October 06, 2015

Newspaper of the Year

•How Jonathan govt spent N333m to mark independence P4 •Ambode begins town hall meeting in Alimosho P52 •Dangote among 50 most influential global persons P4 •Boko Haram claims responsibility for Abuja bombings P6 •Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

VOL. 10, NO. 3358 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015

600 teachers killed, 19,000 displaced,Page 5 says NUT NEWS

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•INSIDE: WORLD BANK: AFRICA TO GROW BY 3.7% P12 SHELL BEGINS BONGA OPERATIONS P12

Diezani, brothers to face trial for alleged bribery Tough screening for nominees

UK court okays seizure of £27,000 From Olatunde Kazeem, London Bureau Chief

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Abuja

F

ORMER Minister of Petroleum Resources Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke is to be arraigned in London with her brothers for alleged bribery and money laundering, it was learnt yesterday.

Investigations by our correspondent in the United Kingdom showed that she was arrested with her brothers Abiye Agama and Somye Agama.

They are directors of Hadley Petroleum Solutions Limited, a company the authorities believe to have been used for money laundering. The other directors are Ugonna Madueke and Abu Fari.

The company was registered in June 2013 in Manchester, but was dissolved less than two years later in February this year without filing any account.

Abiye, 33, a point man of the firm, is a computer engineer and manager. He was a director in 11 other companies. He resigned from seven of them.

The United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) last week arrested Mrs Alison-Madueke and five others as part of the investigation into allegations of bribery and money laundering. They were granted bail.

It could not be ascertained why the former minister was not arraigned.

But she had previously denied any wrong-

S

ENATORS and House of Representatives members who are ministerial nominees won’t be told to just “take a bow” and go, it was learnt yesterday.

The screening will be thorough, some senators said.

The list of nominees will be unveiled today by Senate President Bukola Saraki, who received it from the Presidency last Thursday.

The Chairman, Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Dino Melaye, said “the era of bow and go” was gone.

Also setting the terms for the screening, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa told reporters that though the Senate would be guided by the constitution and its rules, the upper chamber had reContinued on page 6

Scientists win Nobel Prize for medicine

Continued on page 6

EFCC seeks special courts to try suspects

T

HREE scientists from Japan, China and Ireland whose discoveries led to the development of potent new drugs against parasitic diseases, including malaria and elephantiasis have won the Nobel Prize for Medicine.

Irish-born William Campbell and Japan’s Satoshi Omura won half of the prize for discovering avermectin, a derivative of which has been used to treat hundreds of millions of people with river blindness and lymphatic filariasis, or elephantiasis.

China’s Tu Youyou was awarded the other half of the prize for discovering ar-

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

E

CONOMIC and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde has said that tracing looted funds and assets abroad is cumbersome.

He recommended the establishment of special courts to fast track prosecution of corruption suspects.

The EFCC has replied the Senate’s on its allegation that N1.3trillion seized from convicts was diverted.

Lamorde spoke in an interview with BBC which was reproduced in the EFCC Alert magazine.

He said: “You see, whatever you do, one must be conscious that it is within WILL THE the ambit of the law; so CHIBOK GIRLS EVER there are no shortcuts to inRETURN? Continued on page 6

?

•Mrs Alison-Madueke

SOME FACTS •Hardley Petroleum Solutions Limited (Believed to be used for money laundering) •Company registered in Manchester 27/06/2013 •Company dissolved in Manchester 10/02/2013 •Company didn’t file any account when operating •Directors: Ugonna Madueke, Abu Fari, Somye Agama and Abiye Agama

•Abiye Agama

Continued on page 6

•E-BUSINESS P13 •SPORT P20 •POLITICS P41 •AVIATIONP45•CITYBEATS P53 •FOREIGN P54

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015

2

NEWS

10 per cent

•From left: Group Publisher, InstinctBusiness, Akin Naphtal; Chief Financial Officer, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Yemisi Edun; Group Chief Financial Officer, United Bank for Africa ( UBA), Ugo Nwaghodoh and Group Chief Financial Officer, Jagal Group, Richard E Turner, at the maiden edition of Nigeria CFO Awards.

For the first time, the World Bank is providing some relief from bad news.

In its latest report, the bank has come up with some fresh and positive data that the ambitious plan of wiping out poverty in another 15 years is achieveable. The report has predicted that the percentage of the people living in poverty will fall into a single digit before the year ends.

G

OING by a projection by the World Bank, the number of people living in extreme poverty around the world is likely to fall below 10 per cent of the global population this year.

The cheery news, contained in the bank’s projections released at the weekend, gave fresh evidence that a quarter-century-long sustained reduction in poverty is moving the world closer to the historic goal of ending poverty by 2030.

The Bank uses an updated international poverty line of $1.90 a day, which incorporates new information on differences in the cost of living across countries (the PPP exchange rates). The new line preserves the real purchasing power of the previous line (of $1.25 a day in 2005 prices) in the world’s poorest countries.

•From left: Regional Director, Africa Daikin Air Conditioning, Middle East & Africa, Mr. Mohamed Miraj Mohamed Using the new line (as well as Abbas; President,Daikin, Middle East & Africa, Mr Sano Ryoji; Interpreter, Ms Kunga Miyuki and Media Consultant, Mr John Woma, at a news conference of Daikin Air Conditioning, Japan, at Intercontinental Hotel, Victorial Island, Lagos...at new country-level data on living standards), the World Bank the weekend. projects that global poverty will have fallen from 902 million people (or 12.8 per cent of the global population) in 2012 to 702 million people (or 9.6 per cent of the global population) this year.

The actual poverty data from low income countries come with a considerable lag but the organisation, which released the information on the eve of its annual meetings in Lima, Peru, based its current projections on the latest available data.

World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim said that the continued major reductions in poverty were due to strong growth rates in developing countries in recent years, investments in people’s education, health, and social safety nets that helped keep people from falling back into poverty.

He cautioned, however, that with slowing global economic growth, •From left: Regional Manager, Wuse Region, Diamond Bank Plc., Abidemi Soladoye; Divisional Head, MSME Propositions and with many of the world’s re& Agency Banking, Diamond Bank Plc., Chidinma Lawanson; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Oladele Construction Company Nig. Ltd, Alhaji Oladele Isiaka; Managing Director, CLM Consulting, John Ekpikhe and Regional maining poor people living in fragManager, Diamond Bank Plc., Garki Region, Abubakar Suleiman, at the 60th Diamond BusinessXpress Seminar in Abuja. ile and conflict-affected states, and the considerable depth and breadth of remaining poverty, the goal to end extreme poverty remained a highly ambitious target.

“This is the best story in the world today - these projections show us that we are the first generation in human history that can end extreme poverty,’’ Kim said.

He went on: “This new forecast of poverty falling into the single digits should give us new momentum and help us focus even more clearly on the most effective strategies to end extreme poverty. It will be extraordinarily hard, especially in a period of slower global growth, volatile financial markets, conflicts, high youth unemployment, and the growing impact of climate change.

But, it remains within our grasp, as long as our high aspirations are matched by country-led plans that help the still millions of people living in extreme poverty.”

In April 2013, nine months after •From left: Promotion Manager, Kate Akeju; General Manager, Marketing, Brajesh Kumar; Brand Manager, Black Mystique Whisky, Jacob Akaade; Business Development Manager, Adekunle Rosiji and Media & Market Research Manager, Linda Kim became President, the World Temienor...all of Grand Oak Limited at the introduction of Black Mystique Whisky to the bar at Quilox in Lagos.

Bank Group’s Board of Governors

endorsed two goals: to end extreme poverty by 2030 and to boost shared prosperity by raising the incomes of the bottom 40 per cent of populations.

Kim said that further reductions in poverty rates would come from evidence-based approaches, including: broad-based growth that generates sufficient income-earning opportunities; investing in people’s development prospects through improving the coverage and quality of education, health, sanitation, and protecting the poor and vulnerable against sudden risks of unemployment, hunger, illness, drought and other calamities.

These measures, he said, would also greatly boost shared prosperity, improving the welfare of the least well-off in every country.

“With these strategies in place, the world stands a vastly better chance of ending extreme poverty by 2030 and raising the life prospects of low-income families,” said Kim.

Poverty concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia For the last several decades, three regions - East Asia and Pacific, South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa - have accounted for some 95 per cent of global poverty.

Yet, the composition of poverty across these three regions has shifted dramatically. In 1990, East Asia accounted for half of the global poor, whereas some 15 per cent lived in sub-Saharan Africa.

By this year’s forecasts, the trend is almost exactly reversed. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for half of the global poor, with some 12 per cent living in East Asia. Poverty is declining in all regions but it is becoming deeper and more entrenched in countries that are either conflict ridden or overly dependent on commodity exports.

The growing concentration of global poverty in sub-Saharan Africa is of great concern. While some African countries have seen significant successes in reducing poverty, the region as a whole lags the rest of the world in the pace of lessening poverty. Sub-Saharan poverty fell from an estimated 56 per cent in 1990 to a projected 35 per cent this year. Rapid population growth remains a key factor blunting progress in many countries - as this year’s Global Monitoring Report billed for launch on Thursday shows.

In its regional forecasts for 2015, the Bank said that poverty in East Asia and the Pacific would fall to 4.1 per cent of its population, down from 7.2 per cent in 2012; Latin America and the Caribbean would fall to 5.6 per cent from 6.2 in 2012; South Asia would fall to 13.5 per cent in 2015, compared to 18.8 per cent in 2012; Sub-Saharan Africa declines to 35.2 per cent in 2015,

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015

3

NEWS

global poverty level excites World Bank

‘

This is the best story in the world today these projections show us that we are the first generation in human history that can end extreme poverty. This new forecast of poverty falling into the single digits should give us new momentum and help us focus even more clearly on the most effective strategies to end extreme poverty

‘ Nigeria not on list of seven poorest nations •Kim

compared to 42.6 per cent in 2012.

A reliable current poverty data is not available for the Middle East and North Africa because of conflict and fragility in key countries in the region.

“Development has been robust over the last two decades but the protracted global slowdown since the financial crisis of 2008, is beginning to cast its shadow on emerging economies,” said World Bank Chief Economist Kaushik Basu, a former Chief Economic Adviser to the Indian Government.

“There is some turbulence ahead.

The economic growth outlook is less impressive for emerging economies in the near future, which will create new challenges in the fight to end poverty and attend to the needs of the vulnerable, especially those living at the bottom 40 per cent of their societies,” Basu said.

Measuring poverty globally and nationally The updated global poverty line and rate are based on newly-available price data from across the world - impacting not only where the global poverty line is drawn, but the cost of the basic food, clothing, and shelter needs of the poorest around the world.

However, this global measure is only one of many important measures to track in order to better reach the poor and vulnerable.

“When global organisations set global goals, we have to be able to compare progress across countries using a common measure, treating the absolute poor in one country the same as in another,” Ana

I

F a report published yesterday in an Indian daily is anything to go by, Nigeria is not on the list of the seven poorest countries in the world.

Of the countries occupying the first seven positions on the extremely poor nations, six are African’s, with Afghanistan as the only country from Asia.

The publication came on the heels of a weekend prediction by the World Bank that the number of people living in extreme poverty will fall below 10 per cent before the end of the year.

According to the bank, about one billion people live in extreme poverty. In its latest report, the number of people who survive on Rs 125 a day will drop from 12.8 per cent to 9.6 per cent before the end of the year.

According to the organisation, the world poverty is moving closer to the goal of ending poverty by 2030.

Democratic Republic of the Congo With the lowest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita than any other country, Democratic Republic of Congo tops the list of poorest countries in the world. The civil war it went through has also made it the poorest. The nation also faces the problem of human rights.

Zimbabwe Zimbabwe has a lower poverty rate and better social indicators than most African countries. Poverty is more common in rural areas (31 per cent) than in urban areas (10 per cent), and the majority of Zimbabwe’s poor population (88 per cent) live in rural areas.

Burundi Burundi has a history of violence and troubles. Conflict has contributed to widespread poverty. Burundi ranks in 167th place among 177 countries on the 2007 UN Human Development Index, and seven out of

Poverty rate outloook in 2015 Region East Asia Latin America/Caribbean South Asia Sub-Saharan Africa

Poverty rate in 2012 7.2% 6.2% 18.8% 42.6%

Revenga, Senior Director of the World Bank’s Poverty and Equity

Proposed rate in 2015 4.1% 5.6% 13.5% 35.2%

Global Practice said.

She added: “But just as important

10 Burundians live below the poverty line. Per capita Gross National Income (GNI) in 2007 was $100.

Liberia Liberia is still recovering from the effects of a 14-year civil war that ended in 2003. The civil war has left the country in a fragile state. More than 80 per cent of Liberians were surviving on less than $1.25 per day.

The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (UNFAO) classifies Liberia as a low-income and food-deficit country.

Eritrea Eritrea’s economy is largely based on subsistence agriculture, and 60 per cent of the population relies for food and income on agricultural activities. The youngest independent country has an annual per capita income of $150. In 2001, 53 per cent of the country’s households fell below the poverty line, and 44 per cent of children under the age of five were underweight.

Niger With a surface area of about 1.3 million square kilometres, Niger is one of the world’s least developed nations. Its population is more than 16 million and is growing at an annual rate of 3.3 percent. Niger was ranked at the 186th position in the 2013 Human Development Index of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Seventy-six per cent of its people survive on less than $2 a day.

Afghanistan Since the Soviet invasion, Afghanistan has been a centre of a series of conflicts that have continued for over 30 years. Forty-two percent of the country’s total population lives below the national poverty line. About 20 per cent of the people live just above that line and are highly vulnerable to the risk of falling into poverty. are the national poverty lines set by each country, reflecting their own standard of living. These are crucial for governments and policy makers when they are planning the programs that will improve lives, or the policies that will help bring the poorest in their country out of destitution.”

Revenga said the World Bank

Group would continue to work with its country clients and partners to improve how it measures and tracks poverty, to build country statistical capacity and fill persistent data gaps and to integrate solid data and analysis into its development work to better reach people and their families who live in entrenched poverty.

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015

4

NEWS NEMA: 26 bomb victims still in hospitals

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HE National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has said 26 of the 39 victims of the Nyanya and Kuje bomb blasts are still in hospitals across the Federal Capital Territory.

Mr Ishaya Chonoko, coordinator of NEMA, Abuja operations, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja yesterday that the remaining 13 persons had been treated and discharged.

Chonoko said there were no fresh cases of injury or death from the Friday blasts.

NAN recalls that 20 per-

sons were injured in Kuje and 19 in the Nyanya and Kuje bomb blasts, on Oct. 2.

Chonoko said the agency had no report on any hospital that had refused to treat the victims, contrary to some media reports.

He said the names of such hospitals should be forwarded to the agency for appropriate action.

“We have not had such cases and anyone with facts should come forward and the agency will take appropriate action, “he said.

Twenty persons lost their lives in the Kuje and Nyanya bomb blasts.

‘Police lead in human rights violations’

By Robert Egbe

T

HE Nigeria Police are the worst violators of citizens’ rights among all the law enforcement agencies operating in Lagos State, the Deputy Director of the Office of the Public Defender (OPD) in the Ministry of Justice, Mrs. O. Salami, has said.

Mrs. Salami made this disclosure in a paper she presented at a one-day symposium organised by the Human Rights Committee of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch.

Speaking on the infringement of citizens' rights by agencies of government, she said the OPD's records showed that four agencies - two federal and two state - top the violators' list.

Mrs. Salami said: “Of all the law enforcement agencies that operate in Lagos State, statistics show that the officers of the Nigeria Police take the lead in the infringement of the rights of citizens.

“Next in line is the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA). Officers of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) are other major law enforcement agents that take pride in infringing the rights of the ‘bloody civilians’ in the state.”

The OPD deputy director listed the forms of violations as brutality, extortion, illegal detention, inhuman treatment, demand for bribes and murder “lamely called” accidental discharge, among others.

‘How Jonathan administration spent N333m Independence anniversary budget’

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ORE details have emerged on how the Goodluck Jonathan administration spent N333million on Independence Anniversary, including the breakdown of the approved expenditure from 2012 to 2014.

According to a statement from the Goodluck Jonathan team N70 million was spent on prayers.

The statement said N20,000,000.00 which was split equally for the Special Jumat prayers and the interdenominational church service in 2012; N10,000,000.00 was spent apiece on both special Jumat prayer and the interdenominational church services and in 2014 the anniversary prayer budget increased by 50 per

From Nduka Chiejina (Assistant Editor)

cent with special Jumat prayers and the interdenominational church services costing N15,000,000.00, each thus bringing the amount to N70 million in three years.

The statement further added that “in 2012 when the Jonathan administration budgeted N107,600,000.00 for the event, the ceremonial change of guard parade cost N4,000,000.”

“The budget document, entitled: ‘Independence Day Celebration Programme and Expenditure’ also showed that visits to hospitals/orphanages and other women/children activities cost N25,000,000.00

while N18,400,000.00 and N40,200, 000.00 was budgeted for anniversary lecture and dinner,” the team said.

It was further gathered that in 2013 when only N45,000,000.00 was budgeted, visits to hospitals/orphanages and other women/children activities cost N25,000,000.00, while in 2014, visits to hospitals/orphanages and other women and children activities cost N30,000,000.00.

The statement said: "A sizable percentage of the expenditure went into public presentation, publicity and review of the Transformation Agenda compendium which had a budget sub-head of N120,000,000.00.”

The document further ex-

plained that the National Honours Award Investiture was organised as part of the 2014 independence anniversary celebration with a different budget.

It said: “following the directive of Mr. President that National Honours Award Investiture should be organised as part of the independence anniversary celebration. The budget for 2013 National Honours award investiture was proposed and approved for N174,800,000.00 with the independence celebration activities. “However, National Honours award investiture could not hold in 2013 and the approved budget was utilised to organise the investiture in 2014.”

•President Muhammadu Buhari (right), receiving a document from the President, French Business Confederation, Mr Pierre Gattaz (left) at a meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja ...yesterday.

With them is French Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Dennys Guer.

PHOTO: NAN

‘Probe Boko Haram source of weapons’

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HE Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has asked the government do a detailed investigation of the source of arms for the terror groups in the country and step up intelligence gathering as one of the ways to stamp out the Boko Haram insurgency in the country.

In a statement signed by its President, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama and Secretary General, Comrade Musa Lawal, the congress condemned Friday night’s suicide bomb attacks in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and Saturday's incident in Maiduguri, describing it as needless and mindless.

ISIS has claimed responsibility for the Friday’s twin bomb attack in Kuje and

From Tony Akowe , Abuja

Nyanya areas of Abuja.

The congress appealed to the sect to stay action and listen to the voice of reason, adding that human life was sacrosanct, therefore ought not be to be taken for whatever reason by any person.

The TUC said soldiers and policemen should be drafted to different parts of the cities, including the interior villages to ensure the safety of Nigerians, adding that: “It is expedient now, added the statement that, intelligence reports be stepped up especially as it is being rumoured that the insurgents could have sent out more suicide bombers to the FCT and some states in the Northeast.”

Teachers celebrate amid tight security

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HE World Teachers’ Day held in Abuja yesterday amid tight security.

Speaking at the event, President Muhammadu Buhari ordered that only those adequately prepared and regulated should be entrusted with the teaching and learning process.

He said the Federal Government would improve the standard of teaching and learning by empowering teachers through the activities of its agencies.

The President, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, (SGF), Babachir Lawal, said the

•Buhari vows to improve standard of teaching process of reform in the education sector could not function without a fundamental change of the attitude, orientation and behaviour of teachers.

Buhari said: “It is commonly acknowledged that the quality of learning depends, first and foremost, on the quality of teachers. Consequently, in 1966 the international Community adopted a standard to promote quality teachers and teaching. In this new world order, knowledge is power and all the strategic sectors of soci-

ety are expected to be manned only by individuals, whose capabilities and understanding of the sectors are not in any way doubtful. Logically, therefore, as other professions, only those who are adequately prepared and regulated should be entrusted with the teaching and learning process.

“It is against this backdrop that the Federal Government has not relented in its efforts to improve the standard of teaching through the activities of agencies as the Teachers’ Regis-

tration Council of Nigeria, National Teacher’s Institute, National Commission for Colleges of Education, National Universities Commission, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, and various faculties and departments of institutions of higher learning. These institutions are directed towards the realisation of government’s goals in the improvement of the quality of teacher education programmes, registration and licensing processes and, the overall professionalisation of teaching.”

Dangote ranked among 50 most influential global persons

P

RESIDENT of the panAfrican conglomerate, the Dangote group, Aliko Dangote has been named among the 50 world most influential personalities

by Bloomberg, the renowned United States based news media with bias for business and financial news reporting.

The group of personalities chosen by the Bloomberg Market, consisted of CEOs, world leaders as well as religious leaders. As expected, Barack Obama, Angela Merkel and Pope Francis made the list with Dangote on No. 41.

According to Bloomberg, those on the list “build companies and assemble fortunes.

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie

They run banks, or hope to disrupt them. They shape economies and spread ideas. They manage money and wield the clout that goes with the billions of dollars they invest” The Bloomberg said of him; “Aliko Dangote, founder, Dangote Group. Africa’s most successful businessman built his fortune in sugar, textiles, and cement in his native Nigeria, where today he’s a political as well as a financial power broker. He’s expanding in other countries and may list his cement company in London.”

A piece written by Paul Wallace, a reporter with the media outfit, said “Dangote is feted

like royalty. He has businesses ranging from cement to sugar to energy in a dozen subSaharan countries. He’s a fixture at elite gatherings, such as the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. No African has ridden the continent’s halting march out of poverty toward potential prosperity as spectacularly as its richest person, the Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote.

“Dangote’s clout extends beyond the boardroom and the high-flier dinner circuit. In March, as votes were tallied in Nigeria’s presidential election, Dangote, 58, served as an intermediary between the camps of the incumbent, Goodluck Jonathan, and the

ultimate winner of the election, Muhammadu Buhari.”

“There’s no question that he is quite an exceptional person—not only in Africa but globally,” says Mark Mobius, chairman of the emergingmarkets group at Franklin Templeton Investments.

Speaking at the Financial Times Africa Summit in London, Dangote expressed confidence that Nigeria would weather the oil shock that decimated government revenues if it stepped up a fight against corruption.

He was reported to have been emphatic that Africa’s most populous country would grow. “Nigeria's GDP won't stagnate,” said Mr.

Dangote, adding; “We will have a short term shock but people should remember the Nigerian economy is resilient and huge.”

Dangote said if the government of President Buhari continued its crackdown on corruption the near 50 per cent oil price collapse in the past year would be mitigated.

He was speaking on stage to Financial Times editor, Lionel Barber, at the opening session of the FT Africa Summit 2015.

“The government organisations has also suffered a lot of leakages so when oil was $100 a barrel we weren’t seeing all that revenue collected,” Mr. Dangote said.

•Dangote

“If the government collects all its taxes and duties I think we will be okay. We will not have as much as we had before but it will be okay.” Mr. Dangote said.

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015

5

NEWS WORLD TEACHERS’ DAY

600 teachers killed, 19,000 displaced by Boko Haram

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IGERIA Union of Teachers (NUT) has said over 600 teachers were killed by suspected Boko Haram terrorists in the Northeast.

NUT’s National President Michael Olukoya spoke in Ado Ekiti yesterday at the celebration of this year's World Teachers' Day. He called on federal and state governments to tighten security in schools to prevent further attacks.

Olukoya said 19,000 teachers were among Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Northeast ravaged by insurgency.

In a speech delivered on his behalf by a senior NUT official, Samson Akinlade, Olukoya urged the Federal Government to rescue the Chibok schoolgirls abducted by the insurgents since

•Fayose gives teachers cars •Headmaster-General, Tutors-General appointed From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

April 2014.

Olukoya said: ”The memory of the Chibok girls and thousands of others whose potential and lives have been truncated , remains traumatic and demoralising.

“It is on record that over 600 teachers lost their lives to the terror attacks. These include 308 in Borno, 75 on Adamawa, 18 in Yobe, 25 in Kaduna, 120 in Plateau, 63 in Kano and 2 in Gombe States.

“This is in addition to 19,000 teachers displaced and suffering great losses due to barbaric activities of the insurgents.”

Ekiti State Governor Ayo

Fayose gave out brand new Kia Soul cars to the best teachers in primary and secondary schools. Headmaster-Generals for primary schools was appointed and given brand new cars.

Smiling home with the cars are the newly-appointed Headmaster General, Mrs. Rachel Talabi; the Best Primary School Teacher, Mrs. Mary Akindele and the Best Secondary School Teacher, Mr. Ife Adeola.

Three Tutor-Generals appointed for each senatorial district are Mr. Oluwole Awolusi (Ekiti North), Mr. Rufus Olufarati (Ekiti Central) and Mrs. Monisola Olonisakin (Ekiti South).

Fayose said: “I know the

value of your votes and what you represent. I won’t joke with your interest. I decided that the programme is shown live to show the strength of our teachers and their support for us.

“The issues raised are being addressed and you know our financial situation and within the limit of our finances we will address them.

In 2003, we were 35th in public examinations conducted

by WAEC and NECO and we moved to the eighth and seventh positions.

“Though, I applied for N29.6 billion bailout from the CBN, which would have covered payment for all salaries, allowances and pension. But only N9.1b was ap-

proved . This is not political.

But it is only what I get that I can share”, he clarified.

“If I did not leave at that time, we would have been No. 1. We have held education summit and we want to make Ekiti State a force to be reckoned with in the country.This year we are working hard and I want to assure you we will get there,” he said.

Eminent lawyer and Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), urged teachers to be more committed to their duty to justify the support given them by the state government.

"What I saw today showed

Give education more money, says Osunbor

NUT seeks Secondary School Commission

Osagie Otabor, Benin •Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun speaking with teachers under the aegis of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools of Nigeria (ASUSS), in commemoration of the 2015 World Teachers Day, at Arcade Ground, State Secretariat, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta ...yesterday.

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

HE Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to establish secondary school commission for efficient and effective administration of post primary school in the country.

The Kwara state Chair of the NUT, Comrade Musa Abubakar spoke this yesterday in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital at this year world teachers day.

Comrade Abubakar also cautioned against putting primary school system under the local government authorities.

On primary education, he said: “In as much as we support Mr. President. Change agenda for our dear nation and in his bid to reposition education, care must be taken in repositioning Primary Education system, particularly in its management and finance.

“Any attempt to place primary school system in the hands of local government authorities shall be vehemently resisted.”

He urged the state government to consider teachers to the appointments of permanent secretary, chairmanship of TESCOM, SUBEB and even commissioner for education to ensure that round pegs are put in the round holes.

He also called for the increase of state government monthly subvention ?to N150m to ensure up to date payment of retired primary and secondary school teachers gratuities and pensions.

He also called for the immediate payment of the backlogs of gratuity of retired primary school teachers.

The NUT chairman, further called for the release of the outstanding promotion of primary school teachers since 2013 July and 2014 including the release of TESCOM teachers promotions.

NUT chair urged Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) to live up to expectation and ensure the issuance of license to ?the registered teachers which he stressed is long overdue.

that truly Fayose is a friend of teachers. If I see it on television, I won’t be happy. I thank the governor that he asked me to come.

“I am a teacher too and it will be 70 years next January that I started teaching. I thank the governor for bringing you all together here to celebrate yourselves,” he said.

The State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Mr Kayode Akosile, said the coming of Fayose had restored hope in teachers.

Akosile stressed that they were discouraged by some policies of the previous administration. He promised the support and cooperation of teachers to the government.

T

Aregbesola: pupils’ performances have improved

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SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola yesterday reeled out statistics showing that pupils’ performances in public examinations have confirmed remarkable improvements in the quality of education in the state.

The governor described as unfounded the allegation of detractors that the performance of pupils had gone down under his watch.

Speaking at the World

From Soji Adeniyi, Osogbo

Teachers Day in Osogbo, the governor said a remarkable 61 per cent improvement was recorded.

He said: “In 2007, government put forward 36,171 for WAEC examination, of which 2,483 representing 6.86 per cent had credit passes in five subjects, including English and Mathematics. In 2008, it was 37,715 candidates with

3,813 passes, representing 10.11 per cent, in 2009 it was 39,676 candidates, with 5,545 passes, representing 13.98 per cent. In 2010 it was 43,216 candidates, with 6,777 passes, representing 15.68 per cent. These four years gave us an average of 15.68 per cent.

However, our administration started sponsoring candidates in 2011, we fielded 53,293 candidates, had 11672 passes, representing 21.98 per cent. In 2012, we fielded 51,463 of

which 11,431 passed, representing 22.21 per cent. In 2013, we also fielded 47,013 candidates, recorded 9,301 passes, representing 19.78 per cent.

The average performance for our first three years was 21.32 per cent.

“Compared with the average performance (13.26 per cent) of the three years that preceded us, the percentage improvement in performance during our tenure is 61 per cent. You can’t fight with figures.”

F

ORMER Edo State Governor Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor has urged the Federal Government to increase budgetary allocation to the education sector.

Osunbor said it was sad that Nigeria was yet to emulate developed countries of world, which he said, has highest budgetary priority on education.

He spoke yesterday at the 2015 World Teachers’ Day in Benin, Edo State.

The former governor said: “It is very important for government at all levels to improve their budgeting for education. If you look at developed countries, you will find out that their budget for education is always the highest.”

Governor Adams Oshiomhole said his administration had continued to demonstrate its support for quality education, through the payment of teachers’ salaries and provision of a conducive learning environment.

“We cannot boast that we have conquered all problems. But you can also understand that what matters in governance is the statement of your intention and the credible steps to solve the problems as the come, put them behind you and march on.

State Chairman of the NUT, Mr. Mike Uhunmwangho, said Nigeria failed to meet the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) target for education because it failed to put its educational system right.

Why change depends on teachers, by Amosun

O

GUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has said the plan to change the nation’s socio-political climate depends, not just on the political leadership, but also on effective teaching and positive impact of teachers on learners.

The governor also said the state government would recruit 600 teaching and nonteaching staff for newly built model secondary schools.

He spoke at the 2015 World Teachers Day Celebrations at the M.K.O Abiola International Stadium, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

“In the light of this, we are in the process of recruiting over 600 teaching and nonteaching staff into our new model schools across the state,” the governor added.

While congratulating teachers in Ogun State and all over the world, the governor, borrowing the words of Plato, a Greek philosopher said, “no society develops beyond the capacity of its teachers.”

He added that the success of the change mantra depended on the teaching-learning process and proper curriculum development to inculcate in the youngsters, the positive

attitude of change.

