The Nation October 05, 2012

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Govt won’t contest Bakassi verdict

EFCC to arraign 10 for subsidy ‘scam’

NEWS

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•To protest abuse of Nigerians’ rights

•Four companies, six persons for trial

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VOL. 7, NO. 2269 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

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•ALL FOR ACN: Supporters at the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship election rally in Ore, Ondo State...yesterday

Akande, Tinubu to police: stop thuggery in Ondo

Hoodlums hit students again •Explosions in Jalingo, Zaria •Gombe moves indigenes

•Akeredolu seeks transfer of police chief

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By Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Political Editor

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CTION Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande and National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu yesterday flayed the Labour Party (LP) government for allegedly sending thugs after members of the opposition party.

ACN members were attacked on Wednesday after the party’s massive rally in Ondo Kingdom, the birthplace of Governor Olusegun Mimiko.

Continued on page 4

PHOTO: NIYI ADENIRAN

•Akeredolu...yesterday

NOTHER polytechnic was attacked in Adamawa State yesterday. Two students were critically injured.

The attack came barely three days after the murder of no fewer than 40 students in the commercial town of Mubi.

Relations of some of the vic-

Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

tims were yesterday making plans to bury them.

The town remained desolate as students of the Federal Polytechnic, which was the worst hit by the killings, the Adamawa State University and the School of Health Technology, have vacated the

town. The institutions have been shut down indefinitely.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) urged President Goodluck Jonathan to go beyond mere condemnation of the killings.

Continued on page 6

Achebe under fire over attack on Awo, Gowon Celebrated writer’s work stirs controversy ‘He’s unfair to them’

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ITERARY giant Prof. Chinua Achebe has stirred the hornet’s nest, with his claim that wartime Head of State General Yakubu Gowon and the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo formulated policies that promoted genocide against the Igbo.

By Bolade Omonijo, Group Political Editor

In his newly released civil war memoirs, There was a country, Achebe said: “Almost 30 years before Rwanda, before Darfur, more than 2 million people-mothers, children, babies,

civilians-lost their lives as a result of the blatantly callous and unnecessary policies enacted by the leaders of the federal government of Nigeria.”

Quoting the Oxford Dictionary, the celebrated writer said genocide is “the deliberate and systematic extermina-

tion of an ethnic or national group ...The UN General Assembly defined it in 1946 as …a denial of the right of existence of entire human groups.”

He said: “Throughout the conContinued on page 6

•JONATHAN APPOINTS SERVICE CHIEFS P7 •DEPUTY GOVERNOR REMOVED P7

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

2

NEWS

Achebe’s war memoir stirs controversy •President Goodluck Jonathan (second left), former Chairman of Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) Ernest Ndukwe (left), former Managing Director of Zenith Bank Jim Ovia (second right)and Communications Technology Minister Mrs. Omobolaji Johnson at the inauguration of the Presidential Committee on Broadband Penetration by the President in Abuja

Prof Chinua Achebe appears to have stirred the hornet’s nest again, with his latest book which has just been released by Penguin in Europe. He examines the roles of former military Head of State General Yakubu Gowon and the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and sought to pin the perceived travails of the Igbo in national politics on the policies enunciated by the duo during and after the Civil War. Some prominent Yoruba personalities have responded to the contentions in interviews with Group Political Editor BOLADE OMONIJO and Assistant Editor DADA ALADELOKUN.

H •From left: Senate President David Mark; House of Representatives Deputy Minority Leader Suleiman Kawu; Senate Deputy Minority Leader Ganiyu Solomon and House of Representatives member Leo Ogor at a meeting on Bakassi PHOTO AKIN OLADOKUN. at the Presidential Villa, Abuja...yesterday

•Past President, Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPMN), Dr. Christopher Kolade (left); President of the Institute Abiola Popoola and Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah at the 44th Annual Conference of CIPMN in Abuja.. yesterday PHOTO AKIN OLADOKUN

•From Left: Head of Training, School of Educational Research and Statistics (TSERS), Ferderal College of Orthopaedic Technology, Mr Muna Chira; College Secretary Mr Olalolu Folarin, and Head of Clinical Services, National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dr Oluwarotimi Odunubi at the maiden convocation of the Federal College of Orthopaedic Technology in Lagos

E is a professor of English, a writer of repute and runs regular commentary on sociopolitical development of the country.

Twice, he has been nominated to receive national honours, and twice, he turned down the offer. His books have always generated furore. When he published A man of the people just before the military coup of January 1966, it received critical review by a section of the public.

His latest work, due to be released in Nigeria soon, is a chronicle of the activities of the civil war. The publishers, Penguins, described it thus: “Now, years, in the making, comes the towering reckoning with one of the modern Africa’s most fateful experience, both as he lived it and he has now come to understand it.

Like or dislike him, Achebe cannot be ignored Things Fall Apart, his first book, has been variously rated as one of the 50 most influential books. He has also been described as one of the most influential Africans in the 21st Century.

Achebe, who was cultural ambassador for Biafra during the war, displayed deep-seated dislike for the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and his people, the Yoruba.

Dismissing the argument that the Federal Government, involved in a war, had to do what it did to facilitate its victory, the writer said: “Supporters of the Federal Government position maintain that a war was being waged and the premise of all wars is for one side to emerge as the victor. Overly ambitious actors may have taken actions unbecoming of international conventions of human rights, but these things happen everywhere. This same group often cites findings, from organisations (sanctioned by the Federal Government) that sent observers during the crisis, that there was no clear intent on behalf of the Nigerian troops to wipe out the Igbo people ... pointing out that over 30,000 Igbo still lived in Lagos, and half a million in the Mid-West.”But if the diabolical disregard for human life seen during the war was not due to the Northern military elite’s jihadist or genocidal obsession, then why were there more small arms used on Biafran soil than during the entire second world war?

Why were there 100,000 casualties on the much larger Nigerian side compared with more than two million ‘mainly children’ Biafrans killed?”

He maintained that the pre-and post-war policies of the government

were calculated to wipe out Ndigbo, Achebe said the same policy has kept his people out of the mainstream of the political configuration of the country 42 years after the war. This did not take into consideration that an Igbo, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, was Vice-President in the Second Republic. When there was a consensus that power had to shift to the South in 1999, Ekwueme slugged it out with Chief Olusegun Obasanjo for the ticket of the dominant political party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

However, given the prevailing mood in the country, the Yoruba had to be compensated for the annulment of the presidential election of 1993 won by the late Chief Moshood Abiola. The sentiments swayed victory for Obasanjo at the Jos National Convention. While Obasanjo, a Yoruba, won, Ekwueme, an Igbo, had a good run and could not be said to have been disgraced. Since then, he has been handed crucial assignments by the party since he was the pioneer Chairman of the PDP’s Board of Trustees.

A political activist and convener of the Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reforms (CODER), Mr. Ayo Opadokun, took umbrage at the position of Achebe in the new book. He said: “The new writeup is another rehash of the perverted intellectual laziness which he had exhibited in the past in matters relating to Awo when Achebe described Awo as a Yoruba irredentist. What he expected was that Awo should fold his arms to allow the Igbo race led by Zik to preside over the affairs of the Yoruba nation. The fact that the Yoruba people in their wisdom, having found out that the NCNC through Zik and Okpara had established a government of their choice and then wanted to follow up with the appropriation of the Yorubaland as their catchment area. It is a demonstration of the contempt of Achebe and his ilk for the Yoruba nation.

He said: “The story of the emergence of Nigeria as a country as christened by the concubine of Lugard can’t be written sensibly without admitting one or two areas of flaws where founding leaders were not disposed to making a nation out of Nigeria.

The NCNC led by Zik and his people, in a terrific conspicuous collaboration, after having put Awo in jail, forced the creation of Midwest and the NCNC refused to allow the creation of another in their region. Perhaps the West had the smallest landmass of the three regions.

“Secondly, in the run-up and activities towards Nigerian nationalism, it was clear that the East and West were in contest for socio-economic and political power. The fact is that with what the NCNC, driven by Igbo nationalism to which Achebe subscribes, the Yoruba

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

3

NEWS

•Achebe

•Gowon

•Awolowo

The memoir: There was a country Below is an excerpt of the essay contained in Achebe’s latest work, There was a country, as published by The Guardian of London.

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HE persecution of the Igbo didn’t end with the Biafran conflict. Until the nation faces up to this, its mediocrity will continue Almost 30 years before Rwanda, before Darfur, more than 2 million peoplemothers, children, babies, civilians-lost their lives as a result of the blatantly callous and unnecessary policies enacted by the leaders of the federal government of Nigeria.

As a writer, I believe that it is fundamentally important, indeed essential to our humanity, to ask the hard questions, in order to better understand ourselves and our neighbours. Where there is justification for further investigation, justice should be served.

In the case of the Nigeria-Biafra war there is precious little relevant literature that helps answer these questions. Did the federal government of Nigeria engage in the genocide of its Igbo citizens who set up the Republic of Biafra in 1967 through punitive policies, the most notorious being starvation as a legitimate weapon of war? Is the information blockade around the war a case of calculated historical suppression? Why has the war not been discussed, or taught to the young, more than 40 years after its end? Are we perpetually doomed to repeat the errors of the past because we are too stubborn to learn from them?

The Oxford English Dictionary defines genocide as the deliberate and systematic extermination of an ethnic or national group ... The UN general assembly defined it in 1946 as …a denial of the right of existence of entire human groups. Throughout the conflict the Biafrans consistently charged that the Nigerians had a design to exterminate the Igbo people from the face of the earth. This calculation, the Biafrans insisted, was predicated on a holy jihad proclaimed by mainly Islamic extremists in the Nigerian army and supported by the policies of economic blockade that prevented shipments of humanitarian aid, food and supplies to the needy in Biafra.

Supporters of the federal government position maintain that a war was being waged and the premise of all wars is for one side to emerge as the victor. Overly ambitious actors may have taken actions unbecoming of international conventions of human rights, but these things happen everywhere. This same group often cites findings, from organisations (sanctioned by the federal government) that sent observers during the crisis, that there was no clear intent on behalf of the Nigerian troops to wipe out the Igbo people ... pointing out that over 30,000 Igbo still lived in Lagos, and half a million in the mid-west.But if the diabolical disregard for human life seen during the war was not due to the northern military elite’s jihadist or genocidal obsession, then why were there more small arms used on Biafran soil than during the entire second world war? Why were there 100,000 casualties on the much larger Nigerian side compared with more than 2 million “mainly children” Biafrans killed?

It is important to point out that most Nigerians were against the war and abhorred the senseless violence that ensued. The wartime cabinet of General Gowon, the military ruler, it should also be remembered, was full of intellectuals like Chief Obafemi Awolowo among others who came up with a boatload of infamous and regrettable policies. A statement credited to Awolowo and echoed

by his cohorts is the most callous and unfortunate: all is fair in war, and starvation is one of the weapons of war. I don’t see why we should feed our enemies fat in order for them to fight harder.

It is my impression that Awolowo was driven by an overriding ambition for power, for himself and for his Yoruba people. There is, on the surface at least, nothing wrong with those aspirations. However, Awolowo saw the dominant Igbo at the time as the obstacles to that goal, and when the opportunity arose with the Nigeria-Biafra war, his ambition drove him into a frenzy to go to every length to achieve his dreams. In the Biafran case it meant hatching up a diabolical policy to reduce the numbers of his enemies significantly through starvation eliminating over two million people, mainly members of future generations.

The federal government’s actions soon after the war could be seen not as conciliatory but as outright hostile. After the conflict ended, the same hardliners in the Nigerian government cast Igbo in the role of treasonable felons and wreckers of the nation and got the regime to adopt a banking policy that nullified any bank account operated during the war by the Biafrans. A flat sum of 20 Nigerian pounds was approved for each Igbo depositor, regardless of the amount of deposit. If there was ever a measure put in place to stunt, or even obliterate, the economy of a people, this was it.

After that outrageous charade, Nigeria ’s leaders sought to devastate the resilient and emerging eastern commercial sector even further by banning the import of secondhand clothing and stockfish, two trade items that they knew the burgeoning market towns of Onitsha , Aba and Nnewi needed to re-emerge.

Their fear was that these communities, fully reconstituted, would then serve as the economic engines for the reconstruction of the entire Eastern Region.

There are many international observers who believe that Gowon’s actions after the war were magnanimous and laudable. There are tons of treatises that talk about how the Igbo were wonderfully integrated into Nigeria . Well, I have news for them: The Igbos were not and continue not to be reintegrated into Nigeria , one of the main reasons for the country’s continued backwardness.

Borrowing from the Marshall plan for Europe after the second world war, the federal government launched an elaborate scheme highlighted by three Rs “for reconstruction, rehabilitation, and reconciliation. The only difference is that, while the Americans actually carried out all three prongs of the strategy, Nigeria ’s federal government did not.

What has consistently escaped most Nigerians in this entire travesty is the fact that mediocrity destroys the very fabric of a country as surely as a war ushering in all sorts of banality, ineptitude, corruption and debauchery. Nations enshrine mediocrity as their modus operandi, and create the fertile ground for the rise of tyrants and other base elements of the society, by silently assenting to the dismantling of systems of excellence because they do not immediately benefit one specific ethnic, racial, political, or special-interest group. That, in my humble opinion, is precisely where Nigeria finds itself today.

nation was being derided by the likes of Achebe who wanted to forcefully appropriate Yoruba territory. And because the Yoruba nation led by Awo would not accept that, they became enemies. he political problem with the Igbo stemmed from the ban on import of stockfish and second hand clothing after the war. He felt that it was fundamental error for a group of Nigerians to live on stockfish that lacks nutritional value and that it was degrading for Nigeria to be importing second-hand clothing. Being an economist, a honest and forthright Nigerian who would not mortgage his conscience to win votes, he had to carry that cross all his life. Even after his death, Prof Achebe has written a new book, repeating the gaffe. It is another

formation of CUU. It became so powerful that Dodan Barracks had to proscribe the organisation.

“Let our Igbo brothers be reminded that about three quarters of their assets not in the Eastern region are in Lagos.

We have been very liberal and accommodating and have allowed them to live undisturbed. When there was civil war, it was only in Yoruba land that the estate of the Igbo was returned with the rent. Let no one think that the Yoruba were fools by being so accommodating.”

Chairman of the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG), Wale Oshun wondered why some Igbo, especially Chinua Achebe “find it convenient to pick Awolowo as a scapegoat of all that happened to them during the war.”

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demonstration of how far inveterate enemies can go.

“I cannot believe that a scholar of Achebe’s stature could be so unforgiving. Mathew 6: 14 and 15 enjoins every Christian to forgive fellow human beings.

“Some have been trying to build a bridge between Igbo and Yoruba. I remember my colleagues like Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (Retd), a former governor of Lagos and Imo; Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe, a former Chief of General Staff who headed the Council for Understanding and Unity; Dr. Arthur Nwankwo; Alhaji Abdulaziz Ude and so many of them who are men of honour. Their efforts have not been devalued by the attitudes of people like Prof Achebe.

Their efforts and ours led to the

He asked, “did awo start the war?

He was just the Federal Commissioner for Finance with responsibility for coming up with appropriate fiscal and monetary policies. He was not at the battle field and could not therefore be fairly charged with genocide..”

The former Chief Whip of the House of Representatives also challenged anyone to come up with any publication where Awo said starvation should be regarded as a legitimate weapon of war. “Neither in any of the books written by him nor on him was any such thing said.

It is the work of those who hated his guts. It is not factual. It must be remembered that even when he was not in the cabinet, he tried to prevent the war, but as soon as it broke out, it

was between Nigeria and Biafra. He had to come up with policies that would end the war quickly. Those who are peddling this line have forgotten that Awo was in prison when the crisis started.”

Reacting to the suggestion that Awo was one of those who supplied the intellectual power that drove the policies that eventually and effectively ended the war, Oshun said, “if he was in Nigeria and Nigeria was fighting a war, was he supposed to supply intellectual power to Ojukwu? I regard it as a mere emotional statement.”

SHUN also found no merit in the contention that the late Leader of the Yoruba wanted power at all cost and saw the war as an opportunity to further that ambition.. He said: “If Awo wanted power, he would have stayed on in the cabinet after the war. But, rather, he left, saying it had become indefensible to be part of a military government in peace time. If he was scheming for power, he would have held on and used the same military to further his ambition. So, where is the evidence he did anything to project himself and the Yoruba?”

Awo’s official biographer, Prof Moses Makinde, who heads Awolowo Centre for Philosophy, Ideology and Good Governance, Osogbo, is the author of ‘Awo: The Last Conversation’. The other two are: ‘Awo as a Philosopher’ and ‘A Memoir of the Jewel’. He disagreed with Achebe, maintaining that the Ikenne-born statesman was a fullblooded nationalist.

His words: “I do not agree with Prof Achebe on the statement. It is not true that Awo’s civil war role smacked of even an iota of selfish political aggrandisement. I was his biographer and I can state authoritatively that, though he did not penetrate the North, he had a firm belief in the unity of Nigeria and that was why he wanted to govern the country as an indivisible entity. All the governors and other close associates of his would attest to the fact that he was a believer in the oneness of Nigeria which was why he wanted to govern the entire country for the overall benefit of her entire citizenry.

“He was a rare politician and a disciplinarian who believed in selfless service to his people in one whole entity called Nigeria. And that he always preached to all his lieutenants at any point in time. That, of course, accounts for why all his landmark achievements in the Western Region still speak for his patriotic and selfless inclination till today.”

The debate continues to rage. What is not in doubt is that the fight for a better Nigeria remains the preoccupation of true nationalists and patriots

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THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

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NEWS ONDO 2012 Continued from page 1

Miffed by the attacks and infliction of pains on his supporters in the ancient town, the ACN governorship candidate, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), chided the governor for political intolerance. He also blamed the police for condoning the thugs, urging the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, to transfer the Commissioner of Police in the state because he is partisan.

Akande warned against further molestation and repression of ACN supporters in Ondo State, saying that party followers would no more fold their arms in the face of intimidation and incessant harassment.

He said: “Some thugs were attacking our people while returning from a rally in Ondo. It was quite bad. There are good policemen; there are bad policemen. The attack is too much and police are taking sides. I am saying this as a message to the Inspector General. Because we are gentlemen, we will not have thugs. But if thugs attack our people again, we will send thugs bigger than those in Ondo State.

“They should not dare us.

They dared us in 1965 and 1983 and Nigeria collapsed. If they attack us, we will hit back in a way the police will not be able to handle in Ondo State.”

Akeredolu asked the governor to withdraw the thugs from the street or face the consequence.

He said: “I want to call on the governor to rein in the thugs. I told him at the meeting we held with the SSS, but he was threatening me. I told him, no, because we are both candidates. The commissioner of police is partisan.

He cannot be trusted. We reported the attack to him and he said it was ACN that was the first to attack. The IG should transfer him from Ondo State. If Mimiko insists on using thugs, we will fight him to a standstill. If he does not rein in the thugs, we will meet him fire for fire.”

Tinubu said ACN will not panic in Ondo State, charging the party supporters to remain steadfast and firm till the end.

The party elders spoke at Ore, Ondo South Senatorial District, where Akande raised Akeredolu’s hand before presenting to him the flag of victory before an unprecedented crowd of jubilating party followers, who defied the rain that heralded the redemption rally.

Akande, Tinubu, former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba and Governor Ibikunle Amosun stormed the rally around 2.20 pm,

•Akande, Osoba, Mrs. Laoye-Tomori and Asiwaju Tinubu...yesterday.

•Abraham (left), Akin Adesoji and Ilori...yesterday

•Aregbesola addressing the rally... yesterday.

PHOTOS: NIYI ADENIRAN

Akande, Tinubu to police: stop thuggery •Akeredolu asks IG to transfer police commissioner

By Emmanuel Oladesu Deputy Political Editor

amid cheers by the huge crowd.

Akeredolu, who rode into the venue in an open roof Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), was accompanied by his wife, Betty, and running mate, Dr. Paul Akintelure.

Presenting the flag to Akeredolu, Akande congratulated the people for having the opportunity to make a choice between an inept administration and a candidate of a party that never fails.

Party supporters thronged the campaign ground from Ore, Okitipupa, Igbokoda and other Ikale and Ilaje towns and villages, Ijaw and Apoi towns and villages and Odigbo. Entertaining the crowd were ace musician Saheed Osupa, actor Ojo Arowosafe (a.k.a Fadeyi Oloro) and Arowolo Elaloro, the ewi exponent. No fewer than 1,000 helmets were distrib-

‘Mimiko should apologise or face court action’

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•Doherty

•Amosun and Akeredolu... yesterday.

N Akure activist and lawyer, Mr. Morakinyo Ogele, has described a news attributed to the Mimiko Campaign Organisation that Ekiti State is being used as a base by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to import arms and thugs for the October 20 poll, not only as ridiculous, but designed to create confusion and enmity between Ondo and Ekiti states.

He said: “This is the first time such a wicked and baseless allegation will be levelled against the most peaceful state in Nigeria.

“Labour Party (LP) is on the verge of destroying Ondo State.

“Ekiti State indigenes are peace loving people that detest violence. For a governor drowning to frame such an allegation is senseless.

“The Mimiko administration has been terrorising the opposition in Ondo State. This is a state where government is expected to guarantee security.

“While the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and ACN are telling the masses how they will improve their living conditions, Mimiko is busy framing up lies. The only language LP understands is violence.

“I hereby give Governor Olusegun Mimiko seven days to retract the story, otherwise I will not hesitate to begin a litigation.

I also give him seven days ultimatum to resign for his inability to provide security in the state. A letter of apology should be written to Governor Kayode Fayemi.”

uted by the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly Yemi Ikuforiji and another lawmaker, Dr. Jibayo Adeyeye, to Okada riders in the state at the venue.

Representatives of the non-indigenes, including the leaders of the Hausa, Igbo and Ebira communities, showed up in solidarity, chanting the slogan of power shift. The leader of Hausa community in Odigbo Local Government, Abdullahi Bala, alleged that unscrupulous politicians have started wooing non-indigenes in a bid to buy their voter’s card.

He said: “We have decided to vote ACN because we believe that it is the party that will turn around the state. We want to enjoy free education and health services without stress and burden. It is time to hew the Iroko tree. They are buying voter’s card. It is prohibited. It is uncivilised. They will fail on the election day. Don’t sell your voter’s card. It is your future.

Keep it and only bring it out on the election day to perform your voting right.”

Special Assistant to Osun State Governor on Handicapped Kehinde Onitiju said ACN has plans for the disabled, assuring them that the special programmes they enjoy in Osun would be replicated in the Sunshine State.

At the rally were Oyo State Deputy Governor Moses Adeyemi, his Osun State counterpart, Mrs. Grace Laoye-Tomori, former Oyo State Governor Iyiola Oladokun, Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Yemi Ikuforiji, his deputy, Kolawole Taiwo, Hon. Olawale Oshun, Ademorin Kuye, Cardinal James Odunmbaku, his wife, Akindele, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti and Dr. Jayeola Ajatta.

Wole Iranaye, Michael Fapounda, Lowo Adebiyi, Omowumi Edet, Folake Sokunbi, Sola Lawal, Gboyega Adefarati, Sola Iji, Ayo Afolabi, Adewale Akintimehin, Rotimi Agunsoye, Modupe Johnson, Jibayo Adey-

eye, Segun Olulade, Lawrence Ayeni, Bayo Osinnowo, Femi Johnson, Demola Doherty, Bola Ilori, Lola Akande, Rotimi Abiru, Moses Akindun and Adewale Omojuwa were there. Also there were Benson Ekunjumi, Rawa Felix, Sam Erejuwa, Nimbe Tawose, Olayato Aribo, Gboyega Adedipe, Tunde Oniya, Idowu Otetubi, Adedapo Ojo, Toyin Ajinde, Ibukun Fakeye, Gboye Bajowa, Diran Iyantan, Akin Oke, Suche Onyeagucha, Segun Abraham, Ganiyu Badmus, Tunji Abayomi and Idowu Ajanaku.

Party elder, Aremo Osoba, evoked the memory of the wars of resistance in Yorubaland, urging the people of Ondo State to wage an electoral battle, reminiscent of how the enemies of the race were defeated at Ore during the civil war.

Osun State Governor Aregbesola, who rendered five songs, urged Muslims, Christians and traditional religion adherents to fast and pray, until victory is achieved. He requested Christians to always recite Psalm 24 as they pray.

Aregbesola dismissed as a lie the insinuation that Tinubu was demanding for money from ACN governors, stressing that the former Lagos governor only took delight in spending his resources on the growth of the party.

He added: “You should be prepared to defeat LP the way you defeated the enemies at Ore during the civil war. People don’t go to war without preparation. After voting, you women can return home. you men , you wait behind to police the votes.”

Amosun told the people the difference between ACN and LP, saying that only ACN can bring progress to Ondo State. He said: “Yoruba in the East, North and South are happy with what ACN governors are doing at home. If the people of Ondo State want development, the option is ACN. Ogun and ondo must cooperate.

We have bitumen flowing from Ondo to Ogun and Olokola Free Trade Zone has united us. This is your party. This is Awolowo party. If some people come here and say they are Awoists and campaigning for LP, it is a lie.

“Some people are peddling rumour that there are leaders demanding for money from them.

Since I have become the governor, Asiwaju has not asked for any money from me. Osoba has never asked for money from me.

They are only working for the party. On voting day, vote and defend your vote. Aregbesola said only men should wait behind.

Both men and women should wait to police the votes”.

Akeredolu’s running mate, who was the cynosure of all eyes at the rally, said victory is the goal of ACN , adding that the governorship candidate will perform wonders, if elected into office.

Iyantan said: “I know Mimiko very well. I was a commissioner under him. His name will enter the Guinness Book of Records as the governor who could not construct a single road in four years; a governor who built just one school in four years.

We must vote to liberate Ondo.”

Akeredolu’s wife, Betty, addressed her Igbo kith and kin in their language, before her husband’s speech.

The flag bearer urged the people to trust in God. He said: “Where we are going, we are already there. Let us return to our units at the wards. Let each one of us mobilise 10 people each. We can have one Judas among them, but nine would be faithful. Please, let us work hard for victory in the next two weeks.

“Ondo people will not desert the battle. we will ride on a white horse to Alagbaka. We will provide jobs for the youths and pay them more than they are receiving in Osun because Ondo is richer than Osun. Mimiko has not

employed people. He has not employed teachers in the last three and half years. We will set up the school of entrepreneurship to train our youths to become self-reliant and employers of labour. We will open up rural areas with roads. It is possible to develop rural and urban areas together. Farmers are the producers of wealth. They will have access to roads, water, hospitals and will not travel from Ore to Akure for medical attention. In Ondo State, how many roads have been tarred? We only see dust and not roads.”

Tinubu hailed the patience and resilience of the crowd. He prayed that God will free them from Mimiko’s cage. The national leader said lack of good road in Ondo State is an indictment on the LP government, adding that the setting up of one hospital is a sign of failure.

He said: “Vote wisely.

Thumbprint where you see the broom. Then, protect your votes.

Mathew chapter seven, verse 18 says every good tree brings forth good fruits. Mimiko cannot bear good fruits. He betrayed Obasanjo, Adefarati, Agagu. Let the people of Ikale and Ilaje use their votes to reject enslavement. You produce oil. You have this corridor. Go to Badagry and you will see the changes there. You deserve a good coastal road from here to Port-Harcourt, glass and plastic industries. Mimiko is delaying these things.

“There is no gain without pain. Your pain is over with ACN. Youths will get jobs and women will be empowered.

Ondo has the resources to cater for all of you. It is the economic hub and engine room of the Southwest. LP government cannot maximise these potentials.

“On voting day, eat at home.

The voter’s register must be displayed. Let the youths assist the elderly people who cannot read or write to identify their names.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

5

NEWS NATIONAL HONOURS 2012

ONDO 2012

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HE Akeredolu Campaign Organisation (ACO) has challenged the Labour Party and Governor Olusegun Mimiko to explain the fight at Akungba Akoko yesterday.

ACO, in a statement by its Director, Media, Publicity and Strategy, Mr. Idowu Ajanaku, urged the security agents to investigate the cause of the fight, which was alleged to be over sharing of the campaign money Mimiko gave members of his party at Akungba.

It was learnt that LP thugs started fighting with guns, cutlasses and other weapons over how to share Governor Mimiko’s money. Following their disagreement, some of them died in the process.

“This has confirmed our fears that Mimko has looted

the treasury for the coming election.

“For us at ACO, this has demonstrated the level of impoverishment of the Ondo people in the hands of Governor Mimiko who is now proverbially feeding the people with handouts from their resources. They need to ask him what happened to the Arigidi Tomato Paste Factory and the Auga Cattle Ranch in Akoko, which could have provided jobs for the youths now killing themselves over handouts from him.

“We use this medium to condole with the families of the youths who died in the process and call on their parents and colleagues to take heart.

“Rise up to say never again.

Never would we allow anyone to control the destinies of our

,

LP thugs killed over campaign money

We know that the people of Ondo State will in their characteristic manner boldly and courageously act on October 20 by voting for Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN)

,

people as Mimiko has done, preferring to give our youths fish instead of teaching them how to catch fish.

“We know that the people of Ondo State will in their characteristic manner boldly and courageously act on October 20 by voting for Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN). This will be a vote for job creation, infrastructural development, agricultural revolution and sustainable development.”

ACN raises alarm over LP’s plot to kill chieftains •Alleges importation of arms

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GROUP on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN),the Independent Campaign Network (ICN), yesterday raised the alarm over an alleged plot by the Labour Party (LP) government to kill some chieftains of the ACN in Owo Local Government.

The group also alleged that some of the governor’s aides, who hail from the community, had imported arms for the attack.

A statement signed by ICN’s Director, Communication and Strategy Bureau, Mr. Bosun Oladimeji, said some of the weapons imported included 36 AK 47 rifles, six pistols and motorcycles.

He alleged that the arms would be distributed to the party’s thugs who are to attack at night.

Oladimeji said: “Information reaching us has proved that the arms and ammunition were imported into the community by Governor Mimiko’s aides last

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

night (Wednesday night) and kept in the campaign office of a commissioner in Mimiko’s exco, who is from the town.

“We warn members of the Amalgamated Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN) not to allow some desperate politicians to tarnish the image of the association.

“We urge security agencies to investigate this matter, because our party leaders are not animals.

Is it a crime for someone to be a member of the ACN in Ondo State? It is now clear to the world that Mimiko is jittery over the rising profile of the ACN. “It is unfortunate that the security operatives have failed to guarantee the safety of members of the opposition parties. But no amount of intimidation or harassment will stop the electorate from voting out the LP government.”

NURTW members attack ACN supporters after rally •Youth leader decries attack From Damisi Ojo, Akure

and a BMW with registration number Lagos RZ 75 AA. The source said the thugs smashed the windscreens of the vehicles.

He said the intervention of men of the Mobile Police Force (MOPOL) and soldiers prevented the situation from degenerating into a fracas.

Narrating his ordeal, a member of the Planning Committee, Aketi Campaign Organisation (ACO), Chief Ademola Adetula, described the situation as worrisome.

He said Governor Olusegun Mimiko began his campaign in Owo town where the ACN

standard bearer hailed from without hitches, even with rented crowd from the 18 local governments.

He added that it was unfortunate that the attack occurred in his (Mimiko’s) town.

Adetula described LP as a violent party, adding: “No matter the level of violence by Mimiko and his cohorts, the people of Ondo State, particularly his kinsmen, have rejected him and will vote him out on October 20.”

The National Youth Leader of the ACN, Mr. Miriki Ebikina, has described the alleged vandalism of the ACN vehicles by suspected LP thugs as a sign that Mimiko has lost the Octo-

ACN demands redeployment of Police Commissioner

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HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has called on the Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, to redeploy the Ondo State Commissioner of Police to forestall chaos in the state.

According to a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the call was made by the ACN Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande and the governorship candidate, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, at a campaign rally held in Ore. They said the police commissioner has shown his preference for the Labour Party (LP), instead of being neutral as demanded by the sensitivity of his office.

They said unless the partisan police boss is removed, the clamour for a free, fair and creditable poll on October 20 will be a mirage.

Justifying the call, they said the Commissioner of Police has

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ber 20 poll.

Ebikina, who spoke with The Nation on the phone, said Mimiko is jittery over the large turnout of his kinsmen who trooped out to welcome the national leaders of the ACN in his home town.

The ACN National Youth

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•Alhaji Mohammed

Oloro) and a popular Ewi exponent, Femi Elaloro, were attacked by suspected LP hoodlums. They injured them and damaged their vehicles.

“The Commissioner of Police, who was contacted, dismissed Akeredolu’s report, alleging that the ACN instigated the violence. Such action is not good for the conduct of a free and fair election. He must be redeployed without delay,” ACN said.

Governorship debate holds October 11 HE Nigeria Election Debate Group (NEDG) has said the grand finale of the governorship debate would hold on October 11.

A statement by the group’s Chairman, Aremu Allimi, said three parties would participate in the last phase of the debate, based on their findings.

We are aware that the hoodlums are being protected by a top police officer.

He gives them courage to be lawless

Leader warned the LP to desist from attacking members of the ACN and urged the security agencies to investigate the attack allegedly spearheaded by the leaders of the NURTW loyal to Mimiko.

According to him, “it is disheartening that ACN members were attacked despite the presence of security operatives. We doubt if they are capable of guaranteeing a peaceful election on October 20.

“We are aware that the hoodlums are being protected by a top police officer. He gives them courage to be lawless.

“Governor Mimiko should know that no amount of harassment or intimidation will deter the people from exercising their franchise on October 20.”

PDP deplores Ondo debt profile

‘It has become a recurring experience in the last two days for suspected LP thugs to unleash terror on ACN supporters at the end of their campaign rallies’ failed to respond to the attacks on ACN supporters in the past two days, during the party’s campaign rallies in Ikare and Ondo towns.

“It has become a recurring experience in the last two days for suspected LP thugs to unleash terror on ACN supporters at the end of their campaign rallies.

“After the rally in Ondo on Wednesday, some supporters of the ACN including a notable artiste, Ojo Arowosafe (aka Fadeyi

,

M

EMBERS of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) said to have sympathy for the Labour Party (LP), on Wednesday allegedly attacked supporters of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) after the Redemption Rally in Ondo.

An eyewitness, who was travelling from Lagos to Akure, said the NURTW thugs barricaded the road near their terminus on Ondo/Akure Road.

He said they brandished weapons and vandalised vehicles belonging to supporters of the ACN who came from the six local governments in Ondo Central Senatorial District.

Some of the vehicles reportedly damaged by the thugs were a Mitshubishi bus with registration number Lagos DF 796 KDU

They are the Action Congress of Nigeria, whose standard bearer is Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN).

Labour Party’s candidate is incumbent Governor Olusegun Mimiko, while the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate is Chief Olusola Oke. Allimi said the debate would be held at the Cultural Centre, Adegbemile, Akure between 5 and 8pm.

HE campaign organisation of Olusola Oke/Saka Lawal, candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the October 20 governorship election, has berated Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko over the debt profile of the state.

The group said Ondo people are unhappy due to the poverty, gloom, frustration and inertia in the last three and a half years.

It said: “Nobody should be in doubt about the magnitude of the punishment the current tenants of the Government House will receive from the electorate.

“For example, whereas the Mimiko administration has illegally taken custody of and converted the over N100 billion funds belonging to the local governments every month since February 2009, you cannot find any meaningful project in the local governments.”

The campaign organisation said the state is under debt burden which has hampered development at the local government level. It added that Governor Mimiko has not fulfilled his electoral promises.

It said: “The local governments are broke. Workers in 90 per cent of the councils, after agitations and threats, have just been paid the two month salaries owed them by the local governments.

“It is also alarming that the state government is planning to

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

enter into a N3 billion loan deal with a first generation bank to enable it pay the state and local government employees for September and October. This is apart from the N50 billion loan burden placed on the people by the bond market.

“No public water tap is working in the state, whereas government spent over N300 million to build a water fountain on the Oba Adesida Highway.

“With over N600 billion revenue since 2009, it is not surprising why the people are asking the governor to point to one completed or inaugurated road project and any established or facilitated large scale or cottage industry since 2009.

“Did Mimiko not promise 4,000 jobs within 100 days? Did he not boast of establishing a N5 billion Ore Sunshine Megacity Plaza having 1,000 capacity trailer park, 200 shops 2,000 residential units, hotels, power plant, etc? Did he not promise a N3 billion tomato paste factory at Arigidi Akoko, a N13 billion motor assembly plant at Bolorunduro in Ondo East, an N8 billion cement factory at Okeluse, a N1.8 billion international conference centre, among others? Were billions of naira not released for all these? The people are asking Mimiko to point at any of these projects.”

Police arrest six over alleged murder of LP chief From Damisi Ojo, Akure

THE Ondo State Police Command yesterday said six suspects have been arrested in connection with the murder of a Labour Party (LP) member, Oyen Adeniyi, in AkungbaAkoko.

According to a statement

by Police Commissioner Danladi Mshelbwala, there was information that the deceased and two others were shot by suspected cult members after a campaign rally by the ruling LP. “After the LP rally at the Holy Trinity Primary School playing ground, Akungba Akoko, the trio were attacked.

“They were taken to IwaroOka General Hospital for treatment where Adeniyi died. The two others were referred to the Federal Medical Centre, Owo for further treatment,” the police boss said.

He said the police have arrested six suspects, who made useful statements, adding that the case is under investigation.

Mshelbwala assured the public of security and warned those who wanted to cause mayhem to desist or face the wrath of the law.

The Mimiko Campaign Organisation (MCO) had wrongly accused the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) of allegedly killing one of the LP members in Akungba-Akoko after its campaign on Wednesday.

PPA candidate faults NEDG’s decision on final debate From Damisi Ojo, Akure

THE Progressive Party Alliance (PPA) standard bearer in the October 20 governorship poll, Otunba Omoregha Olusola, has decried the decision of the Nigeria Election Debate Group (NEDG) to shortlist three candidates for the final round of the election debate.

NEDG had at the end of the second session of the debate held last Friday announced that three candidates would be shortlisted for the final debate that would hold on October 11.

Speaking with reporters on NEDG’s plan, the PPA candidate said selecting three candidates means other 10 candidates have been prejudged before the electorate decide who their governor should be.

Olusola, who flayed NEDG’s decision, wondered the criteria the group used to shortlist the three candidates.

He said: “There is no way the debate group can drop the Labour Party (LP) candidate because that is the ruling party.

“Also, there is no way the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) candidate, Chief Olusola Oke, will not be shortlisted because he is representing the biggest party in Africa.

“Dropping the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), will be impossible because ACN represents the major opposition party in the country.

6

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

NEWS Achebe under fire over claims Continued from page 1

•Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi during an inspection tour of some government schools in Port Harcourt …yesterday

flict, the Biafrans consistently charged that the Nigerians had a design to exterminate the Igbo people from the face of the earth. This calculation, the Biafrans insisted, was predicated on a holy jihad proclaimed by mainly Islamic extremists in the Nigerian Army and supported by the policies of economic blockade that prevented shipments of humanitarian aid, food and supplies to the needy in Biafra .”

On Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who was the Vice Chairman of the Federal Executive Council and Minister of Defence, Achebe said: “The wartime cabinet of General Gowon, the military ruler, it should also be remembered, was full of intellectuals, like Chief Obafemi Awolowo, among others, who came up with a boatload of infamous and regrettable policies. A statement credited to Awolowo and echoed by his

cohorts is the most callous and unfortunate: all is fair in war, and starvation is one of the weapons of war. I don’t see why we should feed our enemies fat in order for them to fight harder’.

“It is my impression that Awolowo was driven by an overriding ambition for power, for himself and for his Yoruba people. There is, on the surface at least, nothing wrong with those aspirations. However, Awolowo saw the dominant Igbo at the time as the obstacles to that goal, and when the opportunity arose with the Nigeria-Biafra war, his ambition drove him into a frenzy to go to every length to achieve his dreams. In the Biafran case, it meant hatching up a diabolical policy to reduce the numbers of his enemies significantly through starvation eliminating over two million people, mainly members of future generations.”

Fuel subsidy scam: EFCC to arraign 10 more suspects

Govt won’t contest Bakassi verdict

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•Abuse of Nigerians’ rights to be protested

HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to arraign 10 more suspects, including four companies today in Lagos over alleged N10.6billion fuel subsidy scam.

A statement by the agency’s spokesman Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, The statement said: “The EFCC has concluded arrangement to arraign fresh suspects in the ongoing trial of persons and organisations implicated in the fuel subsidy scam.

“Barring any hitches, 10 suspects comprising four companies and six individuals will be arraigned tomorrow, (today) before Justice Habeeb Abiru of the Lagos High Court.

“Among the individuals to be prosecuted are Ifeanyi Anosike, Emeka Chukwu, Ngozi Ekeoma, Alhaji Adamu Aliyu Maula, George Ogbonna and Emmanuel Morah.”The companies involved are Anosyke Group of Companies Limited, Dell Energy Limited, Downstream Energy Sources Limited and Rocky Energy Limited.

Continued from page 1

Adamawa State Police spokesman Ibrahim Mohammed, who said arrests had been made, declined to give the number of those arrested so as not to “jeopardise investigations”.

He said the police were working on the possibility that the killings could be linked to cult activities among students since they took place barely three days after an acrimonious student union government election at the polytechnic.

Yesterday, the Adamawa State Polytechnic in the state capital, Yola, was under siege by hoodlums, the rector said.

Professor Abdullahi Bobboi urged law enforcement agents to quickly protect the students.

He said the school came under attack from some hoodlums allegedly led by “Abdul Black”, whom, he said was believed to have gained access into the polytechnic complex through the Jimeta Police Barracks.

Bobboi said two students were lying critically ill at the Yola Specialist Hospital, as a result of injuries sustained

•Court jails EFCC men five years for bribery From Yusuf Alli, Abuja and Eric Ikhilae

“These suspects are among several suspects scheduled for arraignment by the Commission over the theft of N10.6billion in dubious subsidy claims.

“Anosyke Group of Companies, Ifeanyi Anosike, Dell Energy Limited, Emeka Chukwu and Ngozi Ekeoma will be arraigned on an eightcount charge bordering on conspiracy to obtain by false pretence; forgery and uttering false documents to the tune of N1, 537,278,880.82( One Billion, Five Hundred and Thirty Seven Million, Two Hundred and Seventy Eight Thousand, Eight Hundred and Eighty Naira, Eighty-Two Kobo), being payments fraudulently received from the Petroleum Support Fund for a purported supply of 15, 000 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit.

“Downstream Energy Sources Limited, Alhaji Adamu Aliyu Maula, Rocky En-

ergy Limited, George Ogbonna and Emmanuel Morah who will be facing trial on an eight -count charge bordering on conspiracy to obtain property by false pretence; conspiracy to forge documents, forgery and uttering false documents to the tune of N789,648,329.25( Seven Hundred and Eighty Nine Million, Six Hundred and Forty Eight Thousand, Three Hundred and Twenty Nine Naira, Twenty-Five Kobo), being payments fraudulently received from the Petroleum Support Fund for a purported supply of 14,273,0227 litres of Premium Motor Spirit.”

Also yesterday, two officials of the EFCC - Douglas William and Abba Ishaku were sentenced to five years imprisonment by an Abuja High Court.

Their sentence was upon their conviction by Justice Abubakar Umar on a fourcount charge of conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretence.

Justice Umar held that the convicts, having suffered enough humiliation, their sentence should start from the date of their arraignment on October 17, 2010.

The duo, arraigned on October 17, 2010, were sentenced to two years each on counts one and two and six months each on counts three and four. The sentences are to run concurrently.

They were arrested in 2010 in a ‘sting operation’ by men of the EFCC. Until their arrest, the duo was stationed at the reception of the EFCC headquarters in Wuse, Abuja.

Trouble started for the officials when they allegedly demanded for N100, 000 from Kullima Kachalla, a former Chairman of Bama Local Government in Borno state in 2010, by posing as investigators of the EFCC. They were alleged to have asked Mr. Kachalla to send them the money to bribe other investigators of the ComContinued on page 59

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IGERIA will not appeal the judgment of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) which ceded Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon about 10 years ago, it was learnt yesterday.

But the government has chosen to file complaint to the court on abuse of human rights of Nigerians resident in the oilrich peninsula.

The abuse of the rights is a violation of the provisions for the enforcement of the judgment by the two countries.

Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the government insisted on complying with the ICJ judgment after a three-hour session at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday night.

The session was attended by a former President of the International Court of Justice, Prince Bola Ajibola, the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke(SAN), legal and border experts from various ministries and agencies and stakeholders from Cross River State, including members

Hoodlums attack students again in Adamawa Explosions in Zaria, Jalingo

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MAN died yesterday in Jalingo, the Taraba state capital, after an explosion rocked Doruwa area of the city.

Eleven others were injured – three of them critically – according to a doctor at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) where they are being treated.

Ten persons, including commercial sex workers and hotel workers, were on Wednesday night injured in an explosion at Cosmopolitan Hotel, in Sabo-Garin area of Zaria, Kaduna State.

The police, however, said only four people were injured and that they have been treated and discharged.

The Nation learnt that the bomber

from the attack by the hoodlums.

He lamented the incessant incursions into the institution by hoodlums, drug peddlers and miscreants through the breached fence the institution is sharing with the police barracks.

“We have complained again and again, time without number, to the police authorities in Yola, to intervene, as the security breach is now reaching an alarming rate”, the rector

•One dead, 21 injured Fanen Ihyongo, Jalingo and Tony Akowe, Kaduna

walked into the hotel, dropped the polythene bag containing the explosives and left immediately.

Guests were said to have raised the alarm on sighting him, but the bomber was said to have escaped.

It was while he was being chased that the bag’s contents exploded, it was learnt.

Security agents were drafted to the scene early yesterday.

Police spokesman, Aminu Lawan, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), con-

said.

CAN advised the President to ensure that the perpetrators of the killings are fished out.

The association pleaded with the National Assembly to speed up the passage of the anti-terrorism bill and “introduce clauses that will discourage those with penchant for murder, bombing and other terrorist activities”.

According to a statement in Abuja by its General Secretary, Rev. Dr. Musa Asake,

firmed the incident.

He said four people were injured and that men of the Anti-Bomb Unit took away samples of the metals for analysis.

Aminu said: “Our men were able to get to the scene of the incident immediately. We condoned off the area. We were also able to recover some particles of the materials used for the Improvised Explosive Devise (IED).”

Doruwa area has a drinking spot and shops where little things are sold. It is always a thickly populated area. The explosion occurred around 830pm.

The police have not reacted as at press time last night.

CAN said: “It is with a heavy heart that the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) received the news of the killing of over 40 students of the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi, Adamawa State University and the School of Health Technology on the night of the Independence Day. “After a careful study of the various reports on the issue, coupled with the latest information that there is currently a stampede of students and

lecturers who have taken advantage of the free period preceding the curfew imposed by the state government to flee the institutions, CAN vehemently condemns the barbaric act of the gunmen.

“It commiserates with families who lost their loved ones, students and authorities of the affected institutions. CAN rejects the theory of election dispute as responsible for the massacre of over 40 students, having regards to the manner

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

of the National Assembly.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “At the session, those who wanted a review of the judgment were asked to support their position with cogent facts, in the light of Article 61 of the Statute of the ICJ which they had pleaded.

“None of them could come up with concrete evidence or cogent evidence to convince the President on why the nation should seek the review of the judgment.

“Both the AGF and Prince Bola Ajibola (SAN), however, argued on the point of law why the application for the review is unnecessary.

“Apart from the fact that application for a review of the judgment will erode international confidence in Nigeria and attract sanctions from the UN Security Council, the two Senior Advocates maintained that Article 61 technically mandated Nigeria to make such an application upon discovery of Continued on page 59

it was reportedly carried out.

It believes that the reason is phoney and that such a theory, arrived at in haste, can only serve to shield the real culprits and cover up their motives.

“We are, however, consoled by the directive of the President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, that security agencies should ‘promptly arrest’ the killers of the students. But CAN is of the view that the Federal Government should go beyond this directive and ensure that those caught are made to face the full weight of the laws of our land. It is unacceptable to CAN that students whose parents have spent fortunes on their education would be cut down by some elements in the society whose trademark is Continued on page 59

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

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

7

NEWS Jonathan names CDS, Service Chiefs

Taraba House removes deputy governor

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ARABA State Deputy Governor Sani Abubakar was yesterday impeached by the House of Assembly for alleged ‘gross misconduct.”

