people.”

Akeredolu described Fashola as the “skipper of all ACN Governors,” adding that it was his achievements in Lagos that created the channel which ACN used in taking over

other states in the Southwest.

The ACN candidate, who was accompanied by his wife, Chioma, urged the party members to turn out en masse for the senatorial district rally that would come up in Ikare, Ondo and Ore from today.

“After the senatorial campaign, please go back to your wards and units to mobilise the people to vote for the ACN on the election day,” Akeredolu said.

The Chief Imam of Qaulieayah Central Mosque at Ore in Odigbo Local Government, Sheik Aliyu Balogun Ibrahim and Alfa Akintuyi Azeez Jamiu predicted victory for the ACN. They urged Akeredolu not to neglect the people if he wins the election.

Dignitaries at the event included the Acting Chairman of the party, Chief Noah Adesoji, Senator Ajayi Boroffice, the Director-General of the Aketi Campaign Organisation, Chief Tayo Alasoadura, Ifedayo Abegunde and Joseph Ajatta.

Others are Tayo Abidakun, Olatunji Oshati, the treasurer of the party, Ade Adetimehin, Femi Adekanmbi, the State Women’s Leader, Erelu Modupe Johnson and Youths’ Leader, Enas Mohammed.

Mimiko’s report on 2007 poll tribunal fake, says Agagu From Damisi Ojo, Akure

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HE security reports which the ruling Labour Party (LP) purportedly submitted before the Ondo State Election Petition Tribunal in 2007 have been found to be fake.

Sources said the State Security Service (SSS) and the police have discovered that the reports purported to have emanated from the SSS were forged.

Former Governor Olusegun Agagu, who was sacked through the Appeal Court verdict on February 23, 2009 in Benin, in May 2010 petitioned, alleging that Governor Olusegun Mimiko forged the security reports on which the tribunal and the Appeal Court, Benin Division, based their judgment, which nullified Agagu’s election.

Agagu wrote the Chief Justice of the Federation (CJ) on the basis of the findings of the the Police Special Investigation Panel which discovered that the security reports were forged by the LP. Agagu said in the petition: “My grouse about the verdicts of the tribunal and the Court of Appeal is on the acceptance by the two tiers of courts that elections in 10 local governments where I won were marred by irregularities, while the votes cast in the seven local governments where the LP won were retained.”

He said: “In both judgments, (Tribunal and the Court of Appeal) the decision of the judges was based on the security reports purportedly written by the SSS. “The security reports, which have now been pronounced to be forgeries by the SSS and the police, were the basis for the verdict.”

Agagu said: “Mr. Chairman Sir, my counsel objected to the admission of the fake SSS reports more so that the SSS officer who was subpoenaed by my opponents stated on oath that the service did not originate or possess such reports.

“The PDP lost more than 62,926 votes through this flaw in two local government areas (Okitipupa and Irele) where the fake SSS reports were used in the judgment and could have influenced decisions in other local governments.

“You will agree with my Lord that it is against public interest for a party in a suit to produce fraudulent evidence to deceive the court into giving him a favourable judgment.

“On ground of public policy and equity, he should not be permitted or allowed to profit or continue to enjoy the fruits of such fraudulent victory or judgment, particularly where it has to do with a sensitive political office such as the exalted office of the governor of a state.”

Mimiko does not deserve second term, says Iji

By Emmanuel Oladesu Deputy Political Editor

•Iji

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NDO State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) chieftain, Comrade Sola Iji, yesterday dissected the Mimiko administration and said the governor does not deserve a second term.

The governorship aspirant, who stepped down for the party’s standard bearer, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), at the state congress, warned about the dangers of re-electing the

Labour Party (LP) administration.

Iji, a lawyer and unionist, said Governor Olusegun Mimiko has disappointed the voters who gave him their mandate, adding that his cosmetic performance is an embarrassment to the people.

He said: “There are development programmes that the resources of the state would have been able to put in place in the last three and a half years, which the governor has failed, refused or neglected to do.

There are many roads within and around our metropolitan towns that are crying for attention. These roads have become deplorable.

“Health care has been neglected. If you visit government hospitals, you can hardly find qualified medical personnel there. This is happening

in a state governed by a doctor. What you hear is abiye. What is abiye? Is abiye the only medical centre that should be patronised by the indigenes and residents throughout the 18 local governments and 203 wards?

Less attention has been given to this.

If you go to our schools, some of them have become dilapidated.

“Instead of building a mega school that does not meet the aspirations and yearnings of the people, we should fix the dilapidated ones. The rate of unemployment is very high. It is one of the worse in the Southwest. We are not supposed to be in this situation because our state is endowed. We have enough resources to create employment opportunities for our youths. Our industries are moribund. They are left to waste away.

“When you get to Oluwa Glass

Plc, you will be sorry. It is in a deplorable state. Government is not even taking a second look at it.

None of the industries has been revived. How do we create employment if the industries are left to die without any attention? This government has wasted opportunities and resources. Except you get somebody with a passion to serve, somebody who is caring, somebody whose aim of coming into power is not to amass wealth; we will continue to experience bad governance. We need a governor who will use the resources for development, otherwise the state will suffer. This is why we are optimistic that the ACN government under Akeredolu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), will be a departure from what we are experiencing now.”

Iji challenged Mimiko to point to

the roads he has built and rehabilitated in the last three and a half years besides the ones in Akure.

He said: “He has only fixed the roads in Akure, from Fiwasaye through Oba Adesida to Oyemekun, when you get to Ilesa Road, that is all. Is that the entire Ondo State? Is that all the roads we have in this state? Take a ride, drive through the cities. Drive outside Akure. Go to Ondo. You will see how deplorable the roads are. Take a trip from here to Ado. From Owo junction, before you get to Iju/ Ita Ogbolu, you will see the total neglect.”

The politician lamented that the hopes and expectations of the people have been dashed by the governor who has paid much attention to how to get a second term mandate, instead of working hard to earn the mandate.

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

6

NEWS RAGE OF FLOODS

Traumatised and

•President Goodluck Jonathan (second left), former Vice-Chairman of Nigeria Communications Commission Ernest Ndukwe (left), former Managing Director of Zenith Bank Mr. Jim Ovia and Minister of Information and Communication Technology Mrs. Omobolaji Johnson at the inauguration of the Presidential Committee on Broadband Penetration by Jonathan in Abuja...at the weekend

The floods in various parts of the country have left children with the Hobson’s choice of living under conditions that are below human standard. They are traumatised, suffering and scarred, report UJA EMMANUEL, NICHOLAS KALU, BASHIR MOHAMMED and KOLADE ADEYEMI

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•Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation Chief Edem Duke (left) handing over the harmonised and standardized orthography of four Nigerian languages to the Minister of State for Education Ezenwo Nyesom Wike at the Ministry of Education headquarters, Abuja... at the weekend

•From left: Managing Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Seni Adetu (right), the company’s Marketing Director, Austin Ufomba (left), and Commercial Director Lisa Nichols at the 2012 Arthur Guinness Day Celebration in Lagos...at the weekend

•Olugbo of Ugbo, Oba Obateru Akinruntan and his wife Olori Iyabode presenting a gift to King Sunny Ade to mark his 66th Bithday in Ibadan ...yesterday

ITTLE Hope, Patience, Ngozi and Amara had no hand in the fate that has befallen them.

Chased away from the comfort of their parents’ home by the Makurdi, Benue State flood, they are now four of the over 200 children whose homes are the three displaced people’s camps. They sleep in classrooms, defecate in make-shift toilets and live at the mercy of the government and donors.

Their residency of the camps means they are not at liberty to eat what they want. They have been unable to go back to their schools, which resumed a few days after the rains overran their homes. Sound sleep has become a luxury, with mosquitoes feeding fat on them in the open camps. Clothes and toiletries are in short supply.

In short, they are traumatised, scarred and unsure of what tomorrow will bring. They are reduced to living every day as it comes.

Most of the children in the camps are between the ages of one to 14.

But there is also baby Suswam. He was born at the Wurukum camp.

His mother Chiso was delivered of him last week and she named him after the Benue State Governor.

At the time of his birth, the camp was lacking beverages and baby foods. The other camps at St. Catherine and NKST Primary Schools also faced similar challenge.

The Camp commandant in charge of L.G.E.A Primary School Wurukum, Mr. Terumbur Alabar, admitted that the development was a major challenges.

The Camp commandant at St. Catherine, Mrs. Diana Akera, confirmed that they lacked beverages and the assistant camp commandant at N.K.S.T Wadata, Miss Doose Agede, said the situation was the same in her camp.

Hope, Patience, Ngozi and Amara told The Nation that they had missed school. They said life in camp is difficult.

Hope said: “We barely have enough to feed. We now sleep in the classroom, with mosquitoes all over.

We can’t play much.”

Abdul Umaru, a 12-year-old, told The Nation that the disaster had truncated his Quranic education. He described life in the camp as difficult.

A nursing mother, Mrs. Ngunengen Ape, lamented the inability of her three children to go to school. Little Miss Wandoo Ugo , five , said she missed school and play. She said she wanted to get back home.

“I hardly find enough sleep. I am missing school. The Federal Government should do something to alleviate our suffering. Life in camp is terrible,” she said.

The camps in Lokoja, Kogi State, are overstretched. The population of children in the Adankolo, Gadumo and Kabbawa camps is put at over 600.

Children expressed sadness at

‘

We barely have enough to feed. We now sleep in the classroom, with mosquitoes all over.

We can’t play much

‘

their inability to go to schools.

Seven-year-old Sule Rebecca said her parents lost everything, including her schooling materials, to the floods.

She said: "My parents could no longer afford by books and uniform that got lost in the flood. The little money my mother made in her grinding engine business was washed away by the flood. Even if I still have my uniform and other school materials, my parents have no money to pay for my school fees because water has taken away their properties, including our grinding engine."

The Science Secondary School student urged the government to get teachers to teach them at their camps.

Madam Jummai Abdulkadir, a mother of four, said feeding the children had been a major challenge. She condemned a situation where a family of five shares one or two cups of rice for a meal.

"Though we know it is the situation that led us to this travail, and government is doing its best to provide for us, but the supply is too small for us. Even the toilet provided is being locked up most times because they accused us of misusing it," she said.

A widow, Mrs. Ramatu Aminu, told The Nation that a N35 loaf of bread is given to a family for breakfast. She said of her seven children, only five were registered by the camp's managers. She said all the children have stopped schooling because of the disaster.

At the Adankolo camp, Rabi Yaro and her four children sleep on a tiny mattress she salvaged from the wreckage of her former house.

She said: “I have been homeless for more than two weeks; this is where we are staying now. I took nothing except for this mattress and those three cooking pots.”

At the camps, lunch is usually bread, with nothing to go with it. In a day, a family gets two cups of gari, pure water and bread.

In Agwagwune, Biase, Cross River State, children live under inhuman conditions with no potable water, food and medication. Their parents do not fare better. No thanks to flood, villages in the area can only be accessed by canoes meandering through the forest trees amidst reptiles and dangerous insects.

A resident of Egbism village, Mr.

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

7

NEWS RAGE OF FLOODS

bruised... children caught up in floods

•A boy at a camp in Lokoja

•Anambra State Governor Peter Obi addressing children affected by flood...yesterday

•Abdul loves playing football in camp

•MAKURDI MAKURDI Children off loading foodstuffs from Minister of State for Trade

•LOKOJA Children displaced in Kogi

•BENUE BENUE Hope, Ngozi,Patience and Amara

LOK OJ A Miss Sule Rebecca •CR CROSS OKOJ OJA CR OSS RIVER A displaced family squatting with •L neighbours in Yala

•BENUE BENUE Minister of State for Trade and Investment Samuel Ortom speaking with displaced children in Makurdi

Ekuma Bassey, lamented that the flood was the first of its kind in over 10 years.

He lamented that he and his children had no place to move to as they could

•Miss Wandoo fetching water for her parents in NKST Primary School, Wadata camp PHOTOS: UJA EMMANUEL, NICHOLAS KALU, BASHIR MOHAMMED and KOLADE ADEYEMI

not afford to rent a home upland. So, they have been ‘living’ on water.

He said: “Now, we only eat bread, which we have to go to a

neighbouring community to get. We cannot use firewood here. We cannot use kerosene. We are suffering.

Please help us.”

Children are facing hard times in Okpandin, a village in Yala Local Government Area, which was sacked by flood.

A resident of the area, Cyprian Idim, said: “We have no access to that village again and the people in that village had to be evacuated to other villages. There is no access to that village again. Water has surrounded the village.”

Mrs. Glory Inyang of Umon Island in Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State said her children have had to stop schooling.

She said: "Our children can no longer go to school. We even thank God they are alive."

For Mr. Bassey Ilem's children in Agwagwune, Biase, the mode of transportation to school has changed.

He said: "They now have to go to school in a canoe. If the children here tweaked the popular nursery rhyme a bit to sing, 'Row, row, row your boat gently down the street/Merrily, merrily, merrily life is not a treat' it would definitely not be out of place.

Things are no longer as they used to be and life has grown a lot harder for these people who have been forced to get used to the body of water around them."

A resident of the area, Mr. Willam Ilem, said: "Primary school has a separate canoe from secondary school. That is the means of transportation."

In Abayong, a student of the Government Secondary School, David Ana, said: "I can no longer go to school. My school uniforms, school bags, books and sandals were all washed away in the flood."

In Agwagwune, pupils of St. Augustine Primary School have a makeshift school - the Town Hall. "We are now using town hall as classrooms.

The children can study here as the schools have been taken over by water," a teacher, who pleaded anonymity, said.

Cross River State Commissioner of Education Prof Offiong Offiong said: "We have already taken steps to relocate the children and make necessary arrangements to ensure that academic activities in hose schools are not disrupted. Some of the schools have also been captured under our comprehensive renovation programme and by next month some contractors are going to be mobilised to sight. So, we are on top of the situation."

The Director-General of the State Emergency Management Authority (SEMA), Mr. Vincent Aquah, said children and their parents are suffering.

He said: “These conditions are far below human standard. Children and women are suffering and there is an urgent need to address the situation before it gets out of hand.”

He appealed to the Federal Government and international organisations to come to the aid of the state government, which, he said, has no financial capacity to effectively manage the situation.

Hajiya Amina Yusuf, a mother of eight who was among the over 15,000 people displaced by the flood which ravaged five villages in Warawa Local Government Area of Kano State, has cried out for help over hunger and lack of adequate shelter for the victims.

According to Hajia Yusuf, for two days, her children and other residents of the camps were neglected. She said there was no food and medication.

She said: “It was only this afternoon that they brought us gari and sugar. I have about eight children with me, what can we do with three cups of gari? This is pathetic and I call on those in authority to do something urgently to alleviate our plight.

“We did not cause the flood. We are victims of natural disaster and that does not mean that we should not be treated as human beings. In everything, we give Allah the glory that all of us survived the flood.”

8

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

NEWS Otedola’s N141b payment for probe

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•President Goodluck Jonathan (in military uniform) and Vice President Namadi Sambo (on his right), Senate President David Mark (to the President’s left) PDP National Chairman Bamanga Tukur (right), Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Mariam Aloma Muktar (fourth left), Minister of State Defence Mrs. Olusola Obada, Deputy speaker House of Representatives Emeka Ihedioha and others cutting the 52nd Independence Anniversary cake at the State House Abuja...yesterday.

PHOTO AKIN OLADOKUN

Joint Task Force steps up battle against Boko Haram Continued from page 1

wives of Boko Haram members. He claimed the women had been raped by the captors, though he did not elaborate on how he knew that.

Shekau issued the threat in a YouTube video over the antiIslam film that has sparked widespread protests in the Muslim world.

“First, insults against the prophet, evil plots against him, making blasphemous movies against him, all these will do no harm to Islam,” Shekau said in the video, which appears to have been posted on Sunday. He spoke in Hausa.

“Anybody plotting this will surely pay for it. Everybody knows what this statement entails. Everybody should wait and see what we will do regarding this,” he said.

The video could not be independently authenticated, according to the AFP, but it closely resembled previous such videos of Shekau, who has been in hiding since a 2009

crackdown by the military on Boko Haram.

In the video, Shekau appears relaxed, wearing a checkered red-and-white Keffiyeh scarf.

A Kalashnikov assault rifle leans against the wall behind him.

At one point in the video, Shekau laughed and said: “You should wait and see what’s going to happen to your own wives.”

“Let it be clear that we never sought dialogue or to sit down with government agents or representatives ... they (Nigerian leaders) will never know peace while they attack our members.”

Shekau also said the sect’s spokesman was being detained by the security forces.

“Our spokesman, Abu Qaqa is alive but with the security agents, but I believe strongly that after this message from me, they may decide to kill him this night,” Shekau said.

It was the first public statement on the matter by the militants since a raid, which it says

led to Qaqa’s arrest but not his death.

Senior security sources said on Sept. 16 that troops had killed a man identified as “Anwal Kontagora, alias ‘Abu Qaqa’”, whose pen name is often used to claim responsibility for the sect’s pronouncements from its base in the northeast of the country.

A number of protests over the anti-Islam film produced in the United States have been held in the North, organised by a Shiite Muslim group not connected to Boko Haram, with no violent incidents occurring. The protests have been held in Jos, Katsina, Kaduna and Zaria, among others.

In the nine-minute video, Shekau, an AK-47 leant on the wall next to him, also threatens the government, saying he is prepared to die. He denied that the group has been holding dialogue with the government.

Boko Haram’s insurgency in the North has been blamed for more than 1,400 deaths since

2010.

It was a bloody Independence Day in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, yesterday.

A member of the Joint Task Force (JTF) was killed and four others seriously injured when an Improvised Explosives Device (IED) targeted at their patrol vehicle exploded on Lagos Street in the city. The assailants were believed to be members of Boko Haram.

According to sources, the JTF men were on routine patrol when the bomb went off around 8am. The patrol vehicle went up in flames. A Fire Service source told our reporter that he saw the body of a soldier lying on the ground.

He said other soldiers were injured. But JTF spokesman Lt.-Col. Sagir Musa denied knowledge of the attack. He, however, confirmed that there was an explosion in the area and promised to give details later. Shops owners around the place quickly fled the area leaving their shops open. Se-

HE House of Representatives yesterday said it is ready to verify the payment of N141billion debt to the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) by top businessman, Mr. Femi Otedola.

The Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of AMCON, Mr. Mustafa Chike-Obi, said the agency’s board met last Thursday and approved the transfer of Otedola’s assets and undisclosed amount to the company In a statement by the Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Alhaji Zakary Mohammed, the House said it will demand full details of the transaction between AMCON and Otedola.

The statement said: “We have observed with interest the payment of N140.9billion, being outstanding debts of a businessman, Mr. Femi Otedola, to AMCON “This payment was credited to AMCON’s Managing Director, Mustafa Chike-Obi.

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

“Obi confirmed that AMCON Board met last Thursday and approved the transfer of the businessman’s assets as well as undisclosed cash to AMCON as full payment and final settlement of Otedola’s liabilities.

“The 7th House of Representatives will, on return from its one week oversight tour, constitute a committee to investigate the amount and the assets so transferred to AMCOM. “It is imperative to state that with the state of our economy, this transaction was done with ‘confidentiality and secrecy’.

“It is curious that AMCON, being a government establishment which is under the purview of the National Assembly, could do that without the knowledge of the House.

“To say the least, the procedure is not acceptable. The National Assembly would be Continued on page 59

Orubebe testifies at Okah’s trial

E

X-MILITANT chief Henry Okah’s trial for the 2010 Independence Day bombings in Abuja opened yesterday – Nigeria’s National Day - in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Minister of Niger Delta Godsday Orubebe testified against him as Okah denied all the 13 charges related to act s of terrorism.

Okah was arrested in Johannesburg a day after two car bombs in Abuja killed at least 12 people. The MEND militant group, of which he was a senior leader, claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Orubebe told the court that Mr Okah was a “key figure in the Niger Delta struggle and the militants had a lot of respect for him,” AFP news agency reported.

Okah is being tried under laws that stipulate that South Africa is obliged to try him as he has been a resident in the country and now has

Continued on page 59

Okah

South African citizenship.

“Based on the information we have and how we are approaching this case, we are confident that we will get a positive conviction,” South Africa’s National Prosecution Authority spokesperson Phindile Louw told the BBC. Okah has been in custody in South Africa since his arrest in October 2010 and his lawyers say they want to make a fresh application for Continued on page 59

Relief coming for floods victims, says Jonathan Continued from page 1

across the country.

“The Federal Government has taken measures to assist the affected states, while considering long-term measures to check future reoccurrence.’’

The President noted that the various challenges confronting the nation would not deter the efforts of his administration on several fronts at transforming the nation.

He said the proactive measures put in place to check the spate of insecurity in the nation were yielding results.

Specifically, he said the government’s consultation and collaboration with neighbours and friendly nations internal and cross-border security had helped to check security challenges.

He said: “Our security agencies are constantly being strengthened and repositioned for greater efficiency.

Many Nigerians have acknowledged that there has been a significant decline in the spate of security breaches.

“While expressing our condolences to affected families; let me reiterate the commit-

ment of this administration to ensure the safety of lives and property of all Nigerians.’’

Jonathan said the government was succeeding in the fight against corruption in all facets of the economy.

“We have put an end to several decades of endemic corruption associated with fertiliser and tractor procurement and distribution.

“We have exposed decades of scam in the management of pensions and fuel subsidy, and ensured that the culprits are being brought to book.

“In its latest report, Transparency International noted that Nigeria is the second most improved country in the effort to curb corruption.

“We will sustain the effort in this direction with an even stronger determination to strengthen the institutions that are statutorily entrusted with the task of ending this scourge.’’

He reassured of his commitment to non-interference in the work of the relevant anti-corruption agencies.

The President reiterated his administration’s commitment to the pursuit of fundamental

objectives of an open society.

He said he would remain steadfast in the pursuit of freedom, security and prosperity for the Nigerian people, and for the rule of law.

Dr. Jonathan said Nigeria will continue to be a source of pride to its citizens, to Africa, and to the human race.

“On this special day, I call on every Nigerian to remain steadfast, because our nation is indeed making progress. I call on every Nigerian to rediscover that special spirit that enables us to triumph over every adversity as a people.

“I bring to you today, a message of renewed hope and faith in the immense possibilities that lie ahead.

“Fellow citizens, I have an unshaken belief in the future of our great country.

“I consider it a priority and sacred duty to continue to strengthen the bond of unity that holds our nation together and to promote and nourish the creative energies of our people.

“This is a central objective of our administration’s transformation agenda. Nigeria, I assure you, will continue to grow

from strength to strength.’’

President Jonathan urged Nigerians to remain steadfast as the nation was making progress in addressing socioeconomic challenges facing the country.

“Our vision is encapsulated in the transformation agenda.

We are working hard and making progress on many fronts.

He saluted the efforts of the nation’s founding fathers who, he said, brought joy and hope to the hearts of Nigerians when they won independence from Britain on Oct.1, 1960.

“Nigeria made a clean break with more than six decades of colonial rule, and emerged as a truly independent nation.”

The President said Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), driven mainly by nonoil sector, has grown by 7.1 per cent, while the economy attracted N6.8 trillion investments in nine months.

“Over the past five years, the global economy has been going through a weak and uncertain recovery. During the same period and particularly in the last two years, the Nigerian economy has done appreciably

well, in spite of the global financial crisis.

“Nigeria’s real GDP has grown by 7.1 per cent on average.

“It is also significant to state that the GDP growth has been driven largely by the non-oil sector,’’ he said.

According to him, the nation has improved on its investment environment as more corporate bodies are investing in the Nigerian economy.

“Our Investment Climate Reform Programme has helped to attract over N6.8 trillion local and foreign direct investment commitments.’’

He said that Nigeria had become the preferred destination for investment in Africa.

“It is ranked first in the top five host economies for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Africa, accounting for over 20 per cent of total FDI flows into the continent.’’

The president said his administration had streamlined bureaucratic activities at the ports to ensure greater efficiency in the handling of ports and port-related businesses.

“Specifically, we have drastically reduced the goods clear-

ing period in our ports from about six weeks to about one week and under. We have an ultimate target of 48 hours.’’

He said a new visa policy has made it easier for legitimate investors to receive long stay visas.

“We have achieved a 24hour timeline for registration of new businesses, leading to the registration of close to 7,000 companies within the second quarter of 2012.

“The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has disclosed that as at July 2012, 249 new members across the country had joined the association, and that capacity utilisation has also improved.

“The multiplier effect of this development on our job creContinued on page 59

ADVERT HOTLINES: 08023006969, 08052592524 NEWSROOM: LAGOS – 01-8962807, ABUJA – 07028105302 COMPLAINTS: 01-8930678

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

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THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

10

NEWS NIGERIA @ 52

Ibadan residents protest fuel scarcity, PHCN tariff, unemployment

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NON-GOVERNMENT Organisation (NGO), the Joint Ac-

tion Front (JAF), yesterday led thousands of Ibadan residents to protest the alleged insensitivity of the Federal Government to the challenges facing Nigerians.

The protesters were led by the Oyo State JAF Coordinator, Dr. Ademola Aremu.

The Academic Staff Union (ASUU), of University of Ibadan (UI) chapter, led by Dr. Segun Ajiboye; Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), led by Comrade Bashir Olanrewaju; National Socialist Movement; Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and other civil society groups joined in the protests.

Comrade Femi Aborishade, Comrade Abbey Trostky and many rights activists were among the protesters.

The protesters converged in front on UI at 8am and marched on Samonda, Sango, Elewure, Bodija, Housing Estate, Favours, Bodija.

They were accompanied by stern-looking anti-riot policemen and plain clothed security personnel.

The protesters carried placards with inscriptions, such as “Nigeria at 52 still crawling like a toddler”; “Stop unemployment and poverty now”; “We say no to fuel hike, privatisation and casualisation”; “We need good governance” and “Education must be free”, among others.

The protesters, comprising men, women and students, sang anti-government songs as the marched through the city.

The peaceful protest held up traffic for several hours and

•The protesters...yesterday.

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

many pedestrians joined the protesters.

Aremu said the government had been insensitive to flooding, insecurity, infrastructural decay, fuel scarcity and price hike.

He said the protest was to sensitise Nigerians to ask the government questions about

FEMI ILESANMI

the fuel subsidy probe, adding that corruption is responsible for Nigeria’s underdevelopment.

Condemning the artificial scarcity of petrol, JAF said: “We consider the artificial scarcity of petrol as a manifestation of the intrigues and game-plan of the Nigerian capitalist thieving elites and their representatives in government to fully

Osun Assembly calls for sober reflection S Nigeria celebrates its 52nd Independence Anniversary, the Osun State House of Assembly has urged Nigerians to reflect on the country’s challenges.

Speaker Najeem Salaam, in a statement by his Press Secretary, Mr. Goke Butika, said Nigerians should think of what they can do for the country, instead of what the country can offer them.

Salaam urged Nigerians to pray for wisdom and God’s direction for President Goodluck Jonathan, governors and all public office holders.

He said: “We cannot afford to keep a distance in the running of the country because

A

Amosun seeks investments

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GUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun yesterday urged wellplaced indigenes to use their positions to attract investments to the state.

Amosun said a number of indigenes, like Dr. Mike Adenuga and Dr. Adesegun Akin-Olugbade, have followed the footsteps of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the late Dr. Tai Solarin, the late Mrs. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti and Prof. Wole Soyinka, among others.

He said a lot was required of indigenes in developing the state.

Amosun spoke yesterday at

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta, during the nation’s 52nd Independence Anniversary.

He said Adenuga and AkinOlugbade, who are recipients of this year’s national awards, have made the state proud.

The governor said: “As sons and daughters of Ogun State, we expect you all to contribute to the development of our dear state.

Your contributions to the fulfilment of our five-cardinal programmes, as encapsulated in our ‘Mission to Rebuild’ our state, will promote its development.”

enough armed forces to secure workers and pipelines? Education has not fared better.

“The same government, which claimed that the money saved from subsidy would be invested in social services, such as education, has come up with a recommendation, through one of its constituted committee headed by Mr. Stephen Orasanye, that students in Federal Univer-

sities should start paying tuition fees ranging from N450,000 to N500,000 in the name of full introduction of tuition fee regime in Nigerian universities.”

Lamenting the high rate of unemployment, Aremu said Nigerians are being exploited with the new billing rate of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

We’ll create jobs, says Fayemi

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

we have issues with the leadership. One of the ways to partake is to pray for our leaders, ranging from the President to the 36 governors, as they are captains and handlers of the nation’s voyage.”

The speaker supported the call for the convocation of a sovereign national conference or national dialogue to address issues affecting the nation’s unity and security.

Salaam, on behalf of the House, felicitated with Governor Rauf Aregbesola, traditional rulers, civil servants and the people of Osun on the nation’s 52 Independence Anniversary.

implement the lingering deregulation policy of the downstream oil sector.

“Why would the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) abandon repair works because of insecurity?

How can a government, which had enough armed forces to unleash terror on peaceful demonstrators protesting the senseless fuel price hike in January, now lack

•Dr. Fayemi

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KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi yes terday spoke of plans to create jobs for the teeming youths.

In his speech to com-

memorate the nation’s 52nd Independence anniversary and the state’s 16th anniversary, Fayemi said efforts were on to industrialise the state.

He said many job opportunities lay untapped outside the public service, adding that the core mission of his administration is to tackle poverty and empower the people.

Describing poverty as the people’s major adversary, Fayemi said the task of building the state is a collective responsibility.

He urged stakeholders to support his administration in building the state.

The governor assured residents that the peace in the state would be sus-

From Suleiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

tained.

He said the double celebration called for sober reflection.

Fayemi said his administration has provided the “virile leadership” needed to win the war against poverty.

He said his administration would expand the Social Security Scheme for the Aged–the first in the country-to cover more people.

Fayemi said: “To savour the joy of our celebration, our efforts at rescuing Ekiti from the claws of poverty must be sustained, irrespective of religious, economic and political inclination.

“Fellow compatriots, the task of having the Ekiti of our dream is a collective one. I urge you all to join hands with the government to sustain the tempo of development across the state.

“I assure the good people and residents of Ekiti that this government will work harder to encourage economic growth through sustainable investment. “We will also ensure that the prevailing peace in the state is not ruffled in whatever form.”

The governor urged stakeholders in the Nigerian project to urgently address ethnic loyalty and identity, which often affect our unity.

Adegbite’s death a monumental loss, says Ajimobi

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YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has described the death of the Secretary-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Dr. Lateef Adegbite, as “a monumental loss” to the Muslim community, the legal profession and Nigeria.

In a statement yesterday by his media aide, Dr. Festus Adedayo, Ajimobi

said he received the news of Adegbite’s demise with shock and disbelief.

He described the deceased as an elder statesman, who lived his life fostering the country’s unity.

The governor said the late Adegbite used his status as the NSCIA scribe to advance the cause of Islam and to ensure harmony among various religious groups.

He said: “It is on record that the late Adegbite made his mark in the legal profession by seeking justice for the poor and oppressed.

“His death is highly unfortunate and disheartening, more so at this critical time when the nation needs his spiritual counsel to tackle the myriads of problems confronting it.

“We are, however, consoled by the fact that Adegbite lived a fulfilled

life; a life of service to humanity.”

Ajimobi urged the late Adegbite’s friends, associates and family to celebrate his passage, because he did his best to impact positively on fellow human beings and his fatherland.

He prayed the Almighty Allah to grant the late Adegbite Aljanah Firdaus and the family the fortitude to bear the “irreparable loss”.

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

11

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

ITF begins bread production training

Despite many reforms embarked upon by the NSE and SEC, other financial market events such as interest rates, banking reforms and challenges resulting from the Eurozone debt crisis marred investors’ appetite for shares.

-Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President NSE

THE CEO

From: Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

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HE Industrial Training fund (ITF) has ar ranged a two week skills development course in bread production that would lead to the acquisition of bread-making skills and the award of the ITF Competency Based Certificate to participants.

The Director-General, Prof.

Longmas Wapmuk, who was represented by the Training Manager of the Model Skills Training Centre of the fund, Danjuma Abeku, said the training is designed for people planning to establish, or start-up a business venture in the production and sale of bread.

He advised those in paidemployment, the ones considering pre-retirement plan for a bread production outfit to participate in the training.

He said: “The training methodology would include instructions, individual and group practical, as well as industrial attachment. It is greatly enriched with necessary demonstrations and business skills to enable participants acquire holistic approach for starting and running a successful small business.

“This is in a bid for Nigerian industries to succeed in the face of the challenging economic meltdown, he said, adding that the first batch of trainees would commence classes this month.

Wapmuk, said one of the major principles needed by industrialists and investment gurus to succeed in the current situation is quality training, that will equip the employees with new skills, competencies and techniques, adding, “ If you hire and keep good employees, it is good policy to invest in the development of their skills, so as to increase their productivity.

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$107/barrel Cocoa -$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound MARKET Gold -$1,800/troy CAPITALISATIONS ounce Rubber -¢159.21pound NSE -N7.560 trillion JSE -Z5.112trillion NYSE -$10.84 trillion LSE -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -11.9% Treasury Bills -7.08% Maximum lending-22.42% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -2% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $35.8b FOREX CFA 0.2958 EUR 206.9 £ 242.1 $ 156 ¥ 1.9179 SDR 238 RIYAL 40.472

FCT area councils share N2b revenue, SURE-P allocations From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

T • From left: Director, Royal Exchange Plc, Alhaji Rufai Mohammed, Director, Royal Exchange Plc, Chief Uwadi Okpa-Obaji and Group Executive Director, Marketing/Sales, Royal Exchange Plc, Alhaji Anwalu Muktari, during the company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos ... last week.

PHOTO:BIODUN WILLIAM

Nigeria earns N5.5t revenue in eight months N

IGERIA earned N5.5 trillion from mineral and non-mineral sources between January and August, a data from the Federation Accounts Allocations Committee (FAAC), has revealed.

The figures obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Abuja, showed that the country recorded the highest revenue of N825.39 billion in July.

Out of the amount generated so far, N1.5 trillion has been lodged into the Excess Crude Account (ECA) between January and August.

The ECA represents a portion of the revenues above the benchmark oil price, which is saved, while the balance is distributed among the federal, states and local government councils in accordance with the Revenue Sharing Formula.

The records from the FAAC however contained only information on

lodgments into the ECA and not withdrawals made therefrom.

The Accountant-General of the Federation announced in September that the balance in the ECA was $8.03 billion following lodgment of N124 billion into the account in August.

Similarly in August, the Minister of State for Finance, Dr Yerima Ngama, said $1billion was withdrawn from the account for distribution among the federal, states and local governments “to execute some on-going projects.’’

A breakdown of the revenue in July showed that mineral revenue accounted for N646.47 billion, while the non-mineral revenue amounted to N178.92 billion.

In other months, FAAC re-

corded N666.32billion for January, N766.77billion in February, N726.77billion in March and N626.17billion in April.

Also, a total of N586.91billion was credited to the national treasury in May, N763.55 billion in June and N564.88 billion for August, which was the lowest in the fray. The shortfall in oil revenue, was attributed to decline in production, poor sales and the strike embarked upon by Labour unions in January.

According to the data, the office reported a shortfall in revenue from N892.7 billion recorded in December, 2011 to N666.32 billion in January, 2012.

The one-week nationwide strike called by the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress to protest

the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government was partly responsible for the drop in revenue, the office said.

The figures from FAAC also indicated that N142.19 billion was transferred to Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) between April and August.

In September. the Minister of Finance and Coordinator of the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said the Federal Government has so far disbursed N30 billion for projects under SURE-P, out of N180 billion appropriated for Federal Government projects in the programme.

Since April, the FAAC has transferred N35.54 billion to SURE-P for distribution to the three tiers of government. SURE-P was initiated early in 2012 following the partial removal of subsidy on petroleum products.

PPPRA responsible for fuel scarcity, say Reps

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HE House of Repre sentatives has blamed the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) for contributing to the persistent fuel scarcity in parts of the country by its slow payment of claims to oil marketers.

The lawmakers accused the agency of being too slow in processing payments to suppliers. It also stated that oil theft has contributed to the scarcity currently spreading round the country.

Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Dakuku Peterside, said the PPPRA could not absolve itself from the recurring fuel scarcity because the agency has no issues with release of its funds from the Federal Ministry of Finance.

The Committee, during its preliminary status report on the level of implementation of the 2012 budget of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA) in the petroleum downstream sector, met with the agency, Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF) and the Petroleum

• To investigate N39.6b MDGs funds From Victor Oluwasegun, Dele Anofi, Abuja and Kola Adeyemi, Kano

Training Institute (PTI) over the weekend.

He said: “The legislative arm of government is putting the interest of Nigerians first before any other interest, whether we are rightly understood or not.

We must find a relationship between the fact that funds are released to your MDA and that the Nigerian people are beginning to feel the impact of budgetary provisions.

“All the fund PPPRA asked for has been released, yet we still have long queues everywhere because marketers are not being paid. It is taking a longer time to verify claims.

“Our pipelines are permanently under threat by vandals and oil thieves, and it has affected the supply of petroleum products to various depots and by implication, fuel stations.”

While he decried poor

fund releases to PTI which he noted has led to cases of several capital projects being abandoned, “PTI Warri has not performed very well,” he lamented.

“They are in the neighborhood of 45 per cent in terms of releases and implementation of the 2012 budget. Theirs appear to be very challenging because they have a lot of projects that are getting to be abandoned.

Meanwhile, the House Committee on Millennium Development Goals, MDG, wou;d this week embark on fact finding mission to states to ascertain the extent to which the 39.6 counterpart funding allocated federal and states governments, in the 2011 budget was spent on poverty alleviation, health, environment control and educational programmes that are pro- poor under the MDG. The House Committee Chairman on MDG, Ado Alhassan Doguwa, in Kano State, said those found want-

ing in the supervision process will be dealt with in accordance with the constitution.

He explained that N550 million was given to each of the 36 states in the 2011 budget under the Conditional Grant Scheme (CGS) by the Federal Government and they were expected to provide an equivalent of that amount as counterpart funding for projects jointly pursued by the two tiers of government under the MDGs. He maintained that the money which is part of the annual budget of $1 billion development debt relief fund granted to the country in 2003 by the Paris club, is usually given to the state governments because they are close to the people, adding that the same window has been provided in the 2012 annual budget.

For 2012, Doguwa stated that the House of Representatives, using the Club 360, which denotes each of the 360 elected members of the house, has been allocated N30 million to execute projects that will directly have impact on the poor.”

HE six Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have shared N2.053 billion revenue allocation for August 2012 from the Federation Account Allocation Committee and the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P).

The allocation represents an increase of N267 million or 15 per cent over the preceding month’s figure of N1.786 billion.

The Minister of State for the FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, who made this known during the FCT Area Councils Joint Account Allocation Committee meeting in Abuja, said the FCT Administration would next week commence biometric audit of all the workers in the Area Councils.

“We have gone through the procurement processes and have engaged a consultant to undertake a biometric audit of all workers in the Area Councils. We want to ensure that the workers in the Area Councils are genuine and also make sure that they are qualified for the positions they are holding,” said Akinjide, who chaired the monthly FCT Area Councils Joint Account Allocation Committee meeting.

On the revenue allocation, she explained that Value Added Tax (VAT) accounted for the lion’s share of N1.054 billion of the total allocation to the six Area Councils – Abaji, Abuja Municipal, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali.

The FCT Area Councils had received VAT of N796.29 million for the month of July 2012.

The minister disclosed that the statutory revenue allocation was N675.20 million, SURE-P (N113.54 million), refund by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (N23.10 million), FCT Administration’s 10 per cent Internally Generated Revenue (N145.92 million) and exchange rate gain of N41.86 million.

Of the N2.053 billion revenue allocation, the FCTA disbursed N836.24 million to the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB) for primary school teachers in the six area councils; N95.04 million to FCT Area Councils Pension Board (ACPB) being 15 per cent pension fund as statutorily required, and N20.53 million to FCT Area Councils Service Commission being one per cent training fund, also statutorily required.

The net revenue allocation of N1.101 billion was shared by the Area Councils, with Abuja Municipal receiving N239.46 million; Gwagwalada, N192.25 million; Bwari, N187.60 million; Abaji, N175.93 million; Kuje, N165.38 million; and Kwali, N141.24 million.

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

12

NEWS

Senator Tinubu: Staying true to peoples’ cause L

AST Wednesday, 26 beneficiaries of Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s PostSecondary School Scholarship Scheme (PSSS) collected N100, 000 each to help pay for school fees in various tertiary institutions. As the nation marks 52 years of Independence with poverty, parlous infrastructure, declining education standards, youth unemployment and other indices of very poor leadership, the Senator’s consistent feats of populist generosity touches lives. The latest presentation of scholarships was one of the major highlights of the fourth edition of the Lagos Central Senatorial District’s Town Hall Meeting at Eko Club in Surulere on September 26.

Indeed, her commitment to the progressive cause encompasses genuine dedication to the welfare of the people.

Many politicians perform acts of generosity occasionally but for some, philanthropy is a way of life. For Senator Tinubu, it has been a life of giving – giving for the purpose of uplifting and etching a positive imprint that fire up the zeal to live a life of excellence.

Like the “One-Day Governor” programme that she pioneered during her tenure as First Lady of Lagos State, the PSSS gives no ethnic, religious, gender or any other forms of discrimination. The two and several other programmes reflect the distinguished Senator’s consistent commitment to youth empowerment over the years. Through these and other initiatives, Senator Tinubu, an Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) has consistently demonstrated a keenness to help in reinforcing young Nigerians’ self-confidence and inspiring many to heights of excellence previously unimagined.