Amosun said the Ogun State government, under his watch, had always been mindful of this fact, adding that this accounts for why the provision of affordable, qualitative education took the No.1 slot on the list of his administrations’ five cardinal programmes.

The governor said this also explains why his administration had “consistently dedicated 26 per cent to education in our budget since inception,” in May 2011.

“The choice of education as the first on the list is not a co-

incidence. It is a pre-determined motive towards building a society where citizens will not only be easy to govern but be useful to themselves and their various communities,” Amosun said.

He added that beyond distribution of educational materials, including textbooks, to pupils at no cost to their parents, the state government continued to deploy different motivational strategies to encourage teachers.

This, he said, included “increment in emoluments” and “regular payment of salaries and allowances.”

The governor also seized the opportunity to announce that the backlog of promotion of teachers in the state was being critically addressed while adding that “training and re-training of teaching and non-teaching personnel are being organised time and over again.”

Responding, Hakeem Lawal, president, Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, ASUSS and Dare Ilekoya, state Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT both commended the governor for teachers’ welfare in Ogun State.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015

NEWS Scientists win Nobel prize Continued from page 1

temisinin, a drug that has slashed malaria deaths and has become the mainstay of fighting the mosquito-borne disease.

She is China’s first Nobel laureate in medicine.

Some 3.4 billion people, most of them living in poor countries, are at risk of contracting the three parasitic diseases.

“These two discoveries have provided humankind with powerful new means to combat these debilitating diseases that affect hundreds of Continued on page 8

•Senator Oluremi Tinubu with Nigeria Society of Worid Changers International during a visit to her Constituency office in Yaba, Lagos.

Boko Haram claims responsibility for Abuja explosions

B

OKO Haram has claimed responsibility for weekend’s twin bomb attacks on the outskirts of Abuja.

The group spoke in a message posted on Sunday evening.

No fewer than 18 people were killed and 41 injured in the bombings on Friday night, in Kuje, to the west of Abuja, and in Nyanya, to the east, the authorities

said.

Suspicion immediately fell on the Islamist militants, who last year said they were behind two attacks in Nyanya that left more than 90 dead.

The claim of responsibility on Twitter was signed by Islamic State in West Africa Province, used by Boko Haram since its pledge of allegiance to the militants in Syria and Iraq in March.

It showed photographs of

three men in combat fatigues, holding automatic weapons and in front of the group’s insignia, and claimed they had carried out “martyrdom operations”.

The police on Saturday said “preliminary investigations revealed the bomb blasts were carried out by two suicide bombers - a male and a female”.

The Arabic message said the trio’s targets were police sta-

tions in Nyanya and Kuje, calling them “strongholds of the apostates [non-believers)”, according to the SITE Intelligence Group.

One militant attacked Nyanya, the other two Kuje, it said.

Boko Haram has previously attacked police stations and prisons, where militant fighters have been held. Kuje prison, near Abuja’s airport, currently houses dozens of Boko Haram inmates.

EFCC seeks special courts to try suspects Continued from page 1

vestigating and prosecuting corruption cases. Everything must be done according to what the law provides.

“People expect magic and it doesn’t work that way. In developed countries of the world, if we look at all corruption cases, none of their investigations and prosecutions has lasted less than five years.

“I give you the example of James Ibori (a former governor of Delta State), that is serving jail term in United Kingdom. We started working with the Metropolitan Police on this case around 2005, they didn’t go to court until 2009 or 2010 and some of the processes are still in court like the confiscation process.

“Nobody keeps resources,

funds or assets in their names within the jurisdiction where they commit such offences.

Most times, they move out of their immediate jurisdiction.

So, the processes of tracking these assets and funds that are stolen are cumbersome.

“Once it is not done within your jurisdiction, it becomes issues of cooperation with other law enforcement agencies in other countries and that takes time.

“Not only that, trying to identify these assets also takes a lot of resources and time.”

On alleged diversion of N1.3trillion by EFCC, Lamorde said the anti-graft agency has written the Senate on issues raised by a petitioner, George Uboh.

He added: “It’s true that such allegation has been made but we have written to

the Senate. We have respectfully responded to the letter of invitation sent to us, explaining why we were not able to go by the date given.

We think that based on what we have written to them, a new date should be given to us for us to engage them to discuss the issue concerned.

“We have engaged the services of a reputable audit firm since last year to work on all assets that have been seized and recovered by the EFCC. “We want to have a comprehensive report that will stand the test of time. I’m not only talking about 2012 to 2015 that I am in charge of affairs, I asked them to look from the day the commission was created, that is April 2003 to date, so that we have a comprehensive report we can put in public space. Any person who has issues with that

can challenge it and we will look at it.

“You see, people judge others by their standards. If they are entrusted with public funds, they will misuse it. So they just assume every other person can do the same. So, they look at you from their own perspective of what they may do or what they are doing. I think that is what is happening.: Lamorde also said he is in support of the creation of special courts to try financial crimes suspects He said the special courts would hasten the trial of suspects accused of corrupt practices.

I think it will be very helpful; it will improve the anticorruption drive tremendously if dedicated courts or specialized courts are creatContinued on page 8

‘Nigeria on the right path with pension’

N

IGERIA is on the right path with its over N5 trillion pension fund under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), an expert on Global Economy and Financial markets, Dr. Gerard Lyons, said yesterday.

Lyons, a Policy Adviser to the Mayor of London, spoke in Abuja at the second edition of the World Pension Summit ‘Africa Special’. It is with the theme: “Building Sustainable Pension Systems in Africa”.

The keynote speaker also said that with the growth pattern of the funds, Nigeria

By Nduka Cheijina and Omobola Tolu-Kusimo

can be a regional leader and a global player.

He stated that the rest of the world view Nigeria as a country where corruption is prevalent and has security problem.

He said that they also know that the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is tackling both issues seriously adding that this will further boost international perception and drive international investment in the pension inContinued on page 8

Diezani, brothers to face trial for alleged bribery Continued from page 1

doing when it was alleged that $20 billon of oil money had gone missing when she was in office between 2010 and 2015 However, a London (Westminster Magistrate’s Court) on Marylebone Road yesterday approved the seizure of $41,000 (£27,000) cash from her.

The seizure of the cash followed an application brought by the NCA under the Proceeds of Crime Act in the UK. The court ruled that the money can be held for six months.

There was confusion earlier in the day that Mrs AlisonMadueke had appeared in

court. However, it turned to be incorrect. She was not taken to court and had not been charged with any offence.

President Muhammadu Buhari has pledged to curb corruption, saying "mind-boggling" sums were stolen during the Jonathan administration.

The NCA leads UK law enforcement's fight to cut serious and organised crime. It has national and international reach and the mandate and powers to work in partnership with other law enforcement organisations to bring the full weight of the law to bear on serious and organised crimiContinued on page 8

Hurdles ministerial nominees will face, by senators Continued from page 1

solved to be stringent in its approach.

Ohuabunwa noted that if Senators and members of the House are on the list, they would be accorded respect without automatic clearance.

The Senate, he said, will make sure that whoever is nominated as minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria must be somebody worth his the salt and “somebody we can rely upon and somebody who would have met the constitutional requirements of the appointments.”

He said: “The list will be unveiled tomorrow the Senate President kept to his word that the envelope will remain sealed until tomorrow (today).

“We know that all we have been reading could be speculations until it is opened.

“It will be read on the floor and we will know.”

On the Senate tradition of “bow and go” for Senatornominees, he said:

“We will be guided by the constitution and the rules of the Senate. This time around we resolved we are going to be quite stringent. ”The screening of senators if there are senators in the list will be an admixture.

“The admixture I mean is that being qualified to have been the member of the House of Representatives automatically qualifies you to be a senator because constitutionally, being any of this qualifies you to be a minister.

“Everywhere in the world, we have es spirit de’corps, so there is nothing wrong about it.

“However there is going to be an admixture but that does not mean you will just come and take a bow.

“We will want you to talk to Nigerians to show that at least you are qualified to be a minister.”

Asked what would happen to nominees who have petitions against them, he said “This government that has

tagged itself as the government of change, one of the cardinal things they want to be known for is that they fought corruption and if that is the cardinal thing, where they want to score a point then definitely, it will be against this senate and indeed against the president and Nigeria for us to see a very strong allegation or petition that hinges on corruption and we throw it away.

“Definitely we will not. If we see a strong petition, definitely we will look into it and follow it to a logical conclusion.

“If it requires writing to the anti graft agencies like ICPC or EFCC to give us a report on such a person we will do that because that is what screening is all about.

“Screening is not a tea party. We hear that in Cross River State the appointees are going to write aptitude test.

“Though I am not advocating that for the ministerial nominees but it shows that

everybody now is serious that if you are going to be a minister of the federal republic of Nigeria, you should be a man of integrity, a man that we can rely upon at any time.

“So integrity is very important. If you have in one way or the other soiled your hands, it will be unfortunate because the senate will not just say carry go.

“Where two senators from a state reject not only ministers, any appointee of government, that issue will be looked into.

“Definitely we may not have made input into the nomination of the nominees because it is the responsibility of the president but subject to the confirmation of the senate.

“So as far as the senate is concerned we must make sure that the screening is done in accordance with the law of the country and if you have skeleton in your cupboard and to a large extent we can proof it, we will send

you back to who brought you and that is the President.

“We are not considering waving any rule. Why should we wave the rule? If we want to do that, it should be before the screening.

“I believe that at the end of the day Nigerians will be happy because some Nigerians are already saying that the names being speculated were not what they were waiting for this five months.

“Some were saying that they were expecting to see some saints. So it is now for us to screen them and make sure that those that will make the list eventually will be men and women of integrity.

On whether the ministerial list will be used as bargaining chip with the Presidency, he said there was nothing to negotiate. ”I don’t see any room for negotiation, what are we negotiating for?

“The president has done his own job. All I know is that I expect that the list will be

•Saraki

complete for us to move on because the constitution never said in batches and the constitution has said one minister from every state.

“So if you are screening and the other states are not represented how can you exContinued on page 8

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7

NEWS

Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi (third right) with judges at the 2015/2016 Legal Year service at the Central Mosque, Oja’ba Ibadan...yesterday.

Police arrest abductors of UNIPORT VC’s son, others

Azinge to deliver lecture

F

ORMER DirectorGeneral of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Prof Epiphany Azinge is to deliver the 2015 edition of Anthony Cardinal Okogie lecture.

The lecture comes up on October 15 by 9am at McGovern Hall, St Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland, Lagos.

In a statement by the Director of Catholic Lay Apostolate Centre of the Archdiocese of Lagos, Rev. Innocent Opogah, the lecture, in its eighth series, is organised in conjunction with Knights of St John International, Lagos.

The lecture, “2015 elections: Implications for Nigeria’s democracy”, has Dr Pius Isaac Sinebe as chairman.

Former Delta State Deputy Governor Prof Amos Utuama is the special guest of honour.

11, 000 apply for CBN loan

O

VER 11,000 small and medium scale entrepreneurs in Ekiti State have applied for loans through the state government under the N2billion Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Scheme (MSMES).

Commissioner for Commerce, Industries and Cooperatives Michael Ayodele said the biometric data of over 8,080 of the applicants have been captured in the exercise.

According to him, the first tranche of N5million would be disbursed as soon as the verification was completed, adding that 5,000 people would benefit from the tranche.

The commissioner explained that the scheme was being managed by the Ekiti State Government/Central Bank of Nigeria/Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Fund Technical Committee (EKSG/CBN/MSMES) and would be disbursed through selected micro-finance banks to successful applicants.

T

HE police in Rivers State yesterday paraded four suspects, who allegedly kidnapped the son of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT).

Ejire, the first child of Prof Ndowa Lale, was abducted at Eleme last month and held for four days.

Two of the suspectsSamuel Osaro, a Senior Secondary School (SSS) 2 pupil and Wisdom Godfrey – told reporters they took part in the abduction.

The police also paraded 12 others for alleged cultism, robbery and kidnapping.

Police Commissioner Musa Kimo assured residents that the command would rid the state of hoodlums.

Represented by police spokesman Mohammad Ahmed, Kimo said over 16 suspects, including kidnappers, robbers and cultists, had been detained.

The police chief said

From Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

seven kidnap victims, including a 76-year-old woman, 68-year-old Prof Iheanyi S. Nzeneri of UNIPORT, among others, were rescued.

He said one of the abductors was killed.

Kimo named other rescued victims as Bunmi Shoneye (43); Theresa Nwosu (76); Osimoke Itu (all married women); Judah Ayoade, Ogochukwu Duru (10) and Friday Ozogo.

Kimo said a suspect, Stephen Ezebunwo, allegedly participated in the abduction of Friday Ozoko, who was buried in a shallow grave at Choba Water Front.

He said Ezebunwo was arrested on October 1 at Rukpokwu in Port Harcourt.

Ezebunwo allegedly worked with Kelvin Ogbulaon (22); Chiwendu

Akani (20) and Nelson Kacaranmos (23), who reportedly confessed and were paraded on July 27 .

Kimo decried the inhumane treatment abductors meted out to their victims, saying: “These rescued victims were found in inhumane, cruel conditions, depicting depravity, wickedness and reprehensible disposition.

“Mrs. Shonoye was found chained at the kidnappers’ hideout on Rumuduru Road, Port Harcourt.

“A suspect, Obinnma Ezekiel, 28, and Henry Enyi, 28, were arrested during her rescue.”

The police chief said two AK-47 rifles, four magazines, 40 rounds of 7.62 live ammunition and a Honda Accord were recovered.

He said 11 suspected kidnappers were arrested while one was killed during the period under review.

According to him, two AK-47 rifles, six magazines and 131 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition were recovered from the leader of a notorious cult group, Ovunda Jacob (aka Junior) and his group, who were said to be behind several robberies, cult-related activities and kidnappings at Orazi and environs.

Kimo said: “His arrest led to the recovery of three stolen vehicles - a black Toyota Camry with registration number (Bayelsa) BRO 407 NV; a blue Toyota Avalon car with registration number (Rivers) FS 937 PHC; a blue and grey Toyota Camry with registration number (Rivers) GCU 225 BF. “George Kelly, 20, who has been on the command’s wanted list for cultism, was arrested on September 27 at Mile 3 in Port Harcourt.

“Substance suspected to be cocaine was recovered from him.”

Lawyer sues IKEDC for alleged extortion

A

LAWYER, James Ogunyemi, has sued the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Plc for alleged extortation.

In the suit filed at the Lagos State High Court, he and a consumer, Igiebor Solomon, are seeking a declaration that it is illegal to issue estimated bills to them when IKEDC confirmed that they have functional meters.

According to them, they received estimated bills last year for March, August, September, and December, as well as January and February this year, despite having accessible, functional meters.

Among others, they sought a declaration that the threat to disconnect electricity supply to Ogunyemi’s apartment and its actual disconnection last December 22 and March 23 this year in order to extort money/payment from him is contrary to Section 406 of the Criminal Code Act. They also sought an injunction restraining IKEDC from further giving them esti-

By Joseph Jibueze

mated/coded and any form of fraudulent bills in excess of the actual units of electricity they consumed.

The claimants said the defendant investigated the working condition of their meters and confirmed they are in good condition. Despite the confirmation, the estimated bills did not stop.

“The fraudulent billing with threat of disconnection to extort payment from the claimant and other helpless Nigerians by officials of the defendant continues till the filing of this suit.

“The defendant’s officials ignominiously confirmed to the first claimant that the revenue target of the defendant must be met with or without reading of meters or supplies of electricity.”

Ogunyemi and Solomon are seeking N5million damages for unlawful disconnection of electricity supply to the lawyer’s apartment and fraudulent extortion of money/payment from him.

The claimants, who live on the same street in Agege, Lagos, said in August, last year, IKEDC was motivated by avaricious revenue drive to abandon the reading of the meter to pave way for fraudulent billing and extortion of payment from consumers with threat of disconnection.

According to them, before they started receiving estimated bills, they made outright payment of the total amount represented by the bills when their meters were read.

However, IKEDC has filed a Notice of Preliminary Objection on August 5.

It is challenging the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the suit.

The objection is on the ground that the name “Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company” is neither that of a natural person nor an incorporated company and therefore lacks the capacity to sue or be sued.

The defendant said its name is actually Ikeja Elec-

tricity Distribution Plc. “An action against a Nigerian company must be brought in the incorporated name of the company as registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission.

“The Defendant, ‘Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company’ is not a juristic person recognised by law.

“The suit is incompetent, having been initiated against, and in the name of a non-juristic person. This court lacks the jurisdiction to entertain this suit,” the defendant said.

In response, Ogunyemi said Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company is the name on the bills he receives.

He said: “The false representation made by the defendant itself to all Nigerians through its electricity bills and letters does not divest the court of the cherished jurisdiction to entertain the suit.

“This is more so when it is evidently clear that the defendant took advantage of the name on the bills to collect money.”

Ajimobi for public lecture OYO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi will today deliver a lecture, “Sustaining The Wind of Change”, at Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State.

A statement by Dr. Gbade Ojo said Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola would chair the occasion.

The public lecture is the first distinguished personality lecture of the Department of Political Science and Diplomatic Studies.

Canonical visit to Arepo THE Catholic Bishop of Abeokuta Diocese, Rev Peter Kayode Odetoyinbo will begin a three-day canonical visit to the Catholic Church of Transfiguration (CCTA), Arepo, Ogun State, on October 16.

The visitation, part a pastoral initiative, follows the church’s tradition and that it is incumbent on a bishop to visit at least once in three years the parishes in his Episcopal jurisdiction.

CCTA’s parish priest Rev Charles Soyombo said: “This visit is important to us because this is the first time Rev. Odetoyinbo will be on a canonical visit to CCTA since the parish was created.

“During the visit, His Lordship will administer the sacrament of confirmation on some candidates and parishioners.

“The visit will give an opportunity to the bishop to know and acquaint himself with the parishioners.

“The parishioners too will also use the opportunity to deepen their faith and enhance their spiritual growth.

“Having His Lordship around for three days will allow room for closer interaction.

“The Lord Bishop will also use the opportunity to assess the physical and spiritual growth of the church.”

Highlights of the visit, Soyombo added, include a tour of the two parish outstations namely, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Isheri and Catholic Church of Resurrection, Warewa.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015

NEWS Three scientists who discovered malaria medicine win Nobel prize Continued from page 6

millions of people annually,” the Nobel Assembly at Sweden’s Karolinska Institute said.

“The consequences in terms of improved human health and reduced suffering are immeasurable.”

Today, the medicine ivermectin, a derivative of avermectin made by Merck & Co, is used worldwide to fight roundworm parasites, while artemisinin-based drugs from firms including Novartis and Sanofi are the main weapons against malaria.

Omura and Campbell made their breakthrough in fighting parasitic worms, or helminths, after studying compounds from soil bacteria.

That led to the discovery of avermectin, which was then further modified into ivermectin.

The treatment is so successful that river blindness and lymphatic filariasis are now on the verge of being eradicated.

Omura, 80, said the real credit for the achievement should go to the ingenuity of the Streptomyces bacteria, whose naturally occurring chemicals were so effective at killing off parasites.

“I really wonder if I deserve this,” he said after learning he had won the prize.

“I have done all my work depending on microbes and learning from them, so I think the microbes might almost deserve it more than I do.”

Omura is professor emeritus at Kitasato University in Japan, while Campbell is research fellow emeritus at Drew University in Madison, New Jersey.

“This was the work of a team of researchers so it is by no means my work, it’s our work,” said Campbell, 85, who learned of his prize in a pre-dawn phone call from Reuters that woke him at his home in North Andover, Massachusetts.

“In the first decade, there were 70 authors that I co-authored papers with. That

gives you some idea of the number of people involved,” he said.

Tu, meanwhile, turned to a traditional Chinese herbal medicine in her hunt for a better malaria treatment, following the declining success of the older drugs chloroquine and quinine.

She found that an extract from the plant Artemisia annua was sometimes effective but the results were inconsistent, so she went back to ancient literature, including a recipe from AD 350, in the search for clues.

This eventually led to the isolation of artemisinin, a new class of anti-malaria drug, which was available in China before it reached the West.

Tu, 84, has worked at the China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine since 1965.

World Health Organisation spokesman Gregory Hartl said the award of a Nobel prize for the discovery was a great tribute to the contribu-

tion of Chinese science in fighting malaria.

“We now have drugs that kill these parasites very early in their life-cycle,” said Juleen Zierath, chair of the Nobel Committee.

“They not only kill these parasites but they stop these infections from spreading.”

Death rates from malaria have plunged 60 percent in the past 15 years, although the disease still kills around half a million people a year, the vast majority of them babies and young children in the poorest parts of Africa.

The eight million Swedish crowns (960,000 dollas) medicine prize is the first of the Nobel prizes awarded each year.

Prizes for achievements in science, literature and peace were first awarded in 1901 in accordance with the will of dynamite inventor and businessman Alfred Nobel.

Last year, the medicine prize went to three scientists who discovered the brain’s inner navigation system.

‘Nigeria on the right path with pension’ Continued from page 6

dustry.

He noted that the pension reform in the country is comprehensive, impressive and a good foundation for the future.

Director General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), Chinelo AnohuAmazu in her welcome address at the event said the Nigerian pension reform narrative can be situated within the context of Africa’s economic resurgence after the lost quarter of a century.

She said: “Indeed, from operating the old Defined Benefits System that had well over two trillion Naira (circa USD 10 Billion) in deficit at the dusk of the last century, the CPS that was kick started in 2004 now has over five trillion (circa USD 27 Billion) in just over 10 years of operation.

Infrastructure development undoubtedly remains a key enabler of sustainable development in Africa and the current rapid increase in the size of pension funds available in the Continent provides a rare opportunity for multi-sectoral collaboration in bridging Africa’s infrastructure deficit.

By focusing on the longterm sustainability of pension systems in Africa, the summit shall according to her, inter alia, facilitate the setting out of economic preconditions and initiatives that are needed for longerterm growth as well as to foster poverty eradication.

She noted that a key feature of the CPS is the institutionalization of risk-based regulation as a means of engendering the long-term sustainability of the Pension Industry. Sustainability on this score encapsulates the troika of social, environmental, and economic dimensions of development.

She stressed that regulatory strategies would thus encompass a painstaking consideration of risks as well as the rewards that lie behind endogenous opportunities noting that the impact of poor corporate governance practices on shareholder value, exacerbated by the recent global financial crisis, for instance, has raised issues such as transparency, risk management and business ethics, amongst others, to the front burner of the regulatory agenda.

“Then again, issues of un-

employment, diseases, poverty, climate change, and inequality are also pressing needs for Regulators to consider in mapping their regulatory landscape.

“This novel approach to regulatory oversight – Sustainable Regulation - is one that overtly acknowledges the importance to institutional regulators of environmental, social and governance (‘ESG”) factors and the long-term stability of financial markets, especially the Pension Industry. It recognizes that creation of longlasting return on pension assets is essentially dependent on transparent, predictable and well governed environmental and economic systems; systems that are underpinned by clearly defined prudential regulatory guidelines.

“Unsurprisingly, pension fund managers all over the Globe are changing mandates to reflect considerations of sustainable investment and consequently the growth of ESG mandates in overall investment strategy is on the rise. Nonetheless, many regulators still require further education on how they should quantify perfor-

EFCC seeks special courts to try suspects Continued from page 6

ed or we designate certain courts specifically for economic and financial crimes and corruption.

I think it will also give room for specialization, making them proficient in what they do. In a situation whereby a judge listens to a case of divorce and then the next case

is armed robbery, the next one is rape, then they go into corruption, then he must have lost concentration because judges are human beings, no matter how good they are.

“So, it will be very good if we can get a court designated for corruption and related cases.”

•Lamorde

Diezani, brothers to face trial for alleged bribery Continued from page 6

nals.

The Proceeds of Crime Act says “The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (“POCA”) sets out the legislative scheme for the recovery of criminal assets with criminal confiscation being the most commonly used power.

“Confiscation occurs after a conviction has taken place.

Other means of recovering the proceeds of crime which do not require a conviction are provided for in the Act, namely civil recovery, cash seizure and taxation powers.

“The aim of the asset recovery schemes in POCA is to deny criminals the use of their assets, recover the proceeds of crime and disrupt and deter criminality.

“Since 2010, more than £746 million of criminal assets has been seized (to 2013/14) across all four methods of recovery – a record amount.

“Over the same period, assets worth more than £2.5 billion have been frozen denying criminals access to these resources and £93 million has been returned to victims,” said a factsheet.

mance and assess the extent to which ESG mandates are delivered upon”.

She reiterated that as a regulator, PenCom continuously strives to remain at the cutting-edge in mainstreaming sustainability strategy and practice in the discharge of her statutory remit.

She further disclosed that the Commission in furtherance of its commitment to promoting industry-wide sustainability, is collaborating with Europe’s leading Sustainability Research Centre - The Sustainable Business Initiative at the Business School, The University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom to among other things, develop a set of sustainable pension principles that would set out a minimum standard for entrenching a truly sustainable retirement pension system in the country.

Tough screening for nominees Continued from page 6

plain that because nothing says that the president must submit list in batches.

“If that is done, some states might be disenfranchised. To be fair to all is that the list must be complete.

“If it is not complete, some of us will raise constitutional issues which everybody will see and know which way forward because everything about parliament is that it must to be hinged on the law and we will see whether it is right or wrong.

“The constitution is clear and we will follow the constitution and laid down rule.”

On President Buhari as minister of petroleum, he said, “I don’t think the president’s name will be on the list and I also don’t think that the president will say he is a minister because if you are a minister one of the conditions is that you must be subjected to screening and approval of the senate.

“He as the chief minister can be there to supervise any ministry but he cannot be a minister. Whoever is advising him to be minister is not advising him rightly.

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015

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BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Naira priced appropriately, says Emefiele

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HE Central Bank of Ni geria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele yesterday said the naira is “appropriately priced” and the apex bank does not plan any adjustments for the time being.

“At this time...the currency is appropriately priced,” Emefiele told a conference in London.

Africa’s largest oil producer has restricted imports since June to offset a fall in vital oil revenues which has battered public finances and the nationals currency.

The naira has an official exchange rate peg of 196.95 per dollar but has traded weaker than that in parallel markets.

NAMA to implement performance based navigation

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

For so many years, Nigerians have yearned to see Nigeria establish itself as a leader in Africa in concrete terms. We have all been frustrated when the country was unable to rise up. But you will agree with me that in the last few years with the political changes and with the economic advancement of Dangote in African countries and its strong presence, any Nigerian anywhere, can stand up to be counted.

- The Special Adviser to President/Chief Executive, Dangote Group, Joseph Makoju

World Bank projects 3.7 per cent growth for Africa T HE World Bank Group has said African countries would grow at 3.7 per cent rate this year, a margin lower than the 4.6 per cent recorded last year.

It said the growth rate is the lowest recorded for the continent since 2009, stating that the development is induced by “more challenging economic environment”.

The report is contained in Africa’s Pulse, the bi-yearly publication of the World Bank, titled - the Challenge of Sustaining Growth amid Weak Global Conditions.

The 2015 forecast remains below the robust 6.5 per cent growth in GDP, which the region sustained in 2003-2008.

It said the decline in the growth rate to below the 4.5 per cent in the accompanying years from 2009 through last year, was the result of the global financial crisis within the era, but nevertheless expressed optimism that growth in the region is projected to pick up to 4.4 percent next year, and further strengthen to 4.8 per cent in 2017.

From Simeon Ebulu, Group Business Editor (Lima, Peru)

The report blamed sharp drops in the price of oil and other commodities for recent weakness in Africa’s economic performance, coupled with China’s economic slowdown, as well as the tightening of the system.

Compounding these factors, are bottlenecks in supplying electricity in many African countries hampered economic growth in 2015.

World Bank Vice President for Africa, Makhtar Diop, has, however, urged African nations not to bemoan the challenges posed by the end of the commodity super-cycle.

He said they should latch on the opportunities created by the development by reinvigorating reform efforts to transform their economies and diversify sources of growth.

He said: “Implementing the

right policies to boost agricultural productivity, and reduce electricity costs while expanding access, will improve competitiveness and support the growth of light manufacturing.”

The report indicated that several countries continue to post robust growth. It added that several countries, including Ethiopia, Mozambique, Rwanda and Tanzania are expected to sustain growth at around seven percent or more per year between this year and 2017, spurred by investments in energy and transport, consumer spending and investment in the natural resources sector.

It said considerable progress is being recorded in reducing income poverty in sub-Saharan Africa at a faster rate than previously thought.

The World Bank estimates that poverty in Africa declined from 56 per cent in 1990 to 43 per cent in 2012.

Acting Chief Economist, World Bank Africa and the

report’s author, Punam Chuhan-Pole, said: “The dramatic, ongoing drop in commodity prices has put pressure on rising fiscal deficits, adding to the challenge in countries with depleted policy buffers.”

He said to withstand new shocks, governments in the region should improve the efficiency of public expenditures, such as prioritising key investments, and strengthening tax administration to create fiscal space in budgets.

The report said growth in sub-Saharan Africa will be repeatedly tested as new shocks occur in the global economic environment, underscoring the need for governments to embark on structural reforms to alleviate domestic impediments to growth.

It said investments in new energy capacity, attention to drought and its effects on hydropower, reform of stateowned distribution companies, and renewed focus on encouraging private investment will help build resilience in the power sector.

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HE Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) yesterday said the implementation of its new Performance Based Navigation (PBN) is underway.

It added that aircraft with necessary approval from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) can now fly into 15 airports in the country without the use of ground navigational aids.

PBN is the technology in air traffic services where aircraft receive advisory information from satellite-based equipment as opposed to ground based equipment.

Its Managing Director, Ibrahim Abdulsalam who spoke with reporters yesterday listed the airports to include Benin, Calabar, Enugu, Ibadan, Ilorin, Owerri, Jos and Kaduna.

Others are Maiduguri, Katsina, Minna, Sokoto, Zaria, Gombe.

He said the new technology is contained in a publication of the PBN Area Navigation (RNAV) approaches for 15 Nigerian Airports for airspace managers as well as the publication of Standard Arrival Routes (STARs) and Standard Instrument Departure Routes (SIDRs) for Benin Airport by the agency.

Abdulsalam said the implementation of PBN in Nigeria became inevitable as it is in line with global migration from ground-based navigation to satellite-based navigation.

He said NAMA is leaving no stone unturned in meeting the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) requirement for states to ensure full implementation of PBN at both local and international airports by 2016.

He said: “Because of the increased level of accuracy, reliability, continuity, integrity of information, overall enhanced safety and attendant benefits to airlines and the travelling public, it has become imperative for Nigerian operators to key in to PBN.