Abubakar was accused of sundry allegations including the conversion of a Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) project to his private school- the Yagai Academy.

Other businesses, owned by the embattled former deputy governor include: Yagai Water, Yagai Printing Press and Yagai Resturant.

The Assembly described such act as “gross misconduct” and abuse of public office.

The House also said locating the MDG ICT Centre and sinking motorised boreholes in Yagai Academy were unacceptable, as the school was his private venture and members of the public could not access them.

From Fanen Ihyongo, Jalingo

They also alleged that Abubakar used his influence to acquire “a large expanse of land in Jalingo on which he built the school. With all other multi-million naira business ventures sited therein, such as Yagai Water, Yagai Printing Press and Yagai Restaurant), the empire was valued at about N1 billion.

The lawmakers said his total emoluments could not justify such investments, adding that he had breached the Code of Conduct for public office holders, which requires that he shows transparency in the act of governance.

He was also accused of undue interference in the postings and transfers of indigenes of his local government, Karim Lamido, and working against the interests of other stakeholders of the area.

Replying the lawmakers’ allegations, the deputy governor said the Yagai Cybercafe was an initiative of a member of the House of Representatives and its current Chief Whip, Ishaka Bawa, representing Wukari/ Ibi federal constituency.

He said the project was carried out by MDGs Projects for Yagai Academy, noting that the school neither requested nor solicited either in writing or orally.

He said the MDGs office put its logo on the projects as a confirmation of its school’s contribution to the development adding that Yagai, as a profit-making venture, could sink a borehole from its profits.

He added that the contract for solar lights and street lights at Yagai were not awarded by his office, adding that all the con-

tracts were awarded by the state government after being subjected to due process.

He also said his office was not assigned the responsibility of monitoring and supervising the contract and therefore could not be held responsible for the diversion of such projects.

Danladi presented a document to show how he acquired and built the Yagai Academy.

He also tendered evidence of bank loans obtained from Zenith Bank and First Bank, with which he developed the institution.

He pleaded with the law makers to be objective in their deliberations and promised to be more committed to the party and the people of the state.

During the investigation of the allegations against the deputy governor, the Assem-

•Ihejirika retains office From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

P

•Abubakar

bly denied receiving N100 million bribe from Governor Danbaba Suntai to remove his deputy.

However, there are indications that the removal of the deputy governor is the fallout of a strained relationship between Suntai and some influential indigenes of the state.

Saudi clears women above 45 for Hajj From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

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IGERIAN women above 45 years have been cleared to travel alone for pilgrimage. Those below 45 are still required to travel with a companion.

No fewer than 1,000 Nigerian women have been deported from Saudi Arabia for travelling without Guarantor in their entry visas to the holy land for the Hajj.

But the Consul of Saudi Arabia in Kano yesterday said in a statement that “female pilgrims who are above 45 years of age can perform the annual Hajj without guarantor, while those below the 45 years should have their guarantors indicated in their passports in the name of respective pilgrims welfare boards managements.”

The latest development has given hope to the deported female pilgrims who are qualified to travel back to Saudi Arabia for the holy pilgrimage.

According to an official letter from the Saudi Consular office in Kano, deported female pilgrims below the age of 45 must have Muharram (Individual Guide) registered on their passports while it is not necessary for those above 45.

The Saudi authority warned that it will strictly apply the guidelines, saying officials handling pilgrims should strictly comply to avoid any possible embarrassment.

Executive Secretary of Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board Alhaji Laminu Rabi’u, said the Board has made necessary arrangement to transport back the deported pilgrims.

Three Nigerians remanded in Spanish custody

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•L-R: Jacobs Elliot, Hannah Kavanagh, Shittu, Molokwu, Turksha Maarten, Mrs. Funmilayo Babington-Ashaye and Agekameh...yesterday PHOTO: ADEJO DAVID.

Promises of foreign investments as Entrepreneurship Organisation is launched •16 succesful members registered

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HE international group, Entrepreneurs’ Organisation (EO) yesterday launched its 122nd chapter in Lagos, promising to be the trustworthy link for global business exchange.

The event, held at the Lagos Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja climaxed the one-year efforts it took to establish the organisation, which has an uncompromising ethical and integrity standards in Nigeria.

According to the group’s President, Abdulrazaq Ayodeji Shittu, yesterday’s inauguration portends great prospects for the country. He said the group is coming at an auspicious time when Nigeria is taking the leap to become one of the 20 largest economies in the world by 2020.

The group, he said, will serve as the conduit for Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs), which up till now have eluded Nigeria because of the “trust factor.”

Shittu said: “I have had the opportunity to participate in some global EO events where more than 700 entrepreneurs showed persistent thirst to invest and network with Nigerian businessmen.”

“I have no doubt therefore that genuine global business handshakes await any Nigerian entrepreneur who desires to enhance his business horizon by becoming a member of EO, Nigeria chapter.”

The organisation’s Director of Communication, Dele Agekameh said: “The selection process is rigorous because there is emphasis on integrity and proper record keeping. We do background checks because we have seen that many business

By Segun Balogun

people are not entrepreneurs but only portfolio contractors.”

According to Vincent Brown Molokwu, who was dubbed “Father of EO Nigeria,” more than 300 applications were received from prospective members but only 16 people, who passed the integrity test were registered.

Molokwu told The Nation he suffered discrimination in South Africa’s oil and gas industry because “they just do not want to do business with you once they know you are a Nigerian.”

However, he broke through after consistent ethical practices and integrity.

“I am happy to have brought EO to Nigeria and it means I can come back to Nigeria now because I have 16 brothers I can trust. I am not in South Africa now, but EO members are there watching over my business. That is what EO stands for,” he said.

The guest speaker, Hannah Oyebanjo said EO is the missing link needed to maximise Nigeria’s entrepreneurship potential because it brings issues of integrity to the front burner.

“EO members are going to act as a bridge between foreign investors and Nigerian environment because they are trustworthy,” she said.

Already, investments running into billions of Naira have started flowing into the country through the 16 registered members. An EO member, Maarten Turkstra, has been planning to do business in Nigeria for the past 10 years but has met dishonest people.

ACN lashes out at Presidency over claim on anti-graft battle

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HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday described as a product of poor thinking, the Presidency’s decision to blame the media for the “inaccurate claim” on the nation’s anti-corruption efforts, contained in the President’s 52nd anniversary speech. It said the action is worse than the original gaffe. ‘’It is lazy and irresponsible for handsomely-remunerated presidential aides to lift the claim of Nigeria’s supposed progress in the anti-cor-

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has appointed Vice Admiral Ola Ibrahim as the new Chief of Defence Staff.

Until his appointment, he was the Chief of Naval Staff.

He takes over from Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin, who has retired.

The incumbent Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubike Ihejirika retains his position.

Rear Admiral D.J. Ezeoba was appointed as the new Chief of Naval Staff. Air Vice Marshall A.S. Badeh takes over as the Chief of Air Staff.

Jonathan, according to a statement signed by his media adviser, Dr. Reuben Abati, thanked the outgoing service chiefs for their meritorious and commendable service to the nation and wishes them well in their future endeavours.

Rear Admiral Ezeoba, was born on July 25, 1958, in Jos, Plateau State. He hails from Ibusa, Oshimili-North Local Government Area of Delta State.

A graduate of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, Regular Course 22 and the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, he trained at various times with the United States, Royal and Indian Navies.

ruption effort from a newspaper and insert such in a presidential speech without confirmation.

But then anything is possible in a rookie presidency populated by apprentice aides,’’ the party said in a statement in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed. ‘’It is even worse that those who committed this gaffe and made their principal and the entire country to look bad, justifying their action and, instead of owning up, shifting the blame to the so-called opposition me-

dia and the political opposition.

What was the media supposed to do in the face of such egregious lies? Reinforce the lies to Nigerians and the entire world?

And should the opposition have applauded such a spurious claim?’’ the party queried.

ACN said in a global world with an almost instantaneous access to information, it costs nothing to ask Transparency International, the highly-responsive global coalition against corruption, to verify the claim reportedly made by a local newspaper.

In the alternative, the various government agencies engaged in the battle against corruption, including the EFCC and the ICPC, could have been contacted. ‘’The point that is lost on these indolent aides is that every presidential speech is a reference document. Therefore, packing it with lies and unverified claims is totally condemnable, in addition to being a disservice to the President,’’ the party said.

It advised the President’s aides who are engaged in com-

munication or speech writing to take their job more seriously instead of running to the press at the slightest opportunity to lambast the opposition and denigrate the media, their latest whipping boy.

ACN congratulated the media for spotting the lie that was apparently aimed at making a do-nothing Presidency to look good, saying it only shows that the fourth estate of the realm is alive to its constitutional responsibility.

HREE Nigerians were yesterday ordered to be remanded in custody by a Spanish court after they pleaded not guilty to charges of importing cocaine and money laundering.

Paul Ugochukwo Offor, 37, who lives in Spain, and Kingsley Wilcox, 31 and Charles Christopher Majimor, 35, who live in Malta, allegedly form part of a drug ring.

Their arrest followed a controlled delivery by the Drug Squad in which a Spanish man who cannot be named by court order was arrested.

Ex-Triumph Bank MD, customer lose bid to stop trial

By Eric Ikhilae

F

ORMER Managing Director of the defunct Triumph Bank Plc, Francis Atoju and an ex-customer Jude Idigbe, have lost the bid to stall their trial before a Federal High Court in Lagos.

Justice Mohammed Idris, in a ruling on Monday, refused Idigbe’s argument that he was compelled by men of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to write statements during his interrogation.

The judge’s ruling was on a trial-within-trial conducted to verify Idigbe’s claim that his statements were not made voluntarily.

Justice Idris noted that Idigbe, being a lawyer of many years, and having agreed that some of the statements were made voluntarily, the court was not convinced that the other statements were not voluntarily made.

Idigbe made eight statements in all, which were tendered by the prosecution lawyer, Prof Akin Ibidapo-Obe. Upon agreement by IbidapoObe, Seyi Sowemimo, SAN, (for the defence), Justice Mohammed adjourned to November 15 and 16, for continuation of trial.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

8

NEWS Fayemi sues newspaper, NULGE

Amosun assures residents of fairness

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E

KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi has sued a national newspaper for libellous publications, following the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the newspaper to retract its publications on August 25 and August 26.

He also sued the Registered Trustees of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and an official of the union, Mr. V.A. Adebayo, over a media report credited to them that he (Fayemi) was deducting N1 billion from the local government funds.

Fayemi is demanding N10 billion Exemplary and Aggravated Damages.

He said his record as a man of unquestionable character and an advocate of good governance have been adversely affected by the publications.

The governor is praying the court to order the defendants to retract the offensive publication.

He is demanding a public apology, which should be published in the paper and, at least, two prominent national newspapers, as well as an apology posted on the Internet.

Fayemi is demanding perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from publishing similar or further libellous publications against him and that they (the defendants) will bear the cost of the suit.

The governor is demanding 10 per cent interest on the judgment sum from the date the judgment is delivered until the judgment sum is finally liquidated.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suits.

Governor’s wife for conference

By Dada Aladelokun

W

IFE of the Ogun State Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, will be the Special Guest of Honour at the 6 th National Conference of Women in Technical Education and Employment (WITED) slated for October 8 - 11 at the Multipurpose Hall of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State.

The Olu of Ilaro, who is the paramount ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, will be the Royal Father of the Day. The institution’s Rector, Dr. Raheem Oloyo, will be the host.

The theme of the conference is: “Enhancing female education and employment in science and technology for sustainable national transformation”.

Over 300 participants are expected.

The polytechnic’s Deputy Registrar (Public Relations), Rev. Lasunkanmi Bolaji, said: “WITED is an International Project of the Commonwealth Association of Polytechnic Rectors in Africa (CAPA), which seeks to improve the participation of the girl-child in Mathematics, Science and Technical Education for enhanced national development.”

•Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi listening to Pa Adetola Dada at Oye Constituency 1 after a Town Hall meeting.... on Wednesday.

I would’ve opposed Nigeria’s Independence, says Afe Babalola •Urges Fed Govt to concession rail project •ICAN honours SAN

F

OUNDER of the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) has said he would have opposed Nigeria’s Independence in 1960, if he had enough political influence then.

Regretting the situation of things in Nigeria, the legal luminary said the colonial lords would have made better use of the country’s oil, which was discovered after Independence, and stabilised the economy.

He said Nigeria’s wealth now services the “bloated” civil service and the “corrupt leadership”.

Babalola warned Nigeria against borrowing to develop the rail system. He said the projects should be concessioned to multinational corporations.

He spoke in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday while hosting the central executive of the Institute of Chattered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), led by its President, Mr. Adedoyin Owolabi.

The association conferred a honorary merit award on Babalola.

Babalola said corruption was responsible for the

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

country’s stunted growth and blamed ICAN members for refusing to speak against it.

He said: “ICAN shares in the blame for refusing to raise a voice against corruption. You are the most powerful group in the economy of this country. Your voice cannot be sidelined even by the president.

“Nigeria has no reason to borrow a kobo from overseas. You know how much we generate from oil, but you did not cry out. You should be the directors of this economy. We make money from oil, apart from the one stolen on the sea.

Borrowing will continue to undermine Nigeria’s development.

“Government officials continue to borrow money for the future generations and you accountants do not cry out. Despite the huge debt profile of the country and the money made from oil, the railway system has collapsed, the roads are bad and education is not well funded.

“We do not need to bor-

’

We do not need to borrow to fix railway or roads.

There are companies ready to build them on Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis.

The sad thing about borrowing in Nigeria today is this: half of the money borrowed goes to maintain the civil service structure and the other half is stolen

‘

row to fix railway or roads.

There are companies ready to build them on Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis. The sad thing about borrowing in Nigeria today is this: Half of the money borrowed goes to maintain the civil service structure and the other half is stolen.”

Babalola said Nigeria, which is blessed with abundant human and material resources, has regrettably become one of the poorest nations in the world. He said the constitution of a National Conference is being opposed by a few people benefiting from the present situation.

Urging the Federal Government to create a thriving environment for private universities, the SAN said the best universities in the world, including Harvard, Yale and Stanford, are owned by private interests.

Owolabi said Babalola’s singular “effort to transform education in the country deserves commendation”.

He described ABUAD as “one of the wonders of the modern world.”

Owolabi said: “I know how long it took the Federal Government to build the old universities. I know how long it took state governments to build their universities. ABUAD is just three years old and it is already a wonder. One can only imagine what it would be when it is 10 years.”

NDLEA arrests NURTW chair, others in Ondo

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HAIRMAN o f t h e National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Taxi Unit in Ondo State, Mr. Ojo Adewole and seven other union officials have been arrested by men of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

It was learnt that the suspects were caught with 18 kilogrammes of substance suspected to be Indian hemp in their office.

Fourteen AK 47 rifles, machetes, axes and cudgels

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

were allegedly found in their possession.

It was gathered that some top government officials are mounting pressure on the NDLEA to release the suspects.

It was learnt that the suspects are loyalists of a party and alleged to have been induced to cause mayhem during the rally of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), as well as disrupt the October 20 governorship election.

NDLEA spokesman Peter Achibong confirmed the report, but said the suspects were not arrested for possession of illicit drugs.

Some political observers urged the NDLEA not to

succumb to the pressure from top government officials seeking the suspects’ release.

They suggested that the suspects be detained until after the election.

40,000 for OOU convocation

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HE Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State will, on Monday and Tuesday, hold its 17th21st Convocation ceremonies. About 40,130 students will participate in the ceremony.

The Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Saburi Adejimi Adesanya said the school had not held a convocation ceremony in five years.

GUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun yesterday assured residents of even distribution of projects among the three senatorial districts.

He spoke in his office in Abeokuta, the state capital, while hosting members of a non-political group, the Yewa Think Tank (YTT), led

by Prof. Dolapo Alabi.

Regretting the neglect of Yewaland by past administrations, Amosun said four of the 11 road contracts recently approved by the State Executive Council (SEC) are located in Ogun West Senatorial District.

The roads include IlaraEgua-Oja Odan, AbeokutaAiyetoro, Ilo-Awela roads.

Amosun said: “We have awarded these roads and the contractors are in the process of moving to the sites. The Ilara-Egua-Oja Odan road is particularly dear to my heart because it will open up Yewaland. “Dualisation work would soon commence on the Papalanto-Ilaro Road and I assure you that work will begin on the derelict sections of the Ilaro-Owode Road, notwithstanding that these are federal roads.”

He said seven of the government’s ongoing 26 model school projects are located in Yewa/Aworiland.

The governor said some of the proposed hospitals would be sited in the zone.

Alabi urged the government to confirm the appointment of the Bursar of the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU).

Delta disburses N12m to 40 PhD students

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HE Delta State Govern ment yesterday disbursed N12 million to 40 beneficiaries of its Local PhD Scholarship Scheme.

Each beneficiary got N300,000.

Presenting the cheques to the beneficiaries in Asaba, the state capital, Chairman of the State Scholarship Board Msg. Buchi Aninye said the beneficiaries were different from the batch that would soon receive the third tranche payment.

Aninye said the beneficiaries passed the board’s examination on September 1.

He said education and human capital development are critical to the sustenance of the state government’s programmes.

The chairman said the state government has various scholarship programmes, which include the First Class Scholarship and Local Scholarship schemes.

Others, he said, were financial assistance to students of Delta origin in the five campuses of the Nigerian Law School, the Students’ Special Assistance Scheme and Scholarship for Children of Deceased Civil Servants.

Commissioner for Higher Education Prof.

Hope Eghagha, who was represented by the ministry’s Director, Research and Statistics, Mrs. Stella Itoto, said there was no investment greater than that in education.

He said the beneficiaries were not under any obligation to work for the state at the completion of their programmes.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

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NEWS Jonathan: more funds coming for education

Disquiet in Senate over FERMA projects From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

Obolla Afor-Enugu road was rehabilitated before the end of the year.

Eze assured the senators that the road would be fixed immediately after the rains.

But Senator Ita Enang (Akwa Ibom Northeast) was unhappy.

He said the road in question “cannot be done because it is not in the 2012 budget.”

Enang said: “I want to say that the request from the chair for the road to be built cannot be done because it is not in the 2012 budget.”

According to him, FERMA budget “started almost in one state and ended in one state.”

He went on: “I’m sorry

,

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HERE was unease in the Senate yesterday about an alleged lopsidedness in siting of Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) projects.

It was during the consideration of the report of the Committee on Works as part of the screening of Nnoli J. Nnaji (Southeast) for appointment as a member of FERMA’s Governing Board.

Chairman of the Committee, Senator Ayogu Eze (Enugu North), who presented the report, urged the Senate to consider and approve the committee’s recommendation and confirm Nnaji: But before he allowed comments, Senate President David Mark urged Eze to ensure that the AkwangaLafia-Makurdi-Otukpo-

I want to say that the request from the chair for the road to be built cannot be done because it is not in the 2012 budget

,

that I have to raise this on the floor of the Senate.

“I saw the advertisement that was done by FERMA for roads that are in their budget, it was published in five newspapers.

“That road you are talking about is not there. The roads start mostly in the Southeast and was concentrated in

Enugu State .

“I’m sorry to say this and that should not be done in the Senate.

“I am here representing Akwa Ibom State. I am from South South. I am saying this from what is on the record.

“I am therefore praying that we should stop the budget of FERMA and bring it. Let the money be shared zone by zone. “ Let Enugu State alone not take the money that belongs to the entire country.

Other Senators shouted at him but he was not done yet.

Enang said no one should be allowed to write the budget for the entire country.

He added: “Mr. President I want us to even dissolve FERMA because it is not do-

From Chris Oji, Enugu

P •Mark

ing what it is supposed to do.

“One person alone has the opportunity to write in the budget, he diverts everything to his village and starves the entire country.

“This is not the purpose of Federal Character. Even the village of the Senate President is not there.”

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday pledged to release more funds to upgrade infrastructure in the universities.

He said government believed the funds would be deployed prudently and wisely.

The President spoke at the 52nd Founders’ Day lecture of the University of Nigeria(UNN), Nsukka.

The lecture was delivered by Mr Mustafa Chike-Obi, the Managing Director of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria(AMCON) Jonathan, whose speech was read by the Chairman of the occasion, and former Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Chief Arthur Mbanefo, said for Nigeria to grow, “ we must improve on the number of Nigerians that have access to good quality education at all levels”.

He said: “This was what informed the decision of the Federal Government to establish six new universities across the six geo-political zones of the country. “ In addition, the older universities are being encouraged to increase their carrying capacity, while the first generation universities have also been directed to increase their ratio of post-graduate to undergraduate students. “ I’m aware that these additional responsibility would require additional investments in infrastructure and government would continue to make funds available to universities for infrastuctural upgrade believing that the funds would be deployed prudently and wisely” he said.

The President advocated the transformation of a higher proportion of the population of the country from unskilled to skilled manpower, insisting that our population would not count for much if most us were uneducated.

The UNN Vice Chancellor, Prof. Bartho Okolo said the Founders’ Day celebration was an annual event during which “ we remember and honour our founding fathers.”

NULGE partners MOAN in battle against multiple taxation

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HE National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has appointed the Mobile Advert Agency of Nigeria (MOAN) as partner in its attempt to curb multiplicity of taxes.

This is sequel to the directive from The Presidency through the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to the NULGE President, Comrade Ibrahim Khaled, to take concrete steps to address the incidence of multiplicity of taxes as well as the harassment and molestation of motorists in all the local government areas across the country.

In view of this, NULGE said it had approved a proposal to partner with MOAN, whose principal objective is to streamline tax collection and eradicate the menace of multiplicity of taxes, to form and coordinate a National Task Force Against Multiple Taxation/Levies.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

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CITYBEATS Judge strikes out Clifford Orji's case Stories by Adebisi Onanuga

JUSTICE Lateefa Okunnu of the Lagos High Court yesterday struck out a N1million suit filed by the late Clifford Orji against Lagos State AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner of Police for alleged illegal detention.

The late Orji's counsel, Abimbola Odusote, told the court that he has received documents and a sworn affidavit from the prison, confirming his client's death and sought the withdrawal of the case.

Before his death on August 17, Orji had filed an Originating Motion praying the court for a declaration that his continued detention at the Kirikiri Maximum Prisons for upwards of 12 years without trial and without due process was unconstitutional and a violation of his right to liberty as enshrined under Section 35 (1) (4) of the 1999 constitution and Article 6 of the African Charter He also asked for a declaration that his torture, harassment and inhumane treatment by police officers violated his rights guaranteed by Section 34 (1) of the 1999 constitution.

The late Orji also sought an order that the Director of Public Prosecutions should show cause why he should not be released from custody unconditionally and an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from further arresting and detaining him.

08033054340, 08034699757 E-mail:- ynotcitybeats@gmail.com

LASTMA, KAI officials clean orphanages

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FFICIALS of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and Kick against Indiscipline (KAI) have rendered community service at three orphanages and the Yaba Old People's Home as part of their ongoing career evaluation training.

According to Senior Special Assistant on Transport Education Dr. Miriam Masha, the one-month long training at the Public Service Staff Development Centre (PSSDC) is designed to bring major reforms for effective law enforcement.

By Segun Balogun

The orphanages are Idi-Araba Children Transit Home, Heart of Gold Children's Hospice in Surulere, Modupe Cole Memorial Child Care and Treatment Home. The officers cleaned the environment and did some chores, besides donating food and utility items to the inmates.

Mrs Masha said the government is introducing "the reforms" in order to integrate the law enforcement officers into the community and improve their humaneness.

She said: "We want them to realise that they are serving

every day. It is another way of doing their jobs with a clear sense of community service and human dignity."

"The on-going reform is to enhance capacity of the traffic and environmental operatives. Our central goal is simply tailored at making a lifetime change in the state law enforcement operatives as well as agencies. And the effort will continue. We are not going to stop after this reform programme is thoroughly implemented."

A participating official, Ganiyu Akinola, told reporters that the training has

"brought out the leadership qualities in every participant.

We have been taught how to do our jobs without fear and favour as well as without emotion and sentiment."

Also, a KAI official, Olalekan Adebayo, said: "We have been made to realise how to go about our core responsibilities in a way that serve public interest better. We are to serve the people and communities first and foremost.

We are not supposed to terrorise them. We are taught to educate and enlighten them whenever they flout law and breach public order."

Dismissed police corporal, three F others held for robbery

OUR persons including a dismissed police corporal, Patrick Adeki, have been arrested for alleged robbery in Lagos.

Adeki and Chinedu Onwunure were arrested in Ebute Meta, Lagos Mainland; Chinedu Sunday Okoro and Samuel Kito were caught in Alakuko, a Lagos suburb.

Lagos Police Command spokesperson Ngozi Braide, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), said Adeki and Onwunure were arrested by men of the anti-robbery squad from Dento Police Station following a tip-off.

Braide said: "on Tuesday October 2 at about 1400hrs,

By Jude Isiguzo

policemen attached to EbuteMetta Division responded to a distress call and arrested one Chinedu Onwunure inside a makeshift building, with one double barrel shot gun and nine live cartridges".

She said the suspect was interrogated by detectives and he confessed to so many robberies within the area and other parts of the state.

The suspect also confessed that a dismissed policeman leads their gang. He led po-

licemen to arrest Adeki.

Okoro and Kito were arrested while robbing at 46 Adenekan Street, Alakuko, around 7pm on Independence Day. One Marakov pistol with live ammunition and a shot gun with five live cartridges were recovered from the suspects.

Braide confirmed the death of a suspected robber, who was killed during a gun duel with the police.

She said: "Policemen attached to Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ikeja and

43 Police Mobile Force (PMF) Lion Building, responded to a distress call at No.1, Shogunle Street Ikeja around 8:30pm.

"There was a shootout with robbers who were operating at that time, during which one of the robbers was hit by bullet and he died instantly, while the others escaped with bullet wounds".

Braide said the cases are being investigated at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba.

Ozuah: Igbo condemn killing PRESIDENT General of the Ndigbo, Lagos, Prof. Anya O. Anya has said the Igbo will no longer overlook the killing of their kinsmen in the manner that Ugochukwu Ozuah was killed, five days after his wedding.

He said this on Thursday during a condolence visit paid to the deceased's family

by Igbo leaders.

"Killing an Igbo man with impunity cannot continue.

Anybody who, by acts of commission or omission, kills any Igboman would have political price to pay for it," he warned.

He remarked that the visit was not just to condole with the family but also to sound a note of warning to "all the powerful people in the habit of sending people to kill Igbos."

"Ndigbos are not orphans in Lagos. We are also not strangers in Nigeria. We would stand with the family to pursue justice", he said.

"We heard those who killed our son were in police uniform. The Police authority must find out within them who committed this offence."

The family's spokesperson, Mrs. Nkechi Nnonyelu said the family determined to ensure the killers are brought to justice.

• From left: The author, Mrs Oyeronke A. Lawoyin, Chief Lekan Adebo, representative of Alake of Egba Land and the author’s husband, Mr John Oladapo Lawoyin, during the public presentation of the book, Idi-Aba, Down Memory Lane, held in Lagos… yesterday PHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA

Free medical check-up for Down Syndrome patients

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HE Lagos State Office of Disability Affairs (LASODA) will provide free medical checkup to people living with Down Syndrome (DS) from next year.

Its General Manager, Dr. Babatunde Awelenje, said its decision was informed by the fact that those living with DS were one of the most vulnerable of the cluster of people with Disabilities (PWDs).

He disclosed this at a press conference to commemorate this year's DS Awareness

By Evelyn Osagie

Week, starting tomorrow with a charity walk at Festac Town, Lagos.

Awelenje said: "Down Syndrome is not a disease, but a human condition where a person is born with an extra chromosome. As a result of the extra chromosome, it comes with some health issues. 50 per cent of people living with Down Syndrome are prone to congenital, visual and hearing disorders, among other health

Customs boss seeks royal blessing

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IGERIA Customs Service Seme Border Area Comptroller, Othman Salleh has visited Oba of Lagos, Rilawan Akiolu, seeking royal blessing for his anti-smuggling campaign.

"I am here to pay homage

to you on assumption of office and for your blessing on my anti-smuggling campaign, trade facilitation, and revenue drive at Seme Border," he said, adding that he recently took over from the erstwhile comptroller, Sadiq Sahabi.

While assuring Salleh of his support, Oba Akiolu advised that he should "be close to people on ground to gather intelligence." "Even though there is no patriotism on empty stomach, but if you are prayerful, your ways will always be blessed."

challenges.

"A yearly intervention is imperative, so routine medical checkup would be made available for them taking cognisance of their vulnerability."

He said his office would begin the collation and registration of PWDs and their organisations across the state by the end of the year.

"Lagos State government is determined to provide PWDs a level playing field with which to operate in the state.

And by December/January when the data collation would have commenced, we would be able to provide the biodata of people with DS in the state before the end of next year. Aside medical support they need care and support of their family members," he said.

Also speaking, DSFN National President Mrs Rose

Mordi lamented the neglect of PWDs, especially those with DS across the country urging other states to take a cue from Lagos State by devoting more resources to disability issues.

She said: "PWDs have been most neglected by the government. Lagos State government is the only government partnering with us. There are no structures on ground to properly cater for PWDs. "Thank God we have a government in Lagos with human face. They have started putting structures in place and we believe, in the future, our children would fully be integrated into the society."

Caring for people living with DS, Mrs Mordi said, poses "enormous challenges" and it has been difficult bringing their plight to the front burner.

Truck kills two

By Jude Isiguzo

TWO persons have been killed by a truck in Ikorodu, Lagos.

The driver of the truck with number plate AAA 92 XA lost control and rammed it into a Hyundai Bus with registration number XU 721 BDG at Itamaga Junction.

A woman identified as Mercy David and two others were injured and rushed to Ikorodu General Hospital.

The two others reportedly died hours after they were taken to the hospital.

Police Command's spokesperson, Ngozi Braide, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), said the accident was reported at Shagamu Road Police Station.

She said the bodies had been deposited at the hospital morgue.

Pilgrims warned to behave

By Miriam Ndikanwu

NO fewer than 1000 intending pilgrims to Jerusalem were warned against unholy conduct during the pilgrimage as their screening began in Lagos yesterday.

Secretary of the state's Christian Pilgrim Welfare Board Mrs Bola Fashola, told the intending pilgrims at the Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa, Ikeja that the medical and administrative screenings were important prerequisites for ensuring a safe pilgrimage.

The exercise, she said, would last for two days with professionals selected to ensure that things were done properly in the overriding interest of all.

Mrs Fashola said the government warned the intending pilgrims to stay away from any act that will bring embarrassment to the state and the nation.

"We have put measures in place to make sure that we have matured pilgrims because we realise that youth, in their quest for greener pasture often abscond, so the screening allows us to ensure that only those who are medically fit make the journey while those deemed not genuine are fished out."

Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Home Affairs and Culture Mrs Doyin Olukoga said the exercise was necessary to sensitise the pilgrims on the journey.

She said: "We have a good programme plan and also security measures are in place for the pilgrims' to be well catered for during their stay in the Holy Land," Olukoga said, dismissing pilgrim's fears of a reoccurrence of what happened to Muslim pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.

She also supported calls for government to stop sponsoring people on pilgrimages.

An intending pilgrim, Mrs Helene Ogoh, who said she is embarking on the journey to pray and seek the face of God concerning her family, hailed the exercise.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

11

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Govt to auction N172b T-bill

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HE Federal Govern ment plans to issue N171.83 billion ($1.09 billion) in treasury bills ranging from three-month to one-year maturities at its regular bi-monthly debt auction on October 11, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said yesterday.

The regulator according to Reuters said it will issue N30.16 billion in 91-day paper, N73.49 billion a in 182-day bills and N68.18 billion in the 364-day paper next week.

Traders said the one-year paper is oversubscribed by offshore investors and local pension funds, which have shown robust demand for local debt after it was included in the JP Morgan government index this week.

Nigeria issues treasury bills regularly to reduce money supply, curb inflation and help lenders manage their liquidity

Tiger Brands buys 63% of Dangote Flour

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IGERIAN billionaire Aliko Dangote yes terday sold 63 per cent of Dangote Flour to South African consumer goods firm Tiger Brands in a deal worth $188 million, brokers said.

The sale of 3.1 billion shares on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) according to Reuters was done at N9.50 ($0.06) per share, after regulators’ approval last month.

The deal is Tiger Brands’ third and its biggest yet in Nigeria, which is seen as a growth area for consumer and food products.

The billionaire’s holding firm Dangote Industries Limited will retain a 10 per cent stake in the flour miller after the Shares of Dangote Flour were trading flat at N8.59 on the local bourse at 1315 GMT, as brokers said the deal had already been priced in.

Our product declined from 167,000 metric tonnes in 1961 to 25,000 MT by 2008. In the same period global production of palm oil expanded from 629,000 MT in 1961 to 33.3 million MT by 2008.

- Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development

Okonjo-Iweala, Alison-Madueke stall $1.092bn OPL 245 probe

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TTEMPTS by the House of Representa tives to probe alleged shady transaction involving the Federal Government, Shell/Agip and Malabu Oil and Gas Limited on OPL 245, was truncated yesterday.

The inquisition involving about $1.092billion was stalled by the non-submission of relevant documents by the Minister for Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke and the Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala The Deputy Leader and Chairman of the ad hoc committee investigating the transaction, Leo Ogor, said the investigation could not continue because the two ministries, which are central to the investigation, made no presentations.

The House had on May 31 mandated the committee to investigate the allegation of fraudulent payments.

The lawmakers described the payment of $1.1billion out of court settlement between the Federal Government and two multination-

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

als, Agip and Shell, concerning OPL 245 to Malabu Oil and Gas Limited, as “shady”. The committee flayed the Minister of State for Finance, Yerima Ngama, who represented Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani AlisonMadueke and the Accountant General of the Federation, Jonah Otunla, for not living up to their responsibilities.

Mrs. Alison-Madueke, said she was not aware of the demands of the committee as she did not get any letter demanding for specific information from her ministry. She urged the committee to deal with the Department of Petroleum Resources.

“We have a Department of Petroleum Resources that holds all the licences, and they can make the documents available to the committee,” she said.

But committee members were not happy with her re-

sponse.

Ogor said a letter dated 1st of July was dispatched to her office.

He said: “We need a clear position from the ministry on this issue; we need to hear from you on this transaction.”

He asked a clerk to give the letter to the Minister. Mrs Alison-Madueke went through the letter and said: “The letter I have was dated September 19th. I apologise.

I would ensure that the documents get to you by next week at the latest. We have the documents.”

Ogor said the Ministry of Finance and and the Perroleum Resources Ministry are “the engine room of the investigation”, adding that the Minister of Finance, was also sent a letter.

He said the Accountant General’s Office has not responded to “our letter on Signature Bonuses. The Accountant General should wake up to his responsibilities.”

On his part, Ngama said the details the ministry was to present to the ad hoc com-

mittee just came in yesterday (Wednesday) morning and hence they would require more time to prepare a proper document to present to the committee.

A member of the committee, Jagaba Adams Jagaba, suggested that in the absence of the documents, the committee should adjourn.

He said: “The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources are key and it’s obvious we can’t continue with this investigation.”

Ogor read a letter from the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, which stated that he would not attend the hearing because he was attending to the issues concerning the review of the ICJ judgement on the Bakassi Peninsula. Speaker Aminu Tambuwal said the investigation was necessitated because the House had “been inundated with petitions and reports” on the transaction. He was represented by the Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha.

NSE JSE NYSE LSE

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RATES Inflation -10.5% 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

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

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HE notice of non-com pliance, with which the Mining Cadastre Office (MCO) planned to revoke licenses of mineral title holders for failure to submit periodic/quarterly report, has been described as an aberration of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act of 2007, by the National President, Progressive Miners Empowerment Association, Sunday Ekozin, has said.

Following the notice, the mineral title is under obligation to use it or loose it.

MCO, which is a department of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, had on September 18 in a newspaper advertorial, given the title holders 30 days to submit their reports or face revocation of licenses.

But Ekozin, who spoke with The Nation in Abuja yesterday, said: “The provision is before you revoke any mining title, whether it is exploration license or quarry leases. You must as a matter of duty notify the holders with a letter of the period within which such defect is remedied. Failure to do that you are operating illegally.And you cannot want to enforce legality when you operate under illegality.

NEPC to review product categorisation From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

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DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$107/barrel Cocoa -$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,800/troy ounce Rubber -¢159.21pound MARKET CAPITALISATIONS

Miners move against licences revocation

• President/Chief Executive, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote (left) , with the CEO, Tiger Brands Limited, Mr. Peter Matlare (right), and the COO, Dangote Group, Mr. Olakunle Alake (middle), during the signing ceremony of the divestment of shares of Dangote Flour Mills Plc (DFM) to Tiger Brands at Dangote Group corporate head office in Lagos ... yesterday.

Nigeria’s oil may last for 41 years, says World Bank

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IGERIA, the largest re gional oil producer, could keep supplying at the 2011 levels for another 41 years, the World Bank predicted yesterday.

The country, as at last year, had an average daily production of 2.4million barrels per day, which has now increased to 2.5million barrels per day.

The Bank also expects about $31 billion in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows into Africa this year, noting that there had been strong investor-interest in the region in recent times.

According to the World Bank’s new Africa’s Pulse, a bi- annual analysis of the is-

• Forecasts $31b FDI into Africa From Nduka Chiejina (Asst.

Editor) and Mercy Madu, Abuja

sues shaping Africa’s economic prospects, Angola, the second largest producer in the region had about 21 years remaining at current production levels before its known reserves were depleted.

The World Bank also predicted a 4.8 per cent growth rate for Sub-Saharan Africa in 2012 but cautioned countries to be frugal in spending their resources.

The Bank, which had forecast a 4.9 per cent growth rate

in 2011, said the region remained on track despite setbacks in the global economy.

Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa, apart from South Africa, according to the Bank was forecast to rise to 6 per cent.

The report noted that African exports had rebounded in the first quarter of 2012, at an annualised pace of 32 per cent, up from 11 per cent 2011.

It, however, noted that African countries were not immune to the recent cases of market volatility occa-

sioned by crisis from the Euro Area as well as growth slowdown that is occurring particularly in China, which had remained an important market for Africa’s mineral exporters.

World Bank Vice-President for Africa, Makhtar Diop said: “A third of African countries will grow at or above 6 per cent with some of the fastest growing ones buoyed by new mineral exports such as iron ore in Sierra Leone and uranium and oil in Niger, and by factors such as the return to peace in Cote d’Ivoire, as well as strong growth in countries such as Ethiopia.”

HE Executive Director, Chief Executive Of ficer Nigerian Export Promotion Council, (NEPC) David Adulugba has said the council is out to review current product categorisation and adopt new and mutually accepted categories for export products registered on the scheme.

He said only few multinational companies can survive exporting from Nigeria without government support through incentive such as the Export Expansion Grant (EEG).

He said this is why the NEPC and the Export Expansion Grant (EEG) implementation committee in its quest to achieve greater efficiency in the administration of the scheme, has provided the opportunity to dialogue with all stakeholders.

The ED/CEO disclosed this at the formal submission of the resort of the technical committee on product categorisation on EEG in Abuja. He said that the government has put in place several export incentives as veritable tools for providing some compensatory bailout to exporters, who are more often made to face high cost of production, due to inadequate and undeveloped export infrastructure.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

12

BUSINESS NEWS

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Kero decentralisation Bill suffers setback

BILL to make provi sion for direct lifting of kerosene by peddlers was thrown out by the Senate yesterday.

The Bill entitled, “A Bill for an Act to amend the Petroleum Act (Cap P10 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and for other matters connected thereto” was sponsored by Senator Nkechi Nwaogu (Abia Central).

Most senators, who opposed the bill noted that the word ‘peddlers’ was demeaning to Nigerians.

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Asst. Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

Senator Nwaogu had in her lead debate explained that the Bill is seeking the direct bulk allocation of kerosene from PPMC/ NNPC to kerosene peddlers.

She said this was against the current practice of grant of bulk allocation of kerosene only to major marketers.

She noted that the need for direct allocation of kerosene to kerosene peddlers from

PPMC/NNPC depot is timely when the hardship occasioned by inability of the peddlers to lift directly from the depot is taken into consideration.

Nwaogu said: “This Bill if passed into law will go a long a way to ameliorating the difficulty kerosene consumers in the hinterland encounter before having access to kerosene.

“It will stabilise the price and reduce the chain of middleman-ship in the business of kerosene from depot to final users.

“The direct allocation of kerosene to the peddlers for distribution will put smiles on the faces of kerosene consumers who constitute 80 per cent of Nigerian population

and consume about 104,000,000 litres of kerosene monthly.

“Kerosene peddlers also have the capacity to pay and distribute up to 104,000,000

litres monthly to consumers which will go a long way to enhancing the social responsibility of the Federal Government to the hinterland dwellers.”

Fed Govt boosts trade, investment with attractive tax

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NEW scheme of tax credit aimed at en couraging an increase in the flow of foreign investment into the country is underway.

Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga dropped the hint yesterday at the ongoing, second edition of the Nigerian International Investment Forum (NIIF) organised by the ministry in collaboration with the Commonwealth Business Council (CBC), Nigeria Investment Promotion Council (NIPC) and Image Affairs Nigeria.

Explaining the new incentives packaged in the form of tax credits, Aganga said going forward, companies that had invested in the development infrastructural

facilities such as the construction of access roads, power plants and water plants in the course of setting up their businesses were now entitled to tax credit of up to 30 per cent of the cost of generating the infrastructure.

In a statement, he said the initiative was a temporary relief measure introduced by the Federal Government to help cushion the debilitating effects of the challenges posed by the lack of infrastructural amenities in the country, which is a major setback to the inflow of investments into the country.

Another phase of the tax incentives according to the minister, which is targeted at employment generation, provides tax reliefs for any employer that hires above 10

staff.

The minister noted that for any 10 people employed by any company on a particular year, the employer gets tax credit for additional employments with more credits guaranteed if the employees are kept in the organisation further than two years.

“The federal ministry of works is currently working hard on the development of trade related infrastructure with a target time of completion of 2014. But before then, we have introduced measures to cushion the effect of infrastructure deficiency, one of which provides that any company that has invested in infrastructure will have tax credit of up to 30 per cent of the cost of generating the infrastructure,” he said.

• The Executive Director of Unity Bank, (North West Zone), Alhaji Ismaila Abdullahi Galadanchi (right) presenting a cheque of N3 million on behalf of Unity Bank Plc towards Ahmadu Bello University’s Golden Jubilee Celebration. At the centre is the institution’sDeputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Professor Na’iya Sada receiving the cheque. To his right is the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics, Professor A. S. Adamu.

Infrastructure Bank seeks N2.7tr pension fund utilisation

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OLLOWING the hous ing deficit in the coun try, the Infrastructure Bank of Nigeria, yesterday sought support from stakeholders for an approval to utilise the N2.7 trillion pension fund on housing and other infrastructure.

Speaking at the 2nd National Conference on Shelter and Urban Renewal for the commemoration of World Habitat Day, 2012, in Abuja, the Managing Director of the Bank, Adekunle Oyinioye, said the contributory pension fund, “is a veritable source for solving our housing problem.”

He said a new group of in-

• Only 10% Nigerians own houses From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

vestors would soon come from France, stressing that “before 2013, the bank would have cranked the nut of social housing in Nigeria.”

He revealed that during the week a President of the Real Estate visited the bank for partnership on housing matter.

The Chairman, Jaiz Bank, Umar Mutallab, said providing adequate shelter for the

citizenry has been on the front burner in recent years.

According to him, the concern resulted in the target of houses for all by 2000, which could not yield the expected results. He added that the country is faced with housing deficit , which was part of the reason for the establishment of the infrastructure bank.

He urged the participants to make recommendations to improve on urban shelter from the conference.

In his remark, the Managing Director, Media Trust Limited claimed that only 10 per cent of Nigerians own houses.

Reps chide NNPC over secrecy in oil HE House of Repre the posting of the daily production ensure sentatives yesterday crude production data on the

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expressed displeasure over the secrecy shrouding the oil production data in the country.

The House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) headed Ajibola Muraina disclosed this while on an oversight visit to the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR).

They charged the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to be transparent in the daily crude production in the country by making public the data.

The committee added that a situation where that nation’s daily crude production data

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

are shrouded in secrecy is detrimental to the developmental effort of the nation. Muraina said that a situation where discordant figures on production were being given by the officials of the NNPC and the DPR was unacceptable.

The lawmaker said the agency should ensure daily reports of the volume of crude produced and lifted out of country are made available to the public.

Austin Olorunsola, DPR Managing Director assured the committee members that within the next two weeks, he would

agency’s website in order to make it available to Nigerians.

While explaining the differences in the pump price of petroleum products across the country, he said there should not have been any discrepancies as the official price of PMS stands at N97 per litre across the country. He however, revealed that there were reports that some filling stations sell above the recommended price. Olorunsola said it would soon become a thing of the past as he had ordered his directors and inspectors across the country to sanction any station that engages in unethical practices.

‘Postal sector reforms ’ll attract investment’

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HE Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) has concluded plans to embark on comprehensive reform of the postal sector.

This is geared towards strengthening the efficiency and quality of services offered to public.

The new postal sector policy reform would see the separation of the roles of policy making sector regulation and operations.

Director General, BPE, Bolanle Onagoruwa, gave this hint in her paper titled: Sustaining the Postal Sector:

Postal Bill and Reform,” presented at the 4th Bowill Errands public lecture held in Lagos.

She said the new policy has been approved by the National Council on Privatization (NCP) and currently awaiting the approval of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

According to Onagoruwa, who was represented by the Director, Information and Communication, Mr. Allwell Ibeh, the postal sector is a critical part of the country’s information and

communication technology (ICT) infrastructure and crucial in the new economy.

The BPE boss said that declining mail volumes and increasing competition from private sector operators have rendered core postal services financially unsustainable.

She disclosed that the reform encompasses policy review and formulation of sector policy, development and adaptation of a new legislative and regulatory framework, and restructuring of Public Postal Operator (NIPOST).

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THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

AGRO-BUSINESS

AfDB, IITA to assist farmers in flooded states

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HE African Development Bank (AfDB) agricultural-assisted programme is to partner with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to support farmers with early yields varieties in flood-affected states.

The national Co-ordinator of AfDB Community-based agricultural and rural development programme, Dr Ibrahim Arabi gave this assurance in Yola, the Adamawa State capital.

Arabi, who spoke after a meeting with some government officials and affected farmers, said the measure was to curtail imminent food crisis because of the floods.

He said the effort was to intervene in the imminent food crisis in some flood affected states in the zone.

“The bank has concluded arrangement with the management of IITA to urgently provide and release early yield varieties of maize, cowpea, rice among others to farmers in flood affected states to curtail the imminent food crisis,” Arabi said.

He said that the short-time varieties to be provided were to re-

Stories by Daniel Essiet, Agric Correspondent

place the already submerged crops whenever the flood subsidised and was expected to be harvested within 60 days to 80 days this year.“Anytime from now, when the flood begin to subsidise, farmers should start planting the seeds because we still have two months or more of rain season in some parts of the country and that period would enable them grow the crops,” he said.

Arabi, who is the Zonal Director, North-East, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that among the beneficiary states were Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Kwara and Kaduna. He also said there was arrangement to extend the provision of the seeds to other affected states.The director expressed shock on the level of devastation caused by the flood, especially on farms and urged the federal and state governments to sit and find a lasting solution to the disaster.

•Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Prince Gbolahan Lawal (second left) and Senator Gbenga Ashafa (right) distributing fishing items to recipients in Lagos.

‘Investment, research key to more food production’

How to curb hunger, by governor

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OVERNOR Umaru AlMakura of Nasarawa State has called on all tiers of government to be committed towards improving agriculture to avert hunger.

He spoke in Lafia, the state capital, while opening a one-day meeting organised by UNICEF D-Field office in Bauchi for stakeholders from 10 states of the federation.

Al-Makura said the only panacea to eliminate hunger that was threatening more than one million children in the Sahel region was for Nigerians to utilise the nation’s vast agricultural potentials.

He noted that the most vulnerable groups to the threats of disease, illiteracy, ignorance and poverty were women and children.”It is, therefore, a clarion call on all and sundry to come together to explore the possibilities of saving our people from imminent hunger.