As the First Lady of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007, Senator Tinubu passionately strove to touch lives and inspire young people to greater heights. Just as she did last week, she prefers to do without fanfare during birthdays. During the landmark anniversaries, giving unto others gave her far much more pleasure than any gift could bring. Just five days before the disbursement of the new round of scholarships, Senator Tinubu rejected all frivolities that many would have wished to present for her birthday.

Instead, she was fine-tuning arrangements for the Wednesday event.

Her celebration of life involves sowing into the lives of others. For instance, during her 45th birthday, she donated N51 million towards the building of the National Sickle Cell Centre. During her 50th birthday celebration, she donated the N100 million monetary gift she received to social causes.

Nonetheless, she emphatically asserts that without a collective determination for a paradigm shift, individual efforts will fall far short of realising the goals of development in the face of Nigeria’s parlous situation.

“Evolving challenges in Nigeria

By Jide Babalola

clearly indicate that at this critical juncture in our history, we must collectively strive towards achieving genuine change. For progressives, including those who gave and those who accepted the mandate of representation, the concepts of change and development mean much to us in the ACN. “Today, our country is grappling with the looming dangers of worsening crime rates, insecurity, unemployment and other indices of underdevelopment.

More than ever before, we must strongly emphasize the need for all of us to collectively rise up and play our part in achieving positive change and development.

“This brings us to the significance of the doctrine of collective responsibility.

Our history, culture and even our holy books illustrate the significance of this,” she stated at the Town Hall Meeting at Eko Club in Surulere, Lagos on Wednesday.

The Senate committees to which Senator Tinubu belongs all reflect the significance of collective inputs in moving forward. For instance, members of the Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity where she is the Vice Chairman are embarking on new initiatives. This includes its ongoing discussion with the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) on the need to train between 50 and 150 persons in each Senatorial District for skilful engagement.

The Senate committee on Education is addressing challenges in the area of delayed funding from the federal budget and institutions’ huge expenditure on overheads such as power generating sets. There are now some rays of hope in the education sector. According to Senator Tinubu, “ In August this year, the Federal Ministry of Education announced approval for the release of N25 billion to enable 12 tertiary institutions, including the University of Lagos, to upgrade and improve the teaching and learning environment, under the 2012 Special High Impact Programme Fund.

“My membership of the Senate Education Committee has facilitated the release of N160 million from Technical Education Trust Fund for the development of our technical college in Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education. We are still expecting the release of additional resources for another institution in Ikorodu, Lagos State,”.

Also, the Marine Transport Committee that she belongs to, now oversees the Federal Ministry of Transport and its parastatals more effectively.

“The Committee conducted hearings in July 2012, on the 2011 budget performance and proposals.

Other policy issues examined towards moving Nigeria’s maritime sector forward include a sound policy

‘As the First Lady of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007, Senator Tinubu passionately strove to touch lives and inspire young people to greater heights. Just as she did last week, she prefers to do without fanfare during birthdays’

•Senator Tinubu

framework for the sector, role conflict amongst the parastatals in the ministry, domestication of treaties, budgetary and revenue generation matters and petitions. The committee also identified the need to review the extant laws establishing the parastatals and agencies in Nigeria’s marine transport Sub-sector with a view to streamlining their functions,” Senator Tinubu stated while delivering her report to constituents.

Her membership of the Senate committee on trade and the committee on Millennium Development Goals are also yielding productive dividends.

“The Senate MDG Committee is facilitating arrangements on the establishment of the proposed Skills and Acquisition Centre, both conventional and solar street lightening, and a 500 KVA transformer.

The establishment of a Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre is on course.

Both projects will be located at Gedegede in Eti-Osa Local Government,” the Senator told her people.

As a progressive element who is also conscious of the dynamics of history, Senator Tinubu has been urging all progressives in her constituency and other parts of the country to rise up and make their voices heard on the work of the Senate Constitution Review Committee.

“Over the years, Nigerians from various sectors continue to clamour for a review of our Constitution; some have called for a Sovereign National Conference while others said it should just be a national conference. One thing is evident, the 1999 Constitution that our country operates today is still a legacy of the military, and it falls short of some democratic ideals,” the Senator

said at the meeting. Part of her resolve is to seek a constitutional declaration of Special Status for Lagos state.

Addressing an audience that included distinguished personalities such as Lagos monarch, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, wife of Lagos State Governor Abimbola Fashola, Commissioner for Home Affairs Oyinlomo Danmole, Senator Muniru Muse, Alhaja Abba Folawiyo, Alhaji Mutiu Are, council chairmen and other party chieftains, Senator Tinubu reaffirmed her unwavering commitment to her constituency’s needs.

“The American Secretary of State, Mrs. Hilary Clinton gave us a very strong message during her recent visit to Nigeria, when she said “the future of Nigeria is limitless but the most important task is making sure that there are better opportunities for all Nigerians, every young boy and girl to have the chance to fulfil his God-given potential”.

I share her thoughts and that is why despite the fact that we are not given a budgetary allocation in order to carry out projects, I have dedicated my salary and allowances to uplifting the down trodden in the society,” she said.

She also offered vocational training opportunities to young persons among her constituents in areas such as barbing, photography, catering and hotel management, tailoring, hat and beads making, hairdressing and cosmetology.

Senator Tinubu’s plans for her constituents during the December yuletide season includes the unveiling of her Elderly Citizens Assistance Scheme (ECAS). She explained: “We have started making arrangements for our next Town Hall Meeting in December. Our focus will be the elderly.

So, we implore our fathers and mothers,

65 years old and above to register with the wives of the Chairmen of their Local Government Areas or Local Council Development Areas (LGAs and LCDAs).

Only 100 participants will be accommodated, on a first come, first serve basis. It will be like a Christmas party celebration in their various LGAs and LCDAs.” She closed her presentation at the Town Hall Meeting with a flourish. “I leave you also with this thought from Horace, a Roman Poet ‘Politics is not an end, but a means. It is not a product, but a process. It is the art of government.

Like other values, it has its counterfeits.

So much emphasis has been placed upon the false that the significance of the true has been obscured and politics has come to convey the meaning of crafty and cunning selfishness, instead of candid and sincere service’.

“As progressives, let us all rise with commitment and the spirit of service to contribute to the progress of our community, state and nation at large.

Through collective responsibility, we can beat the odds of underdevelopment,”.

For Senator Tinubu, the populist cause remains a paramount agenda. At the Senate, the former First Lady of Lagos State continues to project the progressive cause.

Movement to Abuja, Nigeria’s seat of power has not diminished her keenness about populist causes.

Touched by the plight of millions of frail but struggling elderly persons, she sponsored a Bill to provide social security for Nigeria’s elderly citizens, within her first year in office as Senator.

Within her first year, she also launched the Post-Secondary School Scholarship Scheme (PSSS) whereby 26 beneficiaries are paid N100, 000 annual scholarships for four years. She launched a one-off bursary award of N10, 000 granted to 598 other students of tertiary institutions to help defray the cost of procuring academic books. For petty traders in her constituency, regardless of religious, political or other affiliations, Senator Tinubu launched the Petty Traders Empowerment Capital Scheme (PETECS) to help 624 of them to re-capitalise an existing petty trade.

In conjunction with organisations and individuals, she initiated the “One Church” Musical Youth Fiesta aimed towards discovering new talents, reinforcing self-confidence and boosting mutual understanding among members of various denominations.

Senator Tinubu, a philanthropist and educationist has authored several books including a biography titled “The Journey of Grace - My Faith Walk”; she has been a notable speaker at many conferences both at home and abroad. Notwithstanding these achievements, Senator Tinubu, a firm believer in the ideals of excellence, social change and genuine development is one of those few who continue to strive for higher ideals that have eluded Nigeria since independence 52 years ago.

Undaunted by prevailing odds, she sustains optimism about the possibility of a great future once Nigerians collectively resolve to achieve progressive change. “By the special grace of God, by 2015 things will change for this country,” she asserts.

EFCC arrests two suspects for attempting to smuggle N147.9m to Dubai

T

HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested two suspects for trying to smuggle out $986,000(about N147, 900,000million) to Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The suspects are Nkem Sebastian ($286,000) and Alhaji Tasiu Ilu Kura ($700,000).

Sebastian was caught at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA).

Kura was picked up at Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano.

Three others have been arrested by the commission for failing to declare foreign

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Abuja

exchange on them at the airport A source in the commission, who spoke in confidence, said the anti-graft agency’s war against money laundering and export of currency abroad is yielding results.

The source said: “A few days after the commission nabbed a currency smuggler with $7m at the MMA, the anti- graft agency has arrested one Nkem Sebastian for attempting to smuggle $286,000 out of the country.

“He was arrested on Saturday, September 29, 2012 as he prepared to board a plane for Dubai, the United Emirates en route China.

“When the money was discovered, Sebastian disclosed that he had only $200,000 on him. But a search revealed that he was actually carrying $286,000.

“Under declaring cash at the entry and exit points in the country is a criminal offence and the person making the declaration risk losing 25 percent of the money under the provisions of the Money Laundering Act, 2012.

“Sebastian, on interroga-

tion claimed that he was given the money by one Konja for distribution to unnamed recipients in China . He claimed not to know the home of Konja that they always met at the airport where he hands him the consignment to deliver outside Nigeria.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “However, the latest in the string of arrests over bulk cash smuggling was at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano where operatives of the Commission on Sunday, September 30, 2012 arrested one Alhaji Tasiu Ilu Kura, a businessman with $700,000 ( about N112m).

“The suspect who hails from Kura Local Government in Kano State, was arrested en route Dubai , United Arab Emirates with a valid Niger Republic passport (07PC61816) which he uses for his travels.

“Three other suspects were equally arrested for failing to declare the foreign exchange on them. They are Sadi Umar Abdurahman, Nasir Sanni Ali and Haruna Inuousa Murtala.

Investigation into the source of the funds and what it is meant for continues.”

The Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed

the arrest of the five suspects.

The EFCC had last Thursday arrested a 24-year old suspect, Abubakar Tijani Sheriff, at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos for trying to smuggle out $7million(N1, 120,000billion).

The alleged bulk currency smuggler was attempting to take the $7million, suspected to be for money laundering purpose, to Dubai on behalf of 20 Nigerians whom he has not named.

The suspect was still in custody at the EFCC office in Lagos where he is undergoing interrogation.

13

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

ENERGY THE NATION

GE, GEL to supply power to Port T Harcourt refinery

O resolve the recurrent power supply challenge to the Port Harcourt Refinery Company, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Genesis Electricity (GEL) in partnership with General Electric (GE) of United States, have commenced the implementation of gas-fired Captive Power Project (CPP) to guarantee quality and uninterrupted electric power supply to the refinery.

Speaking during a courtesy call on the Group Executive Director, Refining and Petrochemical, NNPC, Mr. Anthony Ogbuigwe at the NNPC Towers Abuja, the Re-

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

gional Sales Director, Middle East Africa, Cees-Jean de Maaker of General Electric, assured the readiness of the partnership to provide reliable and qualitative electric power supply to the refinery facility.

De Maaker stated the excitement of GE to partner with a professional and competent local company such as Genesis Electricity

Limited. He said that GE is committed to ensuring full technical support across the spectrum of power plant installation, commissioning and subsequent long term management of the operations of the Genesis Electricity’s captive power plant investment.

The Chief Executive Officer of Genesis Electricity, Mr. Akinwole Omoboriowo said that the objective of the partnership is to provide suffi-

cient power supply to the Port Harcourt Refinery, to guarantee efficient operations of the refinery. He assured Ogbuigwe that it has commenced the deployment of the best power technology in the world to refinery and would keep to the schedule of the arrangement.

He said that the GE would install power plants, operate and maintain the power plants over several years, adding that part of their obligation is to

train young engineers.

Ogbuigwe said the NNPC looks forward to the day when power supply to the PHRC would be stable and expressed confidence in the ability of the public private initiative to deliver on the mandate. He noted that the power project was close to the heart of the NNPC and implored the GE to justify the confidence reposed in them.

Other members of the team were Felix Achibiri, a Director of Genesis Electricity, Jasper Ogbonna, Vice President - Finance, Genesis Electricity, Longinus Okereke of General Electric and Amina Lawal, Assistant Legal Officer of Genesis Electricity.

NAPE frets over future of LNG business

T

HE Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) has expressed worry over the future of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) business, which Nigeria banks on as one of the major and future income sources.

Technology is gradually eroding the anticipated prospects and hope of natural gas as a major income stream of the Federal Government.

The association had at a press conference it held in Lagos to announce its plans for the forthcoming pre-conference workshop, which will hold in Lagos next week, said that development of shale gas is seriously threatening the future of LNG. The group particularly expressed fear that the development would stall new LNG projects in Nigeria.

In his presentation, NAPE President, Dr. Mayowa Afe, who was represented by the President-elect, Mr. George Osahon, said: “Natural gas is the fastest growing energy resource in most regions of the world owing to its abundance and relatively low carbon content that makes it more environmentally acceptable compared to coal or crude oil.

“However, gas transportation from producing locations to areas of consumption could be capital intensive which probably accounts for the large volume of stranded gas in the country. This encourages flaring while constraining its widespread utilisation in various industries including the power sector.

“Development of shale gas in different parts of the world has become a game changer in the glo-

bal energy mix, having forced the Henry Hub reference price of gas to less than $3 per million British thermal unit (Btu) from about $7/ mBtu just a year earlier. The situation is likely to stall new LNG projects with implications for Nigeria’s huge gas resources.”

The pre-conference workshop, which holds at Eko Hotel in Lagos, ushers in NAPE’s annual international conference and exhibition, which will also hold at the same venue between November 11 and 15.

The theme of this year’s preconference is “The economic imperative for the local utilisation of Nigeria’s gas resources,” while the theme for the conference and exhibition is “Nigeria oil and gas exploration: the next frontier.”

The Group Managing Director, NNPC, Andy Yakubu, Conoil Managing Director, Dr. Ebi Omatsola, President, Nigeria Gas Association, Chima Ibeneche, DPR Director, Osten Olorunsola, and Vice President Gas, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, Ubaka Emelumadu, will present papers at the pre-conference workshop.

Topics to be discussed include international developments in the shale gas arena; domestic gas utilisation, challenges and opportunities, the journey thus far; and gas to petrochemicals: adding value for economic development.

NAPE had over the years through the outcome of its preconferences, conferences and exhibitions influenced government’s policies on the oil and gas sector.

Integrated Oil resumes operation

I

T was cheery news for the downstream sector of the petroleum industry as the depots and head office of the Integrated Oil and Gas Limited have been unsealed for business after two weeks of being under lock and key.

The company was sealed by the management of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for accepting throughput arrangement for alleged stolen petroleum product.

The members of staff of the company were excited for resuming business again. A staff of the company told The Nation that: “As you all are aware, on September 13th, 2012, armed men purported to be

under NIMASA and GWVSL invaded Integrated Oil and Gas Limited tank farm located at Ibafon, Apapa, Lagos and occupied the premises.

We took steps to notify all relevant agencies about the national security implication of this action.

“However, we are glad to announce that on Wednesday September 26th, 2012 at about 12noon, the occupying army vacated our tank farm. We are therefore, grateful to God as we have repossessed our tank farm. We sincerely thank all Nigerians and our esteemed customers who stood by us in this trial. By the grace and mercy of God, we will always endeavour to stand on the part of truth.”

•From left: Ajibola Oyebamiji, Abuja Chapter Coordinator; George Osahon, President-elect; and Olusola Bakare, Publicity Secretary, all of Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) during a press conference on the association’s forthcoming pre-conference workshop held in Lagos.

How to achieve cheaper oil, gas production

F

OR most oil producing companies operating marginal fields, oil prospecting is a big issue owing to the cost involved.

But with a new technology that emphasizes cost reduction in oil prospecting, an expert says the viability and profitability of exploration activities by these companies can now be enhanced.

The Managing Director, WellManned, Uwem Udoh disclosed this at the September edition of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists’ (NAPE) monthly technical meeting in Lagos.

He said the technology known as Stress Field Detector (SFD) provides a faster, cheaper indication of prospects to help accelerate reserves addition and estimates especially for Nigerian Independents and marginal field operators.

He hinted that these reserves estimates are needed to provide data for financing decisions to help move a lot of oil blocks to quicker development. This, he said, would have a significant effect on the production level as well as revenue accruable from the oil.

“We must understand that the major objective of the SFD technology is to reduce the cost of exploration, which is currently very high especially for the marginal field operators. Besides, the technology also helps to reduce the time for devel-

By Bidemi Bakare

opment of oil blocks. With a reduced development time, it would be possible to have increased reserves. And with increased reserves, we would automatically have our production level, OPEC quota and revenues from oil also increased,” Udoh said.

Describing oil and gas prospecting as an activity that has evolved over the years, Udoh said the use of different computer technologies for the exercise has meant that oil prospecting companies are able to gain deeper insight into the wave field phenomena of the earth though with huge cost implications.

He said: “Over the years, oil and gas prospecting has adopted a geophysical method called exploration seismology for determining geologic structure by means of induced elastic waves.

By studying body waves such as compression and shear waves propagating through the earth’s interior, the constituent and elastic properties of its solid and liquid core, its solid mantle and the thin crust are thereby defined.

“But in recent times, available computer technology has allowed the resolution of some of the theoretical complexities of elastic wave propagation so that deeper insight into the wave field can be obtained.

Also, the availability of a large num-

ber of channels in the recording instrument has facilitated three- dimensional and three- component acquisitions. In fact, there are now powerful super computers to allow for manipulation of larger data sets as well as their display and interpretation into single data unit through the use of advanced computer visualization techniques.”

He noted that with this requirement, any oil prospecting organization would have to contend with the issue of the huge cost of exploration if it has to bring its field on stream.

He said that the inability to fund exploration activity by several marginal field operators is the major reason why their productivity and the country’s proven reserves figures have been badly affected.

On recent report by Reuters that the country may in few years run out of oil, Udoh dismissed such claim noting that the country still has fields that have not been prospected let alone exploited.

He said: “I don’t think there is any logic in the assertion that our wells may soon run dry. As a matter of fact, there are wells that have not been tapped into at all. We have the Chad and Anambra basins that we have not explored and exploited at all. How can anybody now say we may run out of oil when there are wells yet untapped. I don’t believe so.

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

14

ENERGY

PIB: NNPC begins transformation training for staff

A

S Nigerians are expectant that the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) would be passed into law before end of this year with the attendant transformation and restructuring of some existing processes, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has earnestly started training its workforce in preparation for the changes that would come with the passage of PIB. The corporation hired the services of an American-based consultancy firm – New Generation Consulting Resources and Solutions (NGCRS) based in Cresco, Pennsylvania, USA, to train the NNPC staff to be adaptable to the new NNPC that would come with passage of the bill.

The corporation organised a weeklong training in Lagos for select staff drawn from its different departments and The Nation spoke with the Principal Consultant of NGCRS, Dr. Njideka Kelley on some of the issues.

Kelley said: “The training is on change, reform and transparency

and the participants are mid level to higher up cadres. As you know with the intended Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), NNPC has been very proactive in training their staff on change. The training would be able to reform the corporation because the PIB will restructure the NNPC and with all of that, the highlight will be on transparency because that is what will sustain the change and the reform practices that will come to NNPC. The first training we had for the NNPC was on improving organisational security, which was last year and we are taking the training to Delta State later this year for the Asaba Chamber of Commerce.”

On the compliance level of the participants to the intended change, she said: “when we started on the first day, they had mixed feelings on whether change will truly be possible in NNPC considering where the country is coming from and what the society’s mindset is in terms of what constitutes value but

by the time we rounded off, the level of compliance had improved tremendously.

“The participants were a great group, very awesome, they were willing to learn. They gave their own assessment and feedback. The class was very participatory-oriented, with methodology in discussions, case studies and lectures, so as we give theories, we also give practical, which are real life examples. The participants were very compliant.”

On whether there are plans to have an overseas part of this training so that participants can see what their counterparts in other developed countries do in terms of transparency, she said, we have not discussed that with NNPC but it is definitely worth giving a trial.

The NGCRS chief advised the management of NNPC to continue to invest in their human capital development, which she noted doesn’t just mean sending them to training but also doing internal reviews and

making sure that the resources that they put in towards training is received back through the application of the duties, functions, interpreting the core values.

“In other words, the management has to make sure that the participants are assessed through tests and periodic reviews, examination, among others internally to ensure that the money the corporation spent to receive these principles are also received back by the staff by way of periodic reviews and application. All of these have to be inculcated into NNPC,” she added.

To inculcate the right principle in the country’s workforce, the first is to create awareness, she said, adding you have to understand change by knowing and accepting that you want a change. You have to understand that you have a problem and want to solve it that is the first step.

In keeping a change sustainable, you keep on emphasising where you were, where you are going, and where you are now. NNPC is not the way it was 20 years ago. There have been improvements, which have been developmental because they keep improving on them. But where we are going is a transformational change, she said.

She also said the training would certainly bring a change that would make the corporation as competitive as other state owned oil companies such Statoil and

Petrobras. “Because NNPC has recognised that there is a problem that needs to be solved and part of it is a cultural problem. It lies in the core values and principles of NNPC and the country as a whole because it is not news that Nigeria has social problem, which corruption is at the top.

NNPC being a government entity is perceived to be part of that corruption. This may be true or false but if we want to take it from that point of view, we can say that NNPC is doing all that it can within its power to change given the external influences that sometimes are not conducive to business.

“This is the reason they are investing in their human capital and make sure that people begin to understand that it will no longer be business as usual especially when the PIB is passed into law.

The reformatory practices have to be put in place. They have to be transformed and that is the key.

They must be transparent and those core values must have to be revisited. NNPC has to go back to the drawing board and look at the ways they had been doing business, look at their operations and technology and see how all of that will influence their bottomline and will start to make profit. To achieve this they have to streamline many things.”

Gaslink upgrades odourisation system

G

•From left: Ezekiel Saka Mbata, Public Relations Officer, NNPC; Dr. Njideka Kelley, Principal Consultant, New Generation Consulting Resources and Solutions (NGCRS); Jesse Jonah Mavah, NNPC, Kaduna Zone; and Dr. Komlan Badake, Partner NGCRS during the award of certificates after the training of NNPC staff on transformation in Lagos.

Firm acquires high-tech data processing equipment A

N indigenous oil and gas services firm, Verity Geosolutions Limited, said it has completed the installation of 240 Central Processing Unit (CPU) of power edge dual core servers, several high-end workstations, high capacity two phase Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) and Cisco-based telecommunication systems at its Lagos office to enhance hydrocarbon production.

The Group Managing Director of the company, Yomi Adejonwo, in a statement made available to The Nation, said Verity Geosolutions is the first 100 percent Nigerian owned geophysical data processing company to provide its seismic imaging, interpretation, reservoir modeling and characterization, subsurface data management and geomatics services, to its customers in Nigeria and the West African sub-region.

He said the equipment will provide oil and gas companies the opportunity to boost production and reduce their cost of exploration and development. The technology would also boost local development of advanced geophysical solutions in the oil and gas business in the country, he added.

He said: “With the installation of this equipment, we are moving closer to the realization of our vision to be the leading provider of geophysical services in Nigeria and West Africa as well as meeting

By Ambrose Nnaji

the increasing demand for our technologies.

“Having worked in the oil and gas industry for several years, we saw an area where attention had not been paid and where we had acquired skills as Nigerians having worked with the international oil companies, so we felt we could bring the skills to the Nigeria oil and gas industry.

“Our emphasis is to move away from being just commercial agents to foreign companies to bringing in our skills and investing in bringing these technologies down to Nigeria and that’s what we have done by acquiring this equipment. By so doing, we had put in place equipment that would be required to technologically advance in our own methods in the Nigerian oil and gas industry.”

The equipment he added would give adequate provision of timely high-quality services in support of customers’ exploration and production activities.”

He said the company offers 2D, 3D and 4D seismic acquisition support services as well as integrated geophysical processing and inversion services adding that the company services would allow hydrocarbon exploration and production

companies to create value and optimize cost by reducing hydrocarbon exploration risks, improving oil well placements and improving understanding of producing reservoirs.

ASLINK Nigeria Limited, a natural gas distribution company, has begun upgrading of its odourising system at its facility on Jobi Fele Way, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

The upgrade according to the company would last from 24 to 28 September. Odourisation is a global safety measure that involves the systematic injection of a synthetic odour into gas pipeline systems to help detect leakage.

The planned exercise is a controlled process that uses a precision mechanism to prevent emissions. However, in the unlikely event that there is an emission of a pungent smell similar to that of a rotten egg, the public especially those living around Alausa, is hereby placed on notice to remain calm and please call 0700 GASLINK (0700 4275 465).

Commenting on the planned exercise, Victor Dairo, Head Opera-

tions, Gaslink said: “As an ISO certified company, Gaslink takes the safety and environment requirements of its natural gas network very seriously.

“As we commence the odourising exercise, the general public should be rest assured that we have put in place world-class safety measures required for this level of upgrade of our gas pipeline network.”

Gaslink pioneered private sector distribution of natural gas to industries in Nigeria. The company has since built a 100km natural gas network in the Greater Lagos Area, connecting over 120 leading companies, which having experience reduction in their energy costs by as much as 75 percent. This has tremendously improved the profitability of the offtakers, making them globally competitive brands able to employ thousands of Nigerians.

Group steers oil industry enlightenment campaign

T

HE Campaign for Growth in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry (CGNOGI), a non-governmental organisation has launched a nationwide public enlightenment crusade aimed at providing public education and promote informed discourse on issues affecting the oil and gas industry.

The group just published its maiden edition of the public enlightenment campaign and said the initiative became imperative in view of the need to ensure that all stakeholders have all the facts and can meaningfully contribute to public debate on issues. The NGO argued that for too long a small group of individuals and corporate bodies have consistently monopolized the discussion of issues for selfish interests, arguing that in this age of information explosion, there is need for citizens to be adequately informed.

Explaining the rationale for the campaign, the group said the oil and gas sector is strategic to the aggregate economy; pointing out that anything that happens in the industry

would easily have multiplier effect on other sectors.

In view of this, the Executive Secretary of the group, Mallam Abubakar Kalto noted that rather than expedite the reform required moving the industry forward, the current debate over the provisions of the draft PIB, which is before the National Assembly is aggravating the challenges in the sector.

According to him, the PIB is very important as it aims to overhaul the industry that has not been blessed with such legislation for several years. Contrary to the view of many operators that the PIB would scuttle their operations if allowed to pass into law, Kalto explained that the overhaul will touch on indigenous and foreign operators in the sector.

The CGNOGI boss stated that the goal of the public enlightenment series is to put the record straight by educating the operators and investors alike about the critical issues that are causing what he called undue delay in the passage of the bill into law by the National Assembly.

He said Nigeria has an estimated 37.1 billion barrels of oil in reserves

and produces an average of over two million barrels per day in compliance with the allocated production quota from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) while the gas reserves are in excess of 165 trillion cubic feet and like its oil, Nigeria’s gas is rich in liquids and low in sulphur.

Kalto said the legal framework that has guided the industry to date is the Petroleum Act, which was enacted in 1969. The Act, he stated, vests the entire ownership and control of all petroleum in, under or upon any lands within the territory of Nigeria in the state. The legal framework, he noted, gives the power to grant the minister the exploration, prospecting and production rights. Aside the Petroleum Act, CGNOGI identified the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts Act No. 9, as another laws that govern the industry.

Kalto said the modern legislation that is expected to bridge the gap is the draft 2012 PIB that is intended to spell out a new legal framework that would govern the operations and activities of the oil and gas industry.

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

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THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

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PROPERTY

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.com

* The Environment * Mortgage * Apartments * Security * Homes * Real Estate

email:- property@thenationonlineng.net

Flood: Adaptation is the way out, say experts

•Flooded houses along Makurdi-Gboko Road, Benue State

Going by the National Emergency Management Agency’s (NEMA’s) projection, the flood ravaging the country may consume about one million persons this year. Several states are feeling the problem. They include Yobe, Adamawa, Sokoto, Benue, Kogi, Enugu, Anambra, Delta, Oyo and Plateau, especiallyJos, which before now was the most unlikely place for flooding because it is mountainous. Due to climatic changes, floods have led to many deaths and loss of property as families and farm lands have been wiped away. However, experts have identified adaptation strategies that may help communities combat flooding, reports OKWY IROEGBU-CHIKEZIE •CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

•Estate surveyors identify barriers to practice

- PAGE 18

•Ex-Commissioner criticises Fed Govt on flooding

•Women engineers mainstream gender in energy conservation

- PAGE 47

- PAGE 48

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THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT To instill sanity and discipline in their profession, surveyors and valuers have agreed to adhere strictly to ethics, professionalism and international best practices. They have also advocated sanctions against breach and commendation when necessary, writes OKWY IROEGBU-CHIKEZIE

Estate surveyors identify barriers to practice T

HE increasing number of quacks and impostors in estate surveying practice has created a credibility crisis in the profession.

To check the menace, senior members of the Nigeria Institution of Estate Surveyors& Valuers (NIESV) Lagos branch, under the aegis of Heads of Practice, have stressed the need for members to imbibe ethics, professionalism and responsibility in service delivery to improve their earnings and worth in the eye of the public.

In a paper, entitled Professionalism, Ethics and Responsibility Essentials of the 21 st century, delivered

by Mr Yinka Omotosho, a fellow of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, United Kingdom, he regretted that the practice seem to differ from what is obtainable in the United Kingdom.

He noted that unethical behaviour seems to have crept into the profession through big firms, frontiers, pioneers and senior professionals in the name of meeting targets or making more money.

He said: “We cannot shy away from the fact that unethical behaviour is eating deep into the credibility fabrics and continuity of our vocation. Our profession is on the brink of collapse if nothing is done to arrest the situation.”

He warned that estate surveying may be on the brink of collapse if nothing was done to arrest the situation. Omotosho noted that in the United Kingdom, a surveying firm carryies out its work with skill,

•Jolayemi, Audu, Fatoki, Eleh, Dosunmu and Omotosho, at the event.

care, diligence and proper regard for technical standards expected of it.

“It should also assist employees in their learning, operate a complaints handling procedure, and preserve the security of clients’ money entrusted to its care while managing transactions and using an accounting system appropriate to the business, amongst others,” he said.

However, he said the same could not be said of the practice in Nigeria where clients lose their cash in

transaction, pay more than the value of a property and the withholding of their document by surveyors.

He advocated tougher sanctions for defaulting members and firms.

He also canvassed the inclusion of professional ethics and practice in universities and polytechnics curricula.

In his response, the president, Nigeria Institution of Estate Surveyors & Valuers, Mr Emeka Eleh, agreed with some of the observed abuses. He, however, said they had

repositioned the practice to try cases of abuse within six months by the Professional Practice Committee. Mr Eleh noted that sanction grows “every society and we cannot shy away from wielding the big stick on erring members.”

Chairman of the event, Mr Olalekan Dosunmu identified personal interest, political influence as the bane of the practice in the country and called for a change.

Chairman, NIESV, Lagos branch, Mr. Sola Fatoki said the idea of the conference is to position the prac-

tice for a better practice in view of some formidable challenges facing the profession in the country. The challenges he enumerated, include infiltration by quacks and non patronage by government among others.

Chief Kola Akomolede also decried the lack of sanction of erring firms and poor skills of some members. He urged the institution to step the disciplinary arm of the practice to put members in check to adhere to the ethics of the profession.

possible for the smooth flow of water. He encouraged the opening up of drainage channels and maintenance of same.

Iloh regretted that instead of development based on town planning regulations, people build haphazardly against every norm of decent living.

An architect, Mr Taiwo Ola, also urged that the government should encourage researches on building materials that are resilient to strong winds and the changing weather patterns, adding that people should be enlightened to know the implications of wrong disposal of waste and its consequences with the increasing incidence of climate change.

He made a case for effective waste collection, disposal and management to keep the drainages free of filth to

aid the free-flow of water in case of heavy rains to check flooding.

He also encouraged government to do more for the environment through advocacy to key stakeholders on the need to preserve the environment.

Ola criticised those who throw used nylons and packages from their cars and homes indiscriminately, calling for a stricter law for offenders to check the abuse on the environment.

He said the panacea against devastating flooding, remains strong resilience and adaptation skills to help people manage the situation which no doubt will come due to the changing weather patterns.

He enjoined the government to work assiduously to reduce the projected one million deaths through flooding this year.

Flood: Adaptation is the way out, say experts •CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

T

HE floods ravaging many states have, again, brought to the fore the vulnerability of the nation to the effects of climate change.

The flood in Benue affected several communities in Makurdi along the river belt. Nine local government areas were affected in Kogi State, with Ibaji almost completely submerged.

The Nation learnt that inhabitants are taking refuge in neighbouring communities.

The other local government areas affected are Bassa, Ofu, Kogi, Omala, Ajaokuta, Ankpa, Igalamela and Lokoja, where choice property, including hotels, residential buildings, government offices and fishing communities along the confluence of Rivers Benue and Niger, were virtually submerged.

It is the same in Asaba, the Delta State capital, where communities and buildings were completely wiped out or submerged.

At a meeting with the Governor of Kogi State, NEMA’s Director of Planning, Research and Forecasting, Dr Charles Agbo, who led a team to the state, warned of prolonged flooding as more water would still be released from Lagdo Dam in Cameroon and Kainji Dam with intensifying rains.

He urged the government to enforce the standard regulation on urban planning and development, as well as relocating communities on the flood plains as a panacea to the problem.

Agbo warned that even after the floods, most submerged houses may become too weak and no longer safe for habitation, adding that the situation poses potential health hazards .

He urged the states to support the affected communities, in addition to

what the Federal Government, through NEMA would provide for the displaced persons. He called for the evacuation of persons living along the River Niger plains as the dam would attain their highest water levels in 29 years.

He said residents of the communities should move to higher grounds for safety. Agbo listed the states at risk as Niger, Kogi, Kwara, Kebbi, Anambra and Delta, urging that the states should ensure compliance with the order to avert loss of additional lives and property that would certainly arise in the event of flooding.

Climate Change Cimate change is becoming clearer to most Nigerians as they witness the changes in weather formation.

The issue on the front burner now is how to help people adapt to the consequences of the harsh weather conditions. Scientists are asking governments across the world to help people build resilience to fight the effects of climate change. The idea now is to create a culture of risk identification, reduction, preparedness and mitigation to combat losses.

While countries, such as Japan and others have responded by building floating houses as adaptation model to withstand the challenge of earthquakes, several developing nations are yet to do anything to adapt to the challenges of flooding.

A Director with African Adaptation Programme (AAP), an organ of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Climate Change, Samuel Adejumo, said the government should, as a matter of urgency, help the public build resilience to massive flooding and its attendant challenges, which are the offshoot of climate change. He urged

•Flooded communities in Delta State

that development models be tailored in such a way that it becomes immune to threats of climatic changes, saying the development models should include housing models, water and sanitation as well as culture.

An environmentalist, Mr Chukwuma Iloh, argued that adaptation models to check flooding should, as a matter of urgency, include strict adherence to town planning laws and building regulations.

He said people seemed not to have respect for physical planning and environmental laws as they get away with errecting buildings on drainage channels and water berths.

He berated governments at all levels for low implementation of physical planning laws which exacerbate flooding recorded in states as drains are silted and blocked, making it im-

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

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COMMENTARY EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

EDITORIALS

Talking at cross purposes

CBN debtors’ list •People who take loans must be ready to pay or face the consequence

L

AST week, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) returned to the nameand-shame tactics of publishing the names of the financial sector’s biggest debtors. Prominent among the 113 companies and 419 directors/shareholders in the list are Femi Otedola, Alhaji Sayyu Dantata, Sir Johnson Arumemi-Ikhide, Prof Barth Nnaji (former Minister of Power), Mrs. Elizabeth Ebi and Dr. Wale Babalakin.

Unlike in the past when it stopped at the point of making the names public, this time, the apex bank announced the extraordinary measure of shutting them out of further credit. It also threatened to hand them over to law enforcement agents in the event of their continuing neglect to fulfill their repayment obligations to the lenders. Banks which flout the directive would be made to make an immediate provision of 100 percent of total principal and interest outstanding in the account of the customer and related parties – without prejudice to regulatory action that the CBN may further take.

As a newspaper, we are torn between the tendency to criminalise debts that is increasingly commonplace, which we deplore, and the offensive criminal impunity underlying the transactions that have now constituted an albatross to the financial system. Much as we are willing to concede to a world of difference between the class of genuine borrowers who became unwilling victims more by factors beyond their control than anything else – and the class that now constitutes the delinquent class renowned for preying on the financial system, the trouble has been in spotting the difference.

Unfortunately, in the circumstance in which the banking sector found itself saddled with a staggering toxic loan portfolio of N3.4 trillion, the CBN seems to have reasoned that the situation dictated drastic measures. At this point, it is increasingly hard to fault the apex bank. True, the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has taken over most of the toxic loans in the bid to give some breather to the financial system; this itself has come at huge costs to the treasury. Meanwhile, a good number of the debtors have neither shown enough efforts to engage their creditors let alone the willingness to pay what they owe.

The measure by the apex bank, in our view, speaks to the exigency of the situation. The initiative, and, if we dare say, courage, by the CBN in making public the names of the individuals, is deserving of commendation. Far from being drastic, it comes with the territory that those who borrow from the financial system must see themselves as having the obligation to pay. Failure should therefore come with expectations of penalties, if only to discourage irresponsible debtors from bringing the roof down the heads of everyone.

In the specific case, it seems to us a necessary step to complement the on-going efforts to sanitise the financial sector. It is important to send the signal to those whose activities contributed in no small measure to the unravelling of the sector that the impunity of that era would not be overlooked. We cannot imagine a closure to the unfortunate event that culminated in the failure of some of the nation’s big lenders, and the collateral cost of the loss of investment by nearly two million

shareholders, outside of the drastic prescription. Those not averse to hiding behind legalism to frustrate legitimate debt recovery need to be taught the lesson that the alternative to being creditworthy is being shut out of formal credit.

If we must make the laws stricter to make it mandatory for people to know that loans are no free funds, we should not hesitate to do so.

All said, we must note that the financial system would not have found itself in this mess if credit bureaus were in operation. Clearly, the coming of the bureaus as a guide to the making of credit decisions has become imperative.

Everything that needs to be done to get the bureaus on board must be done – immediately.

‘The measure by the apex bank, in our view, speaks to the exigency of the situation.

The initiative, and, if we dare say, courage, by the CBN in making public the names of the individuals, is deserving of commendation. Far from being drastic, it comes with the territory that those who borrow from the financial system must see themselves as having the obligation to pay. Failure should therefore come with expectation of penalties’

Unmasked

•Blowing the cover off the operatives of the SSS is a new low in the war against the state

I

T seems quite an innocuous act but it may well be one of the deadliest blows the Boko Haram Islamist terror group has dealt the Nigerian authorities. There are no suicide bombs deployed or heavy gun battles as had been the case in the past.

No. This time, the terrorists cut deep into the heart of Nigeria’s elite security outfit, they blew their cover.

To unmask a spook is akin to rendering a damsel naked in public; it was a premeditated decapitation of Nigeria’s number one secret service.

A few weeks back, the social media were awash with a deluge of information about officials of the

‘It is worrisome that lapses of this nature still exist in the system. If the sect could break into the very heart of the SSS, there is no telling where else it has penetrated or is trying to. We call on the service to brace up. If there is nothing else Nigeria learned from the incipient terrorist activities, it must be the rudiment of security operations’

State Security Service (SSS).

Sensitive data and detailed information about the outfit were uploaded into the global information highway.

According to report, the data of over 60 personnel, including the directorgeneral of the agency Mr. Ita Ekpeyong were posted on the internet by suspected sympathisers of the Boko Haram sect. The information released included full names of operatives, their mobile numbers, names of next of kin, bank account details and other sensitive private information.

This indeed is a punch below the belt as the expose is capable of not only jeopardising the lives of the men but also their career and operations. The intention of course is to ridicule and embarrass the service by the very exposure.

The power and mystique of the secret service is in the secrecy of its operations and the ability to surprise through covert and undercover activities.

For the Boko Haram Islamists, considered to be rag-tag, untrained and unprofessional to break the code of the SSS, is the very limit of humiliation.

It is salutary to note that the service has redeemed a bit of its image by tracking the culprits, especially the

moles in the house who breached its security. As it turned out, the agency was infiltrated by the sect who violated their system.

The agency has vowed to clear the mess by flushing out the bad eggs and restructuring the service drastically. While we are at it, we want to differ that what has happened was a human error and not necessarily a structural one.

Need we restate that the breaking of the cover of Nigeria’s elite secret service by the Islamists sect is a slap on all Nigerians. One would have expected that the SSS would have upgraded its activities in the light of the recent upheavals. It is worrisome that lapses of this nature still exist in the system. If the sect could break into the very heart of the SSS, there is no telling where else it has penetrated or is trying to.

We call on the service to brace up.

If there is nothing else Nigeria learned from the incipient terrorist activities, it must be the rudiment of security operations.

We expect that by the time Nigeria is done with Boko Haram and its attendant security challenges, she ought to have one of the best security apparatus to be found anywhere.

After all, it is said that every adversity has its bright side.

T

HE alternate universes of the Israeli and Palestinian leaders were on display Thursday at the United Nations General Assembly.