MAN requires N2.5b for simulator complex From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

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HE Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, Akwa Ibom State, yesterday said it would require N2.5 billion for the construction of Simulator Complex in order to meet the training requirements approved by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

Its Rector, Mr Joshua Okpo, who spoke with reporters in Oron, Akwa Ibom State, said MAN is expecting IMO audit team in January 2016. He therefore appealed to the Federal Government to assist it so that Nigeria could remain on IMO white list.

The rector said the money would go into providing Global Maritime Distress Signal System (GMDSS), Radar Arpa Simulator and Engine Simulator.

He said: “We must try very hard to remain on the IMO white list; we appeal to the Federal Government to help buy the equipment.

“Without the equipment for simulators training and certification, we will not likely pass the test.”

He said the installation of these simulators would make the Academy self-sufficient in training and certification without going to the Regional Maritime University in Ghana.

Ikeja Electric eyes installation of 15,000 meters monthly

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

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• From left: Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr Oscar N. Onyema; Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel; Director-General, Pension Commission (PENCOM), Dr Chinelo Anohu-Amazu; Governor of Kebbi State, Senator Abubakar A. Bagudu and Adviser to the Mayor of London, Mr Gerard Lyons during the World Pension Summit Africa Special at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

Shell begins operations in Bonga Northwest

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IL major, Royal Dutch Shell said it has started the third phase of operations in Nigeria.

The firm said its exploration and production company started production at the third phase of the offshore Bonga prospect.

“This new start-up is another important milestone for Bonga, adding valuable new production to this major facility,” upstream director Andrew Brown said in a statement.

Shell last year started oil production from the deepwater Bonga Northwest development off the coast of Nigeria. At its peak, the company said the third phase of operations in the country should be around 50,000 barrels of oil equivalent.

Nigeria is a member of the Organisation of Petroleum

Exporting Countries (OPEC).

In August, Nigeria produced about 1.86 million barrels of oil per day (bpd), about four per cent higher than the previous month, according to OPEC. Reserves taken from the third phase of the Bonga prospect will be fed through existing production infrastructure offshore, which can produce more than 200,000 barrels of oil and 150 million cubic feet of natural gas per day at full capacity.

The entire Bonga prospect started oil and gas production in 2005 and was Nigeria’s first deep water project.

To date, the full project has produced more than 600 million barrels of oil.

“The country’s deepwater resources are making an important contribution to meeting growing energy demand in Nigeria and around the

world,” Managing Director, Shell’s Regional Exploration subsidiary, Tony Attah, said in a statement.

Royal Dutch Shell Plc expanded oil production off Nigeria’s coast by starting the third phase of its Bonga field.

That phase has a peak production capacity of about 50,000 barrels of oil equivalent, Shell said yesterday in an e-mailed statement. The floating production and storage facility serving Bonga’s third phase has a capacity of more than 200,000 barrels of oil and 150 million standard cubic feet of natural gas a day.

Shell has a 55 per cent stake in Bonga and operates what it says were the first deposits to be developed in Nigeria’s deep waters in 2005. Exxon Mobil Corp. holds 20 per cent, while units of Total SA and Agip, a subsidiary of Italy’s Eni SpA, each own 12.5 per

cent.

Shell has pushed on with projects close to production, such as Bonga Phase 3, even as a slump in crude prices forced it to join other producers in deferring more risky exploration. Europe’s biggest oil company is cutting 6,500 jobs this year and plans to lower spending by $7 billion.

It abandoned an exploration program in Alaska last month after drilling a well that didn’t lead to sizeable oil and gas reserves.

In July, Shell decided to go ahead with the Appomattox project in the Gulf of Mexico after cost cuts reduced the break-even price for the project to $55 a barrel. Benchmark Brent crude climbed as much as 1.7 percent to $48.95 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange on Monday, after dropping 47 percent in the past year.

KEJA Electric has started roll out of smart meters under its metering programme called Advanced Meter Infrastructure (AMI) that targets installation of 300,000 meters over the next three years.

Its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Abiodun Ajifowobaje said the roll out represents a remarkable step in the company’s quest for redefining service delivery in the sector.

“This development resonates with our new spirit, new drive and new energy identity, as we strive to create value for our customers,” he added Ajifowobaje told reporters yesterday in Lagos that the meter roll out started in September with the installation of 6000 meters after the successful completion of the pilot scheme of the advanced meter installation phase which began in June this year.

He said the power firm is set to commence the second phase of the project; the mass roll out of the meters. These meters are designed to enhance efficient energy usage and transparent billing in real time, he added.

According to him, the company aims to install 10,000 meters this month, and will be able to attain the peak monthly installation of 15,000 meters by December.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015

e-Business Nigeria @ 55 In spite of the hiccups that occasion telephony in the country and the hundreds of urban and rural communities still ‘disenfranchised’, Nigeria marches on, dialing her way into the super highway of information communications technology, LUCAS AJANAKU reports.

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VER the past 55 years, Nigeria has made phenomenal strides in the telecoms industry. But most of the significant milestones achieved in the sector only came after the liberalisation of the sector by the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2001.

Before the liberalisation, the country had about 400,000 analogue lines issued by former state-run but now privatised telco, the Nigerian Telecommunication Limited (NITEL) and its mobile arm, MTel. The liberalisation ushered in the issuance of digital telecommunications licences to MTN, Airtel, Globacom and later, Etisalat. MTN fired the first salvo while Airtel followed suit before Globacom, the only indigenous carrier, joined the fray. Etisalat came last. The earlier carriers got mouth-watering incentives from the Federal Government which was informed by the high-risk nature of the country that was just coming out of decades of military rule.

The liberalisation has paid off. According to the latest data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the country’s telephone penetration as at January reached 140,822,483, indicating the active lines/phone numbers on the operators’ networks Teledensity stands at 100.59 per cent at the end of January and expanded to 107.67 per cent by the end of July. Globally, Nigeria has been acclaimed the fastest growing telecoms market while the service providers have brought foreign direct investments (FDIs) to the sector to the tune of $35billion, according to the NCC. But in spite of these landmark achievements, there are still challenges facing the industry.

Quality of service Call drops, unsuccessful calls, crosstalking and so many irregularities still pervade the industry over one decade after the introduction the global system for mobile communication (GSM) in the country. This led to the regulator rolling out what it called its minimum key performance indicators (KPIs). It got the telcos to sign onto these KPIs. Worried by this development, a tripartite agreement was struck by the Ministry of Communications Technology, NCC and the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) on the way forward.

While the CPC said it had the powers within the law establishing to commit erring telcos to jail, the Federal Government said it will institute legal proceedings against erring operators. NCC too promised not to spare any operator.

At the peak of its frustration over the issue, the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS), on

• Base Station

Dialing into information communications super highway behalf of the subscribers, filed a matter in court demanding compensation of N5000 each to the subscribers.

The tecos have consistently blamed attacks on base transmission stations (BTS), bureaucracy in the grant of right of way (RoW), multiple regulation/ taxation, vandalism of optic fiber cables (OFC), insecurity and huge operating expenditure (Opex) incurred on generating electricity remain obstacles to quality service provision. The new NCC chief, Prof Umar Danbatta has inaugurated a QoS committee to tackle the challenges headlong. He has also made it one of the problems he will direct his energy to address.

Auction of 2.3gigahertz (GHz) spectrum Pursuant to the Open Access Broadband Plan of the NCC, it auctioned one of the 30megahertz (MHz) slots of the 2.3GHz spectrum band. The slot was won by an indigenous firm, Bitflux. It defeated Globacom to clinch the spectrum.

The auction came two days after the launch of the sensitisation programme under the National Broadband Roadmap, aimed at mobilising the industry, the governments and the general public to become aware and receptive of the various broadband initiatives in our Broadband Roadmap.

Former Minister, Communications Technology, Dr. (Mrs.) Omobola Johnson said the Broadband Council is already tracking the implementation of the National Broadband Roadmap.

“We have also established very critical collaborations and even signed some agreements at the various levels between governments at all levels and the telecom operators,” she said, adding that the emergence of a wholesale wireless broadband service provider will key into that aspiration of the Federal Government, the Ministry of Communication Technology and indeed the industry, to accelerate and optimise broadband potentials for the socio-economic development of the country.

“We are indeed encouraged by empirical statistics that broadband can transform lives and can transform nation as is already doing in countries where they are optimally deployed. We will continue to make reference to the

often quoted statistic of a 10 per cent increase in broadband penetration delivering a 1.3 per cent increase in gross domestic product (GDP). Those in simple explanation mean that broadband can increase business productivity, can lead to the creation of new businesses and jobs, can save lives, can deliver much needed skills in a developing nation, can provide security, can improve social engagement, and enrich governance.

“The fact that the ICT sector contributes over eight per cent to GDP- means that broadband will accelerate the contribution to GDP in many folds,” she added.

Licensing of Infracos The NCC has two infrastructure service providers (Infracos) in the country.

The regulator said it will license seven Infracos one each in the six geo-political zones in the country while Lagos will have one. Five more are expected to join.

Auction for 2.6GHz spectrum The NCC has also started consultative fora preparatory to the auctioning of another spectrum. Its Director, Public Affairs, Tony Ojobo said the consultation will see another auctioning of spectrum in the 2.6GHz band to complement the one issued earlier in the year in which Bitflux, a relatively unknown IT firm beat Globacom to clinch.

He said: “Participation at the last bid round for spectrum was very low because people knew that this particular one is coming. This is a question of choice and it is purely a business decision of the organisation. You have of two options and you ask yourselfShould I go for this one? If I go for this one am I going to have enough money to participate at the next one when it comes? Or should I just wait for this one because they don’t deliver the same kind of value? The 2.3GHz is for bulk that is wholesale. This one coming soon is different. So the point is that this one is different and people did their business plan and looked at the numbers. If the numbers added up for them to go ahead, they will go but if the numbers do not add up, they will keep their funds.”

Digital switch-over Nigeria missed the digital switch over (DSO) June 17 timeline set by the International Telecoms Union (ITU) for member-countries. National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) said it is making efforts to realise a fresh timeline it set for itself.

Its Director-General, Emeka Mba said: “We have now coordinated another agreement with our West African neighbours and have agreed on a new deadline of June 20, 2017 to complete the digital switchover and achieve analogue switch off.”

He blamed the failure of the country to meet the global deadline on expensive political campaign which made the government not to fund the N70 billion required to prosecute DSO. The Commission is now looking at ingenuous ways of sourcing for the funding.

One of this is the digital licence it has issued MTN for digital pay TV broadcasting services. “We have successfully licensed MTN Nigeria Ltd to use a part of the 700 MHz to provide digital pay TV broadcasting services. We have thus raised N34 billion, slightly less than 50 per cent of our budget,” Mba said.

MNP/SIM reg The implementation of the mobile number portability (MNP) scheme flagged off last year remains in force.

In a country where subscribers are already used to multisimming (use of multiple subscriber identity module (SIM) cards), the scheme is attracting slow uptake.

NCC said the introduction of MNP was in furtherance of the commission’s vision of providing not only access to telecoms services at affordable cost but also to continue to provide the required stimulus and appropriate environment for the introduction of innovative services that will impact on quality of telecommunication service delivery.

The registration of subscriber identity module (SIM) cards which began about three years ago recently became a source of agony for subscribers. No fewer than 10million got their numbers ‘rudely’ deactivated on the directive of the regulator which argued that

it had shipped some improperly registered SIM cards to the telcos for correction since 2012.

Broadband Plan launch Amid pomp and celebration, the Federal Government launched its roadmap for deepening broadband penetration in the country.

Christened Nigeria’s National Broadband Plan (NNBP) 2013-2018, the 105-page document set ambitious targets for broadband growth in the country because of the multiplier effects affordable, fast and ubiquitous internet access could impact on the various segments of the economy.

The NNBP defines Broadband as an Internet experience where the user can access the most demanding content in real time at a minimum speed of 1.5 megabytes per second (MBPS).

Director, Regulatory Affairs, Airtel Nigeria, Osondu Nwokoro, said at six per cent broadband penetration presently, there is both a challenge and an opportunity to meet the goal of realising a five-fold increase in broadband penetration by 2017.

The Broadband Commission for Digital Development said: “Access to broadband infrastructure and services must therefore be a top policy priority for countries around the globe, developed and developing alike as well as least developed countries.” It therefore urged “governments and business to work together to develop innovative policy frameworks, business models and financing arrangements needed to facilitate growth in access to broadband worldwide.”

According to NBP, fixed broadband targets for cities (which is standing at 1.5per cent) expected to go up to 10 per cent in 2015 in the short term, 16 per cent medium term of 2018 and long term target of 25 per cent by 2020. Penetration level which stands at 0.5per cent, will move up gradually to 3.3 per cent, 5.3 per cent and 8.3 per cent respectively For national broadband targets, current level is 35 per cent while short term target is 60 per cent (2015).

For medium term (2018), 80 per cent is targeted while 95 per cent is targeted by 2020 as long term target.

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015

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COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

LETTER

Investing in inventing • Nigeria’s inventors must be given financial backing

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S Nigerians continue to develop ground-breaking inventions and innovations, it is crucial that they receive the financial backing, crucial in ensuring that their research positively impacts their society as well as themselves.

Two recent instances of Nigerian inventiveness have made this issue even more pressing.

The first is the invention of a mobile medical battery back-up system by Miss Jaiyeola Oduyoye, a Product Design Engineering graduate from a British university. The second is the building of energy-efficient cars by students of the University of Benin, the University of Lagos and Ahmadu Bello University for participation in the Shell Eco-marathon, Africa (SEMA) in South Africa.

In both instances, the inventors demonstrated perfect understanding of the way in which scientific research and innovation must be relevant to social needs, if they are to be truly worthwhile.

Miss Oduyoye’s invention is a viable solution to the problem of inadequate power supply for medical procedures in developing countries, profferring a simple but durable device that can be relied upon when public power systems fail.

On the other hand, the energy-efficient vehicles, which the universities forged, represent a useful contribution to the ongoing search for environmentally sustainable means of transportation in an era of increasing population and climate change.

However, while the relevance of these scientific innovations is not in

doubt, there is very little guarantee that they will ever make the transition from the laboratory to the market. Nigeria as a country simply does not devote enough financial resources to research.

World Bank figures show that the United States spent 2.79 per cent of its GDP on research and development between 2010 and 2014; China spent 1.98 per cent within the same period.

By some estimates, Nigeria spent just 0.2 per cent on research in 2007.

It is significant that Miss Oduyoye’s research was carried out overseas, and that the energy-efficient vehicles are being sponsored by a multinational oil company.

Worse still, when funds are available, they are not fully utilised: as at November 2014, only 30 per cent of the N10.052 billion set aside for research by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) was accessed by federal and state-owned tertiary institutions.

Problems of funding metamorphose into scarcity of investment when scientific prototypes emerge because Nigeria cannot properly facilitate investment in the refining, mass-production and marketing of the products of scientific research. The country is yet to develop a business incubation process whereby investment is linked up with invention, to the benefit of all parties and ultimately, that of society.

All this must change if Nigeria is to take its place among the industrialised nations of the world.

Those who engage in scientific research must be availed of the institu-

tional support systems that facilitate their work: standard laboratories, proper mentoring and adequate funding.

Government agencies, non-governmental organisations and businesses should work to establish science fairs, competitions, sponsorships and internships, which will enable budding inventors to develop their talents.

At the governmental level, there should be conscious effort to encourage indigenous scientific research.

The use of locally-developed processes and procedures is being encouraged in the oil industry; it should be spread to other sectors of the economy.

A comprehensive policy of importsubstitution should be encouraged in the areas of light manufactures and agro-allied business.

Perhaps the most fundamental step Nigeria needs is to undertake a reconfiguration of prevailing social attitudes to scientific research. It is ridiculous that a society which worships footballers and musicians should be so contemptuous of scientists.

A nation that abandons scientific research in an era of global technological innovation condemns itself to perpetual dependence on others.

‘A nation that abandons scientific research in an era of global technological innovation condemns itself to perpetual dependence on others’

Make them work

•It’s high time the Federal Government did the needful on our refineries OING by what the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr Ibe Kachikwu, told journalists, to the effect that Nigeria loses N40bn annually to poor performance of the country’s four refineries; it is high time the Federal Government took another look at what exactly to do with the refineries.

Kachikwu told journalists during an interactive session in Lagos that “…

We are losing N10 billion for each of those refineries. That is where we need to move from the areas of emotion to the areas of business”.

Dr Kachikwu also stressed the need for the NNPC to be run as a business entity. “The day NNPC is called NNPC Social Services, then, I would not have to have this conversation.

But if it is called a corporation, it means that the country expects them to make a yield, make profit and manage the company profitably so that people can benefit,” he said.

The NNPC boss is not saying anything new, though, the point is; we

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‘We are opposed to deregulation of the downstream sector based on importation of petroleum products’

have reached the situation where the Federal Government must come up with a clear policy that will make the refineries work. It is because of policy flip-flops and the lack of political will to address the specific issues that we have failed to make progress on the matter, thus denying the country the huge benefits that would have accrued from their functioning at reasonable capacities. Without doubt, the refineries are faced with a lot of challenges, including ageing facilities, pipeline vandalisation and massive corruption, which is responsible for the pumping of billions into their turn-around maintenance with little or nothing to show for it.

It is up to the NNPC to isolate the problems and seek solutions to them.

Here, we know that the government’s support is key to whatever the corporation wants to do to make the refineries work because they belong to the government. But the NNPC must first put its house in order. The oil corporation that Dr Kachikwu inherited was enmeshed in corruption even as it operated without respect for transparency or accountability, and unless the corporation first removes the log in its own eyes, it cannot seek to remove the speck in the eyes of its subsidiaries.

Clearly, we need a comprehensive programme on the refineries which

must be unambiguous and investment-friendly. We have nothing against the government selling them if they are too old or if the government feels the challenges facing them are beyond it. What we are opposed to, and which we restate, is deregulation of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry based on importation of petroleum products. Apart from helping to create jobs for people in other countries, to the detriment of Nigerians, even in an area where the country has comparative advantage, it also gulps a lot of the country’s hard-earned foreign exchange that could have been used to develop other sectors of the economy.

Therefore, if the government believes that selling the refineries is what would bring an end to the nightmares associated with their being public concerns, so be it. But the process of sale must be well thought-out so that it does not end up repeating the mistakes of the past. It is an embarrassment that a major crude producer like Nigeria depends on fuel importation to meet its domestic needs. The situation can be likened to that of a butcher whose child is eating bones, or a cloth seller whose child is going about in rags. If successive governments failed to see this as an embarrassment, the Buhari administration should and take appropriate measures to put an end to the shame.

What’s there to celebrate?

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IR: Our society is a reflection of our core value systems, our norms, how we handle our infrastructural and environmental concerns, what are the things that we pay more or less attention to as a people. The way we place our priorities show whether we are ready to build a lasting legacy for the coming generations or just concerned about the moment.

It is appalling that 55 years of nationhood, we are neither able to get our acts right nor bequeath workable structures and institutions that can promote and sustain decency and patriotism.Our rewards system is not in favour of hard work and probity.

Corruption has taken over the whole landscape and the fabrics of the nation; people now steal public funds in trillions only to get a gentle slap on their backs. The laws seems alive only for the weak and the poor, but alien to the big guys at the corridors of power. It only takes a man or woman to be an overnight billionaire if suddenly appointed into public office.

As things stand, it is going to take eternity to restructure our society and to lay strong foundations for development that will endure. Ours is a society that lack conscience and commitment both from the leaders and the led. What interest us mostly is what we can get and not what we can do to make Nigeria great. Little wonder that our legislators are the highest paid in the whole world with little contributions they are making to our development.

I wonder when we are going to celebrate uninterrupted power supply; we celebrate mediocrity, jubilating over less than 5000mw said to have been attained recently, while the global standard is 1,000mw for 1,000,000 people, which means Nigeria electricity needs is about 160, 000mw to meet the global standard.

Majority of our roads are not motorable, full of potholes. Thousands of innocent people are known to have perished on our roads as from accidents due to deplorable state of our roads. One wonders when will Nigeria have good road networks.

And to imagine that some governors are still presiding over the affairs of their states at a time workers under them are owed between six to eight mouths salaries. This can only happen in Nigeria!

As we celebrate our 55th independence anniversary, I wish that in no distant time, we will be able to truly celebrate independence in the true sense of the word – in a country where lives will be made meaningful for the citizens and our roads and cities will be of global standard, with provision of adequate power supply, potable water, good roads, security, stable electricity and in clean environments.

•Pastor Mark Debo Taiwo, Ogbomoso, Oyo State

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh • Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Adekunle Ade-Adeleye •Editor, Online Lekan Otufodunrin •Managing Editor Northern Operation Yusuf Alli •Managing Editor Waheed Odusile

• Executive Director (Finance & Administration) Ade Odunewu

•Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon

•Advert Manager Robinson Osirike

•Deputy Editor (News) Adeniyi Adesina

• Gen. Manager (Training and Development) Soji Omotunde •General Manager (Abuja Press) Kehinde Olowu •AGM (PH Press) Tunde Olasogba

•IT \Pre-press Manager Bolarinwa Meekness

•Deputy Editor (Nation’s Capital) •Press Manager Yomi Odunuga Udensi Chikaodi •Group Political Editor Emmanuel Oladesu •Legal Counsel John Unachukwu •Group Business Editor Simeon Ebulu • Manager (Admin) Folake Adeoye •Group Sports Editor Ade Ojeikere •Acting Manager (sales) •Editorial Page Editor Olaribigbe Bello Sanya Oni

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: THE news caption, “We’ve zoned 2019 presidential candidate to North – PDP” –captured my attention recently. No need for second telling, it was embarrassing to read it especially coming from a party that not only truncated the zoning arrangement of its party but denied zoning ever existed on principle.

A top party chieftain was quoted to have said: “We, members of the party and the National Working Committee, have resolved that our presidential candidate for the 2019 presidential election would come from the North. We won’t make the mistakes we made in the past. We are going to move the party forward and all our members should know that we have resolved to respect the constitution of the party. We would also abide by zoning and all organs of the party would be carried along in deciding or debating the reports of this committee.”

Where was the constitution kept when the party truncated the zoning formula and how come there was no Winston Churchill in that party to rally the troops against abrogating the arrangement and what consequences are there for the culprits who abrogated the party constitution going to suffer?

Should we take this new declaration as a demarche?

I admire idealism but as stated elsewhere, “national philosophies alone do not develop countries but transformed action – the will of citizens and the political class in that country.” And again, what kind of philosophy does Nigerian democracy work with, and with what guiding principles should this democracy be practiced for the benefit of all?

Many years into the Fourth Republic, our political parties are still engaged in the politics of jibber-jabber and the polity is forever as a result, hot under the collar. The absence of a strong political system has led to situations where folks who wouldn’t get jobs as banana benders in saner climes much less

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PDP’s politics of jibber-jabber hold political offices, are in charge of the affairs of state.

How can we enjoy politics in Nigeria, when political parties do not know how to organize a mass movement; chieftains whose idea of propaganda, (a necessary art in politics) is all about promoting hatred, ethnic and religious tension, grumbling without fail instead of being serious at all times

about Nigeria’s manifest destiny?

Imagine a country that has given us people such as J.S Tarka, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Tafawa Balewa, Dr Nnamdi Azikwe, Sir Ahmadu Bello and many others; people who veered into politics and were driven only by a sense of mission but now suffer from the dearth of great political men.

People who must know that acts not words count for everything. Parties must be bold enough to expel officials bent on changing party rules so as to win election for its sake or make history.

They also need not make elective office an all comer affair. Nigeria seems to be a place where people with no professional history can be

dubiously elected into office as executives. How can a political office be your first job ever? It is really maddening and saddening.

Declaring in 2015 that the north will be the flag bearer for the elections in 2019 despite having shortchanged the North earlier, and again the South-east (the east that has chosen not to negotiate interests), gives me the impression that the Nigerian state is all about the North and all regions are nothing but caddies.

Nigeria needs all of her citizens to contribute to the development of the country. And Nigeria needs a unifying force that encourages its citizens to strive for nationalism. But how can when the Roosevelt’s and the Churchill’s etc, are missing here?

•Simon Abah, Port Harcourt, Rivers State

What does Ohaneze Ndigbo want?

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IR: MANY Nigerians have watched with tongue in cheek as the group known as Ohaneze Ndigbo has paraded itself as the group with the interest of Ndigbo.

For starters, let us look at the meaning of Ohaneze Ndigbo. Oha means the ordinary people. Eze means king or in this case, elites.

The phrase Oha Na Eze Ndigbo as an organisation would mean an association that is for all Igbo people, irrespective of whether they are elites or ordinary Ndigbo or their social status.

But what we have seen in Ohaneze is an organisation that is far from representing the interests of the ordinary Igbo people. The Oha have been completely relegated to the background. For many years, children of school age would be seen at various markets in Eastern Nigerian learning how to use calculators and shunning formal education. Their main ambition, or should I say the life plan for such children by their parents is a life in one of those dingy market stalls, with 10,000 power generating sets and no ventilation. Did Ohaneze

care? No! It did not occur to them that they could mobilise the Oha in each market to invest in one massive generator that can serve everyone.

This way, they would breathe in clean air and live longer. But why should they do anything in the interest of the Oha? They are the ordinary hard-working commoners! Their own children are in some of the best schools across the world acquiring sound education that will position them to continue as the elites, the Ezes, over the down trodden Ordinary Ndigbo, the Oha. Around the end of April 2013, we all woke up to find the remains of scores of Igbo youth floating on Ezu River. Their crime: They had a peaceful demonstration at Onitsha calling for the actualisation of the defunct state of Biafra. Although I am vehemently opposed to the reason for their protest, they did not deserve to be summarily executed and dumped in the Ezu River. It would make a cheery read if Ohaneze Ndigbo can tell Nigerians how much pressure it mounted on the government of President Jonathan

to try to bring to justice those who killed such number of Igbo and Nigerian youth.

In the twilight of the Jonathan administration, it was the same Ohaneze that connived with that government to dupe Ndigbo, promising what other Nigerians saw as desperate hoodwinking of Ndigbo to win unmerited votes.

Ohaneze Ndigbo stood with President Jonathan as he lied wilfully, that the second Niger Bridge would be a reality. Some of us raised the alarm that they were playing on the intelligence of the Oha. Our warnings fell on deaf ears and today, an organisation that has mud in its face, an organisation that misled its people, an organisation that serves only its elites, is rearing its ugly head, shamelessly pretending to be speaking for Ndigbo.

President Buhari has been painstakingly putting a cabinet of men and women of integrity together. Ohaneze are now calling on Ndigbo to reject ministerial positions under President Buhari.

It’s a case of, “since we have

completely lost relevance, no other Igbo people should emerge as leaders.” Who are these people?

What do they want for The Oha, the ordinary Ndigbo?

I dare say to Ohaneze Ndigbo – You do not speak for Ndigbo. You speak for yourselves. Ohaneze Ndigbo, a self interest organisation may have represented Ndigbo in the past but in recent years, they have not been representing the interests of the ordinary Nigerians of Igbo stock. It’s time to close shop and allow a panIgbo organisation that has the interest of Ndigbo to emerge. The current Ohaneze is a trading organisation that sells hatred, religious bigotry and ethnic bias, wares, Nigerians rejected by electing President Buhari.

Ohaneze, old or young, must change their modus operandi. They must focus within to find ways of properly representing Ndigbo in general. They must start showing interest in issues that interest the Oha. •Lauretta Onochie www.laurestar.com

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015

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COMMENTS

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OGA’s Olokun Foundation GA — Otunba Gani Adams — bankrolled a prize-money of he kept on calling himself that, N25, 000 to each of the winners. each time he made a prize Now, that is no great sum. But presentation, pronouncing OGA as the it could be the world to Yoruba would pronounce “chameleon”. students, who still depend on Was the symbolism lost on him? others; more so when it came It must have, particularly with his Twitter: @Lordbeek1 from acclaimed merit and hard branded persona as a Yoruba cultural work. ambassador; juxtaposed with his Olakunle OGA also presented plaques election-time hustle as political activist to the two lecturers vital to the — a Goodluck Jonathan activist — with lordbeek1@gmail.com, 08054504169 (Sms only, please) Abimbola TAFT festival: Drs Rasheed and a suspect cause.

Cornell Onyekaba. He was in On this occasion, however, OGA’s turn presented with a plaque, culture persona came in handy. In fact, when Mr. James announced it handed him the highest perk on the “only an Otunba can honour high table, as chief guest of honour and an Otunba” — and up bobbed part-sponsor of the event.

Mr. James, president of the Guild of Nigerian Dancers and a “Otunba” Tunji Sotimirin, dramatist, theatre teacher and he It was September 28. First-year students, taking Traditional Unilag cultural officer, is TAFT’s present teacher, though he of Konkere music fame, with his signature tasselled cap!

African Festival and Theatre (TAFT), a mandatory course at moves on, next academic session as a lecturer, to the Federal the Creative Arts Department of the University of Lagos What followed was another bout of serenading and counterUniversity, Lafia (FULAFIA), Nasarawa State.

(UNILAG), were enacting whatever they had learnt about serenading, with OGA drinking in every sweet drop!

He told Ripples that since he wanted the festival’s 11th edition Nigeria’s panoply of yearly festivals.

Gani Adams has come a long way, from those early days as to be grand and memorable — he went in search of culture On show, therefore, were Zangbeto (the famous festival anonymous apprentice in Mushin, arguably the underclass “icons”, which explained the OGA link. among the Egun in Badagry, Lagos), Suharo (a festival among capital of traditional Lagos; to the heroic days of Odua Ojude Oba’s performance earned third place (out of four) the Ijaw in Bayelsa State), Borri (which predated the Othman People’s Congress’s contribution, if unorthodox, to the June because they presented as near-life a performance as possible.

Dan Fodio Islamic revolution in northern Nigeria) and Ojude 12, 1993 presidential election annulment struggle; the not-soBut art should add some dramatic spark. For instance, the Oba (the yearly trado-community festival, though staged after heroic intra-OPC street mugging and turf wars; and now a Ojude compere spoke in English, with a mixture of plain the Islamic Eid-el-Kabir, among the Ijebu, in Ijebu Ode, Ogun branded culture ambassador, vaulting an underclass denizen Yoruba. But the Ijebu dialect could have added an opening State). to role-model a bevy of Unilag undergraduates, on the culture spice of drama and humour.

Ripples was there, a doting father, to the call of a sweet plane.