“The only panacea to the threat of hunger is our will to utilise the huge agricultural potentials which nature has endowed us with. ‘’To this end, we must overcome the lip service syndrome to realise our dream of achieving food sufficiency, security and, indeed, other development needs.”

Al-Makura said his administration placed a high premium on the provision of basic social amenities to the people.

He said since he assumed office in 2011, he had shown keen interest in synergising with UNICEF and other

development partners with a view to meeting the development aspirations of the people. ”It is pertinent to reiterate that improvement in the living conditions of the citizenry requires collaborative efforts at all times.’’This means UNICEF alone should not be left with this enormous responsibility. ‘’Similarly, Government alone cannot shoulder the burden; it is, therefore, necessary that all hands are on deck to achieve the desired goals.“ Al-Makura said the state government had already signed the Programme Implementation Agreement (PIA) with UNICEF, remaking that the agreement was aimed at actualising the objectives of the fund for 2012.

“Accordingly, efforts are being completed to ensure the release of the Nasarawa state counterpart contribution to facilitate the replication of projects of the fund so that additional communities would benefit in the state.” The governor noted that this year’s theme; “The Sahelian Nutrition Crisis -A call for Collective Action” was apt.

Al-Makura said the theme was a reflection of the prevailing food situation in the Sahel region, among which were many African countries, including parts of Nigeria comprising some States in zone ‘D.’Earlier, the UNICEF Nigeria Representative, Mr Ibrahima Fall, emphasised an integrated approach, in which all relevant sectors should work collaboratively to address the nutrition situation in the country.

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MPROVING national food production will depend on massive investment in research and extension, an expert, Prof Abel Ogunwale has said.

Extension is a service or system, which assists farmers through educational procedures in improving farming methods and techniques, production efficiency and income, which enhances level of living. All these have positive impact in lifting social and educational standards of the country.

Ogunwale, who is of Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, spoke while addressing the institution’s eight inaugural lecture series 2012.

Speaking on the theme, Repositioning Agricultural Extension: The umbilical cord of sustainable local food produc-

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tion, Ogunwale said the purpose of extension services is to transfer global agric information into localised knowledge that would be useful for the local farmer conditions. He said there was need for the nation to translate its huge agricultural potential into reality by encouraging local production and strengthening the value addition process.

A professor of agricultural extension, Ogunwale said national and local government staff and extension should be trained in food production so that they become familiar with approaches to improvement and knowledge of food production methods. Stressing the role of extension service, the expert said it is a key to achieving successful local capacity building by assisting farmers to choose the appropriate farming system, which will yield results within

a locality.

Ogunwale said increase in agricultural productivity benefit the poor and dwellers through reduction in food prices. He said the government can improve production for small farmers by providing them better access to information and farming techniques generated by the extension service.

According to him, adopting and localising technology that fits local conditions need huge human and institutional capacity, and rural extension service offers the best pathway for localising technology.

The don stressed that investment in extension services can improve agricultural productivity, increase farmers’ income and will induce a conductive technological progress environment, which is critical in the process of agriculture productivity.

Farmers get inputs in Adamawa

GRICULTURAL inputs worth more than N7 million were in Yola distributed to 27 farmers’ groups from nine local government areas of Adamawa. The Project Manager of the Agricultural Development Project (ADP) in Adamawa, Mr Chris Maxwell,gave the figure during the distribution of the items.

Maxwell said the inputs distributed were under the communitybased agriculture and rural development project.

He said: “Last year under the programme, assorted agricultural in-

puts worth N15 million were distributed, and similarly this year, items worth more than N7 million will be distributed to farmers.

“These include 10 groundnut oil extractors, 14 sewing machines, 135 cockerels, and 10 pigs among others.”

He said the objective of the project was to contribute to national food security and increase access to rural infrastructure in the project areas.

The programme manager appealed to the state government and benefiting local governments to support the project by redeeming their counterpart funds.

In his keynote address, Permanent

Secretary, state Ministry of Agriculture, Malam Jafaru Gabdo, expressed government’s satisfaction for the project manager for services rendered in the state.

“The state government on its part will give necessary, enabling environment for the partnership and government is aware of the counterpart funds arrears being owed and will liaise with relevant authorities for immediate settlement,” Gabdo said.

He urged the benefiting groups to utilise the items judiciously to improve agricultural production and income generation for the citizenry.

‘Fisheries in need of funding’

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•Fishermen mending their nets at Ibeju-Lekki

ISH producers and exporters need soft loans as they lack capital to maintain and expand their businesses, a university teacher, Professor Martins Anetekhai, has said.

Anetekhai, a professor of fisheries, Lagos State University(LASU), said the industry is facing serious capital shortage which has seen the closure of fishing businesses. He said the operators are facing difficult times following the rapid increase of input material costs, and tightened credit.

He said productivity of most fishing concerns has fallen as operators could not get access to bank loans to invest in input materials and production.

He called on banks to work with the fishing industry to help them deal with the problems. On the development of the fishing industry, the don

observed that it has stagnated in recent years, with the output of inshore and coastal fishing shrinking.

The offshore fishing industry, he said, is facing the combined challenge of expanding activities and adjusting to international conservation norms, stating that this has caused several problems, including increases in operating costs and threats to operational safety.

Anetekhai maintained that the industry is in danger and its development needs to be redefined and its structure adjusted to respond to changes.

Calling for government’s attention, he said the development of the industry is essential to ensuring food security, spurring social and economic development in fishing areas and improving fishermen’s income.

14

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

AGRO-BUSINESS

Kaduna’s untapped Experts caution exporters agric potentials on preservatives A T O prevent their products from being rejected abroad over the use of tainted ingredients, food expert have been advised to seek enlightenment on proper use of preservatives.

President, Federation of African Nutrition Societies (FANUS), Prof. Tola Atinmo urged them to use only quality raw materials.

Atinmo,a professor in the Department of Human Nutrition, University of Ibadan, said more enlightenment was needed on management of

Stories by Daniel Essiet, Agric Correspondent

compounds causing taints and off-flavours in food.

Many food products have failed to make foreign markets for not complying with higher standards of food safety.

President of the Mycotoxicology Society of Nigeria, Dr. Olusegun Atanda said ensuring food safety is crucial, if the agriculture sector wished to expand export trade.

A lecturer in the Department of Bio-Sciences and Bio-Technology, Babcock University, Prof

Dele Fapohunda, said since the major difficulties facing food export businesses relate to the quality of products, adding that the government should ensure businesses strictly implement international standards, to avoid having their products seized.

He urged the government to strengthen the agric commodities and food exports inspection system to ensure that what is taken out meets international standards. He said consistent rules for the industry will make food export safe.

IFAD community programme reaches 1.3m people

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HE International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)-supported Community Based Agricultural and Rural Development programme (CBARDP) has reached 1.3 million rural dwellers in Kebbi, Katsina and Zamfara states, an official said.

The IFAD country representative, Ms Atsuko Toda, made the statement in Birnin Kebbi while addressing the wrap-up programme of the FGN/IFAD supervision mission to the states.

She said 550,580 women, representing 41.5 per cent, benefitted from the programme in the states.

She said 1,815 rural community groups also benefitted from the programme while 543 community infrastructure were pro-

vided.

“The reconstruction of hand pumps, boreholes, water supply, pipe extension and community wells were the highest number of infrastructure provided benefiting communities, while 1,509 jobs were provided in 2012.

“The programme recorded increase of income from between 50 per cent and 60 per cent through vocational skills induced by the programme,” she added. Toda said there was 200 per cent increase in rice production, sorghum, recorded 94 per cent, while millet rose by 279 per cent.

She said maize production attained 67 per cent; cowpea,192 per cent; groundnut,100 per cent, and soya beans, 52 per cent.

Toda said the programme expe-

rienced capacity gaps, such as the lack of standardisation of agricultural enterprise activities and infrastructure scheme, business-oriented management training for agricultural and non-agricultural enterprises.

She also said the capacity gaps included the lack of engagement with partners and private service provider, and the lack of financial management for state programme supervision officers, local government and community development associations. The programme being implemented in seven states covered the period between 2005 to 2012. The process of wrap-up was expected to be concluded between March and September 2013.

•From left: Consultant, Cocoa Association of Nigeria (CAN), Robo Adhuze; World Cocoa Federation President Bill Guyton; CAN President Sayina Riman and CAN Director of Publicity Godwin Ukwu during a visit by CAN officials to WCF’s headquarters in Washington

Stakeholders x-ray Moringa potential

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ARNESSING the economic potential of the Moringa Olifera is the focus of the discussion at the first international conference on the crop at the University of Ilorin.

Moringa is a highly medicinal plant used for theraptic treatments.

Representatives of various organisations, including the Moringa Association, the academia, research institutes, colleges of agriculture and the National Agricultural Research System (NARS) are participating in the conference.

Delivering a lecture at the conference, the Executive Secretary, Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Prof. Yusuf Abubakar said the plant had aroused overwhelming national and international interest.

Abubakar said: “Moringa has been de-

scribed as an “all in one” plant in terms of its nutritional attributes, and elegantly summarised as a supermarket on a tree.

“It deserves all the attention of policy makers, researchers, farmers, products promoters, and other players across the product value chain.

“We recommend that it should be included amongst the value chain commodities of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA).”

He said that the conference could not have been organised at a better moment than now considering the enormous potential of Moringa in contributing to Nigeria’s food security, wealth creation and poverty alleviation.

According to him, Moringa is mostly found in the northern parts of the country, where it has been in use for many

centuries by rural dwellers as a saladlike meal (kwado) or in soups (miyan zogala) and as a pot herb, until the recent discovery of its other benefits by researchers.

He noted that the plant, grown in home gardens or as living fences, the leaves are commonly sold in local markets in many forms.

He explained that recent scientific research classified Moringa as a very versatile plant as everything about it was useful in one way or the other, from its leaves to its roots.

The executive secretary said the plant was discovered to contain specific antioxidants and health promoting ingredients that offered veritable answers to malnutrition, hunger and diseases.

GRICULTURE accounts for an estimated 56 per cent of Kaduna’s Gross Domestic product (GDP) and employs approximately four million people.

Kaduna produces 22 per cent of the country’s maize, 69 per cent of soya bean, 36 per cent of cotton and 10 per cent of ground nuts (peanuts) and the state trades’ agricultural produce to neighbouring states. The sector is dominated by wet season planting and an irrigated dry season planting. Most farmers currently produce cereal crops such as maize, sorghum, millet and rice during the rainy season. Cereal crops are exported to surrounding states and are an important source of cash. Kaduna is one of the largest producers of rice in Nigeria and it exports substantial quantities to other Nigerian states and other neighbouring African countries. The state is also an important producer of fruits and vegetables. The government of Kaduna State has laudable polices geared towards intense agricultural activities ostensibly as a means for reducing the level of youth unemployment, giving impetus to the factors that bring rapid socio-economic transformation and the provision of strong base for the take-off of industrial revolution.

Governor Patrick Yakowa is committed to addressing the relative lack of investment in agriculture by reactivating the extension services to open more opportunities to the teeming unemployed youth and the farmers locked in medieval agricultural practice.

This is aimed at stimulating growth. Since the inception of the administration, both the peasant and the medium scale farmers have been the major focus of the Kaduna State Agricultural Development Project(KADP). Some of the yearly activities being pursued vigorously by the KADP, include sales and supply of agricultural inputs such as seeds, irrigation pumps, knapsack sprayers and agricultural chemicals at government approved subsidy of between 40 and 60 per cent to support the farmers. To ensure good quality seeds, the state government in collaboration with the Institute of Agricultural Research (IAR) and Agricultural Seeds Council, sells improved varieties of seeds during

•Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State

By Daniel Essiet

the planting season. Fadama III Project, a World Bank Assisted Project is being implemented in Kaduna in collaboration with the Federal Government in all the 23 local government areas. The development objective of the Fadama III Project is to increase the incomes of users of rural land and water resources on a sustainable basis.

The state government is committing N45 million yearly while the 23 LGAs pays N2 million each to ensure effective implementation of the project in the state. Significant achievements have been made in the area of improvement of rural infrastructure, which includes construction of eight Fadama roads of over 30 kilometres and 100 market stalls as demanded by the project beneficiaries. The government is prosecuting its mandate of achieving incremental food and cash crop production through rain-fed and dry season agriculture, as well as livestock, fisheries and honey production, which has undoubtedly increased the farmers lot and improved the their overall standard of living. To this end, the state government has called on investors and entrepreneurs to take advantage of the agro business opportunities that abound and the business climate to come and invest. Concerted efforts have also been made to boost infrastructural facilities.

‘Why Nigeria needs a national dairy plan’

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O meet the growing demand for milk, the Federal Government has been urged to embark on a National Dairy Plan.

A consultant to German International Co-operation (GIZ) Sustainable Cocoa Business programme, Mr Dayo Mejabi Ekundayo, told The Nation that the plan would enable local producers to meet the growing demand for milk.

According to him, the consumption of dairy products has been growing exponentially.

He said the industry needs to be positioned to provide livelihood to Nigerians and ensure supply of quality milk and milk products.

Ekundayo, who is the Managing Director, Agricultural Business Concepts Limited, said consumers are demanding quality food products such as milk and other dairy products.

According to him, local operators are yet to build value into the

supply chain to increase milk consumers’ confidence in the industry and reduce milk processors’ current reliance on imported raw materials.

He said local operators need to invest in the development of value added products .

Ekundayo said companies have started to tap into demand for commodity dairy product, adding that there is scope for adding value and developing brands. At this stage, he said the local industry is not capable of hunting for potential markets to export of dairy products.

He urged local operators to encourage dairy sector entrepreneurs to explore markets for dairy products.

Ekun dayo stressed for the need for luring foreign investors with technical expertise and funds to invest in the dairy sector. Besides, he said export of milk by-products could be enhanced, either in fresh or in powered form.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

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THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

SUCCOUR

WORKSHOP

ANNIVERSARY

A lift for pensioners, senior citizens

NGO trains 147 women

Ndigbo celebrate day in Asaba

Lagos

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Cross River 18

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

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NAMBRA State Governor Peter Obi has found good partnership in the body of firebrand churches.

Obi is hailed for his sundry efforts in growing and rebranding the state. Now, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has stepped in to lend a helping hand, building an ultra-modern hospital in Amawbia, a community in the state.

The hospital is known as Jesus our Physician Specialist Hospital located along Onitsha-Enugu Expressway.

The governor inaugurated the facility, said to be the first of its kind not only in the

Delta

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Email: news_extra@yahoo.com

PFN builds hospital in Anambra From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

Southeast but also in the entire country.

Obi, who expressed happiness at the group’s commitment to healthcare, promised to tar the link road to the hospital from the expressway. He also promised to donate an ambulance to the hospital.

He said further that such a venture is what his administration

had been preaching in the state, adding that it has indicated that PFN is a group to partner with any time.

Chairman of the group in the state, Bishop David Eberechukwu, told Newsextra that the hospital is a spiritual one where medical workers care but God heals.

The specialist hospital has 32 private wards, in addition to an administrative block as well as quarters for doctors and nurses, equipped with standard facilities

valued at over N100m.

Before now, the group began construction of the hospital somewhere in Awka before a group of military men stormed the arena and destroyed it on the orders of their boss, who claimed to own the land.

However, despite the distraction, the group was able to complete the project in record time of about one year after losing an initial N70m.

Eberechukwu also told Newsextra that the Obi adminis-

tration allocated about eight plots of land to the group in Awka.

He said the group decided to embark on capacity building for the ministers of the gospel through the establishment of transformation and leadership schools for young ministers in Anambra State.

He disclosed further that the dream of PFN is to open three hospitals and three schools in •Continued on Page 45

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FTER floods submerged their communities, washing away farmlands and threatening their temporary shelters, residents of about 22 clans in Ndokwa-East Local Government Area of Delta State are looking up to the federal and state governments for help.

“Nearly all of Aboh, headquarters of the council, is submerged and there is concern about the traditional ruler, Obi Imegwu II, who is in dire need of evacuation now,” Hon. Oyibosochukwu Mike Nwabueze, a former Deputy Chairman of the council, told Newsextra on the telephone on Wednesday. “We need help.”

Since late last month, flood waters have been sloshing downstream from the Niger River with such terrific force, washing off farmlands in lowlying communities in NdokwaEast.

The residents, who are predominantly farmers, hurriedly started harvesting their crops which include yams, cassava and plantain, among others. But they could only gather little due to the fast advancing floods.

They fled for dear life. In some cases, emotions got the best of the farmers, who wept profusely seeing their season’s crops go to waste.

Floods are a seasonal occurrence, even expected, in the area.

But the people have not experienced anything o f this magnitude in living memory. Some said a similar disaster occurred shortly after the Civil War, submerging part of Onuaboh Clan, consisting of three communities. The current water attack has left no perching ground in the community. Every house has gone under.

Some residents sought refuge in upland neighbouring communities such as Umunor from where Chief Gilbert Nwakude told Newsextra on the telephone that they are, at least, happy to be alive. Many of his crops are

•A flooded part of Umugwor, Onuaboh, Ndokwa-East, Delta State

Residents of submerged Delta communities seek help 22 clans flooded in Ndokwa-East Victims appeal to state, Fed Govt

By Ogochukwu Ikeje

still underwater, as is his homestead and, indeed, the entire community, home to several thousands

of people. Other communities such as Inyi, Aballa, Onicha-Utchi, Asaba-Utchi, Okpai, Ibedeni, Onya, Ase, Asaba-Ase, amongst others, suffered the same fate, spreading

grief in the area.

“It is wise to keep your doors open so that the flood waters will go in and out,” said Mr. Donatus Nwadocheli. “Some houses have

collapsed under the impact of water, which massed up against closed doors.”

Some residents, who own canoes, sailed with their families to Ashaka in the local government, and then Kwale, headquarters of Ndokwa-West Local Government Area. Some ended up in those places with the help of public-spirited individuals, while some others benefitted from the state government’s rescue efforts. Red Cross has been helpful.

Hon. Nwabueze said the state government’s committee on the disaster, headed by Deputy Governor Amos Utuama, has ap•Continued on Page 45

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Red Cross evacuates 3000 flood victims M

NGO trains 147 women

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•Governor Imoke

Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Women’s Right Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA), in Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River, has trained 147 women in various skills.

The supervisor of the organisation, Mrs Paulina Edet, told journalists in Ugep, the council headquarters, that the skills acquired by the women included fashion designing and computer literacy.

She said that other skills acquired by the women were bead making, hat making, food processing and soap making.

Edet said that more than 5,000 women in the area had been enlightened through sensitisation and advocacy on issues bordering on girl child education, self worth and esteem, inheritance and female genital

Youths urged to embrace reading

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ARENTS, pupils and staff of the Poly Staff College, Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State, have celebrated the success of the winner of the just-concluded ‘Read to Lead Africa’,Miss Oluwatobiloba Ojenike.The programme is a television reality show organised by Reading Awareness Society for Development in Africa (RASDA), a nongovernmental organisation.

In a keenly contested competition to promote reading culture in Africa which is currently relegated, Ojenike, student from the polytecnic’s staff school, outshone over 3,000 pupils from different secondary schools across the country to win the coveted trophy which had a prize tag of N3 million.

Praising the efforts of the pupils and the institution, the Deputy Registrar of the polytechnic, Mr. Adedotun Babalola said the occasion marked an important milestone in the history of the institution and of the Poly Staff College as it provided opportunity to assess its progress and achievements in the last six years when the college came into existence.

He said: “The Read to Lead Africa, which includes opening up young audience to new form of competition, is intellectual and entertaining in content, thus exposing youths to great inspiring reading culture.”

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THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

By Musa Odoshimokhe

The registrar explained that education which is central to human development can be acquired through the right attitude to reading which most youths have relegated.

“If the objectives of RASDA are thoroughly and clinically embraced by all Nigerians especially the youth, their diminished interest in reading as against those of watching film or browsing the web for negative reasons, the country will advance in development,” he said.

He further maintained that parents must show concern in what their wards do, stating that until they curtail the activities of their children by monitoring what they do, some of them are likely to engage in activities that would bring shame to their families.

“Our moral and ethical web is weak and until the parents and the society at large down-play the get rich at all cost syndrome, we might be having hurricane-like catastrophe knocking. God forbid,” he added.

The executive of RASDA, wife of former governor Oyo State, Mrs Bukola Ladoja addressing the students, said the idea behind the competition was to win more youths to reading culture which has become less attractive to them.

Cross River mutilation.

She said that WRAPA had so far counseled and referred 30 cases of rape, and was also handling issues bordering on domestic violence, inheritance, widowhood right and productivity.

Edet thanked the Netherlands Embassy in Nigeria for funding the project.

‘Invest in food tourism’

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HE Minister of Culture and Tourism, Chief Edem Duke, has urged the private sector to invest in food tourism, given the peculiarity of Nigerian cuisine.

Duke gave the advice in an interview with journalists in Abuja, at the opening of the Korean Food Week.

“It is not going to be an individual effort, we must get organisation of fast food owners and big restaurants to promote and propagate this.

“And we will be able to derive the advantages that the Chinese, Koreans and Italians have achieved; it requires creativity, originality and commitment.

“Nigerians can always conquer new horizons, food looks to me like a new frontier that we need to conquer,” Duke said.

He said Nigeria had a lot to offer in terms of variety and quality, adding that if a cultural policy on food was formulated, it would further create awareness and enterprise opportunities .

The minister, who also noted the challenges of food preservation and presentation, said the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), was working on a research to address such challenges.

•From left: Chief Ebere Ubani Nwachinemere, President-General Igbo speaking community in Lagos State; Chief Sir Oliver Akubueze, President Ohanazee Ndigbo in the state and Eze Uche Dimgba, Ezeigbo Ikeja Eze Okpotemba, during the press conference on Iriji (New Yam Festival) 2012 by Igbo speaking community in Lagos State PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS HAIRMAN of Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State, Hon. Abdulfatai Oyesanya, has called on the parents and teachers to collaborate with government at all levels to tackle the falling standard of education in the country.

Oyesanya made this call while distributing learning materials to the pupils across the 12 public primary schools in the area at the council secretariat.

The chairman assured the students of his commitment to lift and support the less privileged among the pupils to promote effective teaching and learning in the LCDA.The materials which include exercise books, school sandals, school bags, school uniforms and marker board where provided en masse to go through students and classrooms in the LCDA. He said: “Parents and teachers present, I want you to assist the government at all levels to im-

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NYSC, others donate helmets, fire extinguishers

HE National Youth Service Corps, Road Safety Club, Agbara Community Development Commission,have donated fire extinguishers and helmets to the Ogun State road users.

The items were donated at an event tagged: “ember month rally” organised by the Corp members in conjunction with the Federal Road Safety Commission, Ota , Ogun State at Agbara Motor Park.

Speaking at the event, Cadet in Chief, Mr Stanley Dike said the programme was organised to train drivers and commercial motorcyclists how to drive safely on the roads The head of Administrative Department and Human Resources, Mr. Jeffrey Monday Otubu, who represented the Unit Commander, appealed to the road users to shun the misconception that ember months are evil Otubu said: “All months are the same, but people engage more in activities in ember months. Everybody likes to complete the

proposed budgets of the year, which makes roads busy and thereby causes accidents.

The NYSC Inspector, Agbara Unit, Mr Gbenga Odurinde, urged the motorists and motorcyclists to emulate good habit while on the road, saying: “they should desist from excess drinking while driving.”

Oderinde further said that the road users should be concerned about three factors “the environmental, mechanical and human factors to allow our roads accident-free.

The chairman, Road Transport Employers Association, Agbara Chapel, Mr Ganiyu Ogabi, praised the administration of Governor Ibikunle Amosun for the good work done. He said the governor has made them enjoy dividends of democracy.

The beneficiaries of the donations are: Mr. Ganiyu Ogabi, Mr. Pius Ohwofasa, Chief Akhimieh David, Mr. Sunday Ikpat and Mr Felix Nweke.

•Hon. Oyesanya presenting items to one of the students.

Firm to tackle housing problems

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N a bid to address housing deficiency in Lagos, over a N1billion terrace apartment project has been embarked upon by Kajola Integrated Investment PLC and, Animasaun Group.

The Kajola terrace apartment is a - 12 unit apartment situated at Ikeja Government Residential Area (GRA) in Lagos. It comes with unique and distinguishing features with each unit consisting of a threefloor luxurious apartment with four bedrooms and a servant quarter. Other facilities include, setbacks, two swimming pools, recreation area, waste management system and other modern facilities that give comfort.

Speaking at the company’s fourth Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Lagos, the Chairman, Board of Directors, Kajola Integrated Investment Plc, Prof.

Wale Omole, said the world-class 12 units terrace luxury apartments is a development that will solve the problem of housing in Lagos cutting across all classes.

He added that the company decided to •From left: General Evangelist, Gospel Faith Mission International (GOFAMINT) Evang. move into huge real estate market to reAugustus Sossa; General Secretary, Pastor Ade Ojo; General Overseer, Pastor Elijah Abina define the business particularly in the moand Deputy General Overseer ,Pastor Samuel Ewola at the 50th year of the GO on the pulpit dernity of their design, freshness of their PHOTO: ADEJO DAVID apartment, the quality of materials used

for the construction and the construction model employed to bring about the dream.

“We believe that in the next seven months, people should be able to move into this apartment. Very soon, the detail of the drawing and the process to take to secure a space and how to make deposit will be rolled out. This will be done on merit because we are a company of integrity.

“This is our own way of contributing to the development of the country. We want to set a standard; when you see Kajola, it should speak for itself – that is, property-. What we want is quality and that is what we want to bring to the system. We want to sustain high quality, best property at best price”, Omole said.

The Managing Director, Kajola Integrated Investment PLC, Mr. Adelani Ajanaku said the project was conceived by Kajola Investment and Dr. Said Animasaun with the intention to create a solution to the current housing problems in the economy especially with the expansion and the influx of people into Lagos.

“We felt that there is need to provide a worldclass housing institution for the top range occupants. Also, we chose Ikeja GRA because we discovered that it is one of the GRAs that have not been polluted of all the GRAs in Lagos. It is highly secured with serene environment”, he said.

ORE than 3,000 flood victims in Delta have been relocated to temporary camps by the Nigerian Red Cross Society, its Secretary, Mr Francis Agarivbie, has said.

Agarivbie told journalists in Asaba that the victims were resettled at three camps established by the state government in Asaba, Ashaka and Osisa in the Ndokwa East Local Government Area of the state.

He said that the Asaba camp was accommodating more than 2,000 persons, Ashaka 800, while Osisa was providing home for about 500 victims.

Agarivbie said that the Asaba camp was becoming too congested, adding it would soon be upgraded to accommodate more victims.

He commended the state government for providing relief materials, including blankets, mattresses, standby generators and food for the victims.

He appealed to the state government to provide the organisation with more boats and buses, adding that more persons were

Delta

still trapped in the affected communities.

“We still need more boats and buses to urgently evacuate the flood victims who are still trapped in the various communities,’’ he said.

It would be recalled that the disaster which occurred on Sept. 24 in some communities across the state destroyed residential homes and rendered hundreds of people homeless.

The affected communities included OkoAmakom, Oko-Anala, Oko-Ogbele and Powerline in the Oshimili South Local Government Area of the state.

Other communities affected were Aboh, in the Ndokwa East Local Government Area,

•Governor Uduaghan Benekuku, Ase, Asaba-Ase, and Okpai in Ndokwa East.

Local govt distributes learning materials

By Jeremiah Oke

prove the standard of learning in the country.

Government cannot do it all alone but we need your support so as to produce the best of brains in our schools.

“My dear pupils, I want to assure you that this administration will do everything possible to give you the required lift in life. We promise to support the less privileged that forms a greater percentage of pupils in our schools” “It is our vision and our mission to promote effective teaching and learning to ensure that our pupils get the best out of life to put them on

a sound footing that will enable them become great as destined by God” Oyesanya reiterated his commitment to support education sector and highlighted some of his achievements recorded in education sector ,saying “we have organised tutorial classes for the secondary and primary school students, remedial classes for those who are out of school so as to encourage them to go back to school. The scheme was crowned by given out free GCE forms to those who excelled during the exercise and those who could not afford to buy the forms and willing to sit for GCE examination”.

Group seeks development of oil communities O IL and Gas Community Rights Advocacy Centre, an Eket based non governmental organisation (NGO),has pledged to champion the development of oil communities.

The Chairman of the NGO’s board of trustees, RevGeorge Umanah made the promise at the inauguration of a 10-man management committee to pilot its affairs.

He expressed regret that the people who bore the negative impact of oil and gas exploration were denied the benefits of social amenities and business opportunities.

Umana urged members of the committee to brace up and ensure that oil firms operating in the area complied with the Nigerian Content Act. “The environmental impact of oil exploration on the socio-economic wellbeing of oil communities and the neglect of social responsibilities by oil firms and government has reached an all time high.

“This is a call to service to use the tools of advocacy and legal provisions in the constitution to bring about a change of fortune and reverse the neglect we have endured for years,” Umana said.

In his remarks, Mr Bassey Nkanang the Executive Director of the Centre said that the

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organisation would be guided by the provisions of the Nigerian Content Act 2010 aimed at increasing participation of oil communities in the industry.

“The legal framework provided by the local content law shall be the basis of our work in addressing the situation where the oil communities are systematically sidelined in the scheme of things.

“The act for instance, provides that all contractors must have a functional project office at the location, if this provision is implemented, this community will benefit in leaps and bounds.

“We are going to put our efforts together to meaningfully engage the state government to see reasons why the derivation funds should be used to develop the oil bearing communities,” Nkanang said.

The management committee comprises an Executive Director, Secretary, and eight directors each heading a directorate.

ACN chieftain hails Tinubu

CHIEFTAIN of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the Proprietor of Rimax Vocational Institute, Chief Livinus Okwara, has described the National Leader of ACN, Senator Bola Tinubu as a progressive minded leader who follows the foot step of the late Chief Awolowo.

Okwara in a statement in Lagos, said despite the influence of Senator Bola Tinubu, he was able to identify himself with the masses and uses his position to improve the standard of living of the people in the region and the country at large.

According to the statement, “The spirit of progressive politics that was pioneered years back by the Late Obafemi Awolowo was reawakening by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu when he gracefully emerged in the political space of the South-West region.

“His brazen confidence, ideas, intellectual depth and charismatic leadership was most needful to challenge the rather static and inert government of PDP. Since May 1999 when he became the Governor of Lagos State, a new chapter of value-driven, people- oriented politics was ushered into Nigeria.”

“He meticulously carried out the progressive policies as entrenched since the Awolowo era by delivering democracy dividends in all facets of governance in Lagos State and set-

ting the tone for another effective achiever in Governor Raji Fashola to carry on the good work and redefining leadership, to the admiration of Nigerians both at home and in diaspora”.

“The impact of Tinubu’s style of progressive politics in Lagos State was easily embraced in the entire South-West geopolitical zone hence the visible impact ensured the emergence of Action Congress of Nigeria in all the South-West states except Ondo”.

• From left: Chief Marketing Manager, Stormberg Nigeria Limited, Mr Adetola Adebanjo; Proprietress Heart of Gold Hospice, Surulere, Lagos, Mrs Omolaja and Assistant Marketing Manager, Stormberg Power Nigeria Limited, Mr Nnamdi Madueke, during the company’s visit/ presentation of gifts to the Hospice as part of its annual celebration of Nigeria’s independence at the Heart of Gold Hospice, Office, Surulere, Lagos.

Council chief presents scorecard

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HE Chairman of Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area, Lagos State, Hon Bolaji MuseAriyoh has embarked on inspection of the ongoing projects in the council.

The council chief alongside officials of the council made an on spot check to ensure contractors handling the projects work in line with agreement and meet up with the completion date of the projects.

Among the projects inspected were roads construction, rehabilitation of medical centres and schools renovation.

Muse-Ariyoh explained that his administration had embarked on rehabilitation of no fewer than 10 roads.

According to him, rehabilitation and construction of drain channels are ongoing at Owoseni street, Adeyeni/Ogunoloke Road, Olori street, Mutiat Kayode street, Wuraola street, Alimi Oke Link road, Makinde junction, St Paul’s street and asphaltic surfacing of Alade street and Adeyinka street.

Ariyoh stated that works had begun on supply/ installation of solar power streetlight within the secretariat and to Oyetayo/Church street and Afariogun street while renovation of Ewutuntun and Shogunle Primary Health Centre is ongoing.

After completion, it would be converted to modern Day Care Centre.

On education, Muse-Ariyoh will renovate Afariogun Primary School, Ewutuntun and Meth-

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

odist Primary Schools while construction of a block of four classrooms in Aregbe Primary School is also in progress.

“It is also important to mention that very soon school sandals, uniforms, bags and books will be distributed to all our pupils in the primary school category,” he said.

He promised adequate reward and protection for hardworking and diligent workers of the council.

He urged them to go about their duties in more civilised manner and ensure that monies generated be paid into the coffers of the council.

“Our government is poised to positive changes which entail that your orientation toward your job in dealing with the public should be people-oriented. As a result, militarisation and self enrichment should be substituted for a more courteous approach and proper accountability,” he said.

The Chairman added that an in-house training which will equip the staff with modern techniques on the job will soon be organised.

The chairman made it known that “reward for hardworking is motivation’’ hence he would not hesitate to provide a good welfare package for them at all times.

Church to holds 21-day vigil THE Divine Power Bible Church will hold its annual 21 days vigil, marathon white fasting and prayer sessions from October 8 to October 28.

The event will take place at 22, Omotola Street, off Oladogba Street, in Ikosi/Isheri Local Council Development Area, Ketu, Lagos.

Speaking on the programme, the host, Prophet Olanrewaju Arogundade, said it was revealed to him that deliverance and break through await those that will attend.

• Chairman inspecting a road construction at Ayodele Street

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

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COMMENTARY Comments

EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

America debates

ABU at 50 • Nigeria’s largest university celebrates its golden jubilee

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HMADU Bello University (ABU), Zaria commemorated the 50th anniversary of its existence yesterday.

Founded in October 1962 by the Sardauna of Sokoto and Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello, as the University of Northern Nigeria, the university was tasked with the fulfillment of several objectives: the production of top-level manpower for a region which was relatively deficient in human resources at the time; the initiation of a process whereby the north was brought into extended contact with the latest trends in science, technology, arts and culture; to ensure that the region’s rich cultural heritage was preserved for the benefit of future generations.

After five decades, there can be little doubt that the revered Sardauna, after whom the university is now named, would be proud of what ABU has been able to achieve. The university stands out among its peers in Nigeria and Africa to the extent and quality of its breakthroughs in different fields of human endeavour. In particular, its achievements in agriculture, education, the arts and political science have won it justified renown across the world.

When it was set up, ABU was one of the three regional universities that were established to complement the University of Ibadan, the other two being the-then University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. It quickly became the country’s largest and most diversified tertiary institution, drawing staff and students not just from the northern region but from across the nation. Its huge Samaru campus was by far the biggest in Nigeria, and one of the most beautiful. Its teaching and other staff were drawn from different parts of

the world, and brought with them an exciting mix of academic and scholarly traditions which served to enrich the intellectual atmosphere of the institution.

Even by the politically-committed standards of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, ABU was well-known as a hotbed of student radicalism. Motivated by nothing more than the wellbeing of their country and its people, students and staff of the university were dedicated in their opposition to perceived anti-people policies by successive governments, whether civilian or military. The university’s status as a bastion of progressive sentiment was further strengthened by the conscious policy of admitting students from countries like Angola, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa, which were in the throes of heroic anti-colonial struggles.

Given its history of qualitative teaching and research, it is no surprise that ABU can count some of Nigeria’s most distinguished citizens among its alumni. They include the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Nigeria’s former President; the current Vice-President, Alhaji Namadi Sambo; the current governor of Kaduna State, Chief Patrick Yakowa; the former governor of Kaduna State, Senator Ahmed Makarfi; the current governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Isa Yuguda; the current governor of Yobe State, Alhaji Ibrahim Geidam; the former governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi; current Minister of National Planning, Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman; former Federal Capital Territory Minister, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai; former anti-corruption tsar, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; and the Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Reginald Ihejiani.

Like other tertiary institutions in the country, the university is beset with a host of formidable challenges. They range from the infrastructural, such as the dearth of teaching facilities and shortfalls in the provision of power, water, good roads and accommodation, to a sharp decline in the quality of teaching and research output.

However, the university has sought to confront these challenges with the intellectual rigour and moral courage that have been its hallmark over the past five decades. What looks like comprehensive plans have been made to use its golden jubilee celebrations as a platform for the resolution of some of the most pressing problems. As it marches forward, it is hoped that Ahmadu Bello University will continue to attain even greater landmarks in teaching, research and community service.

‘Like other tertiary institutions in the country, the university is beset with a host of formidable challenges. They range from the infrastructural, such as the dearth of teaching facilities and shortfalls in the provision of power, water, good roads and accommodation, to a sharp decline in the quality of teaching and research output. However, the university has sought to confront these challenges with the intellectual rigour and moral courage that have been its hallmark over the past five decades’

Thanks to longevity •90 year-old man fought 36 years legal battle to reclaim his estate from NPA

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HE case of Dr. Sama Ekpo Sama who recently recovered his estate from the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) after a gruelling 36 years legal battle, is a sad post-card for property investment in Nigeria. At 90 years of age, Dr. Sama had spent a better part of his entire life fighting to reclaim his property from the NPA. This is a sad commentary on our legal system. It also casts the ports authority in bad light, because we fail to see the business sense in spending apparently huge sums of money for legal services, fighting to keep what does not belong to it.

Again, we wonder whether our legal system would make adequate compensation for the 36 years the old man lost, fighting a just cause. Indeed, considering

‘The NPA’s action calls for an internal enquiry, to see who was benefiting from this legal rigmarole, at the expense of their members of staff ... Had Dr. Sama not been blessed with longevity, he would not have lived to see the end of the case, after being in court for more than three decades. The legal twists and turns are disgusting, as they are unbelievable. In our opinion, this calls for national effort to strengthen the judicial process’

that money is fungible, would it not be right that there is ample opportunity for the courts to grant Dr. Sama aggravated damages in the circumstance? The report also suggested that the NPA took advantage of its members of staff to sit on a property belonging to another business investor, for 36 years, while making a hash of our legal system.

The NPA’s action calls for an internal enquiry, to see who was benefiting from this legal rigmarole, at the expense of their members of staff. Even if the NPA had appealed the judgment, that in itself would not amount to a stay of execution.

What could have served that purpose was the filing of a stay of execution before proceeding on appeal. We are afraid that an appeal alone or pending appeal is not enough to prevent the execution of a valid judgment.

Had Dr. Sama not been blessed with longevity, he would not have lived to see the end of the case, after being in court for more than three decades. The legal twists and turns are disgusting, as they are unbelievable. In our opinion, this calls for national effort to strengthen the judicial process. The opportunities for abuse by a recalcitrant defendant, exploring all manner of subterfuge to ridicule the judicial process must be eliminated. We are aware that some states, including Lagos State, have taken steps to strengthen their rules of procedure to reduce the chances for procedural abuse; we urge other states to do same.

At the national level, there is the need to strengthen the appeal processes both

at the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court to ensure that cases don’t linger for years. In arguing for the restructuring of our federal system of government through the devolution of powers, the trajectory of Dr. Sama’s case strengthens that argument. For, in a functional federal system, a lot of cases should not go beyound the state or regional apex court. A case of landlord and tenant is municipal in nature, and the cost and time spent going forth and back under our present legal system is unreasonable.

As we stated at the onset, the economic implication of the debacle Dr. Sama went through is partly why there is crisis in the housing sector. While neglect on the part of government has made housing a nightmare in many bourgeoning cities, many private investments are wary of putting money in the sector, because of the tenuous legal system. To add to the crisis, is the near total absence of a functional mortgage system in the country, and this is partly because those in government have access to unearned resources, to build their own houses, and so do not care about a functional mortgage system.

While we congratulate Dr. Sama, the leadership of the NPA should be ashamed of exploiting and abusing the legal process to gain this disingenuous advantage for 36 years. They should not hesitate to pay the old man off, for using his estate for 36 years. For the courts, this is a classical case of justice delayed, that nearly denied justice.

B

EFORE he flopped in the Republican primaries, Newt Gingrich said he would challenge US President Barack Obama to a series of LincolnDouglas style debates. With today’s curtailed attention spans, such loquacity would make for poor ratings. But in an election that has so far been worryingly free of credible vision, Wednesday’s 90minute debate – the first of three – should come as rain on a parched land.

Judging by the campaigns so far, that may be too much to hope. Mitt Romney, Republican presidential candidate, promises to “Believe in America” – and wants voters to trust that a US revival will come on a wing and an unfunded tax cut.

Mr Obama simply promises to move “Forward”, although to what, and why, are often hard to discern.

As the underdog, most of the onus will be on Mr Romney. He will need every twominute rebuttal window he can get. He must clear two very high hurdles – to convince voters the US economy will be stronger under him, and to exude a presidential aura.

On the substance, Mr Romney remains all over the place. He promises to balance the budget while delivering sweeping tax cuts and expanding the military. Vague pledges to close tax loopholes will no longer do. He needs to say which. Ditto on spending cuts.

Likewise, Mr Romney would scrap healthcare reform and the Dodd-Frank reregulation without saying what he would put in their places. He has promised to reform entitlements yet also preserve Medicare. And so on. Mr Romney will need to dig deep to convince voters that he grasps what is ailing the US economy.

Judging by his numbers, most voters do not agree that a large tax cut would deliver a magical cure-all.

As the frontrunner, Mr Obama needs only to avoid being tripped up. But he owes voters an account of how a divided government would play differently in the next four years from the past two. Hope is not a strategy. Playing safe to win is no way to prepare for the steep challenges that follow.

The moderators may have to stick to the debate format’s stultifying rules. The nominees should try to ignore them. The US deserves a real debate. If it does not happen now it never will.

– Financial Times TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh • Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Kunle Fagbemi •Editor, Online Lekan Otufodunrin •Managing Editor Northern Operation Yusuf Alli •Managing Editor Waheed Odusile

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•Deputy Editor (News) Adeniyi Adesina •Group Political Editor Bolade Omonijo •Group Business Editor Ayodele Aminu •Abuja Bureau Chief Yomi Odunuga •Sport Editor Ade Ojeikere •Editorial Page Editor Sanya Oni

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THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

20

CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: The conferment of the national honours awards will continue to be mired in controversy unless drastic measures are taken to restore its lost glory.

Ordinarily, national honours awards should be highly cherished and regarded because it borders on the collective integrity of the nation and its peoples. In civilised societies, honours are awarded to individuals who have made outstanding and meritorious contributions to their nations’ security, world peace, science, arts, technology, culture or other significant public or private endeavours.

In Nigeria, it has been utterly skewed towards the business and political class, thereby relegating to the background, the silent but honest Nigerians who have immensely contributed and still contributing to the development of the nation.

With the degradation of the process, majority of Nigerians appear not to have any regard for it anymore. Also worrisome is the number of people given the awards yearly that it has lost its allure. For instance, last year alone, a total of 355 people were honoured.

Due to its debasement, notable Nigerians selected for the awards tactfully rejected them to avoid the ‘viral contact of the awards syndrome’. Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, rejected the Commander of the Order of the Niger offered him last year because he said that many of those on the list of awardees were men of‘dishonour’. Similarly, former Petroleum Minister, Tam-David-West, rejected the offer of one of the

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Reforming the National Honours awards awards and questioned the criteria for the award of higher honours to those who did not match his unblemished records in terms of service to the country. The well respected and renowned author, Chinua Achebe, had cause to reject the offer of the third highest honour of the Commander of the Federal Republic, twice. The first was in 2004 when he rejected it for what he called the inability of government to tackle the myriad of problems confronting Nigerians, especially, the state of insecurity in the land and lawlessness by govern-

ment officials or their cronies.

Again, he rejected it last year for similar reasons.

The late human rights activist, Gani Fawehinmi turned down the offer of the Officer of the Federal Republic for his dissatisfaction with governance in the nation.

As a matter of urgency, the awards should be reformed in the national interest. A set of new criteria - that will make it impossible for controversial and people of questionable characters to be awarded – should be designed.

It is morally wrong for serving

politicians and public servants to continue to dominate the list of awardees. The practice of giving automatic awards to influential officials in government should stop.

Awards should be based on solid achievements and professional records as well as proven integrity or extraordinary patriotism.

It bothers me how people feel happy and celebrated when they acquire what do not truly belong to them. It’s really absurd.For now, the process seems to have been captured and hijacked by the same agents of allocation that have not

How to fix our educational problems IR: Education is critical the development. Most of the first world countries owe their break – through and successes in the field of science and technology to robust and functional educational systems.

Think about Japan and China, U.S.A and Germany- these are developed economies. Their automobile and electrical products find markets in Nigeria and other African countries. They earn much revenue by exporting their products and goods to other countries, which boost their economies. Tech-

nological break-through and inventions are achieved by students where the educational systems are virile and functional.

Here, in Nigeria, mechanical engineers can’t repair their cars, not to talk of manufacturing simple tools. Consequently, our economy is solely–based on crude-oil revenues. Our inability to diversify our economy is intrinsically linked to our dysfunctional educational system.

So, what are the problems bedeviling our educational system? Our Government’s budgetary allocation

people amongst us who can’t afford the cheapest form of education for their children. Some can’t even afford a meal a day, others a place to live in.

Why do we think there is unequal distribution of wealth in this country? Let me give a guess, corruption, stinginess and rich people who only think about themselves to the detriment of others. The lion share of the blame goes to the politicians who have ensured that things don’t work out. They loot billions of naira at every level, thereby preventing equal distribution of resources and wealth. These are facts that we all watch on television, hear while listening to ra-

dio stations and also read while going through volumes of newspapers.

They have made sure that the education and health sectors of the country are nothing to write home about. They now take their children to the best schools abroad, leaving behind the common men to take theirs to the failed universities. As Professor Wole Soyinka said some months back, they are the ones who fly to the best hospitals in New York for a common toothache. I say they are the ones who expect their children to also handle the affairs of this country after using stolen money to get their children the best education possible. I know that

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for education falls short of UNESCO stipulation. Universities are utterly neglected and grossly underfunded. Are their libraries wellstocked-with the most recent books in diverse areas of fields of study?

Do they have enough lecture-halls that can hold students during lecture periods? Do they have teaching facilities, instructional materials and equipment for running some science-based courses? These are issues that impede the smooth transmission of knowledge from lecturers to students.

It is an open secret that the issue

The change we need starts from us

S

IR; Many people complain about the dehumanisation and insensitivity demonstrated by the leaders to the citizens. The truth is that it is demonstrated in the everyday lives of Nigerians and not just leaders to their fellow citizens.

We walk, cycle and drive by orphanages, charity boxes and organisations that help the needy and do not have the mind to stop by and touch a life or at least advocate for humanity. Then what are we on earth for? What do we live for?

Nigerians are some of the most extravagant people in the world when it comes to spending and buying of luxuries; yet we have a lot of

known to have added any value to the nation.

There is the need to put in place a proper administrative machinery to organize and implement this important national assignment. It is disheartening to note that the previous awards ceremony had witnessed avoidable hiccups and lapses, bordering on insufficient medals for the awardees, missing names and other embarrassing experiences.

The National Honours Act is grossly deficient and should be amended without delay. It will really not be out of place, if the government decides to clean the Augean Stable and put on hold the 2013 edition - to allow for thorough planning and restructuring by getting the right people on board, outside government.

• Adewale Kupoluyi Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta

such expectations will not come to reality, because what goes around comes around.

If we will have to send a message to the politicians to start considering the life of fellow men, the change will have to start from us.

Let us touch the life of an orphan today either in cash or kind. We could also decide to go to orphanages and help with their needs or we can at least sponsor an orphan’s education. With this you will be speaking to the people next to you with your deeds and not just giving long boring speeches of intent that some of our leaders give.

• Yemisi Joseph, Lagos

of welfare is at the root of the adoption of the strike action by university lecturers.

Again, the issue of teachers and lecturers’ welfare is linked to the unethical and corrupt deeds that are being perpetrated by some. In some universities, lecturers trade high grades for sex or money. Unintelligent and mentally lazy students graduate with classes of degrees they are undeserving of.

If government can curb the menace of examination malpractice during SSCE and NECO examinations, then those who are not qualified to gain admission into universities would not enter our universities.