In dueling speeches, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel focused on drawing a red line for an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities while the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, cataloged his community’s many grievances against Israel and tried to revive the fading dream of a two-state solution. Mr. Netanyahu even had on hand a visual aid — a primitive cartoon drawing of a bomb, which quickly went viral on the Internet.

Both issues — Iran’s dangerous nuclear ambitions and the Palestinian right to a secure state — need to be dealt with seriously, but neither man acknowledged the other side’s priority nor articulated a common path forward. Mostly, the speeches showed how far peace efforts have gone off track.

Mr. Netanyahu told the United Nations that he believes Iran’s ability to make a nuclear weapon will be irreversible by next spring or summer, and he argued that a “clear red line” must be drawn to warn Iran to halt its nuclear fuel enrichment or face military action. While that was a far more specific time frame than he had previously noted, his reference to next year seems to back away from earlier statements that seemed to suggest an Israeli strike much sooner.

Still, Mr. Netanyahu’s speech continued to push a campaign, which promotes military action when there is time for sanctions and diplomatic negotiations to produce a peaceful outcome. An Israeli Foreign Ministry report, disclosed by Haaretz, an Israeli newspaper, on Thursday, acknowledged as much, saying that sanctions imposed by the United States and Europe are having a huge impact on Iran’s economy and may be affecting the government’s stability. The report urged that the sanctions be tightened further.

A recent report by The Iran Project signed by nearly three dozen American experts concluded that “conservatively, it would take Iran a year or more to build a military-grade weapon, with at least two years or more required to create a nuclear warhead that would be reliably deliverable by a missile.”

Mr. Netanyahu is justifiably suspicious that Iran may be using negotiations to buy time as it advances its weapons program. And President Obama made clear the other day that the time for a diplomatic solution is “not unlimited.”

Mr. Abbas’s complaints are no less important for both Israel, the Palestinians and the region. Using exceptionally sharp rhetoric, he accused Israeli settlers of undertaking 535 attacks against Palestinians in recent months, and he charged Israel with using settlement expansion and efforts to weaken the Palestinian Authority to destroy the prospect of a twostate solution. Mr. Netanyahu made a brief reference to wanting peace with the Palestinians, but there is no hope of meaningful negotiations anytime soon.

After failing to get a process for talks going early in his term, Mr. Obama seems to have given up. Mitt Romney has suggested that he would do even less if he’s elected. On the notorious video taped when he was speaking at a private fund-raising event in May, he disparaged Palestinians as “not wanting to see peace anyway” and said his approach was to “recognize this is going to remain an unsolved problem.” He seems poised to encourage Mr. Netanyahu’s intemperate posture toward Iran, no matter the consequences.

– New York Times

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THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

20

CARTOON & LETTERS

S

IR: Fifty-two years of nationhood is a time for celebration.

If for anything that the entity called Nigeria still stands, against the expectations of our detractors.

Though this is a time to be merry, yet it is a time for sober reflection, a time for stock-taking, a time for introspection. We are 52, but we all know that we are nowhere close to where we should be as a nation.

Many things have helped slow our progress, but the most significant is bad leadership. Nigeria has had a perennial lack of good leadership going forward.

Our founding fathers made the sacrifices and won us independence, all along showing us the way of good leadership. But we lost the way. If Nigeria must take its rightful place in the comity of nations, then good leadership must be a cardinal aspiration.

We must start early to sort out the wheat from the chaff. Nigerians must not be driven to vote by anything else but by what, how and when a person will deliver. A political office

S

IR: I started reading about Dr. Lateef Adegbite in the late 1970s. I was so impressed by his intelligence and sincerity that I could not resist reading anything connected with his name, whether he granted an interview, or he presented a paper. He was the Secretary-General of Nigeria’s Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (SCIA), and a Muslim leader to reckon with in Yorubaland.

He was a legal luminary.

I pulled Dr. Adegbite’s legs on two occasions. One day, he said he could not imagine himself, as a Muslim leader, giving his own daughter in marriage to a Christian. I waited till another occasion when I heard him talking about Nigeria’s unity. I quickly reminded him of what he said that he would never give his own daughter in marriage to a Christian.

He ignored me. But, if I had a son old enough to marry his daughter, he would have learnt a lesson of his life.

On another occasion, Dr. Adegbite rated Islam, as practiced in northern Nigeria, higher than what obtained in the south, where, according to him, Islam was syncretised with African traditional religious practices. I then asked whether syncretism was not better than mass impoverishment that pervaded northern Nigeria. I mentioned the case of a highly placed northern Muslim who was accused of being behind the disappearance

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The leader Nigeria needs holder in Nigeria, with all the indices showing failure, still goes into office to complete a term, and even ready to get a second term, if not third term to “correct his mistakes”.

Nigeria is no guinea pig for charlatans.

Any politician who does not sit down to have an in-depth analysis of what he is going to face, and proffer solutions even beforehand is no better than the ordinary Nigerian and should not lead those who are perhaps smarter. Nigeria, like any nation is an on-going study. And only a studious and brilliant politician can succeed.

Politicians should search themselves well before offering themselves to lead. Those with nothing to offer should steer clear, and cheer from behind. And those lucky should hit the ground running. Appointment to political offices should be solely on merit and not to please political godfathers, or any ethnic or religious interest. To a good leader, Nigeria comes first before his political party.

In addition, manifestoes must be made clear before-hand, and not to foist any policy arbitrarily to blackmail Nigerians when the person has got into office. No matter how the

issue of fuel subsidy may seem altruistic to those who understand it, President Goodluck Jonathan would not have gotten one vote if he had as much as hinted it. Any contraption has to go through a referendum. If Nigerians say no, or if Nigerians cannot be convinced or carried along, then so be it. Democracy is about the will of the people. A good leader must know that the more important constituency is his people.

There cannot be any plausible excuse for non-performance, except ineptitude. Not even insecurity. In war times, flowers bloom and warring couples still have children. Even

Adieu! Lateef Adegbite of train (the railway system) in Nigeria, so that his own long trucks (popularly called trailers) would get business.

In all of that, I did not lose respect and admiration for Dr. Adegbite, because I knew he was sincere, and would say things as he saw them, or what he actually felt, without hypocrisy. On another occasion, he said it was not possible to maintain the Ramadan discipline after the Ramadan, given human nature, and

the fact that the Ramadan was a special month. You see he was not given to illusion!

Just about two months ago, Dr. Adegbite impressed me again when he told America not to include Nigeria on the list of terrorist countries, nor brand Boko Haram as a terrorist group without qualifications. He spoke my mind, because I believe the real terrorists are those who truncated rotational presidency, and are creating mass

poverty through embezzlement of public funds, and “fuel subsidy scam”.

I mourn the demise of Dr. AbdulLateef Adegbite in empathy with Nigeria’s Muslim community.

The country misses his wisdom and sincerity. May the Almighty Allah grant eternal rest to him, and grant his family members the fortitude to bear the loss.

• Pius Oyeniran Abioje, Ph. D, University of Ilorin.

A sleeping giant at 52

S

IR: Can a man be a toddler at 52? This was the question that confronted Nigerians as the nation marked 52 years of independence on Monday. Though this is the longest run of civil rule since the enthronement of democratic rule in May 1999, many ills still bedevil the sleeping giant of Africa 13 years on.

With an inept leadership, Nigeria, the seventh largest oil-producing nation in the world, massive corruption, insecurity, poor infrastructure, a dilapidating education and health system, have combined to leave Nigerians seeking redemption from their self-inflicted woes through several unorthodox means.

Nigeria has seen over 30 years of

military regimes and a total of 21 years of civilian administrations.

And while a total of eight soldiers had ruled the country, civilian administrations had produced only six leaders. Interestingly, while the military rulers-General AguiyiIronsi, Yakubu Gowon, Muritala Muhammad, Olusegun Obansanjo, Muhammad Buhari, Ibrahim Babangida, Sanni Abacha and Abdul Salam Abubakar-were believed not have impacted much on the growth of the country, Nigerians have not ceased to bemoan the reality of their faring badly under democratic administrations. But for brief glimpses of hope demonstrated in the shortlived first republic manned mostly

by nationalist figures, neither the administrations of Alhaji Shehu Shagari from 1979 to 1983, nor the eight years of Obasanjo as president brought progress and positive change to the country. The four years of President Umaru Yar’Adua was marked by its slow pace. The incumbent President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s one year plus in the saddle holds no promise of improvement, with Boko Haram in North causing untimely death to many Nigerians.

It has been canvassed over time that the problem of the nation lies in bad leadership. With the exception of Nigeria’s first generation leaders in the class of the late Dr Nnamdi Azikwe, Obafemi

those that are fighting the government can be won over by good leadership.

There are many potential great leaders with innovative ideas scattered all around Nigeria who will never get the chance to showcase it because they are not anointed by one godfather or the other or do not belong to a particular party, or affiliation and in the end the country is the loser. This is no way to achieve greatness.

Sadly, there is hardly any sector of Nigeria that we can give a pass mark.

Government in a shoddy manner allowed the former Minister of Power, Prof Barth Nnaji to leave, and since then the little light we saw has disappeared. Just when you think the bombs have stopped exploding, they go off again, taking lives and property with them. Who can stop the killings?

Youths, and graduates are roaming the streets in search of non available jobs, and in the absence of jobs some have resorted to all sorts of crimes. Who can change that? Nigerian roads have long remained death traps killing Nigerians along the way. Who can fix them? Many Nigerians who may have had dreams now do not believe in their country any more. Who can win them back? Only good leadership can change our fortunes.

At 52, we must strive to avoid repeating the same mistakes. We must put in power those who have been tested and trusted, irrespective of where they come from, or which party they belong. Leadership is about selflessness, compassion, passion, and vision. Till date, no Nigerian leader is iconic, as far as Africa is concerned.

Nigeria deserves more.

• Dr Cosmas Odoemena Lagos

Awolowo, Sir Ahamdu Bello and their band of independence fighters, nearly all that had subsequently held leadership positions, especially in the political realm, had been found wanting.

There must be electoral reform in other to usher in stability in the polity. Economic development cannot be divorced from political stability.

Nigerians must be allowed to choose their leaders. Nigerian leaders are being imposed on electorate. Government and National Assembly must have to partner to ensure that electoral reform works.

• Ademola Orunbon suz.breeze@gmail.com

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

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COMMENTS

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ANO sure does have them.

Governor Kwankwaso’s There was Mallam Aminu “facts” are a classical example Kano (1920-1983) of blessed of card-stacking; in a memory, the patron saint of the northern structurally skewed Nigerian talakawa; and undisputed muse of the federation. But then, the power Nigerian masses. elite craving more states, along So radically committed to the talakawa the present sharing paradigm, cause was Mallam Aminu that Second handed the governor his Republic President, Alhaji Shehu ammo. He bombed them so Olakunle Shagari, once said Mallam Aminu was a spectacularly! professional agitator; so much so that lordbeek@yahoo.com, 08054504169 (Sms only, please) Abimbola But the Kano governor would were he president, he would bear a appear far less formidable, if the placard against himself before being paradigm were to change to reminded he was president! As an productive federalism from the iconoclast and champion of the liberated present consumptive unitary masses, he was well and truly sublime. system, posing as federalism.

But there was also the tragi-comic Sabo Bakin Zuwo, of state in the South East; to make it at least at par with the other That way, the people of Kano would sure have the right to blessed memory. The lexically challenged Bakin Zuwo, who four geo-political zones of South West, South-South, North carve themselves into as many states as possible. But they had no formal education but who jokingly declared himself Central and North East. have to pay for that luxury: not awaiting some virtual freebies “student” at the “Mallam Aminu Kano Political School, That would appear fair, on the face of it. If other zones have six from a bloated and unfocused centre!

Sudawa, Kano”, sentenced many to wild guffaws when, at states each, why should the South East have just five? Why Everybody earning his keep would clearly teach the governor the hustings for the 1983 general elections, he said Kano indeed should the North West have seven states, two more than that he would need quality and not quantity population to create boasted many “minerals” like Coke, Fanta and Mirinda! the South East, and one more than the other zones? and run a state. That should wean him from the wastefulness When after the Second Republic had crumbled and the But an irate Governor Kwankwaso used a welter of statistics and needlessness of creating states (and local governments) as messianic pair of Muhammadu Buhari and Tunde Idiagbon (in a lengthy interview with The Nation, Saturday September 29), political tool to corner national resources, as against mobilising were handing out jumbo jail terms to errant politicians, to remind Senator Ekweremadu (the young man of no more scarce local resources to forge a lean and efficient administrative Bakin Zuwo released his parting bazooka. than 50 years!) and his ilk that going by the 2006 census figures, infrastructure to push scarce resources to gain sustainable Accused of warehousing N3.4 million (a mighty sum in the combined population of South East and South-South is 37 development and prosperity. those days!) in Government House Kano, the irrepressible million, just one odd million more than 36 million that the Governor Kwankwaso would probably fall into a swoon, Bakin Zuwo gave an apocryphal quip: “Government money in North West alone recorded. So, how dare they question the were the South West to demand more states for the old Western government house – so what the heck!”, or something to that right of Kano and allied states to have as many states as their Region, after all, numbers don’t lie! Look at the stats: old effect. The media screamed Banking Zuwo, a bathetic pun of land mass and population merited?

Western Region, now South West: six states; old Eastern Region, his name; and the immortal Banking Zuwo was born! He got He therefore not only canvassed for more states for Kano but now South East and South-South: 11 states; old Northern 300 years in the slammer. Bakin Zuwo was as ludicrous as also pushed for the merger of states with an average of two Region, now North Central, North East and North West: 19 Aminu Kano was sublime. million population, reeling off the likes of Bayelsa, Ekiti, Ebonyi, states.

And now, here is Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. Now, where Taraba, Gombe, Kwara, Abia, Cross River, and even Enugu, But the regnant political school in the South West realises does Governor Kwankwaso stand in the sublime-ludicrous Ekweremadu’s state, which peaked at just over three million that pushing for more states, under a moribund corrupt and continuum? He certainly is no Banking Zuwo, some lexically people! sharing system, is akin to the Biblical wide and merry way challenged comic and butt of media jokes. But neither is he And with a seeming Banking Zuwo affliction as regards that leads to perdition. Hence, their angling for regional a sublime defender of the talakawa, as the immaculate and federalism and its tenets, he queried why these puny states should federalism to drive their own business. incomparable Mallam Aminu was. have equal representation in the Senate with his humongous The Igbo elite sure have a right to have their due under the But he certainly is a doughty defender of his native Kano, Kano; forgetting that in a federation the Senate is an electoral present system. If that means creating one more state for them, with his radical offensive against the creation of more states equaliser, while the House of Representatives is based on so be it. But they must realise their salvation is not in a sinking in the South East; and a straight-shooter when the issue is the population. The governor signed off with the lament that the centre, but in their own hands.

North and its political ascendancy or decline. Indeed, insults from the likes of Ekweremadu could emanate simply Governor Kwankwaso is something of a paradox. From his Governor Kwankwaso is as radical in his attack of whomever because the North is now “politically down”! What hubris! interview with The Nation, he boasts a laudable and futuristic or for whatever reasons bring Kano to ridicule; as he is education policy. Yet he himself came off as one whose mind inconsolable in his lament over what he called the political is irredeemably chained to the past, the way he laments the “Governor Kwankwaso is something decline of the North. “weakness” of the North; and bludgeoned the South of a paradox. He boasts a laudable and current Ike Ekweremadu, deputy president of the Senate and East for making a reasonable demand. chairman of the Constitutional Review Committee of the The governor’s latest radical campaigns on onshore-offshore futuristic education policy. Yet he dichotomy National Assembly, stoked the governor’s fury. Senator and opposition to the South East demand for an Ekweremadu used the slicing of old Kano into Kano and himself came off as one whose mind is additional state look steeped in the past. It has little to Jigawa states; and the seven states in the North West geocontribute to a restructured Nigeria, where everybody earns irredeemably chained to the past” political zone to make a case for the creation of one additional his keep.

T

epublican ipples

O anyone in the business of public comment, one uncomfortable burden must be the duty to constantly answer to the question of whether Nigeria is headed in the right direction at every turn. Like the cliché goes - as it was in the past, so it was yesterday, so it would be tomorrow – and evermore. Like the proverbial bad coin that keep showing up at intervals, the question of the nation’s destination would again pop up at the occasion of its 52th independence anniversary.

Let me state that ritual of self-score that keeps producing what most Nigerians have come to regard as spurious verdicts – which suggest that the nation is finally getting things right – is nothing unusual. As uncomfortable as that ritual of outlandish self-assessment is, and which successive administrations have entertained themselves to at the expense of the long-suffering citizens, it does serves one important function of letting citizen into the mind of the leader – if only to allow them measure how far detached the leadership is from their reality.

Take yesterday’s address by President Goodluck Jonathan with its beautiful presentation of the economy as one finally revving in full throttle: an economy which in the last two years has maintained a sustained path of growth with the real Gross Domestic Product averaging 7.1 percent.

Until yesterday, I actually thought that we had gone beyond such meaningless statistics. After the spurious growth of the last decade that neither delivered jobs nor spread prosperity, I thought the adumbrations ought to have been tempered by the frightening reality of joblessness and rising poverty in the land. In vain did I search for recognition for the troubling, but long recognised fact.

Now, I understand: the path would point in the direction of an underachieving presidency!

From the power situation, to the economy; from job creation to security, the President insisted that he has his hands firmly on the handle. Unfortunately, the citizens who have borne the brunt of the failed policies of the administration couldn’t be sure.

It seems not too long ago that the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) drew our attention to the yawning disconnect between the growth and the incidence of poverty. I recall the bureau summarising the trend this way in February: “In 2004, Nigeria’s relative poverty measurement stood at 54.4 per cent but increased to 69 per cent or 112.518 million Nigerians in 2010".

The statistician would observe in summary that “It remains a paradox… that despite the fact that the Nigerian economy is growing, the proportion of Nigerians living in poverty is increasing every year.”

Did the President offer proof to show that the trend has changed? He didn’t. He needn’t. Nigerians know that things have grown worse, not better!

Let’s move swiftly to the President’s claim of performance

Trapped in the past

Policy Sanya Oni sanyaoni@yahoo.co.uk 08051101841

Nigeria at 52 in the real sector. In the President’s own words: “we have improved on our investment environment; more corporate bodies are investing in the Nigerian economy. Our Investment Climate Reform Programme has helped to attract over N6.8 trillion local and foreign direct investment commitments”.

Was it entirely surprising that the President would not see his score-card as complete without touting Nigeria’s emerging status as the preferred destination for investment in the continent?

Hear the President: “the nation’s share of total FDI flows into the continent is in excess of 20 per cent”. Really? Where?

There are of course the add-ons which he threw in; the registration of close to 7, 000 companies within the second quarter of the year alone; the 249-odd new members enrolled in the manufacturers’ club – the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) as at July this year. All these – the President seems to have reasoned – were proof enough of the economy in full flight.

If Nigerians expected the administration to be forthcoming on the specifics of jobs created through the trillion-naira FDI, they got none. Rather, it was sufficient for the President to claim that millions of job opportunities are being created for the youth and the general population – in public works, in the local content initiative in the oil and Gas sector and the agricultural transformation programme of his administration!

Now, there must be something extraordinary in the federal government’s professed love for FDI at a time when no finger is being lifted to help the few indigenous companies. The result is that many of them have bitten since the dust. Does the love of FDI reflect our typical preference for dispensing our charities abroad?

Now, FDI is good. Often touted as a measure of international confidence in the national economy, it is admittedly a sign that some things are being done right. The problem however is the fetish being made of the so-called FDIs. Coincidentally, as this is being written, I have a report quoting the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) as stating that no fewer than 800 indigenous companies closed shop between 2009 and

2011 due to harsh operating business environment. While it seems unlikely that those in the list would be among the 249 which the President’s hyperactive MAN recently enrolled on their membership register, the President did no more than gloss over the issue of the harsh operating environment which has rendered manufacturing business a nightmare.

For instance, nowhere did I hear the President address the question of easier access to credit; the unconscionably steep interest rates; the poor transportation infrastructure all of which constitute significant cost elements in manufacturing, but which with proper attention from government would keep the economy roaring.

Not while there was something to boast about in the modest improvement in the power supply situation, the arrival of the Presidential cassava bread, the Presidential rice which promises to keep Thailand rice permanently outside our shores. Oh; I nearly forgot the dozen-plus contracts to revive the railways!

Finally, does it count for anything that the Presidential Change of Guards –part of the independence ceremonies – was again held within the fortresses of the Villa?

Does it equally matter that the place of the once bright and colourful Eagle Square as host to national events have since faded into distant memories?

Talk about the dread of the Boko Haram being the beginning of Presidential wisdom.

Here is to Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

At a forum in Awka, the Anambra State capital sometime in August 2011, you spoke of the plan by the Goodluck Jonathan administration to overhaul the mortgage system. Then, you rightly identified the absence of the mortgage institution as one of the key drivers of corruption in the public service. I thought the idea was spot on.

It seems easy to imagine that a good number of the public servants under pressure to steal public funds in order to be able to put a roof over their heads would be less pressured to do if they access to relatively affordable mortgage.

Well, it’s been more than a year since you let us into the plan.

Do we need to wait till 2020 for the plan to materialise?

‘Was it entirely surprising that the President would not see his scorecard as complete without touting Nigeria’s emerging status as the preferred destination for investment in the continent? Hear the President: “the nation’s share of total FDI flows into the continent is in excess of 20 per cent”. Really? Where?’

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

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COMMENTS

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IGERIA’S fading image abroad took a further battering last week when the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia sent back home some of our women who had gone to the holy lands of Makkah and Madinah to perform this year’s hajj.

No fewer than one thousand of them mainly from the northern states as you know, were deported so to speak because they were not accompanied by any male guardian, either husband or close relation as prescribed by Islam. The refusal of the Saudis to accept our explanation led the Federal Government to temporarily call a halt to further airlift of Nigerian pilgrims to the Arab country.

But as the weekend was drawing to a close, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to the relieve of most Nigerians, particularly Muslims announced that the Saudis have opened their doors again to allow the near 100,000 Nigerian pilgrims billed for the hajj to perform/observe their religious obligation to Almighty ALLAH. The hajj, one of five pillars of Islam is enjoined to all Muslim adults male or female who are fit, able and capable at least once in their lifetime. Some have performed the pilgrimage more than once either in quick succession or at some intervals.

Majority of the more than one billion Muslims in the world have never been on hajj and are not likely to, given the limited number of pilgrims allocated to each country by Saudi Arabia. Their main constraint however is their inability to fund the pilgrimage themselves due to their poor financial status.

A would be pilgrim must not only be physically fit and of sound mind, but must also be financially able to sustain him/herself in the holy land as well as provide enough for those left back home.

For the female pilgrim, she is required to be accompanied by a male guardian or Muharam who should either be her husband or close relation.

This additional condition on the female pilgrim has been part of the pilgrimage from inception and therefore known to all Muslims.

But then the nature of today’s world has made this a huge burden on the Muslim woman, especially if she’s not married for whatever reason or husband not buoyant enough to accompany her or sponsor a male relation to accompany her.

And to take care of situations like this, we are told such Islamic bodies as NAHCON are allowed to give a shield to women pilgrims who find themselves in this kind of situation by acting as their Muharam so to speak. So if NAHCON could do this why then were our women turned back in Saudi Arabia? Could it be that the Saudis had added more conditions without telling or alerting us?

We may never know why or told why as the Saudis, given the secrecy with which they conduct

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OR some time now, the rumour mill in the State of Osun has been unduly astir and agog with its worrisome pastime of tickling the ears of people with fantastic untruths. The emerging pattern appears to be that anytime the government of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola introduces any comprehensive people-oriented policy, those whose pseudo patriotism inspires to harvest defeat from the jaw of victory quickly move to town, spawning a web of lies to discredit the programme.

Few months ago, some local political irritants and their unconscionable federal sponsors sought in vain to make sense of their hollow claims that the governor had concluded plans to first Islamise the state and then secede using the services of the young men it had trained in Cuba. These accusations fell flat and their sponsors were soon put to shame.

The latest in this concatenation of ridiculous and reprehensible rumours concerns the activities of the joint security taskforce codenamed Swift Action Squad (SAS), recently inaugurated by the state government to combat criminality and make the state unappealing to criminals of whatever pedigree. The objectionable gist in the current rumour making the rounds is that the men of this new security team are fashion police put in place by the government to deal with ladies who dress indecently, and to harass innocent citizens!

Of course, since the rumour began, not one of the many ladies so punished by men of the SAS for wearing “too sexy clothes” has come to validate the bland claim. Except in the waning and circumscribed imagination of the peddlers of the rumours, nobody has come forward with a shred of evidence to prove a case of harassment or act of impunity against the joint patrol team of security men.

In the version voyeuristically favoured by one Alabi Sodiq (circulated on some blogs and published in the September 4, edition of Thisday newspaper), it was claimed a young lady was “arrested” by SAS operatives on Saturday August 25, at Iwo. He claimed that the lady “was accused of wearing a top revealing her breast and the soldiers forced her to remove her top so as to totally reveal the breast she was ‘trying to flaunt’. Then,

That Hajj humiliation their affairs are likely to keep the reasons to their chest. This will no doubt suit Nigerian officials very well as they are never inclined to giving information, especially ones that could embarrass or nail them. May be the Federal Government delegation being sent to Saudi Arabia to ‘smoothen things out” with the Kingdom and prevent a further diplomatic spat between both countries would do a good job of getting to the root of this national embarrassment.

Being led by Speaker House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal, the delegation would do well to go beyond unravelling why our female pilgrims were turned back in Saudi Arabia but also look into the operations of NAHCON itself and how we handle our pilgrims both here and in Saudi Arabia, as well as the conduct of our pilgrims.

I want to believe that NAHCON and to some extent, the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards in each of the states have a hand in this unfortunate situation either as collaborators or main perpetrators. But then we need to look at how these pilgrims emerged in the first instance. Apart from those who paid for the pilgrimage with their hard earned money, the rest are mainly sponsored by State governments, political parties, mosques, religious organizations and in few instances by wealthy individuals who regards such as an act of Ibadah.

Among these sponsored pilgrims, especially those ones bankrolled by either the federal or state governments or political parties could be found party loyalists, male and female who were being paid with hajj sponsorship by their principals for their political support in the past as well as anticipated future support. Regrettably it is among this group of pilgrims that you find the bad eggs that the Saudis are always looking for to prevent from entering their country under the guise of hajj.

Some of these people constitute nuisance to themselves and embarrassment to Nigeria in the holy land. Some of them, male and female do engage in acts that are clearly not compatible with

Islamic tenets and not in tune with the mood of hajj. There are some of them whose interest is anything but hajj. While some go there for business or in some cases tourism, quite a few are only interested in immoral activities. Perhaps this was what was on the mind of the Saudis when those Nigerian women landed in their country for hajj without their Muharram so to speak. Do not get me wrong and I am certainly not trying to bring down my brothers and sisters in Islam in Nigeria.

Certainly not. Such bad eggs abound everywhere and I am sure the Saudis will do a similar thing to pilgrims from other countries in similar circumstances. But my grouse with the Saudis is that they tend to treat issues concerning Nigerian pilgrims and their counterparts from non-Arab speaking African countries with extreme application of the law. First most of them pretend not to understand you if you speak to them in any other language but Arabic, but they understand even if they cannot respond fluently. So you are left at their mercy if you run into trouble with them or they decided to put you in trouble.

I can imagine what those our women must have gone through there especially the illeterates among them. This is where NAHCON and to some extent the state Pilgrims Welfare Boards are at fault in my opinion. Why put such a large number of female pilgrims on board without competent Muharram or authority to assist them, knowing full well how erratic and unreasonable some of these Saudis could be? How much screening did we do here of our pilgrims to ascertain their fitness and genuineness of their intentions before dispatching them to the holy land? Some NAHCON and Pilgrims Board officials actually collaborate with some of these undesirable elements who find their way from here to Saudi Arabia for activities other than hajj.

Last year a female pilgrim that came via Kano gave birth on arrival at Jeddah airport. So, how did a pregnant woman board the flight in Kano when pregnancy of that state ought to have disqualified

her from the pilgrimage. Another woman lost her pregnancy and her friends were lamenting that she was in for trouble on her return to Nigeria as her husband had warned her not to embark on the pilgrimage. So, how did she pass through the screening here if at all there was one.

Agreed that the Saudis could be excessive in the application of the law when it come to Nigerian or black African pilgrims and even erratic at times, we should not blame them too much when we fail or neglect to enforce the same law here rigorously by doing the right thing. There are regulations for instance concerning food items that can be taken along but some of our people go there with such large number of food items as if they are going for a feast. If the Saudis decide to clamp down on this now we’ll begin to shout again. I think we need to do more of our home work here before we send our pilgrims to Saudi Arabia rather than blame the Arabs for maltreating us each time we fell foul of their law. We could do this first by being strict with our screening. We should stop sending or sponsoring thugs and other undesirable elements to hajj just to dispense political patronage. If at all government or whoever wants to send people on hajj they must be people of impeccable character who know what the hajj is all about and are going there to worship Almighty ALLAH. Secondly there should be rigorous application of the five-year interval rule where one can only go on hajj every five years (if one can afford it) and not every year as is the case with some people now.

Thirdly,our pilgrims need to better organized, both here and in Saudi Arabia and pilgrimage ought to be better funded and not just relying on government sponsorship. In largely Muslim countries like Indonesia and Malaysia, people save for years to fund their pilgrimage and attend classes regularly to prepare them for the once in a life time opportunity. Here people can go straight from a beer parlour to the airport to board a hajj flight simply because they were being sponsored by government, why won’t they misbehave?

Lets get our acts together and do the right thing and see whether anybody would want to mess with us. But as long as we open ourselves up for ridicule, even small rats will trample on our rights.

This must stop. The Federal Government must in line with our foreign policy tell Saudi Arabia or any other country for that matter that Nigeria will not tolerate any maltreatment of her citizens in their country and that punishment for any infraction of the law must be commensurate with the offense committed. But can we really do this in our present situation? Let’s wait for Speaker Tambuwall’s report.

Osun SAS and the reign of rumours

By Bayo Alowonle goes the story, a passing innocent Okada rider, who had no idea what was happening, was also stopped and asked by the soldiers to fondle the exposed breast of this young woman. The Okada man tried to turn down this offer and that’s a decision he would be regretting for a long time. He was mercilessly beaten and at the end he had to do as asked”.

On the surface, it appeared Sodiq was doing the right thing that any public-spirited, law-abiding citizen would do – calling the attention of the authorities to the unlawful actions of a security unit, more so that, in his claim, the information was not fictitious. But in truth, this was blatant disinformation meant to cause needless apprehension in the peaceful people of the state. Except that he saw a young girl running for whatever reason on sighting a patrol vehicle, every other thing in his boondoggle was a product of hearsay. Perhaps because he is alien to the culture of crosschecking the facts of his claims beyond any scintilla of doubt as any credible writer and well meaning citizen would have done, he unquestioningly accepted the hogwash he was told hook, line and sinker as gospel truth!

For those living in or visiting any part of Osun, it is very clear that all of the red security vehicles used by SAS have bold numbers inscribed on them, both front and back, for easy identification. The easiest thing for anybody who witnessed the wrongdoing of these security men to do is to take down the number and include it in their reports. But in the circulated reports against SAS, not one person – not even the seemingly observant Sodiq– has provided the vehicle number of the particular SAS unit that carried out the rumoured act. There has not even been any simple verbal description of the vehicle. Not one of the different versions of the wicked rumours gave a clear description of the actual place where the incident occurred. I have heard and read different places like Osogbo, Ile-Ife, and Iwo mentioned without any pre-

cise location within them identified as the place where passers-by witnessed the event.

Assuming I were ignorant of what the average Nigerians can do with their camera phones at the scene of a sordid event, I might not have bothered surfing the net for a video or picture from episode. However, since the story was a product of the fevered imagination of rumour-mongers with sinister intentions, no single picture or video clip exists to affirm the veracity of the claims. It was Nigerians, not foreigners, who witnessed the beastly assault some low-minded Naval ratings executed against Uzoma Okereke sometime in 2010, that recorded the shameful acts and uploaded it on the Internet for the world to see. Did camera phones or other similar devices go into extinction while soldiers assault and harass a lady and an okada rider (the imaginative creations of mischief makers)?

Moreover, I remember that the Special Adviser to the Governor Aregbesola was on live broadcast of the state television station about two weeks ago to encourage witnesses or victims of the untoward acts of SAS to contact him or the TV station with useful information. He gave out his personal number and six other numbers for this purpose.

Not a single person has ventured in that direction.

I have the hunch that those behind these rumours are incorrigible enemies of the state, who are unhappy with the progress being made. It is not even unlikely that these supine and faceless people behind the misleading tales are the ones who are exceedingly uncomfortable with the reality that they may not be able to rig elections because there is a crime-fighting military apparatus on ground. Politically-motivated crimes are stamped out in Osun and the graceless sponsors are in distress, hence the horrible rumours. What is more, in the better-forgotten years of the Oyinlola administration, Osun citizens were at the mercy of criminals. Today, it is a different story with the current administration. With the solid presence of security men in strategic areas around

the state, it is very possible that criminals are sorely troubled that the party is over.

This too could be another reason for the ruinous claims against the new security outfit the government has put in place to ensure the security of life and property of the people.

While it is not impossible that some of these security men could be guilty of certain excesses in the performance of their duty, it is also not inconceivable that some weightless politicians and their foot soldiers incapable of deep introspection would resort to cheap lies and rumours in order to destroy a scheme that serves the people of the state very well.

In his address at the inauguration of SAS, Aregbesola did not mention fashion policing as part of the duties of this security scheme. What will make sense is for people to report any unseemly conduct by members of the squad, with verifiable evidence.

It is another way we can all participate in the onerous task of ensuring the security of the people of our various communities. Let all mischief makers, rumour-mongers, and political irritants know that no edifice of lies can survive where the sledgehammer of truth is active.

• Alowonle writes from Osogbo

‘While it is not impossible that some of these security men could be guilty of certain excesses in the performance of their duty, it is also not inconceivable that some weightless politicians and their foot soldiers incapable of deep introspection would resort to cheap lies and rumours in order to destroy a scheme that serves the people of the state very well’

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

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NATIONSPORT TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

NATION SPORT

NATION SPORT

NATIONS CUP QUALIFIERS

AHEAD OF NIGERIA V LIBERIA

No injury worries for foreign-based stars – Keshi

Taiwo sets sights on knockout round

Agbim leads 23 A Eagles to training

From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja foreign-based players even on a daily basis and none of them have complained of anything. So, by the grace of God, all the players invited for the match will be available. For now, everybody is okay and there is no complaint of injuries for now."

The former Togo and Mali Head Coach also revealed the travel plans of the overseas-based players. “Any of them (invited foreign based stars) that can reach camp between Saturday and Sunday this weekend will fly with us to Calabar on Monday (October 8th, 2012) while the rest of them that comes in after Monday will fly straight to Calabar to join us”, Keshi disclosed.

He also said that the home-based were gearing up for action against Liberia and this showed in early arrival and meeting the deadline for camping by the players.

and there has been talk of the team leaving Abuja intact ahead of the encounter going by the interest the match has generated among Nigerians.

Agbim, who led the 23 home-based stars to camp, has assured that the team is in the right frame of mind for the game against the Lone Star of Liberia, declaring that the strength of the team can only improve when the foreign-based pros arrive.

“We can handle the pressure because we have been doing that but both home and foreign-based players have a singular goal and that is the ticket for the Nations Cup in South Africa,” assured the Warri Wolves shot stopper.

NIGERIA’S 52ND INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY

SNEPCO hosts Paralympians

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

HEAD of Wednesday's UEFA Champions League encounter between Dynamo Kiev and Croats Dinamo Zagreb, Nigeria defender Taye Taiwo has told the official website of the capital club that the club should remain persistent in its quest to qualify for the knockout rounds of Europe's most glamorous cup competition. ''Our objective remains the same to come out of the group stage in the playoffs of the Champions League. We're preparing for the next match very, very seriously. If we win, then in this Champions League it will be difficult not to expect something,'' Taiwo told www.fcdynamo.kiev.ua.

The left back, on loan from Italian powerhouse AC Milan, was praised by the Ukrainian Press for his tenacity in defense against Zorya in the tenth round of matches in the premier division.

GOVERNOR’S CUP:

$50,000 up for grabs as Euro, Afro stars hit Lagos

Hat-trick spurs Chima for Europa League tie N

•Chigozie Agbim

Chima fired a treble against Stabaek in a 4-3 victory to shoot Norwegian champions Molde back to the top of the table.

“This performance against Stabaek has put me in a right frame of mind

.Showers gifts on medalists AFRICAN YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP

Omeruo to spearhead Flying Eagles’ onslaught

ahead of our Europa League match with Stuttgart," former Lyn Oslo star Chima told MTNFootball.com "It was a great feeling for me to score three goals in a match, that was my first since I came to Norway. And

most importantly is that we won and the victory keeps us on top of the league.”

His compatriot Emmanuel Ekpo was a 73rd minute substitute for Molde against Stabaek.

2012 AFRICAN WOMEN CHAMPIONSHIP

Falcons are the team to beat—Mbachu •Says Nigeria afraid of no foes •Tips Flamingoes to win U- 17 World Cup

•Stella Mbachu

From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja

•Taye Taiwo

INA Bratchikova of Russia, who reached the second round of the 2012 Australian Open, is one of the top female tennis players expected to hit Lagos for the Governor’s Cup, which will hold from 13-27 October at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan, Lagos.

Nina, ranked 93rd in the world, has been a past winner of the Governor’s Cup and she will fight it out for the $50,000 prize money for the women’s event with other Governor’s Cup regular faces such as Kristina Kucova of Slovakia (269th), Germany’s Anne Schaefer (294th), Swiss Conny Perrin, Romania’s Laura-loana Andrei (330th), Melanie Klaffner of Austria (384th, Karolina Nowak of Germany, Italy’s Lara Rafful, Agnes Szatmari and Ester Masuri.

Some of the Nigerian ladies who have registered for the competition include Fatimah Abinu, Christie Agugbom, Chinenye Ndidi Izuogu, Blessing Samuel, Blessing Anuna and Osariemen Airhumwunde.

Laurent Rochette from France, who has been a regular face in Lagos, is leading the pack in the men’s category.

He is ranked number 203rd in the

By Stella Bamawo world. Others regular players coming for the championship are past winner Kamil Capkovic from Slovakia (255th), Indian Ranjeet Virali-Murugesan (452nd), Vijayant Malik of India (475th), South African Ruan Roelofse (489th).

Some Nigerian male players who have registered for the tourney are Shehu Lawal (1406th), Candy Idoko (1669th) Clifford Enosoregbe (1669th), Onyeka Mbanu (1669th), Kehinde Alade, Destiny Ford Da Silva, Monday Igbinovia, Samuel Omoile, Ganiyu Yussuf, Pekun Akingbde, Sunday Igbinovia, Omotayo Kaseem Rasaki, Sanni Adamu and Bolaji Olawepo.

Players from 55 countries have signified their interest to feature in this year’s competition. Some of the countries include USA, Spain, France, Russia, Poland, South Africa, Romania, Slovakia, Slovania, Ukraine, Italy Czech, Bulgaria, Sweden, Denmark, Britain, Ireland, Bulgaria, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Ghana, Omar, Pakistan, Syria, Tunisia and a host of others.

The 12th Lagos Governor’s Cup Tennis Championship ranked by the ITF is being sponsored by Etisalat Nigeria and FCMB.

Oparanozie, Ordega relish Russian deal A Scholysser wins 16th Nigeria Cup •Victor Moses •Loveline

FTER signing the dotted lines with Russian club, Rossiyanka for undisclosed years and financial details, both Super Falcons' Desire Oparanozie and Francesca Ordega have enthused that the urge to take their football career outside Nigeria made them accept the switch to the Eastern Europe.

In a brief chat with NationSport, an obviously excited Ordega expressed her delight with the deal and added that the offer to take her football trade abroad came at the right time hence her acceptance of it.

"Yes, it is true. I can confirm this very one. I am grateful to God for making this happen.

"I have paid my dues and I believe it was the appropriate time

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri

for me to take my career abroad. I am happy," Ordega said.

Same view was also shared by her team mate and compatriot, Oparanozie who stated that she would love to start her career in Russia with a bang to prove that her World Cup feat was no fluke.

Both players had fantastic outings at the Japan 2012 U-20 Women's World Cup and they netted seven of the total nine goals recorded by the Falconets. Ordega got a hat-trick against Italy and the lone goal against Brazil while Oparanozie's three goals came in the ties against South Korea, Mexico and Japan.

Ordega plied her trade with Rivers Angels while Oparanozie was with Delta Queens before her departure.

INSIDE

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

Page 25

Website: http://www.thenationonlineng.com

Fed Govt trains Corps members - Page 27

Inside Inside Abuja’s Abuja’s forgotten forgotten backyard backyard Christian actors converge on FCT - Page 28

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The fear of floods - Page 40

YANYA, a suburb of Abuja, located on the border of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Nasarawa State, is home to all and sundry. In light traffic, it is also about four minutes’ drive away from the seat of federal power.

But that is of little comfort to its residents. It hums with settlers of different stripes, few of who are comfortable with its profile. Many remember that the first sign of government presence in the community was a “labour camp” built for construction workers whose brief was to build Abuja, not Nyanya. That instruction was duly carried out.