Then, the Miss and Mr Ojude Oba pageant should, perhaps, daughter, Tolu, who said her lecturer, Steve James, who about Still, not a few would sneer: Gani Adams, as campus role have come heavily caricatured — ladies with over-sized everyone over there calls “Uncle Steve”, insisted parents and model? boobs; and men with deliberately awkward gaits, for example family should attend; claiming such would fetch 10 marks.

But OGA too could vehemently riposte, quoting a character — which could perhaps have excited the audience; and marked Tolu was among the cast of Borri, that eventually won the in Ola Rotimi’s The Gods Are Not to Blame: the cock grumbles the performance up. Why these dramatic gambits were lost festival cup. he has no teeth, yet it swallows polished corn. The goat that on the cast was surprising, for Olanrewaju Omiyinka, the Dr. Otun Rasheed, initiator of the TAFT practical pageant, has teeth, what does it eat but raw leaves? veteran Baba Ijesa of Yoruba Nollywood, who has made a explained the rationale for the festival. He recalled how, as a Even as he struggled with his elocution, Adams’ basic dramatic career caricaturing the Ijesa trait and tongue, played student in the same department, the late Prof. Bode Osanyin educational challenge was glaring. But how many of those the sweetly costumed Awujale. taught him TAFT. But each time his set of students were told not educationally challenged in that crowd — including yours But perhaps Omiyinka was only just another student; and to go witness — and maybe participate in — real festivals, truly — matched his singular recognition on the day? the students had strict instructions from their handlers!

The they were scared off by fetish superstitions (even taboos) Besides Adams, by his careful distinction between only spark in the performance was Tunji Ameen, the fairthat if something or the other was done or not done, the traditional practice and fetish worship, showed an skinned young man who played the expatriate guest from result would be fatal. understanding of African culture well beyond the ken of many the British High Commission. His distinctly British accent As a teacher himself, Dr. Rasheed initiated the TAFT festival of the hyper-lettered in the elite class — many Christians and got the audience swooning. since, he explained, many elite parents often shut their Muslims the Yoruba simply dismiss as “gba were m’esin” Borri was action-packed, with frenetic music, sheer offspring out of traditional festivals, since they feel such are (madly fanatical in their adopted foreign faith). animation, superb choreography, energetic dancing, and raw toxic to the cultural health of the children. But he wanted his Surely, by his cultural activism, OGA does no wrong? And action, of trickery and treachery, served in high-octane dance students to have a real feel of such festivals. He had staged if an underclass denizen’s stock rises, to the extent that he drama. Its win was therefore no surprise. Ripples, however, the festival (the TAFT examination practical) in the last 10 proudly stands before a select campus crowd, does it not prove had not arrived when Suharo (4th) and Zangbeto (2nd) years. that the underclass or the elite are a function of accidents of performed. in a society that boasts no equal opportunity?

OGA — Otunba Gani Adams — gave a good account of ‘OGA must beware of the chameleon himself all through, serenading and being serenaded by, that birth, Still, OGA must beware of the chameleon syndrome. You syndrome. You can’t be a Yoruba culture polite company, in an often snobbish and supercilious campus can’t be a Yoruba culture ambassador, yet betray the omoluabi (well-bred) ethos — the best manifestation of that civilisation He also pledged a bigger sponsorship for next year’s ambassador, yet betray the omoluabi ethos setting.

— by turning political racketeer during election time. festival, aside from coming, next time round, with an by turning political racketeer during entourage of traditional rulers.

Yet, that was what Gani did in the build-up to the 2015 election, with his OPC’s infamous invasion of Lagos, for the In giving out prizes, to four deemed best performers in election time’ integrity-challenged Goodluck Jonathan presidency. each of the four groups, and the most outstanding coordinator,

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epublican ipples

T is apposite in view of the eventual formation of President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet to revisit some contentious issues in our body politic with specific reference to the interrogation of political tolerance and its utility in the development of our democracy.

Arguably, political intolerance is a vice in the polity. It manifests itself when political leaders refuse to give space to opposition politics through a rejection of different views.

However, political tolerance is a necessity by accepting and respecting the basic rights and civil liberties of persons and groups whose viewpoints differ from one’s own. All citizens, especially political leaders, therefore, have a responsibility to practice political tolerance in their words and actions as a key principle of democracy.

This is so because as an ideal, democracy upholds the right to differ as well as the acceptance of such difference by all. Democracy lets people speak their minds and shape their own future. Indeed that so many in so many different parts of the world are prepared to risk so much for this idea is testimony to enduring appeal of democracy.

Otherwise the crude desire to restrict the rights of a disliked person or group based on their differing views represents a threat to democracy.

Like in many other parts of the country, this enlightened perspective is no less relevant than the situation in Rivers State where the divergent political positions before and after the last general election between the former Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and his political traducers left in its wake some regrettable impressions.

Although the Peoples Democratic Party was declared winner and a government was formed, Amaechi somehow became the issue of governance rather than the implementation of the manifesto of the PDP government.

All manner of accusations rented the public space. The media smear campaign was so much that a psyche of distrust already embedded in the people could possibly lend credence to the campaign since the character deficit in many political leaders, including the traducers was rife.

It became so vigorous a campaign that many concerned leaders from Rivers State and the South-south region in general took notice and raised alarm to the effect that beyond the shenanigans being dished out, there was an ulterior motive to embarrass Amaechi so thoroughly to make his further rise in political leadership and perhaps public service impossible, at least in the new dispensation.

This is the reason for the daily orchestration about corruption, about such incredibly humongous figures in “secret bank accounts” in capitals across the world. But

OGA

Triumph of reason

By George Njoku it was all lies, a calculated recourse to evil doing to tarnish a hard-earned reputation.

Initially, Amaechi never bothered because he knew his has a clear conscience and as such replying to such pedestrian accusations which can easily be detected as false would amount to frivolity. But it later dawned on him that when a lie is repeated over time could register as truth in the estimation of the ordinary people. And he took the most appropriate step through a legal redress to protect his name and reputation. The case is subsisting in court.

It is worth reiterating that Amaechi’s travail in the hands of his traducers was purely political. It resonates in his political differences with former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, leading to his exit from the PDP basically on matters of ideological differences.

And to compound “Amaechi sins”, the former governor was regarded to have contributed in some strategic ways to defeat the former president and hell was let loose. So the situation in Rivers State is a proxy war!

What we cannot and must not overlook in the saga, however, was the fact that Amaechi’s actions were not personal but a realistic appreciation of his politics, founded on convictions, rather than any ethnic or tribal leaning, to the effect that patriotism and the need for a virtuous and vibrant way to democratic and leadership renewal was inevitable. Of course, such is hard to fault in the context of the common good. Amaechi’s political pragmatism has defined him over the years.

Thus his inclusion in the Buhari cabinet, in spite of the dirty tricks by his traducers, underscores his relevance not necessarily as a political gift but essentially as a measure of his leadership character and ability to add value towards the realization of the president’s agenda.

It is also an endorsement of his stewardship as former governor of Rivers State both in terms of integrity and performance.

Whether his political enemies like it or not, Amaechi’s

legacy as a reformer will outlive him in Rivers State. His numerous landmark projects and development initiatives in education, health, agriculture, power and empowerment, remain imperishable especially in the hearts of the people who were beneficiaries.

President Buhari who appointed him should also be commended for his clear sense of mission and objectivity by not pandering to sentiment and antics of talebearers.

Understandably, he must have done his due diligence to realize that the wholesale smear campaign was political without any iota of truth. It is clearly a triumph of reason rather than the emotion-laden chorus of ‘betrayal” as every discerning observer could read along the line of hate politics in Rivers State.

Amaechi’s new challenge, however, is a call to service on a national scale which should dwarf his feat in Rivers State. He must make his presence felt in the new agenda of national regeneration. Importantly, we must recognise as a people that a clash of views in politics is a good thing in creating a viable democracy. Many fledgling democracies have slid towards autocracy, maintaining the outward appearance of democracy through elections, but without the rights and institutions that are equally important aspects of a functioning democratic system.

And when we look closely we found out that the vice is a function of leadership character molded in intolerance and the quest for absolute power which invariably corrupts. We must learn to tolerate one another even when we hold opposing views.

• Njoku, a public affairs analyst, wrote from PortHarcourt.

‘Amaechi’s actions were not personal but a realistic appreciation of his politics, founded on convictions, rather than any ethnic or tribal leaning, to the effect that patriotism and the need for a virtuous and vibrant way to democratic and leadership renewal was inevitable’

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015

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EVERAL centuries ago, a Latin language author wrote: “the love of having grows by having”. His remark is as true today as it was centuries ago when it was made. The more wealth (be it property or cash) one has, the more wealth one desires.

It is a natural tendency for humans to go on and on, without limit, amassing wealth. In a capitalist society, such as ours or the United States of America (US), it is lawful to do so, provided such limitless wealth is acquired legally, through personal sweat.

However in Nigeria, like in some other developing countries, the principle of insatiable love of having has driven the acquisitive instincts of our public officers, elected or appointed rulers to roguish level and dizzying heights. Here lies the tap root of corruption in our country. The caution, the love of having grows by having, is the taproot and driving force. The buttress or prop root is our value system that encourages acquisition of wealth by all means without questioning the sources of wealth of individual citizens. Once the individuals acquire stunning wealth illegally, they go to church for thanksgiving and knighthood, to the traditional rulers for chieftaincy titles and to their communities for wining and dining.

The likelihood of growth of corruption and some other crimes is much in the face of naked wealth, when people are brazenly displaying all the money they have made after their exploits. Other people feel they have nothing and the only way to get it is to take it.

The Pius Okigbo-Committee discovered that the $14.2 billion oil windfall earned by Nigeria during the Ibrahim Babangida dictatorship got missing, and there is no trace of it till date. Equally, Nigerians were simultaneously shocked and thrilled by sheer weight of shiploads of the country’s money stolen and stored in foreign banks by another dictator, Gen. Sani Abacha, his family and cronies. It was an unprecedented clean sweep of the public treasury. Really, we have long lost count of the sums Abacha stole. In its report of June 13, 2002, the Senate Public Accounts Committee declared that N11.7 billion of the total N40.7 billion recovered earlier from Abacha and his cohorts and co-plunderers was missing, even when the total sum had not been paid into the consolidated fund. Before the end of that year, the federal government had made additional haul of $1.2 billion of the Abacha loot.

At the end of the stretched, almost 29-year

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HAVE not stopped laughing since reading an interview published by a national daily featuring the immediate past Edo State Transport Commissioner, Orobosa Omo-Ojo. The reason is simple: it was an audacious attempt by a pathetic character to falsify the facts of recent history but ended up making a fool of himself. On the day his sack was announced, for instance, only Omo-Ojo’s army of rough-necks clothed in funny-looking white uniform who had been terrorizing and extorting hapless motorists in Benin City under the guise of regulating traffic did not jubilate. Having been so dismissed ignominiously from his job to the applause of the Edo public, a sensible man would have saved himself further ridicule by simply making himself less visible.

Not Omo-Ojo. Rather, blinded by malice, the self-acclaimed “technocrat-ingovernment” (another big lie) now tried hard to belittle what is generally acknowledged as the monumental achievements of the incumbent governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. In his desperation to project the Comrade Governor as a let-down, Omo-Ojo comically resorted to praising - wait for it - the much discredited Lucky Igbinedion as a great achiever!

But this serial political failure (he lost in the ACN senatorial primaries of 2011 and APC House of Reps primaries of 2015) is only acting true to character: a flutist who blows his pipe in your praise so long as you look after his “stomach infrastructure”. By his tone in the said interview, it would seem Omo-Ojo does not consider the Comrade Governor to be worthy of his office. So, the question is: if Omo-Ojo is truly a man of high principle that he now pretends to be, why did he serve that administration in various capacities for seven whole years? Let us even rewind to last year. The same Omo-Ojo had granted another interview in the national daily where he praised Oshiomhole to high heavens as a great “inspiration from whom I have drawn invaluable leadership lessons and skills”. Now relieved of his juicy portfolio, the man is singing a different tune.

Why corruption persists

By Ifeanyi Ubabukoh military rule of the almost 40 years of political independence (by May, 1999), Nigerians had stopped wondering on what meat their past military rulers and top civil servants had fed that they had become so fat on leaving office; that they had retired into mansions, shipping, large-scale farming and other lucrative businesses and comforts.

Long before the military quit the stage, we had become convinced that the coups and counter-coups were not for salvation of the country, but a frenzy of finger-pointing that had most of the time ensured selfenrichment and aggrandizement.

Even then, there were exceptions. MajorGen. Johnson Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi, the first Nigerian army general, Commander of the UN forces in Congo, military ruler of Nigeria for six months, had only 100 pounds two pence in his bank account. His successor, Yakubu Gowon, who ruled this country for nine years, owned no house. The little bungalow he managed to build in Wusasa, Zaria, when he was an army captain, was burnt to ashes by suspected Muslim zealots during one of the so-called religious riots.

The house Gowon lives in today, in Jos, was built a few years ago by his friends and admirers.

In our restored democracy of 16 years, it had long become certain that a large number of Nigeria’s elected rulers and other public officers had set out, from the outset, to break the military rulers’ record in stealing the people’s money. They had also demonstrated that ours is a country where the rulers are more concerned with the quality of their own property than with the quality of the people’s goals and aspirations.

In September 2005, Diepreye Alamieyesigha, then governor of Bayelsa State, was arrested in London and charged by the British police, with laundering E1.8 million. Similarly, Joshua Dariye, then Governor of Plateau State, was arrested in London and charged with laundering N2.6 billion. He skipped bail, fled to Nigeria, and was declared wanted on warrant by the British police.

If not insatiable acquisitive instincts, how do we explain Tafa Balogun’s N17 billion

worth in cash and properties, which he fraudulently acquired in his barely threeyear tenure as the country’s Inspector General of Police? As discovered too by the Economic and Financing Crimes Commission (EFCC), a director of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), who died in a plane crash in 2005, had N5 billion in his bank account and estates in Abuja worth more than N2 billion.

Likewise, of the three INEC directors arrested in 2007, one had 13 houses in Nigeria and abroad.

In the 2007 EFCC list of indicted officers, only five of the 36 governors were said to be free of corruption. A certain governor allegedly owned 172 houses. A former governor, who assumed office for about three years with stolen mandate, was said to have misappropriated (a euphemism for stolen) N43 billion. Another former governor was also said to have misappropriated N3.8 billion. Our rulers in the restored democracy are a portrait of “glided flies” which, basking in the sunshine of politics, fatten on its corruption. If the suspected politicians in the EFCC list are now questing hither and thither to wriggle out of the morass, let them be consoled by the fact that, though the attractions of government are infinite, the risks of public condemnation and ingratitude are incalculable.

The other prop root of corruption in Nigeria is the non-existence of the anticorruption law in this country. The law exists only in the books. For a law to really exist, it must be adequately enforced. A law that is not enforced does not exist. In Nigeria, laws are made and enforced in such a way that they have remained cobwebs where the small flies are caught, and the great break through. Sometimes in April 2008, President Umaru Yar’Adua complained to a former President of the US, Mr. Jimmy carter, in Abuja, that corruption thrives in Nigeria largely because eminent Nigerian citizens break the law with impunity. It is not laws do not exist, he insists, but because “many Nigerians believe they can disregard existing laws and regulations without ever being punished for their illegal actions.

If Nigerians have really bothered to find out why our past rulers plundered and looted the nation and gone scot-free, they would discover that the rich offenders have not been punished or adequately punished, unlike the poor criminals. Put differently, the laws are being inadequately enforced, or discriminately enforced in favour of the rich. In this situation, the rich men rule the law and the law grinds only the poor. Purely criminal cases are being treated as “political cases’, and “refund” is meant to wear the mask of penalty in favour of the rich offenders. For penalty to serve as deterrent, the rule of law, which is the basis of virtually all the country’s existing laws, should be observed. To every Nigerian, rich or poor, the laws in respect of stealing, fraud, embezzlement or robbery by whatever euphemism, including the long-existing Criminal Code Ordinance No. 15 of 1916, Sections 98 to 116 and 404, should apply.

For disappearance from his custody of dollars allocated as match bonus to his country’s senior football team, the Black Stars, a former minister of Ghana was sentenced to imprisonment in 2001, and, in addition, asked to refund the stolen money.

Also in 2001, Lord Jeffrey Archer, a former deputy chairman of the British Conservative Party and a world renowned novelist, was convicted of perjury and jailed four years.

Nigeria should emulate these enviable examples. The law, if properly and meticulously administered, should dramatise its punishment. Not only the severity but the certainty of punishment is a factor in this case.

Allied with the inadequate enforcement of the law is the characteristic indifference of Nigerians to how public money is spent by their leaders. Still related to this is the failure of the legislature, both at state and federal levels, to perform their oversight functions of approving and monitoring expenditures of the president and governors.

If Nigerians are meaning to fight corruption, we must begin to realize that regardless of the operation of the insatiable acquisitive instincts, the well-being of a society is rightly measured, not by the level of wealth acquired by the rich but by the level of poverty, or conditions of living of the populace, which in Nigeria is a prolific source of insecurity.

•Ubabukoh writes from johnifeanyiu@yahoo.com

Omo-Ojo’s politics of stomach infrastructure

By Edwin Ighodalo Isn’t there shame at all again?

In his tales-by-the-moonlight, Omo-Ojo listed the “achievements” of his new-found paymaster as the founding of many fantastic industries and a sprawling housing estate in Benin City. Seriously? Really?

Well, if any viable industry was bequeathed by the Igbinedion administration, it must be existing in OmoOjo’s infertile imagination. The truth of the matter is that the so-called industries purportedly set up by Igbinedion were nothing but creative drain-pipes through which public funds were siphoned. For instance, whereas it is on record that a whopping N700m was expended in setting up one of such, the same company was eventually sold for less than N50m by the same Igbinedion administration years later in the name of privatization. Talking about “sprawling estate”, Omo-Ojo also needs to clarify whether it is the same as one of the assets forfeited by the former governor to EFCC under a plea-bargain arrangement years ago.

The harder cheap hirelings like Omo-Ojo try, Oshiomhole’s sterling records can never be tarnished. His handworks and indeed footprints across the 192 wards of Edo State are too visible even for the blind to see. Space constraint will not permit one to go into a catalogue here. But suffice it to say that Edo people, who had suffered the atrophy of PDP for 10 dark years and Oshiomhole’s redemptive exertions of the past seven years, are indeed appreciative. No wonder that in the 2012 polls, they gave the governor unprecedented 75 percent of the vote such that he won in all the 18 councils of the state.

And despite the huge ill-gotten cash OmoOjo’s new paymasters deployed in the last state elections, Edo people again demonstrated their confidence in Oshiomhole by voting overwhelmingly for

APC. The culture of prudence and value-formoney is very much in evidence today. It explains why clueless disciples like OmoOjo had to be offloaded along the way.

Oshiomhole’s tenacious commitment explains why Edo has more to show in terms of social infrastructure like roads, schools, hospitals relative to its meager resources compared to its oil-rich neighbours. It explains why whereas those oil-rich neighbours began to owe salaries and later craved federal bail-out, not once did Oshiomhole default in paying workers’ salaries at the end of every month in the last seven years.

Really, it is impossible for the Comrade Governor to fix all the rot accumulated by PDP for 10 years. Take education, for instance.

Until Oshiomhole took over, the education sector was in total mess. Not only were our children left to take lessons in classrooms that made pigsty look like five-star luxury, content was also absent. Little wonder then that the secondary school calendar was defined by high failure rate and the state became synonymous with “miracle centres” where parents paid fortune to “mercenaries” to fix certificate exams for their wards.

But all that is now history. By investing massively in rebuilding schools and motivating teachers to be more committed by way of incentives like prompt payment of salaries and allowances, public confidence had been restored in public schools. Today, more than 60 percent of public primary and secondary schools have been completely reconstructed across the state. Enrolment has doubled, tripled and quadrupled in the past seven years. Nothing perhaps underscores the improved quality than the WAEC/ NECO results in the past three years. Last year, overall, Edo came third across the country. This year, it improved to the second position. So, who says Oshiomhole has not changed the Edo story for the better.

How cheap for Omo-Ojo to say members of Edo Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES) were sacked unjustifiably. The truth is that it was not meant to be a permanent scheme.

It was an interventionist initiative designed to groom beneficiaries for eventual engagement in the labour market. Over the years, it was discovered that the scheme was increasingly being abused such that many of those who originally enrolled and were drawing monthly salaries had since moved out of Edo. Many were no longer reporting in their places of primary assignment. As a mark of his commitment to ensure judicious use of public funds on the one hand and also harness those who may have proved their mettle on the job, Comrade Oshiomhole decided to phase out YES with a view to deploying those who took their jobs seriously to fill existing vacancies in the public service. The state civil service commission was directed to take steps to regularize their integration into the state civil service. The process is almost completed now. How does this amount to a crime as insinuated by Omo-Ojo? Well, one sincerely hopes that the Comrade Governor will put sentiments aside and summon the political will to make public the findings of the administrative panel set up to investigate mind-boggling allegations of unwholesome practices under Omo-Ojo’s watch at the transport ministry.

Stories have been told how illegal VIOs were deployed around Benin metropolis to extort money from motorists. After a public outrage, same touts were “re-branded” and given white uniform to continue their siege to Benin streets. Is it true that “rents” were being collected on government premises illegally designated as motor parks?

Comrade Governor, please Edo people deserve to know the truth.

• Ighodalo, a social commentator, wrote from Benin.

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015

19

SHOWBIZ

Lilian Amah eyes AMP presidency

The CEO moves to Paris

F

I

N a bid to take the Association of Movie Producers, AMP, to greater heights, prominent actress, producer and author, Lilian Amah Aluko, has indicated interest to contest the presidency of the association.

Lilian, a Masters Degree graduate of English of the University of Lagos, made her intention known at a press conference in Lagos on Sunday.

Citing reasons on why she decided to join the presidency race, Lilian, who recently came back from a training with her colleagues at the University of California and Hollywood, said that there is a disconnect in the Nigerian movie industry which ought not to be.

“While there, we discovered that they have very active guilds,” said Lilian who is also a member of the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria.

“You cannot go into America and start carrying camera and doing anything. You must contact the gChioma Udeuild in charge. The scriptwriter is protected by the Scriptwriters’ Guild. Producers are protected by the Producers’ Guild. They have very string unions, they have rules and regulations. What we have in Nollywood, as I discovered in my years as Vice President, is that Nollywood is an allcomer’s affair. Because of that and of course, the piracy situation, we find that practitioners are suffering,” she said.

Lilian, who also recently authored a novel, Dreams of Yesterday, has starred in over 20 movies and several TV series and has delved into production has made her mark in the Nollywood. She said she plans

• Amah

By Joe Agbro Jr

to return viable programmes such as the AMP Week which was held during Obazele’s reign as president.

Already, feelers are on that she would be contesting the positon with Ralph Nwadike, a filmmaker who cut his teeth writing scripts for the National Television Authority (NTA) back in the 1980s.

In previous administrations of AMP, Lilian had served two-year tenures as Vice President twice; under the last tenure of president Paul Obazele and under the first tenure of president Zik Zulu Okafor.

OLLOWING the completion of the Nigerian part of its shooting, Kunle Afolayan, producer of highly anticipated flick, The CEO, has said that his crew will resume work in Paris from October 9 to 12.

The actor/producer also revealed that he is scouting for a talented South African actress between the ages of age 25 to 40 to play a small, but significant role in the movie.

Afolayan, in an interview with The Nation, also revealed that the movie, which is a pan African project, will also take place in other countries aside Nigeria; South Africa, Kenya, Morocco, Paris, and other parts of Africa.

The impressive cast of the movie include Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, entertainer and activist from the Republic of Benin, Angélique Kidjo; Haitan actor and model Jimmy Jean-Louis; consummate actor and founder of the New Nigeria Cinema movement, Wale Ojo; FrenchIvorian actress and model, Aurelie Eliam; South African actor and presenter, Nicolaos Panagiotopoulos; Nigerian actress, Kemi Lala Akindoju; Moroccan star, Fatim Layachi; Kenyan actor Peter King, and Nigerian actress, Hilda Dokubo among others.

The CEO tells the story of TransWire Communications, a global phone network with major operation in Nigeria. The CEO, an expatriate, has retired, hence the Global • Kunle-Afolayan • Chioma Ude

Yemi Alade collection debuts

By Dupe Ayinla-Olasunkanmi

• Yemi Alade

Y

EMI Alade’s collection as the face of online jewelry, atelier and retailer, Bland2Glam, will launch on

November 5, at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

This was made known at a press briefing held at the Plosh Lounge in Gbagada Lagos yesterday. According to Bland2Glams management, the collection is an exclusive range of exotic costume jewelry inspired by the career and personality of the award winning afro-pop star.

“This is a very personal project for me, it has been a long year of planning with Bland2Glam and I am very excited that finally we are ready to unveil all the love, innovation and hard work that went into every single one of these pieces,” the songstress explained.

Also to be launched on the same platform is the Get Mented initiative; an innovative mentorship network for girls and women across Nigeria with aim of providing a platform through which girls and women across Nigeria are given the opportunity to give and receive mentorship in vocational/career development, selfimprovement, financial intelligence and intellectual development.

Yemi Alade, currently signed to Effyzzie Music Group, is an award-winning afro pop/ R&B singer, song-writer, composer, actress and entertainer. She is popularly known for such songs as Johnny, Tangerine, Kissing, and others that have topped the Nigerian music chart.

A

FTER months of preparation, the organisers of the annual Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) have said that the programme will hold in Lagos from November 8 to 15.

As announced by the festival’s Artistic Director, Keith Shiri, the programme reveals a series of industry sessions, master classes and movie screenings totalling 180 films, out of which 155 are in competition.

During the weeklong event, he said, Lagos Island will be illuminated by the wonder and diversity of global cinema, with screenings

By Dupe Ayinla-Olasunkanmi

Chairman has decided to send five nominees amongst his most senior level staff across Africa on a Leadership course in order to determine which one to appoint as the new head of its Nigerian branch.

Five characters arrive from their respective destinations and check into the beach resort where the course is holding. Although they all appear cordial and chummy with each other, they all know what is at stake – they each desperately want the CEO’s chair. And to this purpose, they attempt to covertly outdo one another throughout the duration of the course until a dead body is washed ashore, leading to a stream of intrigues and in-fighting among them

Organisers unveil AFRIFF programme at the Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island, Genesis Duluxe Cinema, Lekki, and City Mall Cinema, Onikan.

According to Shiri, “The selection in this edition is not only celebrating African cinema but demonstrates once more that the cinematic storytelling industry in Africa has become more compelling and visible.”

He said the official competition for Best Film which recognises distinctive and inspiring filmmaking will feature a diverse range of films, among them; Red Leaves, a riveting feature debut by Israel-based Ethiopian filmmaker Bazzi Gete.

“We are hoping for a busy and exciting time of doing business, networking and celebration of Africa’s new aesthetic experience, a cinema that is in synch with the realities of today,” said Shiri.

Part of AFRIFF’s focus this year, is to screen films whose content are topical, and meant to engage audiences and provoke debates.

One of such is Thomas Sankara, a Christophe Cupelin’s documentary on the late former President of Burkina Faso, Thomas Sankara.

There is also extensive cinematic accomplishments and much to discover amongst the rich and diverse selection of Short and Animation films.

Founder and CEO of AFRIFF, Ms. Chioma Ude is optimistic that the 5th AFRIFF will aid the much anticipated change in the narratives of the African cinema.

According to her, at the core of the festival’s objectives is the talent development where AFRIFF has been engaging with its partners in creating opportunities for young people to explore filmmaking.

This year, AFRIFF returns for its 5th year of cinematic celebration.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015

21 The government also needs to review the ’jurisdiction of the courts. Too many frivolous matters are reaching the Supreme Court, such that the Judges are overburdened with issues that are not ‘cutting edge

’

See page 22

E-mail:- law@thenationonlineng.net

With the enactment of the Administration of Criminal Justice (ACJ) Act 2015, many believe the delays in dispensation of justice, especially in criminal cases, will be reduced. President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbanjo (SAN) have spoken on the need for more reforms. Lawyers have identified other areas that need transformation, reports PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU.

S

INSIDE:

INCE assuming office, President Muhammadu Buhari has repeatedly emphasised the need for judicial reforms that will aid his administration’s anticorruption war as well as strengthen democratic governance.

The Administration of Criminal Justice Act of 2015 has addressed some problems, such as staying proceedings pending appeal, and cases starting de novo when judges are elevated to the Court ofAppeal.

Still, lawyers believe there are other areas that need reforms.

These include ensuring financial independence for the judiciary, insulating it from political manipulation, reviewing the processes of appointment and removal of judges; addressing institutional limitations and incapacities, as well as ridding the judiciary of corruption.

Speaking on areas that need reforms, a Supreme Court Justice, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, called for an amendment of the Constitution so that some cases can terminate at the Court of Appeal.

This, in addition to more deployment of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), she said, would reduce the Supreme Court’s workload.

Justice Kekere-Ekun backed suggestions that some cases terminate at the Court of Appeal, adding that a review of the constitutional provisions governing the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court is necessary.

“I am in full support of certain classes of cases terminating at the Court of Appeal. In my humble view, the amendment of the 1999 Constitution has added to the burden of the Supreme Court.

“It made the Supreme Court the final court of appeal in respect of decisions arising from Governorship election tribunals.

“Such appeals, by virtue of Section 285 (7) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) must be concluded within 60 days from the date of the delivery of the judgment of the Court of Appeal,” she said.

She said the provision has led to an influx of appeals and has also affected other cases pending before the court, which are already overdue for hearing, but which had to be set aside while election related appeals are heard and determined expediently.

She also called for the use of more technology in court processes.

She said: “The global village is moving at a faster pace, the apex court of the most populous nation in Africa cannot be left behind. We must embrace information technology and take advantage of all that it offers along with alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, where possible.

Amosun to judges, lawyers: Support anti-graft war -Page 24

•Scale of justice

Wanted: Robust justice sector reform “A reduction of the inflow of cases and more efficient management of the court’s docket will allow the justices to devote more of their time and resources to research, study, reading, consultations among themselves for the advancement and administration of justice.”

Justice Kekere-Ekun said for the Supreme Court to discharge its role effectively, the adoption of Information technology will allow for easy sharing of information.

She said it would also help to create a database for decided cases by all the courts and which will also be ac-

Who buys judgment?

-Page 33

cessible by judicial officers anywhere.

In addition, she said ICT will facilitate communication between the justices, the registry and other administrative staff. According to her, the project is capital intensive and requires political will, purposeful lead-

ership, and the commitment of substantial resources.