Finally, some teachers in primary and secondary schools do not engage in further studies to update their knowledge. They give each set of new students the same notes they prepared six years ago. So, teachers should be re-trained in order for them to gain more knowledge and in order for them to perform optimally, too.

Government should step up its regulation of privately owned schools. Do schools meet minimal standards required of them? We should not leave our children in the care of those with questionable academic standards.

• Chiedu Uche Okoye Uruowulu-Obosi, Anambra State

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012 16

21

COMMENTS

Reality Bites Y

Readers’ parliament 19

Olatunji Ololade

OU have addressed a matter which bothered my heart greatly. Celebration of motivational speaking is founded mainly on the get-rich quick malady of our time. The lack of depth by most of them is reason why they cannot even tailor foreign opinion to meet present challenges.

Motivation works for those who have found their bearing; it is not for the blind. How do you motivate a young man who has no vision but wants to be a millionaire?

This is part of the decadence of our time. 08037128706. Steve Aiyanyo.

Abeokuta. Ogun State.

Mr. Olatunji Ololade, I have just finished reading your piece on motivational speakers. I enjoyed it for the bitter truth contained therein with regard to our misguided youth who are forever looking for shortcuts and props rather than face the realities of life and living. It’s a must read for my students next week. 08034027080. LKJEJE, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile Ife, Osun State.

Yes sir, most of the motivational speakers are shallow but no sir, they shouldn’t be done away. You are clearly not an entrepreneur so won’t be able to understand that a modicum sometimes will make the difference. Please advocate instead for regulation of the trade. Ultimately, a five per cent success rate is okay.From Funso Patrick. Abuja.

Expensive folly…just gone through your write-up. With people like you around, there is hope for Nigeria. Keep it up. From

Sunday.

Olatunji, thanks for your article today. I have never trusted my faith in motivational speakers at home and abroad. They are worse than used-car salesmen. Listening to an Aliko Dangote for instance can only encourage me better. There are too many unknowns in this world for mathematical deductions to be trusted. I tell my children: Workpray-work hard. From Engineer Tunde.

Very good write-up, many true facts but not sensitive to others’ views and religious inclination.

You ended with describing favourite pastors’ literature as some retrogressive crutches, that’s not good enough. Read through some of the books and you will be shocked at the depth. Do better next time. From Dr. Silvanus Owei.

Ololade, you spoke my mind in your column. I thought I was the only one that was concerned with the fraud that the so-called motivational speakers are committing in Nigeria. All they do is regurgitate quotable quotes from foreign stars and they make money for this. I pity young Nigerians that fall for this cheap fraud. From Suraj.

Hello mate! Quite a while! Very good outing…just going through.

Please keep it up. No disagreement on this. 08063521699. Dr. Omotoso SIB. Expensive Folly refers: simply put, you are gift to the nation by transcendental enlightenment and liberating courage. I only wish our drowning youth would ever read

F

ORMER Abia State Governor, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu has carved a niche for himself in the world of business, media, sports and of course politics which thrust him to national limelight at a relatively young age. For him to have completed two terms as governor before the age of 50 and capped it with the election of a preferred successor from prison on an opposition political platform speak volume of the man’s strength of character and vision.

Unfortunately, Kalu has often made mistakes in the course of translating his vision to reality, especially in his fight for the political liberation of Ndigbo. While some of us believe in diplomatic, pragmatic and systematic pursuit of Igbo’s ascendency to the presidency, Kalu prefers to be aggressive, abrasive and often times rash in his altercations which infuriate and push enemies of Ndigbo into entrenching their mindset against the aspirations of our people. In other words, such confrontation ends being totally counterproductive.

After months of political hibernation occasioned by serial betrayal from erstwhile trusted protégés, Kalu has suddenly joined the fray on the debate of which geo-political zone produces the president in 2015.

Characteristic of him, he has gone on the offensive with the declaration that it is the Igbos for the president in 2015 or nothing.

On the surface, Kalu’s argument is plausible and in fact a reflection of the

‘As almost everybody in Nigeria agrees, it is the turn of Igbos to produce the president in 2015 given the injustices meted out to them and the need to strengthen our democracy based on equity and justice. Kalu’s argument is predicated on the assumption that the issue of rotational presidency is a settled one’

and accept your precept. I have written you before when you wrote about what should be the true honour our women should seek.

Hope to meet you some day. From Chris. Auchi, Edo State.

I just read Expensive Folly (1) and I can’t help but agree with everything you said. It’s high time we youths stopped searching for relevance where there is none.

Anonymoys.

RE: Expensive Folly. You are not just a writer, you are an institution sir. Our main problem in Nigeria and Africa is not corruption, but “quality” ignorance across board.

From ART. You are ahead of this generation.

Your lingua and lexical gusto is immense. Just hope more people appreciate this talent. We need more of you in journalism.

Anonymoys Please my friend, your Expensive Folly (2) on the stable of Reality Bites is wonderful. Are you aware that those motivational speakers are also in churches as pastors?

There, they deceive the congregation that prayer in tithe is the only ingredient to actualizing their earthly dreams. A girl who lacks those essential matrimonial qualities runs to a church with the belief that such pastors can command husbands from the sky for her and pathetically, the pastor accepts the role knowing full well that it’s not possible. Don’t you think this is another religious fraud? From. Victor. Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Thanks for revealing the ultimate realities of life. As for the youth…those that have ears, let them hear. Keep up the good work.

God bless you. Anonymoys Olatunji, you forgot to add to your list of fraud: modern day “pastors” in various “churches” who preach prosperity daily as if that’s

the sole reason for which Jesus came. From VIC IBE. Your article, Expensive Folly is the best I have read in a while. You spoke the hard truth. I hope other Nigerians will get to read it. Keep up the good work. From Nwachukwu.

Ibadan, Oyo State.

Great write up. I appreciate it.

Anonymoys.

Blame it on gullibility being a prominent aspect of the Nigerian culture. From. S.A. Alawode.

Dear Olatunji, your write-up is the gospel truth in the face of the reality we have on ground in our present day Nigeria. I believe every individual has a path in this life, it’s just for him to trace the path and pray for God’s guidance and protection every step of the way. Life has no manual. Anonymoys.

Hello Olatunji, your article exposed a group of fraudsters and “foetal adults.” But I know that our young ones and even many mature adults suffer from “Hurried Life Syndrome” and this must be addressed. I think that Robert Frost calls on all who really want to make a contribution to humanity to choose to service and live with universal and timeless principles. I think there are genuine and authentic trainers who live their talk…It’s ridiculous to see a young person talk about life when he hasn’t seen anything. Well, I guess we will always have the tares and the wheat growing together, and like you said, life itself is the greatest teacher. Keep up your good work until we meet.

Yours for the best of humanity.

From Mrs. Ofovwe.

Re: Expensive Folly (2). Before now, I thought I was the only one that saw the danger in what these so-called motivational speakers are doing to the society. Thanks.

Anonymoys.

Olatunji, thanks for your rescue

mission. I hope all the parties involved in the “Expensive Folly” could find time to read your piece.

Though I just read the second part of it, I think you did not go the full hug by noting that these “life coaches” have permeated the churches. You now hear “everything you want, He will give you” with no room for God shaping your life the way He wants. From Pastor Chudi.

“Once you’ve solved your current problems, you will be rewarded with a whole new set of harder problems,” I have not read a crisper, more honest stuff in a long while.

We have a youth population with a searing reality of intellectual poverty, folks reeking of pleasure inebriation and materialistic rum.

Thus even hollow orations sound off as extraordinary, demanding the spectacle of mentally barren youths. You rock! Anonymoys.

Olatunji, Expensive Folly is wonderful and thought–provoking.

Problems don’t have prototype solutions. I am sorry for we hapless unemployed (often tagged: unemployable) youths of this country that get ripped off those so-called motivational speakers. From Dan. Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

‘RE: Expensive Folly.

You are not just a writer, you are an institution sir. Our main problem in Nigeria and Africa is not corruption, but “quality” ignorance across board. From ART’ SMS only 08038551123 (tunji_ololade@yahoo.co.uk)

2015: Where Kalu got it wrong

By Greg Mbadiwe frustration of a people denied of the presidency when other geopolitical zones have had their turns. But is the demand realistic given the circumstances at play and the antecedents of the chief promoter of this legitimate aspiration?

As almost everybody in Nigeria agrees, it is the turn of Igbos to produce the president in 2015 given the injustices meted out to them and the need to strengthen our democracy based on equity and justice. Kalu’s argument is predicated on the assumption that the issue of rotational presidency is a settled one. The argument is also premised on the assumption that both parties to the agreement had been keeping to its tenets and letters. In other words, there had not been any breach in the agreement.

But the truth is that Kalu is one of those who, through their acts of omission and commission, have violated this arrangement of orderly transfer of power from one region to the other. Between 2003 and 2007, Kalu openly challenged President Olusegun Obasanjo’s reelection and went ahead to contest against Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua when it was clear that the North should produce the president after the South had done eight straight years. Because not everything that is good is also expedient, the strategy of running against the current crippled a just and legitimate aspiration.

As it were, that misfiring from Kalu robbed him of the moral justification to be an advocate of rotational presidency since he lacked the patience, discipline and belief to worship in the altar of that political concept. This is not a question of accepting the message and ignoring the warts of the messenger. It is a truth about the messenger being a liability and hindrance to the purpose of his message.

I remember vividly how the same Kalu in 2005 tore into shred my persuasive argument on the need for Igbos to devise

and implement a strategic plan for our ascendency to the presidency in 2015 by supporting President Obasanjo and helping to work for the North to also complete their eight years after which it will naturally be the turn of Igbos in 2015.

But Kalu, with the power of the media, branded me a traitor. But far be it from me that I should gloat over our present predicament.

As it is today, two issues stand clear concerning the aspiration of Ndigbo to occupy the highest seat of the land. It is gratifying that Kalu has become a convert to the rotational ideology. He owes me an apology on that even though it took him eight good years to come around. The first issue which is a truth that is self evident is that justice and fair play demand that Igbos be president in 2015. It is their inalienable right as full citizens of Nigeria . The second issue is the workability of the aspiration given that we have a sitting president who is constitutionally entitled to another term of four years.

Closely linked to the second issue is the platform under which the president of Igbo extraction is to emerge. The South East alone cannot produce the votes and spread to produce a president. The political pendulum and reality on ground today favour the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to produce the next president of the country. The idea by Kalu that Hausas, Igbos and Yorubas will go to Abuja to negotiate after the election is not tenable given that scenario therefore, it is evident that President Jonathan will be the preferred choice for the PDP if he decides to run. This is in line with all known democracies all over the world where the incumbent is offered the privilege of “first refusal”.

It was in furtherance of that tradition that the Democrats rallied round President Barrack Obama. As soon as he indicated interest to run for a second tenure, those with presumed ambitions dropped them.

It is acknowledged that nobody is

foreclosed from contesting against the incumbent in a primary. But if a ruling political party does not have confidence in the incumbent, what then do they have sell to the country? What this means therefore is that unless President Jonathan declines to run in 2015 or in the most unlikely event that PDP refused to endorse him, the chances of an Igboman emerging President in 2015 would be very slim.

So, if like in the past we ignore these glaring signs and still grope in the dark in the name of fighting for our rights, we will again end up losers with psychological defeat and deflated egos. Political power is never won by mere sloganeering or outdated strategy of handing down ultimatum. Grabbling power involves deep seated conspiracies chief of which is reading the political barometer and knowing when to strike.

In this instance, while it is the turn of Igbos to produce the President in 2015 it can only be achievable if President Jonathan is not re-contesting. If he is, and PDP endorses him, the bargaining chip left for the Igbos would be to insist on succeeding him after his tenure. These are facts that my brother Kalu should have in mind so that we don’t repeat the mistakes of the past.

• Mbadiwe, lawyer and economist is former Ambassador to Congo .

‘Political power is never won by mere sloganeering or outdated strategy of handing down ultimatum.

Grabbling power involves deep seated conspiracies chief of which is reading the political barometer and knowing when to strike’

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

22

COMMENTS ‘A permanent state of transition is man’s most noble condition.’

———Juan Ramón Jimenez (1881 - 1958) Spanish poet in: “Heroic Reason”

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NDO state appears to be the only state in the south west with a governor and party that present the most contradiction in ideological inclinations. Governor Segun Mimiko, the current helmsman of the state is one politician with chameleonic proclivity. In his pursuit of political ambition, principle has no meaning to him; integrity is to him something that can be stepped down while no association, no matter how baleful, is too crude for him to join. Mimiko’s outward shell looks simple but innately is a complex personality that may possibly con God if it is possible for any creature to do that.

Until he assumed the position of governor of Ondo state through the instrumentality of the Appeal court over three years ago, he hobnobbed with all the governors of that state at very close levels, parting ways with them only when he realised that such dalliance might scuttle his political ambition and personal greed. Can we call this man a progressive? Can we correctly tag him as a comrade? Even, is it possible to call him a conservative politician? The answer to these important questions is capital No! Yes, he hobnobbed with former governor of the state, late Chief Adebayo Adefarati. He even served as his Commissioner for Health then but quickly deserted the man when election time came. Mr Mimiko, a medical doctor by training but a politician by vocation jumped ship to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) serving initially in the administration of Dr Segun Agagu during his first term as governor, and later joining at the centre, the draconian administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

For the same ambition that keeps chasing him around, Mimiko fought with Agagu and Obasanjo resigning at different times from their cabinets at the state and federal levels respectively. The man that presently occupies the most coveted position in Ondo state has no shame when it comes to the issue of playing politics without principle. From the progressive ship of then Alliance for Democracy (AD), he hopped on the ship of PDP, the incontrovertible reactionary ruling party in

I

T is not quite decorous that one should answer back to ones President but with all due respect sir, there doesn’t seem to be any other way to react to your Independence Day address to the nation than to point it out to you in a direct, plain, simple and straight forward way, the inherent lapses that seem quite grave, to say the least. What I am saying has to be said devoid of any ambiguity or literary guile because it is very important that it is clearly understood.

With due respect to you sir, your speech of October 1st was not only way under par, it is a long litany half-truths, contrivances and outright fallacies. After listening and then reading the published texts (just to make sure I heard you correctly,) my conclusion is that we are probably living in two different countries. While the rest of us live in Nigeria, you live in Asokoro Land from where you hop into your luxury jet and fly off to other beautiful places across the world. Obviously you only see the real Nigeria through the eyes of your fawning aides and the screen of the Nigeria Television Authority. That’s acute myopia.

You said sir that “our nation is making progress” and I say sir that the country is fast receding to the status of a failed state. I will provide substantiation to this later.

You seem to anchor your speech and thoughts on your so-called Transformation Agenda (TA) which you mentioned liberally in the speech. But sorry sir, what is this TA? As I write this, I honestly proclaim that I do not know the head or tail; the beginning or the end of this Agenda being profusely touted by you and your aides as if it were a magical command to solve all of Nigeria’s problems.

Nearly one and half years since your inauguration yet nobody has carefully defined and sold (told) this agenda to the people before we can begin to debate its implementation.

Where is this document, what is its essence, what are the deliverables and timelines, what are the signature projects, what are the people to expect at the end of four years? The people deserve to know these things and more as a basis of assessing you after four years. Heaven is my witness I do not know. I offer this space to any reader who knows.

Mr. President, to transform is to change radically, quickly, dramatically, completely, from good… to best. Transformation is akin

Are Ondo people ready for change?

•Akeredolu the country. After his abandonment of PDP, he consolidated his political harlotry by joining the Labour Party(LP) even when it was an open secret that this man called Mimiko was never a comrade in all his life so far. On the platform of the LP that he has never promoted in his existence, Mimiko won the governorship seat in that state that was initially denied him but for God, the court and men of means and goodwill from the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) that rallied round him during his most turbulent period in life. The most profound trace of labour in Ondo is the civil service and it is unarguable that the civil servants in the state are not particularly happy with Mimiko’s mis-governance of the state today. Perhaps, this is so because he has very little respect for them and the wellbeing of the people in general.

The high expectations that heralded his assumption of office went with the winds with his avaricious hold on power and all that are incidental thereto. Mimiko in several years of being in power so far is not known to have commissioned any renowned project save for his proclivity for building motor parks and roundabouts. Even the euphoria of his laudable Abiye project has been doused by the corruption and dishonesty that tainted his moribund over a billion naira Dome project in a state that is craving for infrastructural development and industrialisation in critical areas. That abandoned Dome project that is one of his earlier projects on getting to office underscores the profligacy of his administration and a justification for the incessant visits being made to the state by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).An intellectual state like Ondo since the days of late sage, Papa Obafemi Awolowo, does not need a bogus entertainment centre like the Dome. Such is utter public consumption!

One of my favourite quotes since my Higher School Certificate (HSC) days in the eighties remains the Latin quote, ‘vox populi, vox dei.’ I have implicit belief in this saying that the voice of the people is the voice of God. Following from this premise, it is my position that since most of, not only very close associates within and outside Ondo state that helped Mimiko to power have either re-

EXPRESSO STEVE OSUJI

SMS O8181624757, email:steve_osuji@yahoo.com

Sorry Mr. President, our nation is NOT making progress to a paradigm shift – you create a model, an exemplar of all that is good. Most obviously Mr. President, the problems of your administration may well lie in your understanding of the word ‘transformation’.

Perhaps if you had anchored around a less virile and less organic word may be we would just look the other way and allow you waddle through four years.

Mr. President if you go to bed with ‘transformation’ you are bound to give birth to extreme children (that word again!). One quick example sir: a transformational leader in your shoes today would handle the corruption monster in Nigeria this way. From day one in office, he would declare all his assets to the last pin publicly to Nigerians; he would insist everyone under his purview, does the same pronto. He would draw a line right there and dare anyone to take a pin he has not earned. At the end of each year through the four-year tenure, he and his appointees would repeat the same process.

This, Mr. President, is transformation. With this approach, you may never have much need of anti-corruption agencies because you have deployed a stronger force called personal example. You have not done any of this, in fact corruption and not insecurity, is the greatest problem of your administration. Yet you looked Nigerians in the face and told them that: “We are fighting corruption in all facets of our economy and we are succeeding.”

How could you say that Mr. President? That is a mind-bending untruth; one almost became

deranged listening to your anti-corruption treatise. Let it be stated clearly that yours so far, is the most corrupt government in our history. You and members of all arms of this government seem to be sworn to a blood oath to run a deeply corrupt system. You are all in a steamy, carnal relationship with corruption.

Under your administration, corruption piggybacks on corruption; corruption violently sodomises corruption. Here is a scenario: a governor loots his state blind and when his tenure ends, instead of the thief being brought to book, the Office of the Attorney – General of the Federation (AGF) in cahoots with the anti-graft agencies, would squeeze the bandit of the loot in the name of pleabargain and then set him free. This shady, nontransparent, non-accountable transaction is never made public; the monies are never repatriated to the stated. The total amount is never made known by the plea bargain incorporated Office of the AGF. The thiefcatcher is himself a mindless thief and it explains why we never had a single exgovernor convicted or jailed. We are in a looters’ paradise.

Mr. President, just a few days before October 1st, a 24-year-old young Nigerian was arrested at the Lagos Airport trying to ferry $7m (about N1.1b) to Dubai. He said he was working for powerful Nigerians. It never got this bad. Why are we at the nadir now? I will tell you. You, Mr. President, you and your friends hardly fund the budget up to 20%. Mr. President the local governments across the country are all

signed from his government or are not on talking terms with him, it will not be wrong to assert that majority of the people in that state are not for him and his lack lustre government again. This invariably means that the time to change the administration of the man styled ‘Iroko’ is now. Of course, it is well known in the Yoruba culture that an iroko tree that worked against the forest will be felled for his treachery- and that is what the Ondo people should do to the administration of the Mimiko iroko, come October this year.

Mimiko will definitely fight to the finish but the battle ahead is beyond him. The time has come for him to pay for his political harlotry and chameleonic traits that have been stagnating development in Ondo. President Goodluck Jonathan should not allow himself to be deceived by the chameleon called iroko who deceived Adefarati, Agagu, Obasanjo, AD and PDP without any tinge of conscience.

Mr Jonathan should not go into any agreement with Mimiko for he has little respect for its sanctity. Our embattled president should allow him go down alone with his treachery because he has enough troubles to contend with in the Boko Haram brouhaha.

There is no doubt that Mimiko fears leaving power more than he fears disaster but there is nothing that he can do to the imminent cyclone that will sweep his irritant administration away. Though no one can claim to have seen the wind but by October when Mimiko sees the trees bowing their heads, he should quickly know that the wind of democratic change has passed through Ondo state, signalling the end of his reign as governor.

The entire south west states, except Ondo of immortal Obafemi Awolowo, are now in the firm grips of the progressive party. The time to correct the Ondo anomaly in the hands of cunning Mimiko is just unfolding. The courageous and consistent people of Ondo since the days of Awolowo do not deserve an inconsistent and chameleonic governor like Mimiko for another term in office. To the Ondo people, my question is; are they ready to weed out the fly-by-night man called Mimiko out of office? The ball is in their court.

NOTE: This article was first published on Friday, June 22, 2012 and is being reproduced today due to popular demand for it. worsted. Nothing is happening there except desolation and death. We never heard a word from you concerning this; what is transformation?

Now back to your comment that our nation is making progress and you premised that on a 7.1% gross domestic product growth (GDP).

With due respect Mr. President, it is not true that there is such a growth and if perchance there were, official corruption eats it all up.

You said power supply has improved but most of us could not watch your broadcast due to power outage. Our energy sector is sinking deeper into crisis with fuel scarcity crippling the nation. After 52 years, we cannot exploit our oil, we cannot refine it and we cannot even manage to ship in refined products from other countries. We do not care how you do it but it will be a big shame if you don’t deliver a refinery as you promised, in four years.

Lastly, you said, “we have improved on our investment environment; more corporate bodies are investing in the Nigerian economy… Nigeria has become the preferred investment destination for investment in Africa.” Common Mr. President you sure didn’t say that. You surely do not suggest that all the small, small chop money that desperate Nigerian Diasporans send to their old ladies back home is actually investment? Is it really?

If only you could take another look at your favourite word, TRANSFORMATION, ironically, you are actually sitting on the solution to most of our problems.

LAST MUG: Governor Rochas’ reality check: Governor Rochas okorocha of Imo State must be a thoroughly disillusioned man now. He may have completely dissipated the wave of the people’s goodwill upon which he rode to office a short while ago. Last Saturday when Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha was celebrating his mother, Rochas was actually booed by the same people who thought he was a messiah just a few months ago. That was not the first time; he was recently disgraced in a paliamentary poll in Oguta when his party lost woefully. More worrisome, the dim on the streets of Owerri (by hapless Imolites) is that Ikiri (the queer owl, as the ousted governor Ikedi Ohakim was derisively called), is far better than a born criminal. It’s a pity, if only they knew then, what they know now.

Meanwhile Imo State is like a wasteland under the spell of a hurricane.

Aiyenugba admits

racism abuse in Israel Friday, October 5, 2012

Pg. 24

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FALLOUT

I won't give up —Emenike Pg. 41

•Wants more goals

Sport PAGE 23

FIFA WOMEN’S U-17 WORLD CUP

Flamingeos crash out of tournament •Lose on penalties 3-5 to France

24

41

NATION SPORT FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

NATION SPORT

NATION SPORT

We must win

Aiyenugba admits

—Eagles Captain From Andrew Abah, Abuja

Odemwingie eager to make amends

Shorunmu backs Enyeama choice From Patrick Ngwaogu, Abuja

racism abuse in Israel •Enyeama •Aiyenugba

EAGLES test might against Abuja

Keshi not losing sleep •Keeps focus on Liberia clash

• Agbim

Osun male, female football teams qualify for Eko 2012

From Patrick Ngwaogu, Abuja

Governor’s Cup: No 93 player in the world indicates interest • As tributes pour in for Onibokun

By Stella Bamawo

•Victor Moses • Odemwingie

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FALLOUT

I won't give up—Emenike •Wants more goals

By Innocent Amomoh

• L-R: Mr Yemi Owoseni, vice president of Nigeria Tennis Federation, Mr Ikechuckwu Kalu, Group Head, Corporative Communication FCMB, chief Oluwole Akuyelure chairman LOC and Mrs Modupe Thani, Head Events and sponsorship Etisalat, at the press conference of Lagos state Governor's Cup. PHOTO: John Ebhota

• Emenike

Imo Gov splashes land, car gift to paralympic gold medalist From Tunde Liadi,Owerri

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

25

PEOPLE THE NATION

AN -EIGHT PAGE SECTION ON SOCIETY

His death shook the country. The late Dr AbdulLateef Oladimeji Adegbite was larger than life. He was a devout Muslim; humanist and bridge builder. No wonder the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubabar, described his death as a loss to the Muslim community. A three-day fidau was held simultaneously in Lagos, Abeokuta and Abuja last Monday for the man, whose fame spread far and wide. TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO writes.

•The children of the deceased (from left) Dr Manna Adegbite-Bakee; Ms Turfah Adegbite; Mrs Morenike Folawiyo; widow - Alhaja Madinat and Master Fitrah Adegbite

Exit of a patriot E

VERYTHING was being done to usher him into the club of Octogenarians on March 20, next year. The events planners had concluded arrangements to secure the main bowl of the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) at Race Course, Lagos for the celebration of what was aptly tagged: "Lateef Adegbite at 80". Then providence intervened, disrupting their plan. Alhaji AbdulLateef Oladimeji Adegbite, renowned Islamic leader and erudite lawyer, died last Friday, about seven months to his 80th birthday. Being an unassuming and quiet man, all he wanted if he had lived up to 80 was to gather a few friends and offer prayers to Allah. Ironically, the TBS, where his friends were planning to hold an elaborate 80th birthday for him, was the venue of his three-day Fidau on Monday.

Adegbite held key positions, prominent among which were Secretary-General of the National Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Baba Adini and Seriki of Egbaland.

As if he had the premonition of his death, Adegbite spent his last few weeks discharging some responsibilities through his aides.

Two days to his death, Adegbite, the pioneer National President of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), prayed for many people; peace and unity in Nigeria.

According to his widow, Alhaja Madinat, the Doctor of Law spent time, praying and admonishing the family.

“He enjoined us to be faithful to God, practise Islam in line with the teachings of Prophet Muhammad; tolerate people and do away with greediness,” Alhaja Madinat recalled.

“We never knew then that Baba was bidding us goodbye. The session with him was, indeed, long,” she added.

The crowd at his hometown, Onikolobo, Abeokuta, Ogun State, was massive when his remains were brought for interment on Saturday.

An early morning downpour was regarded by many as showers of blessings and a sign

‘I am privileged to know that if he had put himself first, he would probably have lived longer, but he spent much more time for humanity; and that is the life of service that should be cherished by all of us and, perhaps, our multiethnic, multi-lingual and multi-religious gathering here will help us move closer to the unity, the peace and the kind of Nigeria which he lived and died for’ that he had found favour with Allah.

Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun supervised the preparations for the funeral including the grave.

Adegbite’s remains arrived with a large entourage comprising Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola; Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar; Alhaja Madinat; children and in-laws; Chairman, Lagos State Muslim Council (LSMC), Prof Tajudeen Gbadamosi; Executive Director, Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation, Alhaji Abdullahi Shuaib; Nigerian-born Malaysian scholar Dr Ahmad Rufai and Mr Wale Shakiru.

His remains, in a silver colour casket, draped in clothes bearing Arabic inscriptions and de-

•The late Adegbite

signs of the Holy Kaaba, arrived in his compound at 3:35pm in a Mercedes hearse marked TOS 7.

The arrival of the body elicited the spontaneous chant of “Allahu Akbar,” from the waiting large number of sympathisers, friends and relations.

Representatives of monarchs in Egbaland came with their staffs of office.

After a brief Jannazah (Islamic funeral prayers), led by the Sultan and the Chief Imam of Egbaland, Alhaji AbdulLiadi Orunsolu, Dr Adegbite’s remains were lowered into the grave at 3:56pm.

He shared final resting place with his mother, his elder brother, the late Prof Saburi Biobaku, a great historian and former ViceChancellor, University of Lagos; Biobaku’s wife and Adegbite’s first wife, the late Alhaja Taibat.

Afterwards, there were prayers and goodwill messages.

The session was anchored by the quintet of former Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin,

Prof Ishaq Oloyede; Prof Gbadamosi; Dr Rufai; Alhaji Shuaib and Amosun’s Deputy Chief of Staff Alhaji Shuaib Salisu.

Executive Secretary, Muslim Ummah in Southwest of Nigeria (MUSWEN) Prof Daud Noibi, delivered a lecture after the opening prayer by the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Alhaji Busari Suara Haruna III. Guests later took turns to pay glowing tributes to the deceased.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Head of Interim National Government Chief Ernest Shonekan, Sultan Abubakar, Governors Amosun and Fashola and former Governor of the defunct Western State General Oluwole Rotimi described Adegbite as a bridge builder, an icon and a patriot who invested his time, energy and resources in uplifting mankind.

Obasanjo said the nation has lost an icon.

“But we take consolation in the fact that he lived a worthy life and left a legacy worthy of emulation. His place will be difficult to fill within our community, Egbaland and Nigeria. We pray that God will not leave us mourning and groping in the dark for a worthy replacement,” Obasanjo said.

According to Amosun, the rank of those whose toils and sweats got Nigeria Independence and nurture the nation is being depleted.

“His life was an admirable confluence of religion, tradition and civilisation, leaving indelible footprints in the sands of time,” he said.

For the late Adegbite, Fashola said, Islam came first, community came first, Nigeria came first.

“I am privileged to know that if he had put himself first, he would probably have lived longer, but he spent much more time for humanity; and that is the life of service that should be cherished by all of us and, perhaps, our multi-ethnic, multi-lingual and multi-religious gathering here will help us move closer to the unity, the peace and the kind of Nigeria which he lived and died for,” the governor said.

Gen Rotimi in whose administration Adegbite served as Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and later, •Continued on page 26

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

26

SOCIETY DR ABDULLATEEF OLADIMEJI ADEGBITE FROM (1933-2012)

Exit of a patriot •Continued from page 25

Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice lamented:“I am bereaved.”

“He was not just my Commissioner but my personal friend. We entered King’s College together in 1950 and left in 1956. His words during my administration were governor’s words,” he said.

The Sultan said: “Words are not enough to express how Muslims accept the loss of this great servant of Allah. We have worked with him for six years and I know how much he had put his energy and resources to serve Muslims. The family has not lost anybody; the loss is for the Muslim Ummah.”

The deceased’s son, Oladipupo, thanked the guests on behalf of the family.

He said the late Egba High Chief believed in simplicity and worshippd God like nothing else.

“He taught us to be reputable in all things we do. We are, indeed, grateful for all the kind words,” he said.

The three-day Fidau was held simultaneously in Lagos, Abeokuta and Abuja.

Thousands thronged TBS for the Lagos event.

Alhaja Madinat and children sat in a long row beside the clerics.

The event featured prayers and recitations the Holy Quran, led by Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheikh Garuba Akinola Ibrahim and Baba Adinni of Lagos, Sheikh AbdulHafeez Abou.

Prof Noibi and National Missioner, Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh AbdurRahman Ahmad, delivered soul-inspiring lectures before the floodgate of goodwill messages opened.

Those who spoke included: National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; former Lagos Deputy Governor Alhaja Lateefat Okunnu; Chairman, Jaiz Bank, Alhaji Umar AbdulMutalab; Chairman, Industrial and General Insurance Plc (IGI) Chief Remi Olowude; Dr Abdullateef Adetona of the Lagos State University (LASU); and Amir (President), MSSN Lagos State Area Unit, Alhaji Qasim Badrudeen.

They described as a “great leader.”

Tinubu said the deceased ensured that many students acquired education.

He said: “Dr Lateef Adegbite was a great father, a great brother, a great leader and an icon. He was a man we must emulate at all times.

The simultaneous prayers holding here in Lagos and Abeokuta show that he had a great exit. This confirms the blessings of Allah on him.”

Alhaja Okuunu described Adegbite as a man with good listening ears and a 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 Adegbite.”

Olowude, who saw Dr Adegbite two days before his death, recalled how the deceased spent a long time praying for so many people and Nigeria as a country.

“He lived the life of a blameless individual. If there is anything called a ‘saint’ he was truly a saint,” the IGI chief said.

•From left: Governors Fashola and Amosun; Chief Obasanjo; Chief Shonekan and Sultan Abubakar

•From left: Aremo Osoba; Asiwaju Tinubu and Alhaji Dangote

•Otunba Adebayo (right) and Alhaji Owolabi

•Mrs Orelope-Adefulire; Prof Mabadeje and Prof Odutola

•Mr Peter De Wall; Mr Etti Poggie and Mr Ibru

•From left: Sheikh Shafi’i; Sheikh Ayinla and Sheikh Ahmad

•Alhaji Ademola Fashola (left) Alhaji Femi Okunnu

Alhaji AbdulMutalab, who had related with the late Adegbite for 25 years, said his death was shocking.

“It is going to be difficult to replace him,” he said.

Dr Adetona said the deceased wanted nothing but perfection.

Among the dignitaries at both events were Lagos State Deputy Governor Mrs Adejoke OrelopeAdefulire; Minister of Communication Technology Mrs Omobola

Johnson; former Governors Olusegun Osoba (Ogun); Gbenga Daniel (Ogun) and Niyi Adebayo (EKit); former Lagos Deputy Governor Alhaja Sinatu Ojikutu; Business mogul Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Mr Goodie Ibru; Chief Rasak Okoya; Secretary to the Ekiti State Government Alhaji Ganiyu Owolabi; Justice Ishola Olorunnimbe; Justice AbdurRashid Sahid; Prof

•Mrs Hafsat Abiola-Costello

•Mrs Johnson

•Justice Olorunnimbe

•Sheihk Abou

AbdulFatah Mabadeje, his wife Prof Saida; Prof Taofeequat Odutola; Prof Muhib Opeloye; Prof Yahya Oyewole; Prof Is-haq Akintola; Senator Gbenga Kaka, Speaker of Ogun State House of Assembly, Prince Surajudeen Adekumbi, Chief Alani Bankole, former Minister of Mines and Steel, Alh. Sharafadeen Tunji Ishola; Sheikh Dhikrullahi Shafi’I; Sheikh AbdulMajeed Ayinla;

Amir, The Muslim Congress Mallan Luqman AbdurRaheem; Alhaji Hakeem Kosoko; Sheikh Mijitaba Giwa; Sheikh Rahman Gbajabiamila; former Editor of The Punch Alhaji Najeem Jimoh; Alhaja Sherifah Andu; Alhaji Fatai Olajide; Alhaja Fatimat Bintu Tinubu; Mr Musibau Adeniran; Mr Kola Onadipe; Mrs Ibidun Oshodi; and many others.

•Continued on page 27

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

27

SOCIETY DR ABDULLATEEF OLADIMEJI ADEGBITE FROM (1933-2012)

•Alhaji AbdulMutalab; Alhaji Lai Muhammed and Comrade Isa Aremu

•From left: Dr Doyin Abiola; Hajia Abah Folawiyo and Alhaja Ojikutu

•The sons-in-law of the deceased, Mr Idris Olorunnimbe (left) and Alhaji Tunde Folawiyo

•Gen Rotimi

•Son of the deceased Oladipupo Adegbite

•Alhaja Bintu-Tinubu

•From left: Dr Adetona; Prof Oyewole; Prof Akintola and Prof Opeloye

•Prince Adekunbi

•Hajia Andu (left) and Alhaja Okunnu

•Prof Mabadeje

•Mr Fola Adeola

•Prof Gbadamosi •From left: Chief Olowude; Chief Okoya and Justice Sahid

•Alhaji Badrudeen

PHOTOS: TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO AND ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

28

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

SOCIETY The remains of Madam Funmilayo Roseline Kolawole, popularly called ‘Iya Adura’, were buried at the Vaults and Gardens, Ikoyi, Lagos, last Friday, reports AMINAT ADESINA

Farewell to a ‘prayer warrior’

D

URING her lifetime, she was a devout Christian.

She served God till she died; she was known as Iya Adura.

When she died, her family and friends gathered to pay tributes to her. Madam Funmilayo Roseline Kolawole died at 67.

The funeral service was held at Chapel of Christ our Light, University of Lagos, Akoka.

There was pin-drop silence in the hall when her body was brought in by the MIC undertakers who were all dressed in wine Agbada.

A choir from her church, Wisdom Chapel, sang the hymn – To God be the glory The casket was placed on a table.

All stood, as the General Overseer, Pastor Chris Oketayo led the reading from the Bible.

Afterward, the Chaplain, Reverend Azuka Ogbolumani prayed for the deceased.

Reverend Ogbolumani urged the children of the deceased not to cry for her because her death mum is not a loss but a reminder that death is inevitable ‘’There is nothing we can say today that would bring her back, though we all loves her, but Christ love her more than we do,” he said.

The cleric enjoined the children to keep their mother’s legacy on and continue to serve the Lord like never before.

Ire Adebo, a folk musician later came on stage to eulogise Mama.

She did the ‘oriki’ to the delight of all present and was applauded.

The remains of Mama were taken to Vaults and Gardens for burial.

The party train moved to City Hall, Lagos Island.

The expansive hall was ornamentally decorated in white and purple, the chairs and tables were also decorated in same colours.

A bevy of beautiful women, clad in purple Kampala and pink top, ushered guests to their seats.

The children of the deceased looked radiant in white shirts and trousers with purple cap to match, the women appeared stunning skirts and blouse with purple head gear.

The event was anchored by the famous Comedian, Holy Mallam.

He got all laughing to his jokes.

Christaville served guests with different cuisines, small chops and lots of drinks.

Faith Band was also on ground to dish out scintillating music that got everybody dancing.

First son of the deceased, Prince Samuel Joseph Samuel, a business man said “though it’s painful his mother is gone, but it is the wish of every parent that they are buried by their children so I’m happy I am able to bury her honourably.”

The Chairman, Origin Groups Nigeria Limited described his mother as a prayerful woman and a pillar of the family. ‘’I’m going to miss her prayers,’’ he enthused The last born of the family, Miss Dorcas Samuel, said she is happy her mum lived a life worthy of emulation.

Miss Samuel, a graduate of Business Management from the University of Jos said: “My mother was a prayerful and loving woman; I will miss her love because she is everything I could

•From left: Hon Funmiyi Afuye; Mr Dele Alake, Mr Samuel and Austen Warikoru

•Mrs Folashade Samuel

•Mr Femi Falana (right) and Bishop Ogedengbe Stephen

•From left: Oba Rafiu Ishola; Bolaji Abosede and Babatunde Balogun

•Dr Ademola Idowu (left) and Mr Segun Oyebola

•Demola Mike

•Mr and Mrs Mike Okonkwo

•From right: Mr Hussami Simon; Zyiang Shi Guang and Alice Guo

ever think of, if I should come back to this world, I will also want her to be my mother again.”

Mrs Folashade Samuel, the deceased’s daughter-in-law de-

•Chief Peter Famoroti

PHOTOS: RAHMAN SANUSI

scribed her as a mother among mothers. ‘’Mama is a wonderful person and she prays a lot, she does not take anything for granted, when-

ever she comes visiting, after stepping into the house, the first thing she does is to go down on her knees and pray before she acknowledges any greeting. Mama

is like a mother to me because she didn’t take me as a wife; she took me like her own biological daughter. I will greatly miss her counsel and words of advice,” she said

29 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

Vol 4. No. 1769

Behold, the CSR compliant brands Globally, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a tool used to grow brands in an ever-expanding competitive market. The Nigeria Social Enterprise Report and CSR Awards for 2012 were recently unveiled in Lagos. WALE ALABI, reviews the awards and the report.

G

UARANTY Trust Bank won the coveted SERA crown as the most socially responsible company in the country this year at the sixth season of the Nigeria CSR Awards. The event, which drew a large audience, witnessed the presentation of awards to companies (and individuals) who have contributed significantly to the socio economic development of Nigeria through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

The event which took place at the Shell Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, at 5: 30pm, with a red-carpet and cocktail segment. The highlight of the event was the unveiling of the Nigeria Social Enterprise Report 2012—the premier journal on CSR and Sustainability in Nigeria by the Secretary to the Cross River State Government, Mr Mike Aniah, who was joined by Ken Egbas, Managing Partner, TruContact and Steve Akonni, Senior Pastor, First Assembly Ministries.

A project of TruContact in collaboration with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the SERAs — Nigeria CSR Awards, is the biggest and most credible corporate awards for unveiling Nigeria’s finest corporate citizens. It presents a very unique and strategic platform for corporations who participate to demonstrate to stakeholders that they care about people (community) and the environment even as they rake in the profits. It is designed to promote growth, sustainable development and livelihoods in Nigeria by rewarding Corporate Organisations as well as individuals who have contributed to social giving and social transformation of Nigeria.

While welcoming guests to the event, Egbas traced the history of the SERAs this way: “it’s been six years now since we began the race… today, of the leading 100 companies,92 of them have documented policies on CSR or sustainability and (or) stakeholder engagement”.

“We at TruContact”, he continued, “are pleased to establish that we have provided the required technical capacity building and training to about three quarters of the stated number”.

Like the 2011 edition, organisations and individuals who emerged winners in all 20 categories of Awards on the day were assessed in line with the ISO 26000 set of standards which provides guidance on how businesses and organizations can operate in a socially responsible way.

“We can confirm that the awards that will be handed out tonight represent our views on all the companies who will be receiving The SERA statuettes and plaques. The winners were reached after due deliberations and in accordance with the ISO 26000,” enthused Jide Ologun a member of the SERA jury.

He went on to declare that the judges struck out the Human Rights and Gender category because organisations had not done enough in this regard, and added that more work needed to be done by corporate Nigeria. In conclusion, he revealed that “the decision to choose winners in different categories, was closely allied with the theme: Creating Shared Value in a New Economy: Pushing Back The Frontiers”, which examines ways that business can create and share in what it terms a “New Economy” which thrives on doing business with minimal harm to the economy, the people and the environment.

Guests were treated to enthralling entertainment. The soulful music of talented Sewa was on display to serenade the audience intermittently, as she performed the SERA theme song and a host of delightful melodies. This was followed by the encompassing and masterful performance from the ensemble of Nitche entertainment group; who masterfully wove the tapestry of dance, drama and music into a rich blend as they creatively interpreted the concept of creating shared value. The act wouldn’t have been so enjoyable without the lighting and set design adding to the ambience.

The atmosphere was thus set for the awards, as the first set of awards was in recognition of individuals who are contributing positively to society based on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Senator Liyel Imoke, Executive Governor, Cross River State was recognised for strides achieved in the development of Cross River State in the areas of Education (MDG 2); Health (MDGs 4 & 5); and Infrastructural / Community Development.

Otto Orondaam was recognised for the”SLUM-2-School project”, which is helping to bridge the gap in the health and educational sector, while Access Bank and its Group Managing Director/CEO, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede were recognised, for Institutional Leadership Role in the Strategic Sustainability Working Group (SSWG) and the Development of Nigerian Sustainable Banking Principles. Attention quickly riveted on the organisations as the winners began to emerge thick and fast to the resounding applause of the audience.

Aside carting home the most lucrative prize of all— the most Socially Responsible Company, GTBank also won two more statuettes as the best company in Corporate Governance and the Environment due to its entrenchment and functionality in its system and the consistency in the sustainability journey and prevention of pollution Sustainable resource use (Innovative solar-powered ATMs) respectively.

Guinness won the Labor Practices category because of the conditions of its work place in addition to the social protection, health

• From left: Akonni, Aniah and Egbas at the event.

and safety it afforded its staff. Access Bank ran home with the Fair Operating Practices prize for promoting social responsibility in its sphere of influence (strong institutional standard and partnership to build capacity).

FirstBank brushed off other contenders to cart home the statuette for the best company in consumer Issues because of its strong consumer data protection and privacy which has witnessed consistent improvements over the years. Promasidor brushed off stiff competition in its category to emerge the best company in Child Focused CSR due to its strong commitment spanning a decade in which it has promoted the love of the sciences and allied disciplines in young people through its National Secondary Schools Mathematics Competition (NASSMAC).

Fidelity Bank were deserved winners in Youth-Focused CSR after half a decade of promoting the International Creative Writing Workshops which have built the capacity of Nigerian youth in an area of cultural and social development that is often neglected.

Telecommunications giant, MTN scooped two awards: Community Infrastructure for its consistency in strategic and critical interventions in sectors important to the Nigerian economy – health, education, environment and community infrastructural development, nationwide. It also walked away with the award for Partnerships for Development for fostering a unique partnership between a telecommunication operator and a recognised environment-focused NGO (FADE) to create awareness on an important environmental concern to Nigeria – Desert encroachment. It also emerged as the first runner up for the ‘most socially responsible company’.

Oil major Chevron, won in the Health category for bringing healthcare and critical health personnel closer to the riverine communities through the use of speedboats and other innovative tools. Etisalat won the prize as the best company in education for its CSR Centre which was found to have Unique and long term Impact in raising awareness on social, economic and environmental impact of business on lives; and consistent interventions in Nigeria’s education.

Its CSR Manager, Ismail Omamegbe emerged as CSR Practitioner for 2012 due to the ground breaking and unique strategic partnership with the Lagos Business School

– The Etisalat CSR Centre.

Debutants, Nestle and Total Nigeria made a strong showing as they took home the coveted SERA statuettes. In what could be called the icing on the cake, Nestle won the creating shared value category which was the theme of the 2012 Nigeria CSR Awards for its investment in research work that has led to better yielding and resistant strains of cassava; building capacity and supporting farming communities to produce more and improve own livelihoods. It also emerged as second runner up in the most socially responsible company category.

Total Nigeria won the Sustainability Reporting category. Its 2011 Report was specific to Nigeria covering key areas of Total’s environmental and other impact on Nigeria and includes transportation safety, economic and community contributions. Moreover, it was found to enjoy buy-in from the highest level of its organizational structure, by the SERA Jury.

BATN continued its winning streak by grabbing the sustainable agricultural development category. It has been providing improved farming techniques for Nigerian farmers especially in the northern part of the country and for sustained and innovative agricultural interventions for many years.

Nigerian Breweries clinched best company in supply chain value creation, as it enhanced the volume of sorghum production in the country throughout its supply chain, thereby empowering and aiding local farmers with new techniques and improved species. It is also improving livelihoods of the farming communities.

Multinational, Shell, was not left out, as it won the wealth and income generation category for providing support to community vendors to grow their business. Due to its easy-to-use recycling equipment for paper, cans and plastics, used car tyres, batteries, bottles amongst others, it also bagged awards for Most Innovative CSR. Ella Olamiju, the business correspondent of National Mirror grabbed the Tunmise Adekunle Award for CSR Reporting which was sponsored by Fidelity Bank. She won as a result of consistently writing stories with refreshing angles that interrogate the engagement of Nigerian businesses with stakeholders and that challenge businesses to step-up to the challenge of building sustainable businesses.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

30

Brandnews

Nigerians optimistic about economy, says survey N IGERIANS are confident that the economy is doing well, according to a survey by the MasterCard Worldwide Index of Consumer Confidence.

The Index recorded a marginal 2.4 point decline from a score of 93.8 a year ago and a five point decline compared to six months ago. This year’s result of 91.4 out of a possible 100 showed that Nigerians are happy with the economy generally.

Now in its fourth year in Nigeria, the MasterCard Worldwide Index of Consumer Confidence is one of Africa’s most comprehensive consumer confidence surveys, and is conducted twice yearly. Interestingly, the latest finding of 91.4 points reflects the precise average of the survey results since it begun in 2009.

The Index is based on a survey which measures consumer confidence on prevailing expectations in the market for the next six months based on five economic indicators: Economy, Employment, Stock Market, Regular Income and Quality of Life. The Index score is calculated with zero as the most pessimistic, 100 as most optimistic and 50 as neutral.

The most recent survey was conducted between April 24, 2012 and June 10, 2012, and involved 11,376 respondents aged 18 to 64 across 25 markets spanning the Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa regions. On the African continent,

Stories by Wale Alabi

the survey was conducted in Egypt, Kenya,Morocco, Nigeria and South Africa.

“MasterCard Worldwide carries out this Index in order to provide informed understanding in the shifts of Nigerian consumer sentiment, as well as to assist in the identification of market trends over time,” says Omokehinde Ojomuyide, Country Manager, West Africa, MasterCard Worldwide.