Many civil servants who chose to live in the community did so to escape the prohibitive rent in Abuja, where they work, but what they were running away from has since caught up with them. Rent there is also forbiding. Facilities are a write-off, too.

Nyanya is the backwater of the

From Onyinye Glenda Ojiaku

FCT. Historically, it was occupied by Gbagyi people who are said to have descended from a hunter known as Robo Nyazaba, a migrant from the Zaria Province.

Nyazaba was reckoned to have brought his kinsmen to settle at the location, eventually named Nyanya, meaning “expanding or spreading” in the local dialect. He was later turbaned by the Emir of Keffi as the first king of Nyanya.

According to one of the high chiefs, Sarkin Pada of Nyanya, Chief Enoch Jiyaba, the first government presence in terms of infrastructural development in the community was the “labour camp” built by the Shehu Shagari regime in 1980/81 in Areas “A, B, C, D, E and F”. That was when the idea of moving the seat of power from Lagos to Abuja was conceived.

The labour camp was built to house construction workers who

built the federal territory. When most of the buildings were completed years later and the seat of power moved from Lagos to Abuja, the camp was ceded to civil servants who were mainly the first occupants of Nyanya and still constitute the largest segment of the population.

Nyanya, with a population of about 300,000 persons, cutting across all social strata -artisans, the business class, politicians, etc, comprises six sub districts and four phases.

As a bourgeoning community, Nyanya has had its tale of ups and downs brought about by a daily influx of people with its attendant strain on existing infrastructure and social amenities.

With its proximity to the city centre, Nyanya is acclaimed to be the closest suburb in the federal territory, as it takes only about four minutes’ drive to the town in light traffic.

Despite the near rustic environment that typifies Nyanya, the cost

of residential accommodation remains prohibitive. For instance, a one-room apartment goes for between N150,000 and N250,000. These rates are subject to upward review, usually on an annual basis, by the landlords without necessarily adding any value, aesthetic or otherwise, to the structures.

By and large, accommodation cost largely depends on the area and availability of water, be it borehole or public water supply.

Security, which is one of the greatest challenges in the country, is left in the hands of untrained local guards who only appear to register their presence just to collect their monthly pay.

The relatively cheap accommodation in Nyanya attracts a daily influx of people to the area. This is in contrast to what obtains in residential areas within the city centre. This has •Continued on Page 26

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

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ABUJA REVIEW

•Nyanya

Nyanya: A forgotten backyard •Continued from Page 25 led to increased economic activities in small- and medium-scale business ventures. The informal sector drives the economy of this backyard settlement.

Nyanya just as every other surburb, has a population that grows daily without any expansion or improvement in existing facilities and other basic amenities for the residents.

The area is quite dirty as refuse is thrown around with reckless abandon. Overflowing refuse dumpsites are commonplace while it is nobody’s business to evacuate the filthy heaps.

Neighbourhood roads are without drainages and are usually in deplorable conditions. Most of them are flooded during the rainy season, leaving the residents in a

I

T is not for nothing that Kubwa General Hospital in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja is called the people’s hospital. Where just about every other health facility has an eye on its profit margins, it has an eye on the well-being of patients with financial challenges while giving them the best care.

This explains why it grapples with a heavy influx of people not only from Kubwa, but also other neighbouring towns. This is a huge challenge, manifesting in overcrowding and overstretching of facilities.

A visit to the hospital reveals an enormous crowd of patients in small waiting rooms.

When the idea of the hospital was conceived many years ago, no one envisaged the current population explosion of Kubwa which has become the largest satellite town in the FCT. Any wonder that efficient crowd control, orderly and quiet ambience that are some of the features of a hospital are conspicuously lacking in the hospital.

The reason for this is not farfetched. After a very long wait on the queue, most patients become

state of perpetual suffering.

Two government owned primary schools, three secondary schools, a general hospital, a police station and the popular Nyanya market are the only government presence in the entire community.

A resident of Phase IV, Nyanya, Mr Victor Okocha, a civil servant who has lived there for 12 years, said the only time the residents witness government presence is during electioneering campaigns.

He said: “We only witness government presence when various political parties come to canvass for votes and make empty promises which they never keep. The moment elections are over, we are left to our fate”.

Another resident, Mrs. Mary Yahaya, a house wife who had lived there for nine years claimed

“I never believed that Nyanya was part of the federal capital territory until when Development Control officers of the FCDA came to mark houses and illegal structures for demolition and eventually pulled down the structures. If not, I can swear that Nyanya is not part of Abuja”, she said, basing her judgment on the absence of basic social amenities”.

The same story goes for potable water as only Area A of Nyanya is connected to an epileptic public water supply. A petty trader Mrs. Joy Ezeh who lives there, attested to the fact that public tap runs only twice a week and when it does, it lasts for only three hours.

She said: “I am only lucky that my stall is around my house and whenever the tap is running, I quickly pack up my wares and rush home to fetch water as the tap does not run for

more than three hours. That is my saving grace as against most of my neighbours who are civil servants who are hardly at home whenever the taps choose to run”.

Majority of the residents resort to various forms of underground water supply like wells and boreholes for their daily needs. This has created brisk business for water vendors popularly known as “mairuwa” who supply water at exorbitant prices.

Mrs. Ezeh quickly added that the only government presence stable in the area, are those government officials that come to collect taxes and rates on the small businesses they operate.

Just like residents of every other part of the capital city, the neglected and forgotten residents of Nyanya are crying for attention from the authorities of the Federal Capital Territory.

Urgent government intervention is needed in every facet of their lives to make them truly belong not only as part of the seat of power, but also as part of a modern society.

•Chief Enoch Jiyaba, Sarki Pada of Nyanya

The people’s hospital expands From Bukola Amusan

tired. Each patient tries to cut corners in order to receive medical attention as desperation sets in.

Reeling off some the difficulties the hospital experiences, its Medical Director Dr. Ahmed Danfulani said: “One of the challenges we have is the constant harassment from the public. Most times, the public do not understand the way we work and what we are experiencing; and the way they handle some of our facilities is very terrible. For instance, our toilets are almost sinking now because of the way they use the facility.

“We need a lot of crowd control and anywhere you are giving these kinds of services to the people, it is a very big issue. It has been a difficult thing. But we have to balance by being nice to them,” he said.

Despite the pains, patients still prefer to wait to receive medical

The ultra-modern eye clinic is one of the structures we met on the ground. It is now functional.

The second one is the X-ray unit. The X-ray unit was also locked up. We had to renovate it. In no time, the main X-ray will commence there

treatment from the hospital because they are affordable, and most times free. Here patients are given free ante-natal programme from conception to delivery. This may be in terms of Caesarian Section or normal delivery.

There have been calls for expansion, creation of more bed spaces, provision of adequate modern hospital equipment, and employment of more medical personnel for the smooth running of the hospital.

However, checks by our correspondent revealed that the sad tales of patients and the inadequacy in the hospital may soon be a thing of the past. This is so because the management of the hospital has taken steps to expand the hospital so as to address some of these challenges.

Some of the expansion work going on in the hospital, findings revealed, include establishment of new units like the mortuary, paediatric, emergency and dental units.

One of the sore areas Kubwa residents have suffered was that of mortuary services which had been absent in the hospital, even though it boasts of one currently.

Other areas of the hospital that are undergoing renovation are the physiotherapy unit, laundry and restaurant while the BRS building store, where the laboratory is situated has also been renovated.

A visit to the hospital shows that a new functional maternity unit has been established. Also established is a new maternity theatre.

Investigation revealed that before now, pregnant emergencies were taken care of in the main theatre.

The Managing Director of the hospital who assumed office about four months ago told our correspondent that on assumption of duty, he was confronted with myriads of challenges.

Giving an insight into some of the challenges he said: ”When I assumed duty, I met about seven uncompleted buildings. My first challenge was to see how I could put all the buildings into use for the benefit of the residents of Kubwa.

“One of them is the abandoned eye clinic which is currently functional. It’s been completely renovated and it is already been put to use.

“The ultra-modern eye clinic is one of the structures we met on the ground. It is now functional.

The second one is the X-ray unit.

The X-ray unit was also locked up.

We had to renovate it. At present, we carry out our ultra sound examination there. In no time, the main X-ray will commence there,” he said.

The Secretary, FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat (HHSS), Dr. Demola Onakomaiya inaugurated the Kubwa General Hospital Eye Centre. The effort was a collaboration of the secretariat and the Standard Chartered Bank.

Speaking at the inauguration of

the facility, Dr Onakomaiya said the project was in line with the resolve of the International Agency for Prevention of Blindness and the World Health Organisation to eliminate avoidable blindness by 2020 through its “Vision 2020- The right to sight.”

He further said that the FCT eye care programme which is supported mainly by the International Centre for Eye Care Education (ICEE) and Sight Savers was established in 2011.

He said: “This intervention has produced significant results in capacity building of health personnel, optometrists, ophthalmic nurses and equipment.

“Technicians and other health workers in Bwari, Kuje and AMAC benefited from training of trainers workshop while 50 community health extension workers and secondary school teachers were equally trained on how to measure visual acuity and identify simple eye diseases in their various clinics, communities and schools respectively.”

This, according to him, will ensure early detection and prompt referral of eye problems identified for further management and treatment.

He further noted that the facility was a great development because people at the grassroots can have access to quality eye care treatment as the facility has been structured for eye consultation and advanced eye surgery at affordable rates.

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ABUJA REVIEW

Streetlight contract terminated

T

HE streetlight maintenance contract for Wuse 1, Wuse 2, Mabushi and Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Way, all in Abuja City Centre, has been terminated. The contract was stopped by the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) due to non-performance.

The decision to terminate the contract arose when it became obvious that the contractor handling the areas could not ensure due functionality of the streetlights.

The coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, Reuben Okoya, while conveying the decision of the council to terminate the contract, expressed sadness with the contractor’s inability to improve on his services despite several written and oral warnings.

He stated that the council had noticed during its routine monitoring exercises at nights that most of the areas managed by a particular company, CON Engi-

From Bukola Amusan

neering Ltd, were in constant darkness, and that all efforts made to ginger the company to action failed.

The coordinator stated that the council is committed to ensuring that the street lights in the City are in good and sound working condition especially given the current security challenges in the country.

He warned other contractors to ensure that the zones under their control are well maintained, emphasising that the council will not hesitate to terminate the contract of any company that handles the street light maintenance job with levity.

In order to ensure all round functionality of the street lights, the coordinator has constituted a special monitoring committee headed by the Director of Facilities Maintenance and Management, to constantly monitor the areas covered by the contractors and ensures their optimal performance.

•Abuja streetlights

T

HE Federal Government has trained members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) serving in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on human capacity and entrepreneurship.

The event, which was the second phase of the project, was conducted through the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties and Social Development, Mrs Sarah Pane, in collaboration with Discovery Cycle, trained about 250 Corps members.

Pane, who was represented by Mr Sylvanus Danlele, expressed government’s happiness to associate with the scheme.

She observed that it was in line with the government effort towards attainment of Millennium Development Goals.

While applauding the corps members for making themselves available for the training, Pane advised them not to see it as any other skill acquisition scheme, but as one that can transform their lives and make them independent.

The Assistant Director Skills Acquisition, who represented the Director General, National Youth Service Corps(NYSC), Mrs. Ifeoma Anidobi in her goodwill message, said the management of the NYSC was glad to be part of the project.

She added that the concern is not only for what happens to the corps members during their service year, but afterwards, due to high unemployment rate in the country.

She noted that skill acquisition department of the NYSC, was established in March, 2012, this year to coordinate activities of various organisations, who might want to empower the corps members, adding that “before now, there were no structures as organisations came, lectured, demonstrated, sold their books to Corps members and went away”.

The NYSC, Mrs Anidobi said, is

•Corps members

Fed Govt trains Corps members From Onyinye Glenda Ojiaku

in partnership with ILO, SMEDAN, ITF and other local and international organisations to empower the Corps members to be inde-

Assistant Director, Skills Acquisition encouraged Corps members not only to acquire skills, but to put them to good use, after the training

pendent.

She expressed readiness to partner with organisations concerned with entrepreneurial and capacity building organisations to empower our Corps members on challenges of tomorrow.

She encouraged corps members not only to acquire the skills, but to put them to good use, after the training.

Executive Secretary of TETFUND, who was represented at the event by his Deputy Director Administration, Mr Ben Oduadu Ebikwe, stated in the event that they believe in the future of Nigerian youths and Corp members.

He added that as a government

intervention agency, among other duties empower Nigerians to acquire quality education and boost capacity training to acquire prerequisite knowledge that is abreast with the changing world.

TETFUND who sponsored about 200 corps members to the training, said “we believe that education is parents to development and no investment in the youths is a waste” The project manager of the scheme, Mr Francis Okpalaeke, when asked what his organisation was doing differently, said that their mentorship is five dimensional.

He explained further that their trainings cut across corporate and

human resource management, lifetime enhancement programs, corporate grooming and leadership courses to prepare youths to be independent in their chosen fields.

Mr. Abioye Daniel who was among the trainees, described it as an eye opener being that they bring innovations into practical ways of living an independence life which he was not taught in school.

Miss Joy Nkwocha whose joy knew no bounds for the training opportunity, thanked the organisation and its collaborators for giving them a leverage to become world entrepreneurs.

Mr Busui, the entrepreneurial focal person encouraged the trainees to put in good use their skills acquired noting that “knowledge acquired without good use, will never yield results”.

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ABUJA REVIEW

H

UNDREDS of aspiring and established actors and actresses have stormed Abuja for a three-day summit to exchange ideas on how to enhance the Christian drama sector in the northern part of the country. Under the aegis of Conference of Evangelical Drama Ministers (ANCEDRAM), the 19th edition of the annual event was held at the expansive Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Headquarters, Garki, with amidst much celebration. Notable Christian artistes like Mike Bamigboye and Mike Agboola graced the conference where the aspiring artistes were challenged on how to promote a positive alternative to the damaging secular home video and drama, said to be eroding values in the Nigerian society.

Bamigboye who is also the Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT) of ANCEDRAM), spoke with Abuja Review. He condemned the ascendancy of damaging secular home video and drama and it’s negative on the society.

“Years ago, before the advent of Nollywood in this country, all we knew were the Hollywood action movies like James Bond and others and it created some effects in the lives of the youths then. But today, majority of the movies that are shot contain violence. We would not have known how people made bombs if not that it was shown on television, so it contributed to the moral decadence, the wrong fashion, these things were shown from television movies”.

He however stressed that it was in an attempt to curb the moral decadence that is threatening the society that ANCEDRAM took it upon itself to promote positive alternatives for Nigerians who seem to be addicted to watching home videos.

He said: “It should not be a matter of words; there should be a way that the messages are going to speak into the lives of people. Another point is that what people watch with their eyes stay longer in their memory than what they hear; today people love to watch movies, I would say a lot of people are getting tired of sermons because it is like they hear the same thing over and over again but people want to sit down and watch movies to ease stress of nowadays.

There are no godly movies for them to watch, but we give them no alternative but to watch secular movies”.

According to him, many Christian homes that crave for Christian movies could not have them and have to rely on secular movies.

“That is the reason why we discover today that it is a good alternative for Christian movies to be made to give people alternative movies to watch. If you want to curb moral decadence, then you have to show people how to live. The cause of moral decadence today is not be-

•From left: Pastor Olatunde, Mike Bamigboye, Mike Agboola and Nichodemus Kokyom

Christian actors converge on FCT From Dele Anofi

cause of anything but spiritual which mean living in unrighteousness and in sin. To curb it, you must show people the God’s side to it, what does God think about immorality, how does God view wickedness, violence?

We must show this in a very dramatic form which people would want to watch,” he added.

Bamigboye who noted that piracy, as amenace to the film industry in the country regretted that it was not peculair to Nigeria alone.

Though he emphasised that techonoly has contributed to the growth of piracy, The veteran ac-

tor however admited that it was a not problem for Christian film industry. “Piracy is a problem but God is greater than the problem, so we don’t take it to heart because the present technology does not even curb piracy because it supports it, so even if we catch a pirate, are we going to take him to the police station? No. Though we lose the money, but we gain the souls. My own view is that Christianity goes together with praying and as we pray, the Lord will touch the heart of the people, the Lord can change the situation of the nation, make the environment very conducive, so we will not stop praying. We believe that the major weapon apart from other weapon is praying, intercession”.

We make our movies and in a month’s time, you see it on television stations even without selling 2000 to 3000 copies because our main priority is evangelism, winning souls for the Lord

He also appealed to the government to do its part in moving the Christian film industry forward as it was doing for Nollywood. He said though ANCEDRAM was yet to seek for financial assistance from the government on the basis that such assistance amounts to loan that must be paid back . He said since the work of drama ministry is a faith work, seeking and getting such financial assistance would not be wise.

“We make our movies and in a month’s time, you see it on television stations even without selling 2000 to 3000 copies because our main priority is evangelism, winning souls for the Lord”.

Nuhu Hans, who was the Vice President of the group, said the essence of the regional event was to use the instrument of God to sanitise the society. According to him, the theme for the conference, ‘My Battle Axe’ was carefully chosen to reflect the present situation in the country and the preparednesss of the group to contribute its quota towards peaceful coexisitence and development. “We are not waging

Abuja cleans up suburbs

T

•Vice President, Namadi Sambo with Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Nigeria, Khaled Abdurabuh, during his visit to the Presidential Villa in Abuja

war, right from time we knew the kind of God we are serving, He is a God of war and He uses instruments of war to do His work- Jeremiah 51:20. We are His own battle axe and He will use us to pull down the nations, and so on, and that was how we arrived at the theme of the conference. We are in an era where drama is very paramount because so much people believe about what we see and the eyes are always itching on to seeing. No matter how films is, people will always want to watch and God has decided that since we are in that era of audiovisual, let Him use this avenue which is drama ministry to bring people to the knowledge of Him. So, we as drama ministers are standing to the challenge of what is ahead of us.

Hans also assured Nigerians to expect inspiring works from the northern chapter of the group, saying, “Yes, they are expecting lots of the films because, by His grace, the North as a whole will be embarking on a national film project which is just for the North and next year, it is going to be out”.

HE Ministerial Committee on Clean and Green Greater Abuja Initiative has deployed payloaders, bulldozers and other heavy-duty vehicles to Karu, Nyanya and Mararaba in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) to evacuate the huge waste generated by residents of the satellite towns.

The committee has also established five Subcommittees namely: Publicity and Sensitisation Subcommittee, Enforcement Subcommittee, Mop-up Operation Subcommittee, Parks and Greening Subcommittee, and Monitoring Subcommittee to carry out its mandate.

The Clean and Green workers, which began the evacuation of heaps of refuse in Afizere Road, Karu General Hospital, Karu Children’s Home and other parts of Karu on Tuesday last week, completed the mopping up of the refuse.

A statement by the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the

From Bukola Amusan

Hon. Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Oluyinka Akintunde, disclosed that the evacuation of refuse in Nyanya and Mararaba was underway.

Akintunde, who is a member of the Committee on Clean and Green Greater Abuja Initiative, said the committee was assisting the area councils in the area of capacity to clean up the satellite towns and regional road corridors.

He explained that the area Ccouncils were expected to clean up the villages, including the minor settlements.

The Secretary of the Committee, Mr. Olusegun Olusa, who led the evacuation and mop up exercise in Karu, Nyanya and Mararaba, said the refuse evacuation was part of the terms of reference of the committee and would be a continuous exercise.

29

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

you want me to talk very bluntly, we can negotiate with ‘ IfCameroon on how to resolve the conundrum by way of making certain offers on the table, specifically, we can put a price tag on that peninsula, offer them money to buy the peninsula and it is without precedent. Exchange of territory is permitted See page 30

’

E-mail:- law@thenationonlineng.net

• Indigenes of Bakassi led by Senator Florence Ita-Giwa protesting ceding to Cameroon.

With a few days to the deadline to seek a review of the judgment by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the Bakassi Peninsula dispute, views are divided on how the government should handle the issue. With experts’ opinions, JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU, ADEBISI ONANUGA, ERIC IKHILAE, JOSEPH JIBUEZE and PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU suggest the way forward

Bakassi: The way to go, by lawyers I

T is just about a week to the shutting of all doors against any move by the coun try to seek a review of the October 10, 2002 judgment by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the dispute between Nigeria and Cameroun over the Bakassi Peninsula. And many seem unsure on the appropriate steps to be taken.

This confusion results from the fact that since the decision, no serious effort was made against the seeming determination of the country to let Cameroun have the area, inhabited by about 300,000 Nigerians, although many were opposed to the verdict.

Incidentally, the decision was not only given under a democratic government, with the Legislature in place to challenge any unpopular decision by the Executive. The Precedent Olusegun Obasanjo-government accepted the decision and proceeded to sign an agreement for its implementation, without any objection by the people’s representatives.

Although there were opposition from some quarters, particularly those affected by the verdict, key institutions were silent. It was also not in public domain that key individuals like then Presidential aide on Legislative Matters Senator Florence Ita-Giwa objected to the manner the Presidency went about the

issue.

This is why, today, many are unsure what the actual motive of the major players on the Bakassi issue is. They are querying why the National Assembly waited till the wee hours of the day to pass resolutions urging the Executive, which is uninterested, to seek a review of the verdict handed out almost a decade ago.

With the Executive and Legislative arms of government maintaining opposing views on how to proceed, the public are wondering whether a Nigeria, under the watch of a President from the Southsouth, will yield Bakassi, a Southsouth community, to Cameroun without exploring all available means of preventing such occurrence.

The Bakassi crisis has been on for long. In 1981, the country almost went to war with Cameroun over Bakassi and another area around Lake Chad. There were armed clashes in the early 1990s. Apparently smarter than Nigeria, Cameroun went before the ICJ on March 29, 1994. And it took the court about 11 years to resolve the case in the plaintiff’s favour.

In arriving at its decision, the court reviewed diplomatic exchanges over 100 years. Nigeria relied largely on Anglo-German correspondence as old as 1885 as well as treaties between the colonial powers and the indigenous rulers

• Dr Jonathan

in the area, particularly, the 1884 Treaty of Protection.

Cameroun, on its part, relied on the AngloGerman treaty of 1913, which defined spheres of control in the region, and two agreements signed in the 1970s between it and Nigeria - the Yaoundé II Declaration of April 4, 1971 and the Maroua Declaration of June 1, 1975.

Both declarations outline maritime boundaries between the two countries following their independence. The line was drawn through the Cross River estuary to the west of the peninsula, thereby implying Cameroonian ownership over Bakassi. However, Nigeria never ratified the agreement, while Cameroon regarded it as being in force.

The decision was greeted with condemnation by Nigerians, prompting the intervention by the then Secretary-General of the United

Nations, Mr Kofi Annan, following which the two countries, with President Obasanjo for Nigeria and President Paul Biya for Cameroun, signed in New York, United States, an agreement – the Green Tree Agreement (GTA) on June 13, 2006 on ways to execute the judgment.

By the agreement, Nigeria elected to withdraw its troops within 60 days and to vacate the disputed area completely within two years. The government also planned to resettle the residents of the area, who preferred to remain Nigerians.

In keeping faith with the agreement, despite local opposition, the government began the withdrawal of troops on August 1, 2006 and rounded off that phase with a ceremony on August 14, marking the formal handover of the northern part of the peninsula. What was left of the area was to remain under Nigerian civil authority for two more years.

The Senate, relying on the provision of Section 12 (1) of the Constitution, responded to the withdrawal with a resolution passed on November 22, 2007 declaring that the withdrawal from the Bakassi Peninsula was illegal.

But, despite the Senate’s position, the government proceeded with its programme and on August 14, 2008 completed the handover of the Peninsula to Cameroun.

Several years after, the noise now generated in the twilight of the Bakassi era has prompted many observers to ask: Why have the Nigerian authorities been complacent over this issue? Why was the Nigerian government eager to give away its territory and people without lifting a finger? Why did the Legisla•Continued on page 30

Inside: •Delta North Senatorial dispute: Candidate... P.33 •Court acquits petroleum marketer of N27m ... P.35

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

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LAW COVER CONT’D • Continued from page 29 ture fail to take steps other than mere resolutions?

They also ask: Why did the government remain reluctant to explore existing opportunities to reverse the loss of its territory? How come years after the GTA, one of its key components – the resettlement of the affected Nigerians – has not been effected, despite the huge fund allocated so far?

Has the country lost out eventually?

Experts expressed varied views on what should be done, ruling out appeal. They argued that Article 60 of the United Nations Charter (under which the ICJ operates) prohibits appeal to any other court. They said the country could only seek a review of the decision on ground that it has unearthed fresh facts, within the last months, which it was oblivious of at trial.

They also suggested that the country approach the UN Security Council, relying on the provision of Article 94(2) of it’s Charter allowing the winning party recourse to the Security Council for intervention where the losing party failed to abide by the judgment.

Relying on the simple legal requirements of fairness and impartiality, which apply to all bodies vested with powers to decide the rights of parties who have submitted themselves to the decisions of the bodies, they argued that Nigeria can on this pedestal approach the Security Council, showing grounds why the judgment cannot be enforced.

These, they said, could include grounds of palpable bias, lack of jurisdiction, grand conspiracy against Nigeria, failure to take into consideration the peculiarity of Bakassi and the people living there, history and the cultural affiliations of Bakassi people, among others.

They also suggested that the country should insist that the UN gives effect to the people’s right to self determination by allowing them to decide, through a referendum, where they want to belong. Some have also suggested that the country deemphasize the legal solution and work at negotiating a buyout with Cameroun or applying force by going to war.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), at the close of its 52nd Annual General Conference and Meeting in Abuja between August 26 and 31 this year, expressed displeasure over the maltreatment of Nigerians in Bakassi, despite the provision of the GTA. It urged the government to, “without further delay, apply under Article 61 of the ICJ statute of 1946, to the ICJ for a revision of what is an unjust judgment over Bakassi.

The lawyers included Felix Fagbohungbe, SAN; Yusuf Ali, SAN, Sebastine Hon, SAN, Joseph Nwobike, SAN, Former AttorneyGeneral of Plateau State and Head, Department of International Law, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), Professor Dakas C.J. Dakas, SAN, Mrs Nella Andem Rabana, SAN, Professor of International Law, Jurisprudence Akin Oyebode, and a lawyer Ahmed Adetola-Quasim.

Fagbohungbe said the suggestion

A

LAGOS State High Court, Igbosere, has adjourned till October 9, the legal tussle over the ownership of a large expanse of land on the Ajah-Epe Expressway way, known as Amen Estate.

A firm, RedBrick Homes International Limited, said to be developing the estate, is back in court seeking to stop the execution of a judgment which was in favour of the claimants.

But the claimants said since the firm did not appeal against the verdict, it cannot apply to restrain the judgment’s enforcement by injunction.

Justice Habib Abiru of the court’s Ikeja Division, had on November 3, 2010, declared the claimants the rightful owners and the persons en-

•Fagbohungbe (SAN)

•Ali (SAN)

•Prof Oyebode

•Andem Rabana (SAN)

Bakassi: The way to go, by lawyers that the judgment be revisited was in the interest of those affected if the situation could still be salvaged.

“I would implore the President to take wise counsel from the senators.

Senators should, also, realise that they are the authentic representatives of Nigerians. So, they are the spokeperson for Nigerians; their resolutions should not be ignored particurlarly on this Bakasi issue.

Ali argued that the country was in error to have submitted to the jurisdiction of the ICJ. He said since the government appeared unwilling to apply for a review of the judgment, the least it could do was to ensure that the Bakassi indigenes were resettled properly.

“There are options under the law.

Many countries of the world like the United States of America for instance, would not have submitted to the jurisdiction of ICJ on a matter like that when they are disputing on a land or any boundary.

“All countries of the world do it. US even goes further to insist that none of its citizens will be tried by the International Criminal Court; that any citizen of hers who commits an offence anywhere in the world should be brought back to the US to be tried.

“We should have done the same. If the ICJ had not made any pronouncement, the ceding of Bakassi would not have arisen.

“The least the government can do is to ensure that they are relocated and settled well elsewhere, otherwise if they do not feel the presence of government, it could lead them to the kind of agitations they are embarking on. Government must do more to address the unfortunate development that made them to become refugees in their own country,” he said.

To Oyebode, the resolution by the National Assembly at the eleventh hour seems an attempt to unscramble the egg. He said the country could only seek a review if it was sure of new facts.

“There is a tragic blunder in the way we went about the matter and I believe it is because it is close to midnight,

that is why Nigeria is panicking. What it seems the National Assembly is trying to do is to force Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to swallow his vomit having earlier promised to abide by all agreements entered into by his predecessors.

“That notwithstanding, he is caught between a rock and a hard plain because he would not want to treat with indifference, the feelings of the National Assembly or have the reputation of the country at the international scene tarnished. Striking a balance between this dilemma is what I don’t know how he will achieve.

“It is a matter that has legal, geopolitical as well as geo-strategic dimension. For me, law might not be a fitting way to resolve the issue. We have to explore other options such as diplomatic or in the worst case military.

“If you want me to talk very bluntly, we can negotiate with Cameroon on how to resolve the conundrum by way of making certain offers on the table, specifically, we can put a price tag on that peninsula, offer them money to buy the peninsula and it is without precedent. Exchange of territory is permitted.

“Otherwise, the worst case scenario is to use military force to change the facts on the ground. In other words, Nigeria could take a decision to overrun the territory and confront the military forces of Cameroon that are well entrenched in the peninsula right now,” he said.

Hon faulted the call for the country to apply for a review. He also faulted the argument that the non-ratification of the treaty ceding Bakassi to Cameroun by Nigeria makes it worthless.

“It has been strongly canvassed that the British Government had written to the Nigerian Government indicating that the disputed peninsula belongs to Nigeria. I see a booby trap in this. If the document existed before the matter went to the ICJ, why was it not produced or tendered? If it existed after the judgment, why did it come out that late, when the whole world,

including the UK, knew of the pendency of the matter at the ICJ? And, above all, no matter the source and timing of the document, can it be seriously argued that it supercedes the treaty voluntarily entered into by the parties?

“I will rather strongly suggest that the Federal Government, as a matter of utmost urgency, should acquire the large swathe of virgin savannah between Odukpani Junction near Calabar and Ikom and resettle the Bakassi indigenes. I have also been informed that the Federal Government has voted and indeed released billions of naira for this resettlement project. Where then is the money? Over to you, EFCC,”Hon said.

To Nwobike, since the judgment was not by the parties’ consent and the Nigerian government having not undertaken not to challenge it, the right to seek its review exists and should be exercised.

“The possibility of success on appeal exists. The views expressed by some legal experts against the pursuit of the appeal should not discourage the government from pursuing the appeal in view of the extent of public support for it; particularly, the recent resolutions of the National Assembly and political implications of the judgment on the psyche of the Bakassi people,” he said.

Dakas disagreed with the call for the revision of the judgment, arguing that “it is ill-informed, distracts attention from the core issues and risks aggravating the plight of the Bakassi people.”

He suggested that the energy and enormous resources to be wasted on such exercise should be directed at improving the lot of those affected by the decision; that the country should ensure that Cameroun lives up to its responsibilities under the terms of the GTA, particularly as they affect the rights of Nigerians and that the country should press for a UNsupervised plebiscite with a view to determining the wishes of the Bakassi people.

Amen Estate tussle: Court adjourns till Oct. 9

By Joseph Jibueze

titled to the statutory right of occupancy in respect of “all that vast area of land” at Iberekodo village in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State.

The court granted the claimants “immediate possession” of the land, and restrained the defendants from entering or developing it.

The land is said to be in an approximate area of 48.012 hectares, recorded by the government in Official Gazette No. 11, Vol. 30, of May 1 1997 with survey No. MISC 1109.

RedBrick Homes had appealed a ruling by Justice Olubunmi FemiAdeniyi of the same court, in which she declined jurisdiction when asked

to set aside Justice Abiru’s judgment.

The estate firm, which bought the land from the defendants, returned before Justice Ibironke Harrison, asking for a stay of execution pending the determination of its appeal.

During proceedings last week, counsel to the claimants (now respondents), Mr Gbenga Ojo, told the court that he had filed a preliminary objection, in which he is urging the court to strike out the application.

But another lawyer, Femi Otairu, told the court that he had an application for change of counsel on behalf of the claimants, but Ojo insisted he still held their brief.

The judge said: “As it is now, representation is an issue. Let’s deal with

it.”

The claimants (respondents) are: Mr Ramoni Seidu, Musefiu Rabiu, Chief Kamoru Sekere, Chief Imam Lateef Eleso, Mukaila Salau, Taiwo Aro, Alugbere Adunaini, Kamilu Agbo, Bashiru Arogungundade and Kehinde Apena. They had sued for themselves and on behalf of Iberekodo Community.

The defendants are Mr Samsonde Arogundade, Hassan Arogundade, Idowu Arogundade and Oluwadaisi Argundade (for themselves and on behalf of Arogundade Family of Iberekodo).

Ojo, in the Preliminary Objection, said the since the “final judgment”

by Justice Abiru has been executed

Mrs Rabana said: “I have taken the position that the Federal government should seek a revision of the ICJ judgment because of the continuing dehumanizing atrocities being inflicted on the Bakassi indigenes refusing to change their citizenship and of course because of the fresh facts discovered within the last six months which the ICJ should be given an opportunity to accept or reject.

“Nigeria should borrow a leaf from China, USA or Britain in the way it defends its sovereign integrity and / or the rights of its citizens. The handling by China of the Diaoyu Islands is a live issue which we would all do well to study.

“Nigeria by applying for a revision shall in some measure restore confidence in its citizenry while still complying with the provisions of the ICJ statute. Nigeria’s posture before and after the judgment has been that of compliance and image building .Maybe it is time to focus on its citizens for a change,” she said.

Adetola-Quasim, who is the Director, Prisoners’ Rights Advocacy Initiatives (PRAI), said: “The ultimate decision lies with the president. I think it is only ideal that the president yield to the demand of the National Assembly as it is the reflection of the will of the people. Ideally the will of the people should supersede anyone’s will including that of the president.

“Therefore, the request of the National Assembly is not out of place.

Whether Nigeria will succeed or not is a different ball game. The judgment, in my opinion, has some political undertone considering the composition of the panel, coupled with the fact that we didn’t do our homework well.

“What Obasanjo did was an illegal act as same is not valid under any law of the land. So, the Greentree agreement is inchoate. It has no status of a binding law. No nation dashes out territory on a platter of gold. Whilst I’m not encouraging disobedience of international laws, the issue of Bakassi should not be treated with kid gloves.” and warrant of enforcement as well as certificate of enforcement (Forms N and O) issued by the court’s Deputy Sherriff, an injunction cannot be granted to restrain “a completed act.”

“Having declined jurisdiction to adjudicate on the matter, the court has no jurisdiction to grant the prayers sought or make any other order at all in this matter,” the claimants said.

Adjourning, Justice Harrison said she would take all applications regarding change of counsel on the next date.

In its appeal, Redbrick Homes said Justice Femi-Adeniyi erred in law by refusing to assume jurisdiction, and asked for an order allowing the appeal and remitting the case-file back to the lower court for retrial before another judge.

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

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LAW COVER CONT’D

Bakassi: Call for revision of ICJ judgment is ill-informed, misconceived

T

HE vociferous calls, especially in recent times, for the revi sion of the decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the land and maritime dispute between Cameroon and Nigeria in respect of the Bakassi Peninsula and parts of the Lake Chad region is, at best, misconceived and, at worst, panders to fleeting political expedience. In my respectful view, however well-intentioned, it is ill-informed, distracts attention from the core issues and risks aggravating the plight of the Bakassi people.

II. Background Context On October 10 2002, the ICJ delivered judgment in the contentious case between Cameroon and Nigeria (Equatorial Guinea intervening) to the effect, inter alia, that “sovereignty over the Bakassi Peninsula lies with the Republic of Cameroon.” The court further decided that “the Federal Republic of Nigeria is under an obligation expeditiously and without condition to withdraw its administration and its military and police forces from the territories which fall within the sovereignty of the Republic of Cameroon.” This judgment was the culmination of eight years of a legal tussle that began as far back as 1994 when Cameroon sought the Court’s intervention in a dispute between it and Nigeria over the Bakassi Peninsula (and later parts of the Lake Chad area).

There was feverish anxiety and passionate expressions of nationalism and outrage over the outcome of the case, with several solidarity visits by representatives of the inhabitants of the affected areas to Aso Rock, Nigeria’s presidential villa, in the course of which their speeches were laced with pledges of allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

In my reaction, I faulted the judgment, decried its “Eurocentric” thrust and, inter alia, underscored the imperative need for critical legal scholarship with a view to purging international law of its colonial vestiges (see Dakas, International Law on Trial: Bakassi and the Eurocentricity of International Law (2003), at p. 114).

In several journal articles and book chapters, I also examined the consequences of the decision, explored the options at Nigeria’s disposal, the lessons for Nigeria and offered policy and strategic prescriptions (see, for instance, Dakas, “The Decision of the ICJ on Sovereignty over Bakassi: Consequences, Options and Lessons” The Calabar Law Journal, Vols.

VI-II (2002-2003), pp. 23-53; Dakas, “The Bakassi Conundrum: What Lessons for Nigeria?”, in D. A. Briggs (ed.), Nigeria in World Politics: Trends and Challenges – Essays in Honour of Major General Joseph Nanven Garba (2005), pp. 159-178;

By Dakas C.J. Dakas

and Dakas, “Dokdo, Colonialism, and International Law: Lessons from the Decision of the ICJ in the Land and Maritime Dispute Between Cameroon and Nigeria”, in Seokwoo Lee & Hee Eun Lee (eds.), Dokdo: Historical Appraisal and International Justice (2011), pp. 91-122).

The expressions of outrage that heralded the judgment of the Court reverberated on the floor of the Nigerian Senate five years later, on November 22, 2007, when Senator Bassey Ewa-Henshaw and twenty other senators jointly sponsored a motion entitled “Impending Crisis in and Uncertain Fate of the People of Bakassi”. The motion, inter alia, decried the outcome of the case and expressed regret that “[n]otwithstanding the widespread national disaffection and concerns expressed over the ICJ verdict, and despite his own earlier promise not to cede the territory to Cameroon, the former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo...signed an agreement at Greentree, New York on June 12, 2006, in which he agreed to surrender the Peninsula to Cameroon.”

In the intense debate that ensued, several senators bemoaned the plight of the Bakassi people, chided President Obasanjo for unilaterally ceding the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon without recourse to the National Assembly and further faulted the cession for having been effected without prior constitutional amendment given that Bakassi Local Government Area (covering the area in issue) is provided for in section 3 of the Nigerian Constitution and expressly listed in the first schedule thereto.

Following the debate, the Senate resolved, inter alia, that “[t]he signing of the Agreement and cession of the Peninsula on August 14, 2006 to Cameroon was unilateral and against the provisions of Section 12(1) of [the Nigerian] Constitution” which predicates the force of law of an international treaty in Nigeria on its prior domestication vide an Act of the National Assembly. Accordingly, the Senate urged the federal government to “submit the agreement to the National Assembly for scrutiny without further delay” and forthwith stop any further transfer of territory in any part of the country to Cameroon unless and until the National Assembly takes action consistent with section 12 of the constitution.

It is worth underscoring the fact that the claim that Nigeria could not cede the Bakassi Peninsula without prior domestication of the Greentree Agreement is, with due respect, untenable. The decision of

the ICJ is enforceable in and of itself and is, therefore, not dependent on the Greentree Agreement, much less its domestication. Indeed, the Greentree Agreement does not purport to provide any legal basis for the enforcement of the decision of the court. As Article 7 of the Agreement acknowledges, its provisions “shall in no way be construed as an interpretation or modification” of the judgment of the Court. Instead, the Agreement “only sets out the modalities of implementation”.

On the other hand, the assertion that the Nigerian government could not cede the Bakassi Peninsula without prior constitutional amendment is plausible. However, that argument has relevance only within the Nigerian polity, given that under Article 27 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, a State is not at liberty to invoke the provisions of its internal law as justification for its failure to perform its international obligations. Admittedly, Article 27 is without prejudice to Article 46 of the Convention. However, Article 46 is restricted to a situation where a State alleges that its consent to be bound by a treaty has been expressed in violation of a provision of its internal law regarding competence to conclude treaties.

Nigeria formally transferred authority over the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon on August 14, 2006 and relocated thousands of Nigerian nationals in the area to Nigeria. Two years later, on August 14, 2008, Nigeria finally ceded the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon. It is regrettable that this occurred in spite of a July 31 2008 Federal High Court order directing the parties (including the Federal Government of Nigeria) in a suit before it to “maintain the status quo.”

Following Nigeria’s cession of the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon, the debate has now shifted to the issue of revision of the judgment, with both chambers of the National Assembly urging the President to ensure that Nigeria applies for revision of the Bakassi judgment.

III. Why the Call for Revision of the Bakassi Judgment is Ill-Informed and Misconceived While the outrage exhibited by many Nigerians, including myself, is understandable, especially where it is driven by patriotic fervour, it must be tempered, as it should, by the sober realization and acknowledgement of the fact that under Article 60 of the Statute of the ICJ, the judgment of the court is “final and without appeal”. In other words, the ICJ is both a court of first instance and last resort.

• Post-Graduate students of Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) at a get together.

However, provision is made for revision of the judgments of the Court. Under Article 61(a) of the Statute of the ICJ, an application for revision of a judgment may be made only when it is based upon the discovery of some fact of such a nature as to be a decisive factor, which fact was, when the judgment was given, unknown to the Court and also to the party claiming revision, always provided that such ignorance was not due to negligence. Under paragraph (d), the application for revision must be made at least within six months of the discovery of the new fact, while paragraph (e) forecloses an application for revision after the lapse of ten years from the date of the judgment (i.e. October 9, 2012 in the case of the Bakassi judgment).