“It also requires training for the justices and upgrading the knowledge and skills of courts staff to enable them effectively manage the

Who will rescue the police?

-Page 35

•Continued on page 22

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015

22

LAW COVER CONT’D

Wanted: Robust justice sector reform

• Continued from page 21

facilities.The leadership of the court is fully committed to this transformation.

“The role of the Supreme Court today should primarily be that of development of legal policy and to discharge the role effectively, its current docket has to be greatly reduced,” she said.

Worried by these challenges bedeviling the system, a former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Dahiru Musdapha, during one of his presentations at the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), enjoined the Judicial Reform Committee as well as other bodies which have been empanelled, to explore how best to fortify the independence of the judiciary, and insulate Judges from political manipulation.

Justice Musdapha considered several issues, such as Should serving Judges should continue to undertake ad hoc assignments, such as election petition cases? What are its implications for delays in handling regular cases? Will such assignments will make them vulnerable to corrupt practices?

He said: “Sadly, the judiciary in several states still goes cap in hand to the executive for funds.

By section 162(9) of the Constitution, any amount standing to the credit of the judiciary in the Federation Account is paid directly to the National Judicial Council (NJC) for disbursement to the heads of Superior Courts, including those at the state level.

“However, a significant part of the funding requirements of state judiciaries, especially in the area of the provision of infrastructure and welfare of Magistrates and other lower court Judges, remain the responsibilities of states.

“The plight of the state judiciaries is compounded by the fact that, in spite of the best efforts of the NJC, the processes of appointment and removal of judges/security of tenure is the subject of political theatrics.

“Delay in the dispensation of justice remains a major challenge due, in large measure, to institutional incapacities in the area of infrastructure (especially e-infrastructure), inbuilt delay mechanisms in the law, as well as failings on the part of some Judges, the official and private Bars, law enforcement agencies, litigants and witnesses.

“The sobering reality is that if court backlogs grow at their present rate, our children may not be able to bring a lawsuit to a conclusion within their lifetime. Legal claims might then be willed on, generation to generation like hillbilly funds; and the burden of pressing them would be contracted like a hereditary disease.”

some of the suggestions the former CJN made have been included in the recently amended Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

Lawyers’ views

• Justice Kekere-Ekun

• Adekoya

The needed reforms A Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Queens Counsel (QC), Mr Oba Nsugbe, said the secrecy surrounding judges appointments must be stopped.

“We need to make greater efforts to completely demystify the system of judicial appointments in Nigeria from beginning to end,” he said.

Nsugbe said he once sought to know how to go about applying to be a judge in Nigeria, and to learn about upcoming vacancies, criteria for appointment and the process, but came up with no reliable information.

He interrogated various official websites for answers, read a number of publications, and spoke to people in the judiciary, and still got no useful information on how to be a judge.

His words: “The answers never seemed complete or exhaustive. This needs to change. In so important an area, you can never have enough clear, systematic information about what each and every stage entails – exactly what is needed of the applicant, when, who will assess it; how it will be assessed; who will be spoken to; against what criteria, etc. There needs to be more transparency about the appointments procedure. The lack of it acts as a disincentive to many aspiring judges,” he said.

A judge of the Delta State High Court, Justice Roli Harriman, in paper, said only a few states, such as Lagos, has any form of electronic recording of proceedings.

Majority of courts, she said, still use archaic equipment and judges write longhand, which is later reproduced by typists. “The use of longhand and typewriters obviously tend to delay justice,” she said.

Another factor, the judge said, is that little use is made of software designed for case management and legal research. This lack of tools leads to judges adjourning till further dates rulings they could otherwise have delivered immediately. “Apart from a few states, the acquisition of this software is not on the priority

•Prof. Odinkalu

•Agbaje

list of governments,” Justice Harriman said.

Delays, the judge added, even start from the filing process. “I am hoping a time would come when e-filing will take centre stage in the judiciary, a time when lawyers can, with a registered access code, file their processes and make payments online,” she said. Besides, it will not be out of place if court registries accept Point of Sale (POS) payments.

Lack of courtroom technology, such as video conferencing, is also a challenge. In criminal cases, a greater number of adjournments are due to investigating police officers being transferred to other locations or being sent on other assignments. Some witnesses are also reluctance to come to court. “If their evidence can be taken through video conferencing, then this would eliminate the delay,” Justice Harriman said.

The physical state of some courts also does not help speedier justice delivery. Some courts do not have air conditioning, and some courtrooms are like cubicles.

While stating his agenda for judicial reforms, Musdapha noted that it was imperative to explore ways to strengthen the provisions of laws and regulations, as well as the mechanisms for their enforcement.

He suggested that the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers should expressly forbid Judges from giving extra-judicial advice to other branches of government, just as he stated that only paragons of integrity, the best and the brightest be appointed to the bench and el-

evated.

The former CJN envisioned a judicial system that is simple, fast, efficient and responsive to the needs and yearnings of the citizenry, which can be actualised by full computerisation of operations.

He suggested the amendment of Section 233(2) of the Constitution to compulsorily require leave of the Supreme Court before an appeal may lie from decisions of the Court of Appeal.

“This will engender a filtering mechanism that ensures that frivolous appeals do not continue to clog our cause list and thereby cause undue delays and backlogs.

“Again, on the appointment of Judges, we are also of the respectful view that there is considerable merit in the call to diversify the pool from which judicial appointments to superior courts are made.

“We are concerned by the declining intellectual depth and overall quality of the judgments of some of our Judges as well as the frequency with which some Judges churn out conflicting decisions in respect of the same set of facts. ‘’A wider diversity of experience will undoubtedly add quality to judicial deliberation in our courts.

“We must, therefore, embark upon reforms that address not only the present problems but also rollout the infrastructure that would enable us cope with foreseeable future challenges,” he said.

However, on the Criminal Justice System,

‘We must, therefore, embark upon reforms that address not only the present problems but also rollout the infrastructure that would enable us cope with foreseeable future challenges’

That notwithstanding, lawyers believe more reforms are needed in order for the judiciary to efficiently carry out its functions.

They argue that concerted efforts must be made towards decongesting the prisons and ensuring faster proceedings.

Renowned legal practitioner, Mrs. Funke Adekoya (SAN), said the government needs to focus on the investigative and prosecutorial areas of the Criminal Justice System.

She said: “On a practical note, the police needs to be properly equipped with resources and trained such that they can concentrate on investigating crimes before arrests are made, rather than after.

“Proper investigation will decrease the number of Awaiting Trial Detainees, some of whom are incarcerated because they have been unable to make bail while the police are still conducting investigations.

“The police should be trained in finger printing collection and analysis. All the biometrics collected from Nigerians through the BVN exercise and the collection of passports and drivers’ licences should be centralised and the police should access it to trace criminals.

“This will further decrease the time before arrest, and between arrest and trial.

“Only lawyers, trained in the art of prosecution should be allowed to handle criminal cases, and States that have not amended their laws in line with the Administration of the Criminal Justice Act, should be encouraged to do so.

“Lawyers in the Ministry of Justice need to be trained to enable them handle the various types of prosecutions which are now a feature of our criminal justice system, rather than farming out briefs to private prosecutors.

“The government also needs to review the jurisdiction of the courts. Too many frivolous matters are reaching the Supreme Court, such that the Judges are overburdened with issues that are not ‘cutting edge’.

“The Constitution needs to be amended such that all matters except death penalty judgments should require leave from the Supreme Court before they can be appealed to that court.

“Regular appellate jurisdiction should end at the Court of Appeal. The grant of leave should be based on public interest considerations [conflicting decisions of lower courts, constitutional issues, impact on legislation etc.”

Constituional lawyer, Fred Agbaje, said emphasis should be placed on prison reforms as well as fast track in hearing and determination of criminal matters.

He suggested that custodial sentencing for convicted persons should be deemphasised, just as he explained that convicts of lesser crimes, instead of outright jail, be given social punishment such as “sweeping Ikorodu Road for two weeks during the day under the supervision of a social worker or pay a fine!”

He noted the need for a review of stringent requirements a surety must meet to stand bail for an accused, such as the demand for land certificates in Ikoyi, Lekki, Ikeja GRA to be produced by civil servants from grade seven and above.

Agbaje said no accused person should be arraigned without the prosecution witnesses in court and failure by the prosecution to conduct and conclude the case after a stated number of adjournments, should warrant it being struck out.

He also suggested the need for reduction of appeals on interlocutory decisions through the constitution.

The Chairman, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, believes there is a need to be make the judiciary more accountable in appointment of judicial officers, as well as in jurisprudence.

“In the last quarter of a century, the judiciary has become a sinecure, part of the retinue of patronage in public life.

“Almost invariably, the path to judicial office now begins in the civil service and appointment to the Bench is increasingly viewed as part of the promotion structure in the civil service significantly dis-entangled from any rigorous considerations of integrity, professionalism, merit, values and temperament.

“The resulting narrowness of pool of judicial skills and intellect reflects in the quality of both organisation and some of the jurisprudence that comes out of courts and imbues our judicial system with a structural flaw that can only be addressed through structural intervention. The time is ripe for this,” he said.

23

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015

LAW PERSONALITY Mr Toluwani Adebiyi is a Lagos-based activist-lawyer. He tells JOSEPH JIBUEZE why he is leading a campaign against increment in electricity tariff.

‘Why it will be contemptuous to increase electricity tariff’

W

HY did you warn the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and distribution companies (DISCOs) against increasing electricity tariff?

Going by the new threat as reported on page 11 of The Nation of September 29 that electricity tariff will be increased in October, Dr. Sam Amadi, the NERC chairman, and Chief Executive Officers of the 11 distribution companies may be on their way to jail.

There is a subsisting court order not to increase tariff until the case is decided. The suit is to come up on November 24, 2015. It has become selfevident that these set of Nigerians have no respect for the rule of law and constituted authorities.

Why are you disappointed with NERC? NERC’s disrespectful attitude to the court and the Senate is nothing but executive recklessness and an inordinate evil ambition. The Senate had accused the power sector players of engaging in unfair trading practices and warned them against such. If Amadi thinks by making this threat, he can retain his position as NERC Chairman in this present dispensation, it is a complete illusion that can never be attained. Consumers are tired of him and they will continue to agitate for his removal.

Why did you file contempt charge against Amadi?

On August 7, 2015, the NERC Chairman petitioned the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, accusing judges of frustrating reforms in the power sector, casting aspersions and accusing judges of lack of knowledge and abuse of their judicial power. He accused judges of granting inconsiderate and reckless injunctions, directing courts to always exercise restraint and defer to his commission in the exercise of

their judicial power ( an attempt to subjugate, undermine and intervene with the Court’s lawful responsibility). He contemptuously sought through the letter, to bring the court under control or subjection through his request for the establishment of a possible ‘Judicial Policy of Restraint’ during the pendency of, and in connection with, or on a matter before the Court. The letter was capable of obstructing or tending to obstruct or interfere with the administration of justice in a matter pending before the court, an act that was not only insulting and derogatory to the court, but was an obstruction of justice. It was contemptuous to the integrity of the court and punishable by committal to prison.

What do you make of complaints against DISCOs? The Distribution Companies on the other hand have been devising dubious means to exploit the already exploited Nigerians, like refusing to read their meters and bringing outrageous estimated bill for consumers with functioning meters. For instance, a shoe maker in Iyana Ipaja, when his meter is read gets about N2,000 bill, but when they ignore the meter and come with estimated bill, he gets around N20,000.

Do you think the power sector is improving?

The evident failure of the power sector, particularly in May/June this year when the order, was made was described by President Muhammadu Buhari during his inauguration as a national shame. It affects everyone and it readily speak for itself.

However, in all fairness to the sector, there have been some fractional improvement, which the president described in his Independence Day

• Adebiyi speech as encouraging, but it still falls short of the 18 hours daily supply demanded for. Besides, most communities are still in total darkness.

Can you name some these communities?

On September 30, residents in Edo State were seen protesting poor electricity supply. Onike in Yaba area of Lagos has since September 8 been in total darkness. Magboro area on the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway has been in darkness for the past three years.

Isale-Ijebu in Ajah community has its transformer abandoned for the past three years without being connected.

We learnt they bought the transformer with their contributions, yet was not connected due to their inability or reluctance to make another contribution for the connection. This

is in spite of the monthly N750 fixed charge which is supposed to be meant for such purposes and for the servicing and maintenance of poles and cables. The DISCOs collect this fix charge but fail to use it for what it is meant for. Still, they keep on collecting the charge. This is nothing but fraud and for that reason, this crude and fraudulent fixed charge must be abolished.

Why are you against increasing tariff?

Eko and Ikeja DISCOs had attempted to co-opt Nigerians through the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN) and other groups into accepting tariff increment, which has failed. On one of such occasions, Mr. Ambrose Uche, Chairman Ikeja branch of MAN adequately warned Ikeja Disco, reminding them of the subsisting order of court. Co-opting people to accept increase when there is a subsisting order not to increase is disrespectful and dishonouris the court in its entirety.

When do you think the increment should be made?

Increment cannot come now. The little improvement is only encouraging but not yet sufficient. Adequate electricity supply must be balanced with new tariff. Both must be commensurate with each other.

Power supply must be sufficiently convincing. There is no justification for an increment now. Increasing tariff now will be morally inequitable and statutorily unjustifiable.

It is something that affects everyone including even my learned colleagues and the counsel representing the power sector in court. They are merely working for their fees and not mindful of the interest of the already exploited poor consumers and public interest at large. Left to me, I will never accept such a brief that is

against the poor masses or public interest. It is glaring that the sector has cheated so many Nigerians through very excessively estimated bills even for those who have meters. So much has been invested in the power sector since 1999 with little to show for it.

What became of the contempt charge you filed?

At a stage, Form 48 for court’s Contempt was filed, but was later reluctantly withdrawn after a reasonable appeal by the court in the interest of the nation, as the polity had been heated up lately about orders of arrest. Despite that unusual mercy and pardon, these people can still not learn their lessons and respect an existing order of the court. It is quite unfortunate. But the law will always have its way. Enough is enough! Our system must be sanitised; the honour of the court must be sustained.

Our court must be treated with honour; its integrity must not be trampled upon.

What will happen if tariff is increased now?

Nigerians are not stupid. We have been exploited for long despite government’s huge investment in power sector with no improvement. We cannot be further exploited by those feeding fat on consumers’ money. If NERC chairman and the DISCOs’ CEOs will not purge themselves of attitude detrimental to the honour of the court, then they shall not escape the consequences of dishonouring the court; they are on their way to prison.

If they still insist on increasing tariff this month as threatened, in spite of the subsisting court’s order, and want to be treated and seen as scapegoats, they are free to make their choice and end up in jail. It is a free world.

Lagos lawyer Ifeoma Obi says if the Content Act is well implemented, it could boost the economy.

Content Act: Matters arising

T

HE passing into law of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act (“the Act”) in 2010 was a welcome development greeted with high hopes from different quarters.

Major stakeholders, including local companies and the teeming human resources, look forward to benefitting from the opportunities which the Act creates.

In simple terms, Nigerian content envisages building the capacity of Nigerians to gainfully participate in the oil and gas industry. The Act provides for many benefits, such as giving indigenous independent operators ‘first consideration’ in the award of oil blocks, licences ; ten percent price advantage in favour of indigenous companies in bid evaluations, amongst others.

The Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board (NCDMB) is charged with implementing the provisions of the Act. The implementation effort of the Board has so far been commendable.

However, more work is required.

The erstwhile Minister of Petroleum Resources and former Chairman of the Governing Council of the NCDMB, set short term targets for 2015. The targets include retention of $10 billion out of the

$20 billion average annual industry spend, creation of over 30,000 direct employment and training opportunities; development of one or two dockyards and utilisation of dockyards, among others. It, however, remains to be seen whether these targets have been achieved.

With the recent change in the leadership of the NCDMB, the expectations of the stakeholders are high and reflect a readiness of Nigerians to take over the reins of the industry in earnest. One major expectation is that the “problematic” issue of 50 per cent ownership of equipment by “Nigerian subsidiary” be further clarified. The Board issued a clarification on the provision of the Act in August, 2011.

However, this issue remains unsettled and local companies have been left disadvantaged. On the face of the Act, the provision applies to the subsidiaries of International (IOCs) or Multinational companies (MNCs), however, companies that are not subsidiaries of IOCs are expected to comply with the provision.

This has become a burden to local companies as it is difficult to get for instance, an owner of a drillship worth several millions of dollars, financed by and mortgaged to a consortium of international financiers, to transfer 50 per cent ownership to a Nigerian company for compliance purposes. Was it really the intention of the legislature to prevent Nigerian companies, which are not subsidiaries of IOCs, from winning or executing contracts in Nigeria except they own 50 per cent of the equipment to be utilised

for the contract execution?

The Act made provision for biennial review of the Schedule to the Act by the Minister of Petroleum Resources or the Board with the approval of the Minister, with a view to ensuring a measurable and continuous growth in content in all projects and activities in the industry. It is more than five years since the coming into being of the Act, a review of the Schedule is yet to be seen.

It is noteworthy that some provisions of the Act require review.

For instance, the Act mandates operators to submit succession plans for positions not held by Nigerians and the plan shall provide for Nigerians to understudy each incumbent expatriate for four years after which the position will become Nigerianised. However, such Nigerianised position shall attract the salaries, wages and benefits provided for in the operator’s conditions of service for Nigerian employees.

This provision (Section 31(2)) seeks to perpetuate the unfair and inequitable dichotomy in the Nigerian oil and gas industry which exists between expatriates and personnel on the conditions of service.

Expatriate personnel of the same qualification and experience have better salaries and benefits than their Nigerian counterparts. This is unjustifiable and should not be perpetuated in our own laws. That provision hardly reflects the spirit of content and should therefore be reviewed.

The Minister was empowered to consult with the relevant arms of government on appropriate fiscal

framework and tax incentives for foreign and indigenous companies that establish facilities for carrying out production and manufacturing or for providing goods and services otherwise imported into Nigeria.

Tax incentives, which would encourage the establishment of such facilities in Nigeria, are yet to be seen. It is without doubt that such tax incentives will attract investment, which will in turn have a positive impact in the economy.

The Act established the Nigerian Content Development Fund into which one percent of all contracts awarded in the upstream sector of the Nigerian oil and gas industry, is paid. The Board is charged with managing the Fund and the Fund is to be employed for projects, programmes and activities directed at increasing content in the oil and gas industry. It is expected that the Board will come up with transparent policy guidelines for local contractors and companies to access the Fund.

The amorphous nature in which appraisals, compliance monitoring and implementation of the provisions of the Act are carried out may be counterproductive. A good example is the provision in Section 53 of the Act that mandates that all fabrication and welding activities must be carried out in Nigeria.

In reality, this cannot be attained instantly. It is clear that operators and contractors will require waivers to carry out some of such activities outside the country.

There needs to be clear laid down criteria, guidelines and precedents

• Obi

to deal with such situations.

The Board is charged with the responsibility for organising public education fora to further the attainment of the goal of developing content. In furtherance of this obligation, an effective help desk platform should be established to enable stakeholders get answers and clarification in real time, as information is a major key to compliance and effectiveness.

Nigerian content in the oil and gas industry remains a pacesetter in the Nigerian economy and its success will galvanise its replication in other sectors. It is hoped that the new leadership will rise to the occasion and take Nigerian content to the future envisaged by stakeholders.

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015

24

FROM THE COURT -

For two days last week, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) brought together judges, magistrates and journalists to examine salient provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJ) 2015. ERIC IKHILAE reports.

‘ACJ Act will enhance criminal justice delivery’

T

HE challenge of delay in justice administration and how to effectively address it engaged legal experts for two days last week in Kaduna.

Several brain-storming sessions saw participants examine some hypothetical cases of corruption, rape and human trafficking.

They explored how to deal with them by applying the innovative provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 20015.

It was agreed that the effective application of the Act will curb delays in criminal trials.

The event had the theme: Orientation workshop on the ACJA 2015 for judges and magistrates.

Judges and magistrates from the Judiciary of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and private legal experts both from private practice and the academics were present.

The event, which held between September 28 and 29, was organised by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), with funding from the European Union (EU).

Participants were taken through the various provisions of the ACJA, beginning with an overview of the Act, which Prof. Yemi Akinseye George (SAN) of the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies, Abuja. Other issues examined under the Act included arrest, detention and bail; protective measure for vulnerable witnesses and victims; plea bargaining and plea generally; restitution and forfeiture of proceedings; regulation and management of noncustodial punishment, and sentencing consideration.

Addressing participants, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed noted that the ACJ Act is the culmination of the long held desire to improve upon the administration of criminal justice and to bring the rules of criminal procedures in Nigeria in line with global best practices and the need of the 21st Century.

He added that the objectives of the Act, as contained in its Section 1, include to promote efficient management of criminal justice institutions, provide of speedy dispensation of justice and protect the society from crime, while defending the rights and interest of the defendant and the victim.

“These indicate a deliberate shift from punishment, as the main goal of criminal justice to restorative justice, which pays attention to the needs of the society, the victims, vulnerable persons and human dignity,” the CJN said, while stressing the various beautiful provisions in the Act,” Justice Mohammed said.

The CJN, who was represented by Justice Ibrahim Tanko cautioned

•From left: Mrs. Ezekwem, Justice Garuba, Justice Bello and Justice Tanko

judges and magistrates to be cautious in handling plea bargain agreement brought before them by parties in cases before their courts.

He also advised judicial officers to accord human face to criminal justice proceedings by considering other alternatives to custodial sentences in view of the inadequacies of the nation’s prison system.

“Another important innovation, which I shall only mention, is plea bargaining. Suffice it to say that you must be very careful. And I repeat, you must be very careful in accepting a plea bargain agreement that is before you and ensure that its use is indeed judicious and not malicious.

“Similarly, I call on you all to be aware of the provision of other alternatives to custodial sentences, which will assist in ensuring that justice is done, with a human face and in consideration of the capacity of our prisons to cope with incarcerated persons,” he said.

The National Judicial Commission (NJC) in April 2013 suspended Justice Abubakar Mahmud Talba of the FCT High Court for one year on the ground that he wrongly exercised his discretion in deciding a plea-bargained case.

The NJC, in its decision said Justice Talba “did not exercise his discretion judicially and judiciously with regard to the sentences he passed on one of the accused persons, Mr. John Yakubu Yusuf in the Police Pension case of FRN vs Esai Dangabar and five others.”

Justice Talba had, in his judgment in the case, awarded a fine of N750,000 as fine against Yusuf, who pleaded guilty to the theft of over N23billion. Justice Talba, who has since resumed duties, was listed, in the programme of event, as a discussant and participant at the workshop.

The Chief Judge of the High Court of the FCT, Justice Ishaq Bello, the President of the Customary Court of Appeal of the FCT, Justice Moses Bello and the Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), Prof Adedeji Adekunle, commended the various innovative provisions contained in the ACJA 2015.

They were confident that the law, when properly applied, was capable of revolutionising the nation’s criminal justice system and eliminate the current delay associated with criminal trials.

The FCT High Court CJ said the workshop was intended to help judges, magistrates and other players within the criminal justice system understand the ACJA with a view to ensuring the effective operations of the system.

Justice Bello proceeded to highlight some major flaws in the Criminal Procedure Act (CPA) and Criminal Procedure Code (CPC), which were in use before the introduction of the ACJA. “Both laws (CPA and CPC) were consistently applied for years during which period, no significant improvements were made to them.

The obvious consequence of the application of these archaic legislations, which unfortunately, is still being applied by some states, was that the criminal justice system, overtime, lost its capacity to respond quickly to the changing needs of society.

He noted that the convoluted and intricate nature of procedures under the old laws made it difficult to check the rising waves of crime and incapable of speedily brining criminals to justice. He further noted that the under the old laws, while the state got justice from the conviction of an accused, the special needs of the victim was hardly a concern of

our system, thereby negating the trilogy of the justice highway traffic.

“Equally bad was the fact that the provisions of the old laws were manipulated by prosecutorial agencies to their advantage and to the obvious disadvantage of accused person, who were incarcerated for inordinately lengthy period without trial in direct opposition to international best practices, recognized for the guarantee of rights and protection of fundamental freedoms,” Justice Bello said.

The President of the Customary Court of Appeal, who was represented by his Senior Special Assistant (Legal) Gabriel Maha, said the ACJA will help eliminate the lacuna that existed in the former criminal justice legislations, which constituted major challenges to the effectiveness of the criminal justice system.

He noted that perhaps, the most novel provision which every legal practitioner and even the courts should applaud is the provisions of Section 15(4) of the Act, which makes electronic recording as an option in obtaining a suspect’s statement.

“When this is put into practice, it shall take away the problem of a trial-within-trial, which is one of the main reasons for delays in criminal justice administration in the courts. Commendable as this Act may be, it can only be appreciated especially by the lay men, when it is properly administered by the courts.

“It is on this basis that I welcome the idea of this workshop as indeed, an ingenious innovation to simplify, synchronise and put every judge and magistrate of the FCT on the sure pedestal for the benefit of Nigerians,” the President of the Customary Court of Appeal

said.

Representative of the UNODC, Mrs. Ugonna Ezekwem, who highlighted the various ways her organsation was working to ensure that the ACJA was well popularized, assured that the UNODC will continue to support all efforts aimed at ensuring the effective implementation of the ACJA. Held along with the workshop for judges and magistrates, was a similar event tagged: “Media roundtable for justice sector reporters in Nigeria,” where participating journalists’ attention was drawn to their roles in ensuring the success of the ACJA. UNODC’s Belachew Fikre, in examining “The role of the media in justice reform processes,” noted that the cooperation of the media was imperative for success of th various justice sector reform initiatives initiated and being implemented by the UNODC in 10 states across the country.

They include Anambra, Benue, Bayelsa, Cross River, Imo, Katsina, Osun, Lagos and the FCT. Fikre explained that the justice reform initiatives of the UNODC, which is distinguishable from “judicial reform”, involve the process of overhauling the structural and operational aspects of key justice institutions through law reform, capacity development and institutionalisation of accountability mechanisms.

He said reform’s objectives include accessibility, accountability, transparency and efficiency of the justice sector institutions, which ultimately leads to good governance and the enthronement of rule of law Fikre argued that justice sector reform, being a pillar of any democratisation process, where a free media can develop, requires that the media play a key part in raising public awareness about the successes recorded so far and advocating the adoption of similar reform initiatives at state level.

He contended that it was the responsibility of the media to ensure proper implementation of new laws and rules (like the ACJA and the recently passed Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act -VAPPA).

Fikre urged the media to assist in building institutions by emphasising implementation challenges and institutional lapses as against focusing on strong personalities.

He argued that the intended objectives were only achievable where the media embraces the resource poor, the rural majority and the female gender (who are the primary targets of the justice reform process) as partners rather than mere receivers of media content.

Amosun to judges, lawyers: Support anti-graft war

O

• Amosun

GUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has urged judges and lawyers to support the executive in ensuring the success of the war against corruption.

Amosun, who spoke during a religious service to mark the beginning of the new legal year, said the executive alone cannot successfully pursue the war against graft.

He said the active support of the bar and bench is needed.

The governor assured judicial officers in the state of his administration’s determination to improve on their welfare in order to nip corruption in the bud.

A church service was held at the Cathedral of St. Peters, Ake, while

By Joseph Jibueze

a Moslem service held at the Central Mosque, Kobiti in Abeokuta.

Amosun, while praising the Chief Judge, Justice Olatokunbo Olopade, for the judiciary’s support, said his administration would continue to improve on judicial officers’ welfare despite the current economic situation.

“A lot would be done to improve on the welfare of our judicial officers in the state. Government alone cannot fight corruption to a standstill. We need the active support of the Bar and Bench to nip the cankerworm in the bud.

“There is no better time for you

to rededicate yourself than now that the new administration at the Federal level is trying to kill what I call corruption.

“So, we need the judicial staff both the judges and the lawyers to assist in that process to have a new Nigeria,”the governor said.

Speaking with journalists after the church service, Justice Olopade urged judicial officers to be steadfast in administering justice.

She said they should ensure fairness and equity in the dispensation of justice at all times.

Justice Olopade said the state would embark on renovation of all the courts, provide tools for workers andfocus on measures

at decongesting the prisons, such as community service.

Delivering a sermon, the Lord Bishop of Ijebu Southwest, Rev. Babatunde Ogunbanwo said judicial officers should endeavour to administer justice with truthfulness, righteousness and the fear of God. He added that they should be humble despite the enormous powers they posses.

Prof Hafis Oladosu of the Department of Islamic Studies, University of Ibadan praised the state government for placing Ogun on the path of development.

He urged the governor to complete all on-going projects.

Newspaper of the Year

AN 8-PAGE PULLOUT ON NORTHERN STATES

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015

To stop inter-communal bloodshed over boundaries, do not redraw the borderlines; rekindle the friendliness and respect that existed among the forebears of the communities. VINCENT OHONBAMU reports

PAGE 25

INSIDE Lalong’s wife thrills child-victims of crises

PAGE 26

Bulldozers get to work in Jalingo

PAGE 27 •One of the flooded areas in Kaduna

Another cold anniversary •Mai Kaltungo, Mohammed Saleh setting out for the Sallah Durbar in Kaltungo

New path to peace in Gombe T

HE horrors of the insurgents are receding in Gombe State, giving the residents much-cherished relief.

Even political thugs, dreaded for their thirst for blood, are being contained through the state government's initiatives. But how do you stop the bloodbath on the borderlines, a development which continues to blight the state, costing it not just precious souls but valued properties?

Many hold that redrawing the borders will help a great deal. But the Mai Kaltungo, Alhaji Mohammed Saleh is not one this lot. The traditional ruler and Deputy Chairman of Gombe State Council of Emirs and Chiefs said there is little to gain from boundary adjustment. The only thing that needs adjustment, he said, is the people's feeling for one another on both sides of the border.

People should simply start respecting one another again, and rekindle the friendliness that their ancestors on both sides of the bor-

‘When people are talking about boundary, I don't know which they actually mean. We know our own - the one we inherited from our ancestors.

We have been living here for thousands of years. We have been living here for thousands of years and we have been living peacefully. Why didn't our ancestors have problems with their ancestors? We have been living peacefully with the past chiefs in those places. Why were there no problems - the same land, the same people?

Why is there a problem now?’ der once shared. That was what ensured peace among communities, not who owned what land.

One question the Mai Kaltungo likes to ask is, were the borders not there when their ancestors lived

happily with one another?

"We have to be one," he said. "We are supposed to be one big town without any divisions. If we do not work towards cementing this good relationship, there will be problems."