“Nigerians remain one of the most optimistic groups of consumers among those surveyed by MasterCard on the continent, with an Index score of 91.4 points in this latest set of results – over 12 points higher than the average of the five African countries surveyed,” saysOjomuyide.

“The high level of confidence in Nigeria’s economy held by its citizens is alsosupported by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that believes booming oil prices and an ambitious reform agenda have helped Nigeria ride the worst of the global economic downturn. The IMFhas forecasted Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to grow by 6.9 per cent during 2012,” she continued.

Compared to Nigeria’s Index results six months ago, four of the five indicators– Employment, Economy, Regular Income, and Quality of Life - showed very minor declines of between 0.5 per

cent to 3.5 per cent.

However, all four of these indicators remained remarkably positive with each scoring over the 90 point mark. Regular Income, at 97.9 points, was the most optimistic of the five indicators for Nigerians, followed by Quality of Life with a score of 94.9.

When asked whether they were expecting their regular income to either increase, remain the same or decrease over the next six months, nearly 92 per cent of Nigerian respondents said that they were expecting it to increase; six per cent said they were expecting it to remain the same and only two per cent said that they were expecting it to decrease.

The Stock Market indicator

however showed a significant decline in confidence of nearly 17 points and was the indicator with the lowest score of 78.6.

Commenting on the Stock Market indicator Ojomuyide said, “Even though the Stock Market indicator shows a noticeable decline and should not be dismissed, the current score is still very optimistic, with nearly seven out of ten respondents expecting the Stock Market to improve in the coming months, and a further 13% expecting it to remain consistent.”

Ojomuyide added, “The highest level which the Nigerian consumer confidence reached was in the second half of 2011 at 96.4 points –which was one of the high-

est recorded levels of consumer confidencein the 25 markets surveyedat the time. Even though the most recent results are lower than this, they remain significantly higher than their lowest level of 83.2 points in the first half of 2010.”

The only African country revealed to be more optimistic than Nigeria in the Index is Morocco, which yielded a score of 94.1.

Egypt, Kenya and South Africa all yielded less optimistic results in the survey.

“It is very encouraging to see that the Nigerian consumer confidence levels remain strongand higher than the average results of the other African countries surveyed,” concluded Ojomuyide.

Firm re-launches drink

L

EADING indigenous spirits and wines marketing company, Grand Oak Limited (GOL) has re-launched its Dark Sailor Rum. Its Marketing Director, Aare Fatai Odesile, said the event was in fulfilment of the firm’s mission, which is “to make people happy by providing brands that enhance prestige and lifestyle of the consumers.”

Odesile said his firm has perfected a win-win situation through its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

However, observers of the wines and spirits market are of the opinion that the re-launch is aimed at discouraging counterfeiters and other product fakers.

He revealed that his company had pioneered the introduction of the modern unifil packaging presentation with the intention of redefining the single serve segment “and giving our esteemed consumers what is obtainable in developed economies of the world, the 12 cl unifil package the first of its kind in Nigeria.”

Grand Oak’s Category Manager, Abiodun Ayodeji, added that the relaunch initiative “is aimed at changing the brand’s outlook so as to set it apart from the pack as well as facilitate easy identification from pass-offs. Unlike in the past when it shared similar outlook with other regional brands, we have gone ahead to recreate a new look for your cherished brand by pioneering the application of self-adhesive label film on the pack as a way of distinguishing it from other rum brands in the market place.”

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05-10-2012

SHOPPING

31

THE NATION

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

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

e-mail: janicenkoli@yahoo.com 08033349992 sms only

email:- shopping@thenationonlineng.net

• Panic-attack artwork

W

HETHER for the home or office, artworks are not merely for decoration. They are an investment too.

To buy an artwork you must understand major modern art movements so as to determine what type of artwork to buy.

Recently Art House Contemporary Limited auctioned some major artworks, in Lagos.

They are:The hunt by Jacob Jari, which was sold for N650,000; Turbaned by Sam Ebhohon, N450,000; Mysteryman by Kolade Oshinowo, N2million; The lost coin by Sangotoye Olayinka, N100,000.

An art administrator, Princess Tessy Iyase-Odozi is the CEO of Green House Art Gallery. She said the art work has gone beyond artistic heritage and aesthetics; they should touch life.

“Art, she said is a spirit and spiritual, after some time it becomes innate and that is why we talk of inspiration and

How to buy artworks To find modern art that suits your taste, you must adhere to simple guidelines before making your purchase, writes TONIA ‘DIYAN expression. Artworks reflect the artist and the buyer therefore a work of art in your home is the first and last thing you would see and I fell such a thing should be able to bring joy and enact beauty.”

The major movements are Impressionism, Fauvism, Expressionism, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Cubism, Surrealism, Abstract Art, Pop Art and Op Art. Make up your mind on the movements you like best. Each modern art movement includes many well-known artists. For example, Impressionism includes Monet,

Fauvism includes Matisse, Art Nouveau has Picasso and Surrealism includes Dali.

The ability to decide on which movement most interests you will help narrow down your choices of artwork to buy. You could also check a local art gallery in your neighbourhood .

Do not forget to choose well-known modern artists’ work. Original pieces from artists such as Matisse or Dali will only come up at auction, occasionally, for a huge amount.

Save some money by buying lesser-

A fair to mark Independence

known modern artists’ work. It is less expensive and easier to find than the masters, such as Monet or Picasso.

Buy the art that you like; when buying modern art, choose based on your personal tastes and not by the popularity of the artist. This helps ensure that you will continue to love the piece for years to come.

Deal with only reputable art dealers. If you are planning to spend a lot of money, make sure the art dealer has a good reputation. Doing so will ensure that you are not ripped-off.

Badagry, home of all trades Bead works, big business

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THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

32

SHOPPING

I

T was a lively atmosphere with people, music, different kinds of costumes and a platform for communication, friendship, good relationship and more. Shoppers are assumed to be more relaxed and as such have more time for the outdoor on Sundays The event was scheduled last Sunday to make it convenient for workers to shop, celebrate on Independence Day and still have time to prepare for the week ahead. The exhibition was properly organised with enough awareness. It was colourful and accommodated all kinds of items sold at discounted rates.

Most of the exhibitors do not own shops where they stay and sell but they have their contact addresses where they can be met.

Some of them are mobile and always ready to meet you at your door step.

The organiser of the exhibition, Mr Ometan Patrick Efetobore, told the Nation Shopping that most of the items on display were handmade to depict the creativity of individuals or a group of persons.

“Items displayed here are unique in their different styles and cannot be commonly found anywhere because they are mainly handmade. They are ideas of individuals in different forms. We have the fashion designers, perfume makers, cake bakers, accessories makers, the barbeque sellers, nkwobi sellers, hand craft of all kinds.

“There is something for every pocket, every shopper is sure to go home with their choices of items because of the affordability. By next month, we will be organising another exhibition but in a different venue thus people who do not leave around here or who couldn’t make it here would find time to be there. We promise it is going to be better than what you have seen here today. Going back to our drawing board, we would make amendments and welcome suggestions come November”, he said.

An exhibitor, Miss Deborah Faleyimu, who is the creative director of Cake Treat at Ikeja, displayed a variety of cakes costing from N200 to N3,500. The flavours available were strawberry, vanilla, banana and lemon.

“Virtually every one that has been here today has tasted my cake. That is why I made small ones of N200 for affordability. I enjoyed sales here; I have sold all the cakes I came with. Shoppers eat something while walking round to buy other things. It keeps them on the move. It is, indeed, a successful fair and I am glad I am a part of it.”

Chicks and Co, an indoor boutique in Surulere, was at the event to showcase their latest clothes, bags and shoes. They also left fulfilled. The owner of the boutique, Mrs Morenike Olawale, said: “I have made lots of contacts more than I imagined. I have also sold a couple of my items. It’s been a wonderful fair and I am happy I didn’t refuse the offer to be here.”

Kayn Photography is a mobile outfit that does baby pictures, school year book portraits, family and pet portraits, individual partraits, models’ portfolio\glamour shots, wedding album,

• Made in Nigeria Perfumes at the fair

• Goods on display at shopaholic sunday fair.

A fair to mark Independence Prior to the Independence Day, a fair titled ‘Shopaholic Sunday’ was held at Banilux event centre, Yaba, Lagos to provide a platform for workaholics who do not have the time to go shopping during the week and Saturdays when most prefer to rest after a busy week. TONIA’DIYAN reports. video shoot and production. They can be anywhere to render their services. Its manager, Mr Kelvin Monye said he got some customers at the exhibition who want him to be at their ceremonies at one time or the other. “I am fulfilled and happy. It is not a time wasted after all. I have achieved more than enough for one day.”

A shopper, Mrs Helen Odolor, said: “the

fair is an opportunity for shoppers’ and exhibitors to meet and cement a relationship.

“I have been able to cement some relationships with some item owners here and I will be doing business with them soon. I have also picked few items I love. But most importantly, the organisers have succeeded in putting smiles on our faces as shoppers’ and on the faces of the exhibitors.”

• Forever living products at the exhibition

A parent, Mrs Aina Shoyele, who was at the exhibition with her kids, said she also found some school items, which she bought at more affordable prices. “These items are cheaper here compared to the stores. I decided to buy my kids school bags, shoes and lunch packs instead of buying other things for myself, it is better and more economical, I love the exhibition and I am fulfilled.”

33

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

SHOPPING

Shopping Right with FROM MY MAIL BOX WE greatly appreciate those of you who make it a point to read us and especially to those who respond by sending their comments. Indeed, we are poised to serve you more and give you every valuable pieces of information on our finger tips.

In the spirit of independence celebration, some people sent comments congratulating Nigerians on their doggedness in the midst of challenges. They also commented on other pressing issues, such as the stalled printing of N5000 note. Their concern is understandable; after all, everyone would have to shop with the money, right? Here are some of them as space would enable us. Keep faith with us and please do not be offended if your remark is not published in this edition.

Thanks a million, Janice.

• Decorative vase made with beads

Bead works, big business When you think of female jewelleries, the first thing that comes to mind are gold, silver, diamond and others. Right now, beads are in vogue. Apart from gracing the outfits of style conscious people at ceremonies, they are used to make any item that appeals to the maker. OLAJUMOKE AZZAN writes on the beauty of beads.

I

T is a fact that 95 out of 100 women would spend a lot of their time shopping for jewellery, especially beads and then move on to other accessories. A pair of beads made from Nassariuss, snail shell, approximately 100,000 years old, is thought to be the earliest known jewellery.

A bead is a small, decorative object that is usually pierced for threading or stringing.

Beads range in size from under one millimeter (0.039 in) to over one centimeter (0.39 in) in diameter. Beadwork is the art or craft of making things with beads. Beads can be woven together with specialised thread, strung onto thread or soft, flexible wire, or adhered to a surface.

Some years back, gold necklaces, pendants and gold earrings were predominant. All of that has already seen a big change. Gold was quickly replaced by diamonds, which fervently got the nickname of being a woman’s best friend. A lot of that is still changing. With the introduction of inspirational charms and sterling silver charms by a lot of jewellery stores, people are increasingly looking forward to these options.

But the innovation and creativity to which beads are put these days have made it the toast of many women’s wardrobes. More women are falling in love with the various patterns of beads on display nowadays.

Bead work was discovered by the Igbo Ukwu citizens in the ninth century but through the years, the trade has flourished.

• Beaded animal

Beads were popularly used by the Benin people for fashion and it is also part of their culture. Most people make it their choice jewelry for traditional marriages, especially in the South east and South south. But nowadays, it is commonly used for beautification.

There are major places where beads are produced like the G-Label Jewelleries and accessories, Jewel by Lisa, located at 11, Ribadu Street, off Awolowo Road, Ikeja, Lagos; Tumazzan Jewelleries located at Adedoyin Shopping Complex, Kosofe, Mile 12 and many more. They produce several types of bead works and materials at cheap and affordable prices. They produce different types of beads such as the bracelet, waist chain, necklace and flower vase. There are very expensive beads, such as the Pearl bead as well as the economical ones, like the rubber.

Bead jewellery has become an integral portion of most women’s outfits. Not only does it add to the beauty of a woman, the style conscious woman of today will carefully select a perfect and outstanding bead to blend beautifully with today’s demands.

Most women with high taste and those who can afford them buy them because they believe it makes them stand out.

Asides specialised bead stores, beads are sold in virtually all the markets. Due to its increased demand, most markets have created sections for bead trading. The prices of bead differ in different places. A simple waist bead costs N1,500 at G label jewelleries. A full well arranged red and gold bead goes for N9,000 at Tumazzan jewelleries while a pearl bead is sold for N17,000.

• Neck bead

JANICE NKOLI IFEME

Dear Janice, Please help me congratulate Nigeria at 52. We have really come a long way. I always admire your presentations. Most of the time, I cannot shop as much as I would love to because the country is hard. You know what they say, cutting my coat according to my cloth. We need the government to provide a conducive economic environment for us so that we can shop right. I like the fact that State governments are supporting the establishment of malls. Governor Fashola’s assistance with the Ikeja City Mall is commendable. But I feel that it will bring greater development if these malls are built in remote places rather than already developed areas. I think shopping should be moved to different localities. That is what I call development.

Benjamin Okeke, University of Benin I congratulate Naija at 52. But those who are aspiring to rule this nation should understand that we need a good product that can move the market. Many of them are busy shopping for votes instead of shopping for good legacy. Imagine, this is 2012 and rather than do what they have been voted into office to do, they are already counting down to 2015. All I am saying is that, with the commemoration of independence like this, incumbent leaders should emulate the examples of our political fathers such as the great Zik of Africa who sought the good of all; the Late Chief Obafefemi Awolowo who worked positively for the Yorubas and Ahmadu Bello. These men were true Nigerians. We should not let them lament in their graves, seeing that today’s politicians are only going into it for their greed. Thank you.

Ebele Onuka, Kano.

Janice, thanks for giving us the opportunity to speak our minds on this platform.

For me, I consider my Independence gift to be the stalling of the printing of N5000 notes and the transformation of the smaller notes to coins. That would have been the worst thing to have happened to this country. Thank God for those who made sure the policy did not see the light of day. Muhammed Adamu, Ilorin.

Janice, please help me thank the National Assembly for the debate that quashed the minting of coins. They proved their importance once again. Just before that relief came, I was already getting sick about the whole thing. Have you imagined what it would have been if those notes were turned to coins? I am happy that Nigerians spoke out because it would have been our doom if we had allowed it to happen. Otunne Ifediorah, Benin.

Janice, I am angry at the way some of our leaders reason. Sometimes, people who occupy sensitive position affecting the lives of people directly, reason as if they are not living in the same country with us. How could Mr Sanusi Lamido Sanusi ever conceive changing those notes to coins? That was insensitive of him. What did he hope to achieve? Actually, you know this people would always find ways to do whatever they want to do. It is possible that they may still come up with the minting of the N5000, which is extremely unnecessary and definitely not what we need now. But please tell them; whatever they do, they must not tamper with those notes in the name of turning them to coins. I truly pray that people in power will begin to think reasonably. Just imagine the Central bank governor coming up with such an idea. That is really absurd. Thank you.

Mr Yomi Akinyemi, Accountant, Abuja.

Janice, your column, Shopping Right is apt. I wish our leaders will learn to shop right. If they do, they will understand that our market is different from those of other countries, including African countries. They should consider our market before bringing up any funny policy. I am only commenting on the issue of the new notes. Every policy should bring value to the people and not hardship.

Chika Okoye, Enugu.

When I first heard about the translation of some notes to coins, I started wondering what would happen at Shoprite where they love to tag prices by kobo kobo. We must understand that coins do not agree with us that way. Once the notes are changed to coins, they will automatically be reduced to the value of kobo. Please at no time should Nigerians ever accept that. Thanks, Yemi Oduyemi, Ajah, Lagos.

Write to us, express your views, observations and experiences. Let’s have your comments about shopping. Your comments, questions and answers will be published first Friday of every month. With your full name and occupation, send e-mail to: janicenkoli@yahoo.com SMS - 08033349992

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THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

SHOPPING

Badagry, home of all trades The Agbalata International Market, Badagry, is one of the major markets in Lagos. From the town’s highly revered mat, succulent coconut, to affordable foodstuffs, it is a place where you can get just about everything you want. OLAJUMOKE AZZAN was there.

J

UST like every other market, it is always busy. The difference is that it is busier than most. The Badagry Market is majorly occupied by the Egun whose traditional occupations are farming and animal husbandry. Some of the major crops cultivated are maize, cassava, beans, oil palm, coconut and royal palms. Also, trading activities feature prominently in the area.

Some of the major markets in Badagry are the Agbalata International Market, Hunto, Verekete and Ajara. Indeed, Agbalata has continued to play a leading role in the economic development of Badagry and its environs.

The market is a beehive; all kinds of trading are done there. Since it is very close to the port and the boundary, it makes it easy for people from far and near to access the market. It is very large and accommodates people who come from far and near to buy and sell. It is spacious enough and one can find every single thing you want to buy at a reasonable price.

All the traders have their various sections.

For instance, shoe sellers are at the extreme of the market, pepper and food stuff sellers are the ones you would first see when you enter the market. The market is well organised in such a way that people selling the same product can stay in same place.

Food stuffs are very cheap at Agbalata.

One can get rice, beans, garri, yam flour and pepper, among others, at very cheap and affordable prices, which makes life easy for the inhabitants of Badagry. Where you

will find clothes, shoes, bags and jewelleries are in two sections.

There is a section where the new ones are sold and another where the fairly-used ones are sold. Good clothes, shoes and bags can be gotten from both sections but the difference is that prices differ. Various types of electronics are also sold with full guaranty and at a cheaper rate. There are also various shops where wine and soft drinks are sold.

A very popular item sold at the market is the mat which has become very well known over the years and it is now popularly called Agbada mats. The mat is produced in various sizes. Other items are coconuts, fish, shoes, bags, rice, and groundnut oil, as well as smuggled goods.

Mrs Funmilayo Jaweshola, a wholesaler of drinks at the market said: “Sales have been great, we get customers from various places, sometimes sales are dull but nevertheless we still sell. We all know the way things are now, so we can’t really predict sales. But here at the market, things are really moving. The Badagry market is a great place to trade because the atmosphere is conducive for trading and any other activity”.

Mr Aliu Ajao, a watch seller and repairer said: “I am involved in a small business but still I have come to see that this market is a great place for buying and selling of any item. But the thing is the fact that Badagry is far and towards the outskirt of Lagos is another problem we have. We don’t find out about the things in vogue quickly.”

• Plantain at the market.

• Coconuts at the market.

Teddy bears and toys have always been a hit with kids. Almost everyone owned a teddy bear at some point in their childhood; some adults even buy for themselves and not for their kids alone, because of the comfort it brings to the owner. An array of toys and teddy bears dominate the child care market as part of child development. ESTHER MOHAMMED writes.

T

OYS are associated with children and pets because they love to play and a toy is a good object to play with.

As parents, you can make out time to shop for toys and teddy bears for your kids. They come in a number of cute designs and styles, sizes and shapes so you can buy your child’s taste.

Many children clothiers stock exotic toys and teddy bears in their stores just to entice the kids to spend time in their stores. The plan is to have them play with the toys while their parents shop for them but they also end up buying both toys and clothes. They are displayed in very attractive packages that the kids cannot resist. Fortunately, the toys available today are modeled to meet the educational, entertainment and developmental needs of children.

So, the next time you think of buying a gift for your daughter, son, sister, or wife, make sure you keep these cute cuddly toys in mind.

The teddy bear is a stuffed toy bear. They are usually stuffed with soft, white cotton and have smooth and soft fur. It is an enduring form of a stuffed animal in many countries.

• Ben 10

Shopping for toys, teddy bears Playing with toys and teddy bears is often thought to be an enjoyable means of training the young for life in human society and often serving the purpose of entertaining kids.

In recent times, some teddy bears have become collector’s items. Now teddy bears come in various styles and people can dress them up in many different articles of clothing. Teddy bears are also among the most popular gifts to buy for children and significant others on Valentine’s Day, birthdays, Christmas and other holidays.

Different materials are used to make toys enjoyable and cuddly to both young and old.

Many items are designed to serve as toys, but goods produced for other purposes can also be used. For instance, a small child may pick up a household item and “fly” it through the air as to pretend that it is an airplane.

What do kids and teddy bears have in common? They are great lovers of teddy bears.

Kids love teddy bears because they are sweet,

soft, tender and easy to hug. People treat teddies as if they are alive and have feelings.

It is the same as being attached to people they love.

Give a teddy bear to a sick child in the hospital, and you will see what the expression on the child’s face will look like. Teddy bears help bring smiles and a little comfort to a hospitalised child. Teddy bears are often portrayed as cuddly, sweet, and non-scary, but the main thing is it is a stuffed toy, and gives comfort to the child. They feel like the bear will protect them, and so they go to bed with their teddies beside them. Teddy bears are

quite adorable.

There are many kids and adults who go to bed with teddy bears and dolls. It seems they need those toys to go off to dreamland.

A dealer on toys, Mrs Jummy Okebola said: “I personally feel that toys are important for kids and are essential to help with their learning and growing process. But for some reasons, kids have always found their teddy bears to be the most loving. They care for these toys and think of them as one of their own. Children often tend to treat these toys as brothers and sisters. They think of these toys as their buddies in their lives and take them along where ever they go”.

Some kids even go as far as buying clothes and accessories for their teddy bears and also give them pet names. When parents throw parties for their children, toys are the items most bought.

For many kids, the toys are instruments of celebration. In this way, they become part of the child’s life and upbringing.

Most children would not consider these toys as just something to play with. They cherish the company of their teddy bear and share love, sometimes tears, happiness and even fight with them sometimes. These toys give children a chance to unwind and speak to someone when they are alone.

Children tend to relate to them and bond with them when they are not with their friends and parents. Kids tend to spend a lot of time with these toys. They would eat, play and even sleep with them.

However, more people prefer toys to teddy bears. While some parents may not buy teddy bears for their children, they wouldn’t trade developmental toys for anything in the world.

• Attractive teddy bear your baby girl will love

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

35

Brandnews

Firm unveils marketing analytics product C

OGNIKO, a New York-based marketing analytics and dig-ital intelligence firm, has announced the introduction of its groundbreaking analytics solutions to meet the increasing demands of Nigerian marketers seeking to understand and maximise the return on their marketing investments. Cogniko is a market leader in the delivery of marketing analytics, research, and strategic advisory to leading institutions in developed markets and in Africa. Global leaders including Chase, Pfizer, Diageo, Verizon, AT&T, Dell and General Mills have used Cogniko services.

Cogniko’s core offerings span across three specialty areas: Marketing Analytics Services, Research and Digital Intelligence, and Consulting and Advisory Services in specialised areas such as digital, mobile, social media, and relationship marketing.

According to the Country Director, Mr. Yemi Ibironke (animn, arpa), Cogniko Marketing Analytics Services helps marketers establish accurate performance targets based on their investment outlay, define performance indi-

Stories by Wale Alabi

cators aligned to objectives – measure what matters, understand drivers of in-market campaign performance, and how to best align these drivers for optimal marketing effectiveness.

“These are exciting times for Nigerian marketers. They now have the same tools at their fingertips that their counterparts in leading global organisations in developed markets leverage to drive continued marketing excellence, accountability and profitability. By combining proven evaluation methods with our expertise and integrated view of consumer intentions, attitudes and behaviour, we can now deliver objective measurement and analysis to drive meaningful improvement in campaign strategy and return on investment.” he said.

Ibironke further explained that Cogniko Research, Data and Digital Intelligence Services is key for marketers seeking better and more accurate insights into consumer trends, attitudes and behaviors to drive profitable growth. Cogniko offers a wealth of specialised dig-

ital intelligence solutions with best-in-breed methodologies and technology to ensure marketers have access to REAL, ACTIONABLE and TIMELY customer insights.

Besides the ability to conduct custom research using our proprietary online panel of consumers who have opted into Cogniko’s research community, which includes a large and representative sample of 18 to 24 years old, marketers can subscribe and get direct access to specialty research data whenever they want.

Also speaking on the company’s unique service offerings, Managing Partner and Principal, Barbara Olona said Cogniko Consulting and advisory services provide marketers with practical consultation and education in the areas of digital (including social), multichannel marketing relationship marketing.

She stressed that Cogniko’s differentiation lies in dogged reliance on data, analytics, and research to drive formulations of marketing strategy, digital strategy, communications planning and go-to-market plans.

Nokia marks Independence with promo GLOBAL phone manufacturer, Nokia is offering buyers of the new Nokia Asha 305 and 311 a 30-day amazing promo starting from October 1st to 30th to mark Nigeria’s 52nd anniversary.

Speaking about the promo, Marketing Manager, Nokia West Africa, Mr Kesiena Ogbemi said the ‘’30-Day Amazing Promo’’ is another way Nokia is reaching out to its loyal customers. ‘’We appreciate our customers and will like to celebrate with them at a time like this. For 30 days, buyers of the Nokia Asha 305 and 311 will have the opportunity of winning amazing gifts from Nokia.’’

Explaining the mechanics of the promo, Retail Marketing Manager, Nokia West-Africa advised buyers of Nokia Asha 305 and 311 to send their full name, IMEI number of the purchased phone and the word, Ashato 20050 to qualify to win in the promo.

Prizes to be won include a trip to Dubai, Children’s school fees support, a Lagos Business School short course, a sofa set, Airtime for six months, movie pass for two people for a year, a shopping voucher at Shoprite or Twice as Nice, a Nokia Lumia 9000, a Nokia 808 PureView, a six-month weekly voucher, a 6kva generator, a luxury watch, a DSTV PVR decoder and one year subscription, an inverter, a High definition TV, a five burner gas cooker, a refrigerator, and lots more.

The Nokia Asha 305 and 311 are full-touch devices designed to provide an incredibly rich, smartphone-like experience to consumers who want to be set free from excessive data consumption costs and short battery life.

Shoprite donates to Little Saints Orphanage ONE of the latest orphanages in Nigeria to benefit from Shoprite’s corporate social responsibility initiative tagged Help-Change-a-Life is the Little Saints’ Orphanage for girls in Ikeja, Lagos.

A token of N100,000 was handed over to the management of the charity home by the retail store management a fortnight ago as part of their contribution to better the life of the less-privileged in the society.

Speaking in Lagos, the Branch Manager, Ikeja Store, Mr Linus Eshiet said it is a big delight to be presenting this gift to an institution that has done so wonderfully well in nurturing future leaders and mothers.

He further enthused that “we may not know how the administrators of this orphanage manage with the girls; but we sure understand the needs of the girls – their welfare demands special attention and feminine personal care.”

Receiving the gift on behalf of the orphanage, the Assistant administrator Victoria Amos expressed appreciation to the management of Shoprite for the gesture.

She drew attention to the challenges the orphanage was facing and asked for well-meaning individuals and organisations to continue in their support to the home.

Since the commencement of the ‘Help-Change-a-Life” initiative, Shoprite stores across the country have given donations to over 20 [twenty] institutions, with a promise to continue touching the lives of people within its operating communities.

Samsung GALAXY Note 10.1 hits Nigeria

By Raji Rotimi Solomon

• From left: Ibironke, Analyst/researcher, Mr Leke Oyerinde and Analyst Mr Bola Oyebo at the event.

Nigerians mark Guinness Day ... as Africa leads the world in production of Guinness

A

S weeklong celebrations kick-off in many parts of the world this week, nowhere is there more reason to mark this celebration than in Africa where the popularity of Guinness has substantially increased across the African continent with some of the top selling markets coming from the continent.

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Guinness Nigeria, Seni Adetu said the man and the drink are to be celebrated, especially in the African continent.

“The man Arthur Guinness was a visionary. In his time, he singlehandedly revolutionised the brewing and drinking culture of millions in his home country of Ireland and subsequently across the world with his brewing techniques and dedication to community serv-

ice. The ideals he stood for – integrity, resilience and achievement are embodied in the black stuff he created - Guinness Foreign Extra Stout.”

The first shipment of Guinness officially arrived on the African continent in 1827 in Sierra Leone.

Since then the importance of this continent has continued to grow, with the first Guinness brewery outside the British Isles reaching Nigeria in 1963, followed soon afterwards with breweries in Ghana and Cameroon etc.

Marketing Director of Guinness Nigeria Plc Austin Ufomba, in a statement said: “Every day at Guinness, we celebrate the remarkable life and legacy of Arthur Guinness – a man that believed in his vision and boldly stepped forward to revolutionise the brewing and

drinking culture of millions across the world since 1759 with the Guinness brand, a premium quality beer that is truly without equal.”

Today, Nigeria leads the world by net sales of Guinness and is now the biggest Guinness market globally with four of the world’s biggest markets for Guinness coming from the continent. Each year African consumers drink the equivalent of 3.7 billion 330ml bottles of Guinness Foreign Extra Stout.

Over a number of years the popularity of the black stuff has gone from strength to strength across the continent as the desire for premium quality beer continues to grow. The influence of Guinness does not stop with those enjoying the drink. Guinness is a substantial employer across the continent with over 40 per cent of Guinness employees globally living, working and coming from Africa.

Market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, Samsung Electronics West Africa, has unveiled its highly anticipated GALAXY Note 10.1 for the Nigerian market. The device, positioned as a device that enhances productivity, creativity and learning capability is now available for purchase at Samsung’s Experience Store in Ikeja City Mall in Alausa, Lagos and at authorised retailers across the country.

Speaking at the launch of the device last Wednesday, Head of Marketing, Hand Held Products at Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr Abiodun Odejayi, said the GALAXY Note 10.1 is designed to meet the increasing needs of the world’s growing mobile workforce, by providing differentiated value of large display while keeping the benefits of the Galaxy Note smartphone.

“Our goal with the Samsung GALAXY Note 10.1 was simple - redefine the tablet experience. The advanced technology and features included in the device give users the power to produce, create and customise communications. For the user, the resulting experience is completely new, thrilling and quite unexpected,” said Odejayi Powered by Google’s Android software Ice Cream Sandwich, the GALAXY Note 10.1 extends Samsung’s GALAXY Note category, building on the success of last year’s worldwide hit smartphone and delivering the functionality and precision of pen and paper by combining the S Pen with a 10.1 inch large display. It is equipped with a quad-core processor that allows users to run multiple applications at a faster speed than the previous version, which had a dual-core processor. It also features a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera, 1.9-megapixel front camera, a microSD slot that allows for expansion by up to an extra 32GB of storage and a battery life that supports up to nine hours of usage.

BA celebrates Nigeria @ 52 This is certainly the best of times for air travellers in Nigeria. Only a few months after British Airways (BA) rolled out special discounts in its World Traveller (economy) class customers, it has announced yet another incredible discount offer for its World Traveller (economy), World Traveler Plus, and Club World (business) class customers.

Known as ‘The Independence Offer’ in commemoration of Nigeria’s 52 years of independence, it affords customers the opportunity to make fantastic savings while travelling on these cabins to London and select United States (US) and Canadian cities. But they must hurry as the amazing fares are only valid for booking from September 29 to October 13.

Explaining the offer, Country Manager, British Airways/Iberia in Nigeria, Mr Kola Olayinka said the new offer which is valid for flights from Lagos or Abuja means customers can now travel from Abuja to London from just $302 in World Traveler or $902 in World Traveller Plus, and Club World (business class) from just $2,052.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

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W

ITH the dearth of quality and authoritative journals in integrated marketing communications, the entry of BrandiQ (pronounced Brand iQ) Magazine into the Nigerian market, is an obvious welcome development. Flipping through the pages of the maiden edition of BrandiQ magazine indicates that, it is one of the most exhaustive journalistic explorations ever undertaken in Nigeria’s Marketing Communications space. This sprawling magazine, which is an interdisciplinary store house of market knowledge, is a must-read not just for industry players but equally for students of Advertising, Branding, Public Relations and other areas of Marketing Communications.

An effective army of writers and some highly resourceful scholars, led by BrandiQ’s editor, Usukuma Ntia, have pulled together a bumper 84 page magazine covering: Guest Editor’s report, Industry news, PR Dimension, Personality Interview, Industry Feature, Dialogue, Cover Interview, Traffic Brand, Marcomm Tutorials, BIQ Journal, Special Focus, Special Interview, Ghana Brand Scope, Destination Branding, Brand in Focus, Nollywood Digest, Industry Amazon, Auto Market and Sports Marketing.

The magazine features major industry players like Prof. Kwaku Atuahene-Giwa whose picture graces the front page, PRCAN president, Dr. Phil Osagie, AAAN President, Bunmi Oke, Jide Ologun, Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Nicolaas Vervelde, MD/CEO Nigerian Breweries Plc, Ottah Kalu, Executive Director, Client Services, Lowe Lintas and ace Nollywood actor and director, Desmond Elliot.

This magazine is a stand out from the arrays of Brand magazines for its incisive research work on stories like Toyota’s dominance in the auto market in Nigeria, MTN’s consistency in the telecommunications industry and the impact of traffic brand in Lagos. The Marcomm Tutorial segment is definitely a valuable tool that would be very beneficial to students in tertiary institutions in fields like Branding, Public Relations, Advertising, Media Marketing and their adjuncts.

A team of respected and distinguished Nigerian scholars and professionals have been assembled to constitute the faculty members of the Tutorial center. They include: Dr. Phil Osagie, CEO (Global Strategist), JSP Cooperate Communications and PRCAN. Dr. Josef Bel-Molokwu, former APCON Registrar and Senior Associate, Pan African University (Advertising), Dr. Casmir Onukogu, Senior Lecturer, ESUT Business school (Marketing), Mr. Idorenyen Enang, former commercial director, Cadbury and now Managing Director, Samsung Nigeria/West Africa (Marketing), Prof. E. Biakolo, Dean, Media and Mass Communications, Pan African University, (Media).

Brand analysts and writers have also had their say since the heralding of BrandiQ. Most commentators, considering the depth of differentiation exhibited by the magazine believe that prior to the emergence of this publication, several surveys with a wide range of research must have been conducted to really identify and understand what it is that brand builders and consumers need, and how best to address those needs. It is most probably one of the identified lacunas that the Marcomm Tutorial segment is poised to fill by providing mentoring experiences for millions of industry trainees in various universities and polytechnics within Nigeria and across the west African sub-region.

BrandiQ is designed to cover areas in marketing communications such as Marketing, Advertising, Branding, Media, Public Relations and their adjuncts. The magazine

BrandiQ: Digging deep in marketing is also a monthly publication that will be very beneficial for market driven individuals who are keen to maximise their inherent potentials in world economy.

The publication intends to blaze the trail in the reportage of burning issues within the ambits of marketing communications industry while also seeking to connect with its vast readers across the globe. In the words of the editor, Mr Usukuma Ntia “In the not too distant future, we will extend our involvement and coverage to interactive events and innovative initiatives to expand our readers sphere of experience. We know some readers will have strong opinions after reading this maiden edition. If you will like to draw from your depth of professional experience to contribute to our subsequent editions, please take the liberty to contact us. It is indeed our goal to provide a solid platform where the best brand analysts and handlers can share their wealth of experience.”

Desmond Ekeh, CEO of Synthesis Communications, the group publishing the Journal reveals that “BrandiQ will be fashioned after the intellectual heritage of Harvard Business Review with the reportorial typology of the Economist and the content patterned after Ad Age, brand channel, bizcommunity.com, Ad week etc. Marcomm Tutorial will however be designed as a specific tutorial package aimed to appeal and meet the research and academic needs of the teeming population of students who really have the desire and need to understand the marketing communications world beyond the theories they are taught in school”. He added that this one is a preview edition which will find full expression in the next edition of the magazine.

Apart from its comprehensive treatments of topical issues in the industry, BrandiQ attempts to bridge the information gap which alienates undergraduates and postgraduate students in Nigerian and foreign tertiary institutions from the ever engaging and ever challenging realities of the global business community, Marcomm Tutorial is strategically positioned to provide the veritable platform to empower and furnish them with fact oriented, sure proof methodologies in the marketing communications industry. It is most definitely a must-read for professionals, students and discerning general interest readers.

D

DB Lagos - home to some of the most creative and best minds in the mar-keting communications industry in Nigeria has yet again affirmed its position as one of the leading agencies in the country.

The firm recently had one of its creative works named ‘Luerzer’s Archive print ad of the week.’

Luerzer’s Archive, one of the foremost advertising magazines in the world, after a painstaking process selected DDB Lagos’ ad over hundreds of other print advert materials collated from around the globe.

The “Speechless” ad was done for one of DDB’s numerous clients, Girl Hub. A non-governmental organisation, Girl Hub, strongly believes that the typical girl child in Northern Nigeria faces series of social vices namely: poverty, disrespect and abuse. As such, the key purpose for their campaign was to create a clear advocacy that seeks to give a voice to the impoverished female child.

DDB Lagos management, speaking on the achievement, said though they were excited they expected nothing less. The reason is clear; the creative organisation prides itself as a responsible and realistic company that first empowers its esteemed employees before demanding extraordinary results.

The employees, however, could not mask their happiness and fulfillment at the arrival of the news. To them, this is a clear indication that DDB Lagos’ creative, fun and unhindered culture makes great things happen. They were happy, optimistic and hope to get more and more international recognition for their creative endeavours.

DDB Lagos, enemies of the ordinary, are also responsible for most of the creative materials we see day to day across media. Their clientele includes industry leaders across Banking,

Again, global acclaim for DDB

By Wale Alabi

Telecoms, FMCG, Insurance, manufacturing and Government.

Commenting on the global achievement, the Managing Director of DDB Lagos Ikechi Odigbo noted that apart from leveraging on the rich creative heritage of DDB worldwide as the second most awarded global network, the Lagos Agency has continued to make significant investments in people development. He noted for the past four years, the Agency had made it a tradition to sponsor a minimum of two of its young promising creatives to advertising’s MECCA, the Cannes Lions Festival in Paris.

Also over the course of six months, DDB Creative talent benefitted from a meeting of minds with tutors from Miami Ad School (Germany). They were engaged in three areas, offering six courses in Concepting/Advanced Concepting, Copywriting/Advanced Story Telling and Integrated Concepting. All six courses were deftly handled by the seasoned tutors, many of whom are award winners and graduates of Miami Ad School themselves. The results from the training have been impressive and impact on work felt by existing as well as prospective clients.

It should also be noted that DDB Lagos remains the most awarded advertising agency at LAIF awards (an annual advertising festival held in Lagos).

The DDB Lagos team, which is in fact the flagship of a much larger group CASERS (A complete marketing services group), deserves hearty congratulations for their continuous dedication to the pursuit of creative and marketing excellence in Nigeria.

… And DDB Lagos goes to Miami

A

S the popular saying goes, the advertising world stage waits for no one, and certainly no agency. It’s constantly evolving with new players, new media and new ideas that turn yesterday’s brilliant campaigns into today’s clichés. Take for example the use of flash mobs in generating attention for a brand. Although original when first introduced, its novelty and intended desire of wowing the general public has worn off considerably. It therefore takes dynamic and perceptive minds, as well as taut leadership to stay ahead in the competitive landscape, be it local or global.

DDB Lagos, one of Nigeria’s foremost advertising agencies for the last 25 years continues to demonstrate that they are up to this task. With a backdrop of several pitch wins which include GTAssur (now Mansard), UBA, FCMB, Girlhub (The Nike Foundation), Mainstreet Bank as well as launching several milestone campaigns for brands such as MTN Nigeria and Mouka Foam, DDB Lagos is now taking unprecedented steps to benchmark its creative talent with global standards.

Enter Miami Ad School, one of the world’s best advertising schools. Renowned globally for the quality of its graduates, Miami Ad School continues to break barriers in every advertising field and churn out fresh creative minds. It is noteworthy that Miami Ad School graduates have received more creative awards – the Clios, Andys, One show and many more, than graduates from any of the other top advertising school in the world.

Over a period of six months, the DDB La-

gos creative team received intensive training courses from tutors from Miami Ad School (Germany). According to DDB Lagos management, participants were engaged in three areas, offering six courses in Concepting/Advanced Concepting, Copywriting/Advanced Story Telling and Integrated Concepting. All six courses were handled by the seasoned tutors, many of whom are award winners and graduates of Miami Ad School themselves. Though a rigorous and demanding learning experience, the results proved satisfying as all participants completed the courses successfully.

Speaking on the impact of the training, participant, Babatunde Sule, Creative Director at DDB Lagos, stated that the training offered a fresh way to look at advertising in terms of best practices and a global approach to conceptualisation.

He further described the course as a brilliant initiative on the part of the Agency to spur creativity in the staff as it was an eye opening experience, exposing everyone involved to advertising practices outside the country. Sule closed by saying that he looked forward to applying this new knowledge on brands in the Nigerian space and acknowledged DDB Lagos for the opportunity.

This therefore marks a new era not just for DDB Lagos as an agency but also for the Nigerian advertising industry, as DDB Lagos now boasts a new breed of practitioners who are not only ready to take on the world, but have also been aptly equipped to continue conquering the Advertising world stage.

*Editor - Wale Alabi *Consulting Editors - Rarzack Olaegbe, Sola Fanawopo * Correspondent-Jimi David * Business Development - Kenny Hussain * Legal Adviser - Olasupo Osewa & Co Brandweek is powered by Brandz Republic Consulting and published every Friday in THE NATION newspaper.

All correspondence to the editor - 0808.247.7806, 0805.618.0040, e-mail: korede2000@gmail.com © All rights reserved.

Saved in Mac 70 in BrandWeek as 29,30, 35 Brandweek

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THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

SOCIETY On the eve of Nigeria’s 52nd Independence anniversary, renowned author, politician, social critic and journalist Dr Arthur Agwuncha Nwankwo celebrated his 70th birthday, CHRIS OJI reports.

H

E did not plan to celebrate his 70 th birthday. He did not even remember that he had attained the biblical three scores and ten.

But a group of young men gathered themselves and “imposed” an elaborate 70th birthday on him.

When they told him of their plan, he consented and within a few days, everything was set.

Welcome to the world of a renowned author, politician, social critic and journalist, Dr Arthur Agwuncha Nwankwo as he celebrated 70th birthday.

The birthday lecture was held at the Bridges Waters Suites, Enugu.

It started earlier than scheduled.

The hall was filled, two hours to the scheduled time of noon. Before the celebrator, arrived, the guests comprising mainly youths had occupied all the seats in the large hall.

A youth dancing troupe from Anambra State entertained the guests. A drama group also performed.

When the celebrator arrived, “he was hailed by shouts of “Ikeogu! Ikeogu!”, his title.

•Alhaji Jimoh (left) and Dr Nwankwo

A ‘Pan-Africanist’ at 70 He went round to shake hands with guests, particularly the dignitaries whom he addressed by their first names.

Shortly after, the guest speaker, Prof.

George Obiozor mounted the podium.

Prof Obiozor, a friend of the celebrator said: “We are honoured to share the joy of this momentous occasion with you and your family. We wish you many more years of service to humanity in general and Nigeria in particular, to the glory of God” .

He described Nwankwo as a PanAfricanist, a world statesman, a philanthropist, a scholar, an author, a publisher of no mean repute, a philosopher, a gentleman “and a very good friend of long standing.”

Prof Obiozor said the celebrator is a man of passion and vision as well as an outstanding political analyst.

“For those who know Arthur on a personal note, they described him as an exceptional and fearless leader, a patriot and an excellent example of a genuine nationalist.

Populism and pragmatism are among the central features of Arthur Nwankwo.

“Arthur is a firm believer in the dignity of man and in the eventual triumph of good over evil.

Former Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) President, Mallam Sani Zorro described Nwankwo as belonging to the same tribe with late Mallam Aminu Kano.

Zorro the said he came in his capacity as an apostle and brother of Nwankwo to convey the felicitation of Balarabe Musa whom he said got stranded at the Abuja Airport on his way to attend the occasion.

“Nwankwo is not only an activist but a passivist, humanitarian and an asset to the oppressed Nigerians. He lives a life of protecting the oppressed. We pray for his longer life so that the oppressed Nigerians will continue to benefit from his assets,” Zorro said.

Former Chief of General Staff Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe described Nwankwo as a peculiar human being.

“Any nation that does not have persons like Arthur cannot progress. He is more of an iconoclast. He is the type of person you can discuss any issue with. There is no retirement for a warrior. Arthur, you have not retired,” Ukiwe said.

The celebrator thanked all for making him proud.

“My joy is located on my confidence that even if I die today, the ideas for which we have laboured together to crystallise and sustain would not die with me. I am deeply humbled by the outpouring of felicitations and goodwill messages on this occasion. How can I express my gratitude? Only God will reward you,” Nwankwo said.

Other guests at the event include: former Minister, Prof. A. B. C. Nwosu; former Punch Editor, Najeem Jimoh; National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) chieftain, Chief Ralph Obioha; Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) zonal commander, Mazi Chike Nwaka; Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Innocent Umezuruike; Senator Ugochukwu Nwachukwu; Professors Gaius Igboeli; Silva Anika; Okey Emordi and S. K. C. Obi as well as Eze Nri, Eze Emeka Onyeso and APGA chieftain, Chief Onwuka Ukwa.

•From left: Prof ABC Nwosu; Prof Obiozor and Commodore Ukiwe (rtd)

•Chiefs Alex Ekwe (left) and Ifeanyi Okonkwo

•Professors Silva Anika (left) and KSC Obi

•Izuako (left) and Agballa

•Prof Emordi (left) and Mallam Zorro

PHOTOS:OBI CLETUS

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

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SOCIETY

‘Marriage is serious business’ Temitayo, daughter of Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Waterfront and Infrastructure Mr Abiodun Fajobi, got married to Bamidele, son of Mr Lawrence Omotosho, an engineer, at the All Saints’ Anglican Church, Yaba, Lagos Mainland last Saturday. AMIDU ARIJE was there.

T

•The couple Bamidele and Temitayo

•Bride’s parents Mr and Mrs Fajobi

EMITAYO, a civil engineer and Bamidele, an archaeologist, met through Temitayo’s cousin in October 2010. They began a friendship which blossomed into marriage two years after.

The lovebirds walked down the aisle last Saturday at the All Saints’ Anglican Church, Yaba, Lagos.

To them, it was a dream come true as they relished in joy.

Under the watchful eyes of the priests, Temitayo and her father, Mr Abiodun Fajobi, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Waterfront and Infrastructure, walked in to meet the groom, Bamidele and Chief Ola Opayebo, who stood in for his late father.

They were accompanied with praise songs from the church choir. The bride danced.

Immediately the bride’s father handed her to the groom, they moved to the minaret to meet the waiting priest for the marital rituals.

The congregation watched as the priest officiated.

It did not take long before he declared the couple man and wife.

The church erupted in jubilation.

The sermon was delivered by Reverend Jimi Ebiesuwa, who noted that marriage is a serious issue that must not be toyed with.

The cleric enjoined the couple to live by the teachings of the Bible.

“In marriage, husband and wife belong to one another, and are linked to each other’s family and they begin a new life together in the community. This is a way of life that all should honour; and it must not be undertaken carelessly, lightly or selfishly, but reverently, responsibly and after serious thought,” he said.

Shortly after, the church marriage register was signed.

Revd Ebiesuwa prayed God grant them love, peace and good children.

The choir entertained the congregation with praise songs. The elated couple and family members moved to the church court yard for photograph session.

Afterwards, the bridal train headed to The Haven, Oba Akinjobi Way, Ikeja Lagos for the reception.

The beautifully decorated hall was filled to

•Representative of the groom’s father Chief Opayebo and groom’s mother Mrs Omotosho

•Mr and Mrs Oladapo Ashafa

•Prof Adebayo Williams and his wife, Bola

•Chief Finnih (left) and Chief Yomi Lewis

capacity.

The sparkling lights in the hall added glamour to the day.

As guests waited for the start of the reception, the Bispot Africana Catering Service, Dainty Desserts, Sunset Cafe and Laurente Perier ensured all were treated to choice food and drinks.

They ensured that no one left without eating and drinking.

A live band named Princess Folake, led by Folake Adebayo Dada entertained the guests.

The emcee, Mr Olumide Balogun, called for a minute silence for the late Omotosho.

After this, Mr Kola Peters delivered the opening prayer.

The occasion was chaired by the former Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and former Sole Administrator of LSDPC, Chief Oladapo Ashafa.

He urged the couple to consider each other’s opinion saying it is a way to successful marriage life.