Many of those who have called for the revision of the judgment have, with due respect, either not read it in its entirety, read it but not appreciated its import or appear to be oblivious of the stringent requirements of Article 61. Others have predicated their claim on alleged non-compliance with the provisions of the Berlin Act (on the scramble for and partition of Africa); a claim which is, at best, a legal argument. Yet, others have anchored their claim on preindependence historical facts which, they allege, the Court was not aware of. I have painstakingly examined those claims (which I am not at liberty to reproduce here because of space constraints) and come to the irresistible conclusion that they do not meet the threshold of Article 61.

In any event, given that the case lasted eight years, would a diligent litigant not have discovered such facts during the pendency of the case? Is it also the case that these facts were discovered within less than six months ago? In which case they were discovered about ten years after the judgment and about eighteen years after the institution of the proceedings by Cameroon?

More importantly, those calling for the revision of the judgment ignore the fundamental fact that the maritime component of the judgment (which relates to the Bakassi Peninsula) was not based solely on preindependence historical facts. Instead, it was, in large measure, predicated on the 1975 Maroua Declaration; pursuant to which Nigeria, the Court held, acknowledged Cameroonian sovereignty over the area. As Judge Al-Khasawneh put it in his Concurring Opinion, “in the period leading to its independence…and since then till the early 1990s, Nigeria, by its actions and omissions and through statements emanating from its officials and legal experts, left no room for doubt that it had acknowledged Cameroonian sovereignty in the

• Dakas

Bakassi Peninsula.”

IV. Way Forward on the Plight of the Bakassi People First, the energy and enormous resources – especially in terms of legal costs – that would be dissipated or, more correctly put, wasted in pursuit of a futile attempt at seeking the revision of the judgment should be re-directed to alleviating the plight of the Bakassi people whose situation regrettably remains precarious.

Second, Nigeria should ensure that Cameroon lives up to its responsibilities under the terms of the GreenTree Agreement; pursuant to which the latter is under an obligation to guarantee to Nigerian nationals living in the Bakassi Peninsula the exercise of the fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in international human rights law and other relevant provisions of international law. In particular, Cameroon shall: (a) not force Nigerian nationals living in the Bakassi Peninsula to leave the area or change their nationality; (b) respect their culture, language and beliefs; (c) respect their right to continue their agricultural and fishing activities; (d) protect their property and other customary land rights; (e) not levy in any discriminatory manner any taxes and other dues on Nigerian nationals living in the area; and (f) take every necessary measure to protect Nigerian nationals living in the area from any harassment or harm.

Third, Nigeria can, and should, press for a UN-supervised plebiscite with a view to determining the wishes of the Bakassi people. As Judge Dillard succinctly put it in the Western Sahara Case (1975 I.C.J. 12, 122), “it is for the people to determine the destiny of [a] territory and not [a] territory the destiny of the people.”

•Prof Dakas, a former AttorneyGeneral of Plateau State, is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Head of the Department of International Law, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies.

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

32

NATIONAL BAR

Nigeria as an emerging democracy: Dilemma, promise Text of the keynote address by Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Sokoto, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, at the NBA Annual General Conference in Abuja • Continued from last week

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HAT is most disturbing is the fact that we have completely taken the intellectual contribution to politics out of our process. We are only concerned with how to capture raw power, how to get into the engine room, how to share in this life changing booty called oil money which is gradually looking like blood money in our country. We need to turn the corner and do so with confidence and assurance. I will make five quick points.

First, we need to fix the economy and I believe that we cannot do better than what we have now under the President and Dr. Ngozi Iweala. We hope that sooner than later, our economy will not only grow, but that we the people shall also grow. This is no easy task.

According to the Vision 20-2020 report; The pillars of the Nigerian economy are extremely weak and the continued economic viability of the Nigerian state and the continued economic viability of the Nigerian state is perpetually at risk.

Of great concern is the need to create the leadership to support this vision. Although every government official has taken the transformation agenda as a mantra, it is important that this message percolates through the other crevices of our national life. This is why the idea of a performance bond is important.

However, this performance should not be confused with sycophantic cooking up of figures and power point slides. There is need to clearly lay out the programmes to be measured. For a country that is used to monitors being compromised,

the President must ensure that these measuring mechanisms are clearly explained to the people in a way and manner that they can understand. We will also require at least an annual review of the scorecard and this should go right down to the President. This show of good will in my view will go a long way in ensuring confidence in the system and process.

There has been the nagging issue of a Sovereign National Conference as a solution to our problems. Nigerians keep saying we need to talk as if we are not talking. The real challenge is the content of these talks and whether indeed, that is the way to solve our problems. It is important to note that we have never been short of talking points.

Those who are calling for a Sovereign National Conference made up of representatives of the various ethnic groups must say whether this is different from what the late Anthony Enahoro and Professor Wole Soyinka worked on and they might also honestly tell us the fate of the final document.

I hold a slightly different view.

First, I believe that we need to talk but the talking needs to be of a certain quality that is founded on scholarship and a proper understanding of the issues of statecraft. We also require a level of maturity and an understanding of these processes. It is clear that our problems are not documents but the issues relate to whether we can ever find the political will to focus on how to build our country and how to develop the required time lines and so on.

Everyone keeps talking about Leadership, Leadership and Leadership. We create the impression

• Bishop Kukah

that somehow, leadership will simply drive an unwilling band of horses to a river and getting them to drink water by force. We believe that political leadership is the only form of leadership. We all ignore the challenges in our own leadership levels whether it is in the churches, mosques, civil society and professional groups. The curious thing is that what we all accuse the political leadership of exists in our own midst. If we borrow the example of the Fulani man and his herd of cattle, we get an interesting view of leadership. In that scenario, it is interesting to note that it is the cattle that actually lead, after all, the leader who leads them to the grazing field does not eat grass. It is they who eat grass, they know which grass has poison and so on.

The shepherd only guides them and also ensures their security, but it is they who know what they want.

So, there is need to close in the gap between our perceptions of leadership.

My view is that we must now address the issues of how justice can

become a cardinal point of reference in governance. Here, I still insist that judicial activism is one way of interpreting the mind of the Constitution but also of extending the frontiers of justice. I use just two examples to illustrate the point I am making.

First, we have the famous story of Rosa Parks whose singular decision on December 1, 1955 not to leave her seat for a white man turned the course of the struggle of black people for freedom. This is one of the events that threw the Rev Martin Luther King into prominence.

For, by December 3rd, the bus boycott which would change the tide of history had started.

Secondly, the Brown vs. Board of Education ruling in 1954 by the Supreme Court, struck down the policy of state segregated education. Other events such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 followed, but perhaps the case of James Meredith was more phenomenal. An ex air force veteran, he was denied entry into College in Mississippi. He took his case all the way to the Supreme Court whose ruling marked a turning point in the struggle against segregation. It took the courage of both President John Kennedy and his brother, Robert, the Attorney General to enforce the ruling. In the process, lives were lost, but on the day of the enforcement, some 2,500 people turned up to protest. The federal government had to send in some 20,000 troops along with 11,000 National Guards. He finally graduated amidst all the difficulties but his life changed the course of history.

Finally, the famous I Have a Dream speech contains some assumptions that we have often ignored. The speech was anchored on both the Emancipation Proclamation and the Constitution of the United States of America. What is

significant here is the fact that the speech drew its inspiration and a sense of righteous indignation from these two historic documents and the reluctance of the leadership to live by its own laws. He spoke about a promissory note that these documents had promised ordinary Americans but which was not available to the black people. He continued: It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check which has come back marked “insufficient funds.” But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. So we have come to cash this check — a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice….Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to open the doors of opportunity to all of God’s children.

Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood.

From our own Constitution, the provisions of Chapter 2 on the Fundamental Directive Principles of State Policy, should be a basis for stirring up a sense of moral revulsion as to how and why a country so richly endowed could allow so much poverty to continue to exist. It is sad that all we have always said about this very important segment of the Constitution is that it is not justiciable. It is the duty of our lawyers to compel to Judiciary to breathe life into this very significant section of the Constitution. This is the challenge and I do hope and believe that the Bar and the Bench in collaboration can indeed, bring about the realisation of our own promissory note. Thank you very much for your kind attention.

0002

02-10-2012

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

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LEGAL OPINION

Delta North Senatorial dispute: Candidate alleges unjust treatment

LAW AND PUBLIC POWER

with gabriel AMALU email:gabrielamalu1@yahoo.com

Transformation agents lynching the economy

P • Justice Mukhtar

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AS the panel that sat over the appeal in the Delta North Senatorial District election dispute in order when it allegedly struck out the case, four days before the stipulated 60-day period, without hearing the appellant?

This forms part of the questions the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Aloma Mukhtar, has been invited to resolve in a petition by the then appellant, Jude Azekwoh, candidate of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) in the 2011 senatorial election in Delta State. He ran against Arthur Okowa of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and others.

Azekwoh contended in the petition that his appeal against the decision of the election tribunal in Asaba was allegedly subjected to “unfair, unjust and illegal termination” by the appeal panel in Benin headed by Justice Raphael Agbo.

He urged the CJN to ensure the investigation of the conduct of members of the appeal panel, who sat on the appeal marked: CA/B/ EPT/230/2011 between Jude Eluemuno Azekwoh and anther vs Dr. Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa and others.

Azekwoh, who argued that he was denied the right to fair hearing, both at the tribunal and appeal levels, also wants the CJN to ensure the reconstitution of a fresh panel to hear his case on merit.

He said his determination to ensure that justice was done in the case informed his petition to the new CJN, in her capacity as the Chairman of the National Judicial Council. He said the petition was intended as a reminder because his earlier one dated January 31, this year was left unattended to.

Azekwoh had in January petitioned the NJC under the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Dahiru Musdapher. Upon the receival of his petition, Justice Musdapher , via a letter dated February 13, 2012, requested the Presiding Justice of Appeal Court, Benin to comment on the issues raised in the petition. Azekwoh said no further action has been taken in respect of his case.

He contended that the appellate court “threw out” his appeal “on no grounds known to law and morality, thereby occasioning a huge miscarriage of justice.”

Azekwoh said before his January 31 petition to the then CJN, he had written one to the President of Court of Appeal on November 19, 2011 and a reminder letter dated January 1, 2012 , but that both were never acted on.

The petitioner exhibited Certified True Copy (CTC) of the proceedings at the Court of Appeal

• Azekwoh

By Eric Ikhilae

and argued that his appeal was struck out, four days before the expiration of the 60-day period, on the ground that he was out of time. He said the lower tribunal had acted in similar way in dismissing his petition by holding that he applied for the pre-hearing session via a letter and not a motion.

“I have not been heard by the court, from Asaba to Benin. It is not because I was absent or my counsel did not appear, or that the processes were filed out of time or statutorily inhibited in any way.

“If I am not heard when I am supposed to be heard, my humble opinion sir, is that time starts running from the time when I was to be heard. It is, with greatest respect, my fundamental right cannot be waived. Since I have not waived the same, may I respectfully plead Your Lordship to intervene,” Azekwoh said in the petition to Justice Mukhtar.

He said the constitution of another appeal panel and the investigation of the conduct of the panel members at the Court of Appeal, Benin, will help redress the injustice done to him and restore his right to be heard as a citizen.

In the earlier petition to the CJN, written by his lawyer, Oladipo Okpeseyi (SAN), Azekwoh gave a history of his unsuccessful effort so far, to ensure that as a citizen, he was accorded fair hearing by the country’s court.

Azekwoh stated that he felt dissatisfied with the declaration of Okowa as the winner of the election and decided to challenge the outcome of the election by filing a petition before the election tribunal in Asaba on April 20, 2011.

The tribunal was said to have struck out his petition on August 2, 2011 on “the technical ground that the pre-hearing session application was made via a letter and not by motion, even after parties had thereafter taken further steps in the matter.”

Dissatisfied, Azekwoh appeal led the tribunal’s decision on August 18, 2011 at the Appeal Court, Benin, Edo State. On September 19, he filed his brief of argument, while the respondent filed PDP candidate filed his on September 23, 2011.

“The respondent filed a preliminary objection with its brief. Both were not served on the appellant.

His counsel only stumbled on the information on September 26, 2011 that the appeal was for hearing the next day (September 27) as we and been reliably informed by the appellant.

“The Court of Appeal, despite

• Okowa objection, heard the preliminary objection and struck out the appellant’s brief of argument and even proceeded to strike out the appeal for lack of time when he (the appellant) had four clear days to the 60 days for appeal, consequently refused the appellant a hearing,” his lawyer stated in the petition.

In a verifying affidavit supporting an application for relisting, but which was later withdrawn, Bayo Eniwaye (one of the appellant’s lawyers who was in court on September 27) said the court refused his applications to either be given the required three days to respond to the preliminary objection or had the case stooddown for an hour to enable him respond.

“The court overruled me and reminded me that the three days I applied for were the only days left that the appeal must be heard and disposed off. All entreaties to the court to allow the appellant respond to the notice of preliminary objection was refused,” he averred.

Okowa had, aside claiming victory in the election, in his brief of argument, prayed the Appeal Court to, among others uphold the lower tribunal’s verdict and dismiss Azekwoh’s appeal.

He had argued that the tribunal was in order in holding that the petitioner was in error in applying for the pre-hearing session through a letter rather than a motion.

Represented by Peter Mrakpor, Okowa argued, in his preliminary objection that the applicant had exceeded the stipulated the 10 days for the filing of brief of argument by an appellant after being served with the record of appeal.

In its ruling on the objection on September 27, 2011 the court upheld the Okowa’s argument and held that” the appellants’ (AZekwoh and his party) brief of argument was filed out of time.

The 1 st and 2 nd respondents (Okowa and his party), in their preliminary objection drew attention to it.

“The appellants, in their reply to the objection denied that fact.

The appellants’ counsel has however, from the bar, admitted that his brief was in fact, out of time.

With the challenge to the competence of the brief, what was expected of the appellants was to seek to regularize. That they did not do.

“The brief of argument being incompetent, there is nothing before this court for the appellants to argue. The appellants’ brief or argument is hereby struck out.

This appeal is struck out. No order as to cost,” the court held.

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan no doubt chose a nice platitude for his term as an elected president – transformation agenda. Considering the level of poverty in the country as a result of the perennial ineptitude of those who foist themselves on Nigerians as their leaders over the years, a promise by a freshly elected President Jonathan to transform the system surely attracted hope. That hope so far remains misplaced. Among the contenders for gold for further lynching the economy are the Governor of Central Bank, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the Minister for Aviation, Mrs. Stella Oduah and of course the Minister for Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.

Under their watch, the departments of the national economy they oversee are surely dying. The biggest culprit is Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the egregiously garrulous Central Bank Governor. Short of courting controversies and showmanship, Sanusi has concluded his tour of duty at the apex Bank, after the controversial audits and sack of the thieving Bank executives. Probably because of the limitedness of his training and experience while working in the commercial Banks, principally as an auditor, the Kano Prince has no idea how to grow the economy. His forte is reining in spending, not growing an economy.

Presently, even the most capitalized commercial Bank in Nigeria lends money at about 27%, and none of the commercial Banks give medium to long term facility to industries, just overdrafts and loans to last one to two years. With only short term facility available at a run away interest rate, no genuine economic activity can take place with money borrowed from a Nigerian Bank. Yet Sanusi’s supreme responsibility is to design deft monetary policies to ensure that genuine economic activities take place, to grow the national economy. Any surprise that despite his management of inflation, through a strangulating mopping up of liquidity, the Naira has remained weak against the dollar.

The result is that Nigeria’s dependency on imports continues to consolidate, at the expense of productivity. Still, the genuine importers are not better off, because while Naira is borrowed at high interest rates, pauperized Nigerians are unable to buy because of their poor purchasing power. Thus only importers of cheap fake products, who circumvent the payment of import duties, give a semblance of economic wellbeing. This crisis when added to paying off the rent seekers, which is beyound Sanusi’s brief, turns the entire economy into a quandary.

In effect no genuine economic activity is taking place, substantially because of the ineffective monetary policies of Governor Sanusi. The way things are; those who attempt to get involved in genuine economic activity usually land in excruciating debt trap. As Governor Sanusi’s bolekaja debt recovery tactics confirms, many of the entrepreneurs on the published debtors list have raked up enough debts for their third generation; while the rest of us falsely see them as ‘the big men’. In practice getting involved in any genuine economic activity has turned to a Catch 22, as head or tale, the head is on a slaughter slab.

The Minister for Aviation, Stella Oduah on her part, no doubt has her capabilities. She was very instrumental to the election of President Jonathan in 2007, through her well received Neighbour to Neighbour media stunts. But as Minister for Aviation, the sector has never had it so bad. While cosmetic refurbishment is taking place at Muritala Muhammed Airport, Lagos and a few other airports; the entire industry is an emergency theater. Unfortunately the multi-billion Naira federal government intervention fund to resuscitate the aviation sector have been mismanaged, and so far, the Honourable Minister appears helpless to push for accountability.

Whether she is responsible for the mismanagement of the intervention fund or not, the bottom line is that only two airlines, Aero Contractors and Arik Airlines still manage to fly; and the result is near chaos on one of the most import local routes, Lagos-Abuja-Lagos. Even recently there were scurrilous allegations that a top level official of the aviation ministry attempted to muzzle Arik airliners for untoward reasons. Again, Ms Oduah’s attempt to borrow huge sums of money from China to redevelop some of the airports failed to impress industry watchers, even as the national assembly threats her program with suspicion.

Mrs. Diezeani Alison-Madueke is another Minister who is successfully lynching the industry placed under her watch. But for being the conduit for raking in money worked for, by foreign oil companies, her primary goose, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) would have since been wound up for bankruptcy. Each time the Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative finishes an audit of the corporation, the level of their indebtedness to the federation account runs into trillions of dollars, and of course it has no ability and even any desire to pay. Interestingly the corporation’s former leadership had boosted that they are beyound any legislative oversight, and as such it reels in perpetual incompetence.

Operated as perhaps the most opaque public corporation in the world, the NNPC is notorious over the years as the chief operator of slush funds for any power controlling the Nigerian federal authority. As if worst is not bad enough, the Ministry under Diezeani’s watch in the past one year has presided over perhaps the worst financial heist in the history of subsidy in the world. Between two to three trillion dollars were paid over the counter to mostly phantom importers of fuel. As the House of Representatives investigative report and Mr. Aig-Imokhuede’s review of the report showed, many of the beneficiaries of the subsidy, merely cooked up papers and collected our common patrimony as earnings.

So when President Jonathan’s men sell the dummy that transformation is going on, your guess is as good as mine. It is fake.

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

34

LAW & SOCIETY AT THE THANKSGIVING CEREMONY ORGANISED BY THE NBA PRESIDENT OKEY WALI (SAN) IN PORT HARCOURT LAST WEEK

F

OR His Grace, Most Revd I.C.O. Katty, Archibishop, province of the Niger Delta, it was high time Governor Rotimi Amechi of Rivers State and his predecessor in office, Chief Celestine Omehia reconciled their seven-year face-off and forged ahead in peace and harmony.

Most Revd Katty took reconciled the duo at the church of Pentcost (Solid Rock) Akpor Archdeacony, Anglican Communion, Choba road, Rumualogu Port Harcourt, Rivers State, during a thanksgiving service organised by the President of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Okey Wali (SAN) penultimate week Sunday.

To his admonition, Amechi said that he became Rivers State Gov-

Okey Wali thanks God • Priest reconciles Amechi, Omehia ernor by the grace of God through prayers and what you got by prayers, you sustain with prayers.

He said that he nursed no grudges against Celestine Omehia Omehia in his response told the priest that he would hear from them later, at the insistence of the priest that he spoke to the congregation, Omehia said that he has also forgiven the governor.

The priest then asked them to shake hands as a sign of their commitment to their statements, and they did this after much hesitation.

He praised Amechi for attending the thanksgiving service, stating that he least expected the governor at the service because the celebrant, Okey Wali (SAN), was the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General during Omehia’s administration. He said Amechi’s presence at service showed that he has a large heart Revd Katty said that the time has come for the two brothers, Amechi and Omehia to forgive each other, forget the past and face the future.

He called them out to the altar before the congregation. He admonished them in righteousness and asked them to forgive one another.

The thanksgiving service was organised at the instance of Wali.

It was attended by prominent sons of Rivers State, Bar leaders and friends of the Wali family including the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Iche Ndu, Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General Rivers State, Wogu Bums and Minister of State

• Rev Katty

for Education, Ezenwo Nyesome Wike.

• NBA President, Okey Wali (SAN) and his wife Carol

• Rivers State Governor Rotimi Ameachi (left) and Commissioner for Justice and AttorneyGeneral Rivers State, Wogu Bums

• From left: Former Governor of Rivers State, Celestine Omehia; Joe Agi (SAN); Mac Enahme; former General Secretary NBA, Ibrahim Eddy Mark (back) and Mi nister of State for Education, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike

• From left: Blessing Ukiri, Chairman Eastern Bar Forum, Kemasuode Wodu, Joe-Kyari Gadzama (SAN) and Augustine Alegah (SAN)

• From left: Chairman NBA Abuja branch, Mazi Afam Osigwe, Wali (SAN), 2nd Vice President NBA, Steve Abba and General Secretary NBA, Emeka Obigolu

• Former NBA President, OCJ Okocha (SAN)

• Chairman NBA Section on Legal Practice, (SLP), D.C. Denwigwe (left) and Chairman NBA Committee on National Secutity Summit, Okey Ameachi (SAN)

• Former Chairman Port Harcourt NBA, E.C. Agoma (left) and former General Secretary, Dele Adesina (SAN)

• Senator Magnus Abbey

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

35

LAW & SOCIETY

‘Nigeria suffers from lack of vision, national goals’ Text of a paper delivered by former Chief Economic Adviser to the President Chief Phillip Asiodu at the Muhammadu Lawal Uwais Public Service Award Lecture organised by the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) in collaboration with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) • Continued from last week

A

S I indicated earlier, the Government had prepared and launched the 1 st Implementation Plan 2010 – 2013, otherwise called the 5 th National Development Plan. This is now superseded by the Jonathan Transformation Agenda 2011 – 2015.

Transformation implies a complete change in form or character. I have described at great length the present situation in Nigeria and how we arrived there in order for us to appreciate the enormity of the tasks before us in undertaking the revolutionary changes required to achieve the desired transformation.

The Jonathan Administration emphasizes “The need for a holistic transformation of the Nigerian State” and the imperatives of “continuity, consistency and commitment”.

In launching the Transformation Agenda the Government states that “The Transformation Agenda which is based and draws inspiration from the NV. 20 : 2020 and the 1st National Implementation Plan (NIP) aims to deepen the effects and provide a sense of direction for the current administration over the next four years. The Agenda is based on a set of priority policies and programmes which when implemented will transform the Nigerian Economy to meet the future needs of the Nigerian people”.

The Transformation Agenda as you all probably know envisages total investment of N40.75 Trillion in the period 2011 to 2015 broken down as follows : Public Sector 60% -N24.45 Trillion Private Sector 40%-N16.30 Trillion Within the Public Sector, Federal Government is expected to invest N12.86 Trillion while the States and LGAs will invest N11.5 Trillion. The bulk of the funding required must come from abroad. Such funding will flow in only when Nigeria has successfully addressed all the issues which will make her internationally competitive and these are mainly issues of good governance.

The Agenda has set out very good programmes and projects for human capital development, health sector, labour and productivity, the main growth sectors of agriculture, manufacturing, oil and gas, power, transportation, housing, ICT, FCT, Niger Delta, etc.

However, the Government quite rightly states: “Nigeria’s inability to decisively tackle most development challenges such as poverty, unemployment, security, and deplorable state of infrastructure has been largely attributed to bad governance in all its ramifications. These include political governance, economic governance, corporate governance and effectiveness……….

During 2011 – 2015, the policies and programmes directed at addressing governance challenges will focus on the public service, security, law and order; the legislature; anti-corruption measures and institutions; the judiciary; economic co-ordination; and sup-

By Chief Philip C. Asiodu

port for private investment”. I am quoting from a publication of the National Planning Commission.

Generating Commitment and Enthusiasm for the Transformation Agenda I am sorry to observe that the vast majority of Nigerians are not aware of the Transformation Agenda – its contents and what it means for them now and in future. I am also not so sure how well the civil servants and the public service in general and even our legislators know the details of the Transformation Agenda. It is very necessary for the Government to give effective and sustained publicity to elicit the ‘buy-in’ of the general citizenry.

The Transformation Agenda and the subsequent Implementation Plans for Vision 20 : 2020 should be publicized and canvassed continuously in many fora all over the country – in schools, universities, work places, barracks, professional societies, civil service clubs, social clubs, until the goals, objectives, targets, strategies, the sustained hard work and consistency required become accepted by the generality of our people. Vision 20 : 2020 can and should be made the nation’s rallying anchor for years to come, transcending conflicting partisan interests just as the promise of Independence was a uniting anchor despite the partisan clashes before 1st October, 1960. Indeed such a general commitment and buy-in by various stakeholders will put added pressure on the Public Service and other Agencies to deliver.

The President and national Leadership should find ways of continuously communicating to the general public their commitment and enthusiasm for the Transformation Agenda. I shall repeat some of the suggestions I made at another forum recently. Vigorous and disciplined implementation of the Jonathan Transformation Agenda, as well as leading the PDP and the nation to embrace all the aspects of good governance will launch Nigeria irreversibly on the path to unity and greatness. However, there are immediate difficult things which must be accomplished: •The present post – 1998 political parties formed even more hastily than those in 1979 have no roots in past political parties and usages. They have not yet articulated long-term party visions for Nigerian Society or the Federal Country which they seek to administer. Most of our new politicians are not aware of the self-sacrifice, the patriotism, the idealism, the promise and commitment of the pre-independence politicians to improving the welfare of the broad masses after Independence nor do they know about the discipline and self-restraint required in managing the lean resources of pre-oil Nigerian. I mean no offence.

• To be continued next week

Court acquits petroleum marketer of N27m ‘theft’

J

USTICE Joseph Oyewole of a Lagos High Court, Ikeja has discharged and acquitted a petroleum product marketer, Adamu Yakubu Baffa, of the allegation of stealing and fraudulent conversion of N27,155,000.

He was charged by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission(EFCC).

Giving judgment, Justice Oyewole said he found the defendant not guilty of the charge.

Justice Oyewole said the sole issue for determination was whether the prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant was guilty of the onecount charge of stealing against him, adding that being a criminal case, the onus of proof is at all times on the prosecution.

The trial judge held that the prosecution failed to prove the one-count charge of stealing, fraud and fraudulent conversion of money against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt.

The EFCC had brought a one-count charge against Baffa who was alleged to have, sometime in June 2004, stolen, defrauded and fraudulently converted N27,155,000 said to have been entrusted in his care for

By Adebisi Onanuga

a business transaction by one Alhaji Sani Mohammed Lawal.

The EFCC said the offence was contrary to provisions of Section 390(8)(b)of the Criminal Code Law Cap C 17, Vol. 2 Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.

EFCC had alleged that Baffa, who is a chemical engineer, collected N112.5 million in two bank cheques for the supply of a consignment of 75 trucks of diesel.

The commission alleged that the defendant failed to remit the balance of the money not used back to Alhaji Lawal when Ibeto Petro Chemical Industries Limited, Lagos, stopped further supply because it had problems with its bankers who sealed off its premises.

It was also alleged that the defendant altered documents of the transaction to reflect his company’s name, thereby betraying the trust of Alhaji Lawal.

The defendant had denied the charge and pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge.

The judge remarked that while a prosecution witness, Alhaji Lawal indicated in his evidence a deficit of the N27.155million against

the defendant and his company, the prosecution failed to identify the money supposedly stolen in this case and show how it was converted by the defendant.

“It is not every situation of transaction deficit in a partinership that will amount to conversion or stealing unless specific evidence is led satisfying the justification of conclusion of criminal culpability” the judge said.

The trial judge, acknowledging evidence of the refund being made to Alhaji Lawal held that since the defendant has commenced the process of payment of outstanding sum in the business before the charge was filed, “the defendant has negated every suggestion that he intended depriving the Lawal of the sums of money alleged to be stolen”.

Justice Oyewole said that the prosecution also failed to give evidence to show that the money in issue came from the personal account of Alhaji Lawal.

The judge said that he cannot accept the submission of the prosecution that corporate criminal liability could lead to a private individual being charged instead of the company.

Businessman sues Airtel for N2b over SMS A IRTEL has been taken to court by an Ibadan-based businessman, Mr. Wole Abisoye, for non-delivery of short messages services (SMS).

He is claiming N2 billion as damages for the non-delivery of the text messages as “a breach of the defendant’s obligation to him”.

Abisoye is claiming that Airtel failed to deliver 17 short message services (sms) sent on its network since January 1, 2012.

In an originating summon filed by his counsel, Luqman Laoye, Abisoye said he sent New Year messages to 20 of his business associates and clients using his Airtel number but only three of the messages were delivered.

He said Airtel deducted charges for the 20 messages whereas it failed to deliver all the messages.

The businessman claimed that he lodged a complaint on the issue to the company at one of the branches of Airtel in Ibadan which was not attended to.

He said his repeated complaints were equally not attended to at the Ibadan office of the telecommunication company.

Abisoye said his complaints were lodged at Airtel office on Secretariat Road, Mokola, five days after he sent the messages in January, 2012.

In the statement of claim, also signed by his lawyer, Laoye, the businessman claimed that the non-delivery of the messages has brought him to ridicule and loss of goodwill as his clients and associates ‘have refused to patronise him again, a situation that forced him to instruct his lawyer to sue the

company.’

“The claimant has suffered monumental embarrassment, ridicule, loss of goodwill, trust and confidence from his clients and business associates, who believe he was lying when he asserted that he sent New Year messages to them through the defendant’s network which have not been delivered till date.

“The claimant had also lost many lucrative businesses from his clients and business associates, who have refused to patronize him again on the promise that, he, the claimant, is not worthy of transacting business with on account of his perceived deceit with respect to the nondelivery of the New Year text messages he (claimant) allegedly sent to his clients and business associates”, Laoye said.

THANKSGIVING CEREMONY ORGANISED BY THE NBA PRESIDENT OKEY WALI (SAN) IN PORT HARCOURT LAST WEEK

• Chief Arthur Obiokafor and his wife Chioma

• From left: U.F.O Nnaemeka, Amaka Ibeke, Chinenye Okongwu and General Secretary Easthern Bar Forum, O.O. Igwenyi

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

36

LAW & SOCIETY The autonomy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), a cash-less society, the suspended N5,000 banknote and a “suffocating” interest rate regime dominated discussions at the 2012 Annual Public Lecture organised by J-K Gadzama & Partners LLP, reports JOSEPH JIBUEZE.

Lagos CJ, NBA President, Oguntade seek lower interest rates • How to realise cash-less economy, by ex-minister

I

S the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) too powerful? Some think so, arguing that it should be brought under legislative control so that some of its policies can be thoroughly examined before implementation. For others, no one should tamper with the bank’s autonomy.

Speakers at the 2012 Annual Public Lecture organised by the law firm of J-K Gadzama & Partners held divergent views on whether CBN’s powers should be whittled down.

To a former Information Minister Frank Nweke (Jr), who delivered the lecture entitled: Nigeria in the Year 2012: The Vision of a Cashless Economy, the National Assembly must not tamper with CBN’s autonomy.

Nweke, Director-General of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, described as “unhealthy” what he said was a deliberate effort to by the government to “subordinate” the CBN. “This is unhealthy and clearly portends danger for the management of Nigeria’s monetary policy management. In order for the CBN to be effective, their work must be devoid of any political considerations and or interference “The precedents which are now being laid by the National Assembly with the proposed amendment of critical sections of the CBN Act 2007 to strip it of its autonomy, and most recent interference in the project CURE, run against the grain of global best practices.

“Whatever may be the concern of the National Assembly or other arms of government in the way and manner the CBN discharges its mandate can be handled more pragmatically through consultation and dialogue rather than setting a precedent which will subject the CBN perpetually to the whims of political actors of the day,” he said.

CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, represented by the CBN Deputy Governor, Corporate Services, Alhaji Suleiman Barau, who chaired the event, also warned against political control of the bank.

According to him, politicians who “think short term” would be more concerned about pleasing the electorate with a view to winning election, and could try to hold the CBN back from certain policies that may appear unpopular.

The CBN, he said, “thinks long term”; therefore allowing politicians to control it would not augur well for the economy’s lasting wellbeing.

“Politicians will never allow us to manage inflation, interest rate simply because they want to win election,” Sanusi said.

Executive Director, Community Development Foundation, Mr Akin Akintola, believes the CBN should have “100 per cent independence.”

He however, said the bank “should not run too fast to get policies through in a manner that people suffer.”

But a former Chairman, Senate Committee on Banking, Senator Nkechi Nwogwu, said the CBN “is not an island” and cannot be absolutely independent.

She said: “There’s no agency that is an Island. We’re saying that there are some CBN projects need democratic review. Certain monetary policies must be brought before the legislature for a review. That’s what we’re concerned about.

“We’re not at loggerheads with

CBN at all. All we’re saying is that they should consider the opinions of Nigerians.”

Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN) agreed, saying the CBN should not be given the freedom of power without control, because, according to him, absolute power can lead to corruption.

“The greatest fear of Nigerians is arbitrariness in implementation of policies. There should be some level of oversight over the CBN,” he said.

Meanwhile, for other jurists at the event, the CBN should do more to reduce interest rates than bothering with introducing new naira notes.

Chief Judge of Lagos, Justice Ayotunde Phillips, would want to see a reduction in the charges banks impose on transactions.

“I am not happy with the bank charges,” she said.

Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Okey Wali (SAN), represented by Dr Joseph Nwobike (SAN) described interest rate regime in Nigeria as “suffocating”.

“Businesses should be encouraged to grow,” he said, adding: “The interest rate regime here is suffocating.

“Over 60 per cent of businesses that borrow money from banks ultimately fail. Those of them who are operating do so on pretentious grounds. The issue of interest rate is more important to us Nigerians.

“There is nothing with introducing N5000 banknote. What is wrong is access to it, and not whether or not it is introduced. In any case, the CBN Governor is doing very well. He’s an intellectual.

But I think he has to do more in managing interest rate.

“Just a few years ago, my account officer called me and said: ‘Doctor, do you have N50million? I’ll give you 50 per cent for 90 days.’ I said, ‘wow!’ And when I did my calculation, perhaps I don’t need to practice again. If I earn that amount in 90 days, I think that pays my salary.

“So it is important for us to do something. The interest rate regime is going back to what it used to be. Banks are paying 15 per cent interest on deposits. The question is: What are they using that deposit to do?

“We can’t see the businesses anymore. And if you look at a recent CBN publication, about 60 per cent of corporate Nigeria is bare.

“The CBN, please do something, let us have 3, 4, 5 per cent interest rate for businesses to grow, so that our children and friends and nephews and nieces will have jobs.”

A former justice of the Supreme Court, George Oguntade, also decried high interest rate, saying it is “curtailing growth.” “Something urgent needs to be done about it,” he said, urging Barau to take the message to Sanusi.

Justice Oguntade recalled that he discouraged his wife from obtaining a bank loan to run a private school “because repaying is difficult.”

Idigbe, who discussed Nweke’s paper, said even law firms need credit to carry on successful practices that can compete globally.

“We need to rethink our proposition. There’s nothing wrong in having a firm of 600 lawyers,” he said.

On the cash-less policy, Idigbe said cyber law are inadequate, and existing ones have gaps. He wondered, for instance, whether if someone sends scam messages and is caught, it amounts to internet fraud even if no one has actually

• Chief Gadzama (SAN), Alhaji Barau, Nweke Jr, Justice Phillips and Sen. Nwogwu.

• Akintola and Dr. Nwobike (SAN)

been defrauded. New laws, he said, are needed to specify the crime.

Insolvency laws too need to be looked at, he said, adding: “No one has ever looked at the bankruptcy law. It doesn’t have any business recovery provision.”

Idigbe claimed there is no strategic focus on commercial law reform, even as there are conflicting bills. He urged the Attorney-General of the Federation to do more in that area. “The Attorney-General needs to focus on law reforms,” he said.

He also suggested splitting the office of the Attorney-General from the Minister of Justice so that, according to him, one can actually do the work of law reforms, while the other “can sleep in Aso Rock playing politics.”

Akintola criticised the imposition of penalties on Cash-lite Lagos, saying CBN should have encouraged incentives rather than fines. According to him, the government should also pay the penalties.

Head of Chambers, J-K Gadzama & Partners LLP, Abuja Office, Mr Henry Michael-Ihunde, called for a strong regulatory regime for the legal profession.

He said some lawyers may unwittingly encourage money laundering by not questioning the sources of their clients’ income.

He said when a clients is ready to pay a lawyer cash with a huge sum, the lawyer should be concerned.

“Every firm must have a moneylaundering policy,” he said.

Micheal-Ihunde also called for the establishment of an Independent Financial Ombudsman to address

issues raised by bank customers in the cash-less regime.

The Ombudsman, he said, should comprise people of diverse backgrounds who would investigate claims and sanction the banks when found culpable.

“The banks are stealing our money and we have to do something about this,” he said. “We pay so much for poor services. Call their customer care, and no one will answer you.”

Nweke in the lecture identified the pre-conditions for a nationwide take-off of the Cash-less policy in 2013. The first, he said, is the payment infrastructure.

“The upscaling of the nation’s power supply capacity, in particular, is perhaps the singular most important success factor in sustaining the nationwide cash-less policy by reducing the downtime in operational equipment caused by power outages or lack of power supply,” he said.

Also needed is a better approach to governance. Nweke said: “Government was conceived to cater to the welfare of the people and should therefore exist for the sole purpose of benefiting the people.”

He added that the un-banked majority should be engaged “to reign in the significant portion of currency outside banks held by them.”

The country, he said, is in need of a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework of policies that covers the most modern forms of financial activities and global standards of transparency and disclosure.

Nweke also called for a modern-

ised law enforcement approach to tackle cyber-crime and internet fraud.

“The vision of a cash-less economy can indeed only be achieved when the socio-economic parameters of this geographical entity collectively ensure favourable standards of living for over 100 million Nigerians in absolute poverty which form 62 per cent majority of the population of the country.

“Only then can this lofty vision of the cash-less economy be truly a reality,” he said.

Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama (SAN), whose firm organised the lecture, said it was in fulfilment of their corporate responsibility to the society.

“By our mission and vision as a firm, we seek to contribute not only to the growth and progress of the legal profession in Nigeria, but the nation as a whole. This, we intend to achieve, through our Annual Public Lecture.

“Over the years, issues affecting the Nigerian populace have been analysed and solutions proffered.

“The annual event is part of efforts aimed at giving back a little to the society that has given us all we have today, especially now that we are not just a law firm, but a Limited Liability Partnership,” he said.

Also at the event were former Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, Deacon Dele Adesina (SAN), Mr Fabian Ajogwu (SAN), among others.

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

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THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

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ABUJA REVIEW ABUJA PULL-OUT PHOTOS

•President Goodluck Jonathan decorating Dr Ambrosie Bryant Chukwueloka Orjiako (right), Chairman, Seplat Petroleum Development Company Ltd with Officer of the •Members of National Peace Corps led by the National Commandant, Ambassador Dickson Akoh during a rally to commemorate Africa Peace Day in Abuja Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) at the 2012 National Honours Award

•From right: Chairperson House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, Hon. •From left: States Accountants-General, Alhaji Tunde Abdulkareem (Kwara); Udo Hilary Nnena Ukeje Elendu; members, Umar Bature and Dr Samuel Adejare during a meeting at the Isobara (Akwa Ibom) and David Sunmoni (Lagos) during a meeting in Abuja National Assembly Abuja on the detention of pilgrims in Saudi Arabia PHOTOS: ABAYOMI FAYESE From Bukola Amusan

•Senator Mohammed

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HE Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed, has led a delegation of inspectors on a tour of ongoing projects in the territory.

On the tour were personnel of the Ministries of Information and National Planning.

The inspection was informed by the need to prove that the FCT authorities were indeed working to ensure that residents enjoyed good infrastructures and amenities.

Senator Mohammed is under no illusions that it is the influx of people to the FCT that has tended to undermine the facilities meant for a smaller number of residents.

In fact, there is a perception that the Mohammed-led FCT administration has been underperforming.

According to Mohammed, the failure of some state governors to deliver on their campaign promises

has made indigenes leave their states for the capital city in search of greener pastures.

The need to monitor proper use of funds allocated to projects in the FCT made the FCT Administration, the Ministries of Information and National Planning to embark on a threeday tour of on-going project in the city as well as a citizens’ forum organised at the Transcorp Hotel in order to give Abuja residents the opportunity to express their views and grievances about governance in the city.

Various projects ranging from the Lower Usuma Dam Water projects, the rehabilitation and expansion of the Outer Northern Expressway, the extension of the Inner Southern Expressway to the Southern Parkway, the provision of Engineering infrastructure to Kubwa Satellite town (Districts 4 and 5), provision of engineering infrastructure to wuye districts.

Others include the rehabilitation of the Kabusa-Sheretti township, the development of the Idu industrial area, the rehabilitation and expansion of Airport expressway project, the construction of a 250 bed Utako General Hospital, the design and construction of the Abuja Light Rail Mass Transit Project, among others.