The royal father's call was necessitated by his concern over the perennial problems of land disputes in Gombe South Senatorial District, especially as it affects his immediate domain - Kaltungo and Shongom local governments on one side, and Billiri Local Government on the other.

Oftentimes, most parties attempting to proffer solutions have always called for boundary demarcation as a way of finding a lasting peace to the seemingly unending matter.

The last of such calls came in July from Hon Rambi Ibrahim Ayala who represents Billiri East constituency in Gombe State House of Assembly where he also chairs the Continued on page 26

PAGE 29

Fear not

PAGE 32

26

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015

THE NORTH REPORT

New path to peace in Gombe

‘You see these traditional hunters, about 90% of them are Christians but we celebrate sallah together. This is an Islamic affair. We go to the eid ground with them.

They will just stay aside while we pray. After prayers, we all come and celebrate together.

That tells you the kind of unity that is here’

Continued from page 25 House Committee on Land and Water Resources.

He moved a motion seeking the clear-cut demarcation of boundaries in Gombe South Senatorial District as a means to ending the bloodshed; just as he called for the reinforcement of security as an interim measure while still working at a lasting solution.

The Emir who was speaking as part of his to the people after Durbar (traditional horse riding and paying/receiving homage) buttressed his point about peaceful coexistence by exemplifying with the traditional hunters that normally participate in the Durbar which he said were predominantly Christians.

"You see these traditional hunters, about 90% of them are Christians but we celebrate sallah together. This is an Islamic affair.

We go to the eid ground with them. They will just stay aside while we pray. After prayers, we all come and celebrate together.

That tells you the kind of unity

Gombe State Deputy Governor Charles Iliya visiting the Mai Kaltungo, Mohammed Saleh shortly after a communal clash in June

that is here," he said.

It is not clear what the state government is planning regarding finding a lasting peace, but Gover-

nor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo as part of the immediate past sallah message told traditional rulers, community and religious leaders

and the entire citizenry to continually strive towards sustaining the existing peace in the state.

He said government as the pri-

mary responsibility of providing adequate security for the lives and property of its citizenry would continue to support security agencies to discharge their duties while urging all to "be law abiding and to shun acts capable of disrupting the peaceful co-existence the state is enjoying".

Emir of Ilorin Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari says that peace in multi-ethnic and religiously divergent Ilorin should be a case study. ADEKUNLE JIMOH reports

‘Nigerians should learn from Ilorin peace’

T

•Mrs Lalong cuddling one of the orphans (right) during her visit

Lalong’s wife thrills child-victims of crises Wife of Plateau State Governor, Mrs Regina Lalong chose the nation’s 55th anniversary to share an unforgettable moment with needy children. YUSUFU AMINU IDEGU reports

M

ANY of the needy children she visited lost their parents during the intermittent battles in Plateau State. In some communities, raiders swooped on sleeping residents, nearly wiping out the settlements.

In some cases, couples and their children were cut down. In some other cases, some children survived, though their parents did not. Some of those child-survivors have ended up in orphanages, one of which Mrs. Regina Lalong, wife of Plateau State Governor Simon

Lalong, visited in Kangan village in Jos South Local Government of the state.

The visit was significant because it cheered up the children, who for the most part are often forgotten by the larger society. The call on the orphanage was equally remarkable for other reasons. Mrs Lalong could have chosen to do the usual, observe schoolchildren marching in the stadium or even take the salute as they filed past. After all, it was the country’s 55th independence anniversary.

Clapai Orphanage which she visited is managed by a couple Mr and Mrs Nyabam. There are at least 350 orphans there. Most of the boys and girls at the centre were made orphans in the course of the protracted civil unrest in the state.

In visiting the orphanage, Mrs Regina Lalong accompanied by wife of the state Deputy Governor, Mrs. Abigail Tyoden went with a truckload of assorted items required for the use of the children. The items included mattresses, blankets, laundry soaps, toilet soaps, sanitary

items etc. The truck also contained food items like bags of rice, beans, cartons of noodles, carton of biscuits etc. it also contained assorted brands of beverages and chocolate foods.

While presenting the items to the children, Mrs Regina said, “I decided to be with these children on this special day of Nigeria independent and share little love with them.

As wife of the state governor, I consider myself as the mother of these children. I also believe that these children are not orphans, they are Nigerian children and they should be catered for by Nigerian government.

“The government of All Progressive Congress (APC) is a government for all segments of society on the Plateau. It is our duty to provide for all citizens of the state including these children in special care home. So today I came with my a little within my disposal to offer as a gift to my children. We are still new in government and I have little to offer. I feel that it is not when I Continued from page 28

HE Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari said that the ethno-religious and political diversity of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, has been a source of blessing to the town and that Nigerians should take a cue from the ancient town.

The monarch also urged wouldbe chroniclers of Ilorin history to carry out intensive research before publishing any book about the town.

Represented by the Magaji Nda of Ilorin, Alhaji Soliu W. Mohammed, the emir spoke this at the launch of a book titled: “Managing Ethno-political relations in Nigeria: The Ilorin example, 18232003.”

Foremost historian and Dean, College of Humanity and Social Sciences, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Prof Akeem Danmole urged Nigerian intellectual to come up on the history of their towns and cities.

Prof Danmole who taught the author of the book, Dr Abdulwahab L. Olumo at the university, said he encouraged the writer not to abandon the writing of the book midway.

Chairman of the occasion and former Vice Chancellor University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Prof Shuaib Abdulraheem said that the book having been subjected to academic scrutiny had met international standard.

He said the author’s dedication and perseverance made the book to see the light of the day, adding that “no one can tell the story of a town than the ‘son of the soil.’”

A lecturer in the department of political science, UNILORIN, Prof Hassan Saliu said “either in past or present, Islam is a major factor working to unite all Ilorin people with the existing political order.

Once Islam is removed from our understanding of certain phenom-

•Alhaji Sulu-Gambari

ena in Ilorin, our knowledge of such issues would be incomplete.

“This had played out in the rejection of merger with our western brothers and sisters under the first republic. Nothing has changed in the position of Ilorin as the town has shown more tolerance and accommodation with northern political establishment than any other political tendency in the country.

“Indeed, the Ilorin people have never failed to make the point that they are Yoruba speaking people in the north, not Yoruba. It is however a troubling reality that we do not yet have much to show for this alliance.”

In his own remark, Akeem Yusuf, a legal practitioner said the book had contributed to the body of knowledge, noting the author had contributed his quota to the development of the community.

Mr. Yusuf added that “the book is a challenge to all of us here to put on our thinking cap by coming up with our own books to advance the frontiers of knowledge.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015

27

THE NORTH REPORT

Bulldozers get to work in Jalingo T HE presence of heavy bulldozers, excavators, front loaders, dump trucks and terrain cranes bear witness that serious construction work is going on.

Daily, there is that motion-sound that informs even a blind person that someone is at work. Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, is quietly changing its face. One man to thank is Darius Dickson Ishaku, the governor.

Ishaku, a consummate architect and town planner, had set the tone and direction of his administration on day one when he took the oath of office. He has often said Jalingo is more rural than urban as it should be.

Heavy equipment, which Jalingo residents call 'DDI bulldozers' are seen everywhere in the state capital working. The Palace Way, which runs through the Jalingo daily market, is receiving the most attention. Shoddy buildings with rusted roofs along the Palace Way have been cleared to widen the street and for new edifices to be built with long span.

The PW Nigeria Limited is the contractor. This giant construction company had been contracted by former governor Danbaba Suntai since 2007. PW had however, stopped work and was pulling its equipment out of the state until Ishaku took over the mantle of leadership and reopened discussion and re-negotiation with the company. They were abandoned in the last two years when Suntai suffered severe injuries when a plane he flew crashed in 2012.

PW is now re-mobilised to site.

Besides Jalingo, they are back to work on the Bali-Serti-Gembu Road which was constructed by the Babangida regime. The Taraba State Road Construction and Maintenance Agency (TARCMA) is also re-mobilise to rehabilitate some 6.5 kilometer local government township roads.

The DDI bulldozers in Taraba reminds us of the El-Rufai Bulldozers in Abuja few years ago. Not everyone is happy to have Ishaku's "new and beautiful Taraba." Tears are running down the cheeks of those whose properties have been pulled down by the DDI bulldozers.

•The machines at work From Fanen Ihyongo, Jalingo

"We didn't vote this man to destroy our structures," they cried out. It is the sweet-bitter story. And it is not clear whether those affected would be compensated by the state government. All make-shift apartments inform of shops have been cleared.

Now, you can stand in one end of a street and see someone several metres away.

Another remarkable feature hallmarking Jalingo city as an emerging beautiful enclave is its traffic lights. Ishaku ensures that the lights are working, as taps too are running under his watch. Motorists are now stopped at junctions by the red light, until the green gives them way. Traffic officials now have less work to do. At night -when darkness comes, street lights shine to enthrall a beautiful grey or tan colour. These were absent when Taraba state was created from the defunct Gongola in 1991.

Rev. Jolly Nyame, who became the first democratically elected governor in 1992, met Jalingo as a typical rural settlement. From that time till date, what is referred to as the "City Beautiful Movement" may not have been speedy here, compared to the

‘A remarkable feature of Jalingo as an emerging beautiful enclave is its traffic lights. Ishaku ensures that the lights are working, as taps too are running under his watch. Motorists are now stopped at junctions by the red light, until the green gives them way. Traffic officials now have less work to do. At night when darkness comes, street lights shine, bathing the city in enchanting grey or tan’ cosmopolitan states of Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja and Kano, but it has been stunning of recent.

The improvement of the aesthetics and grandeur in Jalingo, accompanied with increased population, has reshaped the moral and civic virtues of the Jalingo community.

Young men and women, who receive auxiliary pay cheques in the

Ministry of Environment, work as cleaners to sanitise the main arteries to make them sparkle. You will marvel at its contrasts from what it used to be. Its architectural range reflects modern touches. And now the climax can be reached, with an architect cum town planner in the saddle.

Sources say the governor may go a step further, to totally implement the

Jalingo Master Plan. Jalingo sprang up in defiance to its master plan -decades before it became a state capital. "This is just a little start and people are beginning to cry, what if the master plan is to be implemented in totality? You know even our government offices were not built according to the plan," a source from the State House told The Nation.

That is to say, at 24 years of creation, which the state celebrated in August, the urbanisation of the state capital has influenced both demographic social reform and contemporary planning of settlements, particularly in its heartbeat. Magami and Mayo-Gwoi areas are good examples.

The state capital had taken off in disregard to its Master Plan.

Residents had used local implements like hoes and shovels to open up foot paths. They built residences on sanitary lines and dumped refuse in water channels that blocked run-offs. There was no descriptive settlement pattern, and raw sewages were openly dumped to pollute the town. Its environment was always envelContinued on page ??

Traditional ruler marks 10th anniversary

D

IGNITARIES have converged on Idi-Ape area of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Alhaji Aremu Zubair’s reign as the Mogaji Aare of Ilorin. Special prayers were offered at the event.

The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari bestowed the title on the ruler whose progenitors were some of the earlier settlers at Idi-Ape in the metropolis.

Some dignitaries at the event include doyen of senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in the state, Alhaji Alarape Salman, former secretaries to the state government (SSGs), Alhaji Shehu Gafar, Alhaji Saka Isau (SAN), Mudi Gold, Architect Mahmud J. Faworaja and Chairman, Ilorin West local government, Alhaji Sulu Oloje.

Others are Aremo of Idi-Ape, Saadu Suleiman, Kwara state Surveyor-General, Musa Eletu, Secretary, the state Ministry of Lands, Tunde Suleiman, a controller at the

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FGBN), Wale Abatan etc.

Alhaji Zubair while speaking with The Nation hailed the Emir of Ilorin for counting him worth of the chieftaincy title.

He lamented the high rate of youth joblessness in his domain, adding that fixing jobless youths in his domain had been his greatest challenge since he assumed the stool of his forefather a decade ago.

He, however, said that despite the challenge and with the cooperation of the community, youth restiveness has been curtailed in his domain.

He hailed the state government for creating jobs for the people of the state but stressed that government alone cannot do it.

“The challenges are many but as a human being one has to absorbed it, one of them is how do you place your people, how do you cater for them more so those who have not gotten employment, particularly the youth ,how do you cater for

them. I thanked God one by one God is helping .Sometimes the civil service in the state is also helping, I thank God. But my main problem is how do I get job for this boys,” the Magaji Aare said.

The traditional ruler however expressed delight that despite the challenge, youth restiveness in the area has been curbed through the cooperation of members of the community.

Aremu charged members of the community particularly the youths to cooperate with the government.

“They should not emulate the roughness that some of the youth in other areas are doing, they want to work with the government and we want the government to assist us and we want the governor to know that we are not violent”, he said.

In his lecture,a renowned Islamic cleric, Sheik Sulyman Faruk Onikijipa said the reign of the Magaji Aare has been peaceful.

The cleric said the Magaji Aare had achieved a feat that no one

•Alhaji Zubair (left) and Alhaji Salman at the event thought was achievable in the community.

Also in his lecture, Sheik Buhari Musa said the Idi-Ape community had carved a niche for itself that the history of Ilorin can never be com-

plete without a mentioning of the area.

He admonished those in position of authorities to be sensitive to the plight of the masses and always have their interests at heart.

28

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015

THE NORTH REPORT

50 Niger women trained in rice processing C RUDE as their methods are, women rice processors in Kwakuti, a sleepy community in Paikoro Local Government Area of Niger State, still manage to turn out up to two trailer-loads every month.

Now things can only get better because the state government has trained no fewer than 50 of the women to be more efficient and productive.

The government is seeking to reduce the stress associated with the exercise and position the state as the largest producer of rice in the country.

This is particularly important in view of government determination to make the country self sufficient in rice production and reduce the reliance on importation.

It is estimated that the country spends about N12 billion annually in rice importation.

Realising that the state has the potentials of being the largest producer of rice in the country in view of its rich terrain, the Niger state government recently trained about 50 women in the community on ways of processing rice in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

During the training, which lasted for five days, the women were taught how to form and manage cluster-groups and rice value chain development. They were equally groomed in value development at each processing stage and what value addition needed at each stage.

That was not all. They were also taught business management and marketing as the organisers looked at the four P's and proper book keeping as it deals with keeping of the stock such as the raw materials and the finished goods.

In addition, they also taught how to properly cost their products. Interestingly, from the interaction with the women, it was discovered that the women (who were also the

•The women and their products Justina Asishana/James Ojo, Minna

marketers) were either over costing, overpricing and under-pricing their products.

Focusing on the product development, the organizers taught them to bag the rice instead of selling in 'module' which is their preferred measurement; the women were also taught them on how to properly boil the rice, sieve the paddy, par boil it and dry it while keeping stones away from the rice.

A rice cluster with the capacity to take two machines was built for the women, designed to have two rice mill and one destoner. Also,

the women were taught to organised themselves into cooperative that will put them in the right position to getting government aid.

Dr. Abdumalik Ndaki, one of the consultants involved in the training, told The Nation that rice is one of the key product where the state have a comparative advantage. The other products include: yam, cassava, cowpea, groundnut and sheabutter. On the choice of Kwakuti, he disclosed that when a need assessment was carried out in Kwakuti, it was discovered that in spite of the potentials of the area I. Rice production, there were no rice farmers in the community,

adding that only three farmers were found in the town with farmlands that were not up to half an hectare.

Ndagi who is the Director General of Niger State Industrial Parks Development Agency said the state government has spent over N20 million on the development of the Kwakuti rice project adding that similar programme are ongoing in Bida, Lapai, and Badegi areas of the state. He explained that the state government is working to add value, modernize them and make them better adding that the government pays its counterpart fund to ensure that the state stays top in the agricultural sector.

Bulldozers get to work in Jalingo

‘I have to express my appreciation to the manager of this centre for taking the initiative to create a centre for these less privilege children. If you had not done this, I would have not been able to locate them for a visit. These are children of God and God in Heaven will reward you abundantly for taking care of them on behalf of God’

Continued from page 26 oped by a putrid smell of meat and animal and human defecates.

Now, some good roads, paved streets and curvets are being built, to stimulate the rise of grandiose structures and exquisite complexes like modern shopping plazas.

Ishaku has said he has come to "rescue Taraba" from all of that.

And the change has been remarkably rapid within the first 100 days of his administration despite cries of fierce economic crunch and unprecedented debt burden inherited from the previous government.

Jalingo city, like every other capital city, is now more of the people, than the physical precinct; the social and economic life, their businesses and where they unwind after the daily official work etc.

There is a modified pattern of buying and selling, a departure from the hitherto uproar by a rowdy grasping consumers or goods vendors struggling to make brisk business.

More tributary streets are springing up, adorning the face of the Hammaruwa Way -the main artery in the state capital.

"If I have N9 billionI will hit nine major roads running. What I need is peace; give me peace and I will give you development," Ishaku said at a dinner he organised in Government House Jalingo to mark the 55th Independence anniversary.

Ndagi was confident that when the project is fully implemented, there would be more than enough rice paddy from Kwakuti, adding that with two trailer loads of rice to process every month, Kwakuti rice would be a force to reckon with in the near future. He assured that UNDP and the state government would continue to work round the clock to better the lots of rice farmers in the state.

He said: "We recently held a meeting with major stakeholders in agriculture in the state last week. So we are charting a way out to be able to help rice processors in the state."

•The orphanage children

Lalong’s wife thrills child-victims of crises Continued from page 26 have enough, even the little I have I should be able to extend to my children, nothing is too small and something is always better than nothing at all.

“But then I have to express my appreciation to the manager of this centre for taking the initiative to create a centre for these less privilege children. If you had not done this, I would have not been able to locate them for a visit. These are children of God and God in Heaven

will reward you abundantly for taking care of them on behalf of God. I want to use this opportunity to call on all spirited individuals and Organisations to come and assist those who are providing care for these children. The population of the children is much and they require assistance of every Nigeria for their daily upkeep.

While receiving the items, Mrs. Nyabam, coordinator of the orphanage said, “We never expected this visit from the state First Lady, because no First Lady has ever visited

us in this manner on Nigerian Independence anniversary. As you can see the children are so happy and elated over your presence in their midst. We have nothing to say other to pray that God will replenish your pocket in thousands fold. We will continued to pray for the success of the APC administration in the state and may the hands that give never dry.

Mrs Lalong also visited Plateau state specialists hospital to show love to patients on admission in the hospital. The governor’s wife went

round all the wards of the hospital and presented hand-pack containing assorted items. The gift items also include envelope containing an undisclosed sum of money. Accompanied by the Chief Medical Director of the Specialists Hospital Dr. Philemon Golwa, Mrs Lalong told the patients that, “Please accept my widow’s might, I decided to share this challenging moment with you on this historic day, I know if you are in your various homes, you will join millions of Nigeria to celebrate this day, but you are here because of health challenge which I know is temporal. So don’t be discouraged, remain hopeful because God is with you and is aware of the moment you are passing through. So, get well soon and go home, the hospital is not your home,” said Mrs Lalong.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015

Website: http://www.thenationonlineng.com

Page 29

The only people who made something out of the 55th independence anniversary were performers on empty streets and, perhaps, a few couples who took their families outdoors. Otherwise, it was just as drab as the recent editions, reports GRACE OBIKE

•Skaters making do on an empty street

Another cold anniversary

‘In the days of former President Goodluck Jonathan, insecurity was to blame for the subdued celebrations.

Now, President Muhammadu Buhari's fiscal discipline, pruning the anniversary budget to a mere N70m, a far cry from the billions usually provided for the ceremonies, has taken fanfare away from the event’

A

GAIN, there were no blinking lights or colourful banners on the streets of the nation's capital.

And no huge crowd and earsplitting sounds which once characterised Eagle Square on a typical Independence Day anniversary. The Square itself was sealed off, and two local football teams could have played all day on the streets.

It was Nigeria's 55th Independence Day, but there were no celebrations resembling the sort you were used to. All the ceremonies took place in Aso Villa away from popular view.

In the days of former President Goodluck Jonathan, insecurity was to blame for the subdued celebrations. Now, President Muhammadu Buhari's fiscal discipline, pruning the anniversary budget to a mere N70m, a far cry from the billions usually provided for the ceremonies, has taken fanfare away from the event.

Such performers as skaters grumbled about the low-key edition of the national holiday, especially about the fact that they did not have the opportu-

•The ones who would not be deterred

nity to show their talents on the skate boards before President Muhammadu Buhari and other dignitaries. Some families seized

the opportunity to unwind outdoors. Otherwise, it was another unflattering independence anniversary, like the one before it and

the one before that.

Some couples took their chil-

dren to the Millennium Park and other amusement facilities scattered around Abuja, while some went to the numerous children's parties in town.

Some others spent the day in school celebrations or religious gatherings.

While the event went on inside the Villa, a lone man danced around with a hoe, a show he probably hoped would have impressed the President if the event had taken place at the Square and if he were allowed in.

A group of skaters under the umbrella of the Coalition of Abuja Skaters expressed their disappointment at the fact the Square was locked up. The group claimed that they were in contact with the organisers of the event and hoped for an opportunity to perform before the President and other dignitaries. They had been practising for weeks. Nothing would have thrilled them more than entertain the president and prove to everyone that skating was good enough to be ranked among other sports in the country.

The coalition is made of such small units as Vision Skaters from Karshi, United Skaters Association, Skate Love, House of Legend Skaters, all of them Continued on page 30

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015

30

ABUJA REVIEW

Another cold anniversary Continued from page 29

saying that Nigeria is a country which they love and appreciate and that they are ready to show that they are not an inconsequential bunch of street kids on skates.

Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the club Sylvester Fadion said, "We have existed for over 10 years; this is a coalition of different clubs coming together to celebrate Nigeria, we are out here displaying our joy for the country. We had written to the people in charge of the celebration and they promised that they may include our name to the program if the Eagle square will be used but now that they are not using the square, we know that we may not be able to get access into the Villa, we are a bit disappointed that no one will watch us because we deal with stunts, skills, choreographic moves and a lot more techniques but now no one to watch us since no one is at the Eagle square, we have a lot of force men amongst us, men of Nigerian Civil Defence, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Police a lot more."

They proceeded to run around Maitama, Wuse, Garki, Asokoro to display their skills.

In satellite like Kubwa for instance, apart from residents going about their business as if nothing important was going, members of the Christ Embassy tried their best to celebrate with their usual 1st of October celebration that usually takes place each year, they took to the streets in green and white, with loud music which a lot of the members danced to following behind a member riding a horse dressed in green an while and a vehicle carrying musical instruments that blared different songs as they distributed the Rhapsody of Reality.

Member of the church, James expressed his excitement at the independence day celebration.

"Our church always celebrates this day because it is important, we also use it as an opportunity to remind Nigerians of God's love and goodness in our lives which is the reason why we

•Bicycle rider showcasing his skills

•Other performers

•Scanty people and roads on celebration day

share free copies of the Rhapsody, we wanted to do something nice and different which informed the reason for the horse because we all believe that Nigeria has come

a long way in 55 years."

A taxi driver who could not be bothered to state his name said that as long as he is concerned, he has no reason to celebrate

Council chief to Nigerians: be patient with Buhari

T

HE Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Micah Jiba has urged Nigerians to be patient with President Muhammadu Buhari in his bid to reshape the nation.

Jiba, who also serves as the National President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), congratulated Nigerians on the 55th Independence Day anniversary, saying that only unity and love have kept the country together.

The ALGON boss further commended President Buhari for the bold steps he has taken to tackle insecurity, saying that with the prayers and support of the people, the administration will put an end to insurgency.

Jiba said 55 years of any nation is not a joke, adding that Nigerians should have sober reflection and also pray for President Buhari.

He also appealed to the President to consider indigenes of Abuja in his

Independence Day celebrations?

Are they going to share money?

With the hardship in the country right now, I will only go to a place that will give me money."

Residents appeal for better roads From Gbenga Omokhunu

R

From Gbenga Omokhunu

cabinet when appointing ministers, adding that indigenes of the FCT deserve better representation at the Presidency.

“I will advise Nigerians to continue to remain united and work with the present administration in order for President Buhari to move this nation to greater height. We are also appealing to President Buhari to consider Abuja indigenes in his ministerial appointments, so that we can contribute our quota in his government.

“The indigenes of the FCT have been marginalised for a very long gone time and we believe that with the present administration, the marginalisation will come to an end.

We are also appealing that since the independent anniversary is taking place today, Nigerians should continue to be law abiding and loyal to this administration, so that the government will be focus and succeed

unless, the government will be sharing money to Nigerian.

"I'm out here working because I need the money more than anything right now; who cares about

•President Buhari

in his desire to reposition the nation in all ramifications.

“Nigerians should be patient with President Buhari as he is taking his time to reposition the country and correct everything that needs to be corrected. We should continue to pray for this administration, that God will give our President good health and the wisdom to pilot the affairs of the nation to greatness,” he said.

ESIDENTS of Jiwa community in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have appealed to the incoming FCT administration to rehabilitate the main road linking the community to Dei-dei and GwagwaKarmo communities.

Mr. Hassan Musa, who spoke with Abuja Review, said that the poor road has presented serious challenges to the people, with motorists often trapped for hours in traffic gridlock when it rains.

According to Musa, the residents of the communities have written many letters to the FCTA and even to media organisations just to attract the FCT administration to the roads and the plight of the residents, but nothing has been done to alleviate their suffering.

He appealed to the incoming FCT Minister to include the rehabilitation of the road in the FCT budget when the new administration takes effect, saying that if the road is rehabilitated, it will reduce the suffering of the people and also improve on the economic development of the council.

Another resident of the community, Mr. Alhassan Mohammed, also said that the dilapidated state of the road is affecting the businesses in the communities, as Dei-Dei, Gwagwa and Karmo communities are the most flourishing business areas in the FCT. “The internally generated revenue gotten from these communities are more than any community in the FCT, the largest timber and building materials markets are in this communities, but the road that leads to this markets are dilapidated and gradually becoming inaccessible.

“That is why we are appealing to the incoming administration to consider the rehabilitation of this road, so that things will go well for everybody within and outside these communities. We have been going through hell as a result of the bad road, mostly when it rains, the government should come to our rescue so that we can have peace,” he said.

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015

31

ABUJA REVIEW Youths to APC: choose credible candidates

I

•From left: Acting Director (Domestic Tourism) Ministry of Tourism, Culture & National Orientation, Mrs. Narai; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs & Social Development, Dr. Ezekiel O. Oyemomi; Member, BOT & Proprietor, 805 Restaurants, Sir Fredrick Yomi James and lnitiator/Chief Coordinator, Afrifoods & drinksfest, Segun Ola-Oyodeji during the investiture of Oyemomi as patron of Afrifoods&drinksfest in Abuja

•Representative of Plateau State Governor, Prof. Sonni Tyoden (right) congratulating indigenous students of the state going to Egypt for Maritime Transport Higher Studies, Mr Moses Enshak at a farewell event in Jos

NDIGENOUS youths of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), under the auspices of AMAC Youth for Good Governance (AYGG) have appealed to the leadership of the council chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to ensure that a credible Chairmanship candidate is elected from the over 23 chairmanship aspirants in the forth coming party chairmanship primaries.

The youth who made this call through their leader, Comrade Ishiaku Audu, in a press briefing in respect to the forth coming council elections, explained that there is the need for the party to trail the path of the good example exhibited by the national level of the party, where the leadership was not bought with money before the presidential election.

Audu explained that the youth are worried with the numbers of aspirants that are vying for the chairmanship position and most of them intend to buy their way through with money, saying that since the APC has become the ruling party, that the numbers of chairmanship aspirants has gone beyond the expectation of the people.

According to the indigenous youth, it is obvious that with the numbers of aspirants and the ways most of them are going about the chairmanship election, whereby some of them are trying to buy the conscience of the people with money is something to be worried about, that if the party is not careful, the wrong person will be chosen during the primaries.

"We are seriously disturbed, because we do not want the wrong person to be selected by the party during

From Gbenga Omokhunu

the primaries. We have taken critical look at all the aspirants and if we are allowed to make our choice, we will prefer the former AMAC Secretary and present FCT APC Secretary, Hon. Abdulahi Candido, because he has been the only consistent person in the party, before it became the ruling party.

"We must understand that the era of buying the conscience of people with money to get their votes is over.

We are appealing that the primary election be based on somebody that has what to offer to the people of AMAC. That is why we believe that Hon. Candido is the best aspirant amongst all of over 23 aspirants and he can continue with the spirit of positive change in the council.

"We will not keep quiet and let things go wrong in the council. We have gotten information of how some aspirants are trying to buy the conscience of people, by giving them cars and monetary gifts. That attitude has shown they do not have anything to offer the people, if anyone of them becomes chairman. AMAC people should not sell their future for peanuts. That is why we are appealing that the leadership of the party should not make mistakes during this election," he said.

The indigenous youth further advised the AMAC leadership of the party to consider experience and sincerity when making the choice to select the candidate to fly the party's flag during the election, saying that only an aspirant that has the experience in the affairs of the council, will be able to know how to affect the lives of the people when elected.

Indigenes urge Buhari, EFCC to probe FCDA officials

I

•Director Search And Rescue, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Air Commodore Charles Otegbade (middle) receiving a handover letter from Head of Mission, International Organisation For Migration, Cameroon, Mrs Evina Roger (left) in Yola, Adamawa State during the arrival of some Nigerian returnees from the CAR. With them is NEMA Head of Administration, Abuja Operation Office, Mrs Chinwe Opara

•Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Muhammad Sidi (right) presenting relief materials to Kebbi State Governor Abubakar Bagudu for distribution to victims of flood disaster in Bernin-Kebbi With them is NEMA Senior Adminitrative Officer, Mr Hassan Ciroma.

NDIGENES of Dagbalo community in Apo area of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) have appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC ) to investigate the activities of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) officials in respect of allocation of plots, especially those whose Certificates of Occupancy were approved in less than the stipulated one year.

The indigenes through their leader, Rev. Danjuma Tanks, who made this call on behalf of the community, insisted that if the investigation on what he described a the nefarious activities of FCDA officials commences, it will aide in healing the wounds suffered by indigenes of Abuja.

Rev. Tanko said the Indigenes who affected by the ill fated activities of the FCDA were subjected to untold hardship and all manners of inhuman treatment by the past Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed.

According to him, the FCTA through the department of Ressetlement and Compensation took a bulldozer two years ago, which was July 30, 2013 to demolish the entire Dagbalo community and destroyed their farm lands without any ressetlement or compensation.