He urged the all to pray for the couple for their sojourn in life.

Ashafa also supervised the cutting of the cake.

The couple fed each other with pieces of the cake.

The bride’s father, Fajobi with his daughter took to the dance floor.

They were awesome on the floor.

The occasion became livelier as guests joined them.

Mr Fajobi’s social club, High Society Club of Nigeria presented gift to the couple.

Temitayo, a graduate of University of Lagos, expressed delight over the success of the occasion.

“I am very happy,” she said.

The groom, Bamidele a graduate of University of Ibadan described his wife as a “friend and somebody I trust,” he said.

“She is the best woman in the world, somebody any man will pray to have,” he said.

Fajobi urged the couple to be patient with one another and consider each other opinion.

“They should be patient with each other; embrace God and put God first in their affairs; they should work hard and not spoil the good names their parents have built,” he said.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

39

SOCIETY The Goshen Model Parish and Land of Favour in Lagos Province 17 of The Redeemed Christian Church of God have dedicated new buildings in Akute, Ogun State. DAMILOLA BAMIDELE was there.

All for God T

HE Goshen Model Sanctuary of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) was planted April 1998 and became an Area headquarter of the RCCG in 2001 under the leadership of Pastor Remi Tella.

Fifteen years on, the church is still growing from strength to strength. It has been able to win more souls for God. The hope of worshippers to upgrade it came to fruition last Saturday as members of the church gathered for the dedication of the church building.

Despite being behind schedule, guests and church members waited patiently for the commencement of the programme which commenced at 4.30pm.

The arrival of the Pastor-in-charge of Lagos Province 17, Pastor David Omunagbe with his wife, Christianah, leading other senior pastors signalled the commencement of the programme.

The building was dedicated to the glory of God by the Pastor-in-charge of Region 2 Pastor Obayemi stood in for the church’s General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye. Pastor Joseph Obayemi amidst praise songs.

The church auditorium was in joyous mood.The cleric thanked God for the success achieved by the church and prayed that the church should be the habitation of God’s glory.

Obayemi urged Nigerians to be God fearing.

The fear of God, he said, is the beginning of wisdom.

After the dedication of the building, the people also moved to the Land of Favour, Zone 7 under the same Lagos Province 17 for another dedication.

This was also anchored by Obayemi.

He sought God’s blessing on the church and its members.

The Zone 6, Pastor, Rotimi Fagbemi gave thanks to God for seeing the church through to the successful completion of the building.

Pastor Fagbemi said:“I’m so excited and glad that at last Goshen is being dedicated to the glory of God because the place has been abandoned

•Pastor A. Boyejo

•Pastor Obayemi cutting the tape. With him are Pastor Rotimi Fagbemi (left); Pastor Omuanagbe and his wife Christianah

for long and within a year there was a turn around, It is the grace of God that brought the church to this level.”

Pastor Bosun Akintobi, a Zonal Pastor, Land of Favour, Zone 7, also recounted the story of how the church started some years ago. He glorified God for the success of the project during his time as the Pastor of the zone. He said the completion took 13 months.

“By my experience as a quantity surveyor, the cost of the building is worth N75 million if quantified and most of the money was raised by members of the church and we have a congregation close to 700 and that is in one service because we run two services on Sundays. The road is one thing we have planned to do for the society. I feel great because no one can do anything except the grace is given by God,” he said.

After the building dedication as Land of Favour, awards were given to all the past Pastors-incharge of the parish, area and zone. Pastor Omunagbe co-ordinated the event.

Among the Assistant Pastor-in-charge of Province present were Pastor Adekunle Olanrewaju (Lagos Province 8), Pastor Peter Ayoola Ishola (Lagos Province 17) and Pastor Seun Sogunro (Ogun Province 4). Other personalities include Pastors Ezekiel Owoyemi; Pastor Nireti Oladapo and John Obarinu.

•Mrs Stella Oloyede

•Assistant Pastor-in-charge, Lagos Province 17 Pastor Ayoola Ishola (left) and Pastor Sogunro of Ogun Province 4

•Pastor Obayemi (right) and Pastor Omunagbe

•Mrs Dolapo Smith

•Pastor Bosun Akintobi

•Pastor Kola Odesanmi (right) and Pastor Lekan Adejola

PHOTOS: ADEJO DAVID

40

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

SOCIETY Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha pulled the National Assembly leadership and top government officials to his Mbutu countryhome in Imo State for his mother’s 80th birthday last Saturday. ITUNU KELEKO reports.

Imo stands still for Ihedioha’s mother

A

LL roads led to the sleepy town of Mbutu in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State last Saturday when Dorothy Nsonma Ihedioha, mother of Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, marked her 80th birthday.

The celebration coincided with the dedication of a new building for St. Peters Anglican Church, Mbutu, a project facilitated by the deputy speaker.

Expectedly, her children rolled out the drums in celebration. They were joined by their friends and associates to honour mama. Dignitaries stormed the town in large number.

Imo, the Eastern heartland had never witnessed such a surge of dignitaries for one event.

Bishops and other senior members of the Anglican Church leadership were led by Revd Nicholas Okoh, the primate of Nigeria.

The primate officiated at the combined dedication and thanksgiving service.

At the service, Primate Okoh exhorted the congregation to fear God. The service was followed by a grand reception at Ihedioha’s expansive country home.

A huge cake was unveiled for the celebrator to cut after which she was presented with beautiful paintings of her and her children.

Photographers had a hectic time trying to capture as many high profile guests as they could at the event.

After relishing in local and foreign cuisines, some guests took turn to deliver goodwill messages.

Governor Rochas Okorocha welcomed the dignitaries to the State.

Okorocha described Ihedioha as a proud son of the state.

The governor prayed God to grant the octogenarian good health.

Senate President David Mark congratulated Mrs Ihedioha for joining the Octogenarian club.

Mark thanked God for her life, adding that it took the grace of God for her to have come this far.

He hailed Ihedioha for facilitating the building of a new befitting place of worship for the Church. “The deputy speaker’s gesture to invite guests for the dedication of the new building and not to solicit fund for its erection was worth emulating,” he said.

Ihedioha described his mother's life as exemplary and inspiring.

He recalled how she was careful to bring the children up in the fear of God and made sure that they maintained good morals.

The celebrator thanked God for His kindness.

"I am very glad and my heart is full of joy," she said.

•From left: Senator Mark and other guests assisted the celebrator (middle) to cut the cake.

When asked if she harbours any regrets in life, she was quick to dismiss such thoughts, asserting that she has forgotten about anything or anyone that may have wronged her in the past.

In attendance were: Speaker Aminu Tambuwal; Governors Peter Obi of Anambra; Theodore Orji - Abia; Rotimi Amaechi - Rivers, Emmanuel Uduaghan - Delta and representatives of other governors. President Goodluck Jonathan was represented by his Chief of Staff, Chief Mike Oghiadhome. Others are Supreme Court Justice Mary Odili.

Immediate past governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim; Chief Chris Uba; Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu; Major General Ike Nwachukwu (rtd) and Chief Walter Ofonagoro were not left out.

They also included: Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu; Senators Ita Enang; Chris Anyanwu; Abdul Ningi; Chris Ngige; Andy Uba. From the House were its leader Mulikat Akande-Adeola; Leo Ogor; Deputy Leader, Sulaiman Kawu; Deputy Minority Leader, Samson Osagie; Minority Whip, Bimbo Daramola; Dakuku Peterside; Jones Onyereri; Ndudi Elumelu; Abike Dabiri-Erewa; Nnena Ukeje, among others.

As noted by Ihedioha in his vote of thanks their number was enough to form a quorum for plenary.

Also there were former Deputy Senate President Ibrahim Mantu; former Deputy Speakers Usman Nafada and Austin Opara.

Captains of industry, such as Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Tony Elumelu; Ifeanyi Uba; and Jite Okoloko were in attendance. Finance Minister and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and her aviation and education (state) counterparts, Stella Oduah and Nyesom Wike.

Heads of government agencies and parastatals present included Osita Chidoka of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC); Pat Ekeji of the National Sports Commission and Gerald Ilukwe of Galaxy Backbone.

Former Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji; former Director General of the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) Prof Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke and former Minister of Education, Prof. Fabian Osuji were also in attendance.

Party stalwarlts were not left out.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Deputy National Chairman Chief Sam Jaja; National Women Leader Chief Kema Chikwe; National Publicity Secretary Chief Olisa Metuh and former National Chairman of the party Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo were there.

Chief Chekwas Okorie of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) led a delegation of of his party to the event. Traditional rulers from the Southeast including Chairman of the traditional rulers council, Cletus Ilomuanya were there in large number.

•From right: Hon Elumelu; Lastborn Onwukaike, Hon Tambuwal; Olisa Metuh; Ihedioha and Dr Okonjo-Iweala

•From right: Governor Okorocha; Revd Okoh and Anglican Bishop of Ideato Diocese, Caleb Maduoma

•Senator Ekweremadu (right) and one of the officiating Bishops

Luiz, Mata stake spot-kick claims at Chelsea

“I have [been involved in] over two hundred international matches and this has never happened. Something was alien to us.

Generators had to be prepared, but this was unexpected. The truth gives us shame.”

•Luiz

Head of World Eleven, Guillermo Toffoni expressing frustration at the floodlight failure during the second leg of a match between Brazil and Argentina.

•Mancini

Mancini hails Hart after CL stalemate

Brazil, Argentina game abandoned after 42

Friday, October 5, 2012

floodlight failure B

RONALDO:

victory boost C

RISTIANO Ronaldo, Kaka and Sergio Ramos expressed their happiness with Real Madrid's 4-1 away victory against Ajax and declared that they are determined to succeed at Camp Nou against Barcelona in their next game.

Ronaldo was the hero for Jose Mourinho's side, notching a

Emulate Henry, Gervinho told A

RSENAL assistant coach Steve Bould has challenged Ivory Coast striker Gervinho to emulate Thierry Henry's impact with the Gunners.

Gervinho scored his fifth goal of the season on Wednesday as Arsenal overcame a sluggish start to maintain their 100-percent start to their Champions League campaign with a 3-1 win over Olympiakos at the Emirates Stadium.

After an underwhelming first season with Arsene Wenger's side, Gervinho is showing signs of fulfilling his potential following his switch from a wide role to a more central position in Arsenal's attack.

Gervinho looked to have an uncertain future at the start of the season after Wenger splashed out on Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski.

But Wenger's decision to make Gervinho the focal point of his three-man forward line is reminiscent of the way he

game [vs Barcelona].

"It's very important to take the ball home but the important thing is the team because without them I would not manage to score goals."

Barcelona could open up an 11-point lead if they defeat Los Blancos on Sunday, but Ronaldo is sure that his team can get the victory they're looking for.

gradually built his team around Henry, who arrived at Arsenal as an inconsistent winger and left as arguably the best striker in the club's history.

And, while Gervinho is some way short of Henry's standards, Bould –standing in for Wenger at the post-match press conference while the Arsenal boss served a European ban – is convinced he has the talent to follow in the legendary French striker's footsteps.

"No 1, he is scoring goals so his confidence is sky high and his link play is gradually improving as well," Bould said.

"He is still learning his trade. I don't think he's played there (in the central role) a lot, but he is starting to learn when he drops deeper and he has set up chances for Santi (Cazorla) a few times already.

"His pace and movement make his dangerous. He can be a top player. If he gets anywhere near Thierry Henry we will take that all day long."

RAZIL’s clash with Argentina was suspended Wednesday night following floodlight failure at Estadio Centario in Resistencia.

The second leg of their Superclasico de las Americas was postponed after a blackout that was believed to have been caused by the Selecao team bus hitting an electricity trailer on their way into the stadium.

Fire-fighters were called to the scene after smoke began emanating from the trailer and electricians declared the problem would require a lengthy amount of time to correct, leaving Chilean referee Enrique Osses with no choice but to abandon the game after already delaying it 45 minutes.

Guillermo Toffoni, head of World Eleven said the incident was a unique one, and admitted his deisappointment that contingency plans had not been set in place.

“I have [been involved in] over two hundred international matches and this has never happened,” he told reporters.

“Something was alien to us. Generators had to be prepared, but this was unexpected. The truth gives us shame.”

With Brazil leading 2-1 from the first

•Ali Adams

Drug cheat heavyweight Ali banned for two years •Gervinho

SHAMED British heavyweight boxer Ali Adams has been suspended for two years after testing positive for steroids.

The Iraqi-born fighter tested positive for stanozolol following his four-round defeat to former Olympic champion Audley Harrison at

the Brentwood Centre in May - and now won't return to the ring until June 2014.

UK Anti-Doping legal director Graham Arthur says the positive finding resulted from 'a targeted, intelligenceled test'.

Adams, has a record of 13

wins, four defeats and a draw, contended the stanozolol may have come from medication he was using for a neck injury.

But Arthur says stanozolol 'is banned at all times in sport, there is no reason for it to be found in an athlete's system.'

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

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THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

44

COMMENTARY

FEMI ABBAS ON

T

HAT the Secretary General of Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) Dr. Lateef Adegbite CON, is dead is no longer news. Inna Lillah wa inna ilayhi raji‘un.

The late Dr. Lateef Adegbite was like an elephant while alive. You could only describe the part you were able to touch on the body of the mammoth animal and not the whole of it. He was a man of many parts and he related to many people of different characters at different levels. And as the Secretary General of the NSCIA, he clearly displayed the equanimity of an experienced administrator and gentleman. Many Muslims Organizations and individuals wanted to pay tribute to him in this column today but the space could not take all.

NSCIA: Dr. Lateef Adegbite’s position as Secretary General of Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) might not be accorded much importance by many people when he was alive. But with his death, I am sure that most people would have realized the importance of that position which he had occupied for quite some time before I assumed office as President General. He had earlier served as Legal Adviser to NSCIA and we did not meet any negative record about him. He was quite diligent and dedicated despite his age. He brought his professional experience and cool-headedness to bear in the performance of his duty so much that one would not remember his age. I pray the Almighty Allah to preserve his soul in the divine pearl of bliss.

His Eminence Dr. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar II GCON, mni, President General of (NSCIA) MUSWEN: Man’s life on earth is like the sun rising at a time of the day and setting at another. For all human beings, this process is a continuum until the day of resurrection comes. For every understanding Muslim, that Dr. Abdullateef Adegbite CON, the Secretary General of Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) died last Friday, could not have been a surprise. It is satisfying however, that he lived his life as a Muslim and touched the lives of others accordingly. At a time in Nigeria when it was almost an abomination especially for Muslim school children to bear Islamic identity, Dr. Adegbite dared all odds and joined other young Muslims of like minds in forming the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN). He became the first President of that Society and moved ahead from there to paddle the canoe of Islam at national and international levels.

Yet, served humanity in other spheres of life outside religion either as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the old Western State or as President of Nigeria Olympic Committee or as Pro-Chancellor, University of Maiduguri. Even as recently as March 2011, he was appointed Chairman of Presidential Committee on Public Awareness on Security and Civil Responsibilities.

However, to him, the cherished of all these services were the ones done for Allah. He was acknowledged by everybody including non-Muslims as a national bridge builder on religious pedestal.

We wish him Allah’s mercy on his journey to the Akhirah and pray Allah to grant his family and well wishers the fortitude with which to bear the agony.

Professor DOS Noibi OBE, FISC, FIAC Executive Secretary, (MUSWEN) JNI: Every soul shall surely taste of death and no one will be spared of it. When the news of the death of the Secretary General of Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Dr. Abdullateef Adegbite (CON) reached Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) it was received with absolute faith in Allah. As a Muslim Organization, the JNI, under the leadership of His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, JNI, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, CFR, mni immediately took that fate with equanimity and total submission to the will of Allah.

Although his death came at a critical time when his services were most needed our solace is in Allah who knows reason for every occurrence and thank we thank Him for giving the gentleman the opportunity to serve Islam and humanity relentlessly throughout his life. We pray to grant him mercy, forgiveness, compassion and grant him a comfortable place in Aljannatul Firdaus, amin.

Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, Secretary General, (JNI) MSSN: Dr. Lateef Adegbite will forever occupy space in the mind and soul of all those who passed through Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) for the impact it had on our lives. The Society has given us

Femabbas@yahoo.com 08122697498

Tributes to Dr. Lateef Adegbite

•Adegbite

the best opportunity to remain Muslims and practise our religion (Islam) according to its tenets despite the oppression suffered in the hands non-Muslims through colonialism. Despite his position as a globally recognized personality, he never looked down on anybody.

Dr. Adegbite never took matter of honesty and integrity with levity. We will forever continue to remember him as a bridge builder and a father to all.

Mushafau Alaran, Amir, MSSN B-ZONE NACOMYO: We in NACOMYO commiserate with the leadership of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, (NSCIA), the entire Ummah and the nation as a whole on the demise of the Secretary General of NIGERIA Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Dr. Lateef Adegbite who served the apex Islamic body meritoriously and the Country in many capacities. He was a distinguished Nigerian with profound dedicated public service, a promoter and defender of Islam and motivator of youths, his mentorship made tremendous impacts on our lives. Dr. Adegbite dutifully fulfilled role his as NSCIA Secretary General, leading member of Abuja National Mosque Mosque Management and National Inter-Religious Religious E Council (NIREC). He was a strong believer in one Nigeria, a champion of intra and inter-religious harmony, a seasoned Admin-

‘

istrator, a keen sportsman of Olympic status as well as an embodiment of virtues. He was truly an accomplished Nigerian. As we deeply lament his death which has created a vacuum in every sphere he served, we pray Allah to admit him into Aljannah Firdaus.

Amin.

Kamal Akintunde, National President, (NACOMYO) NAJOMO: Dr. Lateef Adegbite was a Muslim leader extra-ordinary. He lived a disciplined life with forthrightness, dedication, sincere and tolerance. He was an achiever, an accomplished leader with ability to interact with people of different faiths and diverse cultural backgrounds. He was a defender and promoter of Islam; his commitment to the promotion of Islamic unity led to d formation of WESTJOMO in 1972 which later metamorphosed into NAJOMO-National Joint Muslim Organization. A selfless personality who made impacts in several areas of human endeavour Dr. Adegbite contributed his quota to the growth and development of Nigerian nation. As NAJOMO President General, his death has created a vacuum in the regional Islamic body and NSCIA which he served as Secretary General till his glorious exit.

By R. Ola Bello, General Secretary, (NAJOMO) NASFAT: Nasrul-Lahi-L-Fatih Society of Nigeria is deeply saddened by the demise of Dr.Lateef Adegbite who served Islam in various capacities till his death. We however give praise to Allah for the grace of bestowing on the Muslim community, and indeed the entire citizens of Nigeria such exemplary and selfless leader. He was indeed a model of what Islam preaches in human development, well educated in Common Law with concurrent understanding of Islam. His devotion to the faith was so deep that he served mankind and Allah by propagating Islam from early life as co-founder and co-promoter of Muslim Students Society Nigeria (MSSN). And for many years later, he served as Secretary General of Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).

His life will for long be a reference case for us in Nasfat as a model of a successful Muslim and an inspiration for our budding youths. May Allah grant him forgiveness and admit him into the company of His favoured servants. We pray Allah to nurture and prosper all the ideals, children and other legacies which Dr. Adegbite left behind, Aamin.

It is satisfying however, that he lived his life as a Muslim and touched the lives of others accordingly.

At a time in Nigeria when it was almost an abomination especially for Muslim school children to bear Islamic identity, Dr. Adegbite dared all odds and joined other young Muslims of like minds in forming the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN).

He became the first President of that Society and moved ahead from there to paddle the canoe of Islam at national and international levels.

‘

Leadership of (NASFAT) QUAREEB: Alhaji Lateef Adegbite was a rare gem who combined all the qualities of leadership. He was an amiable mentor an inestimable model, an indefatigable monitor, a unique moderator of events and a multiplier of his likes for a better tomorrow. He came to the world and made a mark that can never be erased. We of Al-fatihul Quareeb Islamic Society of Nigeria pray fervently to Almighty Allah to forgive his sins and grant him aljanat firdaos. Amin Sheikh Adangba, National Missioner, (AlFathul Quareeb) VIP: Dr. Lateef Oladimeji Adegbite was arguably the most Islamic personality in contemporary Nigeria after the legendary Uthman Dan Fodio. As the founding President of MSSN, he impacted positively on the lives of millions of Muslims in Nigeria. He was humble to a fault and a mixer who was very much at home either with his age pairs or younger generations.

The success story of Dr. Adegbite goes beyond the MSSN phenomenon because of the multiplier effect which that Society had on those groomed and trained and became leaders of other Islamic Organizations such as Sheikhs Abdur-Rahman Ahmad of AnsarudDeen Society of Nigeria and Abdullah Akinbode of NSFAT. In fact, Dr. Adegbite was a colossus who traversed Islamic landscape in Nigeria successfully for more than half a century. And despite that length of time he never for once held any controversial Islamic view that could cause confusion in the society. His greatest asset was his ability to build bridges and cool tempers. That asset made him an acceptable leader across regions and tribes. We pray Allah to repose his soul in perfect peace. Amin. Ishaq Kunle Sanni, Coordinator, Vanguard for Islamic Programmes (VIP).

MAN:Muslim Association of Nigeria (MAN) mourns the exit of an exemplary leader, a lover of peace, a religious leader, an illustrious son of Africa and a Nationalist par excellence who has contributed immensely to the growth of Islam and peaceful co-existence of all Nigerians irrespective of tribes and religions. May Allah (SWA) forgive his sins, reward him with Aljannah Firdous and pick among the Ummah someone who will continue the good work of this rare gem.

Alhaji Yusuf Sulaimon, President, MAN, (Home and Abroad) FOMWAN: Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilaihir Raji’un. The Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN) received with surprise but strong faith in Allah the death news of our father, mentor and supporter, Alhaji Lateef Adegbite. For FOMWAN Baba was like a ‘mother hen’ always guiding and protecting its chickens from predators.

When FOMWAN National Team paid him a courtesy visit in Ogun State in 2011, he spoke at length on the need for unity among the Muslim Ummah, a principle for which he had always been known practically.

Dr Lateef Adegbite demise is a loss to the Ummah. We pray Allah to grant him Aljannat Firdaus, Maryam Idris Othman, National Amira, (FOMWAN) CRITERION: It is though very painful to have lost a father, a mentor, and a bridgebuilder like Dr. Lateef Adegbite, ‘The Criterion’ finds solace in the fact that he lived a fruitful life as an agent for religious stability and peaceful co-existence amongst Nigerians.

As Secretary General of the NSCIA he left a very big pair of shoes behind for whoever would wear those.

As a co-founder of MSSN, he used his wealth of experience in government and law practice to unite the Muslims of the northern and southern parts of Nigeria. We pray Allah to grant him eternal rest in Al-jannah.

Dr. Sherifat Olubunmi Labo-Popoola, National Ameerah, (The Criterion) Dr Abdullateef Adegbite passed on at a time Nigeria needed men and women of moral conviction and national and international stature to steer it out of its present unrest.

Our dear country has lost a rare colossus, an experienced spokesperson, a fearless public affairs commentator, an astute orator, a patriot, a reconciliator, a brilliant constitutional lawyer, a caring father, a caller to the path of Allah and an expert in religious tolerance advocacy. Nigeria has lost a bridge builder between the North and South who worked tirelessly for the unity and progress of the country.

He displayed rare qualities of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule Secretary to the Lagos State Government

45

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

Residents of submerged Delta communities seek help •Continued from Page 17 proved relief camps, one in Ossissa community, another in Ivrogbo in Isoko area of the state, though a great deal of the sacked residents are sheltering in Ashaka and Kwale.

But the worry now is that both towns are also in danger, some parts of which are even flooded and others threatened.

“In a day or two, my family and I will move what we can out of our house because the water is about two meters away,” Mr. Lucky Chiejine, a landlord in Kwale, said on Wednesday. “It is strange, but that is the situation.”

There are human casualties. A headmaster is said to have died in Inyi, another large clan of three qaurters, all of which under water.

The traditional ruler of Adiai, His Highness Enuesike II, is still missing. A member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) deployed to Aboh, drowned as the boat on which he was being evacuated to Ashaka capsized.

There are other losses and worries. Nwabueze’s car is trapped, his piggery and fish pond submerged.

•They need help Many others suffered similar losses.

Facilities in communities where the flood victims are sheltering have been overstretched. It is even said that house rent has shot up astro-

They need better sanitary conditions, food and clothing but to avert food crisis in the coming year, they need funds to buy yam, cassava and plantain seedlings. They also need help to rebuild their homes, many of which have given way under the impact of the floods

nomically, deepening the woes of the disaster victims.

In the approved relief camps, some makeshift toilets have been provided, said Nwabueze, who is part of the rescue and rehabilitation efforts. But such facilities are insufficient.

“We need help from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and other relevant agencies,” said Mr. Larry Ezechi, a youth leader who has also been helping with rescue work.

Many are looking up to the federal and state governments to bring

•Continued from Page 17

each of the senatorial zones in Anambra State.

According to him, the hospital is not meant for members of PFN and their families alone. Rather, it is a hospital for all and sundry not only in the state but beyond.

“We want to put smiles on the face of God and the people of this state. We believe in God and that is why integrity is our watchword.

“We want to make healthcare available to the people. We are missionary-minded; this place is not for money-making as is speculated but a place to serve God and humanity,” he said.

Eberechukwu further said that the hospital would be a home delivery one where the ambulance would pick the sick persons from their homes to the hospital.

The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Jesus our Physician Specialist Hospital, Dr Paul Igwe, a specialist consultant family physician told Newsextra that the hospital has Accident and Emergency Department and Orthopedic section.

Also, it has special outpatient ward, dental section fully equipped, cardiology equipment, X-ray facility among others and most importantly, the HIV unit which is always in contact with the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, manned by Dr Onyekachi Nwoye.

There are other men of God who made sure that the dream became a reality. They are Bishop Vin

•Members of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria in Anambra

PFN builds hospital in Anambra

Nzeakor, who is the PFN ViceChairman, Rev Uba Nebo and Dr Joseph Ajujungwa who is the South-East Public Relations Officer of the group, among others.

For Dr. Joseph Ajujungwa who is also the Secretary of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Enugu State, there are other nu-

merous projects PFN in SouthEast would soon embark on.

However, Eberechukwu thanked people like PFN SAC/ SEC, Bro Obumselu, Dr Foster Ihejiofor and Pastor Emma Obiora and the family of Erinne of Okija and Project Cure, Colorado, USA for their support.

not just immediate succour but also long-term relief.

Nwabueze fears an epidemic outbreak if sanitary conditions are not improved in the camps. He said the people also need food because many of them were evacuated with little or no supplies. The former number two man in the local government listed other needs to include medication, mosquito nets and clothing.

Chief Azuka Nwachukwu, a community leader, said the people will need much assistance after the floods, too.

If that support comes, it will help

not just the devastated communities but several other places in the state and beyond. How? Being essentially farmers, residents of the flooded communities not only depend on what they grow to survive; they also ferry the bulk of their produce to markets at Kwale and other towns to be sold to local consumers and merchants from far-flung locations.

To avert food crisis in the area in the coming year, the farmers need financial aid to buy seedlings of yam and cassava and plantain suckers.

They also need help to rebuild their homes, many of which have given way under the impact of the floods.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

46

YOBOLA Foundation, a nongovernmental organisation (NGO), has lifted the spirits of pensioners and senior citizens in Lagos State.

The organisation presented food and nutrition package to them at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Lagos.

The beneficiaries commended the Foundation for the gesture, describing it as timely and appropriate.

The NGO explained that apart from merely supplying their needs, the donation was aimed at appreciating people who spent their whole lives in selfless service to the fatherland.

In his welcome address, the coordinator of the foundation, Stephen Enada, said it is committed to easing the burden of retirees and senior citizens, ensuring their entitlements are given to them and they are in good state of health.

The gesture was part of the NGO’s advocay role for pensioners and senior citizens to create awareness on their rights so that their voice could be heard and their entitlements given to them.

The organisation added that it caters for the health and physical wellbeing of this cadre of the Nigerian population.

The Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Establishments, Training and Pensions, Florence Oguntuashe, represented by the Permanent Secretary Folashade Adesoye, said “Food and nutrition are a key element in maintaining our overall physical well-being.”

She added that “the gesture is to ensure that the weak and the elderly in the society are given due attention.”

She said the state government has embarked on plans to ensure that pensioners and senior citizens above the age of 70 are given free health services, including drugs, in general hospitals across the state, adding that there are plans also for them to have access to free Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)

A

•Chairman, Board of Trustees, Femi Afolabi; Roda Ayinde representing Dame Abimbola Fashola, and Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Establishments, Training and Pensions, Folashade Adesoye at the event PHOTO:SOLOMON ADEOLA

A lift for pensioners, senior citizens

By Olatunde Odebiyi

within the state.

Oguntuashe said that the Public Service Office held an interactive session on September 13 for Lagos State pensioners on the need to pay special attention to their finances, diet and health-related issues.

At that forum, the Head of Service shed light on government’s effort in creating a special ward for senior citizens in all the state-owned hospitals and health centres.

The Commissioner said the Babatunde Fashola administration has enunciated various agricultural programmes and policies geared to-

wards ensuring that a balanced diet is available for all.

The Commissioner said there are 1,957 pensioners who are being paid regularly under the Contributory Pensions Scheme since October 2010, and that the ministry conducts regular bi-annual pre-retirement seminars for pensioners on how to quickly access their retirement benefits.

She added that, among other achievements, an automated databank for retirees and employees has also been established in the state.

Oguntuashe said the pension to care for the senior citizens in the state by the pension administrators has been sustained and demonstrated through the years by the presentation of food

items to pensioners who are above 70 years of age in every quarter, adding that there home visits as well to the pensioners to enquire about their health and provide assistance wherever necessary.

In the course of these visits, food, wheelchairs and some other packages have been made available to the oldest pensioner and those whose mobility were impaired.

Mrs Oguntuashe said further that Governor Fashola has assured that no effort would be spared on all matters affecting pensioners so as to ease the burden of retirement and ensure comfort even at old age.

Chairman of the foundation’s Board of Trustees, Femi Afolabi, said

the organisation aims at ensuring that pensioners and senior citizens get their entitlements, and are alive and in good health.

The wife of the governor, Dame Abimbola Fashola, represented by Mrs Roda Ayinde, said: “The key to long life is eating well and eating the right thing at the right time; it is in the light of this that Ayobola Foundation is giving out food and nutrition package to pensioners and senior citizens in Lagos State.”

She urged the pensioners to put their trust in God as He is the source of long life and prosperity, adding that the Lagos State government is committed to enhancing the wellbeing of pensioners.

Council chief’s wife mobilises women on community development

A

WORKSHOP has been held in Oriade Local Council Development Area, Lagos to mobilise women for development roles in the council.

The wife of the council chairman, Mrs Barisi Sanusi organised the workshop.

The workshop, tagged “The Role of Women in Community Development” was held at the council’s secretariat.

Addressing the women at the event, Mrs Sanusi stressed the need for women to be active in issues concerning community development, even as she argued that women have not been active in their roles as mothers, helpers and community developers due to what she called institutional, socio-economic and cultural constraints.

“The times are changing,” she said.

“There is now an acceptance that

By Amidu Arije

women can and do play vital a role in community affairs, particularly in contributing to the achievement of community security, development and progress.”

Mrs Sanusi, who emphasised that the role of women can be crucial to the health of a society, noted that women make many of the decisions that determine a household’s participation in the community, including healthcare, educational, and cultural decisions.

She maintained that “in parts of the world where women’s rights are still developing, the role of women in community development can be the key to reducing gender inequality, providing for the needs of women families, and ending centuries of discrimination against women.

•From left: Mrs Doris Coker; Hon. Rita Arabome and Mrs Barisi Sanusi

“As a powerful decision-making force, women are often well acquainted with the pros and cons of their community, and may be in a good position to analyse how best to improve society. As members of community development organisations such as outreach programmes, parent-teacher associations, cultural societies, and city planning boards, women can use the knowledge they garnered from household decisions to make a substantive contribution to the future of their city or town.”

Defining community development as the process where individuals in the community joined forces to plan and take actions on community problems, Mrs Sanusi said that members of the community identify community problems and needs, plan and conduct activities together using available community resources, adding that it is a process whereby the

efforts of individuals in the community are combined with efforts of government and non-government bodies to improve and develop community socially, economically and culturally.

On how to promote a fair society, Mrs Sanusi noted that in areas of the world where gender inequality pervades, the role of women in community development may be even more significant.

“When women can be involved in the issues of women’s education, rape and domestic violence prevention, and economic opportunities for women, they stand a greater chance of reducing inequality and promoting a fair society. In communities where the role of women has been traditionally and culturally marginalised, it may take strong, vocal, and persistent female participation to insist that these issues be addressed for the betterment of society.

“By deploying the power of women in community development to improve gender sensitivity overall, women can help shed light on glaring inequalities, and try to find ways to better the lives of other women in global community.

“Getting involved in international organisations, women can pull the focus on the plight of women in ar-

eas where they are not permitted to have a voice, and make crucial strides towards eliminating gender inequality around the globe,” Mrs Sanusi said.

She stressed that community development efforts are geared towards achieving social, economic, spiritual and cultural progress, developing functioning community groups and organisations, developing community leaders, improving relationships and cooperation among community members, maximising utilisation of community resources, increasing capacity of the community to face challenges and to encourage planning and conduct of programmes at the community level.

In her contribution, Mrs Joy Ikechukwu who is a Senior Midwife in one of the hospitals in Lagos advised women to live healthy lives.

She urged them to engage in frequent or regular physical exercises and to have sex with their husbands on regular basis as this will help in making them look young and healthy. She advised them have regular sound sleep, even as she said eating more walnut, vegetables would make them healthy.

Mrs Ikechukwu also urged women to avoid alcohol and to drink enough water regularly.

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Ndigbo should unite and speak with one voice on national issues while strengthening the bond of fraternity with their nearest neighbours and brothers in the South-South

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SABA, the Delta State capital, witnessed a flurry of activities as it hosted Ndigbo from all walks of life gathering to observe the Igbo Day. The event, hosted by the state governor Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, featured speeches by Igbo leaders, cultural dances and goodwill messages.

The occasion began with lectures at the Grand Hotel Asaba. The lectures were delivered by renowned political scientist Professor BIC Ijeomah, Professor Raph Nwokedi and Dr Mrs. Ofomata, author of several works on culture and history.

In his message to Ndigbo, the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ambassador Ralph Uwechue went down memory lane on the uncomplimentary history of the ethic group in the Nigerian project.

He called on Ndigbo to unite and pursue their goals in Nigeria with an unwavering candour and resilience. He reiterated the commitment of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to the project of Nigerian Presidency of Igbo extraction.

In his keynote address, Governor Uduaghan declared the event a historic one in the sense that it was the first time and during his regime that such event was holding in Delta State. He advocated an increased geo-political rapport between the Southeast and the Southsouth, even as he emphasised that the geo-political and even economic interest of both zones are similar.

He traced the history of the geopolitical and economic cooperation between the two zones which culminated in the massive Igbo vote for a Southsouth indigene Goodluck Jonathan in the 2011 Presidential election. He declared that he is an Igbo man.

Governor Uduaghan reiterated his commitment to promote interethnic harmony among all the ethnic groups in Delta State. He also shared the view of the late Dim

I

N order to move forward, we need to go back to the vision and drive of our founding fathers. We need to reenact the indomitable spirit of our past leaders who envisaged a united, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.

That was the challenge thrown to Nigerians by the chairman of OtoAwori Local Council Development Area, Hon. Kayode Robert.

The council chief was not advocating regression; he was simply challenging Nigerians to rekindle

•From left: Ukiwe, Uduaghan, Uwechue, Ekwueme at the event

Ndigbo celebrate day in Asaba From Chris Oji, Enugu

Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu on the handshake across the Niger.

In his speech, Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State and chairman of the Forum of Southeast Governors, congratulated the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Ambassador Ralph Uwechue, the chairman of the 2012 Igbo Day Planning committee Dr Joe Nwaorgu and the National Executive Committee of Ohanaeze Ndigbo for organising the historic event.

He said: Ndigbo should unite and speak with one voice on national issues while strengthening the bond of fraternity with their nearest neighbours and brothers in the

Southsouth.

Contributing, Senator Ben Obi who represented the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, stressed the need for Ndigbo to keep the dreams of their forebears alive and assert themselves in the larger Nigeria family.

The chairman of the event and former Chief of General Staff, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe saluted Ndigbo for their resilience and courage.

He reiterated that Igbo everywhere irrespective of geographical or spatial diversity remain one. He called on Ndigbo to remain focused and demand their legitimate rights in Nigeria.

The former Vice-President Dr

Alex Ekwueme harped on Igbo unity and the urgent need for Igbo re-discovery.

The representative of Abia State governor, Chief T. A. Orji and the Deputy Governor of the state, Chief Emeka Ananaba traced the dialectics and unpleasant history of Ndigbo in Nigeria and congratulated the Ohanaeze Ndigbo on their awareness of the historical imperative of building bridges and knitting together Igbo from all corners of Igbo land.

The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State who represented the Governor Chief Seriake Dickson congratulated Ndigbo on finding it necessary to build bridges with their brothers in the Southsouth, even as he ex-

pressed the hope that such bond would continue in the years ahead.

Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha was also present to give his support to the event.

The President of the Igbo World Assembly (IWA) Dr Anakwenze whose organisation had earlier had a lecture on September 27 with the theme “Actualisation of Igbo Agenda and Youth Empowerment,” expressed his happiness over the success of the event and assured Ndigbo that IWA would always work with Ohanaeze Ndigbo to protect the interest of Ndigbo all over the world.

Highlights of the event were cultural dances, processions and youth activities. Many top Igbo dignitaries like Pa Onyenso Nwachukwu, Dr Anagha Ezikpe; Chief J. D. Maduako, Dr George Obiozor, Dr. A.B.C. Nwosu, His Royal Highness Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, Ohanaeze chieftains, Igbo youth leaders and Umuada Igbo attended the event.

‘Let’s emulate our founding fathers’

By Emmanuel Udodinma

the spirit that once lifted the country to an enviable height in the comity of nations.

Robert marshalled out his point at Anglican Primary School, IleOba, Ijanikin, Lagos in his message to the nation at its 52nd independ-

ency anniversary.

The council boss was aware that the country is facing challenges, but he maintained that it has the capacity to surmount them.

Robert visualised “a new Nigeria where there is maximum security, effective and accessible power supply, free and qualitative education, superb health care delivery and re-

•From left: Oloto of Oto, Oba Josiah Aina; Mr. Bolaji Robert; Mrs Ganiyat Bolaji and Onijanikin of Ijanikin, Oba Momodu Ashafa at the event

sponsive collective leadership, a Nigeria that would hold her head high in the comity of nations and would be respected by all.

“Our beloved country has its ups and downs, but today affords us the opportunity to reconnect with ourselves and celebrate our collective victory over collective effort. In spite of the challenges that we face, my belief is that there are better days ahead of us.

“As Nigerians, we are known for doggedness, resilient fighting spirit, and it is time for us to move forward in a more determined manner to tackle the various challenges facing us now, especially that of Boko Haram, unemployment, corruption, insufficient power generation, to mention but a few.”

Robert also seized the opportunity to inform the constituents that his administration has executed several projects, some of which include infrastructural renewal, provision of social amenities, reduction in crime rate, part of which was achieved by by the purchase and donation of six security patrol vans to security agencies. He also mentioned the ultra-modern four-storey office complex for the council workface.

He added that education has also been boosted in the council and that his administration has constructed three fully equipped nursery and primary schools, apart from renovating existing ones in the council.

Also, free exercise books, uniforms, desks and benches have been

provided for pupils in the council, just as free GCE form are distributed yearly to Ordinary Level candidates. Coaching classes are also organised, in addition to bursary awards to students of tertiary institution.

“The administration has also recorded significant achievements in the health sector, upgraded the abandoned Era Primary Health Centre to a mini-General Hospital with a laboratory and a morgue,” the cahirman said.

Other achievements include the construction of drainages with culverts, monthly presentation of prizes to staff to inspire productivity.

Robert also talked about welfare and poverty alleviation schemes initated and implemented by his administration, including his efforts in uplifting rural dwellers in the council.

The council Supervisor for Education and library, Prince Waliu Ashafa, said that October 1 is celebrated every year in the council to mark teh nation’s indepence landmark.

Ashafa praised the council chief for approving the overseas training of youths, adult literacy programme and the instructors in charge of the adult literacy programme.

Several dignitaries graced the occasion, including the Oloto of Oto, His Highness Oba Josiah Aina and Onijanikin of Ijanikin, Oba Momodu Ashafa.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

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POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Senator Atiku Abubakar Bagudu who represents Kebbi Central Senatorial District in Kebbi State chairs Senate Committee on Interior. In this interview with MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE, he speaks on burning national issues including agitation for state police and the effort of Federal Government to tackle insecurity.

‘Why unemployment deserves urgent attention’ T HE Boko-Haram menace is on the rise instead of abating and it does appear that the Federal Government isn’t doing much to tackle it…

To say that the Federal Government has not been doing enough isn’t correct. May be the best of the government isn’t enough because Nigerians just want this thing to go away and sometime when problems start, it is usually long and difficult for them to disappear. More money has been spent; a lot of intense activities are being undertaken by our security services and that to me is quite commendable because a lot of them have lost their lives in this period. Again, we are seen more activism by religious leaders and civil society groups to complement what the government is doing. There is need for more community vigilance. People should cooperate and support one another.

Certainly, the conduct of our religious leaders has been quite commendable in terms of how they condemn any attack. The Federal Government too has continued to engage stakeholders. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and the minister have all been up and doing, engaging traditional rulers, among others and we are seeing more results from such consultations. The new security adviser, Dasuki, immediately he got to office, visited Borno and Yobe which really cooled down the tempo. He has been to many places including Jos in trying to see that the tension is brought down. But more than that, I think the issue of unemployment is a major contributing factor in arresting this violence. If there are jobs and the perpetrators are brought to book, people will enjoy some relief.

What is your take on the controversial issue of state police because the western governors appear more in support of it while its northern counterparts are opposed to it?

There is nothing like the west governors because there are many people in the west who have expressed opinions for and against state police. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has come out to express his opinion among others.

In the North also, there are some people who are for it and some are against it. I remember the former National Security Adviser, Umaru Shinkafi wrote an article in support of the creation of state police whereas, Gambo, a former Inspector General of Police, takes a different view.

So, there is no unanimity; the issue is not region-based.

When the senate held its retreat at Asaba, there were some people who believe that state police is good but the current reality of the Nigerian federation is that if you have a state police, there is assurance that it would not lead to fragmentation of the country. There are some people who believe the police are not good and that if the Nigerian police have failed, then we should fix it. If they have failed because they do not have enough personnel and equipment, then those are what we should address. There are some people who were of the view that some states lack the resources to fund and manage a state police. Yet, some pose the question that with state police, what happens the federal? Are they going to disband it or run in parallel with states? If it s so, will the current fund allocation to the police continue? And if it is the case, how is the state government going to expand or support their state police?

Some of us have expressed the view that the reasons being given for creation of state police are good, but certainly not now. I believe we are not ripe enough given the security challenges we face and the reality of the Nigerian federation.

There is the issue of congestion in the Nigerian prisons and dilapidated physical structures which account for why it is so easy for jail breaks like the recent one in Oko. What is the senate doing in this regard?

The committee and indeed the entire Senate have been concerned about the state of the Nigerian prisons and we have started the process. We are in the third reading of the bill to reform the Nigerian prisons and those elements of the reform include making sure that whoever unfortunately goes to a prison in Nigeria should come out a better person – rehabilitated and trained so that he can be a better member of the Nigerian society. The second element is that we have considered a number of motions in tandem with the prisons reform bill about what to do with awaiting-trial problems. It is the main problem of the Nigerian prisons because out of the 50,000 which is the total population of the Nigerian prisons, about 36000 are awaiting trial. When I was at Oko prison, I learnt of the case of a young man of 17 who had been detained since 1997 on the orders of a military administrator. The last time he was in court was 2004. There is no excuse for this kind of things. It is either you try him, convict him or let him serve a sentence. Somebody should have the courage of saying he should not be there, nobody should be in the prisons forever without being convicted. So, the awaiting trial issue is of paramount importance to us and we have examined the various problems ranging from difficulties on the long time it takes for police officers to complete their investigation and sometimes they are

• Bagudu

transferred in the midst of the investigation, thus unable to complete it, and it takes a long time for the director of public prosecution in the state to provide the file. Another element is about the infrastructure-related constraints that the Nigerian prisons face. Sometimes they don’t have vehicles. You can see somebody who misses a court session because that same morning that he was expected to honour the date, the vehicles of the prisons authority broke down, or they may even have many people going to different courts at the same time and the vehicles are not even enough to convey them all. The security of the Nigerian prisons is another issue which relates to their age. The Senate is looking into it with a view to enhancing funding of the prisons.

Your governor is said to be a quiet person, which, perhaps, is why he isn’t much in the media, or is it that he resents the media?

Certainly, the Kebbi State Governor Alhaji Saidu Nadamu Dankingari does not resent the Media because the government has Ministry of Information and Special Adviser on Media. We have friends in the Media and we try as much as possible to put in the Media what projects and programmes being done in the state. But sometimes, government is a balancing act; it involves spending of government money because you have to place advert, you pay honorarium for logistics which is an element that costs money too and sometimes, because of pressing priorities, you are not putting as much money as you should to media projects but most of the laudable projects of the governor and his deputy have been using the press for a while. The first major task that was undertaken by the Dakingari-led government was the education sector reform. The current INEC chairman, Professor Attairu Jega who is also an illustrious son of Kebbi was made to chair an education committee which reviewed he education sector in the state and came up with policies very early in the administration of the government in 2007 and everything he has recommended is being implemented. A similar committee was set up and headed by another illustrious son of Kebbi, Professor Hamid, to review the health sector and that saw

‘There is need for more community vigilance. People should cooperate and support one another. Certainly, the conduct of our religious leaders has been quite commendable in terms of how they condemn any attack. The Federal Government too has continued to engage stakeholders. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and the minister have all been up and doing, engaging traditional rulers, among others and we are seeing more results from such consultations’

the creation of additional over 100 primary health care centres. Workers were employed, equipment provided and all over the state, we have free maternal health care for all antenatal women and certainly the rural roads programme, in my mind, is one of the best in the country. It was designed to ease evacuation and transportation of food items from the rural areas to the urban centres. There is really no place in Kebbi now that one cannot access in four hours. Before this administration came to power, there were places if I went, I had to sleep overnight.

What other thing has his administration done?

Also, the project has made food widely available. Farmers are empowered because they are getting better prices for their products because they can easily move them to the markets both in Kebbi and other parts of the country. On the social aspects, one of the things that were done by the governor was the programme to rehabilitate all mentally challenged people and he did it in the most modest way. He did not air it through the media because of the thinking that it could expose such beneficiaries to victimization. Over 5000 people were cured and reintegrated back to their families and there have been follow-up programmes where medication was delivered to them so that they could fully resume their normal social activities. Despite that, there is an empowerment programme that is done for them in conjunction with area development administrators to keep the busy. Currently, under the SUREP programme, among others, there is a proposed bill which will ease administration of the SURE funding with representation from all strata of society and all the local government areas, religious and traditional leaders and the political class. All these programmes have helped to steer the ship of Kebbi, one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria . However, it has not been without challenges because in general, we know that resources available to the state are inadequate and therefore, among others, we want to see increased revenue allocation to the state government so that the laudable programmes being done can improve. And I will implore as many people that can come to Kebbi to come so that we can showcase what we meant by this rural infrastructure-based development.

Virtually everybody wrote off the PDP during the last year general election; how was the party able to turn the table over to still be ruling party?

I think two elements were responsible for this. One, maybe those analyses that were undertaken before the election were done by those people that could have been more informed.

Sometimes, we judge based on the reviews that we read and not based on factual evidence because I remember that time, some of us, when we read those analyses by some of our friends in the media, even with some people we quite respect, we just laughed and asked for they got the background information from. Why didn’t they just come over and find things out for themselves because we knew that the evidence on ground was such that we could not expect anything better than an outright win. We have 225 wards spread over 25 local government areas and there is none of such ward where something of development had not taken place under the Dakingari-led government; either primary health care centre, secondary school, road network, water, electricity, combination of one, or two or all of them. Certainly, the spirit of the people was very high, that they were saying that these are the kind of things we want from government; we don’t want somebody concentrating all his attention on the urban centres or making himself visible in the media.