Inspecting the level of work on the Abuja light rail project, Bala Mohammed said when it is fully functional in 2015, an estimated two million people will commute on it daily. Its first phase will be completed in the second quarter of 2015.

He said the rail system which is an integral part of the FCT Transportation Master Plan was designed primarily to transport large number of commuters and goods between the satellite towns and the different phases of the Federal Capital City

FCT monitors projects (FCC).

He explained that the rail system is carved up into six (6) lots which cover a total distance of 252 km and are spread out for phased development.

The current phase to be completed within the second quarter of 2015 comprises Lot 1 and 3. Lots 2, 4, 5 and 6 are to be captured in subsequent phases.

Lots 1 and 3 which make up the current phase covers a distance of 45 km and is being constructed at a contract sum of USD823.5 Million.

This amount, the FCT Minister pointed out, comprises USD500 Million foreign component to be financed by the Chinese Exim Bank and the balance of USD323 Million to be sourced locally through budgetary allocations.

There are 15 stations on the routes covered by the current first phase which stretched from Dei-Dei through Kubwa and Idu to the City Centre and from Airport through Lugbe and Idu to the City Centre.

The contractors assured that all the 15 stations would be completed by 2015.

The sum of N178 million was subsequently approved by the FCT Administration as compensation and resettlement for villages along the Abuja Light Rail right of way and corridors.

The minister said such proactive action was taken to remove all encumbrances that may delay the delivering of this very important project that promises to transform the Federal Capital Territory and bring it at par with other World cities.

According to the Minister, about one million jobs will be created when the project is completed; stressing that the project has been phased to ensure early completion and maximum benefit to Nigerians.

His words: “The contract sum of the project is about $800 million out of which $500 has been borrowed from the Chinese government through Chinese Exim Bank with a 2.5 percent interest rate”.

While inspecting the Water Treatment plant at the Dawaki area of the city, the Minister, Senator Bala Abdulkadir directed the con-

Inspecting work on the Abuja light rail project, Bala Mohammed said when it is fully functional in 2015, an estimated two million people will commute on it daily.

Its first phase will be completed in the second quarter of 2015

tractor handling the third and fourth multi-billion-Naira Abuja water treatment plants at the Lower Usuma Dam, M/S Bi-Water Nigeria Limited to deliver the project which is now 96 percent complete on or before December 2012.

He revealed that the FCT Administration has met all its contractual obligations as all payments due for the project is up to date and so the government does not owe the contractor a dime.

Mohammed stressed that the treatment plants when completed will get its water from two sources which include the main Lower Usuma Dam and the Gurara Dam about 74 kilometers away.

According to him, the current water capacity being treated and reticulated to the Abuja metropolis and its environs is about 10,000 cubic meters per hour and that when this project is completed and put into use, about 20 million litres of water will be treated and supplied to Abuja residents which is three times the current production.

The minister, who revealed that this project was at 95 percent completion when he took over the mantle of leadership of FCT, stated that the Tanks I & VI now under construction will be fed from these new Water Treatment Plants.

The minister said the rehabilitation and expansion of the Outer Northern Expressway project that was awarded in May, 2009 is expected to be completed by November, 2013 while the extension of the Inner Southern Expressway to the Southern Parkway with a contract sum of N13,385,719,204.51 is being delayed due to lack of funds.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

ABUJA REVIEW

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HE week was characterised by the fear of floods as the unending news of water everywhere, even in least expected areas, continued to pour in. It worried the Presidency.

Water, according to the popular saying, is the source of life but today, it has taken over many cities in the country, threatening life.

The presidency was highly disturbed by the dare consequence of flood in the country which poses potential threat to the country’s food security. It argued that if the natural disaster continues, it could lead to food scarcity, hence the need to classify it as a matter of national emergency.

From presidency estimation, 5,000 farmlands have been washed away by the ravaging flood across the country.

Besides, the presidency noted that the situation could lead to break-out of epidemic, saying the disaster has the capacity of affecting the health of the people. The issue came up for discussion at the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday.

While flood was ravaging the country, the Presidency had to also contend with the national embarrassment meeted to the country contingent to this year Hajj where female pilgrims were harrassed and detained in Saudi Arabia on the excuse that they were not accompanied by male companions.

However, the Presidency would not take the embarrassment which was said to be peculiar to female pilgrims from Nigeria alone. Just as it did in the case of the South Africa issue, Presidency summoned the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Nigeria Khaled O.Y. Abdrabuh to specifically register Nigeria’s displeasure with the treatment meted out to her pilgrims and followed it up with a 24-hour ultimatum to the Saudi Authority to resolve the issues.

Over 750 Nigerian female pilgrims in Saudi Arabia adjudged by the authority to be without male companion (Muharram) had been detained in Jeddah and Madinah.

The Presidency is requesting the Saudi Arabian authorities to apply caution and flexibility to allow the pilgrims undertake their sacred religious duties.

“Should the Saudi authorities not desire our pilgrims to perform this year’s Hajj, they should let the country know.”

He said that no reasonable and

The fear of floods From the Villa

By Vincent Ikuomola responsible government would sit and fold its arms while its citizens are manhandled.

The Vice-President, Namadi Sambo therefore, requested the Ambassador to do all within his powers to ensure that the issues were resolved within 24 hours, and the outcome communicated to him.

Also in he course of he week under review, the Presidency made good its promise to improve transportation system in the country.

The weekly Federal Executive Council Meeting endorsed the contract for the consultancy services for feasibility studies of five fast train lines across the country at the cost of N1.334b.

The fast train lines are for LagosOsogbo-Abuja (615km) which could be covered within three hours with five stops; Lagos- Shagamu- Benin (300km); Ajaokuta- Obajana-Abuja (533km); Zaria-Sokoto- Illela (520km) and

Benin-Onitsha-Aba (500km).

The proposed new standard gauge railway lines, according to the Presidency, will create total job opportunities for 51 Nigerian professionals and 115 nonprofessionals during execution. The projects are to be executed under the public-private partnership arrangement.

Also approved at the weekly meeting was the contract for the construction of Manyam-UshongoLessel-Kartyo-Oju-Agila-Ongba Road; an inter-state road linking Benue State with its Southeastern state neighbours on the EnuguAbakaliki Road.

The proposed road contract is awarded to Messrs Tilley Gyado & Co, at the sum of N1,035,824,120.10, with a completion period of 14 months. On completion, it will facilitate access to markets, hospitals, schools and generally restore agroeconomic and social activities within the host communities.

In the same manner, the Council, in furtherance of the Federal

Government’s commitment to create the necessary atmosphere for sustainable development of the Niger Delta region, approved three infrastructural projects in two states of the region.

The projects expected to create about 100 jobs are Kira-DereMogho Road in Rivers State, land reclamation/shore protection at Ogbeinana Town in Delta State and Umuada Layout Road in Asaba, at the cost of N6,844,935,130.82, with a completion period ranging between 19-104 weeks.

To boost the quality of education at the primary and junior secondary school levels, the Council approved contract for the printing and distribution of primaries three, four, five and six textbooks in English Language, Mathematics, Basic Science and Technology, Social Studies and Library Resources materials for JSS students in public schools nationwide.

‘We will continue to demolish illegal structures’

T

•A bulldozer at work

HE Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed, has said his administration will continue to demolish illegal structures in Abuja until the master plan is restored.

Mohammed, who spoke at a citizens’ forum organised by his administration in order to know the views of residents on government’s policies and programmes, said the city will not soft-pedal on demolition until residents learn to do things the right way.

“We are demolishing, we will continue to demolish until the master plan is restored, I have nothing against Mpape residents” “ President Goodluck Jonathan as part of his compassion for Nigerians implored us to postpone the demolition until after the rainy season, Mpape has to go, it is

From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

posing a great security threat to the city, Mpape can’t stay, we must do it, it must start one day”he said On the high cost of rent in the city, the Chairman Senate Committee on FCT, Senator Smart Adeyemi, said a bill that will control rent and estate development in the city will be sponsored in the Senate very soon.

He said since most of the vacant estates in the city are being built with stolen funds without any need to pay back loan, cost of rents in the city have remained high.

Adeyemi said when property developers are made to pay property tax on their properties either being occupied or not, they will be forced to give out thousands of vacant houses in the city at very cheap price thereby crashing the high cost of rents in the city.

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

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NATION SPORT Khan to return against Molina

A

MIR KHAN will fight unbeaten Carlos Molina in December as he bids to get his career back on track following a knockout defeat to Danny Garcia.

The 25-year-old has suffered two consecutive defeats after losing to Lamont Peterson last year although the Washington fighter later failed a drugs test which saw the rematch scrapped.

Khan also confirmed Sportsmail's exclusive that he has appointed Virgil Hunter as his new trainer following his split from Freddie Roach.

Molina, 26, has had 18 fights since turning professional in 2007, winning 17 and drawing one.

He outpointed Marcos Leonardo Jimenez in June to win the vacant WBO InterContinental lightweight title but has never gone beyond ten rounds.

The Mexican-American has not stopped an opponent in almost three years which suggests Khan's camp have made a sensible decision in avoiding another hard hitter.

Khan, who will be based in Oakland, north California while under the tutelage of Hunter, is expected to fight in America, rather than in England. His last contest on home soil was against Paul McCloskey in April 2011.

His bout with Molina will take place on December 1 or December 15.

'Molina is a good fighter, who has yet to taste defeat, so I know that he will be very dangerous,' Khan said.

'He's a tricky fighter who possess a lot of natural speed.

I always want to face hungry young fighters and in Molina I'm up against a guy who has ambitions of world title success.'

'I'm really pleased that Virgil Hunter is to become my new trainer," Khan added.

'Everyone in boxing knows about his skills and the success he has enjoyed over the last few years. I'm looking forward to the start of my training camp and working on some new things with him.

'With Virgil in my corner, I know that I can get back to the very top of the lightwelterweight division.'

• Khan

• Murray

AFTERMATH OF US OPEN TRIUMPH

Murray prepares for first appearance A

NDY MURRAY is preparing to take to the court in his first match since lifting the US Open, as he looks to defend the Japan Open this week.

Murray ended Britain’s 76year wait for a men’s grand slam champion when he conquered Novak Djokovic in a thrilling five-set match at Flushing Meadows in September.

Murray, who has already been practising in Tokyo, is preparing to defend his Japan Open crown, starting with Frenchman Gael Monfils in his first match since the historic day New York.

‘It will be a tough first match against Monfils,’ Murray said. ‘I've played him I think five times and lost to him a couple of times. He's a great athlete.’

Not only did Murray take the US Open from Djokovic, he also reached his first Wimbledon final and won two Olympic medals – a gold in the men’s singles and a

silver in the mixed-doubles with Laura Robson.

Murray is still hungry for success in Japan, despite his most successful season since joining the men’s tour.

‘Obviously I have good memories (of Tokyo) from last year,’ said the world No 3, who beat Rafa Nadal in a memorable final, losing just four points in a 6-0 third set.

‘It's nice to come back. I'd also like to play well at the Tour Finals in London. I didn't have the chance to do that last year (because of a groin strain).

‘It was a very disappointing way to end the year. I want to make sure I'm 100 per cent fit for that tournament and finish the year well there’ In good shape: Murray looks fit for purpose ahead of his match against Gael Monfils Murray, whose hired former world No 1 Ivan Lendl as coach earlier this year, said he felt stronger mentally, physically and

technically than ever.

‘I've probably improved mentally a little bit," the Scot said with some understatement after finally breaking his grand slam duck.

‘It's very important at my age to make sure you keep trying to learn and get better.

‘I've improved my game.

That's the thing I've been the most pleased with this year.

With the way men's tennis is now - there is a lot of depth.

‘The top of the men's game is very, very strong so if you want to improve your ranking and win more tournaments you need to keep finding things to improve your game.’

Murray has done just that under Lendl, avenging his Wimbledon loss to Roger Federer at the London Olympics before beating Djokovic in a pulsating US Open final.

A well-rested Murray arrived early for his Tokyo title defence, flying in from Bangkok on Thursday.

'We'll keep trump card ‘Morgan’ up our sleeve' I F England are to overcome the odds and reach the World Twenty20 semi-finals they will need Eoin Morgan at the crease for as long as possible.

Yet their trump card will again be held back in the must-win game against New Zealand.

Morgan was back to his brilliant best in Thursday's defeat by West Indies after a lean year but only had half of England's innings to attempt an improbable rescue act which fell tantalisingly short of a famous victory.

Now, with England all but out if they lose again, they will stick to the same policy of keeping Morgan up their sleeves even if they again lose early wickets against a New Zealand team who also lost their Super Eights opener.

The problem, England insist, lies more with the fact

that either Alex Hales or Craig Kieswetter has fallen too early in their last two games rather than not giving the Irishman enough time to weave his magic.

'Morgs has this amazing ability to find the boundaries

when fielders are back which not everyone has,' said England captain Stuart Broad. 'He's not especially suited to piercing the infield when everyone is in. So the risk-reward for someone so valuable to our team might be too high for him to try to do that.

• Morgan

‘I've had a few more days to enjoy the city a bit,’ he said.

‘It's been fun. I've had four or five days complete rest.

During the season there's not many times you can do that.’

Murray is also looking forward to playing doubles at the Japan Open after

winning that title too with brother Jamie last year.

‘A lot of players at this stage of the year are a bit mentally and physically tired,’ he said.

‘You need to find the best way of managing for the last couple of months of the year.’

Ryder Cup: Woods losing place in US team

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IGER WOODS began the day as a lonely figure, excluded from the American Ryder Cup team for the first time in his life. And as the light began to fade, he was absorbing the humbling experience of losing his third match — in partnership with Steve Stricker — against Sergio Garcia and Luke Donald in the fourballs.

Quite plainly, Woods and Stricker have missed the bus that has taken the rest of the US team to within a few hours of reclaiming the Ryder Cup here at Medinah Country Club.

In future, Woods will perhaps no longer be considered a central fixture in the US team. He forfeited that long-held conviction over two of his roughest days in the Ryder Cup, when his old nemesis, Phil Mickelson, aided by young sidekick Keegan Bradley, whipped the densely populated galleries into a frenzy.

Their third win together in the morning foursomes accounted for the 7 & 6 demolition of Lee Westwood and Donald, two men once ranked No 1 in the world.

In contrast, Woods has only the singles to make any significant contribution to what is expected to be an American lap of honour.

As a man with 14 major championships, Woods has never truly embraced the notion that golf can be a team sport; and he has now lost 17 of his 32 matches in the Ryder Cup.

His driving at Medinah has been at its most reckless since he hit a fire hydrant as he was leaving his mansion in Florida three years ago.

That infamous incident led to him being identified as a serial philanderer and changed the way he was perceived around in the world. Only in America has he recovered the public affection he sacrificed to his private failings.

But, until a late afternoon surge in the fourballs, Woods’ role here has been largely an irrelevance. His profligacy from the tee, coupled with an unreliable putter, led to US captain Davis Love III dropping him from Saturday’s foursomes.

• Woods

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

43

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Text of an address given by His Excellency, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, on the occasion of the 52nd Independence Day anniversary on Monday, October 1, 2012

‘Our anti-corruption fight is total’

B

ELOVED countrymen and women, on this day, fifty-two years ago, our founding fathers brought joy and hope to the hearts of our people when they won independence for our great country. Nigeria made a clean break with more than six decades of colonial rule, and emerged as a truly independent nation. That turning point was a new beginning for our nation.

Those who witnessed the lowering of the Union Jack and the emergence of the Green White Green flag continue to relish the memory, because that ceremony was not just about the destiny of a nation, but the future of a people.

That future is here; we are the inheritors of a great legacy that goes even much farther into the past.

The worthy patriots who made this possible were young men and women in their twenties and thirties. They worked together to restore dignity and honour to the Nigerian people. Their resolve united a multicultural and multilingual nation of diverse peoples, with more than 250 distinct languages and ethnic groups.

In 1960, our diversity became a source of strength, and the new leaders resolved to carry the flag of independence for the benefit of future generations. They had their differences, but they placed a greater premium on the need to come together to build a new nation.

It is that resolve, and that glorious moment that we celebrate today. We also celebrate the patriotism of our heroes past: Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Michael Okpara, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Herbert Macaulay, and several others who made the case for our independence.

We remember as always, their contributions to the making of the Nigerian nation, and the efforts of their successors since 1960.

We also celebrate the unfailing optimism and resilience of Nigerians who remain proud of our national identity.

On this special day, I call on every Nigerian to remain steadfast, because our nation is indeed making progress. I call on every Nigerian to rediscover that special spirit that enables us to triumph over every adversity as a people: We weathered the storm of the civil war, we have refused to be broken by sectarian crises; we have remained a strong nation. I bring to you today, a message of renewed hope and faith in the immense possibilities that lie ahead.

Fellow citizens, I have an unshaken belief in the future of our great Country. I consider it a priority and sacred duty to continue to strengthen the bond of unity that holds our nation together and to promote and nourish the creative energies of our people. This is a central objective of our administration’s Transformation Agenda. Nigeria, I assure you, will continue to grow from strength to strength.

Since I assumed office as President of our dear country on the 6th of May 2010, I have continued to work with our countrymen and women to enhance our nation’s growth and development.

Our vision is encapsulated in the Transformation Agenda. We are working hard and making progress on many fronts. We have cleaned up our electoral process; our elections are now globally acclaimed to be free and fair. Nigeria is now on a higher pedestal regarding elections.

Over the past five years, the global economy has been going through a weak and uncertain recovery. During the same period and particularly in the last two years, the Nigerian economy has done appreciably well despite the global financial crisis. Nigeria’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has grown by 7.1 per cent on average.

It is also significant that the GDP growth has been driven largely by the non-oil sector. In pursuance of the main goals of the Transformation Agenda, a number of reforms and initiatives are being pursued in key sectors of the economy with a view to consolidating the gains of the economic growth.

Our country’s power supply situation is improving gradually.

We are successfully implementing a well-integrated power sector reform programme which includes institutional arrangements to facilitate and strengthen private-sector-led power generation, transmission and distribution.

We have also put in place a cost-reflective tariff structure that reduces the cost of power for a majority of electricity consumers.

I am pleased with the feedback from across the country, of improvements in power supply.

We are continuing to improve and stabilize on our crude production volumes; our 12-month gas supply emergency plan, put in place earlier this year, has produced more than the targeted volumes of gas for power generation. A robust Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) has been placed before the National Assembly. Its passage into law will ensure far-reaching reforms, transparency, accountability, increased government revenue and predictability for investors in the Oil and Gas sector.

• President Goodluck Jonathan releasing the Peace Pegeons during the Presidential Change of Guard Parade at the Fourcourt PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN of the State House Abuja ... yesterday.

Several government programmes and projects are creating wealth and millions of job opportunities for our youth and general population. Such programmes include: You-Win, both for the youth and for the women, Public Works, the Local Content Initiative in the Oil and Gas Sector, and the Agricultural Transformation programme.

We have improved on our investment environment; more corporate bodies are investing in the Nigerian economy. Our Investment Climate Reform Programme has helped to attract over N6.8 trillion local and foreign direct investment commitments.

Nigeria has become the preferred destination for investment in Africa. It is ranked first in the top 5 host economies for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Africa, accounting for over 20 per cent of total FDI flows into the continent. We have streamlined bureaucratic activities at the ports to ensure greater efficiency in the handling of ports and port-related businesses. Specifically, we have drastically reduced the goods clearing period in our ports from about six weeks to about one week and under. We have an ultimate target of 48 hours.

We have put in place, a new visa policy that makes it easier for legitimate investors to receive long stay visas. We have achieved a 24-hour timeline for registration of new businesses, leading to the registration of close to 7, 000 companies within the second quarter of 2012.

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has disclosed that, as at July 2012, 249 new members across the country had joined the Association, and that capacity utilization has also improved. The multiplier effect of this development on our job creation programme cannot be over-emphasized.

In the last two years, we have put in place structures for an upgrade of the country’s health sector, to promote in every respect, the individual citizen’s right to quality, affordable and accessible healthcare.

In this regard, we are devoting resources under the Subsidy Reinvestment Program (SURE-P) to reducing malaria incidents, dramatically reducing maternal and child mortality, and eradicating polio.

Fellow Nigerians, in recent times, we have witnessed serious security challenges in parts of our country. We have taken proactive measures to check the menace. This has included constant consultation and collaboration with our neighbours and other friendly nations on issues relating to internal and cross border security, and the sharing of information on smuggling and illegal dealing in small arms and light weapons.

Our security agencies are constantly being strengthened and repositioned for greater efficiency. Many Nigerians have acknowl-

‘Even as we remain focused on the issue of security, the fight against the scourge of corruption is a top priority of our Administration. We are fighting corruption in all facets of our economy, and we are succeeding. We have put an end to several decades of endemic corruption associated with fertilizer and tractor procurement and distribution. We have exposed decades of scam in the management of pensions and fuel subsidy, and ensured that the culprits are being brought to book’

edged that there has been a significant decline in the spate of security breaches.

While expressing our condolences to the affected families, let me reiterate the commitment of this Administration to ensure the safety of lives and property of all Nigerians.

Even as we remain focused on the issue of security, the fight against the scourge of corruption is a top priority of our Administration. We are fighting corruption in all facets of our economy, and we are succeeding. We have put an end to several decades of endemic corruption associated with fertilizer and tractor procurement and distribution. We have exposed decades of scam in the management of pensions and fuel subsidy, and ensured that the culprits are being brought to book.

In its latest report, Transparency International (TI) noted that Nigeria is the second most improved country in the effort to curb corruption.

We will sustain the effort in this direction with an even stronger determination to strengthen the institutions that are statutorily entrusted with the task of ending this scourge.

I have given my commitment of non-interference in the work of the relevant agencies and I am keeping my word. What we require is the full cooperation of all tiers of government, and the public, especially civil society and the media.

This Administration has also introduced for the first time in Nigeria’s history, a Performance Contract System for all Ministers, and other officials of government. This is to further place emphasis on performance, efficiency, and service delivery.

Fellow Nigerians, our determined efforts on several fronts notwithstanding, our country still faces a number of challenges.

Those challenges should not deter us. In the last few weeks, for example, many of our communities have been ravaged by floods, resulting in the loss of lives and property, and the displacement of persons.

I want to reassure all affected Nigerians that I share in their grief, and our Administration is taking steps to address these incidents, in collaboration with the States and Local Governments.

I have received the interim Report of the Presidential team that I set up to assess the flooding situation across the country.

The Federal Government has taken measures to assist the affected States, while considering long term measures to check future reoccurrence.

We must continue to work together, confidently and faithfully, to ensure that our country’s potentials are realised to the fullest; that our dreams are translated into reality; and that our goals are achieved.

Let me reiterate that our administration is committed to the pursuit of fundamental objectives of an open society: the pursuit of freedom, security and prosperity for the Nigerian people, and the rule of law.

In the next few days, I shall lay before the National Assembly the 2013 Federal Budget Proposal so that deliberations can commence in earnest on the key policies, programmes and projects that will mark a decisive year for our development and transformation.

I have no doubt that by the time I address you on our next independence anniversary, many of our reform efforts would have yielded even better results.

Over the years, several leaders have built on the foundation laid by our Founding Fathers. The baton is now in our hands. Let me assure all Nigerians that we shall not fail.

I am confident that Nigeria will continue to be a source of pride to its citizens; to Africa and the Black Race and to humanity; a land that is known for progress, freedom, peace and the promotion of human dignity.

May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. May God bless you all.

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

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POLITICS NIGERIA AT 52 Nigeria marked her 52nd independence anniversary yesterday. But does the local government administration have anything to show for it? This, Assistant Editor DADA ALADELOKUN, examines in this report.

Unending worries over grassroots governance P

ROPONENTS of local government admin-istration had, at its very inception, even in the pre-colonial era, envisioned a heartening situation whereby the grassroots people would enjoy robust access to the fruits of governance. Thus, to them, as Nigeria marks her 52nd Independence anniversary today, every family should be alive in revelry, celebrating better life at the grassroots level. But no, the grassroots people are mourning the perpetuity of progressive inertia.

To the general run of the Nigerian populace today, local councils are largely malnourished and hence, pathetically ineffectual. Reason: What has become of the so-called Third Tier of government has, in a sordid manner, run foul of the Fourth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution of the country which assigns some critical responsibilities to local councils.

By the content and intents of the constitutional principle, local governance and the involvement of grassroots people in the ordering of their own livelihood should be an integral aspect of the nation’s development, democratically and economically. But with the passage of years, the fortune of the tier of government has continued to make its proponents’ blood run cold.

The tier’s tribulation did not just start yesterday. The Ibadan District Council, which came into being in 1954, was soon tormented to its marrow by unhealthy political interests. It was same tale for the Ibadan Municipal Government (1957 - 1979) which produced a number of exemplary administrators.

Not a few worried souls are always quick to implicate military rule as a negative influence. But many others are wont to ask: Why have the councils remained comatose, years after the men with starched khakis “stepped aside?”

This progressively unending failure has inspired many attempts at re-creating the system. One was the famous 1976 Local Government Reform with one sole aim: Making local councils more accountable. Even by 1986, under the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida-led administration, it still remained a pipedream.

It, therefore, prompted the Political Bureau instituted to pay attention to the importance of local government and the need to buoy it up. Before then, what was known as Dasuki Committee on Local Administration in Nigeria had made far-reaching recommendations on how local councils live to its billing.

The committee came up with some joker to rescue the tier from the brink precipice: Further decentralisation of local councils, their autonomy, improved revenue allocation from the federal coffers and healthier attitude towards them by both federal and state governments.

Still convinced that the tier remained the surest source of goodies to the local inhabitants, between May 1989 and September 1991, the Babangida administration created more councils, raising the number within two years from 301 to 589. And by 1999, the number became 774 with the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), all listed in the 1999 Constitution.

In fact, some state governments, notably Lagos and Enugu, exercising their powers to establish local councils under Section 7 of the Constitution, created local government development centres to further take governance to the doorsteps of the grassroots people. For months, Lagos State, under the then governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, saw the rough side of the Olusegun Obasanjo administration as it withheld funds meant for the councils.

Tinubu’s ‘offence’: Creating 37 local government development areas out of the original 20 councils. Still, to many a Nigerian, not yet any dice in terms of the dividends of all the efforts!

The simple constitutional duties of the councils have been practically begging for attention. Even far back in 1999, when the politicians took over power from the soldiers, they pledged to strengthen the local government system by involving the people in running their own affairs and making government responsive to their needs. But the new rulers have proved to out-Herod their unwelcome

• House of Reps Speaker Aminu Tambuwal

•Arowosoge

predecessors - the soldiers.

Close watchers of happenings at the level would easily conjecture why the local councils have remained on the sickbed against all expectations. Undue federal and state government control and interference are primary among the reasons.

Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution has tied them to the apron strings of the state government. How? It is through giving the states the power effect their creation, structure, composition, finance and functions. Unfortunately, most states have not failed to abuse the use of such a power.

In virtually every state, local councils exist only in name as states encroach on their functions without let. In most cases, the states’ helmsmen, spurred on by his “executive powers,” behave like the Lord of Manor.

Practically in most states, the council bosses lick the feet of their governors. Woe betides any council chairman who flexes muscles to assert himself. As you read this, Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha is still at loggerheads with council chairmen in the state over tenure issues.

Financing the tier of government is another sore point. Bad enough as it seems, the 1999 Constitution further places the local councils under the control of the states. Section 162(6) of the constitution creates what is known as State Joint Local Government Account. By the provision, the state possesses the powers to pay local councils under its jurisdiction on “such terms and in such manner as may be prescribed by the National Assembly... or by the House of the state”.

No reference is stated therein to the Federal Allocation Formula under which the local councils are entitled to 20 per cent of federal income. In reality, the councils never get their ideal share of the revenue allocation.

Their resources are “lost in transit” between both the federal and state governments.

For instance, during the Obasanjo-led administration, money was deducted at source from councils’ revenue for the purported construction of healthcare centres in all 774 local councils by the overlord called Federal Gov-

ernment.

Most state governments today, taking refuge under the guise of helping the local councils to perform their functions, also withhold or divert money meant for them. In manners that smack of deceit or coercion, some of the helpless council chairmen across the country have ceded some of their statutory functions to their respective state governments.

The desperation of the state governors to win council elections for their parties, especially at the grassroots level has remained another cause for worry. Elections are rigged even more brazenly. A vivid example was the nationwide council elections in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-controlled states in December 2007. Quite funny; in April 2007, even out-going governors - Oyo State’s Rashidi Ladoja and Plateau’s Joshua Dariye wanted to conduct local council polls before the expiration of their dying tenure. Their main aim: To install their loyalists at the grassroots.

Another major part of the problem is the quality and mentality of those administering the grassroots level. As in every other level, have they been prepared for the job?

Why were they desperate to get the mantle, even with the last drop of blood in them?

What legacy have they been leaving after their tenure? So many questions!

The general fear across the land today is that corruption has become a monster at the level.

In the northern part of the country especially, reports have it that local government chairmen only visit their offices at the end of the month to share allocation among their councillors and wait till when the next fund is released!

In most of the states, the Houses of Assembly have both the knife and the yam. With their new-found legislative powers, the set ceiling for the amount any council can spend on capital projects; hence, the latter would always have to go to them cap-in-hand for approvals.

Besides armies of ghost workers, in most of the councils today, the quality of their staff is appalling. Their leadership is made

‘Most state governments today, taking refuge under the guise of helping the local councils to perform their functions, also withhold or divert money meant for them. In manners that smack of deceit or coercion, some of the helpless council chairmen across the country have ceded some of their statutory functions to their respective state governments’

up of the flotsam and the jetsam of the community, motor park touts and suchlike misfits.

In the face of all these, not a few worried observers have at one point or the other, made strident calls for the scrapping of local councils. But many were quick to point out that such a precipitate move would succeed in making state governors inebriated with excessive powers.

To the latter, more power to the states would engender and consolidate more opportunities for theft and dangerously widen the gulf between the leaders and the led at the grassroots.

The unending awkward scenarios have continued to give birth to many posers and proposals. The various stakeholders, the local councils must be made autonomous; the State Local Government Joint Account should become a thing of the past; the federal revenue sharing formula is crying for urgent review in favour of the local councils; state governments should hand off conduct of elections into state councils; structures should be created to ensure greater accountability at the council level; the bar of entry level for council elections must be raised and most importantly, the people must not only become more vigilant, but pluck up the courage to ask questions about how council resources are being (mis)used.

Now a member of the House of Representatives from Ekiti South West, Ikere and Ise/ Orun Federal Constituency, Dr Ifeoluwa Arowosoge served as elected chairman of Ekiti South West between 1991 and 1993. He shared his view with The Nation at the weekend. He bemoaned what he termed the worsening fate of the councils, saying that they “are now mere appendages of their various states to the detriment of the people at the grassroots.”

Recalling his experience, Arowosoge said: “During our time, under Babangida, we enjoyed considerable autonomy and because of that, coupled with the fact that we were elected, we had the free hand to appoint capable hands to work with us and for that, we made remarkable impacts on the welfare of our people. The councils are now mere appendages of the states.

“Today, the autonomy we had is no longer there economically, administratively and constitutionally. Drop-outs from secondary schools (not in tertiary institutions) are now councillors, and the councils now lack the wherewithal to embark on projects since the paltry sums they get from the states are barely sufficient to pay staff emoluments at the end of the month and maybe, run the councils. It is sad.”

“This is why today,” he added, “moves are in top gear to review the local government laws as stipulated in the constitution. Unless the constitution is amended to rescue the councils from the current shackles of bondage, the council will remain lame.”

Oladele Adekanye who calls the shots at Lagos Mainland Council, too, is aggrieved with the status of the tier. “I’m sad; in fact, I shed tears for the tier of government because, generally, it’s been a tale of failures, except for exceptional situations, especially, here in Lagos.

“I make bold to say that with the little fund available to us, I have constructed and rehabilitated more than ten roads and touched all other major spheres of people’s lives in my domain. However, we can do better if we have the funds; unfortunately, the money we should be using to develop the grassroots is held at the centre. The federal government should have nothing to do with security and such issues that are ordinarily the responsibilities of the local government.

I’m not saying that there are no bad eggs among council chairmen, but the fact remains that the encumbrances placed on the neck of the councils by both the state and federal authorities must give way,” Adekanye said.

Sadly, however, as developments have shown, it’s been 52 years of Nigeria’s independence and 52 years of conditional freedom for the councils. And so, for the third tier of government in a nation so tormented and beleaguered, stakeholders can always wish for better times.

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PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

Ex-Commissioner criticises Fed Govt on flooding

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HE Federal Government has been criticised for not addressing the flood ravaging the nation.

The National Legal Adviser, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and former Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, Dr Muiz Banire, said the Federal Government was shirking its responsibility.

Banire, who spoke at the award night of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIB), in Ikeja, last week, said the government has, over the years, turned deaf ears to entreaties to build dams to store excess storm water and dredge our rivers, especially rivers Niger and Benue, to create cavity to hold water.

The former commissioner, who bagged a high performance award at the dinner, observed that accusing Cameroon of inundating the nation with flood water from her Lagdo Dam is misplaced.

He said Nigeria ought to have built her counterpart dam for water retention since the 80s, but didn’t even when Cameroon built hers in 1982.

He accused the Federal Government of insensitivity to the plight of the people, stressing that until the government mad the welfare of the people its priority, the public would continually be exposed to avoidable danger

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie Asst Editor

and unnecessary hardships.

He warned that the number of people killed and displaced, and the properties destroyed will be on the increase, unless necessary measures are taken, as the effect of climate change will continue to affect the intensity of rainfall and water will always find its level. Thus all mitigative and adaptive measures must be taken to tackle the effects of climate change, while emergency management machinery should be made ready all the time, he stressed Banire said the respite Lagos State is enjoying today is because the state has since 2007 made construction and cleaning of drainage channels a priority.

Addressing the participants as the chairman of the award of the Institute of Building, Banire urged them to take concrete steps to enlighten

‘Nigeria ought to have built her counterpart dam for water retention since the 80s’

the government and the people about their role as builders, articulate the differences between their training and that of other professionals in the built industry.

He said many people are not aware of the institute and its role, adding that the lack of awareness has created room for quacks from other professions to take over their jobs. He said the supplanting of professionals by quacks, might be largely responsible for the frequent collapse of buildings.

He said building collapse may not necessarily result from the use of inferior materials, stating that the application of the materials is another issue which requires technical -know -how. He advised them to conduct a research into building collapse and submit the report to the authorities.

President, Nigeria Institute of Building Chuks Omeife, praised Banire for his comments on the plight of the institution and his advice on the way forward.

He noted that his contribution to the built environment, especially his exploits in the ministries of Transportation and the Environment, won him the award.

The several beautification parks and massive drainage works, he added, have huge positive impact on the state and the people.

Lagos market to cost N1.5b

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HE Lagos State government plans to rebuild the Sandgrouse Market at N1.5 billion.

The market will be upgraded into a mix-use ultra-modern affair through a two-year PublicPrivate-Partnership (PPP) arrangement with DHB Construction Limited.

The firm’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Alabo Bakare, said the project is very vital to the economy of Lagos. “We are embarking on the development of the Sandgrouse Market to key into the desire of Governor Babatunde Fashola to make Lagos a model city and the mega city that it is presently.

To have such an edifice will complement the effort of the state government,” he said.

The market would be developed into an ultra-modern market and, first of its kind in Lagos State, said Bakare, at the weekend.

The development arrangement, he said is “between D.H.B Construction, Lagos Island Local Government and the Lagos State government, which has a build-operate and transfer (BoT) arrangement for a period of 25 years after which the project will revert to the government.”

He explained the role of the local council in the PPP arrangement, saying all markets in the state are administered by the local government. “Sandgrouse Market is situated in the Lagos Island Local Government and that is why the local government is the one signing it off on behalf of the state government.”

Bakare said the existing tenants in the market have no need to fear displacement.

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie Asst Editor

“Like what we have done in our previous assignment at Gbaja Mall is that they will be right of first choice and we are not displacing anybody. We are going to make adequate arrangement to have a place where we will put them temporarily until we finish construction.”

He said the market would be developed in phases and that it would be completed in 18 months. “When we finish the phase which the present occupants belong to, we will restore them to their former positions.

We will try as much as possible to make mortgage available to them as well as ease their purchasing power.”

The developer said the spaces in the new market are on sale at N500,000 per square metres and the sizes range from five square metres to 10 metres in addition to open spaces for outright purchase for 25 years and renewable.

He said: “The new Sandgrouse Market would be very secure, a police station would be built there as part of his company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

The government has done so well by awarding contract for the reconstruction of the road from Holly- end to Gbagbose end and this will complement our construction effort.”

The market, he also revealed will be segmented for every line of business from the corporate to the everyday trader, especially for the lawyers because of the proximity of the market to the High Court.

The market would be built on

a total land area of 14,236.974 square metres, Bakere disclosed that the and the market will be built on an 5,8224square metres.

On electricity he promised that the place will be lighted according to him “We will take advantage of the Independent Power Project on Marina to serve the market since it is located within its vicinity.”

•From left: Omeife; Banire and his wife, Olufunmilayo receiving the award

Ilorin Emirate won’t back planned sale of praying ground

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HE Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU) has dissociated itself from the insinuation making the rounds that the Kwara State government intends to sell the Muslim praying ground and other parcels of land in the metropolis.

It is being rumoured that the state government had sold the Muslim praying ground for infrastructural development.

But the President of IEDPU, Justice Saka Yusuf, said the union was neither connected to such unfounded allegations nor believed it.

According to the retired chief judge, the union has never raised such accusation because there was no need.

“We never said that. We couldn’t have said such a thing. IEDPU never said the government wanted to sell the praying ground and the Emir’s palace. Who will the government sell them to and for what purposes?

May be the politicians are at work again”, he said.

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

Justice Saka emphasised that the union is non-partisan and will not lead any group that will embarrass the government of Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed or Senator Bukola Saraki.

He said that the misunderstanding that ensued over the urbanisation law was as a result of unnecessary communication gap adding that IEDPU’s utmost concern was the interest of Ilorin Emirate and not that of being a watchdog of the government.

“Whatever happened, he said “was never a planned affair, but expression of our people’s apprehension”.

Justice Saka explained that the urbanisation law, as enacted by the government was

not properly understood by the people. he urged the government to do more of public enlightenment through well publicised public hearing and sensitisation on its policies.

“There is no doubt that the law is well intentioned.

It is meant to address salient issues of urban development and revenue generation but lack proper input from the community.”

He said the challenge now is for the Assembly to expedite action on the amendment of the law in good time in order to reduce the people’s apprehension. According to him “we are watching how far the government will go. I’m very confident that the Senator and the Governor will do something positive”.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT Building Issues

Why in-built partitioning is important while building

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•Mrs Abdul (middle) flanked by other women engineers, at the event.

PHOTO: Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie

Women engineers mainstream gender in energy conservation

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OMEN engineers have advocated the need to conserve energy and adhere to a sustainable housing policy to grow the economy.

At the fifth National Conference and 30th anniversary of the association held in Lagos last week, President of the Association of Professional Women Engineers (APWEN), Mrs Olayinka Abdul, said the association has come far from six members 30 years ago to over 1,500 members.

Mrs Abdul said the conference centred on how women can live in sustainable houses and also conserve energy.

She criticised people who leave their bulbs on till late in the afternoons, wasting electricity which is not in the right quantum. Mrs Abdul said APWEN was canvassing proper conservation of energy resources as change agents.

Speaking on the theme Energy conservation and sustainable housing in a growing economy, she called on the government to encourage research on the material usage that will bring down the cost of housing.

The founding president of the association, Mrs Olu Maduka, praised how far the association has gone from what it used be 30 years when she put out the first advertisement in the newspaper asking women engineers to come together and encourage one another.

Mrs Maduka said it was difficult to work as a woman engineer in those days but noted the story is different today as many women engineers are in top positions across the country.

In her contribution, the chairman, conference planning committee, Mrs Patricia Opene-Odili also stressed on the need for people to manage their electricity supply

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie Asst Editor

sustainably and decried wasting by those who leave their lights on even when not in use. She said the conference would also explore ways to encourage government to build affordable housing for the majority of the people.

Speaking on The role of women engineers in our society’ Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Mr Ganiyu Abiodun Johnson called for an improvement in opportunities available to women engineers within the nation.

He stated that though there had been a number of women engineers who had held top level position in engineering jobs, there is a general lack of access due to the perception that the engineering profession is gender sensitive.

Johnson disclosed that women generally are under-represented in education especially in science and technology and therefore calls for urgent attention. He attributed this to the fact that women are not

‘Women engineers are a wonderful untapped resource, and by bringing more visibility to them. It will inspire young girls to become engineers’

well represented in the field of science and technology as a result of lack of interest in the fields due to calculations involved. However, he said that present generation has changed the perception by aggressively taking up challenges in new science and technology.

He disclosed that less than 30 per cent of career women get to the peak due to gender discrimination. He, therefore, urged the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) to rise up with one voice against discrimination with the support of legislation.

Saying that lack of access is not peculiar to Nigerian women engineers, Johnson noted that factors such as societal gender assumptions, objective and organisation of education and practice of science and technology accounts for the situation.

He challenged APWEN to evolve strategies that will improve access for women engineers and also actions that will encourage women engineers in training to effectively challenge them for their rightful place in their profession.