"They allocated the same area to one Mr. Owuora, the owner Owuora group of companies. It took the FCDA officials, led by the director of Ressetlement and Compensation, Mr Francis Okechuckwu five days, in company of well armed Military personnel in a pickup van to wipe off our entire community.

"Our people who were helpless and armless, could do nothing, but to report the matter to the nearest Police division at Apo, where we advised to go to court and the case has been in court for the past two years

From Gbenga Omokhunu and Grace Obike

now. All efforts by our Counsel to ensure quick dispensation of justice has proved abortive. This is therefore causing untold hardship and more suffering to our people, even as we squatting with our neighbours.

"Also, about this time last year, the FCDA called for settlement out of court, which we did not object to. But, for the past five months now, they have failed to fulfil the promises they made to us. Instead, they tried to lobby me to sell out my community and I bluntly rejected it. So, we are back in court and since then, the FCDA has resorted to delaying the court procedures, without respect to the judicial process .

"Counsel to the FCDA has joined in frustrating the case by failing to tender his redress for adoption, which ought to have been been done since July, 2015, before the court went on recess, but neither the director nor their defense counsel were in court to tender their redress for adoption.

Now, the resumption the next adjournment has been shiftedOctober 17, 2015.

"We are appealing to President Muhammadu Buhari, who we see as an act of God to liberate us from our suffering, through his anticorruption campaign to investigate the nefarious activities of the FCDA and they way they are subjecting indigenes of the FCT to immeasurable suffering by forcefully confisticating their land without due compensation and resettlement,"he said.

Tanko further appealed to President Buhari to instruct the incoming minister of the FCT to ensure that their communities which were wrongly demolished by the FCDA and allocated to a single developer are restored to the people, saying that as it is presently, none of the affected indigenes have any place to call their villages or hometown.

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015

32

ABUJA REVIEW

T

HE fear of President Muhammadu Buhari is growing in many quarters.

In his days in the military as Head of State, he was known to be a nononsense man and an apostle of discipline, transparency and accountability.

Those in government’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies prior to Buhari’s democratic administration, who have done things anyhow to enrich themselves and drained the nation’s resources, are now treading cautiously out of fear.

The fear and new selfinflicted restraint from doing things anyhow is said to have mainly been responsible for the improving power supply in the country.

Frequent acts of vandalism in the energy sector under the former administrations have suddenly stopped with the inauguration of the administration on May 29.

Fuel scarcity and long queues that have been the story of past administrations have also stopped under Buhari’s administration.

The improvement could visibly be seen during the recent festive periods and independence anniversary celebration as the country was spared of such fuel scarcity and queues.

These are just two areas where the fear of Buhari has helped in services rendered to the nation.

There are many other silent areas of improvements resulting from such fear.

But President Buhari on assumption in office has counseled Nigerians not to fear him.

As if the counsel was falling on deaf ears, President Buhari in his October 1st independence anniversary message to Nigerians again urged them not to fear him but should rather fear the consequences of their actions.

This means that those who soil their hands have course to worry while those on the right side of the law will never have any problem with him but earn his support.

He said: “As I said in my inaugural speech, I bear no ill will against anyone on past events.

Nobody should fear anything from me. We are not after anyone.

“People should only fear the consequences of their actions. I hereby invite everyone, whatever his or her political view to join me in working for the nation.” He added But he harped on the need for change in the habits of Nigerians in order to bring about the desired change being championed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) government.

“I would like to end my address this morning on our agenda for CHANGE. Change does not just happen. You and I and all of us must appreciate that we all have

Fear not ‘As I said in my inaugural speech, I bear no ill will against anyone on past events. Nobody should fear anything from me. We are not after anyone. People should only fear the consequences of their actions. I hereby invite everyone, whatever his or her political view to join me in working for the nation’ our part to play if we want to bring CHANGE about.

“We must change our lawless habits, our attitude to public office and public trust. We must change our unruly behavior in schools, hospitals, market places, motor parks, on the roads, in homes and offices.

To bring about change, we must change ourselves by being law-abiding citizens.” He said

From the Villa

By Augustine Ehikioya

Saraki: Mending fences

T

HE Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, since assumption in office in June has not been sighted in the Presidential Villa, Abuja until last Thursday.

He has kept away from the seat of power probably because of his faceoff with his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Saraki, had against the wish of his party, contested and emerged the Senate President with the support of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators in the red-carpet chamber.

Apart from his emergence, Saraki, unlike the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu

•Some Nigerian returnees from Central African Republic at the Burnt Brick Transit Camp in Mubi, Adamawa State

Dogara who won election to the number four seat in similar circumstances, also did not allow the wish of the party to prevail in the selection of other Senate leadership positions.

Saraki has not been to the Presidential Villa until last Thursday during Nigeria’s 55th independence anniversary celebration, except if he had visited under the cover of darkness in the last three months.

As the number three citizen, it would have been unprecedented for Saraki to have absented himself from the independence anniversary celebration.

His predecessor, Senator David Mark did not miss any of the celebrations under the last dispensation.

Saraki, who arrived the Presidential forecourt after the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, took salute from the military personnel on parade before joining dignitaries and invited guests at the sitting arena.

He exchanged pleasantries with them before taking his seat.

There were also warm exchange of pleasantries between Saraki and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and later with President Muhammadu Buhari when they arrived the venue separately.

The frequent smiles from discussions between Saraki and Buhari during the event made some guests to wonder in low tone what has kept Saraki away from the seat of power for so long.

As if that was not enough, Saraki who left the Presidential Villa after the ceremony ended returned to Osinbajo’s office in the Presidential Villa about an hour later in a private car.

He spent about thirty minutes in a private meeting with Osinbajo.

Saraki was escorted to his vehicle by Osinbajo after their closed-door meeting.

•Some Abuja residents at an amusement park during the independence anniversary holiday

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015

33

LAW & SOCIETY Media aide to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Ahuraka Isah, argued that corruption in the judiciary cannot be perpetrated without lawyers

Bank files contempt charge against Emefiele, others

Who buys judgment?

M

ICHAEL Daly Hawkins was a former senior judge in the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

While reacting to harsh public criticism of several Supreme Court Justices, among other notable judges in the United States of America in his book, titled ‘’Dining with the Dogs: Reflections on the Criticism of Judges’’, he had this to say: ‘’We certainly have not seen the end of criticism of judges. Robust free speech, even of the coarse and inaccurate variety, may simply be one of the prices of a free society. Today’s judges may draw some relief from the knowledge that modem critics are normally not as colorful or as sharp of tongue as Horace Greeley or Teddy Roosevelt, as nasty as George Wallace, or as violent and aggressive as David Terry.

In the end, while judges may not like what they hear and may be sorely tempted to respond to their critics, history does seem to teach us that our predecessors endured far worse, and both they and the Republic seem to have survived’’.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) had on February 17, 2012 vowed to expose how politicians used “consultants” to buy election cases with “incredible sums of money.”

The legal body, which made the allegation at a valedictory court session that was held in honour of late Justice Anthony Nnaemezie Christopher Aniagolu, said it was aware of all the senior counsel and eminent retired judicial officers that served as conduit between election courts and parties in electoral matters, saying it would forward their names to relevant anti-graft agencies for prosecution.

In a speech that was presented by the then NBA President, Mr J.B. Daudu (SAN), said: “Corruption is now a live issue that is threatening to tear apart the foundations and fabric of the society. The Bar believes that as it does not possess the machinery and infrastructure to battle this scourge such as the EFCC and ICPC possesses, but it can be proactive in its battle against this vice which left unchecked will sink the whole ship of state.

“We are no doubt aware that some of our colleagues including very senior counsel and at times eminent retired judicial officers go about offering their services as ‘consultants’ particularly in election cases for incredible sums of money so as to act as conduit between his client and the election court.

“The end result is to facilitate ready-made justice for the persons they are acting for. We must strongly deprecate this practice.

Our members and members of the public should feel free to avail themselves of the services of this NBA anti-corruption body. We do ourselves the greatest disservice if we fail to fight this ill which renders irrelevant the work and skills of hardworking lawyers who daily toil in and out of courts and who do not have the advantage of knowing with certainty the outcomes of cases as these ‘consultants’ are privileged to know.

“Secondly, this charge falls at the feet of the Bar particularly counsel who for political manoeuvres or the gratification of ‘varying interests’ misuse the process of the Supreme Court and other courts by bringing

applications that are clearly frivolous or contemptuous.

“I have approached the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation to call a meeting of the General Council of the Bar so that inter alia, the existing rules of Professional Ethics can be amended to include such areas that will safeguard the dignity of the courts and integrity of judicial process. Let us call ourselves to order in this regard. The essence of a just judicial system is to provide prompt qualitative justice for the people. Justice is meaningless when it is delayed, hurried or perverted”, it stressed.

Since it has become seemingly attractive to revel on ‘’Judges’ Corruption Mantra’’, the current NBA President, Augustine Alegeh (SAN), seized the opportunity of the mammoth crowd that gathered for the special session of the Supreme Court to mark the commencement of the 2015-2016 legal year and the swearing-in of newly conferred Senior Advocates of Nigeria to accuse some judges of rendering judgments for a fee. The Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osibanjo (SAN) was also in attendance.

Alegeh said: “It is indeed very worrisome that certain judicial officers still engage in rendering judgments for a fee.

“Instances abound where judicial officers have resorted to turning the law on its head and making pronouncements which are at variance with the provisions of the law.

“A few others have formed the bad habit of ignoring judicial precedents even when such authorities are brought to their attention by counsel.

“This trend is quite injurious and erodes the confidence reposed in the judiciary by society.”

While Daudu’s NBA promised to set up an anti-corruption commission to identify and hand over the culprits to EFCC or ICPC for prosecution, Alegeh also said the association would take the matters as prima facie evidence of corruption.

Up till the end of Daudu’s tenure 5-6 months after the famous speech, even till date the NBA’s anti-corruption commission has failed to release or even disclose the names of corrupt Judges to the appropriate authorities. Time shall tell if Alegeh can walk his talk.

Lawyers are regarded the world over as guardians of the law, and consequently play a vital role in the preservation of society. Unlike the Judges who are often only seen and seldom heard, they have unfettered access to the public, are often easily heard and very publicly seen.

The Rules of Professional Conduct of the Legal Profession as contained in the Legal Practitioners Act (Chapter 207 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) are intended for maintenance of respect for and confidence in the judicial office Rule 1 for instance, specifically states that: “It is the duty of the lawyer to maintain towards the Court respectful attitude, not for the sake of the temporary incumbent of the judicial office, but for the maintenance of its supreme importance. Judges, not being wholly free to defend themselves, are peculiarly entitled to receive the support of the Bar against unjust criticism and clamour. Where

By Joseph Jibueze

T

•CJN Mahmud Mohammed

there is proper ground for serious complaint of a judicial officer, it is the right and duty of the lawyer to submit his grievances to the proper authorities’’.

Perhaps, this becomes imperative when the CJN, Justice Mohammed described the allegation that judges were taking bribes as ’unfortunate unguarded comments’, because every litigant has at least a lawyer that prosecute his or her case before a Judge. The lawyer, at the risk of sounding immodest must be in the know of the conduct of his client, overtly or covertly. In other words, common sense dictates that lawyers have the dossier of how his client’s case was fought and won.

It is even understood if an outsider or laymen hawk the allegations all over the streets. The CJN therefore, in his remarks during the special session of the Supreme Court to mark the commencement of the 2015-2016 legal year and the swearing-in of newly conferred Senior Advocates of Nigeria insisted that the allegation by prominent members of the Bar that some judges were corrupt was unfortunate.

He said: “I regard as unfortunate unguarded comments of some prominent members of the Bar that the judiciary is corrupt.

“Such comments coming from the members of the Bar mean that they know the identity of the corrupt judges and as such, they should fish them out to be dealt with by the National Judicial Council (NJC).”

The CJN noted that the Bench was a product of the Bar and that unless they both work in synergy to ensure that only fit and proper persons remain in the Bar, it would be impossible to expect a different Bench.

The immediate past CJN, Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar had in the Judicial Reforms Conference co-organized by the National Bar Association on 7 July 2014 held in Abuja, also lamented that many lawyers were quick to accuse the judiciary of being corrupt, yet refused to report judges who they knew to be corrupt to the NJC. “You (lawyers) all know those judges that are corrupt, but you won’t report. However, you will be the one who will raise the issue that the judiciary is corrupt. You will not do your part,” In a close, maybe lawyers and all concerned should borrow a leaf from the Ifa divination principles and posit as follows: “some judges engage in the sale of their court judgments on some cases, ably filed, prayed and argued by lawyers before same judges on behalf of some people known as litigants who are clients to the lawyers’. Who then are the buyers?

HE Federal High Court in Lagos has granted an application by Ecobank Nigeria Limited to begin contempt proceedings against Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor Godwin Emefiele.

The bank accused the CBN under Emefiele’s watch of frustrating its effort to recover a debt allegedly owed it by an oil marketing firm, First Deepwater Discovery Limited.

The bank claimed to have been harmstrung by CBN’s alleged failure to comply with a July 1 court order despite being duly served since July 16.

The order mandated the CBN to redeem a Sovereign Debt Note issued in favour of Ecobank by the Debt Management Office in respect of fuel subsidy claims accruable to First Deepwater, allegedly being kept in CBN’s custody.

Last Friday, counsel for Ecobank, Mr. Kunle Ogunba (SAN), appeared before Justice Mohammed Yunusa with an ex parte application seeking the court’s permission to commence contempt proceedings against Emefiele, CBN Director of Legal Services Mr. A.O. Ogundana and Director of Banking and Payment Systems Mr. Dipo Fatokun.

Ogunba alleged they were directly responsible for CBN’s refusal to obey the order.

He claimed that their alleged refusal obstructed Ecobank from performing its preservatory functions over First Deepwater’s assets through the bank’s appointed receiver/manager.

While urging the court to allow service of Form 48 on Emefiele, Ogundana and Fatokun, Ogunba said: “There is an urgent need to proceed against the individuals whose job description at the Central Bank of Nigeria resulted into gross disregard and flagrant disobedience of the order of this honourable court.

“It would be in the interest of justice to direct the service of Form 48, which is a Notice of Consequence of Disobedience to Order of Court, on the cited persons in view of the various positions they occupy in the CBN.” One Olumide Phillips, in the affidavit filed in support of the ex parte application, claimed CBN’s management received the court order.

He said rather than comply with it,“the persons cited authored a letter dated June 17, 2015 and predicated their refusal to comply on several red herring suits.”

Phillips, however, said a further letter written to the CBN to address the issues raised was never replied and the court order was not obeyed.

Granting the bank’s prayer, Justice Yunusa ordered that Form 48 be served on the alleged contemnors, either personally or through substituted means such as posting it to the CBN head office in Abuja or publishing it in a national daily.

Justice Yunusa adjourned to October 20 for report of compliance with the order.

He will hear all pending applications, including the one seeking a stay of proceedings in the main suit, that day.

• Emefiele

Tasks before the judiciary, by lawyers

By Robert Egbe

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HE four branches of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Lagos have set a 17-point agenda for the state judiciary, stating the challenges con fronting the justice system and proffering solutions.

Speaking at the Bar and Bench Forum as part of activities to mark the new legal year, NBA Ikeja branch chairman Mr. Yinka Farounbi, said a discussion of the challenges is fuelled by the desire to get things right.

Mr Farounbi, who spoke on behalf of Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos and Ikeja branches, listed the issues lawyers face to include lack of notification when courts would not sit, delay in delivering judgments, difficulty in obtaining copies of judgments, stringent bail conditions which defeat the purpose of bail and late sitting of courts.

On the appointment of judges, he said: “Information to the Bar comes very late, leaving the Bar with no time to scrutinise the list.” According to him, the Bar should be notified on time.

“The Bar proposes that the Lagos judiciary website be upgraded to include a link that will host judgments of the various High Courts as well as seminar papers and notable speeches,” he added.

The association further requested for a periodical review of High Court Rules, the commissioning of the Badagry High Court and the relocation of the Ojo Magistrates’Court from Apapa to Ojo because of the chaotic traffic situation in the area.

The NBA canvassed continuous training and legal education for judicial officers as well as courteous treatment of NBA members by judges and magistrates, while bemoaning the dilapidated state of some courtrooms.

“More Judicial Divisions are needed in the state,” Mr Farounbi said, adding that the welfare packages for Magistrates needed to be enhanced.

The NBA lamented the difficulty experienced by lawyers and litigants in the course of executing judgments, “particularly from the angle of procurement of police assistance.”

“We urge the authority of the Judiciary to liaise with the Commissioner of Police with the view of having, at least, a Police Post within the High Court premises both in Lagos and Ikeja,” the NBA chief said, adding, “The Bar decries the attitude of Court Sheriffs who continue to extort lawyers and litigants before effecting service of court processes.”

“The Bar urges the Chief Judge to immediately license courier companies and law firms to undertake service of processes as prescribed in Order 7 of our Rules.”

Other items highlighted by the Bar include reform of the Probate Registry, review of the E-Filing System, implementation of the NBA seal project and review of Order 2 Rule 3 of the Magistrates’ Court Civil Procedure Rules which makes a summons void if not served within three months.

The Bar and Bench Forum is organised every year as part of the new legal year activities of the Lagos State Judiciary. This year’s event had in attendance Judges and Magistrates of the Lagos State Judiciary, including the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade, as well as lawyers, including Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN).

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015

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LAW & SOCIETY In celebration of a new legal year, various activities are usually lined up by the judiciary for stakeholders in the sector. These activities, apart from the social value, also give a glimpse of what to expect in the coming days. ROBERT EGBE writes.

Fanfare as courts resume I

T’S official. The long vacation is over and the 2015/16 Legal Year is in session. Courts around the country – whether federal or state – are back in business.

In most states, it is customary to kick-off the year with social and religious events, and this year was no exception.

In Lagos, the start of the new session was marked with several activities, including a Legal Year Dinner, organised by the Lagos State Judiciary at the Nigeria Law School, Lagos Campus.

The dinner was the culmination of a four-day event, which began with simultaneous prayer sessions at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina and Lagos Central Mosque, Nnamdi Azikwe, Lagos, a novelty football match between the Bar and the Bench at the Onikan Stadium, and an interactive Bar and Bench Forum at the High Court Foyer, Igbosere, Lagos The religious services were particularly notable because – for the first time in the state’s history – they witnessed the physical attendance of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State at the church and his deputy, Dr. Oluranti Adebule at the mosque. The governor used the opportunity to restate his administration’s commitment to the growth of the judiciary.

“I didn’t know that this is the first time a governor will be attending the service of new legal year in Lagos State,” Governor Ambode said, “I just felt it was dutiful for

me to be here.”

He continued: “This is a new beginning. I just want to reiterate my commitment to partnering with the judiciary, this is because the judiciary remains the most veritable instrument for the attainment of growth and economic development in the state.”

On the social front last Wednesday, the Bench proved its superiority over the Bar, with a select judges and magistrates’ side recording a 6-1 victory over a team of lawyers during a novelty match played at the Onikan Stadium.

At the Bar and Bench Forum, the no-holds-barred discussion between lawyers and judges, led to the disclosure by the Chief Judge (CJ) of Lagos State, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade, of the introduction of the Bail Information Management System (BIMS), to capture the biometrics and full documentation of defendants and their sureties in the state’s judicial system.

Justice Atilade explained that BIMS is designed to address some of the unique challenges bedeviling the criminal justice system and also see to the reduction of abuses by those she termed unscrupulous lawyers and professional sureties.

She said: “The trials of suspects are usually delayed due to their non-production in court by prison authorities who sometimes cannot even identify their specific places of remand.

• From left: Justice Opeyemi Oke, Justice Atilade and Mrs Funke Adekoya (SAN) at the event.

ISAAC JIMOH

“The BIMS will be deployed in the 22 magisterial districts and the Lagos and Ikeja Divisions of the Lagos State High Court.

“The information will be linked to a centralised data base accessible to everybody and give judges and magistrates confidence to grant bail to suspects.

“It will help to address the issue of awaiting trial inmates because suspects can easily be tracked from the system.”

While promising that the judiciary under her watch would see to the improvement of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law in the state, Justice Atilade maintained that the state judiciary would remain a model in Nigeria and indeed Africa.

The CJ said: “The Lagos State judiciary will continue to perform its responsibilities and also provide modern infrastructure that will help in the quick dispensation of justice.

“We must be steadfast and honest while discharging our duties as officers in the Temple of Justice.

We will ensure justice in all cases and at all times.”

Justice Atilade also called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), to cooperate with the state judiciary so as to aid speedy dispensation of justice in the state.

Governor Ambode emphasised the judiciary’s importance to his administration by attending Friday’s Legal Year Dinner dinner, which opened the 2015/16 Legal Year in the state.

It was also another opportunity for the Chief Justice to make one important request of the governor: the return of Judiciary Capital Vote. Justice Atilade was concerned that the Lagos State Judiciary was still financially dependent on the Ministry of Justice and appealed to Governor Ambode to assist in effecting the return of Judiciary Capital Vote as required by Law and in the spirit of separation of powers.

The CJ, however, admitted the governor’s interest in the welfare of the judiciary and restated her confidence in him.

PHOTO:

She said: “To a very large extent, as we demonstrate our implicit confidence in our able governor to right the wrongs of the past, help reposition and propel the State Judiciary to desired heights, we must sincerely express our gratitude to His Excellency for all the support and kind understanding.

“Truly, he has within the short period of his administration demonstrated strong interest and concern in the growth of the Judiciary and in the welfare of judicial officers, magistrates and all personnel the of the Lagos State Judiciary,” she added.

In his response Governor Ambode promised that his administration will continue to improve on the achievements in the judicial sector and ensure that judges, magistrates and the courts in the state work in a conducive atmosphere.

He said: “We will work with the judiciary to move our justice sector to a higher level. The reform process is not a finished business, it is a work in progress.”

Three quarters of Nigerians are lawless, says judge

A

JUDGE of the Lagos State High Court, Justice Gani Safari, has said three quarters of Nigerians deliberately break the law.

Speaking at a one-day symposium titled: The constitution, law enforcement agencies and you, organised by the Human Rights Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ikeja Branch, Justice Safari, who represented the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Funmilayo Atilade, as the guest of honour, noted the difficulty law enforcement officers face in carrying out their duties.

“Three quarters of Nigerians are lawless,” he said, “I have to say it the way it is. Unless he is compelled, the average Nigerian does not want to obey the law.

“This is something we all know, and that is why I personally don’t envy our law enforcement agencies, because they have a job to do to enforce the law, against people who are not willing to obey the law.

“In doing so, they are also enjoined to have respect for the rights of fellows.”

He continued: “Somewhere along the line an officer gets caught up in the line of duty and gets accused of overstepping his bounds, like the instance where a police officer was charged to court for murder for misusing his firearm which led to the death of a citizen.

“There was also a time when a Divisional Police Officer was charged for misuse of his firearm during a riot. If you look at your environ-

By Robert Egbe

ment, we all go out on a daily basis, you’ll realise that the average Nigerian does not comply with simple instructions, until he is made to do so.”

Justice Safari’s views were echoed by B. J. Fasopin, a Deputy Route Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC).

Fasopin, who represented the FRSC’s Corp Marshall, said Nigerians are difficult when it comes to obeying the law.

“I stopped a lawyer for not wearing a seatbelt, and he said he was going to court he had a case and it was his right not to wear a seatbelt.”

The event, which was held under the chairmanship of Justice I. Buba of the Federal High Court, Lagos, also featured speeches by Professor Lanre Fagbohun of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (UNILAG Campus), Mrs. Omotola Rotimi the Director of the Lagos State Office of the Public Defender, Mrs. Gloria Egbuji of the Crime Victims Foundation as well as representatives of the Nigerian Police, the Nigerian Civil Defence Corp, Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) and the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA).

Prof Fagbohun, who identified violations of human rights among all levels of society, urged law enforcement agents to see themselves as guardians of human rights.

Mrs. Rotimi identified the government agencies who are most culpable in the infringement of human rights, based on the statistics available to her agency.

She said: “Of all the enforcement agencies that operate in Lagos State, statistics show that the officers of the Nigerian Police Force take the lead in the infringement of the rights of the citizens. Next in line is the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority.

“The officers of the Kick Against

Indiscipline, and the Federal Road Safety Corp are other major law enforcement agencies that take pride in infringing the rights of the ‘bloody civilians’ in the state.”

The first Vice Chairman of the Ikeja NBA’s Human Rights Committee, Mrs. Gloria Nweze, said the programme was in response to several complaints received by the Committee daily from the public about their unpleasant experiences from Federal and State law enforcement agencies including the Police,

• Justice Safari, Justice Buba and Mrs. Nweze at the symposium.

FRSC, Civil Defence Corps, LASTMA and KAI. Mrs. Nweze said: “We investigated many of these complaints and the Committee came to the conclusion that there is a need to organise a programme of this nature to enlighten both the public and officials of these agencies on their rights and powers under the law.”

A former chairman, the Ikeja NBA, Mr. Dave Ajetunmobi, presented plaques of appreciation to the speakers on behalf of the branch.

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015

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LAW & SOCIETY

‘Why we partnered UN’ C

ITIZEN’S Mediation Centre (CMC) Director, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Odusanya, has explained why the Lagos State government adopted the United Nations World Peace Day. She said one of the Centre’s core mandates is to engender peaceful coexistence among people in the various communities in the state through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) just like the UN, a global peace body, does on an international level.

She said: “The essence of partnering with the United Nations is that before a matter will escalate to the stage of self-help, the Citizen’s Mediation Centre offers mediation as an Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanism.

“Instead of going to court they’ll come here, and it’s for civil not crimi-

By Robert Egbe

nal cases, they’ll come to our office and the matter will be handled by trained mediators, neutral persons.

Both parties will agree to a Memorandum of Understanding and that is it, everyone is happy, unlike going to court where the case may go on for a long time and you know as Africans you don’t go to court and come back to become friends.”

She continued: “But at the CMC we encourage people to shake hands, husbands and wives who have come to dissolve their marriage, they’ll end up going back home happy and all that.

“That’s basically why we’re partnering with the United Nations World Peace Day, to engender peace in our communities just like the UN is doing globally.’’

The announcement of the UN partnership was made during last month’s World Peace Day celebration by Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode.

Mrs. Odusanya said the partnership was here to stay.

The CMC Director said: “Just like what we did on September 21, every World Peace Day we hope to come up with programmes that tell people about our centre and encourage them to embrace alternative dispute resolution. “ADR has helped to greatly reduce the number of cases at the courts. Even the courts nowadays they now send cases to us, they look at the cases and ask the parties, have you tried mediation? If you have not, then go to CMC. It is only when mediation fails that they may be encouraged to go to court.”

• From left: Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Funlola Odunlami; Mrs. Odusanya and Director, United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), Ronald Kayanja, at the Walk for Peace/Legal Clinic organised by the CMC with the UN to commemorate this year’s International Day of Peace.

Justice Abdulkadir Jega: A tribute

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N my career as a journalist, I have had to interface with all manners of newsmakers, particularly in the judiciary, my preferred area of interest. It was in pursuit of this selfinflicted pastime of reporting from the hallowed bowels of the courts, where lawyers slug it out to resolve the mystery of legal cases or at workshops, seminars or other learned conferences where they dig deep into the foundation, practice and interpretation of the Law, that I met Hon. Justice Abdulkadir Abubakar Jega, the immediate past Presiding Justice of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal.

The erudite jurist was one of the numerous victims of the calamitous and unfortunate stampede that claimed many lives during the recently concluded 2015 annual hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

I met Jega, who was dubbed NADECO judge, on account of his no-nonsense posture, during his stint as the Judge at the Federal High Court, Fate Road, Ilorin, beginning from 1993.

A cord of acquaintance was soon struck between Justice Jega and myself as with others like Kayode Abdul wahab of Thisday newspaper, Biodun Awani of the Daily Times and Emma Okere of Radio Nigeria as well as Tunde Oyekola of the Nigerian Tribune.

Let me recall the case of Panat Nigeria Ltd Vs Kwara State Government, its Attorney-General and others. Not a judge given to frivolities, there was this particular sitting when the upright, downright and forthright Judge gave a ruling against the state government and some of its principal agents in very strong words on account of the way the sale of then Kwara State Feedmill (which was bought by Panat Nigeria Ltd) was handled and the case prosecuted.

Of course, this writer reported the proceedings as contemporaneously and as detailed as possible the following morning, a development which led to his being invited by the Kwara State Command of the Ni-

• The late Jega

By Tunde Olofintila

geria Police, for allegedly reporting what was not contained in the record books of the court presided over by Jega.

The former NBA President and Attorney-General of the bigger Ondo State, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, former Osun State AttorneyGeneral, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN and Jimoh Lambo Akanbi, Esq, as he then was (Akanbi has since been invited to the Federal High Court where he has being holding sway in the last decade or so) as well as Tunde Olomu, Esq, then a State Counsel with the Kwara State Ministry of Justice, who participated in this prosecution of this case, would remember this very vividly.

Following this ruling, which the state government considered harsh and unbecoming of a Judicial Officer, it found a way of hitting back at Jega: pronto, his Police Orderly was withdrawn. As early as 7.50 am the following day, the largely unruffled Jega called me (may he never call me again.) and asked

about my whereabouts. I told him I was already in my office, some 10-minute drive to his court.

He immediately “issued a subpoena” for me to come to his court before his 9.00 o’clock customary sitting time which he observed without fail. On getting there, the first thing I noticed was that his Police Orderly was not with him and I asked why to which he quipped: “Your people have withdrawn him, but I can assure you that will not prevent me from sitting.”

Because of the sterling qualities inherent in him, the dandy and sartorial Jurist was soon elevated to the Court of Appeal Bench where he rose rapidly to become the Presiding Justice of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal until his demise in faraway Saudi Arabia recently.

That was the stuff this Kebbi prince was made of. He was a quintessential judge who adorned his Bench with proven integrity, industry, character and learning as well as honour. He approached his job with humility and reverence, and if one may borrow the lingo of the law, he did justice to all who bow before the throne, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will.

Painful as his death is, one is persuaded by the fact that the renowned Jurist and defender of the lowly and the oppressed lived a most fulfilled life fighting for the emancipation of the down-trodden, characteristic of the Jega dynasty, thereby leaving his giant steps on the sand of Judicial times.

His sterling and robust contributions to the Judiciary and the administration of Justice will remain in the psyche of many as they will be written in indelible ink. While wishing the departed Jurist a most-deserved rest, I pray that God will grant the Judiciary, his primary constituency, the people of Kebbi Sate and the entire Jega dynasty the grace and the equanimity to bear the irreparable loss.

• Olofintila writes from Lagos.