So, we were confident that the people acknowledged that fact and they rewarded the governor because all his campaign promises were actualised and because the government was a performance-oriented one, we believed the electorate would reward him accordingly. And they did that convincingly.

Many would hardly believe that an unassuming person like you would be in politics; Nigerian politics at that …

What is peculiar with the Nigerian politics? I don’t think Nigerian politics is any way different from politics anywhere else, in the sense that it is all driven by concerns to participate and do things differently. And since resumption of politics in this republic in 1999, many people of good will have joined the political fray with a view to contributing to the country’s development. And it is quite interesting to note that the quality of the number of participants has been improving, which of course, has improved the quality of governance and that is because of the number of people that have decided to join in order to pull together the various experiences they have gathered from everywhere. I was a university lecturer. I worked in the banking sector and I was a private businessman. So, coming into politics gave me a perspective that somebody who is totally a government person would not. And I think it is the combination of these experiences has enabled me to see the Nigerian project much better.

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NEWS ‘Robbers sponsor colleagues for police training’

Boko Haram’ll cause North’s backwardness, says Maku

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HE Federal Government yesterday said the violent activities of the Boko Haram sect would make the North to remain backward.

It decried the security challenges in the region, saying they are capable of making it a perpetually backward region.

The Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, spoke in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, at the National Good Governance Tour Citizens’ Forum.

Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed; the Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi; his Transport counterpart, Senator Idris Umar, and representatives of the Ministers of Water Resources and National Planning were also present.

Maku said: “That is why I am worried about the North. It’s because we are far behind and we are the ones now courting

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

trouble in places that we need development.

“The challenges we face in the North can only be solved through a cooperative approach and this is what the federal and state governments are doing. We have met several times with the North’s governors to design a community security architecture that will ensure that traditional rulers are on top of their areas. This is because if you allow trouble in your area, development will run away.

“I believe we need to work harder on the issue. It is the traditional rulers who should ensure the protection of the infrastructure in their domains. It is their responsibility to watch over their subjects and their activities. If we do not do this, we will not be able to achieve the

objective of accelerated development.

“This country is our own, as you can see in Kwara. Development is ongoing. There are also challenges. We can discuss them; I believe in discussing them positively too. We don’t have to discuss them as if we are the worst people in the world. This is a beautiful country; this is a great country. I believe we have a big responsibility to make it great. We cannot do this until the Federal, state and local governments and the people of this country work together on the same page in ensuring that national priorities are supported in all areas…”

Ahmed said: “We have security challenges, which are not peculiar to Nigeria. We must surmount them.

“We should know that we have common enemies: poverty and corruption. We must

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

T

•Maku

put our hands together and fight them. When we talk of corruption, people keep looking at those in government - governors, commissioners, ministers.

But corruption has eaten into every fabric that makes up Nigeria, especially in the private sector.

“From the messengers in the private sector to commercial drivers, traders, corruption has eaten deep into the system, like a virus. We must fight it with the last drop of our blood, if we must move forward.”

•Minister of State for Education, Mr Ezenwo Nyesom Wike (left) with the contractor handling the Federal Government’s girl child schools project, Prince Emma Anyanwo, during the minister’s inspection of the project in Rivers State...yesterday.

HE police yesterday said they have discovered that armed robbers sponsor their colleagues to police colleges for training.

The Commandant of the Police College in Kaduna, Sanusi Rufai, told reporters in Kaduna that two robbery suspects were among the recruits undergoing training at the college while 25 others have been dismissed for various offences.

Rufai said one of the suspects was sponsored by a gang operating in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), while the other was discovered during a court hearing in Kebbi State.

The police chief said 25 others were dismissed from the college for offences ranging from certificate forgery, age falsification, pregnancy, among others.

The commandant accused politicians and traditional rulers of complicity in the admission of unqualified candidates into the college.

Rufai said: “These big people bring their candidates and insist they must be admitted, whether they qualify or not.”

He explained that one of the suspects would have concluded his training in December, adding: “What brought about their dismissal is because I got a report from my colleague, the Area Commander in Kubwa (FCT), that one of the recruits was an armed robber.

“The police arrested his gang and they mentioned that they sponsored him to receive training here. About three months ago, from Kebbi State, we received another letter and we detected another armed robber. This one was from a court.

“Without such detection, I do not know what would have happened, if these people had passed out of the college as policemen. During screening, you find out that some of them present forged certificates; some cannot read or write. Others are over age. There are those who claim to be drivers but cannot move a car.”

The police chief denied the reports that prospective recruits into the college bribed police officers to gain admission.

Adamawa Poly’s Rector decries hoodlums’ threat

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HE Rector of Adamawa State Polytechnic, , Prof Abdullahi Bobboi, has urged to security agents to protect the students from hoodlums.

He said the school has been attacked by some criminals, allegedly led by ‘Abdul Black’, who he said entered the school complex through the Jimeta Police Barracks.

Bobboi said two students were injured during the attacks and were admitted at the Yola Specialist Hospital.

He decried incessant incursions into the institution by hoodlums, drug peddlers and miscreants.

He said: “We have complained several times to the police authorities in Yola to intervene. The security breach is now reaching an alarming rate.”

Kwankwaso shuts down Triumph

K Floods: Niger releases N150m to feed 42,000 families

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IGER State Governor Babangida Aliyu yesterday said the state has released N150million to feed over 42,000 families who were displaced by floods.

The governor said the flood victims would need government assistance in the next 15 months.

Aliyu spoke in Minna, the state capital, when he hosted the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina.

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

The minister was on an assessment tour of the communities affected by floods.

Aliyu said 50 people have died in the floods, adding that over 500 communities were destroyed by the raging waters.

The governor urged the Federal Government to assist the state in alleviating the suffering of the victims because the state was over-

whelmed by the floods.

He told Adesina that some of the affected communities have agreed to be resettled away from the disaster zone.

Aliyu said 60 youths from the state would be sent to Kenya to study rice farming technology to enhance its production.

The governor said the state has a comparative advantage over other states in the production of the staple.

Adesina said the Federal

Government, through the ministry, was ready to partner the state in the introduction of high yield seedlings, especially cereals, to farmers.

The minister said high breed rice seeds, which can produce 10 tonnes per hectare, would be made available to farmers in the state.

He added that maize seedlings, which take two months to mature, would also be supplied.

‘PDP plans to rig Plateau National Assembly poll’ •Govt: allegation baseless

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S the electorate in Plateau North Senatorial District prepares for tomorrow’s National Assembly by-election to replace the late Senator Gyang Dantong, the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) candidate, Col. David Dungs (rtd.), has alleged that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has perfected plans to rig the election.

Addressing reporters in Jos, the state capital, Dungs said: “I have found out from the grapevine that the ruling party, in connivance with the state government, has lined up government vehicles to be used for rigging.

“Already, the PDP has printed ballot papers from out-

Opposition unites against PDP

O

PPOSITION parties in Plateau State, under the umbrella of the Conference for All Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), have chosen a consensus candidate to contest against the ruling Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) in tomorrow’s National Assembly by-election in Plateau North.

CNPP said five parties are contesting the election fixed for tomorrow.

The state chairman of all opposition parties in the state, Alhaji Muhammed Kanam, spoke at a media briefing in Jos yesterday.

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

side the state with which they will stuff ballot boxes. Voters are being mobilised from the southern and central zones to vote for PDP’s candidate.

“I want to urge the people of the zone to be vigilant and re-

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

He said: “CNPP had five candidates for this election and we have resolved that it is wise to collapse them into one consensus candidate” “The good thing is that all the five parties under CNPP presented very credible candidates, however, the CNPP takes a look at the background that we are facing PDP, the party in government.

“We sincerely believe that allowing five candidates to stand against the PDP is also to accept defeat before the votes are counted.”

sist any form of rigging. I also want to caution security agencies to resist being used for rigging because corruption in government starts from election rigging.”

But the government denied the allegation.

Through its Commissioner

for Information, Yiljap Abraham, the government warned the voters against rigging.

The government spoke in Jos on Wednesday at a meeting with political parties.

Abraham denied the alleged plan to rig the election.

ANO State Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso yesterday ordered the closure of the stateowned Triumph Publishing Company, publisher of Triumph newspapers.

Though no official reason was given for the decision, The Nation gathered from government sources that the dwindling performance of management and workers of the company caused the decision.

It was also learnt that the governor was worried about what he perceived as a calculated attempt by the newspaper’s management to misappropriate funds.

A source ssaid: “You are aware that just a few months ago, the governor pumped in over N50million to revitalise the company. But to his surprise, the management could

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

not account for the money.

They could not even pay workers’ salaries.”

It was learnt that the Commissioner for Information, Prof Umar Farouk Jibril, and the company’s Managing Director, Malam Kabiru Muhammad Gwangwanzo, accompanied by a detachment of armed mobile policemen were on the premises at 5pm on Wednesday.

They summoned the workers for an emergency meeting.

PUBLIC NOTICE I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ugwu Henrieta Akunnaya, now wish to be known and address as Mrs. Ajaero Henrieta Akunnaya. all former documents remain valid.

The general public please take note

PUBLIC NOTICE CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION OF MBE MOUNTAINS (CAMM) The general public is hereby notified that the above named association has applied to corpoporate affairs commission for registration under part ‘c” of the companies and allied matters Act,1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. PAUL O. ABANG 2. KAJANG, AMOS KAJANG 3. OBI KELVIN AKEH 4. NKRAH, GABRIEL OSANJA 5. OBI NAPOLEON OSANJA 6. ASHU OCHANG KIERIEN 7. FEDELIS ICHI 8. KEKUNG FEDELIS M. 9. ESHUA LAWRENCE ACHU AIMS OF CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION OF MBE MOUNTAINS ARE: 1. To conserve and proctect mbe mountains’and flora and fauna for our benefit,posterity and tourism attraction.

2. To conserve mbe mountains flora and fauna thus creating job opportunities and employment generation.

3. To encourage positive attitude of the mbe mountains communities towards the need for good health,conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.

Any objective(s) to the registration should be forwarded within twenty-eight (28) days to the registrar general, corporate affairs commission, plot 420 Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi street,maitama,Abuja.

Signed. MR. KAJANG AMOS KAJANG

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

54

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 4-10-12

NSE index rises 1%, investors gain N83b A

The bullish rally at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) gathered more momentum yesterday as a major surge in demand pivoted average return at the stock market to 27.58 per cent.

Market indicators rose for the third day in succession, in spite of a dampener by the most capitalised stock; Dangote Cement, which depreciated.

Nine quoted companies were yesterday added to the basket of market-making stocks, bringing the total number of stocks on the pilot phase of the initiative to 25.

A major highlight of market actvities was the divestment of 3.171 billion shares of Dangite Industries Limited in Dangote Flour Mills Plc to a new core investorTiger Brand of South Africa.The deal represented 87 per cent of total volume

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

yesterday. The All Share Index (ASI), the benchmark index at NSE, gained 1.0 per cent to close at 26,448.61 points. Aggregate market capitalisation of all equities added N83 billion to close at N8.421 trillion.

The stocks that were added to the market making portfolio included First Bank, Access Bank, Academy Press, Custodian & Allied, AIICO Insurance, National Salt, Nestle, Union Bank and Dangote Sugar.

Total turnover stood at 3.640 billion shares worth N32.478 billion in 4,731 deals. The consumer goods sector displaced the financial services to the third position with a volume of 3.194 billion shares while the later recorded 167.807 million

shares. Agriculture on the other hand, took the second position with 223.289 million shares.

Others with relatively high volume were oil & gas, industrial goods, healthcare and services with 9.944 million shares, 5.420 million shares, 4.191 million shares and 2.234 million shares respectively.

On the price movement, there were 33 advancers as against 18 decliners. Most market making stocks made the gainers table.Union Bank led the gainers’ table with a gain of 76 kobo to close at N8.41. It was followed by Academy Press with 15 kobo to close at N1.79.

Also on the table were AIICO, Dangote Sugar, Access Bank, Cadbury, Ashaka Cement, Julius Berger, Learn Africa and Oando with N0.05, N0.36, N0.45, N1.25, N0.76, N1.37, N0.10 and N0.63 respectively.

Academy to retool market operators

T

HE Capital Markets Academy, a Londonbased training and consultancy firm, will host its first-ever training programme in Africa in Lagos on Monday. The training reassures on long-term commitment to provide Nigerian capital market operators, regulators, investors and other stakeholders with global skills and expertise.

Speaking at an interactive media session yesterday in Lagos, managing director, The Capital Markets Academy, Mr. Delme Thompson, said the firm intends to engage Nigerian professionals

and organisations in the quest to hone the skills needed for competitive growth of the Nigerian market.

He outlined that the firm would leverage on its global expertise and partnership with Nigerian organisations and operators to deliver world-class training solutions that meet the peculiarities of the Nigerian market.

Delme, who was until 2011 the head of training services at the London Stock Exchange, said trainings would be designed to assist operators and other stakeholders to acquire

practical knowledge and skills to succeed in a globally competitive environment.

According to him, the Academy is dedicated to serving governments, institutions and individuals in their pursuit to achieve standards of excellence.

In her remarks, general manager, listings sales and retention, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Taba Peterside, stressed the importance of continuing capacity development. She pointed out that education and enlightenment are the bedrocks of market development.

She said the partnership between NSE and the Capital Markets Academy was a demonstration of NSE’s desire to foster investors’ awareness and adequate capacity for operators.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 4-10-12

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

55

MONEY LINK

CBN okays voters’ card for bank ID

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday, approved the use of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) identification card (ID) as means of customer identification in banks.

In a circular addressed to all banks and Other Financial Institutions (OFIs), the apex bank said it included the INEC ID to other existing means of identification to enhance financial inclusion.

The circular signed by Amugo K.N of the Financial Policy and Regulation Unit

Stories by Collins Nweze

of the CBN, advised all banks and OFIs to accept INEC voter’s registration card duly issued by INEC, bearing the holder’s name, photograph, date of birth and address as a valid additional means of natural persons for the purpose of conducting banking business in the country.

Amugo said the addition is in line with CBN’s full implementation of its antimoney laundering /combating the financial terrorism (AML/CFT) regulation

‘Businesses need to re-think risk’

B

USINESSES need to work harder to spread responsibility for risk management across the whole organisation, according to a new report from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

The survey of over 2,000 members found that accountants have vital role to play in successful risk management.

The survey, it said in a statement, also found a statistical link between the use of accounting practices that contribute to managing risk and lower occurrences of fraud. It also found differences in the perception of a company’s exposure to risk between those at board level and those accountants

working below board level.

‘Risk happens at all levels of business,’ It doesn’t sit in silos. Risk management needs to be something that is undertaken by everyone in an organisation so it is fully integrated. The survey shows that accountants have an excellent grasp of the risks faced by their organisation and the steps needed to manage those risks. The survey also shows clear support amongst accountants for ‘challenging senior people’ as being part of good business culture,” it said.

According to him, accounting is about providing information to help make good decisions, and good decisions mean less risk.

2009 on acceptable means of identification for the purpose of account opening and transaction banking business in the country..

The regulator said implementation of risk-based supervision to combating money laundering and terrorist financing depends on a sound understanding of the threats and vulnerabilities of the menace to each financial institution in particular and

entire financial industry in general.

It said the measure is further supported by the importance the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) attached to the risk-based approach to AML/CFT supervision in its revised recommendations issued earlier in the year.

Aside increasing the means of identifications, the apex bank said it is working with stakeholders in the Ni-

G

ROUP Managing Di rector and Chief Ex ecutive Officer of Access Bank Plc, Aigboje AigImoukhuede, yesterday said Nigerian banks would post profit that is equivalent to 10 per cent of the aggregate profit of all the European Union (EU) banks this year.

The bank CEO, who spoke at the at the ongoing Nigeria International Investment Forum (NIIF) in Lagos said that about five years ago, the total profit posted by all EU banks was about $60 billion, while all the Nigerian banks

posted a combined profit of $386 million.

He however, noted that in 2011, the tally changed significantly with the combined profit of all Nigerian banks climbing to $1.6 billion compared with an aggregate profit of $52 billion recorded by the European Banks.

He said it was safe to project that by the end of 2012 the aggregate profit of all Nigerian banks would easily be up to 10 per cent of the total profit that would be declared by all the EU lenders.

He urged investors not to

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

said the ECB was ready to start buying government debt from nations such as Spain as soon as the necessary conditions are met.

The dollar remained lower after minutes of the Federal Reserve’s last meeting showed policy makers saw manageable risks in a third round of United States bond

Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 350m 150m 350m 138m 350m 113m

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2012 “ 14-04-2012

GAINERS AS AT 4-10-12 SYMBOL

UBN ACADEMY AIICO DANGSUGAR ACCESS CADBURY ASHAKACEM JBERGER LEARNAFRCA OANDO

O/PRICE

7.65 1.64 0.57 5.00 8.70 25.00 15.21 27.50 2.01 12.78

O/PRICE 1.50 9.39 2.27 1.74 1.26 0.76 15.57 0.62 6.09 37.01

nounced last month.

The euro advanced 0.8 per cent to 102.08 yen after rising earlier to 102.21 yen, the strongest level since September 20. Japan’s currency depreciated past its 200-day moving average against the 17-nation currency, 101.75 yen, for the first time in more than a week.

C/PRICE

8.41 1.79 0.62 5.36 9.15 26.25 15.97 28.87 2.11 13.41

CHANGE

0.76 0.15 0.05 0.36 0.45 1.25 0.76 1.37 0.10 0.63

C/PRICE 1.38 8.93 2.16 1.66 1.21 0.73 15.28 0.61 6.00 36.50

CHANGE 0.12 0.46 0.11 0.08 0.05 0.03 0.29 0.01 0.09 0.51

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 4-10-12

SYMBOL CUSTODYINS ARBICO AIRSERVICE LIVESTOCK TRANSCORP UTC PRESCO JAPAULOIL NASCON OKOMUOIL

buying. A measure of volatility fell to the lowest level in almost five years. United States stocks rose for a fourth day.

The euro appreciated against all but one of 16 major counterparts on speculation ECB President Mario Draghi will provide more detail of the bond-purchase program an-

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM

Currency

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

• Aigboje

encourage increased inflow of foreign investment into the country.

Euro rises on bonds purchase

T

HE euro rose for a sixth day against the yen, the longest run since March, as European Central Bank (ECB) President Mario Draghi said the currency was irreversible and that the bank’s decision to purchase bonds helped ease tensions.

Bloomberg report said the 17nation currency gained the most in almost three weeks versus the dollar after Draghi

MANAGED FUNDS

Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

underestimate Nigeria’s economic potential and the profitability of business in the country.

“Nigeria cannot be ignored in the global business and economic scene for four major reasons, which include an extensive market; a rapidly growing economy; a stable political environment and a vibrant media and civil society sector,” he said.

Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga announced a new scheme of tax credit planned by government to

DATA BANK

Tenor

OBB Rate Call Rate

tutions.’

Going forward, the apex bank said it will synthesise the schemes and programmes of stakeholders in the area of financial inclusion; establish weaknesses and causes of failure of these programmes and how to address them; define work and action plans of stakeholders to address financial inclusion in Nigeria.

Access Bank CEO bullish on Nigerian banks

FGN BONDS

NIDF NESF

gerian financial sector, a foreign and a local consultant to prepare a strategy on ways to drive financial inclusion in the country.

Financial inclusion, alternatively characterised as ‘access to finance’ has been defined as ‘universal access at reasonable cost, to a wide range of financial services to everyone needing them, provided by a diversity of sound and sustainable insti-

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 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

56

NEWS ‘Nobody can displace APGA in Southeast’ From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

A

NAMBRA State Commissioner for Special Duties, Chief Vincent Ezenwajiaku, has said the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has been deeply rooted in the Southeast and that it would be difficult for any other party to displace it in the region.

He said the purported crisis in the party was an in-house matter, which he promised will be resolved this year.

Ezenwajiaku told reporters yesterday in Awka, the state capital, that APGA has become too big a party for anybody to destroy.

He said in the next election, APGA would have grown beyond regional to a national party.

The politician noted that the opposition in Anambra State because Governor Peter Obi has developed the state.

He said: “Whoever will succeed Obi will be somebody with impeccable character; soneone who will sustain the legacy of the governor”.

“The people will find it difficult to deviate from the pattern of voting en-mass for APGA in 2014 Governorship election.”

Ex-councillors seek payment of salary arrears From Ugochukwu UgojiEke, Umuahia

T

HE Association of Elected Councillors of Abia State, a body of councillors who were elected between 1999 and 2002, has urged Governor Theodore Orji to prevail on the Cmmissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Emma Nwabuko, to pay their salary arrears.

The former councilors, who were in office when there was zero allocation to local govrrnments, said they were being owed from three months to 22 months.

They also said Abia State is one of the states that are still owing its former councillors.

Addressing reporters in Umuahia, the chairman of the association and former leader of Umuahia North Local Government Area’s legislature John Agu Uzomba said the governor had ordered the ministry to pay them.

He added that the directive was not obeyed.

Uzomba explained that the commissioner had asked the councillors to submit their original documents and vouchers for them to be paid.

Club exco meets tomorrow

T

HE National Executive Committee meeting of Aro Okigbo Social Club of Nigeria (AROSON) will hold tomorrow at the home of its patron, Mazi E.K. Ivi in FESTAC Town, Lagos, at noon.

The meeting will attract the club’s national officers from its branches throughout the federation.

A statement by the organisers said important club matters as well as issues germane to Arochukwu homeland will be addressed at the forum.

A Gala Nite, according to the programme, will round off the gathering.

Obi gets Legend of True Leadership award

A

NAMBRA State Governor Peter Obi has been conferred with the Legend of True Leadership Award by the National Association of Nigerian Student Nurses and Midwives.

At a ceremony at Our Lady of Lourdes School of Nursing and Midwifery in Ihiala, the National President of the association, Comrade Dauda Ahmed said the award was in recognition of the governor’s contributions to infrastructural development in Schools of Nursing and Midwifery, either government-owned or missionary.

He noted that besides his support to rebuild hospitals and a new teaching hospital, Obi had also built or is building over 25 structures in various Schools of Nursing and Midwifery.

•Obi (right) receiving the award from Ahmed in Ihiala

70-year-old man banished for defiling three-year-old in Imo A

70-year-old man, Pa Magnus Okechukwu, of Utulu, Oru West Local Government Area of Imo State, has been sent on exile for defiling a three-year-old girl.

The old man allegedly lured the girl into his bedroom on the pretext that he wanted to send her on an errand at 7pm.

Pa Okechukwu was said to have dragged the girl into his

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

bedroom and raped her.

The old man was said to be married and has grown-up children.

He reportedly warned the girl to keep the matter secret, threatening to kill her.

When the girl got home, her father was said to have found

her bleeding and crying from pains.

The woman said: “When I saw my daughter, her clothes were torn and she was weeping and bleeding. When I asked her what happened, she told me that Pa Okechukwu tore her clothes and raped her. I raised the alarm and my neighbours gathered.”

The community’s traditional ruler, Eze Sunday Nnabue, told The Nation on phone that he could not comment on the matter.

But a community leader, Ochamaka Anozie, confirmed the incident.

He said the punitive measure was taken to serve as a deterrent to others.

Woman delivered of triplets in flood victims’ camp WOMAN from Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State was yesterday delivered of a set of triplets at a flood victims’ camp.

Though her identity was not revealed, it was learnt that the woman is among those camped at Fr Joseph’s Primary School in Aguleri.

The widow of the late former Senate President, Dr Chuba Okadigbo, representing Anambra North, Margery Okadigbo, relived her experience in Awka, the state capital, when she visited the office of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

A

•Okadigbo’s wife weeps for victims From Nwanosike Onu, Awka and Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

Mrs Okadigbo, who was in tears, said she wanted to ensure that the relief materials from the Federal Government were distributed by the agency.

The senator noted that the situation in Anambra State had gone beyond party affiliation, saying it should be a collective responsibility of everybody and not the governments alone.

She said the woman at the Aguleri camp delivered a set of triplets - all boys – adding that the victims’ conditions were

unbearable, especially the women.

Mrs Okadigbo said: “I am a woman; I know the pains those people are going through. Everybody has been swallowed up by the floods. This is not a good entry for me, seeing my people dying.

“I have been moving around the seven local government areas in my constituency, to ensure that the people are safe. The only local government in my area, which is still free of the floods, is Oyi. The other six are under water.

“Not only that, families are being separated as a result of

the floods. Many people will die of hunger and starvation.

There is a problem in the land.”

The senator said the National Assembly had called for a supplementary budget because of the problem, adding that many victims would benefit from the government’s relief package.

According to her, the floods may last longer than expected.

NEMA yesterday started the distribution of materials from the Federal Government at various camps in Anambra State.

NEMA’s South East Coordinator Dr Onimode Bamdele was injured when he was evacuating the victims.

Rep seeks Fed Govt help for displaced persons

A

HOUSE of Representatives’ member, Chricato Ameke, has urged the Federal Government to assist his constituency in Anambra State to forestall the outbreak of epidemic following the floods that recently ravaged the community.

Ameke, representing Anambra East/West, addressed reporters yesterday in Abuja.

He showed video footages of several communities that had been submerged in the floods.

According to him, over 1,000 people were rendered homeless and property worth over N1billion were destroyed.

The lawmaker said torrential rains, which began on September 1, as well as the water purportedly released from a dam in the Republic of Cameroon, caused the floods in Anambra East and West.

He said the victims might face starvation following the destruction of food crops in his constituency.

1,000 ‘abandoned’ in Anambra community

A

BOUT 1,000 flood victims from Awba Ofemmili in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State have allegedly been abandoned.

The regent of Awba Ofemmili, Chief Anelo Nwanelo, said there is need to avert epidemics and hunger in the victims’ camps.

According to the monarch, people from Ege, Nkpuocha, Akpana/Oye Agu, Igbobigi and waterside villages will contract diseases, if the government and emergency relief agencies do not come to their aid.

Awba Ofemmili has a boundary with AguleriOtu in Anambra East.

Chief Nwanelo said the people may be relocated further to Ugbenu, going by the volume of water in the area.

She called for government intervention and assessment.

The monarch thanked Awka North Local Government Chairman, Joy Enweluzor, for the maFrom Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

Ameke urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to bring materials to the victims.

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

terials her council donated to the victims.

The Zonal Director of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Dr Bamidele Onimode, said though the Awba Ofemmili camp might have many victims, there was no provision for them.

He said provision was for seven other camps in the state.

The agency chief, however, assured that his men would visit the Awba Ofemmili camp to assess the situation.

The All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) leadership in Anambra State, led by Chief Mike Kwentoh, visited the camps and donated materials worth millions of naira.

It was, however, learnt that the Awka North camp was not budgeted for. Kwentoh said the visit was the party’s way of showing love to the displaced persons.

He said the Federal Government had not sent materials to his people, adding that a part of the Ecological Fund should be released to address the disaster.

The lawmaker said he had spent about N2.2million on materials for the victims.

He hailed Governor Peter Obi for his prompt visit and for the materials sent to the victims.

Glo in Onitsha for Ofala festival

N

IGERIA’S leading telecommunication c o m p a n y , Globacom, will thrill residents of Onitsha, Anambra State, with road shows during this year’s Ofala Festival.

The company has committed huge resources to transform the annual event to one of the best tourist attractions in Nigeria.

This year’s Ofala is the 10th since the incumbent Obi, Nnaemeka Achebe, ascended the throne.

It started yesterday when Igwe Achebe came out of the traditional one-week seclusion.

The monarch had gone to pray for the welfare of his kingdom and commune with the ancestors as the festival proper begins today.

Globacom signed a threeyear sponsorship agreement with the Obi-in-Council in August, last year, and took over the sponsorship of the age-long festival with a promise to take it to the next level and add colour to the most cherished cultural heritage of the Igbo Race.

The youth rally and carnival will hold today while the three-time outings, complemented by the dancing of the Obi, will hold at noon.

The Azu Ofala Day; the traditional dancing of the Red Cap Chiefs and paying of homage to the Obi will take place tomorrow while the Agbogidi and the royal family will on Sunday hold a thanksgiving mass at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Onitsha.

The highpoint of this years’ celebration is the inauguration of a block of classrooms and IT centre built by Globacom at the Metropolitan College, Onitsha.

Governor Dr. Peter Obi, accompanied by the Agbogidi and other dignitaries, will on Monday, inaugurate the project.

The grand finale of the festival will be the Royal Banquet organised by Globacom in honour of the Obi and the royal family.

57

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

FOREIGN Sack: Israel’s Haaretz newspaper reporters on strike

I

Protesters against a possible declaration of war with Syria, in Istanbul, Turkey...yesterday

Tehran shops shut after clashes

S

HOPS in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar stayed shut and police patrolled the area yesterday.

Authorities struggled to restore normalcy, a day after security forces clashed with anti-government demonstrators angered by the collapse of the currency.

Several traders from the Bazaar, whose merchants played a major role during Iran’s 1979 Islamic revolution, said that most stores were closed as businessmen stayed away for safety reasons.

On Wednesday, riot police fought demonstrators and arrested money changers in the area during protests triggered by the collapse of the Iranian rial, which has lost about a third of its value against the dollar over the past week.

Political pressure on President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad rose yesterday as business associations blamed him for the country’s economic crisis, which has been worsened by Western sanctions imposed over Iran’s disputed nuclear programme.

Associations representing production, distribution and service sectors said Ahmadinejad’s administration had devastated the economy with wrong policy decisions, according to the semi-official Mehr news agency.

The associations agreed that the Grand Bazaar, one of the capital’s main shopping areas, would reopen on tomorrow in the presence of security forces, Mehr reported.

In a statementa to show that the protests do not threaten Iran’s Islamic system of government or Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the associations stressed that “they continue to adhere to the system and the revolution.’’

The rial has lost about twothirds of its value against the dollar since June last year because of the sanctions, which have slashed Iran’s earnings from oil exports.

South African miners’ unrest spreads

T

OYOTA Motor Corp said it had been forced to shut its South African car factory for four days because of an illegal pay strike, the first sign of wildcat mine stoppages spreading into other parts of Africa’s biggest economy.

Trade union leaders at the Japanese car giant’s Durban plant said workers would return today after winning a 5.4 per cent pay rise inspired in part by a hefty increase won last month by strikers at Lonmin’s Marikana platinum mine.

“The circumstances are not the same as what is happening in the mines,” said Mbuso Ngubane of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA).

“But it does send a message.

It does have an impact to some extent on other workers getting agitated.”

After two months of unrest, at least 75,000 miners, or 15 per cent of the sector’s workforce, are on strike, compounding already sluggish growth just three months before an internal leadership vote in the ruling African National Congress (ANC).

President Jacob Zuma is favourite to win re-election, teeing him up for a second five-year term as South African President in 2014, but the turbulence strengthens the hand of those who say he is unfit to run a sophisticated emerging economy.

Yesterday, Kumba Iron Ore, one of the world’s top 10 producers, said it had suspended production at its huge Sishen mine after striking employees blocked access to the pit.

Wildcat industrial action at the world’s top platinum producer Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) spread from its four mines near Rustenburg, 120 kilometre (about 75 miles) Northwest of Johannesburg, to three mines

•Toyota hit by strike 100 kilometre further North, a union said.

Police near Rustenburg used teargas and a water cannon on yesterday to disperse protesters who were hurling stones and burning tyres. Thulani Ngubane, a local police spokesman, told Reuters that no one had been arrested or injured.

Local radio said about 2,000 striking workers had taken part in the protest, but Ngubane disputed that, saying only around 150 people had been present. He said they were members of the community, not protesters.

The seven Amplats plants

account for a quarter of global supply of the precious metal, whose price has risen more than 22 per cent since the August 16 police killing of 34 striking miners at Marikana the bloodiest security incident since the end of Apartheid.

Overnight, police said suspected wildcat protesers had burnt down two conveyors and a training centre at an Amplats mine in Rustenburg.

South African gold producers AngloGold Ashanti and Gold Fields said they had agreed to reopen wage talks for entry-level workers, a sign they may be moving closer to resolving costly strikes.

But talks to end a legal strike by more than 20,000 truck drivers collapsed after unions rejected an offer of an 18 per cent pay rise over two years, the Road Freight Employers’ Association said.

Fuel suppliers have been using police convoys to prevent drivers from being attacked by gangs trying to enforce a blockade that is putting petrol stations at risk of running dry.

Although South Africa’s racially-polarised labour market is prone to industrial action, the aftermath of the socalled “Marikana massacre” has blown apart normal negotiating procedure and exposed the weakness of established unions.

Libya: FBI examines US Consulate attack site

T

A team of United States (US) investigators has visited Libya’s second city of Benghazi to examine the site where Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans were killed in an attack last month.

“An American investigative committee visited the site where the US Ambassador was killed,” a defence ministry official in Benghazi told AFP, confirming that the team included FBI agents.

“About 20 Americans dressed in civilian clothing came and we were asked to protect them until they leave Benghazi,” according to a commander of the Libya Shield Brigade, a former rebel unit under defence ministry command.

“They arrived in the early morning and worked for three hours collecting evidence,” added the commander, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said.

Ambassador Christopher Stevens died of smoke inhalation in the September 11 attack after being trapped in a burning building. Another diplomat, Sean Smith, also died at the compound.

Two US security personnel were killed later when an area some diplomatic staff had fled to came under mortar fire.

The President Barack Obama administration initially suggested the violence was sparked by anger over an anti-Muslim film,

produced in the US, which had been posted on the internet. But senior US intelligence sources later said it was a “deliberate and organised terror attack”.

US Secretary of State Mrs Hillary Clinton vowed on Wednesday to answer lingering questions about the assault in a bid to counter a barrage of Republican criticism in the leadup to the November 6 presidential election.

“There are continuing questions about what exactly happened in Benghazi on that night three weeks ago and we will not rest until we answer those questions and until we track down the terrorists who killed our people,” Mrs Clinton said.

“The men and women who serve this country as diplomats deserve no less than a full and accurate accounting, wherever that leads.”

The Washington Post reported yesterday that more than three weeks after the attack, sensitive documents detailing delicate information about American operations in Libya remained unsecured in the wreckage of the US Mission.

A reporter from the newspaper reported seeing documents detailing weapons collection efforts, emergency evacuation protocols and the personnel records of Libyans who were contracted to secure the mission.

Libyan officials said eight people have been arrested so far in connection with the attack.

SRAEL’S leading broadsheet - Haaretz failed to hit the news stands yesterday, after journalists working for tabloid embarked on strike to protest plans to sack dozens of them.

It was the first time since 1965 that a newspaper in Israel was not printed because of a strike, Israel radio reported.

Haaretz’ management plans to fire some 100 of about 450 journalists.

The daily’s union decided to strike late on Wednesday for several hours until midnight, to prevent the paper from going to print, complaining that the management was refusing to negotiate with it.

Haaretz publisher Amos Schocken insisted the management understood the union’s suggestions, but said the paper must adhere to its budget and that the gradual layoffs would not stop.

Israel’s economy in general is plagued by rising prices, but its newspaper industry is especially struggling.

It has been hit by the rise of free news on the Internet and falling advertising revenues, as well as the inroads made by a free newspaper, Israel Hayom, published by right-wing Jewish American billionaire, Sheldon Adelson.

Since its launch in 2007, the pro-Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paper has taken away subscribers from Israel’s other dailies to become the country’s largest-circulation daily.

Haaretz, highly critical of Israel’s policies in the occupied territories, is seen as the country’s most authoritative left-wing newspaper.

Romney takes shine off Obama at debate

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HE United States (US) first Presidential debate threw open the elections once again with Republican challenger Mitt Romney, said to have won on Wednesday night.

The North America Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who monitored the debate said the debate at the University of Denver was first of the three presidential debates.

It was organised by the Commission on Presidential Debates.

President Barack Obama of Democratic Party was surprisingly off his game in public speaking as he could not counter some facts raised by Romney.

On almost every issue, Romney was more proactive even though fact checkers have continually faulted most of the claims he still raised such as in medicare and social security.

Somehow, it could be that Obama went into the debate with a presidential aura which was deflated by Romney, who stood up against almost every point raised by Obama.

Predictably, this is likely to affect the polls which have been in Obama's favour in the last one month and rising.

However, with two presidential polls still outstanding and one vice presidential debate, it would be interesting to see how Obama would live up to public rating.

Somehow, having a debate on a 20th wedding anniversary may not have been a good day for Obama.

58

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

NEWS Imoke hails ex-chief judge From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

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ROSS River State Governor Liyel Imoke has hailed the former State Chief Judge, Justice Dorothy Iyamba-Idem, for her dedication during her 37 years of service.

Imoke spoke in his office in Calabar, the state capital, when Justice Iyamba-Idem paid him a farewell visit.

He said Justice IyambaIdem initiated and implemented various progressive reforms.

Imoke said: “We appreciate you for serving Cross River State meritoriously for 37 years without blemish.”

He called for the sustenance of the partnership between the judiciary and the government.

Justice Iyamba-Idem, who was appointed Magistrate 37 years ago, thanked God for seeing her through service.

Three die at Delta relief camp •Flood takes over Ughelli-Asaba Road

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HREE flood victims have died at the relief camp in Ivrogbo, Isoko South Local Government of Delta State.

It was learnt that the deaths prompted the authorities to relocate other victims to St Michael’s Primary School, Oleh.

Also, motorists plying the Ughelli-Asaba Road have diverted to other routes, following flood in parts of the road in Osisa, Ashaka and Aboh.

Fares have increased, in some cases up to 500 per cent on roads and water.

Secretary to the State Government Mr. Ovuozourie Macaulay; Commissioner for Land, Survey and Urban Development, Sir Patrick Ferife; former Chairman of the State Post-Primary Board Chief Evelyn Aluta and other politicians from Isoko provided over 36 speed boats to evacuate people from river side areas.

They also provided clothes, foodstuff and drugs for the victims.

Ferife said political office holders from Isoko-led by the SSG were deeply touched by the damage and to provide palliatives to the victims.

Mrs. Aluta assured the victims of the government’s assistance.

Funds delay work on Edo erosion sites From Osagie Otabor, Benin

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INISTER of Environment Hajia Hadiza Mailafiya has said the ministry is awaiting the President’s approval for the release of funds to tackle erosion sites in Edo State.

Hajia Mailafiya spoke in Benin, the state capital, when the Federal Government team on flood visited Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

She said erosion sites in the state would be attended to.

The minister said they were in the state to ascertain the extent of damage in flooded communities.

Edo Assembly passes N8.59b extra budget Commuters decry state of

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HE Edo State House of Assembly has passed a N8.59 billion Supplementary Budget into law.

It is a reduction of the N10.9 billion proposal sent to the House by Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

The supplementary budget comprises N909 million for recurrent expenditure and N7.6 billion for capital

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

expenditure.

The Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, Budget and Project Monitoring, Peter Aliu, said the supplementary budget was reduced because the 2013 Budget would soon be presented to the House.

Under capital expendi-

ture, N1 billion was earmarked for education; N2.7 billion for drainage, sewage and environmental protection; N3.3 billion for works and roads; and N6 million for others.

Under recurrent expenditure, the Ministry of Education got N15 million, Ministry of Local government and Chieftaincy Affairs N7 million, Sports

Council N60 million and Civil Service Commission N7 million.

The lawmakers passed a resolution urging the agencies of the Federal Ministry of Works to repair the damaged railings of the Ovia River Bridge.

They said the work includes concrete railings and road signs to prevent accidents.

ACN kicks as tribunal nullifies council chair’s election

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HE Lagos State Local Government Election Petitions Tribunal yesterday nullified the election of the Ikoyi/Obalende Local Council Development Authority (LCDA) Chairman, Mr. Adewale Adeniji of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

The five-man panel, chaired by Justice Dolapo Akinsanya (rtd.), declared Mr. Babajide Obanikoro of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) winner Adeniji was declared winner in the October 2011 local government election.

ACN Assistant Publicity Secretary Chief Funso Ologunde said the tribunal’s

By Adebisi Onanuga

verdict was not the true reflection of the facts.

He said ACN would appeal the judgment.

Ologunde said: “The tribunal has only delivered the judgment based on their understanding of the issues before them. We disagree with the judgment and have directed our counsel to file an appeal immediately.

“We are very optimistic that the appeal tribunal would see the issues involved in their true perspective.”

In a unanimous decision, the Akinsanya-led panel held that Obanikoro scored the highest number of valid

votes and consequently ordered the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) to revoke the Certificate of Return issued to Adeniji.

It declared that the petitioner had proven to the tribunal that election results were not collated at the unit and ward levels as shown in the LASIEC Forms 9A, which were admitted as exhibits.

The tribunal said:”Section 11(2) of the Local Government Election Petitions Tribunal Law 2011 empowers this tribunal to nullify any election that does not comply with the laid down regulations.

“The petitioners have been able to discharge the burden of proof vested on them as regards the collation of results. It transferred the onus to the respondents, who did not tender any LASIEC Form 9A, which is the first stage of any election.

“The petitioners have shown that the non-collation of the results at the units and ward levels substantially affected the outcome of the result declared by LASIEC.” The panel said from the available evidence before it, Obanikoro had 3,770 votes.

Adeniji had 3,248.

The tribunal awarded N100,000 cost in favour of the petitioner.

Benin-Okene road From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

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OMMUTERS on the Benin-Auchi-Okene Expressway have decried the deplorable condition of the road.

They said it has become a death trap.

The commuters, led by Mr. Iluobe Idemudia, urged Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole to prevail on the Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen, to repair the road.

Idemudia said Onolememen, who hails from Edo Central Senatorial District, should be concerned about the deplorable state of the road leading to his home town.

He said many vehicles had fallen into the ditches in Urhokhuosa, by Ogbemudia Farms, and Ukpenu, by Big Joe Park in Esan West Local Government Area, and they have become notorious robbery spot.

Idemudia said: “This road used to be the pride of travellers heading towards Abuja.

When potholes started emerging, we alerted the Ministry of Works, but it ignored us.

“Every time it rains, the road gets flooded and many of us spend several hours there. The situation is the same in Ekpoma and Agbede. The pressure on this road has led motorists to ply inner roads in Ekpoma and the consequence is that those roads will also deteriorate with time.”

Onolememen’s media aide Tony Ikpasaja said: “The minister and his colleagues are on their way to Benin to assess the flooded areas. Something will be done soon.”

A part of the road, which falls in Agbede, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, may soon be washed away, if it is left unattended to.

Warning signs have been placed on the spot to warn motorists of the danger.

At Auchi and Ogbido, some parts of the road are also being threatened by erosion.

Niger Delta youths urge Fed Govt on Bakassi From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar •Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio presenting a souvenir to the Chairman of the House of Representative Committee on Labour, Employment and Productivity, Mr. Essien Ayi, at the Government House, Uyo...Wednesday.

Oshiomhole warns tax defaulters

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DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole yesterday warned that tax defaulters to pay up.

He said it is sad that while low-income earners pay their taxes, the rich do not.

Oshiomhole spoke at the plenary session of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) at the St. Matthews Anglican Cathedral in Benin, the state capital.

He said: “We have emphasised that we must re-invent the concept of tax. Workers at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) are on strike over tax payment. Tax payment is a federal law; it was not made by me.

“People who think they can evade tax because they are working in sensitive places need to rethink. If a sick person is brought to the hospital, the fact of his being sick does not preclude the person from paying for his treatment.

“I have a couple of times paid the hospital bills of indigent patients at UBTH, who were not discharged because they had not paid for their treatment. If you can detain the poor on account of his being unable to pay his medical bills, who are you not to pay tax?

“We sealed the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC) for tax evasion. If motor mechanics pay and commercial motorcyclists pay tax, there is no reason a federal agency should evade tax.

From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

“It is very fashionable in Nigeria for people to spend N50 million on weddings, N100 million on birthdays and even much more on funerals, but such persons are often unwilling to pay five per cent tax.

“In such a situation, it is better to send them to prison, just to remind them that the prison is not meant for only the poor. The prison is meant for those who flout the criminal law.”

Oshiomhole said it was sad that 52 years after Independence, the masses were getting poorer. He blamed it on the absence of good governance.

The governor said: “The state must create a good environment for the people to operate. If politicians try to divert attention, the church must stand on the side of truth.

“In Edo State, we have tried our best; first to regain the confidence that Edo is viable. We have made modest efforts to restore hope, but what we have done is nothing compared to what we need to do to get to the level that we deserve.”

State CAN Chairman Rev. Peter Imasuen said the theme of this year’s plenary is: “Fostering Good Governance”.

He said: “Good governance is all about accountability and transparency. Despite increasing democracy and stability in sub-Saharan Africa, corruption and conflict remain serious barriers to ending extreme poverty.”

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HE Niger Delta Youth Movement yesterday decried the Federal Government’s alleged hesitation to seek a review of the 2002 Judgment of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which ceded Bakassi Penisula to Cameroon.

Speaking with The Nation in Calabar, the state capital, Chairman of the Cross River State chapter of the group and an indigene of Bakassi Mr. Emmanuel Edet said: “We are disappointed on the position of the Federal Government. The review is overdue and the government seems not ready to address the issue. The people of Bakassi are not happy at all.”

Edet said Bakassi people voted for President Goodluck Jonathan during the last election with the hope that he would do something about their plight.

He described the Presidency’s decision to seek legal advice on the matter as a welcome development and hoped that something positive would come out of it.

59

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

NEWS Hoodlums hit students again Continued from page 6

•Executive Mayor, City of Johannesburg, Mpho Parks Tau (left) cutting the tape to open the Nigeria-South Africa Week in Lagos…on Wednesday. With him are Lagos State Commissioner for Education Mrs Oladunjoye Olayinka, (who represented Deputy Governor Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire) and chairman, Nigeria/South Africa Chamber of Commerce, Mr Foluso Phillips.

PHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA

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Airtel introduces lower call tariff

EADING telecommunications provider Airtel Network is lowering call rates on 2GoodXtra, Big family extra and Club Ten, so as to give customers more talk time to express love, deepen relationships and close deals with their friends, families and business associates.

This is coming in the heels of the ongoing Usage Promo where Airtel is dishing out 500 percent bonus to customers. As part of the new tariff regime, 2goodXtra, Big family extra and Club Ten subscribers will no longer be charged 60k/sec for first minute of call rather they will pay 40k/sec henceforth.

In addition to the drop in the first minute rates, the rates for subsequent minutes have also dropped across the packages. Airtel Club 10 rates for calls within the club have been dropped to 8.34K/sec

from 10K/sec, while for Airtel Big Family Extra, the on net rate has been lowered to 10K/sec from 15K/sec.

For Club Ten customers on the Family and Friends platform, calls to loved ones have been lowered from 10K/sec after first minute calls of 40k/ sec to 8.34k/sec, while the onnet remains 20k/sec and offnet 30k/sec.

Customers who are not yet on these packages or those who wish to change subscription platforms are to dial *446# to enjoy the new 2goodXtra rate; *447# for the Airtel Big Family Xtra and *101# for the Club 10 package.

Speaking on the new value addition, Deepak Srivastava, Airtel’s Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director said lowering the tariff on the three packages resonates with its drive to become the most loved brand in the dai-

ly lives of the people and provides another great reason to be on the Airtel network.

Srivastava stated: “we acknowledge the fact that telecoms consumers are having the best of times more than ever before because of the innovation we’ve brought to bear since we commence operations in the country. Our commitment is that rather than lowering the momentum, we shall continue to up the ante for the delight of not just ourcustomers, but the entire citizenry.”

Dropping our first minutes call from 60k/sec to 40k/sec on all the three packages in addition to the 500% airtime bonus our customers are presently enjoying based on individual daily usage pattern, clearly demonstrates our resolve to continuously put smiles on the faces of our beloved customers, Srivastava reiterated” The Airtel 2GoodXtra pack-

age was introduced last year to provide additional benefits such as instant 10% free bonus airtime on every recharge above N50 (fifty naira) using the electronic recharge system (Airtel Easy Recharge) to the 2Good flagship offer, introduced in 2010.

The Big Family Xtra in addition to the new 10k/sec Kobo per Second on net tariff also allows customers free onnet mid-night calls daily, as well as 40 free SMS and free data worth 4MB between 12.30am and 4.30am.