Johnson also suggested role modeling as a possible option for APWEN. He asserted, “Women engineers are a wonderful untapped resource, and by bringing more visibility to them. It will inspire young girls to become engineers.”

The Special Adviser further listed the areas of focus for APWEN’s action to include teachers’ attitude to girls in science, a new guidance and counseling role biased towards girls and science education, public enlightenment and a legislation preventing discrimination in hiring practices.

Kwara to rehabilitate 14 waterworks

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HE Kwara State government has awarded contracts for the rehabilitation, expansion and construction of 14 waterworks.

The state has also awarded contract for the construction of semi- urban and urban water schemes in its three senatorial districts.

The Commissioner for Water Resources, Garba Idris, an engineer, said old age and increase in population informed government’s decision.

The affected waterworks are

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

Kaiama, Rogun, Lafiagi, Gwanara and Ilesha-Baruba all in Kwara north. Others are Agbeyangi, Megida, Afon and Pampo (Kwara central) while Ojoku, Obbo-Aiyegunle, AjaseIpo, Share/Tsaragi and Rore are in Kwara south senatorial district.

Idris urged the contractors to complete their jobs on record time, stressing that shoddy execution of contracts will not bee tolerated.

He added that the Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed-led administration has reconstructed Pepele waterworks, distribution of network for Ilorin water supply scheme, drilled 140 motorised and hand pump boreholes and repositioned the Aradun waterworks among other things.

He reassured Kwarans of uninterrupted water supply.

He reiterated the state’s determination to ensure that no citizen treks beyond 500 metres radius before accessing potable water.

UILDING a first-time house is always with a lot of enthusiasm. It must, however, be done with a lot of care. People react to where they are coming from, especially if they had a difficult landlord or relationship with fellow tenants. They just start their building construction without actually taking certain things into consideration.

I know of people who decided to build a six and eight-bedroom house though in actual fact they can’t afford to build more than two or three bedroom flat. This is simply a result of an experience from their last accommodation.

A childhood friend of mine decided to build his first house and after five years he completed it because he had to save and build and then stop when ever his

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie Asst Editor

the necessary convenience.

It’s bad to leave a house fallow for months with it being occupied not talking of years before you know it , the house will become home for reptiles and ants and possibly with mucus on the walls with the value and worth depreciating as the days go by.

It’s always sad to see houses wasting away and it takes just a lot more to fix it back, because when you decide to fix the house after some few years you will go through the whole process of fixing not only the building but also you will think of working on the plumbing, electrical and other engineering jobs.

So it’s smart to think fast, though when you start out there was not the least likelihood that you may go on transfer or seek a new job that will take you off your ‘It’s bad to It is better leave a house station. to be on the winning side by buildfallow for ing for the future. months with it Don’t ever think are too settled being occupied you in your present not talking of station to move, something may years before make you to move, it doesn’t matter if you know it , it’s against your the house will will. After all they the only conbecome home say stant thing in life is for reptiles and change. Nobody ever think ants and possi- should that life is only what we bly with mucus about wish ourselves but on the walls sometimes life up a chalwith the value throws lenge that we must and worth de- embrace and move on. preciating as As l write this l the days go by’ feel bad seeing my neighbours house

money couldn’t carry him through. Just after nine months that he completed his house and still basking in the euphoria of being a landlord got this good paying job in Abuja and had to move his family to the capital city.

But his challenge then was what to do with the house that he so strained himself to build and then realised that he would have listened to wise counsel when he started off by segmenting the house or deliberately building the house in such a way that he could conveniently separate the building into two and at least have a tenant in the other half while he moves his family to Abuja.

He lamented the stress of the movement and the fact that his house cannot easily be rented out due to the size. He considered where he will put some of the family’s personal effects that cannot be carried to Abuja.

This is one of the several experiences that first time home owners have while building, they actually do not take time out to think of possible change in their work place or the size of the family.

Their primary engagement most times is just to build and have their own house to avoid the stress and hassles that goes on with being a tenant.

The above example is instructive to anybody building currently, always build your house in such a way that you can easily create a divide in between and still have complete flats with all

that he spent his life savings to build derelict because though he built the house so large against what he actually needs because he has a medium sized family but most importantly he failed to make provision on how to possibly partition the house into two to earn some kind of income while he is on transfer to Port Harcourt. As we speak his house cannot be rented because of the clusters and there is possibly no way the house can be partitioned for two families.

The situation is that while he is paying so much in his new station, he can’t possibly raise money from his house in Lagos to off-set his bills in Port Harcourt. Now he is talking about breaking walls and building a new toilet, bathroom and kitchen to see if he can carve out a-one bedroom apartment so that the house can be busy and also raise income.

‘Now he is talking about breaking walls and building a new toilet, bathroom and kitchen to see if he can carve out a-one bedroom apartment so that the house can be busy and also raise income’ •Contributions, questions? e-mail: quichi3cities@yahoo.com

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MARITIME NIMASA to train youth

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• L-R: Managing Director, MSL Line, Anil Nayya; Executive Director, Marine and Operations, NPA, Mr David Omonibeke; Chairman, Shipping Association of Nigeria, Val Usifor; Managing Director, NPA, Malam Habib Abdullahi; Managing Director, Grimaldi, Mr Ascanio Russo; Executive Director, Finance and Administration, NPA, Mr Olumide Oduntan and Mr Peter Bleasdale, when the association visited NPA management in Lagos.

PHOTO: OLUWAKEMI DAUDA

Agency stopped from collecting ports fee as Customs kicks

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HE Federal Government has barred the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) from collecting transaction fees at the ports.

The order followed a protest letter by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Alhaji Dikko Abdullah Inde, to the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar.

The government gave CRFFN the green-light to collect the fees about two months ago.

In the September 25 letter, signed by T. A. Musa, on Inde’s behalf, the Customs chief said: “The service is of the opinion that the charges will no doubt cause delays in the clearance of goods at the port, thereby, leading to port congestion. Its implementation will also increase the cost of doing business with its attendant implication on the cost of goods and services.”

The Nation learnt that the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) also sent a similar letter to the minister.

Confirming the suspension of the approval, CRFFN accused the Customs of seeking to continue to benefit from what it called freight

Stories by Oluwakemi Dauda, Maritime Correspondent

forwarders’ ignorance.

Chairman of its Governing Council Alhaji Hakeem Olanrewaju, accused Customs of sponsoring the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) and the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) to kick against the collection of the fees which the CRFFN intended to use to train and professionalise freight forwarders.

He said: “I was so shocked at the management of the Nigeria Customs which was the first organisation we visited when we started and asked for their collaboration on training. I believe the Nigeria Customs does not want us to grow, they still want to benefit from our ignorance which we want to stop, we want to do freight forwarding as it is being done in the whole world”.

According to him, the Customs has been issuing licences to clearing agents over the years, but it has not been making any effort to train them.

“This is why they call most of our people touts, but we don’t want to be touts

anymore, we want to be of international best practices because 70 per cent of our jobs have been taken over by foreigners,” Olanrewaju said.

But ANLCA president Alhaji Olayiwola Shittu, denied the allegation that the association is being used by Customs to scuttle the CRFFN deal.

Shittu said members of the CRFFN Governing Council are occupying offices illegally, adding that their tenure expired on August 14.

According to Shittu, members of the Governing Council had allegedly extended their tenure for another six months. He said any decision taken by the Governing Council after the said expiration of their tenure is null and void.

He said: “It is statutory in the Act which established the Council that all elected members have a four year tenure. For this reason the tenure of the elected members of the Council has since expired on August 14, 2012.

We are also aware that the Registrar, Mr Mike Jukwe has informed the Minister of Transport in writing in that regard. It is also a fact that the Council members have extended their tenure without the support of members

of the Freight Forwarders Consultative Council Forum and the general congress of the registered members. Let us at this time make it clear that our Council administration is in breach by the activities of our Council members.”

He alleged that CRFFN accredited the Association of Registered Freight Forwarders Nigeria (AREFFN), National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA) and the National Association of Air Freight Forwarders and Consolidators (NAFFAC), so that they can vote for it on critical issues.

The accreditation of AREFFN, NCMDLCA and NAFFAC, he said was illegal since the meeting where they were accredited was held after the expiration of the tenure of the Governing Council.

But a member of the CRFFN Governing Board and National President of the Institute of Freight Forwarding of Nigeria (IFFN), Dr. Zeb Ikokide, said the tenure of the members of the Governing Council has not expired.

Ikokide said the council members’ tenure would expire next month.

Abandoned logs block waterways, say boat operators

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OAT operators have raised the alarm over an upsurge in abandoned logs on the Lagos waterways.

They said the waterways have become unsafe for them with the logs blocking their routes.

The logs, said to be abandoned by timber dealers, are depleting fish stock and causing boat mishap, it was learnt.

Scores are said to have died from such accidents.

President, Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria (ATBOWATON) Mr Ganiyu Balogun said the logs

and water hyacinth were hindering their operations.

“This area of transportation has been experiencing a lot of hindrances occasioned by some natural and man-made factors.

“These factors are water hyacinth and abandoned logs by timber dealers along the water channels.

“This had several times resulted in boat mishaps which also caused loss of lives and valuables,” he said.

Balogun said the logs are hampering members of the association from operating.

He called on the government to address the problems, saying: “If something

is not done by the regulatory bodies of state and local governments, this could put us out of operation. It can also have adverse effect on the nation’s economy.’’

Water transportation, he said, is an aspect of the economy that could not be neglected by any responsible government as it could generate employment.

A boat operator, Mr Felix Udoma, said logs, wayward barges, boats and small fishing vessels should be pulled out of waters when they pose a danger to people or to the environment.

Udoma , called for a new law with severe penalties for

anybody who intentionally sinks a boat.

“We have had several cases where the owners intentionally abandoned the logs but they are not as well reported for documented because law enforcement agents chose not to pursue the issue.

“The toxic danger from spills starts immediately after a boat sinks, and the threat remains long afterwards. A boat can be sitting underwater for many years and suddenly you get a ‘burp’ of oil. It could take weeks, months, even years, and then all of a sudden you have an environmental problem,” he said.

HE Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has concluded arrangement to train some youth from the Southeast.

Their counterparts from the Southsouth had enjoyed the priviledge.

Speaking with The Nation in his office last week, NIMASA’s Director-General, Mr Patrick Akpobolokemi said there are many job opportunities in the maritime sector, but unfortunately they are not open to Nigerians because they lack the necessary training.

NIMASA, he said, is set to reverse the trend.

Akpobolokemi said NIMASA has received an approval from the National Assembly to train Nigerian youths into becoming competent and qualified seafarers in various universities across the world, so as to fill in the existing knowledge gap in the maritime sector.

He bemoaned a situation where the sector is dominated by foreigners who man Nigerian vessels at the expense of

unemployed but highly enterprising nationals.

Akpobolokemi told The Nation that the seafarers’ training programme, which is targeted at complimenting the Niger-Delta Amnesty programme of the Federal Government, will also be beneficial to many youths from the South-Eastern region.

The NIMASA boss also assured the Ohaneze that his administration will protect the interest of the Igbos in the agency. He also solicited for the cooperation of Igbo people in sanitising the Nigerian waterways, improving maritime security and creating friendly business environment for private sector investors in the maritime industry.

According to him, the training of Nigerian youths including Igbos will enable indigenous ship owners to raise the bar in the maritime industry, by ensuring that shipping business including trade within the nation’s coastal area is dominated and taken over

by Nigerians.

Institute seeks bill’s passage THE Registrar of Certified Institute of Shipping (CIS), Dr Alex Okwuashi, has urged the Senate to reopen deliberation on the bill that seeks to charter the institute.

Okwuashi made the appeal in Lagos last week. He said that the institute and other stakeholders are very optimistic that the Senate would not abandon the bill.

“All efforts are being made by the institute to get the Senate to revisit the bill so that it could be passed into law.

The strategic importance of maritime to the nation has made this Bill very important.

“The CISN Bill was originally gazetted in 2011 under the chairmanship of Hon Okey Ude, the erstwhile chairman of the House Committee on Marine Transport, but was inexplicably dropped. It was slated to be chartered with the Cabotage Act in 2003 and in 2010.

“The bill was brought up again when the House Committee on Marine Transport reiterated the need for the institute to be chartered,’’ he said.

Okwuashi recalled that the bill was also dropped in Dec. 2010 when it was sent to the Senate for final passage because the legislative year had ended.

He called on all stakeholders, including the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Ministry of Transport, to support the institute in its bid for professionalism.

“It is believed that if the institute is chartered, it will help to bring sanity in the way and manner shipping is done in Nigeria,” the rector said.

The Bill is being sponsored by the CIS, the Nigerian Institute of Shipping and other maritime stakeholders.

“The bill is a very large industry bill and also very strategic because Nigeria is a maritime nation,’’ he said.

NAGAFF shelves legal action ALMOST two weeks after it threatened court action against the Nigeria Customs Service over the invasion of its premises by armed soldiers, the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has said that it was no longer interested in the case.

The association, in a statement made available to The Nation and signed by its trustees’ chairman, Chidiebere Enelamah, said it arrived at the decision to drop the legal redress after its board of trustees meeting.

The association pleaded with the management of the Nigeria Customs Service to take a second look at the seizure of the two containers of the traded goods, which was the remote cause of the attack on NAGAFF.

Firm trains Customs ONE of the destination inspection service providers, SGS Scanning Nigeria Limited, has concluded the special training organised for a select team of 80 Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) officers. They are expected to take over services being provided by the company under the Destination Inspection (DI) scheme from next year.

Members of DI Transition Team, according to a statement, were selected from the best among those trained by the DI service provider since 2006 under the NCS Secondment Programme.

The on-the-job training covered all aspects of the DI activities being handled by SGS for Nigeria Customs Service, with emphasis on actual risk analysis and processing of the importer’s Final Document resulting in classification and valuation opinion.

Speaking on the training, the image maker of Customs at Tin-Can Port, Mr Chris Osunkwo said the programme has been a great success in terms of organisation by the service provider and conduct of the trainees.

“This programme has been a success all the way. The quality of training by SGS has been impressive. Despite the challenges, our officers conducted themselves well and we are proud of them all,” he said.

52

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

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THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

54

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 28-9-12

Equities return 9.6% gain in September N IGERIAN equities yielded a monthly average return of 9.6 per cent in September, sustaining a bullish streak that has seen investors with highest gains so far this year.

Benchmark index at the Nigerian stock market indicated a steep rise in values of quoted companies with several stocks hitting new highs during the month.

The All Share Index (ASI), the common value-based in-

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

dex that tracks prices of all quoted companies on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), rallied to 26,011.64 points by the end of September compared with its opening index of 23,750.82 points.

Market capitalisation of all quoted equities also

surged from its opening value of N7.560 trillion to close at N8.282 trillion, indicating a total gain of N722 billion within the month.

Several stocks closed September on new highs including Livestock Feeds at N1.64, Roads Nigeria, N10.60; Unilever Nigeria, N42.11; First Bank of Nigeria, N14.85; GlaxoSmithKline Consumers Nigeria, N36 while Dangote Cement peaked at N123 per share.

Stakeholders to govt: develop capital market

S

TAKEHOLDERS in the capital market have urged the Federal Government to use the nation’s bourse to actualise its transformation and Vision 20:2020 agenda.

Also, in the spirit of commemoration of the 52nd anniversary of the nation, there is a call for the review of the Company and Allied Matters Act (CAMA).

They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the broad-based nature of the market made it imperative for the government to use it in funding infrastructural development.

They said that the country’s 52nd anniversary celebration provided the opportunity for maximising the potential of the market.

Mr Emeka Madubuike, the President of Stock broking Houses of Nigeria (ASHON),

said that the nature and character of the market, made it imperative for the long-term projects of the Federal Government to be financed through the bourse.

“Government should focus more on the capital market rather than raising funds through the bond market that is crowding out the real sector,” Madubuike said.

He urged the government to deepen the market by ensuring speedy listing of its agencies on the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) as was done in other jurisdictions.

Mr David Adonri, the Chief Executive Officer of Lambeth Trust and Investment, called for the restructuring of the Nigerian economy from a public sector consumption and import dependent economy to a private sector-led productiondriven economy.

Adonri said that the nation’s economy needed overhauling,

to enable the capital market to perform its crucial role of longterm capital formation.

“The current structure only fuels short-term economic activities, which are not beneficial to the capital market,” Adonri said.

According to him, the capital market has failed to serve as a true barometer of the Nigerian economy due to its shallowness.

Malam Garba Kurfi, the Chief Executive Officer of APT Securities and Funds Ltd., said that the nation’s Vision 20:2020 could only be achieved, if the capital market was made to play its role in the government transformation agenda.

Kurfi said that increased government participation in the market would boost the capital market contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GPD) from current the 16 per cent to about 40 per cent.

He urged the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Exchange to intensify regulatory oversight and market development.

Kurfi also decried the Federal Government’s inability to intervene in the stockbrokers’ debt overhang of about N300 billion.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 28-9-12

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

55

MONEY LINK

RenCap forcasts N147 per litre for petrol

T

HE price of petrol is expected to hit N147 per litre by 2014, analysts at Renaissance Capital (RenCap), an investment and finance firm have predicted.

An emailed report from the firm said the Federal Government may institute phased petrol price hikes in 2013 and 2014, which will raise the price by N50 per litre in two stages.

Currently a litre of petrol costs N97, meaning that the cummulative cost per litre would be N147.

RenCap said exposure to oil marketers were meant to draw support for subsequent petrol price hikes. According to the report, liberalising petrol prices would halt a large amount of petroleum related fraud, adding that Nigeria loses about $10 to

Stories by Collins Nweze

$15 billion annually to oil theft.

The investment firm said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will not cut interest rate this year given that inflation is expected to rise to 12.2 per cent at year end.

The apex bank had for the sixth time in a row, retained the benchmark interest rate at 12 per cent last month, an action said to have been driven by the quest to protect the domestic economy and build external reserves.

Inflation currently stands at 11.7 per cent as at August, which is slightly lower than was earlier expected.

RenCap said inflation is likely to remain elevated over the short term, with a temporary dip in first quarter of 2013. It said that

•Says interest rate ’ll remain on hold sustaining single-digit inflation over an extended period is considered unlikely, given Nigeria’s structural constraints. It however, ranked the power deficit and insecurity the highest risk to the nation’s economic growth.

The firm also projected singledigit inflation in first half of 2013, for three-to-five months. It said inflation will return to low double digits in second half of the year.

RenCap said that since floods in the third quarter had washed away crops, including rice, an important staple food, there are possibilities that rising food prices would increase pressure on inflation from September until year end.

It said that power supply from

the grid has increased noticeably even as reforming the petrol subsidy system is a struggle, strengthening the case for further petrol price hikes even though the probability of this is unclear.

It said there are positive accounts of improving power supply from the grid, which has eased demand for fuel for generators and reduced generating costs.

It said: “We expect reform momentum in the power sector to continue, despite the resignation of Power Minister Bart Nnaji, who has played a pivotal role in the reform process. Experts we met in Abuja believe that reforms have progressed too far to be reversed, with only the privatisation bids that Nnaji was involved in to be revisited. There

Nigeria joins JP Morgan government bond index IGERIA, yesterday, became a key member of JP Morgan local currency government bond index.

This makes Nigeria, the second African country after South Africa to be included in a widely followed index, especially due to its improving liquidity levels.

According to Reuter’s report, the country’s entry into the JP Morgan Government Bond Index-Emerging Markets (GBIEM) could translate into at least $1.5 billion of inflows to the bond market, the bank estimates. It will raise the country’s profile and is expected to lead to greater foreign participation, given that Nigerian yields offer a significant premium to es-

N

tablished sovereign lenders.

“It’s now seen as a market that can’t be ignored internationally and one of the frontier markets where you need to have a position,” Samir Gadio, emerging markets strategist at Standard Bank told Reuters.

Nigeria’s entry into the GBIEM comes as South Africa joins Citigroup’s World Government Bond Index, although funds tracking the latter are estimated at $2 trillion compared with $180 billion for the JP Morgan index.

The report said that at around $25 billion, Nigeria’s sovereign debt market is still dwarfed by South Africa’s $100 billion. Secondary market turnover is also around a fifth of its more devel-

oped peer.

However, analysts said Nigeria’s addition to the GBIEM marks it out as one of the more accessible markets on the continent for foreign investors.

“Nigeria has done a lot of work in recent years in developing its bond market to improve liquidity,” Leon Myburgh, sub-Saharan Africa strategist at Citi said.

“In most African markets, foreign participation is largely limited to the Treasury bill market, but Nigeria has been able to cross the threshold and see foreign investors enter its bond market as well,” he said. Nigeria has a weighting of roughly 0.72 per cent in the index and three bonds, maturing in 2014,

2019 and 2022, have been included as they are the most liquid.

Yields have fallen around 300 basis points since JP Morgan announced the inclusion on August 14. The bank estimates that about half the $1.5 billion in expected inflows may have already come in, largely from hedge funds and niche investors.

“Now I think we’ll see the people that are less familiar with this market coming through – the benchmark investors, the big real money accounts that may have taken some time to internalise this decision to include Nigeria in the index,” said Giulia Pellegrini, JP Morgan strategist for Sub-Saharan Africa.

FGN BONDS Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2012 “ 14-04-2012

GAINERS AS AT 28-9-12 SYMBOL

O/PRICE

INTBREW DNMEYER UNILEVER NASCON AIRSERVICE LIVESTOCK NEIMETH TRANSCORP DANGEM JBERGER

11.80 0.97 40.11 5.50 2.07 1.54 1.10 1.10 118.00 26.59

O/PRICE 1.21 0.60 2.40 1.40 12.21 3.22 11.49 5.46 7.90 0.62

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other international and local institutions and experts will converge on Lagos from Monday for a conference on the ongoing cash-less policy in the country.

The experts according to the organisers, will be drawn from various relevant sectors of the economy such as banking, manufacturing, telecommunications, services, and the informal sector, and from outside Nigeria, would be meeting and deliberating on the issues surrounding the cash-less policy.

The conference, which is ex-

pected to hold at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, between October 8th and 9th is being organised by De Novo (a strategy brand and media firm) and Legal Reach, a UK law firm.

The two-day programme, sponsored mainly by the the apex bank focuses on the country’s transition to a cashless society, with respect to the possibilities and challenges.

The forum is expected to bring together experts in the global payments industry, who would provide insight and present key developments from other jurisdictions, to benchmark the way forward.

C/PRICE

12.98 1.06 42.11 5.77 2.17 1.61 1.15 1.15 123.00 27.50

CHANGE

1.18 0.09 2.00 0.27 0.10 0.07 0.05 0.05 5.00 0.91

C/PRICE 1.09 0.57 2.28 1.33 11.60 3.06 10.92 5.19 7.51 0.59

CHANGE 0.12 0.03 0.12 0.07 0.61 0.16 0.57 0.27 0.39 0.03

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m 113m

Exchange Rate (N) 155.2 155.8 155.7

Date 2-7-12 27-6-12 22-6-12

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Year Start Offer

NGN USD NGN GBP NGN EUR NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) (S/N) Bureau de Change (S/N) Parallel Market

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

147.6000 239.4810 212.4997

149.7100 244.0123 207.9023

150.7100 245.6422 209.2910

-2.11 -2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

153.0000

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

July ’12

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

12%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate Inflation Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 11.8%

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

NSE CAP Index

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

LOSERS AS AT 28-9-12

SYMBOL FIDSON AIICO HONYFLOUR AGLEVENT OANDO VITAFOAM UAC-PROP MORISON UBN JAPAULOIL

minister’s discretion to set a special tax rate for any project deemed strategic. The National Assembly, which reconvened in the week of 17 September, is expected to be split over sharing out oil sector proceeds,” it said.

It said that stabilising naira may support lending, adding that the CBN’s July decision to tighten liquidity will support credit growth. It said the naira was also supported by higher capital inflows and a recovery in oil prices, which it expects to remain firm.

CBN, others for cashless confab

Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 350m 150m 350m 138m 350m 113m

Currency

Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

Sanusi

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM

MANAGED FUNDS

OBB Rate Call Rate

•CBN Governor, Lamido

DATA BANK

Tenor

NIDF NESF

was general confidence that the government is trying to implement the reforms in a positive and transparent manner, and the timing of the appointment of Nnaji’s successor was not considered material to the reform process. This was confirmed by the announcement during our visit of preferred bidders for five of the six generation companies that are up for privatization.”

RenCap said petrol station queues signal reform challenges, adding that pushing reforms in Nigeria is an uphill struggle.

On the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), RenCap said royalties are no longer part of the current version of the bill, which is negative for oil and gas companies, according to one expert. “Royalties now fall under the petroleum minister’s remit, implying that the minister can set them at her discretion. The bill also hands to the president the petroleum

Offer Price

Bid Price

ARM AGGRESSIVE 9.17 KAKAWA GUARANTEED 1.00 STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE 125.13 AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 116.60 LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL 0.77 BGL SAPPHIRE FUND 1.10 BGL NUBIAN FUND 0.93 NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. 1,717.91 PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND 10.45 CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST 1.39 CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST 1.87 STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY 8,652.66 THE DISCOVERY FUND 193.00 FIDELITY NIGFUND 1.67 • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

9.08 1.00 124.96 116.90 0.74 1.10 0.91 1,713.62 9.94 1.33 1.80 8,411.80 191.08 1.62

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK

Bank P/Court

Previous 04 July, 2012

Current 07, Aug, 2012

8.5000 8.0833

8.5000 8.0833

Movement

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

56

NEWS NIGERIA @ 52

ACN to Nigerians: fight ‘internal colonialists’

T

•Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (right) greeting Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu at the Police College parade ground, Ikeja...yesterday.

•Nasarawa State Governor Umaru Tanko AlMakura inspecting a parade in Lafia...yesterday

HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has urged Nigerians to gird their loins and fight for their independence from those who have assumed the role of ‘’internal colonialists’’.

The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said incompetent leadership, bad governance, massive corruption and lack of patriotism by successive administrations have made Nigerians worse today than they were shortly after independence. ‘’A country that offered so much hopes and possibilities for its citizens at independence has today become a land of suffering, insecurity and near hopelessness, no thanks to visionless leaders who have failed to lead a well-endowed nation to harness the talents of its vibrant, energetic and resilient people. The result is what we have today: a country exhibiting all the characteristics of a failed state,’’ it said.

ACN, however, urged Nigerians to keep hope alive and to remember that they hold all the aces in securing their independence from the rapacious, thieving and bumbling class of people masquerading as leaders.

The party said while it will be unfair to blame the current leadership for all the woes of post-independence Nigeria, the truth is that the current administration has proved as incompetent and visionless as its predecessors in its fickle efforts to take Nigeria to the promised land.

It went on: ‘’About 13 years after the PDP took over the reins of power in Nigeria, the people have been left to gnash their teeth and rue lost hopes and opportunities. Over two years of President Goodluck Jonathan being in charge, it has been a season of cluelessness and the country has been forlorn of hope.

‘’Therefore, we are saying to the good people of Nigeria: Use your power to do away with a party and government that have only enriched their ranks and impoverished the people; that celebrate growth without development and hail so-called job-creating projects without jobs; and a party and government that tout a two-week wonder of rainfallinduced power stability as evidence of a successful power sector reform. ‘’Some 52 years after independence, it is time for Nigerians to say NO to a party and government that say the manufacturing environment is improving when factories are either shutting down or functioning far below installed capacity; a party and government presiding over a leading oil-producing nation in which its people are daily searching for kerosene, petrol and diesel; a party and government that say they are winning the war against security at a time a Commissioner escorted by armed policeman can be kidnapped, perhaps by ransom seekers; a party and government that say security is improving but are cowering behind the walls of a fortified presidential villa to mark independence anniversary for the second year running. ‘’It is time for Nigerians to seek a credible alternative to a party and government that say they are winning the war against corruption when the worst case of corruption in the country’s history, the stealing of billions of naira in the name of fuel subsidy, has yet to be conclusively tackled. ‘’That alternative exists in the party and governments that have given the people of Lagos, Edo, Ekiti, Osun, Oyo and Ogun states reasons not to see democracy as a failed system of governance, and it is time for Nigerians to embrace this alternative to avoid setting the nation on the path to another 52 years of paper independence,’’ ACN said.

‘Nigeria has failed in its ‘pledge’

By Joseph Jibueze

A •Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi during the celebration in Port Harcourt...yesterday

FORMER House of Representatives spokesman, Eseme Eyiboh, yesterday said Nigeria has failed in its pledge to be faithful, loyal and honest.

He said the country’s self-inflicted woes have robbed it of moral authority to seek God’s help.

In a statement on the nation’s 52nd Independence anniversary, Eyibo said Nigeria is faced with self-made challenges which show that it “reneged” on the pledge.

He said: “We have as individuals and as a people pledged to our nation (Nigeria) to be faithful, loyal and honest but at 52, with the self-inflicted and pervasive growth in insecurity, unemployment, corruption, hunger, injustice and waste in governance, it is self-evident that we have reneged on that pledge.

Falana calls for sober reflection

L

•Abia State Governor Theodore Orji (middle) being assisted by his wife Mercy (second right); Deputy Govenor Sir Emeka Ananaba (left); his wife Lady Nene and House of Assembly Speaker Ude Oko-Chukwu to cut the anniversary cake in Umuahia...yesterday.

AGOS lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has said Nigeria’s 52nd Independence anniversary call for a sober reflection, especially by the elite, on how to ensure sustainable democracy.

The lawyer, who spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)in Lagos, expressed optimism on the survival of the country’s democracy and democratic institutions.

Falana said the important task facing the nation’s political system was how to foster lasting democracy and not “the mere celebration of independence.”

According to him, the qual-

ity of life of an average Nigeria is better off in the past compared to the present situation.

Falana said the anniversary should be used to evolve strategies for redressing the national crisis of under development and the consolidation of democratic principles.

He said the concern of government as the nation celebrates freedom of the Nigerian people from the colonial masters should be how to ensure quality of life for every Nigerian.

“Our leaders must ensure the realisation of the dream of independence, which is to make life more abundant for the citizens,” Falana said.

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

57

NEWS Victims deliver six babies in flood camps in Kogi

N

•From right: Alhaji Dangote; Asiwaju Tinubu; Aremo Osoba and Otunba Adebayo at the Fidau...yesterday

PHOTOS: TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO

Tinubu, Osoba, Dangote, others pay tributes to ‘great leader’ Adegbite

A

CTION Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chairman, Industrial and General Insurance plc (IGI) Chief Remi Olowude and former Lagos Deputy Governor Alhaja Lateefat Okunnu were among the dignitaries at the Fidau for the late Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Dr Abdullateef Adegbite. They took turn to eulogise the former Egba High chief.

They described the Seriki and Baba Adinni of Egbaland as a “great leader.”

The three-day Fidau organised for the late Adegbite was held at the main bowl of the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos yesterday.

The event featured prayers and recitation from the Holy Quran led by Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheikh Garuba Akinola Ibrahim and Baba Adinni of

Kwankwaso gets film award From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

K

ANO State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso was yesterday in Abuja awarded the Most Prestigious Individual Film Award by the 9th Abuja International Film Festival.

The governor received the award at the festival’s Gala Night.

The organisers said the award was in recognition of Kwankwaso’s contribution to the development of the film industry in Nigeria, especially in Kano, called Kannywood.

The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner of Information, Prof. Jubril Farouk, said he was happy about the award.

He promised not to relent in developing the Kano film industry.

Kwankwaso said his administration established a Film Institute, the first in Nigeria.

According to him, the institute is well equipped to train youths in film production.

The governor urged other stakeholders to continue to support the industry, which he described as a veritable avenue for creating jobs for youths.

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

Lagos, Sheikh AbdulHafeez Abou.

Executive Secretary, Muslim Ummah in Southwest of Nigeria (MUSWEN), Prof Daud Noibi and National Missioner, Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh AbdurRahman Ahmad, delivered soul-inspiring lectures before floodgates of goodwill messages opened.

Those who spoke include; Chairman, Jaiz Bank Alhaji Umar AbdulMutalab; Dr Abdullateef Adetona of the Lagos State University (LASU); Alhaja Okunnu; Asiwaju Tinubu and Amir (President) Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) Lagos State Area Unit, Alhaji Qasim Badrudeen.

Tinubu said the deceased contributed immensely to ensure many students acquire education.

He said: “Dr Lateef Adegbite

T

was a great father, a great brother, a great leader and an icon. He was a man we all must emulate at all time. The simultaneous prayers holding here in Lagos and Abeokuta showed that he had a great exit. This, confirmed the blessings of Allah on him.”

The former Lagos governor marvelled on the day the Pioneer National President of Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) answered Allah’s call, describing him as a “rare blessing.”

Tinubu said: “He died on a great day – Friday and his Fidau is holding today – when Nigerians are marking the 52nd Independence Day. It is extremely instructive. He was truly, a bridge-builder and fearless fighter of his religion.

“He related with the Christians, quoting copiously from the Bible to preach tolerance.

No doubt, he died well because he lived well. You cannot fault

him on uprightness – he says things as he sees it and his judgements were also sound.”

Alhaja Okuunu described Adegbite as a man with good listening ears and good servant of Allah.

She said: “He nurtured many of us; as women, he was always there for us. He was extremely accommodating, caring and loving. I do not know anybody who did so much for the society like the late Dr Adegbite.”

Chief Olowude, who saw Dr Adegbite two days before his demise, recalled how the deceased spent long time praying for so many people and Nigeria as a country.

“He lived a life of a blameless individual. If there is anything called a ‘saint’ he was truly a saint,” the IGI chief said.

Alhaji AbdulMutalab, who had related with the late Adegbite for 25 years, said he received his death news with a

big shock.

“It is going to be difficult to replace him,” he said.

Dr Adetona said the deceased wanted nothing but perfection.

Among the dignitaries at the event include Lagos Deputy Governor Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; Minister of Communication Technology Mrs Omobola Johnson; former governors of Ogun and Ekiti States, Aremo Olusegun Osoba and Otunba Niyi Adebayo; former Lagos Deputy Governor Alhaja Sinatu Ojikutu; President, Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Mr Goddy Ibru; Chief Rasak Okoya; Secretary to the Ekiti State Government Alhaji Ganiyu Owolabi; Justice Ishola Olorunnimbe; Justice AbdurRashid Sahid; Prof AbdulFatah Mabadeje, his wife Prof Saida; Prof Taofeequat Odutola; Prof Muhib Opeloye; Prof Yahya Oyewole; Prof Is-haq Akintola and hosts of others.

V-Cs release guidelines for honorary degrees

HE Association of ViceChancellors of Nigerian Universities yesterday in Abuja released the guidelines for the award of honorary degrees in the nation’s universities.

The Secretary-General of the association, Prof. Michael Faborode, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the guidelines would be effective from January, next year.

He said the 27th conference of the association, held at the Nasarawa State University, examined the erosion of academic culture and tradition.

He said the guidelines would henceforth be referred to as the “Keffi Declaration’’.

Faborode said the “Keffi Declaration’’ would reduce indiscriminate award of honorary degrees and restore the age-long university culture and tradition of best practices.

He said: “We have observed that the number of honorary degree awardees have become uncontrollably large, ranging from one to 20 in a single convocation ceremony and at times presented in absentia to surrogates.

“We have also noted that most of these awards are based on

wealth, political office and position as a means of generating revenue with little or no consideration for integrity.

“There’s no consideration for contribution to the development of the university and no consideration for national development.’’

He said that the onward procedure for the award of honorary degrees enjoined universities to make it a policy not to bestow honorary degree on any person holding political office while still in service.

He said that the guidelines and procedure for the selection

of honorary degree recipients should be in accordance with the law and statute of the respective universities.

According to Faborode, this should be in line with best practices and the selection process should be through the appropriate committee of the awarding university’s Senate.

“The award of degree should be given to any professional who has made significant or ground breaking discoveries in the areas of accomplishments, invention, and innovation among others to societal development.”

Adegbite, a true patriot, says Saraki

T

HE senator, representing Kwara Central at the National Assembly, Dr Bukola Saraki, has said the late Secretary-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Dr Abdul-Lateef Adegbite, was a true patriot.

Saraki, who is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, said he was shocked by Adegbite’s death.

The Ogun State Government announced the death last Fri-

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

day.

In a statement by his media aide, Akintoba Fatigun, the former Kwara State Governor described the late Baba Adinni of Egbaland as “a true patriot, who represented the symbol of peace”.

He added: “The many feats he achieved were exemplified as the Secretary-General of the NSCIA; a position he used judiciously to foster unity and

peaceful co-existence among Muslims and non-Muslims. A renowned lawyer and former Attorney-General of the defunct Western Region, Alhaji Adegbite’s contribution to nation-building is unparallelled.

“He was full of life. Until his death, he was a strong advocate of religious tolerance. He will be missed by all Nigerians, most especially the Muslim community. He was a quintessential role model to the younger generation.

The late Dr. Adegbite

O fewer than six babies were delivered in the camp of flood victims in Idah, Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the pregnant women were delivered of the babies by fellow victims.

Mrs Philomena Victor, who had her baby in a boat, told NAN on Monday that she had to swim along with her mother in the flooded waters in search of help during her labour.

She said her mother assisted to keep her to keep afloat till they were spotted by the rescue team from the Catholic Diocese of Idah who pulled them into the boat.

The woman said that she delivered a baby boy few minutes after in the boat as they were being ferried to Idah.

Another victim from Ibaji, Mrs Grace Egwuche, said that she had her baby on Sept.26 and currently receiving medical help at Holy Trinity hospital owned by the Catholic Church in Idah.

Rev. Fr. Elias Ojoma, the Chairman of the Catholic rescue team for Idah flank, said the diocese provided six vehicles and some boats for the evacuation of the victims.

Ojoma confirmed the team saving the life of Philomena Victor, who was in a critical condition, adding that the entire Ibaji had been submerged with many victims still trapped there.

He said all catholic schools in the area had been converted to camps for the victims, adding that all the registered victims in the diocese camps had been handed over to the State Government.

He called on the State Government to provide camps to accommodate people from Ibaji Local Government who were still being rescued.

Ojoma added that the Ibaji experience was particularly pathetic and required special attention.

‘Demolished 100 Abuja homes illegal’ From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

T

HE Director of the Federal Capital Territory’s (FCT’s) Department of Control Unit, Mallam Yahaya Yusuff said yesterday in Abuja that the 100 houses demolished at Trademore Estate on Airport Road were illegal structures.

He said the plot of land, where the structures were built, was not meant for mass housing development.

Yusuff explained that despite an advertisement by the FCT Administration that developers should stop encroaching on the lands meant for mass housing, many of them were yet to abide by the notice.

The director said when his unit noticed that developers were not complying, the Sunshine Estate, Liberty, Civil Defence Estate, Prison Services Staff Housing estates, among others, were demolished.

He said residents of the estates were advised to revalidate their land titles at the Urban and Regional Planning Unit.

Yusuff said the developer at the Trademore Estate did not revalidate his land titles.

The director added that it was the reason the structures were demolished, after the expiration of the deadline.

58

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

NEWS Saudi deports eight female Niger pilgrims From Jide Orintunsin, Minna HE face-off between Saudi Arabia and Nigeria authorities over the deportation of female pilgrims reached a head yesterday with deportation of eight Niger State intending female pilgrims to the country.

The women were among the first batch of 461 pilgrims from Niger State, who were airlifted to Saudi Arabia from Minna, the state capital, on Sunday.

They were said to have travelled to the holy land without the mandatory ZiMahram (male guardian).

The inaugural flight of pilgrims from the state was led by Governor Babangida Aliyu. The batch consisted 180 women and 281 men.

The Public Relation Officer (PRO) of the state’s Pilgrims Welfare Commission, Alhaji Sani Awwal, explained that the eight intending pilgrims deported from Saudi Arabia arrived Minna Airport at about 6.25 am yesterday.

He noted that out of the eight deportees, one of them have been cleared and would be airlifted with the other pilgrims billed to take off later in the evening yesterday.

Our correspondent learnt that the state Pilgrim Commission had dropped 38 intending female pilgrims from the first airlifted on Sunday to safe them from embarassement of deportation from the holy land.

Bayelsa immortalises Abacha

T

B

•Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio acknowledging cheers during Nigeria’s 52nd Independence Day celebration at the Uyo Township Stadium...yesterday.

Flood: Uduaghan seeks help from Fed Govt, others D

ELTA State Governor E m m a n u e l Uduaghan has urged the Federal Government, corporate organisations, the private sector and philanthropists to assist flood victims in the state.

He said over 100 communities in 10 local government areas have been submerged.

The local government areas include Patani, Isoko South, Isoko North, Ndokwa East, Bomadi, Burutu, Oshimili North, Oshimili South, Ughelli

North and Ughelli South.

Speaking in Asaba, the state capital, while reviewing the damage done by flooding, Uduaghan said the situation is beyond the state government’s control.

He described the situation as “grave and grim”.

Uduaghan said the River Niger has spread over its banks and its tide is increasing daily.

He said: “Within three days, the number of communities affected increased astronomically. As I speak, there is the fear of total flooding of the affected communities.”

Describing the situation as “devastating and a huge challenge”, the governor said most of the rehabilitation camps are already housing about 100,000 displaced persons each.

He said mattresses, food and medical facilities were being arranged for the victims.

Uduaghan urged the Federal Government, corporate

bodies, Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) and individuals to partner his administration to bring succour to the victims.

He said two deaths have been recorded.

Uduaghan said the committee set up to tackle the challenges of flooding, headed by Deputy Governor Amos Utuama, was working round the clock to alleviate the victims’ suffering.

He urged the committee to ensure that relief materials get to the victims.

The governor urged the committee to set up sub-committees comprising residents of the affected communities, to distribute relief materials to victims at rehabilitation centres.

He urged residents of flood-prone areas to relocate, adding that the government is ready to assist them.

Uduaghan said: “The river is surging into the communities on a daily basis and increasing in tempo. Let everyone in flood-prone areas

come out before it is too late. A stitch in time saves nine.”

Utuama said it was becoming “increasingly difficult” to access some of the affected communities.

He said the rehabilitation camps are secured and thanked NGOs, particularly the Red Cross Society, for their support.

Utuama said the committee would work day and night to bring succour to the victims.

Commissioner for Special Duties Tony Nwaka said individuals or organisations who wish to assist the victims can call the following numbers: Lagos: 08023270542, 0 7 0 3 5 0 1 0 3 2 3 , tinaonokpise@yahoo.com Abuja: 08034534318, 0 8 0 8 6 6 6 1 3 4 4 , restoreinitiative@yahoo.com Warri: 08124537414, patrickorigho@yahoo.com Asaba: 08037230004, 0 8 0 3 4 0 1 6 1 2 1 , tonynwaka@yahoo.com ; julieyoung15@gmail.com Uduaghan: 07057007888, 08127770002, 08127770003.

AYELSA State Governor Seriake Dickson yesterday explained the state government’s reason for immortalising the former Military Head of State, the late Gen. Sani Abacha.

Dickson said Abacha deserved honour for creating Bayelsa State 16 years ago.

He spoke during Nigeria’s 52nd Independence Day and the state’s 16th anniversary celebrations.

Dickson praised those who fought for the state’s creation and thanked the people for their support for his administration.

He said: “I understand the impact of the decision made by the late Abacha in creating Bayelsa State against all odds.

“Irrespective of whatever opinion other people may hold of the late Abacha, by virtue of the creation of Bayelsa State, he has earned a place in the hearts of the Ijaw.

“To this end, the government will lay the foundation stone of a 150duplex housing estate named after the late Abacha.

“Also, the government, in partnership with the Ijaw National Congress (INC), has named the main auditorium of the INC building after him.

“In addition, the government will invite his family to plant a memorial tree in his honour at the Heroes Garden, which I have just established.”

Dickson praised former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and the late Umaru Yar’Adua, as well as others, whose actions have impacted positively on the people of the state.

He said: “The state is indebted to worthy Nigerian leaders like them and we will honour them in due course.”

Dickson said the state has “great hopes for a bright future”.

Nigeria, a sleeping giant, says Belgore

K

WARA State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) leader, Mr. Dele Belgore (SAN), has said Nigeria is a sleeping giant.

The frontline lawyer noted that despite attaining 52, the country has not unlocked its vast human and natural resources for development.

The politician decried the lack of political will by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration to ensure the development projects across the country.

He said if unlocked, the nation’s potentials would have made it one of the top 20 economies of the world.

Belgore said: “As things stand, one is virtually being punished daily for just being a Nigerian. This is as a result of the negative impact of government on the lives of the people.

“Politics is put above

By Precious Igbonwelundu

governance. Service to the people is secondary to selfinterest and benefit and institutions have been subordinated to the whims and caprices of individuals.

“No nation thrives in such circumstances. A nation becomes great by the commitment of its leaders

F

and the faithful followership of its people.

“For Nigeria to be great, we must begin to see some sincerity of purpose in our leaders. They must have the interest of the nation at heart, not a sectional, political, religious or ethnic interest.

“The right people should be put in the right places to lead and govern. Institutions

should be allowed to function properly and the people empowered to maximise their opportunities and talents.

“We all know the things that are wrong with our country. What we need now is the will to right those wrongs and at 52 it is high time we got it right.”

Lassa fever kills 44

ORTY-FOUR persons were killed by Lassa fever at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Edo State, this year.

Last year, 33 deaths were recorded.

The Chief Medical Director, Prof. George Akpede, said there was an increase in Lassa fever cases in Nigeria.

Akpede spoke at the maiden Lassa Fever Day awareness programme organised by the Institute of Lassa Fever Research

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

and Control.

He said despite achievements recorded in the treatment of the rodent-transmitted ailment, there is fear of an increase during the dry season.

He said: “Through the activities of the Institute of Lassa Fever Research and Control, the case fatality has dropped from between 60 and 80 per cent at the beginning of

this millennium to 30-35 per cent.

“Millions of Nigerians are still unaware of LF and, therefore, cannot take preventive measures to avoid infection.

“This has resulted in a spread of the disease from six states in 2009 to 23 states and the involvement of ‘new’ states in 2012. This year alone, 44 deaths from LF have been recorded; a figure higher than what was recorded last year.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

59

NEWS

Hajj: NAHCON warns states on Saudi rules

T

HE National Hajj Commission of Nigeria(NAHCON) yesterday warned state pilgrims welfare boards against flouting Saudi Arabia’s rules on Muharrams (male guardians) for female pilgrims.

The commission also confirmed that 50 pilgrims from Kebbi, Kaduna and Niger

A

•50 barred from Jeddah From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

states were returned from Saudi Arabia yesterday for not having Muharrams.

In a statement last night, Head of Media of NAHCON, Alhaji Mana Uba, said about 3, 786 pilgrims had been air-

lifted since the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ended the row over Muharrams with Nigeria on Sunday.

The statement said: “The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), is pleased to inform the gener-

al public that since the resumption of Hajj flights of Nigerian pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Sunday September 30th, 2012, a total of eight (8) flights have been operated conveying three thousand seven hundred and eighty six (3,786) pilgrims to the holy land.”

Amosun opens Ogun Labour House

MIDST pomp and pageantry, Governor Ibikunle Amosun, yesterday in Abeokuta inaugurated the first ultra modern secretariat of the Ogun State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

Speaking at the historic event, Governor Amosun noted that “the idea of building this secretariat came during my electioneering campaign in 2011, when in my meetings with the NLC, I promised to help you build a new secretariat if you

will support me in the election.

You kept your own part of that social contract and today’s ceremony is a celebration of the fulfilment of my own part of the contract.”

He lauded the commitment of the labour union not only to

defend and advance the political, economic and socio-cultural rights of workers but lead the struggle for the transformation of Nigeria into a just, humane and democratic society. “We are one with you in this vision,” the governor declared.

Joint Task Force steps up battle against Boko Haram Continued from page 8

curity operatives cordoned off the area.

Maiduguri Street were deserted as people ran indoors.

Four people were shot dead on Sunday night by gunmen in Damboa, also in the beleaguered city. Residents said the people were shot dead by gunmen who stormed their homes behind the CBN quarters.

The JTF attacked the sect and killed five suspected members in a gun duel at Abbaganaram Ward.

Two explosions had earlier rocked the state capital in the morning at Gwange quarters and Lagos Street.

In Jos, the Plateau state capital, the police yesterday defused an Improvised Explosive Device on Ajayi Street in the centre of the city.

The IED was planted by unknown persons at about 10.10 pm on Sunday at the densely populated area of Kwararafa, near the Jos Central Mosque.

Nobody died. The police arrested one person over the incident.

The police Bomb Disposal Squad, led by Mr.Abel Mbibi, was alerted by members of the public. Police spokesman Emmanuel Abuh said the suspect had been handed over to the Special Task Force. (STF).

In Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, three suspects, including a Burkinabe, have been arrested by the police for allegedly attempting to smuggle explosive devices into the country through a border.

The explosives were allegedly meant for Borno and Yobe states.

The suspects, who were paraded by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operation), Mr Musa Kimo, at the Police Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan are in their 40s.

Kimo said the suspects were apprehended around 8pm on Saturday by the anti-bomb squad. He said they concealed the explosives in a sack.

Kimo added that the antibomb personnels confirmed that the explosives recovered from them are capable of destroying a whole community and was expected to be trans-

ported to Yobe and Borno states.

The police boss said one of the suspects claimed to be a citizen of Burkina Faso works with a mining company in Kwara State. The other said he is from Lambu town in Kano State.

Although the Burkinabe said he was sent from the mining company to deliver the explosives to someone, Kimo said if he was on a legal trip, the law stipulates that anyone transporting an explosive should inform the police for authorisation.

He also said the suspect from Kano State wanted to bribe the policemen with N20,000 but the officers refused his offer.

He said investigation into the incident was going on.

In Zaria, the Independence Day celebration was marred by explosions in Danmagaji when men of JTF again launched an attack on a suspected hideout of Boko Haram members, killing one and arresting another.

An eye witness account said security operatives launched an attack on one of the houses in the area, adding that there was

an exchange of gun fire with members of the sect for several hours.

It was gathered that after the gun duel, the security men overpowered members of the sect, killing one of them and arresting another.

Kaduna State Commissioner of Police Olufemi Adenaike confirmed the incident. He said security men recovered some items.

“We are on top of the situation,” Adenaike said, adding that the raid is continuous.

Members of the JTF had on Sunday raided a suspected Boko Haram bomb factory at Gaskiya in Zaria during which two persons were killed after a gun battle.

‘Relief coming for floods victims’ Continued from page 8

ation programme cannot be over-emphasised.’’

On the country’s power supply situation, Jonathan expressed delight that electricity supply nationwide is gradually improving.

“We are successfully implementing a well-integrated power sector reform programme, which includes institutional arrangements to facilitate and strengthen private-sector-led power generation, transmission and distribution.

“We have also put in place a cost-reflective tariff structure that reduces the cost of power for a majority of electricity consumers.

“I am pleased with the feedback from across the country, of improvements in power supply.’’

The President also noted that the country had continued to improve and stabilise its crude production vol-

umes.

He said that the 12-month gas supply emergency plan put in place earlier this year had produced more than the targeted volume of gas for power generation.

“A robust Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) has been put before the National Assembly.

“Its passage into law will ensure far-reaching reforms, transparency, accountability, increased government revenue and predictability for investors in the Oil and Gas sector,’’ he said.

He said that several government programmes and projects were creating wealth and millions of job opportunities for the youths and general population.

Jonathan said that such programmes include “YouWin’’, both for the youths and for women, public works, the local content initiative in the Oil and Gas Sector, and the agricultural transformation programme.

Otedola’s N141b payment for probe Continued from page 8

interested in getting full details of the transaction.”

Besides Otedola, there were indications last night that the House might probe repayment by debtors to AMCON. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has stopped banks from granting credit to 113 companies and 419 directors/ shareholders, including those belonging to Otedola, Alhaji Sayyu Dantata, Sir Johnson

Arumemi-Ikhide, former Power Minister, Prof Barth Nnaji, Mrs. Elizabeth Ebi and Dr Wale Babalakin.

The decision was meant to strengthen financial stability and instill discipline in the banking sector The CBN said the decision was taken at as a result of the reluctance of the debtors to pay back their loans despite the purchase of the debts at an agreed price by AMCON.

Orubebe testifies at Okah’s trial Continued from page 8

bail.

Okah is a controversial figure in Nigeria. The son of a naval officer, he became a very senior member of MEND, which severely disrupted the country’s oil op-

erations, he said.

MEND said it was fighting against injustice and exploitation.

Okah was arrested on gunrunning charges in Angola in 2007 and then transferred to Nigeria but was never con-

victed.

He was released after two years under the amnesty for oil militants and he returned to South Africa, where he had lived since 2003.

His faction of MEND has never fully participated in the amnesty process.

Your Sexual Health & You: Novelty Tips, Questions & Answers

G

ood day sir. My name is Mr. Michael. Please sir each time sperm comes out with urine while I am toileting in the toilet. Could this be a medical problem?

Dear Michael, if you are experiencing a whitish discharge when you are urinating, it is definitely not sperm. You have an infection. Go quickly and see a doctor for proper medical tests and treatment– Uche I have had diabetes for some time now and it has ruined my sex life. My erection is so weak that penetration is impossible.

My doctors have tried for me without success. I will appreciate your help as I am still a young man with a young wife. Thank you – Olalekan Lekan hello and sorry for your diabetes. Although some erection supplements are typically not good for diabetic people, there is hope for you. There is a new sexual health supplement called Libigrow. It gives very strong erections, improves stamina and helps with premature ejaculation as well. The good news for you is that Libigrow can be taken by diabetic people so that will help you. Libigrow is so powerful that one capsule of it works for up to four days.

This is the perfect solution for you – Uche I had surgery three years ago and since then, I have not been able to get an erection. I have tried all kinds of medication and taken Viagra but nothing has worked. Can you help? – Moses Dear Moses, I am sorry about this. If Viagra did not work for you, I wouldn’t recommend wasting money on more supplements. I suggest wearing an artificial penis for intercourse instead. It is called a Penile Extension and it comes in sizes of six, eight and ten inches. Penile Extensions are realistic looking, firm like a real erection and will help you fulfil your sexual obligations to your wife. Sorry again and good luck – Uche I just got into a new relationship about seven months ago and things are looking promising. My fiancée and I are

interested in proper sex education that will help our future marriage succeed. Thank you – Yemi That’s great planning Yemi. First of all, you need something that can enable you understand women so that you can give her exactly what she wants. For that I recommend the movie More of What Women Want. And then you need a movie that will teach you variety so that you don’t do the same things over and over again. For that I recommend 32 Ways to Please Your Lover and 101 Sex Positions. And finally, a book that will help both of you in romance and adult sexuality in general, I recommend getting The Best Sex of Your Life. Good luck – Uche Have you ever heard of this vibrator that can be blown up to any size so that one doesn’t have to worry about buying different sizes of dildo? I am interested in it and I also need something to help with arousal and dryness. Thanks – Esther Esther that is a very rare dildo but we have it. It is called the Inflatable Stud. For your arousal, you can get the new 69 Slick Licks Nipple and Clit arousal gel. It will stop the vaginal dryness and is flavoured so is perfect for oral sex too – Uche I have a penis like a five year old. Is there any kind of enlargement that can help? Samuel Samuel, that will be difficult. If you take the usual supplements, the results will still not be satisfactory because of how small you are. The best thing for you will be to wear a penis sleeve during intercourse. The Mega Stretch Penis Extension Sleeve will make you look bigger and two inches longer. It also helps with premature ejaculation – Uche That’s it for today. The names of the people featured here have been changed for their privacy. Adults in need of these treatments/ novelties can call 08191978308 or 08027901621 or any other number here to order or they can order online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com. Zee Virtual Media delivers to you wherever you are in Nigeria. For enquiries, send your emails to custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com - Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

60

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Kidnappers ‘Nigeria has kill been unfair businessman to me’ F OR 27 years, he has been bed ridden. He eats, reads; eases himself on the same spot. This is the lot of Joseph Onwundinjo, who shares birthday with Nigeria.

The Igbakwu, Anambra State indigene is among the famous "three landlords" at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Yaba, Lagos Mainland before they were forced out in 2005 after spending between 16 and 25 years.

The two others, Kwara State-born Joshua Olaniyan and Ibrahim Yakubu, a native of Igara, died shortly after their 'eviction'. But respite came for Onwundinjo through former Secretary/ Legal Adviser to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Prof Yinka Omorogbe, who, in conjunction with friends, secured and equipped an apartment for him at the Spinal Cord Injury Association of Nigeria (SCIAN) Village, Amuwo-Odofin, a Lagos suburb.

Apart from providing him with a house-help, foodstuff and clothes, Mrs Omorogbe, he said, also ensure that his monthly allowance is regular.

Born on October 1, 1960, he relived how he sustained his injury on February 23, 1986: "I was living at Maroko and working with Bouygus Nigeria Limited, an engineering company then operating in Lagos . That bad day, we were working somewhere at Ikeja when I fell off a crane.

My back broke and since then, I've been useless. As you

Dada Aladelokun, Assistant Editor

are looking at me, my legs are stiff.

"I was earning N250. When it happened, my employers took me to Igbobi and paid my salary for six months; but that was where they stopped.

I had since faced my troubles alone until God brought Prof Yinka. To worsen my situation, I had nothing to fall back on; all that I had laboured for were destroyed when Maroko was demolished then. Then I was in pains here when somebody brought me the sad news."

Onwundinjo had lost all hope, until Mrs. Omorogbe came to his aid. "God has remained my pillar of support; I have not a single child be-

cause I never got married when it happened. My parents had died long before my problem began, and the only sister I have is married and based in Jos. Since I got here, no relation has bothered to know my situation," he said.

Asked how he felt sharing birthday with Nigeria, Onwundinjo said: "I'm sad that my country has not been able to cater for even able-bodied Nigerian, let alone the disabled, like me. It is worrisome that because of poor leadership, most Nigerians have been disabled economically. The government must do something quickly."

Onwundinjo praised Prof Omorogbe whom he described as his "saviour." "I don't know how to describe Prof.

She is everything to me. I don't know how many times I pray for her daily because she is my God-sent mother.”

•Onwundinjo

10, 000 Nigerians exposed to rabies yearly, says WHO

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O fewer than 10,000 Nigerians are exposed to rabies yearly, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said yesterday as it alerted the public to the dangers of the disease.

Quoting a WHO report, Special Adviser (SA) to the Governor on Public Health, Dr. Yewande Adeshina, said human rabies accounted for over 55,000 deaths worldwide, with majority occurring in developing countries.

She was speaking at a sensitisation rally organised by the Ministry of Agricul-

By Miriam Ndikanwu

ture and Co-operatives to mark the World Rabies Day. Represented by Dr Olufunmilayo Adeleye, the SA said that dogs were the primary vectors for rabies, adding that they remained the major source of transmission to humans in Nigeria.

"About 94 percent of cases in Nigeria are attributed to dog transmission. The rabies virus is contained in the saliva of an infected dog and gets transmitted through bites from such. Control of rabies in the canine popula-

tion is, therefore, central to the control of this deadly disease," she said.

The prevalence of stray dogs, she said, made it necessary to promote activities that would lead to the eradication of rabies in the society, adding that there was need to promote responsible dog ownership, which includes rabies vaccination.

This, she said, is pivotal to protect families, neighbours and communities from this fatal, but preventable disease, adding that recent studies showed that many people

became victims of rabies because of negligence and lack of awareness or knowledge of care.

Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Agriculture, Dr. Funsho Nureni, said the World Rabies Day was instituted to educate the public on the danger of rabies to human existence as the disease could easily terminate lives.

"This is why we sensitise people on the danger of the disease. If you keep mammals, you are at risk of getting rabies, especially from

Pharmacy denies police claim on slain businessman

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XPHARM defended its name yesterday as it denied that a businessman, Oddi Nweze, who was killed by kidnappers, was abducted in front of its branch in Satellite, a Lagos suburb.

The pharmacy at whose Festac Town branch the drugs injected into the late Cynthia Osokogu’s drink were bought, said contrary to the police's claim, the incident did not happen in front of its satellite outfit. Its Managing Director, Mr Ike Ugwu, said the incident happened near its pharmacy, Oxpharm, on Old Ojo Road by Ijegun Road junction, Satellite Town.

Ugwu said "the unfortunate victim of the incident did not enter nor buy any items from our pharmacy on the said day prior to the incident.

"It is pertinent to state that like numerous other businesses in and around the popular junction where the incident took place, our staff heard sporadic gunshots at about 9pm as they were almost closing for the day. They ran out to see a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) which ran into a ditch in front of the next building, which is between our pharmacy and Oando Filling Station. They, like other passersby and witnesses, raised the alarm on seeing that the driver of the jeep had been shot inside the vehicle and they immediately closed for the day".

He said since the incident took place, none of his. Staff or customers has been called for questioning.

Ugwu said: "It is, therefore, preposterous and unthink-

By Jude Isiguzo

able for anybody to associate our reputable pharmacy with this dastardly act.

"We state unequivocally that the unfortunate victim did not enter, attempt to enter to buy any item from our pharmacy immediately or prior to the incident.”

On Cynthia's case, Ugwu said: "The inference to the pathetic and unfortunate case of Cynthia and the attempt to rope our pharmacists in a murder case they know nothing about and did not participate in has been left to the law court to judge.

"In as much as we condemn in its entirety criminal acts of any sort, we are forced to state that the reference to our pharmacy is a deliberate attempt to tarnish our image and reputation built over the years by associating us with crime we know nothing about.

"While we commend the police for stating that they already have some suspects in their custody, we will not hesitate to call for caution on the issue of peddling names of reputable companies like ours unnecessarily in such a criminal matter," Ugwu said.

The Area commander for Area 'E' Command FESTAC Town, Mr Dan Okoro, was quoted yesterday as saying:"It's an issue that I cannot just place. First, it was in their store that the drugs that was used on Cynthia was purchased in FESTAC and now the late Nweze was abducted in front of their branch at Satellite Town. It’s in focus, we are thinking about that. Why must it be Oxpharm?"

dogs. It is important we vaccinate our dogs all the time.

"Our Local Government councils should ensure that all dog owners register and vaccinate their dogs. The veterinary doctors in the Ministry of Health will ensure they are vaccinated by qualified people," he said.

Nureni said plans were on by the government to identify all pets in the state by inserting micro chips in them, adding that with these chips, it would be easier to identify owners of stray dogs.

Police arrest man with gun

By Precious Igbonwelundu

A 24-YEAR OLD man, Suleiman Omitogun, has been arrested for allegedly invading the venue of the World Pharmacists' Day in Lagos.

Omitogun allegedly invaded the event's venue at Ikotun Technical College, with an American pistol, loaded with 18 rounds of live ammunition. The suspect, who claimed that he resides at Abaranje, Ikotun, a Lagos suburb,was said to have stormed the venue on a motorcycle.

His arrest, The Nation learnt, followed a suspicion by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Augustine Akika, a Chief Superintendent (CSP), who was at the event. The DPO was said to have suspected the suspect's movement and ordered that he and his rider be searched by the police.

Omitogun allegedly jumped down from the bike and attempted to escape as the policemen tried to search him. But the bag containing the gun dropped and he was caught while trying to pick it up. The motorcyclist was said to have fled with his bike.

Akika said the matter would be thoroughly investigated. The suspect, he said, was handed over to the State's Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) patrol team for transfer to the headquarters.

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

61

NEWS 2015: Kalu heads Igbo group

F

ORMER Abia State Governor Orji Uzor Kalu has been appointed the leader of an Igbo group, Njiko Igbo.

He held consultations at the weekend with prominent Igbo leaders in Anambra State on the 2015 presidential election.

The former governor was at the Rojenny Games/Tourist Village, Oba, where he addressed prominent Igbo leaders.

He also met with the Ogirishi Igbo and proprietor of Rojenny Games/Tourist Village, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka.

The former governor was also at the Onitsha GRA home of the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe.

Kalu said the main objective of Njiko Igbo is to unite Igbo groups and make them a formidable front for the presidential election.

According to him, the irony

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

of Nigeria’s leadership is that those who want to be President never realised their ambition, while those who never wanted to get to the exalted position, made it there.

The former governor gave the example of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the late Chief Moshood Abiola and himself as among those who wanted to be President without making it.

He said people like Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Chief Ernest Shonekan and others never wanted to be President but made it to the top.

Kalu said: “My message is Igbo unity (Njiko Igbo). We are not preventing other Igbo groups like Movement for the Actualisation of the the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB),

•Kalu Ohanaeze Ndigbo, AkaIkenga, among others, from carrying out their own objectives. Neither are we affiliated to a particular political party.

“What we are doing is to unite Ndigbo and make them a bundle of broom so that they cannot be broken by other ethnic groups via the usual divideand-rule tactics.”

Man ‘rapes’ donkey in Enugu

A

MAN, Anayochukwu Okarih, has been arrested for allegedly raping a donkey in Umuhu in Eha-Amufu, Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State.

The animal reportedly belongs to Mrs Nnedi Moses.

The woman said she caught Okarih having his way with the animal in the slaughter house, where it was kept.

Police spokesman Ebere Amaraizu said the suspect, who hails from Umujovu, Eha-Amufu, was handed over to the police after he was

From Chris Oji, Enugu

allegedly paraded naked round the town.

The slaughter was said to be deserted when the suspect allegedly committed the offence.

Mrs. Moses said she became apprehensive when she caught Okarih fondling his manhood.

“I suspected he might have contracted HIV and was looking for a way to spread the scourge,” she said.

The police spokesman said Okarih had confessed to the offence and pleaded for mercy.

Aviation minister’s, others’ homes submerged in Anambra

F

LOODS have submerged the homes of a former Anambra State Deputy Governor, Chinedu Emeka; Aviation Minister, Stella Odua and former Transport Minister John Emeka in Anambra State.

Governor Peter Obi yesterday shelved the 52nd Independence anniversary at the Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, the state capital, and relocated to Ogbaru Local Government Area, to evacuate the victims.

Most of the victims are camped at the Army Barracks in Onitsha; those from Anambra East and West are camped in Oyi Local Govern-

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

ment Area.

The governor ordered the closure of schools in the affected communities to avoid loss of lives.

The Nation learnt that two persons, a woman and a child, drowned on Sunday in Ogbaru.

This, it was learnt, made Obi to begin the evacuation of the victims.

Officials of the state Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Ministries of Education and Health as well as the National Emergency Management Agency

(NEMA) were coordinating the evacuation with their ambulances.

The governor directed the commencement of Nomadic Education in the state. Tents and camps are being erected for those who do not have any place or relations in other areas to go to.

Over 1,200 bags of rice and other relief materials have been sent by the state government to the victims in Oyi and Army barracks to alleviate their suffering.

Other alternative arrangements were on by the FRSC and SEMA to send more operational vehicles to the affected areas .

Jonathan consecrates new unit of presidential Brigade of Guards

A

SPECIAL Force Battalion, 176, has been inaugurated by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The ceremony was part of activities for the 52nd Independence Day Anniversary celebration yesterday.

The others are 177 and 7 Battalions of the Presidential Guards Brigade.

The Brigade of Guards is a special unit specifically charged with securing the President and the seat of government.

The ceremony took place at the forecourt of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Minister of State for Defence Erelu Olusola Obada explained that the newly established 176 Battalion was to strengthen the Brigade of Guards and to make it more effective in response to security challenges in and around the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

She noted that the ceremonial presentation of colours to the newly formed battalion was symbolic and could only be done by the President.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Pub-

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

licity, Dr Reuben Abati, said the ceremony was special and grand in marking the Independence of a nation.

The media aide also stressed that the low-key celebration of the 52nd Independence anniversary was to save cost and not because of security challenges in the country as being speculated.

He added that it was meant to allow for adequate preparation for the centenary celebration in 2014.

Nigeria would mark 100 year of existence from the amalgamation of 1914.

“The anniversary is also lowkeyed this year, taking place within the precint of the State House.

“President Jonathan has personally responded to the allegation that the event is being held within the State House by making it clear that in 2014, we will have a big event; the centenary of Nigeria’s celebration, since amalgamation.

“A few years ago, we had the

50th anniversary of Nigeria’s independence and that was a big event.

“The President’s take on this is that between that 50 year anniversary and the centenary of Nigeria’s amalgamation, we should have low keyed celebration. Those who are looking for celebration on a grand scale should wait till 2014 when we will have 100 years of Nigeria’s amalgamation.”

The 52nd independence, just like the 51st anniversary celebration was marked with a ceremonial change of guards by the outgoing and incoming Quarter and Guards Brigade.

There were also parade and military display by men of the Nigerian Army Brigade of Guards, inspection of fitness and weapons, a symbolic colour parade as well as band parade in various military tones and melody.

The President, assisted by the Service Chiefs and heads of para-military agencies, released pigeons, which signified the unfettered peace and harmony of the nation.

62

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

63

FOREIGN

Ghana court charges Gbagbo’s spokesman with murder

A

COURT in Ghana yesterday charged Justin Kone Katinan, exIvorian leader Laurent Gbagbo’s spokesman, with murder, reports an AFP correspondent.

Katinan, along with Dalo Desire, a former minister in Ivory Coast, were slammed with three-count charge of conspiracy and murder of two men in Abidjan in March last year.

Desire, currently being detained in Ivory Coast, was charged in absentia in the Accra district magistrate court.

The pair face charges of murder and conspiracy for

murder under a new warrant issued to Ghana by the Ivorian authorities, the prosecutor and Katinan’s lawyer told AFP. Police prosecutor, deputy superintendent Abraham Aanor, told the court that the two accused had on March 25 last year murdered Kamagate Sedou, 83, a welder, and on March 29, Diabate Drissa, 37, a trader in Port Bouet district of Abidjan.

Katinan is already facing an extradition hearing over charges in his home country for alleged economic crimes while he was budget minister during a violent crisis that

S

•Katinan

followed Gbagbo’s refusal to cede power in November 2010.

He was granted bail on Tuesday and rearrested on Friday.

Sierra Leone’s president names scandal-hit VP as running mate

IERRA Leone’s presi- government of President dent Ernest Bai Koroma Ernest Bai Koroma, who had has named his scandal- promised to fight rampant hit vice president as his run- corruption in the West Afrining mate in next month’s elec- can country. tion, in a bet Samuel Sam Many commentators in SiSumana’s religious and ethnic erra Leone had expected the background will draw votes president to drop Sumana befrom the opposition. fore the November 17 elecBroadcaster Al Jazeera re- tion. ported in November last year Koroma’s decision to keep members of Vice President Sumana on the ticket was anSumana’s office had accepted nounced on national radio on bribes in return for a promise Monday. he would back an illegal log“The (...) president simply ging project, allegations that led to the arrest of two men.

Authorities said there was no evidence Sumana knew of IRES that gutted a vast the kick-backs and he has dehistoric market have nied having any involvement. broken out in other arBut the furore around the graft case embarrassed the eas of the Old City of Aleppo, a world heritage site, as rebels and government forces fight for the ancient heart of Syria’s biggest city, opposition activists said on Monday.

The rebels last week announced a fresh attempt to seize the wider city, home to 2.5 million people, which larger markets.

Ashipala-Musavvi said: was until July firmly under “We are very pleased with the control of President these ongoing strategic dia- Bashar al-Assad.

With government forces logue. We regard the joint commission as a successful holding the large medieval platform for visibly and con- citadel in the heart of the Old sistently advancing shared City, the fighting that has alNamibia and Nigeria interest ready claimed more than in sustainable development 30,000 lives across Syria seems certain to destroy and security.

“It will also produce the more cultural treasures too.

“Rebels control more that additional benefit of bringing the poor into the formal sys- 90 percent of the Old City tem of employment, thus im- now,” said Ameer, an oppoproving their legal benefits sition activist working with rebel brigades. and protection.”

Namibia seeks Nigeria’s partnership in tourism infrastructure, mining N IGERIAN businessmen looking to expand the scope of their investments should invest in Namibia, the Namibian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Selma Ashipala-Musavvi said at the weekend.

She spoke at a news conference on the forthcoming “Doing Business in Nigeria” seminar slated for Windhoek, Namibia on October 8.

The Namibian government and the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC) are partnering for the seminar.

The Executive Secretary of the NIPC, Mustapha Bello, and a former Nigerian High Commissioner in Namibia,

•Business seminar in Windhoek October 8

From Faith Yahaya, Abuja

Edward Aina were at the briefing.

Ashipala-Musavvi said: “We want Nigerian investors to assist in the areas of our tourism infrastructure. The infrastructure available cannot cater for the demands of the tourists who visit the country. The infrastructure we have is not enough to cater for the tourist and the tourist come around November and they usually stay till January.

We don’t have enough lodges to meet their demands.

“There are several sectors where Nigeria will benefit. We have several mineral resources and we want Nigerians to come. We want them to invest and explore our gas. We also want Nigerian oil companies to bid for our oil, animal husbandry and tourism.

“Namibia will have about 500 business men, economic ministers and the president of Namibia might make an appearance at the seminar.”

She said such symbiotic relationship would boost regional integration and create

believes you don’t go about changing a winning team,” Information Minister Ibrahim Ben Kargbo said during the broadcast.

He later told Reuters the government was aware “there are quite a number of hurdles” in Sumana’s history. But he said Koroma, a Christian, wanted a Muslim running mate, and also needed someone who was not from the traditional northern stronghold of the ruling All People’s Congress party.

Fighting spreads in Syrian

F

But he said they were struggling to hold their positions under heavy artillery fire.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which has a network of activists across Syria, said at least 100 people had been killed countrywide on Monday, including 18 members of the security forces in an ambush on a convoy heading from the central city of Homs to the eastern desert town of Palmyra.

In Aleppo, Ameer said rebels still held the Souk al-Madina, a covered market of 13 km (8 miles) of vaulted stone alleyways and carved wooden facades, once a major tourist attraction.

Fires that damaged more than 1,500 shops had been put out, he said, but new fires had now broken out in the Old City’s Zahrawi, Aqaba and Bab Al Nasr markets. Plumes of black smoke were rising from many districts, and gunfire could be heard.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

RIPPLES I CAN’T SOLVE NIGERIA’S PROBLEMS ALONE - Jonathan

With that JUMBO PAY, Sir...you have to !

NO.2,266

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

I

T was perhaps just as well that the Federal Government declared several weeks ago that Nigeria’s 52nd independence anniversary would be observed, again, on a “low key.”

Nigeria is celebrating its National Day literally under water. “Low key” doesn’t get lower than that.

Those of a decidedly malignant disposition, whom we shall always have among us, may even see the whole thing – the encircling waters and the objects drifting listlessly in the deluge – as an apt metaphor for the national condition.

From the parched Sahel in the grip of the furiously retreating Sahara desert to the mangrove swamps of the Atlantic, a vast swathe of Nigeria is under water. Swollen by record rainfall and by water said to have been released from dams in neighbouring Cameroun to avoid a looming disaster, Nigeria’s major rivers, the Niger and the Benue, rage as never before, swallowing up houses and washing away bridges and roads and farmlands, sparing nothing in their ravenous wake.

For four days, the national capital was cut off from traffic from much of the South, portions of the road linking Lokoja with Abuja having been washed away. Lokoja itself, like many other cities caught up in the floods, evoked scenes of New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, which our own Poet Laureate Niyi Osundare has memorialised for the ages in epic verse.

Some 130 persons, most likely a gross undercount, have been reported killed in the floods. At least as many are missing. The number of displaced persons has to be in the millions, and damage to private property must be reckoned in trillions of Naira.

Given just the dilatoriness, the studied evasion with which Nigerian insurance companies typically handle claims, those who lost their homes and property to the flood cannot rest easy that help is forthcoming. And here I am talking of those who took the trouble and expense to buy insurance cover, or were corralled to do so by a mortgage institution.

Most of the victims probably do not fall in this category and are entirely on their own.

With the sluggish economy and rising cost of everything, and the predilection of the mercantile class for profiting from the misfortunes of others, a good many of them are not going to be in a position any time soon to repair or rebuild their homes.

The fortunate among the millions of displaced persons will be housed in camps for months if not years, and the rest will have to fend for themselves as best they can The National Assembly has not met in emergency session to deliberate on legislative measures to cope with what is without question the greatest natural disaster to have struck Nigeria in recent memory.

Perhaps its members are waiting for Pres-

VOL. 7

TODAY IN THE NATION ‘...The delegation would do well to go beyond unravelling why our female pilgrims were turned back in Saudi Arabia but also look into the operations of NAHCON itself and how we handle our pilgrims both here and in Saudi Arabia, as well as the conduct of our pilgrims’ WAHEED ODUSILE

OLATUNJI DARE

AT HOME ABROAD olatunji.dare@thenationonlineng.net

A nation under water

•Flooded areas in Lokoja

ident Goodluck Jonathan to propose a supplementary budget. But what stops a private member from proposing an appropriate bill and shepherding it through the legislature in readiness for the President for assent?

As for Dr Jonathan, he was half a world away, in New York, addressing the United Nations General Assembly and trying once again to charm those elusive foreign investors into coming to Nigeria to seek their fortunes as the flood waters rose steadily, turned entire cities into flotillas, and cut off Abuja from the south-western part of the country.

The churlish would say that he should not have travelled out at all, or should have headed back as soon as he was made aware of the enormousness of the unfolding catastrophe.

But it may well be that his aides never told him how dire the situation had become so as

not to distract him from making the most of a moment on the world’s stage that comes only once a year.

Besides, the vice president, cabinet ministers and officials Specialised agencies and a sprawling were on hand to deal with any emergencies. And, to his great credit, Dr Jonathan took time off his hectic schedule in New York to direct the designated ministers and officials to take charge. If they did not rise up to the occasion, it cannot be the President’s fault.

But, wearing another hat, the President is also griever and consoler-in-chief; he sets the mood of the nation in times of rejoicing as well as in times of calamity. It would have been a gesture of enormous significance if, on his return from the United States, he had visited some of the beleaguered communi-

HARDBALL

ties offering words of sympathy and assuring them that his Administration would do all its power to bring them succour.

In politics, perception is almost everything. Dr Jonathan needed to be perceived as a President who cared, who feels their pain, and is firmly resolved to translate his concern into practical relief measures. Such a gesture could have bridged somewhat the widening gulf between the general public and his Administration.

In this respect, time is still on his side, even if not on the side of the beleaguered, who will no doubt see it as a fresh disappointment that their privations rated just four perfunctory sentences in his National Day broadcast.

It will no doubt be remarked that it was foreign contractors who made the national capital accessible by road from the Southwest some four days after a stretch of the Lokoja-Abuja highway was washed away by flood waters.

And it will be asked: Where were the indigenous contractors? Where, for that matter, were all the hardware that the government relief agencies ought to have stockpiled all these years – rescue vehicles and river craft especially. Where are the mobile emergency health centres? Where are the emergency water-treatment plants? Where was the emergency communication system?

It will be asked even more insistently: Why was there so little preparation for a disaster so clearly foretold?

Meanwhile, the Jonathan Administration will have to shed its preoccupation with fringe issues and devote all its energies to coping with this unfolding tragedy. The Weather Bureau says the worst may still lie ahead. This means designing comprehensive measures to deal with the present emergency and proactive measures to contain the coming one.

I am thinking of food and shelter for the displaced; of schooling arrangements for children, and of their general safety.

I am thinking of the vast farmlands now under water, and the harvest now lost, and the livestock that perished; the food shortage that is sure to follow, and the high prices everyone will have to pay for a piece of whatever is available.

At a time like this, the usual posturing will simply not do. It will have to yield to fastpaced, coordinated and sustained action designed to bring relief urgently to communities of the beleaguered across the nation.

•For comments, send SMS to 08057634061

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

The President misreads history again

N

OBODY is at liberty to interpret history anyhow. But on Sunday, President Goodluck Jonathan, in yet another of his delectable extemporaneous speeches, did just that. The occasion was the 52nd Independence Anniversary interdenominational church service in Abuja, and the theme of the service was: “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal.” His interesting remarks, which were a mixture of historical lessons, political science and exegetics, took the congregation on a trip through the rebuilding of Jerusalem by the Jewish leader, Nehemiah, as recorded in the 16th book of the Bible. Nehemiah, who was probably a eunuch, occupied the privileged position of royal cupbearer to the Persian king, Artaxerxes. He was among those who superintended the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem, and succeeded Zerubabel as governor of the great city.

Only the President could tell why he was fascinated with the story of Nehemiah, especially considering that what is broken about Nigeria is not just the wall of Nigeria, that is, metaphorically speaking, nor were Nigerians ever carried away in captivity, except of course by their Nigerian rulers, again metaphorically speaking. The President knows that of all the criticisms meted out to him, the greatest is that he and his predecessors have inflicted misery and pain on the people. Anyway, the understanding is that in the general sense, the President draws a parallel between the current mis-

ery in Nigeria with the misery experienced by the returning Jewish exiles and the remnant left in the Holy City.

But far more puzzling than the inapplicability of the Nehemiah story is his inaccurate reading of the demands human societies make on their leaders. The President had posited that he alone could not solve Nigeria’s problems. Consequently, he said, he would need the support of all Nigerians, perhaps such as Nehemiah and his fellow elders received in rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. The President was right to ask for support, but he was wrong to assume one person could not change Nigeria. Let us hear the President first. According to him, “leadership at all levels is collective. One person cannot change a nation. Agreed the leader matters, but he cannot change things alone. All of us Nigerians must work together to rebuild our nation.

Our men and women will change things in this country. There are so many Nehemiahs in the National Assembly, the Federal Executive Council, our judiciary, our teachers, businessmen and women and I believe God will use these Nehemiahs to rebuild the country.”

This column will not advise Jonathan to be immodest, but it will ask him to remember the biblical story of Nebuchadnezzar who boasted, “…Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?” If the President read history well, he

would also remember other great leaders who changed their nations by the sheer force of their personalities and visions. Has he not heard of Vladimir Lenin, Mao Zedong, George Washington, Napoleon Bonaparte, Marshall Tito, Genghis Khan, Suleiman the Magnificent, and Winston Churchill, among others? Has he not also heard of Askia Mohammed the Great, Mansa Musa, Samori Toure, Shaka the Zulu, Uthman dan Fodio? Changing a nation actually starts with one man; it is nothing more than superfluous to tell future generations the support such leaders received or how that support was evoked.

The problem, it seems, is that Jonathan finds the task of “empire building” unpleasant and unbearably demanding. Since he often can’t see the wood for the trees, it is not surprising that he sees criticisms as distracting and destructive. This is why columnists like Hardball draw his ire. It is sheer escapism for Jonathan to hide behind the lack of popular support to explain his inability to proceed swiftly in “rebuilding the wall” of Nigeria. No one is interested in how he gets the people’s support. All Nigerians demand of their President is that he should quit himself like a strong man and courageously offer the visionary leadership the country deserves. How he mobilises the people is his business. If the vision he has for Nigeria burns with enough amperage within him, nobody will teach him to walk or dare alone if need be.

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