The Club 10 package - an exclusive for the youth and the young-at-heart, enables these demographics to create their own clubs of 10 members and communicate freely through voice, SMSs and data at very affordable rates apart from free midnight calling benefits and 10MB free data per week on recharge of 200N denomination or higher.

Govt won’t contest Bakassi verdict Continued from page 6

some facts.

“Armed with documents and ICJ Statute, they said that there was no discovery of fresh facts to warrant such an application before ICJ by Nigeria.”

Article 61 says: “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.

“The proceedings for revision shall be opened by a judgment of the Court expressly recording the existence of the new fact, recognising that it has such a character as to lay the case open to revision, and declaring the application admissible on this ground.

“The Court may require previous compliance with the terms of the judgment before it admits proceedings in revision. The application for revision must be made at latest within six months of the discovery of the new fact.

“No application for revision may be made after the lapse of 10 years from the date of the judgment.”

Those in favour of the review cited cases of abuse of human rights, including killings of Nigerians, as justification for the

review.

They also alleged that the Peninsula had actually eroded the territorial integrity of Nigeria beyond the judgment of ICJ. Another source in the Presidency added: “At the end of the session, the government decided that it will not seek a review of the judgment of the ICJ on Bakassi.

The source said: “We have taken a position to comply with the ceding of Bakassi to Cameroon because there are no fresh facts known to law to back such an application before ICJ, in the light of Article 61.

“Those seeking a review acted on emotional sentiments than factual or legal points.

“But the meeting agreed to challenge alleged abuse of human rights of Nigerians in Bakassi Peninsula by Cameroon contrary to the undertaking of Cameroon when the territory was ceded by Nigeria.

“We are going to invoke compliance provision in the jurisdiction of the ICJ to protect Nigerians in the Peninsula.

“So, a report of the abuses will be complied by Nigeria and this will be made available to ICJ and UN Human Rights Committee. If we are making any request at all, it is about compliance by Cameroon with the rules and regulations stated in ICJ judgment.”

Asked if the complaint of alleged abuse of human rights would be made before the October 10 deadline, the source added: “This has no time limit.

But for now, we have finally ceded Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon.”

“We have mandated those concerned to compile a list of violations committed by Cameroon for verification before we file an application before ICJ.” It was learnt last night that an eight-man committee was raised to look into the alleged abuse of human rights of Ni-

gerians in Bakassi.

The committee, headed by the Attorney-General of the Federation, comprises, a Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, four members of the National Assembly, including chairmen of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Foreign Affairs, and representatives of Cross River State.

Another source added: “The session was attended by some members of the National Assembly led by the President of the Senate, Chief David Mark.

blood and sorrow.

“It is gratifying that some arrests have been made by the Police. We call on the authorities of the Nigeria Police Force to ensure that those arrested are the real culprits so that the innocent would not suffer for the sins of villains like the gunmen. The police should not arrest those fleeing in the name of making a breakthrough. Security agencies must fish out the gunmen and there should be no cover-up.

“CAN believes in the oneness of Nigeria, in accordance with her secular status, and would, therefore, kick against any divisive actions of groups or individuals. It is for this reason that we call on all men and women of goodwill in Nigeria to join the government to fight what may snowball into a religious or ethnic war on account of the siege.”

Gombe State Government has evacuated 360 of its citizens studying in various institutions in Mubi, Adamawa, following the killings.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the students, accompanied by policemen, arrived at the Ministry for Higher Education headquarters, Gombe, yesterday.

They later left for their various local government areas.

The President of Gombe State Students Association, Federal Polytechnic Mubi chapter, Mr Emmanuel Abel, told NAN that the problem started 10 p.m. on Oct. 1.

He said students were reading in the classrooms when they heard gunshots at Students off-Campus Villa (Hostel) in Tudun Wada area of the town.

Abel added that two students of Gombe State origin were among the dead, adding that one sustained serious injuries.

Three other students, Matthew Ilifu, Dije Mamman and Albert Samuel, who also narrated their experiences during the attack, in separate interviews with NAN, urged the government to find lasting solution to the security challenges in the country.

EFCC to arraign 10 more suspects Continued from page 6

mission to destroy a petition written to the EFCC, which indicted him (the former chairman) for alleged mismanagement of public funds.

At their trial, the court was told that Mr. Kachalla alerted the EFCC of the action of the two accused persons, necessitating an undercover operation, where an EFCC offic-

er, posing as Mr. Kachalla’s representative, arranged a meeting with the accused.

Ishaku allegedly called Mr. Kachalla via telephone and asked him to bring the money to the Commission’s office in Wuse, Abuja. It was in the course of the receipt of the money that the two officials were arrested and subsequently arraigned.

‘Okah ordered Oct. 1 bombing’

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NOTHER prosecution witness yesterday said Henry Okah gave instructions for the Oct. 1, 2010, twin car bombings in Abuja.

The witness said he is a member of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), having joined the group in 2006.

The third prosecution witness, who simply introduced himself as Stanley at the ongoing trial of Okah at the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg, South Africa, said Okah gave instruction for the attacks in Abuja during the independence anniversary celebrations.

Stanley told the court that he was introduced to Okah in 2006 and was instructed to always refer to Okah as “Master’’.

“I overhead Okah on numerous occasions discussing the purchase of weapons, and in 2007 he contacted me asking

me to pass a message to the other leaders to do whatever it takes to get him out of jail “His wife, Azuka also devised a plan to kidnap the Angolan Ambassador in Nigeria to bargain for his release,’’ Stanley said.

He said in January 2010, Okah instructed him to get an empty apartment he wanted to use to assemble car bombs.

Answering Prosecutor’s question about whether he has knowledge of the October bombing, he said he knew about it two days before it happened.

“A friend, Raphael Danfebo, told me Okah wanted to carry out the terror attack and gave instructions for two cars to be sent to Abuja on Oct. 1,’’ Stanley said.

Okah is facing 13 counts charge of terrorism, planning and financing car explosions.

The trail continues

Achebe under fire over attack on Awo, Gowon Continued from page 6

Achebe’s views provoked anger yesterday.

Reacting yesterday, Mr. Ayo Opadokun who was Assistant Director of Organisation of the late Chief Awolowo’s Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and later Secretary of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), described the Achebe assertion as “typical”.

“It is a reharsh of the perverted intellectual laziness which he had exhibited in the past in matters related to Chief Obafemi Awolowo. When Achebe described Awo as a Yoruba irredentist, what he expected was that Awo should fold his arms to allow the Igbo race led by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, to preside over the affairs of the Yoruba nation,” Opa-

dokun said.

Opadokun pointed out that some of his colleagues who played prominent roles in liberating Nigeria from the clutches of military rule, such as Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (rtd), Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (rtd), Dr. Arthur Nwankwo, Alhaji Abulaziz Ude and others who he described as “men of honour and integrity”, are Igbo. But he found it difficult to believe that a scholar of Achebe’s stature could be so unforgiving.

He said, “Let our Igbo brothers be reminded that about three-quarters of their assets not in the eastern Region are in Lagos and we have been very liberal and accommodating.

We have allowed them to live undisturbed.”

Senator Biyi Durojaiye shares Opadokun’s view. He said:

“My view is that you don’t expect somebody on the receiving end of a war to say something pleasant about the winners.

“I don’t share Achebe’s view that Awolowo did all he did for personal political aggarandisement. It was all in the process of keeping Nigeria one. What he and General Gowon did was in the process of preserving the integrity of Nigeria .”

He urged the Igbo to be more charitable, seeing that both sides of the war are now benefiting from its outcome. He enjoined all to join hands in facing the challenges of the moment, insisting that the way to go is for all Nigerians to support a Sovereign National Conference and restructuring of the polity.

Mr. Jacob Omosanya who participated actively in Action

Group politics as a member of the Action Group Youth Association AGYA), said Achebe and many of his kinsmen in public life are tribalistic and “that is what he has exhibited in this new book.”

“It is not new. He canvassed similar views in The trouble with Nigeria. Dr. Azikiwe and his people should be grateful to the Yoruba who have always been liberal. When Zik was on his way back home from the United States, he ran into trouble in the Gold Coast. It was a team of lawyers led by the late H. O. Davies that saved him. This is a fact of history that should not be lost on the Igbo.”

Mr. Omosanya said he had expected that people intellectuals such as Achebe, would be bridge builders and avoid inflaming passions.

THE NATION FRIDAY, 5 OCTOBER , 2012

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PREMIERSHIP

SPORT EXTRA

Suárez: Senior stars must help youngsters develop L

UIS SUÁREZ has e n c o u r a g e d Liverpool’s senior players to help the club’s “quality” youngsters develop at the Merseyside outfit.

Reds boss Brendan Rodgers has been unafraid to use young stars such as Jonjo Shelvey, Raheem Sterling and Suso in the Premier League this season.

Liverpool were confirmed as the youngest side in the English top flight on Wednesday with an average age of 23.38 – and Suárez has been impressed by the impact of Sterling and his young colleagues.

“We’ve got a lot of quality youngsters here, such as Raheem, Suso showed what he could do the other day,” Suarez told Liverpool’s website. “[Adam] Morgan has to keep taking his chance to feature more and more, and [Jerome] Sinclair made his debut.

“They are all really good players and they are at Liverpool for a reason. The

form that Raheem has been showing and Suso the other day, they are showing us that they want to help the team.

“And we so-called experienced players are always there to help them so let’s hope that they continue

to develop and don’t just stand still but continue to prove exactly why they are at Liverpool.”

When asked if the Reds youngsters have approached the striker for advice, he replied: “Not really, maybe

it’s because I don’t speak English or something.

“But I think it should be us who are offering advice to them, telling what they are doing well, and not so well, but I think they do realise that they have to learn things from the older players.”

• Suarez

Foster hopes Olsson will commit future to Baggies

Igesund unfazed by Pienaar’s retirement

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ORDON IGESUND was unfazed by Steven Pienaar s dramatic resignation from Bafana Bafana duties.

Gordon Igesund was yesterday unfazed by Steven Pienaar’s dramatic resignation from Bafana Bafana duties, maintaining the team needed to soldier on without their talismanic captain as they eye next year’s African Nations Cup. Naming his squad for this month’s friendlies against Poland and Kenya, Bafana coach Igesund first produced a letter from Pienaar, in which the Everton midfielder confirmed he was quitting the national side with immediate effect, citing fatigue as his main reason.

At first, Igesund seemed to intimate he would engage the midfielder to try and persuade him to rethink his retirement from national duty, but he later took a hardline stance.

“We have to move on,” Igesund stressed. “I have not spoken to him but I have accepted (his retirement).

He’s far from our thoughts now.

“We have to give him space and respect his decision. He says his body is tired and there’s little we can do about that. We wish him all the best. He gave Bafana 10 years of good service. Good luck to him, good luck to Everton.

But this situation does not affect Bafana.”

Earlier, Igesund had hinted he would talk to Pienaar

when the coach travels to the United Kingdom sometime this month, stating he would invite the player “for a cup of coffee and a chat”. Then he seemed to backtrack.

Pienaar’s decision came as surprise to Igesund, who, after taking over as national coach in the winter, took the trouble of phoning the midfielder to assure him he would remain Bafana captain in spite of speculation that he would be dumped.

“There was never an issue regarding the captaincy,” Igesund responded when asked if his mutterings about Pienaar being affected by captaining Bafana may have led the player to mistrust his regime.

• Pienaar

Arsenal face £5.5m Newcastle fight over Dragovic

Cabaye: EL can be stepping stone

M • Olsson

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EN FOSTER has called on West Bromwich Albion to do all they can to ensure that Jonas Olsson remains at the club.

The highly-rated centrehalf is yet to agree fresh terms at The Hawthorns and will become a free agent next summer if no contract extension is put in place.

Goalkeeper Foster considers Olsson to be a key figure for West Brom heading forward and is desperate to see the Sweden international commit his long-term future to the club - fending off mounting interest in his services.

He said: "The chairman needs to lock him in a room and hopefully get something sorted out.

"If you take everything into account I'd much rather be playing with him and Gareth McAuley than the majority of defensive pairings.

"It's people like Jonas we need to be keeping. He is such an important part of our team."

I D F I E L D E R YOHAN Cabaye has urged Newcastle to use the Europa League as a stepping stone towards sustained success after he did just that at Lille.

The 26-year-old Frenchman and his team-mates will line up against Bordeaux in a Group D clash at St James' Park on Thursday night in the toughest test yet of their rediscovered European credentials.

• Cabaye

Cabaye left behind Champions League football when he agreed to join the Magpies for a bargain £4.8million last summer after helping Lille claim the domestic double.

However, he believes his former club's previous experience in the lesser continental competition paved the way for glory, and is hoping his current employers can travel a similar path.

Cabaye said: "With Lille, we played for three or four years in the Europa League, and I think that competition helped us to win the French title and the French cup.

"It's important to play 100% in this competition to get more experience for the future.

"Now we have got the Europa League, so we have to play to win the game because we are playing at home.

"We know Bordeaux are a good team, but we are a good team as well, so we have to win the game to have a winning mentality."

Newcastle ended their fiveyear European exile by springing something of a surprise to finish fifth in last season's Barclays Premier League.

Indeed, for a while, it looked as if they might even

creep into a Champions League qualification spot, and that is an ambition Cabaye retains.

He said: "I knew before I came here that Newcastle was and is still a big club in England, but last season we worked really hard every game to try to play in a European competition.

"We wanted the Champions League, but this season it's the Europa League and it's really important to play properly in this competition.

"The Europa League will give much experience to all the players, especially the young players, so we have to be focussed on the game tomorrow to win the game, and try to keep working to win every game and to play for the top of the league."

The France midfielder prepared for the clash with his compatriots having revealed in an interview back at home that he might have had the chance to leave Tyneside after a single season this summer with Tottenham interested in acquiring his services.

However, while Magpies boss Alan Pardew spent the transfer window looking anxiously over his shoulder amid a whirlwind of speculation over his big names, he emerged with his squad intact.

N

EWCASTLE United have joined Arsenal in the race to sign highly-rated Austrian international defender Aleksandar Dragovic.

The 21-year-old FC Basel centre back is also on the radar of Stuttgart, Fiorentina and Inter Milan, according to talkSPORT, with a £5.5 million valuation placed on the player’s head.

The same publication claimed on Monday that Arsenal were considering Dragovic’s availability, with Arsene Wenger looking to add depth to his defence at the Emirates Stadium following the 2-1 defeat to Chelsea on Saturday.

Thomas Vermaelen, Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny are in competition for two Gunners starting spots

• Dragovic

at this time, but a new addition would add some welcome competition in north London.

Alan Pardew will be considering a move for the former Austria Vienna starlet for a number of reasons, with the Magpies chief looking to add young players as he builds for the future at St. James’ Park.

The Newcastle United boss has a similar problem to Wenger, with Fabricio Coloccini, Mike WIlliamson and Steven Taylor the only experienced centre backs on the Toon books.

Having featured twice against Manchester United in the Champions League, the youngster has already shown his credentials on the European stage, something that will appeal to both Premier League clubs.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

61

SPORT EXTRA

Whitmarsh: No Hamilton advantage

Blake,Cunningham face bans for alleged doping

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WO Jamaica athletes are facing disciplinary action after allegedly testing positive for doping.

4x400m relay star Dominique Blake and national 800m senior champion Ricardo Cunningham will face the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) on Oct 17, after an initial meeting in Kingston yesterday, over doping violations returned by the pair at Jamaica's senior championships in June. According to the Jamaica Observer, Cunningham tested positive for pseudoephedrine, while the substance allegedly found in Blake's sample was not named.

Cunningham, who trains with the MVP track club in Jamaica, appeared in person at the initial hearing while Blake, who has previously served a nine-month ban, sent a representative. Blake, who finished sixth in the women's 400m final in 51.83 seconds, was part of the Jamaica team at the London Olympic Games as a relay alternate, but did not compete. The 25 year-old had criticised her omission from the preliminary rounds of the women's relay on Aug 10, saying on social media that team politics were to blame. Blake represented Jamaica at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Turkey in March, where she qualified for the semifinals of the 400m and also competed at the CAC Games and Commonwealth Games in 2010.

Cunningham won the men's 800m at the trials, but was not selected for the Olympic team after failing to make the qualifying standards. Last November, former Jamaican relay world champion Steve Mullings was banned for life from competing in athletics after a second doping offence.

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CLAREN team principal Martin Whitmarsh does not think Lewis Hamilton's move to Mercedes is down to the Briton believing he will gain a major performance advantage when new engine regulations are introduced in 2014.

Hamilton's departure from McLaren at the end of the current season, following a 14-year working relationship, was confirmed last week with the Woking team moving quickly to secure Sauber's Sergio Perez as a replacement.Hamilton's move has come as a surprise to many as he leaves a McLaren team who have won three of the last four races - Mercedes have won just once in three seasons.While much has been made of the extra freedom over image rights understood to be included in his Mercedes contract, the desire of Hamilton's management company, XIX Entertainment, to market the 27-yearold as a global brand will simply fail if he is no longer winning races.But with engines in Formula One set to be changed from the current 2.4 litre normally aspirated V8s to 1.6 litre turbo V6s the season after next, there is a window of opportunity for teams to get a major leap on their rivals.This was achieved

by Brawn during 2009, who reaped the rewards of the resources ploughed into the BGP-001 by Honda during a dismal 2008 to take the title with Jenson Button, as their rivals were slow off the mark interpreting widespread rule changes.Ross Brawn, heavily involved in the genesis of that car, remained with the team when it became Mercedes in 2010 and it is understood they indicated to Hamilton they are confident of making a major step forward when the rule change arrives.

But McLaren are themselves powered by Mercedes engines and, as a result, Whitmarsh does not believe Hamilton will be expecting to have a major performance advantage in 2014.He said: "Lewis knows that we are strong team if you measure us over the short, medium or long-term."We have got a long-standing partnership with Mercedes. If you look at our track record since we have had this relationship with Mercedes, in terms of race wins, podiums etc, we have been pretty successful.

• Hamilton

• Nadal

Nadal: Murray has got it all R

AFAEL NADAL believes Andy Murray's first grand slam title, achieved at the recent US Open, is not only a sign of more to come but also of the Brit's greater maturity.

Nadal is currently out of action with a knee injury, which forced his withdrawal from the US Open, and he had to watch on as Murray claimed his maiden major with victory over Novak Djokovic at Flushing Meadows.

"I think everybody knew he would win a grand slam, he's worked hard and has been pushing hard for many years at the top and he has achieved a reward for that," 11-time grand slam winner Nadal told ESPN of Murray's achievement.

Murray is currently attempting to defend his Japan Open title, which he won when beating Nadal in the final last year. He beat Lukas Lacko to reach the quarter-finals on Wednesday and will face Stanislas Wawrinka in the last eight.

Nadal heralded the Scot's tougher mental approach and improved consistency, both aspects that had been questioned prior to his US success. The Spaniard also praised Murray's all-round game which Nadal says makes him such a hard opponent to face.

"Andy's a very complete player all round. It's hard for me to speak about any specific area of his game which is particularly hard to face. He basically has it all, a great serve, backhand, forehand, he's fast, and he's a fantastic player all round.

"In recent years he's become a bit more consistent which is something you find with time, and he's one of the best in the world."

Nadal has been using his time away from tennis to develop a competitive edge in a different type of battle, by enhancing his poker skills. Known across the globe for his powers of focus and concentration, Nadal admits his current standard when it comes to cards is less than exemplary.

"My team is helping me improve a lot because my poker game is, well, let's say it's normal!" he laughed. "I

like it, it's very competitive, it's a sport that's very different to the one I'm used to and that's something I enjoy. It's a game that can change in an instant, one which relies on a combination of skill and luck.

"Concentration is something that's been crucial throughout my career and it's something I can apply to playing poker, and I think you can apply that aspect across all games which are competitive."

• Blake

New Zealand rejects visa for Iron Mike

N

EW ZEALAND canceled a visa for Mike Tyson on Wednesday because of his rape conviction, saying it reversed its earlier approval because a charity that would have benefited from his appearance says it wants nothing to do with the former heavyweight boxing champion. Tyson had said he had been looking forward to meeting New Zealand’s indigenous Maori people, the inspiration for his notorious facial tattoo. But now his whole Downunder speaking tour, scheduled for next month, is threatening to fall apart: Australian immigration authorities said they’ve yet to decide whether to let him in. Tyson’s 1992 rape conviction would normally prevent his entry in New Zealand and could be grounds for denial in Australia as well. New Zealand’s denial came days after Prime Minister John Key spoke out against the visit.

Tyson was to speak at a November event in Auckland, the “Day of the Champions,” which is being promoted

by Sydney agency Markson Sparks. On Wednesday the agency continued to promote tickets for appearances in New Zealand and five major Australian

cities.New Zealand’s Associate Immigration Minister Kate Wilkinson said she initially granted entry because a children’s health charity would get some of the proceeds from Tyson’s speech. She said in a statement her decision was “a finely balanced call” but that the charity that would have benefited, the Life Education Trust,

• Tyson

withdrew its support Tuesday. The charity’s chief executive, John O’Connell, however, said the charity long ago decided not to accept any money from the event due to its concerns over Tyson’s character, O’Connell said a volunteer trustee mistakenly sent a letter to immigration authorities supporting Tyson’s plans.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

62

SPORT EXTRA National Sports Festival has lost its glory —Amike

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F/EAGLES AYC CLASH

Kwara Gov is guest of honour

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WARA STATE G O V E R N O R Abdulfatai Ahmed will be the special guest of honour when the Flying Eagles host South Africa in a 2013 African Youth championship qualifier on Sunday.

The first leg of this qualifier ended in a 1-1 in Nelspruit a fortnight ago.

The deciding leg will be staged at the Kwara State Stadium in Ilorin with the kick-off time put at 2pm local time.

The Nigeria U-20s also played their previous qualifier against the Ngorogoro Heroes of Tanzania at the Kwara Stadium, which they won 2-0.

They have been training in Ilorin for over a month.

The Kwara Government bankrolled the training camp of the Flying Eagles for their game against Tanzania in the previous round of the qualifying tournament.

Meanwhile, Ghanaian match officials have been named for this match.

Lathbridge Reginald will be at the centre to be assisted by Salifu Malik Alidu and Laryea David. The reserve referee is Bomison Hamidu Seidu.

The match commissioner is Izetta Wesley from Liberia.

2013 AFRICA NATIONS CUP QUALIFIER

I promise to do my best, Mikel vows •With dazzling display against Liberia

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HELSEA and Nigerian midfielder, Mikel Obi is set to play his best match for the Super Eagles as he has vowed to put up a dazzling display if fielded against the Lone Star of Liberia in the all important 2013 Africa Nations Cup

From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja qualifier slated for Calabar next Saturday.

"Mikel is fired up to help Nigeria qualify for the Nations

CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Al Ahly don’t scare me —Sunshine Captain

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ODFREY Oboabona, the Captain of Sunshine Stars FC of Akure, on Thursday said the team had perfected the strategy it needed for victory in the CAF Champions League match against Al Ahly.

The game is the first leg of the semi-final encounter between the clubs scheduled for Saturday in Ijebu-Ode. Oboabona is among homebased players in the Super Eagles’ camp preparing for the last leg of the final round Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against the Lone Stars of Liberia on Oct. 13 in Calabar.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the team was now battleready for Al Ahly after calling off their 10 days strike over unpaid contract fees.

He said the players missed nothing during the strike, but that it was necessary to give the match the attention needed.

"We trained together during the strike except that the coach was not with us.

"Sometimes, I go to him to collect programmes, which I passed on to the players," he said.

Oboabona said that their first leg group game against Esperence FC of Tunisia, which

Kick-boxing federation urges govt support

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MMANUEL PETERS, the Technical Director, Kickboxing Federation of Nigeria (KFN), on Thursday urged the three tiers of government to ensure the development of the sport from the grassroots.

Peters told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview in Lagos that the development of the sport at the grassroots should spread across the all arms of government.

The director noted that their collective supports would provide means through which training programmes and

Cup. He wants to correct the impression in some quarters that he is not committed to the Eagles like he is to Chelsea", a source very close to the player and the team told NationSport yesterday "Another reason why Mikel would be in his best element on

championships would be organised.

“As a growing sport, we need assistance from the local, state and the Federal Governments to draw out programmes that will bring together upcoming athletes from the grassroots,’’ he said.

According to him, the martial art sport, officially recognised by the National Sports Commission (NSC) in 2006, has potential of winning lots of laurels for Nigeria in international events.

“There are 36 various categories for both male and

female in the sport, you can see that kick-boxing is a laurel winning sport that requires commitment to get there,’’ he said.

The director added that lack of regular competitions was affecting the zeal of upcoming athletes, especially at the grassroots, which he said was not good for the young sport.

“As an upcoming sport, the talents are there, eager to engage in competitions but are not getting the encouragement due to lack of support from the appropriate arms,’’ he added.

was played in Ijebu-Ode, was a painful experience which they would not allowed to repeat itself.

"I see Sunshine Stars going to the final.

"We overrated Esperence the first time we played against them, that’s why we lost the game but in the second leg we did better. However, it was a big lesson for us.

"Seeing Al Ahly this time, we will pay back what Esperence did to us,” Oboabona boasted.

The Sunshine Stars captain noted that the experience he gained from the Super Eagles training camp would help him propel his team to victory.

"My colleagues are training in Ijebu-Ode and I am training with the Eagles. I can leave any moment to join them for Saturday’s encounter.

"In the game of football, it is not the name that matters but the character of the team.

"Kudos to Al-Ahly, they have everything but Sunshine Stars do not depend on the name, rather we depend on the commitment of the players on the field.

"If you like field 10 Lionel Messi for Al Ahly, once they are not committed, the team won’t perform.

"So, I am not scared. All we have to do is to focus on the way we play and the good result will come,” Oboabona said.

the day of the match is to compensate Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi for believing in him as well as accepting his excuses for being absent from the previous matches for Eagles", the source disclosed.

Mikel had excused himself from the first leg match played in Monrovia claiming that his doctor advised him against playing on artificial turf when it was first rumoured that the first leg of the match was to be played on arstro turf in Liberia.

ENRY Amike, President, Nigerian O l y m p i a n s Association (NOA), has said that the National Sports Festival in recent times has not served its purpose as a grass roots development programme.

Amike made this observation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos..

The former national quarter miler said the festival has being hijacked by state governors, to display their state’s affluence, instead of engaging in genuine grassroots sports development.

"As far as am concerned, state governors now see the NSF festival as a status thing, to ``flex their muscles’’.

"I don’t see any developmental plan, unlike in the early days of the national sports; it has lost its true essence.

"When I was young we had the, junior, intermediate and senior category there is nothing like that again,’’ he said.

He called on organisers to refocus on the need to help develop grassroots sports which will translate into greater success at the national level to compete favourably at international meets.

"We need to have a developmental programme that will help groom these athletes and guide them to be useful to themselves and the country.

"If we continue to see sports festival as glamour event, then it will never serve its purpose,’’ the NOA President said.

Tennis: 55 countries jostle for honours at Governor's Cup

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IFTY-FIVE countries will be jostling for honours at the 12th annual Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championships holding from Oct. 13 to Oct. 27 at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan.

The tournament is being organised by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) in collaboration with the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the competition which has 80,000 dollars prize money is being sponsored by First City Monument Bank (FCMB) and telecommunication company, Etisalat Nigeria.

Pius Oluwole-Akinyelure, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), told journalists on Thursday in Lagos that the championships had gained publicity and witnessed tremendous improvement.

According to him, 35 countries participated in the last edition of the championships in 2011, a number that has increased to 55 this year.

"The championships have witnessed great improvement with the quality of foreign players and the number of countries which increased from 35 to 55 this year," he said.

He also said that the quality of foreign players participating

in the championships had given Nigerian players the opportunity to show their skills internationally and given them exposure.

Oluwole-Akinyelure assured participants that the championships would be a memorable one with lots of glamour.

He thanked Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State for his unflinching support for the game.

"This edition has promised to be very exciting and memorable, I thank our sponsors and Gov. Babatunde Fashola for their support for the improvement of tennis," Oluwole- Akinyelure said.

In his contribution, Sanni Ndanusa, President, Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), who also lauded the championships, said that its sustenance was worthy of emulation.

Ndanusa, who was represented by the NTF VicePresident, Yemi Owoseni, called on the other state governments and corporate organisations to emulate Lagos State to promote the game.

"I implore other state governments to emulate Lagos State to promote the sport in the country,"’ Ndanusa said.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012

63

SPORT EXTRA KESHI'S CONFESSION

Liberia is formidable —Keshi N

IGERIA’S national football team manager, Stephen Keshi has said he holds no false belief about the Liberians ahead of their 2013 AFCON

qualifying match this month.

Keshi said he would not look down on the Lone Star of Liberia especially after they defeated Ghana 2-0 in a friendly match in September and also held the

Super Eagles to a 2-2 draw in the first leg of the Africa Cup of Nations.

"At this stage of the qualifiers if you underrate any team you will pay dearly for it. We won't underrate Liberia because they have shown that they are very hungry to qualify ahead of us for the Nations Cup next year.

Yes we may be the favourites but I don't believe in paper talk.

"You don't write off a team that held you to a 2-2 draw and then few days later defeated a big side like Ghana in a friendly match by 2-0. It only sends out their intent that we need to take

them very serious in spite of being seen as favourites to win the game," said the Nigerian head coach to supersport.com.

The former Mali and Togo manager added that there will be no margin for error, as he will pick his strongest squad to face the Liberians in Calabar on October 13.

"So we will put out our best players in order to get the needed result to take us to the Nations Cup next year," said the Super Eagles' head coach.

The first leg between Nigeria and Liberia ended 2-2 in Monrovia in September.

Anabui wins Independence Cup

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OSES ANABUI claimed the low handicap net prize at the Independence Day Golf tournament staged in Abuja to mark Nigeria’s 52nd anniversary.

Amabui signed for a 76 after 18- hole to beat MS Kangiwa by two strokes, while Tony Azogu trailed in third position with nett score of 80.

Over 200 players competed at the tournament held at the IBB International Golf and Country Club.

Sam Galadima, who will be representing the country at the World Golfers Championship next month in South Africa, took honour in category 2 after posting 68 nett.

J.Sebhatu finished two shots off the pace for second place while T. Atoyebi shot 74 for third position.

J Han, who plays off 26handicap, emerged the overall winner with a nett score of 64.

Emeka Okatta won the gross prize with a two over par 74 while Okey Igweh chased him

•Shola Ameobi

From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja to the club house with 78.

S. Suwa her nerves to win the ladies division 1 best nett prize despite the persistence of Amina Wilfred. Suwa claimed honour with a 73, while Racheal Danjuma shot 79 to settle for third position.

The weeklong tournament also featured a caddy tournament in both female and male categories including an international matchplay between IBB Club and Achimota Club 1938 of Ghana.

It was Abuja that defeated Achimota after two days of grilling contest by the score-line of 42-24 in the matchplay to foster closer ties between Nigeria and Ghana.

The 20- man Ghanaian contingent was led to Nigeria by Rene Gameli- Kwame.

Also in the team were a former Black Star player, Tony Yeboah and erstwhile Energy Minister Owusu Achempong and Assistant Commissioner of Police, Dr Harold Agbenu.

EUROPA LEAGUE

Shola Ameobi wins with Newcastle

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HOLA AMEOBI opened the scoring after good work from Gabriel Obertan Newcastle went top of Group D in the Europa League with a comfortable 3-0 home win over Bordeaux on Thursday night.

Bordeaux started brightly but were undone by the first piece of real quality in the game when Gabriel Obertan found space to get to the byline and cross for Shola Ameobi to tap home.

A series of long-range efforts followed but neither side was getting much joy in the penalty box until Henrique stabbed the

EUROPA LEAGUE RESULTS Anzhi 2-0 Y. Boys Neftçi 1-3 Inter Rubin Kazan' 2-0 Partizan Basel 2-2 Genk Videoton 3-0 Sporting Ironi Kiryat 3-4 Lyon Sparta Praha 3-1 Athletic Lazio 1-0 Maribor Panathinaikos 1-1 Spurs Metalist 2-0 Rapid Wien Rosenborg 0-1 Leverkusen Hannover 96 2-1 Levante Helsingborg 2-2 Twente Liverpool 2-3 Udinese Atlético 1-0 Viktoria Plzen Marsille 5-1 AEL Académica 1-1 Hapoel Tel Borussia 2-4 Fenerbahçe Brugge 2-0 Marítimo Newcastle 3-0 Bordeaux Molde 2-0 Stuttgart Bucuresti 1-0 København AIK 2-3 Dnipro PSV 3-0 Napoli

ball past his own goalkeeper from a hopeful Danny Simpson cross.

Bordeaux had come into the match on a 17-game unbeaten run stretching back to April but the game was effectively over early in the second half when Papiss Cisse swept home from Shane Ferguson's left-wing cross.

Cisse's inclusion reflected the fact that Alan Pardew had named a strong side and the likes of Demba Ba and Hatem Ben Arfa were on the bench if needed too.

But instead the Newcastle boss was able to withdraw Yohan Cabaye and Cheick Tiote midway through the second half as his thoughts turned to the weekend Premier League game against Manchester United.

There was little to choose

between the sides early on as Cabaye reminded his compatriots of his talent, while Czech playmaker Jaroslav Plasil pulled the strings for the visitors.

Indeed, after Cabaye had whipped an early shot across the face of goal the Girondins should have taken the lead when Plasil crossed from the left for Ludovic Obraniak to head high and wide when he might have done significantly better.

Rob Elliot needed to make a smart 15th-minute save from Yoan Gouffran - but the home side took the lead seconds later in impressive fashion.

Cabaye played an inviting pass out to Obertan on the left and he carved his way into the box past Mariano and then Henrique to

put the ball on a plate for Ameobi at the far post.

The visitors responded in determined fashion with midfielder Ludovik Sane glancing a header straight at Elliot and then forcing the goalkeeper to dive to his left to parry a 40yard thunderbolt.

In the meantime, sensing Bordeaux were starting to gain control, Pardew altered the 4-3-3 formation with which he had started to a more conventional 44-2, which brought Cisse further infield, and Newcastle immediately had a more compact shape.

The contest remained evenly balanced, but it tipped heavily in the home side's favour with five minutes of the half remaining.

NB Plc boosts Eko 2012 Sports Festival with N10m

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N further demonstration of its practical commitment to corporate social responsibility, Nigerian Breweries Plc, yesterday threw its weight behind the forth-coming National Sports Festival to be staged in Lagos, with the sum of N10 million.

Addressing the Marketing Committee of Eko 2012 led by Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas, the Managing Director CEO of NB Plc, Nicolaas Vervelde, said the money is in addition to 740 cartons of Maltina to nourish the participating athletes and officials from across the nation.

“Lagos means so much to Nigerian Breweries. It is the birthplace of our company, the home of Nigeria’s first brewery and

the land of the country’s first beer brand. Since that historic day in 1949 when the first bottle of Star rolled off the bottling lines of Lagos brewery, our company has kept faith with the government and people of Lagos State.

“We are glad to be associated with the Sports Festival to be hosted in Lagos and compliment the efforts of the state government at empowering our youths across the nation.

“As a socially responsible corporate organisation, our company is committed to supporting developmental aspirations of our host communities.

As a result of our special relationship with Lagos, we have over the years invested heavily in several CSR and youth empowerment programmes

in the state,” he explained.

In his response, Chief OkoyaThomas, commended the company and declared that the Maltina beverage is the official Malt drink of the competition and assured that the brand of drink will enjoy monopoly at all the sporting centres for the games just as other quality brands on the stable of Nigerian Breweries will compliment all the entertainment programmes in the evening put together by the Local Organising Committee (LOC) all throughthetwo-weeksportingfiesta.

“Eko 2012 is not all about sports but we want to blend it with entertainment and we want to assure you that your products will enjoy maximum compliments all through the competition,” Chief Okoya assured.

WWE wrestler signs up for World Peace Cup

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HE list of renowned wrestlers wishing to be part of the maiden edition of the World Peace Cup is growing by the day.

World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) wrestler, Kevin Thorn, is the latest to sign up for the championship that will hold across the six geopolitical regions of the country from November 2 to 16, 2012.

The World Peace Cup, the first of its kind in the country, is being organised by the Great Power Uti Worldwide Sports Incorporated, which is the franchise owner. It is organising the event in collaboration with Continental Wrestling Alliance (CWA) International. The championship aside from reviving the dwindling fortune of wrestling in the country, it is also meant to promote peace in the country in particular and the world in general. The world body has approved the Nigerian nation to host this timely tournament that is scheduled to bring the most acclaimed grapplers around the international

wrestling nations together apart from wrestlers under the auspices of the CWA International based in the USA. A statement from the World Peace Cup Local Organising Committee (LOC) secretary, Jide Salau, stated that Thorn, who has taken the biblical name of Mordecai, signed up for the championship on the premise that the championship aims at promoting peace.

"Mordecai is easily recognizable for his all-white appearance. Not only his entrance attire, but also his wrestling gear and even his hair and beard dyed pure white in order to signal the sign of purity following the traditional Bible sense that white is the sign of purity," the statement added.

It will be recalled that American Big Daddy V was the first to register for the championship promising to win the star prize of $50,000.

Organisers of the championship, Great Power Uti Worldwide Sports Inc in collaboration with CWA have promised a hitch free event.

Why Delta is hosting sports summit —Pinnick

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OVERNOR Rotimi Amaechi devoted time and resources to ensure Nigeria qualified for the last World Cup in South Africa. That was one way he contributed to Nigeria’s football. He was chairman of Presidential Task Force then.

Cross River State currently hosts the Eagles and the National U-17 team in Calabar and Governor Liyel Imoke has been very supportive. He spends resources to camp these teams and host the various qualifiers. Kano and Kaduna States have equally played similar roles as their contributions to sports in the country.

Executive Chairman of Delta State Sports Commission, Amaju Pinnick said yesterday that the people and government of these states should all be commended for the assistance they have

rendered to national football. He said that it was in the same vein that Delta State opted to host a sports summit in Abuja to chart a new direction for sports development in Nigeria. The event comes up on October 30 at the Hilton Hotel. The summit, he said, was the idea of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan who was scandalised by the failure of the Nigerian contingent to the London Olympic Games and felt that Delta could complement the efforts of the sports ministry and the National Sports Commission in developing sports in Nigeria.

Amaju put his words this way: “We want to sustain the momentum of change in our sports direction because it’s no longer news that sports is a great unifying factor in Africa and if well organised can be a huge foreign exchange earner.

Abuja comes alive for CCSF Open Taekwondo Championship

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HE Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja will be ignited tomorrow, as 318 athletes from Cote d’Ivoire, Mali, Niger Republic and Nigeria will today begin hostilities at the 1st Chika Chukwumerije Sports Foundation (CCSF) International Taekwondo Open Championships.

The two-day tournament is being organised by the CCSF as one of the initiatives specifically geared towards helping Nigeria and West Africa consistently produce Olympics champions.

Abuja Sheraton Hotel and Towers will host the championship with total prize money of N2.8million at stake for successful competitors.

Also, teams from the Nigeria Police, Airforce, Immigration, Custom and Civil Defence will also be part of the competition.

The CCSF aims to make the tournament one of the biggest and best-organised sporting events in West Africa and it will be the first of its kind in Nigeria because it will be using the four Olympic Weight categories, as opposed to the regular eight-weight category format used in other National/West-African tournaments.

For kiddies, a pretournament will be held in Abuja prior to the main

tournament, with the top eight kids in each age category earning the available 64 slots for the Kiddies event in the CCSF International Taekwondo Opens.

In the adult Olympics category, the top three athletes will be rewarded with N150, 000, N100, 000 and N50, 000 as well as medals and certificates.

Winners will have individual photos with Africa ’s first three-time Olympian, Chika Chukwumerije.

Other awards include best player award (male and female), fair play Award, future champion award (male and female, best team award, best officiating official award while branded taekwondo uniforms will be given to first 100 registered fighters with souvenirs dole out to all participants.

•Chukwumerije

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL.7 NO.2269

COMMENT & D E

“J

USTICE”, as philosopher John Rawls declares, “is the first virtue of social institutions.” After this opening statement to his 1971 classic, Rawls goes on to suggest that “in a just society the liberties of equal citizenship are taken as settled; the rights secured by justice are not subject to political bargaining or the calculus of social interests.”

I take it that we, perhaps with the exception of the most highly placed among us, can articulate the reasoning of Rawls and indeed find ourselves in total agreement with him.

I raise the issue of the possible exception of the most highly placed for obvious reasons.

First, though we claim to have a republican constitution, the most highly placed act as if ours is a feudal institution with their good selves as the Lords. Therefore, what the constitution proclaims is for others, and is hardly applicable to them. Second, even when they reluctantly concede that we operate a republican constitution, they do not see themselves as bound by its essential remedies and restraints because with their position, they can manipulate the system to suit their interests.

The upshot of the position of the most highly placed is that the system of justice that marks out a republican from a feudal or monarchical institution is brutally skewed in their favor and it becomes a “just-us” system.

There is something grand and pleasing about knowing that the liberties of equal citizenship are settled in a just society. I am assured that my right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness cannot be violated with impunity. I can count on the system of justice to take up my case and plead my cause. The understanding that the rights that accrue to me on the grounds of my membership of the society cannot be bargained away is compellingly reassuring. What I have a right to is mine and is not subject to “political bargaining or the calculus of social interests.” The consequence of such a system for social life is incalculable. It allows for the thriving of citizens and for the flourishing of human lives.

Yet the alternative universe with a de facto hierarchical ordering of persons with different access to the system of justice is as dreadful as it is real. It is our universe.

The alternative universe which is the negation of a just system is the reality for most of us in this clime. It used to be that the dispossessed and disenfranchised among us are the victims. For unlike the well-placed, they do not have the means to negotiate their rights in an unjust system. But now it is turning out that even the so-called shakers and dealers are not immune from the “political bargaining” and “the calculus of social interests” that chip away “the rights secured by justice.”

Rather than this trend being a solace for the dispossessed, it should ring the alarm bell and warn reasonable people of the dangers of politics run amok.

It is politics run amok when every sphere

RIPPLES OGUN OBAS EXCHANGE BLOWS AT POLICE STATION - News

Yes, just as there are AREA BOYS, there are ‘AREA FATHERS’, too

TODAY IN THE NATION Mr. President, just a few days before October, a 24-yearold Nigerian was arrested at the Lagos Airport trying to ferry $7m (about N1.1b) to Dubai. He said he was working for powerful Nigerians. It never got this bad. Why are we at the nadir now?

STEVE OSUJI

BATE

SEGUN GBADEGESIN gbadegesin@thenationonlineng.net

Politicising justice Whatever ‘position anyone holds concerning the injustice of the decision to suspend President Salami from office, it is clearly a deficit of integrity to support an act of illegality that is being promoted by the continuation of the Acting President of the Court of Appeal in office.

•Justice Salami of social life is politicised, when every action and every policy decision is moderated and modulated by considerations of political interest. It is not a recent phenomenon. Indeed it has been part of our story since the birth of the republic, reaching the crescendo of lunacy in the Second Republic. In 1991, I had the opportunity of contributing to and editing a volume on The Politicisation of Society During Nigeria’s Second Republic, 1979-83, in which my fellow contributors succeeded in demonstrating how virtually all sectors of the society, from religion to ethnicity, law and order, and the economy, were highly politicised. It was the view of my colleagues in that volume that the system buckled in 1983 under the unbearable weight of bla-

‘

tant politicisation.

Fast forward almost three decades later and we have perfected the art of politicisation to the point of regarding it as an essential aspect of social life. It is what politics is supposed to be about. Even when we have a constitution that grounds the separation of powers in the age-old tradition of republicanism, we see politics as the be-all and end-all of our nation-space and other spheres have to bow under its domineering presence.

The case of Justice Isa Salami comes readily to mind as an illustration of this scenario. It has just become clear that the constitution itself is a victim of the ugly game of political savagery that has gone on for far too long without any of the protagonists giving room

HARDBALL

for the intervention of reason. Articles 237 to 238 of the Constitution are very clear about the role of the President of Nigeria (PON) and the National Judicial Council (NJC) in the hiring and/or firing of the President of the Court of Appeal (PCA). The President cannot appoint, suspend, or dismiss without the recommendation of the NJC. And where the NJC recommends firing or suspending the PCA and the PON appoints the most senior Justice of the Court of Appeal to perform the functions of the PCA, the Constitution is also clear about the duration of such appointment.

Article 238 Section (5) states: “Except on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council, an appointment pursuant to the provisions of subsection (4) of this section shall cease to have effect after the expiration of three months from the date of such appointment, and the President shall not reappoint a person whose appointment has lapsed.” This is as clear as it gets. But the President, who swore to a sacred oath to protect the Constitution, has allegedly reappointed the Acting PCA without the recommendation of the NJC. Whatever position anyone holds concerning the injustice of the decision to suspend President Salami from office, it is clearly a deficit of integrity to support an act of illegality that is being promoted by the continuation of the Acting President of the Court of Appeal in office.

Integrity implies principled action and wholeness. It is the ability to follow up a commitment with action that realises the commitment. If you commit to protect the constitution, it is deficit of integrity to do anything to jeopardise the health of the constitution.

Integrity is especially realised—it shines forth—when difficult situations of self interest present themselves as obstacles to the pursuit of or the realisation of our commitments.

If you made me a promise to help me out of trouble and then you face some personal difficulties of your own, yet in the face of your difficulties, you fulfil your promise; that is the height of integrity. When political interests present a conflict that militates against the pursuit and realisation of our commitments and we buckle, we have demonstrated a deficit of integrity.

In the matter on hand, the President must redeem his integrity. So must the Acting President of the Court of Appeal. The appeal of office should not be an obstacle for a man of integrity to show his moral muscle. If those who are in positions of leadership cannot lay good examples in the matter of the ethics of leadership, pray, what is the moral justification for their leadership?

•For comments, send SMS to 08057634061

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Mubi massacre: Just how much more can the nation take?

T HE full scale of the Mubi, Adamawa State, killings will not sink in until inconsolable parents who lost loved ones begin to grieve openly. Some 40 youths, most of them students of the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi, were reportedly murdered by unknown gunmen who stole in on them while they slept in their offcampus hostels, and in spite of curfew.

Preliminary reports indicate the students were shot only after their identities were ascertained. The motives are unclear. But it is feared the killings were probably a spinoff from the recently concluded students’ union elections in that school, a theory some students have dismissed as farcical. It may, however, be too early to dismiss any theory, including the sectarian motive insinuated by a few students. In the coming days, as the identities of the victims become known, the nation should be able to make sense of what happened on that bitter and rainy Monday night.

As if anyone needed additional proof of Nigeria’s descent into bestiality, the sheer scale of the killings and the numbing fact that students were the principal victims have sealed the country’s notoriety as a modern-day killing fields. Inexplicable

emotions follow the killing of students anywhere, almost akin to the strange emotions that follow the death of passengers in a plane crash, as if one type of death was less shocking or less honourable than the other. The Mubi horror will, therefore, probably assume more frightening dimensions in the days ahead.

Though the country may have become inured to terror-related killings, it will nonetheless find out that the Mubi slaughter will be difficult to live down.

Worse, the massacre may even begin to raise fears that terror killings, if they continue, could yet trigger something much more catastrophic for the nation, probably something even apocalyptic.

Nigerians are predictably deeply outraged. That outrage will loom larger in the coming days as wrenching stories of family losses reach the media. The Senate was in fact so incensed by the barbarous display in Mubi that they began calling for sterner measures against the murderers. But in the din, it will be forgotten that terror

killings and the outrage that follow have become a national pirouette from which the country is unlikely to extricate itself soon, particularly given the government’s desultory and sanguinary anti-terror measures. It will also be forgotten that by killing scores of students in one fell swoop, the perpetrators might in fact be modifying their tactics by shifting from attacking churches to attacking students. If the attacks on churches could not bring about the apocalypse they desired, then perhaps attacks on students might.

What is clear in all this is not that Nigerians fail to show enough fortitude in the face of extreme provocations, or refuse to bear their periodic losses with dignified resignation. The main problem is that the government has not inspired much confidence, either by its methods or by its attitude. Yet, the people must nurse hope that there is light at the end of the dark terror tunnel. After all, it is one of the cardinal responsibilities of any government that in times of great crisis it must ensure the people see that reassuring light if they are not to yield to despair or, worse, engineer the fragmentation of their country.

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