LAW AND PUBLIC POWER

with gabriel AMALU email:gabrielamalu1@yahoo.com For comments: 08033054939 (sms only)

Who will rescue the police?

T

HE recent spate of kidnappings across the country has once again exposed the incompetence of the Nigeria Police. Particularly galling is the resort by police to lies, to cover up the enormous institutional challenges, the police face, instead of asking for help. The most recent embarrassment, was the claim by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase, that his men rescued Chief Olu Falae, kidnapped late last month, by marauding Fulani cattle herdsmen, in Ondo State. But, according to Chief Falae, the former secretary to the Federal Government, he was “let go the day after ransom was collected”, and the Chief spent four days with the kidnappers, before his release.

As a face-saving measure, after the freed Chief told the world what happened, the IGP released a statement, saying: “As professionals, it is our conviction that the unprecedented and massive deployment of police resources and men to support search and rescue operations put pressure on the criminals to release the elder statesman.” In essence, what the IGP subsequently admitted is that the police did not actually spring the Chief from his abductors, as he earlier claimed, but that the Chief was released following the pressure on the bandits, by the police.

So, why did the IGP release the earlier false report that his men had following the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB), successfully rescued the eminent Yoruba traditional ruler, from his abductors? Fear? Insecurity? Psychological disorder? Why the false claim?

For this column, while the traumatised victim of the kidnap, deserve our collective sympathy, the greater sympathy goes to the police.

Indeed, this column recommends that the federal government should set up a committee of psychologists, sociologists and related disciplines, to understudy the Nigeria police, and recommend ways to rescue it, from this cover-up syndrome.

As a rule of thumb, the immediate reaction of the police to any unwholesome or inefficient conduct, by any member of their rank and file, is to cover the tracks. That reaction is instinctive, even when the action is manifestly criminal, and abundantly committed in bad faith.

The commonest and most gruesome occurrences are what is commonly referred to as “accidental discharge”. An ‘accidental discharge’, can roughly be described, as a terminology used by the police to justify, either a clandestine or intentional or reckless shooting of a victim, most times at police checkpoints, or at other police action spots, for insignificant or no just cause.

When such a shooting happens, the police authority will most times, without any investigation, even a wish washy one; issue a statement exculpating their own official, and indicting the victim. Nearly at all such times, the police public relations officer, will without any iota of guilt, lie that the shooting occurred in the line of their official, discharging his/her police duties. Where, however, arising from public pressure for justice, the culprit is hauled to account for the so called ‘accidental discharge’, the police will reluctantly change the story, and admit negligence of their official, without any reprimand for those who earlier wholesomely misled the people and the state.

This scenario is not a one-off occurrence, it is rather the standard practice. Perhaps the commonest explanation for such behavioural pattern, could be a sense of insecurity. Job insecurity? We know that until the advent of democracy, the police were treated like scums by the marauding military regimes. This hangover seems to have refused to go away, even with the advent of democracy, since 1999. The result is a police afflicted by low morale. While one can sympathize with the lower ranks, it is worrisome, if the highest ranking police official, feels it is necessary to lay false claims, apparently to keep his job.

The possibility of job-insecurity or any other form of insecurity affecting the integrity of the police officer, should be discouraged by the president and other high officials of state, who are in superior positions of influence to the police. Whatever makes the police feel or act inferior to their stature under the law of the country, should be tamed. In the Falae instance, while the IGP is obligated to obey the directives of the president to mobilize, to free the Chief; he should be encouraged to speak-up, if there are any impediments or challenges or limitations to his capacity to deliver, on the directive.

For instance has the governments at all levels, particularly the federal government, provided the requisite technology to the police, for it to be able to quickly track down marauders, as in the case of Chief Falae? Does the police formations have the latest Global Positioning System (GPS) technology, to track and pin point the location of the telephone signals, with which the criminals were demanding for ransom, for instance? Has the federal government provided the resources to train and equip special police squads that the IGP can swiftly deploy for counter-insurgency, antikidnapping and anti-robbery assignments?

If the Federal Government is remiss, in getting the police ready, to answer to nationwide emergencies; then it will amount to a presidential joke, for this president or any president to order the IGP to solve any criminal offence that embarrasses the federal government, like Chief Falae’s kidnap, within a time frame. Well, unless the IGP at his employment interview, had offered himself up, as a sorcerer, in addition to his other trainings.

In fairness to PMB, his government is not responsible for the massive fraud, represented to Nigeria, recently, as the installation of security gadgets, in major metropolises across the country, to aid effective policing. But to have efficient policing, across Nigeria, the best of men and materials, must be put in place, soonest.

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015

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LAW REPORT

‘Notice of Appeal without address for service is defective’ IN THE COURT OF APPEAL IN THE OWERRI JUDICIAL DIVISION HOLDEN AT OWERRI ON THURSDAY, THE 3RD DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2015 BEFORE THEIR LORDSHIPS JIMI OLUKAYODE BADA, J.C.A. EJEMBI EKO, J.C.A. SAMUEL CHUKWUDUMEBI OSEJI, J.C.A. JAMES SHEHU ABIRIYI, J.C.A. HAMMA AKAWU BARKA, J.C.A. CA/OW/EPT/GOV/01/2015 (2015) LPELR-25645(CA) BETWEEN: RT. HON. EMEKA IHEDIOHA & ANOR ...............................…............... APPELLANT AND OWELLE ROCHAS ANAYO OKOROCHAS & ORS …………......……. RESPONDENT

LEAD JUDGMENT DELIVERED BY EJEMBI EKO, J.C.A.

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T. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha and PDP (Appel lants) as Petitioners, filed their petition challenging the return of Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha (1st Respondent) by the Independence National Electoral Commission (INEC) (2nd Respondent) as the person duly elected as Governor of Imo State. All Progressive Congress (APC) (37th Respondent), sponsored the candidature of Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha (1st Respondent) at the said election contested inter alia by Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha (1st Appellant) on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

At the close of the pleadings, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha and PDP (Petitioners) through their counsel submitted a letter dated 22nd June, 2015 to the secretary of the Tribunal hearing their petition requesting the issuance of pre-hearing notice on all the parties in the petition. There was a Hearing Notice for pre-hearing session, signed by the Tribunal Secretary that was not addressed to anybody in particular.

The Respondents in the petition and this appeal filed their Answers to the Questions contained in the pre-hearing Information. The Petitioners had on 3rd July, 2015 paid N300.00 as filing fee for their letter dated 22nd June, 2015 but received by the Tribunal Secretary on 23rd June, 2015. It was this payment that prompted the 1st and 37th Respondents to bring a motion filed on 6th July, 2015 praying the Tribunal below for inter alia an Order dismissing the petition as having been abandoned.

Upon hearing the application, the Tribunal partly granted same by dismissing the petition on the ground that the Petitioners had abandoned their petition for not filing, within time, the application, under paragraph 18(1) of the First Schedule to the Electoral Act, 2010, as amended, for the petition to be set down for pre-hearing session.

On the issue of abuse of the process of Court, the Tribunal below dismissed same, holding that there was no abuse of the Court’s process.

Against this decision, the petitioners as the appellants lodged an appeal to the Court of Appeal. The 1st and 37th Respondents also filed a notice of cross-appeal. In their brief of argument, the 1st and 37th respondents raised, as preliminary objection, to the notice of appeal.

It was submitted for the 1st and 37th respondents that the failure of the appellants to put the named 3rd-36th respondents on notice and serve the appeal processes on them robs the court of the jurisdiction to entertain the suit. For the appellants it was submitted that since the names of the 3rd-36th respondents are clearly reflected on the face of the notice of appeal as respondents to the appeal there has been sufficient compliance with Order 6 Rule 2(1) of the Court of Appeal Rules, 2011.

It was held that Order 2 Rule 3 of the Court of Appeal Rules, 2011 is very clear and unambiguous. It provides that where under the Rules, any notice or other process is required to have an address for service endorsed on it; it shall not be deemed to have been properly filed unless such address has been endorsed on it. It was also stated that there is no ambiguity about the purport of Order 6 Rule 9 which is that “where in any proceeding in the Court below a party has given an address for service; Notice of Appeal from any decision made under such proceeding may be served on such party at such address for

address.” That in the instant case, not all of the 3rd-36th respondents gave their addresses for service at the trial Tribunal. Only six (6) of them did in their replies to the Petition thus service could not be effected on others. It was stated that it can be held that Order 6 Rule 9 of the Court of Appeal Rules, 2011 has watered down the effect or consequence of Order 2 Rule 3 as regards the six respondents who gave their address for service. However, same cannot be said of the other Respondents. It was stated that the purport, of Order 2 Rule 3 is audi alteram partem and the fair hearing provisions of Section 36 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended therefore, it is not a privilege, but a right of the respondent, that he must be given an opportunity to be heard on the appeal. He is therefore accordingly entitled to be served the Notice of appeal.

The Court held that from the reading of order 6 Rule 2(1) together with Order 2 Rules 3 it is clear beyond doubt that the notice of appeal which does not have endorsed on it the address for service of the notice of appeal on the each of the 3rd-36th respondents is fundamentally defective. That it was stated that in a long line of cases from NGELIZANA v. HINDI (1965) NNLR 12, ENEBI v. YACHIM (1965) NNLR 26 to KALIEL v. ALIERO (1999) 4 NWLR (Pt. 597); (1999) LPELR-6591(CA) that the provisions of the Rules requiring a plaintiff, petitioner or appellant to provide address for service of an originating process or any other process on the defendant or respondent have always been construed to be mandatory and the effect of noncompliance therewith is that the process “shall not be deemed not to have been filed” and therefore liable to be struck out as an incompetent process. See also MARIAM OBIMONURE v. OJUMOOLA ERINOSHO & ANOR. (1996) 1 All NLR 250; SCOTTEMUAKPOR v. UKAVBE (1975) 12 SC 31; (1975) LPELR-3024(SC) ODITA v.

OKWUDINMA (1969) 1 All NLR 228 A 31232, SKEN CONSULT LTD v. UKEY (1981) 1 SC 6.

It was held that in the instant case the notice of appeal does not have endorsed thereon address for service of each of the 3rd - 36th respondents. That the filing of the notice of appeal in flagrant disobedience of Order 2 Rule 3 and Order 6 Rule 2(1) and same was struck out.

It was stated that ordinarily, the striking out of the appeal should have been the convenient point to end this decision. However, the Appeal Court is not the final court, but an intermediate court in this matter. In the circumstance it became pertinent to consider the merits of the appeal.

The core issues in the Appellants’ Brief, in the Court’s view are: 1. Whether the letter to the Tribunal Secretary dated 22nd June, 2015 which was received by the said Secretary on the 23rd June, 2015 and on which said letter the Tribunal Secretary acted to promptly on 23rd June, 2015.

Issued Hearing Notice for the Pre-Hearing Session was not sufficient under paragraph 18(1) of the First Schedule to the Electoral Act, 2010, as amended?

2. Whether the 1st & 37th Respondents, having taken steps in the Pre-Hearing Session by filing Answers to the Questions contained

in the Pre-Hearing Information Sheet, are not stopped, by operation of paragraph 53 (2) of the said First Schedule of the Electoral Act, 2010, as amended, from raising the objection resulting in the dismissal of the petition.

Appellant’s counsel relying on ABUBAKAR v. NASAMU (No. 2) (2012) 17 NWLR (Pt. 1330) 523 and MGBA v. P.D.P. (2013) 523 and UGBA v. PDP (2013) All FWLR (Pt. 686) 540 at 548 submitted that Paragraphs 18(1) of the First Schedule to the Electoral Act, 2010, as amended, was sufficiently complied with once the Petitioner issues a letter to the Tribunal Secretary urging the latter to issue Hearing Notice for Pre-Hearing Session.

Counsel further submitted that between the Petitioner and the Tribunal the preliminary steps taken by the Petitioner to nudge the Secretary to issue Hearing Notice for the commencement of the Pre-Hearing Session are purely administrative.

On the other hand, the 1st and 37th respondents vehemently posit that such steps, as the application of the Petitioner to the Tribunal Secretary to kick start the Hearing Notice for the Pre-Hearing Session, are not administrative but purely judicial and the petitioner must pay the filing fee for the process by which he applies to the Tribunal Secretary to issue Hearing Notice for the Pre-Hearing Session.

The Court held that there is nothing in Paragraph 18(1) of the First Schedule vesting any adjudicative or quasi-judicial powers on the Tribunal Secretary when he is presented an application by the Petitioner for the Issuance of Hearing Notice for Pre-Hearing Session.

The function is purely administrative. That the duty imposed by Paragraph 18 (1) of the First Schedule on the Secretary, when nudged by the Petitioner to issue Hearing Notice at the close of the pleadings for Pre-Hearing Session, is merely to issue the notices.

That Paragraph 18(1) of the First Schedule provides no special mode by which a petitioner “shall apply for the issuance of Pre-Hearing Notice as in Form TF 008” to the Secretary of the Tribunal. In absence of any special mode in Paragraphs 18(1) of the First Schedule to the Electoral Act, 2010 as amended, the Petitioner’s letter to the Tribunal Secretary to issue Pre-Hearing Notice will suffice. Relying on ABUBAKAR v. NASAMU (supra) the Court resolved in favour of the appellants that they complied with Paragraph 18(1) of the 1st schedule to the Electoral Act, 2010, as amended.

The appellants’ counsel, relying on the Supreme Court decision in SA’EED v. YAKOWA (Supra) and Paragraph 53(2) of the said 1st Schedule submits that even if there was noncompliance by the Petitioners/Appellants with Paragraph 18(1) of the 1st Schedule the 1st and 37th Respondents could not be heard to ask for dismissal of the petition since they had waived their right to do so by their participatory activities, and that if they did ask the Tribunal below was enjoined to refuse the application by the operation of Paragraph 53(2) of the 1st Schedule.

In response, it is submitted for the 1st & 37th Respondents that the 1st & 37th Respondents only became aware of the fact that the Petitioners\Appellants did not pay for the filing of their application to the Tribunal Secretary to issue Hearing Notice for the Pre-hearing session until 5th July, 2015.

It was held that the Records show that the Tribunal Secretary issued Hearing Notice for the Pre-Hearing Session on 23rd June, 2015.

The filing fee was paid for this process. That the 1st & 37th Respondents took fresh steps to file, on 26th June, 2015, their answers to the Questions contained in the Pre-Hearing Information Sheet. That by their active participatory activities the 1st & 37th Respondents cannot say that they suffered any prejudice or embarrassment. That the purpose of Pre-Hearing Notice has thus being achieved. See SA’EED v. YAKOWA (supra) at page 1686, IPINLAIYE II v. OLUKOTUN (1996) 6 SCNJ 74 at 88; (1996) LPELR-1532(SC) (1996) 6 NWLR (Pt 453) 143; AKHIWU v. PRINCIPAL LOTTERIES OFFICER MIDWEST (1972) 1 All NLR (Pt. 1) 229 at 238; (1972) LPELR-333(SC) OKWECHIME v. PHILIP IGBINADOLOR (1964) NMLR 132.

It was held that reading paragraphs 18(1) and 53(2) of the 1st Schedule of the Electoral Act, 2010 together makes it clear that failure to formally apply for notice of Pre-hearing session to issue is merely procedural. And being procedural the party who has the right to timeously question its non-compliance can waive strict compliance therewith. See ADAMS v.

UMAR (2009) 5 NWLR (Pt. 1133) 41. The issue was accordingly, resolved in favour of the appellants.

•President Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa It was concluded that the decision on the merits in the appeal would have been one setting aside, in its entirety, the decision appealed, if not for the earlier striking out of the appeal for being incompetent.

The cross-appeal The issue in the cross-appeal is: “Whether the trial Tribunal ought to have pronounced a decision, one way or the order, on the Cross-Appellants’ prayer contending that the Petition was an abuse of court process and in consequence hold that the petition was liable or not liable for dismissal in their Ruling delivered on 22nd July, 2015.”

The Court stated that it is trite that a competent ground of appeal must arise from the judgment being challenged. In SARAKI v.

KOTOYE (1992) 11-12 SCNJ 26; (1992) NWLR (Pt. 264) 156; (1992) LPELR-3016(SC) EJOWHOMY v. EDOH-ETER LTD (1986) 5 NWLR (Pt. 39) 1; AQUA LTD v. ONDO STATE SPORTS COUNCIL (1988) 4 NWLR (Pt. 91) 622; (1988) LPELR-527(SC).

From the above principles it was found, that the complaint that the trial Tribunal omitted to consider and decide the issue of abuse of court process is most frivolous and vexatious.

That the Tribunal did extensively consider the issue of abuse of court process, and came to the conclusion that the issue of abuse of court process raised by the 1st& 37th Respondents was clearly unfounded. The issue was dismissed, and there is no appeal against that decision. That the effect of a decision of court not appealed against is that the said decision is deemed accepted and remains forever binding on the parties. See AKERE v. GOVERNOR, OYO STATE (2012) 50.2 NSCQR 345 at 394; (2012) LPELR-7806(SC) See ALAKIJA v. ABDULAI (1998) 8 NWLR (Pt. 552) 1 at 16-17; (1998) LPELR-404(SC) IKEM v.

EZIANYA (2002) 4 NWLR (Pt. 757) 245 at 261; SPLINTERS (NIG) LTD v. OASIS FINANCE LTD (2013) 18 NWLR (Pt. 1385) 188 at 213; (2013) LPELR-20691(CA).

Consequently, therefore, the cross-appeal, premised on the incompetent sole ground of appeal from which a sole issue for determination has been formulated being incompetent was struck out.

On the whole both the Appeal and the CrossAppeal were dismissed.

Edited by LawPavilion LawPavilion Citation: (2015) LPELR25645(CA)

LEGAL DIARY

Muslim lawyers hold conference

T

HE Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria (MULAN) Annual General Conference will hold from October 15

to 17.

It has the theme: Integrity in governance: Islamic perspective.

The event will hold at the Sultan Macido Quranic Institute, Sokoto State.

At the event, a book will be launched in honour of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Saad Abubakar.

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analysis suggests strongly, that if this scenario plays out, and nothing shows ‘itThis won’t, the winners would be Obong Umana Okon Umana and Akwa Ibom State APC. Deacon Udom Emmanuel and the PDP would be the obvious losers ’ POLITICS

A’Ibom ministerial appointment: Winners and losers

T

HIS analysis is proceeding from a number of assumptions. The first assumption is to take as correct the speculation that Senator Udoma Udoudoma is the ministerial nominee for Akwa Ibom State, even though the names on the list sent to the Senate by the President is still a secret (howbeit an open one). The second assumption is that distinguished Senator Udoma Udoudoma will eventually be confirmed as the minister of the Federal Republic from Akwa Ibom State.

Public reactions Before we go further in our look at the ministerial nomination, let’s spare a moment for the public reactions to the development, especially in Akwa Ibom, though many of my friends outside the state have also expressed their opinions on the matter. From online postings and interactions with people in the state, the reactions to the nomination of Senator Udoudoma on the average is that the nomination has come as an unpleasant surprise, and even a downright shock to many, particularly to some APC faithful in the state.

Their negative reactions to the nomination, they say, are for the fact that the nominee, Senator Udoudoma, is a member of the PDP, and such a ranking member who represented the party at the Senate twice. They also argue that the nomination overlooks APC members who fought in the trenches and took the bullet for the party during the campaigns for power. The third reason they have cited is at a personal level. Many of them have said that the ministerial nominee is too elitist for the common people, a king with no common touch; that given his runaway privileged background (his father, the late Justice Udoudoma was a justice of the Su-

By Idongesit Okpon

preme Court of Nigeria, the Chief Justice of Uganda and the Chairman of the Constituent Assembly that drafted the 1979 Constitution for Nigeria), the nominee surely suffers the social affliction of a disconnect from the reality within his environment and is therefore predisposed against feeling what the people feel and sharing in their aspirations. There is also the contention that there is no guarantee that the distinguished Senator will be loyal to the cause of the party that has given him the privilege to be a minister of the Federal Republic.

It should be noted too that the leadership of the APC in Akwa Ibom State, embodied in the governorship candidate of the party, Mr Umana Okon Umana, has expressed its backing for the nomination and announced its support for the President to choose whoever he wants as a member of his cabinet.

The contrarian argument therefore appears not to be front and centre of concern in the party.

The contentions and arguments of concern just outlined may all be well founded. But they overlook the dynamics of politics and public office. A friend I sounded out on the issue when the speculation first hit the cyberspace cautioned me to the fact that politics is about group interest, with the corollary that group membership cannot be extended to an outsider before a buy-in to the creed of the group has been negotiated and sealed. He told me that Senator Udoudoma’s conversion to the APC creed must have been sealed before he was offered the ministerial slot.

Here we get to the fourth assumption in this essay. If Senator Udoudoma has moved into APC, body, soul and spirit, it means that the APC has yet another heavy

•Buhari

weight from Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District (aka, Eket Senatorial District) among its ranks. This is the heart of the matter, given the fact that politics in the state at the moment is in an unusual state of flux—at all time, though, politics is in a dynamic mode, but there is an added kinetics at the moment because of the ongoing election process which made the state to wait with bated breath for the impending outcome of the governorship election petition hearing.

Enter the fifth assumption. Let’s assume for another moment that the tribunal ruling goes against Governor Udom Emmanuel and the PDP. The simple reality there from is that Deacon Udom Emmanuel thereby becomes an ordinary politician from Eket Senatorial District (ESD), shorn of all the trappings of public office. The most senior politician in public office from the district therefore would be Senator Udoudoma, representing the state as a cabinet minister in an APC government, bound to work for the interest of the APC in the state, show-

ing direction politically and being deferred to as the political leader of ESD. That interest would include the ensuing governorship election that would be the natural next step from the formal cancellation of the would-be governorship election of 11 April 2015. It would therefore mean that an APC minister of ESD extraction would be leading the charge for Obong Umana Okon Umana and his political party, the APC, in the battle for the Hilltop Mansion.

At another level of scrutiny, the departure of Senator Udoudoma from the PDP to the APC represents a further depletion of the ranks of the former ruling party in Akwa Ibom State. In a counter to the claim that Udoudoma represents a loss to the PDP in the state, critics have said that Senator Udoudoma was a lukewarm party member while he retained his PDP membership card, after his days at the Senate, and therefore did not amount to a net asset for his former party. There is some truth in this fact.

The senator adopted a sidon look attitude (debt to the classless Bola Ige fully acknowledged here), just like many of his erstwhile party members, in response to the season of anomy that engulfed the party in the lamentable Jonathan era. Nothing suggests that he was always a lacklustre party member.

He couldn’t have been and won elections twice in the district. With the right motivation, which should come with the ministerial appointment, Senator Udoudom should regain his usual dynamism. Other things being equal, that dynamism would be parleyed into the momentum behind the APC in the state.

Losers and winners We have come full circle now, so let’s make the call: who wins and

who loses between PDP and APC in the appointment of Senator Udoma Udoudoma as minister under the APC government headed

by President Muhammadu Buhari?

This analysis suggests strongly, that if this scenario plays out, and nothing shows it won’t, the winners would be Obong Umana Okon Umana and Akwa Ibom State APC. Deacon Udom Emmanuel and the PDP would be the obvious losers.

The flipside would be a sport of nature, in which the minister would work in an APC government for the interest of the PDP. Did we have similar outcomes in the past? Yes, probably. The Bola Ige case comes close—AD and PDP—but not exactly. Bola Ige wasn’t a fifth columnist in the PDP government, but he never converted to the PDP creed. He had told President Olusegun Obasanjo he would not convert and when it was election time he resigned and returned to his party.

The Udoudoma case is different.

While political sentiments in the Southwest at the time of the Bola Ige case were decidedly in favour of AD, the case in Akwa Ibom is different. The political sentiments in Akwa Ibom are decidedly for APC. So if Senator Udoudom were to serve the interest of the PDP from his privileged position in the APC government, he would be going against the political currents in his state. And he would have the highly vocal and sensitive public opinion at home to contend with.

What comes out of the possibilities of the ministerial appointment is that what informs political decisions sometimes goes beyond the consideration of the work and reward logic. Larger strategic permutations often lie at the roots of some political calls.

•Comrade Okpon writes from Afia Nsit, in Nsit Ibom, Akwa Ibom State

‘Power rotation sacrosanct in Kogi’

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he All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu has reiterated his commitment to power rotation in the state in 2019.

He made a case for power shift at the zonal rally of the party in Kabba, the Kogi West Senatorial District headquarters.

Audu said power shift will give other districts a sense of belonging.

He said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by former President Goodluck Jonathan, Captain Idris Wada and Alhaji Ibrahim Idris lacked the goodwill and credibility to ensure power shift.

He said Kogi State is safer under the APC government.

Audu also said that President Muhammadu Buhari will fulfill his campaign promises to the Northcentral state.

Audu, who was in high spirit, said

• Audu

that Igalas, Okuns and Ebira have lived peacefully together in the old Kabba Province for 75years without rancor.

He added:“What they did for us in both Kwara and Benue was not good enough. We were not giving a chance. That was why we agitated for the creation of Kogi State and today, what we said was not good enough when we were under Kwara and Benue should not be repeated in the state.

“I want to assure you that I will talk to my people and they will agree. iIf Wada, Ibro and former President Jonathan talk to them, they will not listen. But, if President Buhari talks to them, they will listen.”

Audu said that the welfare of the elder statesmen who have served the state meritoriously will be given a priority, noting that the era of the pensioners dying of hunger is over.

The flag bearer promised that the arrears of pensioners will be cleared in the first 100 days in office.

He also said that his administration will not be paying salaries in fractions as the current administration is doing in the state.

Audu said he would partner with the Federal Government to develop the state for the benefit of all.

He promised to industrialise the state by facilitating domestic and foreign investments.

He urged the people of the Central and West districts of the state to have faith in the APC, assuring that their aspirations for power rotation will be fulfilled in 2019.

•From left: Speaker Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudasiru Ajayi Obasa, Mr. Liu Kan, Consul General People's Republic of China, Lagos, Deputy Speaker Lagos State House of Assembly Wasiu Eshilokun Sanni and a dignitary on the occasion of the 66th Anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China at the Chinese Consulate, Victoria Island Lagos.

‘Don’t negotiate with Boko Haram’

A

CLERIC has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to to nip the Boko Haram insurgency in the bud. He also advised him not to negotiate with the insurgents.

The Bishop of Church of God Mission (CGM), Bishop Egwowa Matthew, spoke on the state of the nation in Lagos.

He said the insurgents have been pushed to a tight corner and negotiations would enable them to buy time, reinforce and put up a hard fight in many areas.

Egwowa, who recounted his encounter with terrorists in Jos, the

By Joseph Eshanokpe

Plateau State capital, some years ago, said the problem did not start today. ‘’It started many years ago. It was not caused by hunger as many claim.

However, the president should tackle it with a human face,’’ he added.

The cleric dispelled the views in some quarters that the economy was not growing: “I don’t believe that Nigeria is not working. We are metamorphosing into a great nation. But we require patience. Nigeria is 55. A child of 55 years is an adult. Every year, Nigeria is improving. I find out people remem-

ber more evil than good.’’

Egwowa listed areas of growth as the mobile telecoms sector and peace in many parts of the country.

He said before now, only the rich had phones. But under Obasanjo administration, cell phones were liberalised, such that a majority of Nigerians now have mobile phones.

Egwowa, a former bishop of Cross River State, recalled that some foreign countries predicted the collapse of Nigeria. ‘’But, miraculously, instead of a crisis-filled environment, we have a peaceful country. Let’s see reason to thank God,’’ he said.

THE NATION TUESDAY OCTOBER 6, 2015

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One of the problems that we have with the constitution is that it ‘doesn’t make provisions for all litigations to be finished before the

’

swearing in of officers. That would have done a lot of good to the system

POLITICS

‘Buhari has demonstrated capacity for good governance’ Hon. Donatus Nwamkpa is the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) inAbia State. In this interview with reporters in Aba, he speaks on President Muhammadu Buhari’s 100 days in office and Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s performance so far. SUNNY NWANKWO was there.

W

HAT is your assessment of President Buhari’s administration so far?

One thing President Buhari has succeeded in doing is to restore the confidence of the people in governance.

His administration has demonstrated that it has the capacity to respond to their needs.

Secondly, the world is now a global village. So, there is the need to integrate Nigeria into the mainstream of international politics, by bringing it closer to advanced and responsible nations of the world. If you watched the reception accorded to Mr. President in the United States, France and so many other countries, you will see that Nigeria is now well received among those countries.

The President has shown commitment to the rule of law. If you notice what is going on at various tribunal, there has not been any interference on what they are doing. Take Imo State for example; a lot of cases involving the APC have been going on. Look at Abia, the tribunal is doing work independently. There has not been any directive from anywhere, regarding any of the cases.

This shows that this government is disciplined.

With regards to the anti-corruption war, we are proud to say that what other leaders could not do in many years, Mr. President has done it in just 100 days; petrol now sells at N87 and it is available in every filling station.

Look at how he is tackling insurgency. Today, Boko haram is seeking for dialogue and it is no longer the other way because the President has shown that he has the political will to tackle the menace.

Do you subscribe to the view that Buhari’s anti-corruption war has been selective?

What does being selective mean?

The key thing here is that the anti-

•Nwamkpa

‘

One thing President Buhari has succeeded in doing is to restore the confidence of the people in governance. His administration has demonstrated that it has the capacity to respond to their needs

’

corruption war is not done without documentation. It is not a frivolous thing or a fairy tale. It is based on documents put forward by people.

The Presidency is not against anybody; if you have any fact even against Mr. President or anyone, which can prove beyond every reasonable doubt that a corrupt practice has taken place, bring it forward. Af-

ter all, the Senate President who is today standing for allegedly committing an offence is he not of APC? Has Mr. President said no to it because he is of the APC? He has simply allowed the law to take its course.

What is your assessment of the administration’s fight against insurgency?

Mr. President has not been timid about his fight against insurgency; he has shown determination. Insurgency is a threat to national unity. It has taken innocent lives; it has undermined the economy, the integrity and the corporate existence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The President has demonstrated, through the resolute manner he is tackling the insurgency, that he is thorough-bred professional in that field.

What do you think of Governor Ikpeazu’s 100 days in office?

One of the problems that we have with the constitution is that it doesn’t make provisions for all litigations to be finished before the swearing in of officers. That would have done a lot of good to the system. When a governor is still facing the tribunal, there is serious distraction; whether we like it or not, we must say the truth. At the federal level, Mr. President have been open to let the Nigerian public know that some people stole money and that there is no money to work with and he is doing some things to compel some people to refund what they have stolen. But, in Abia State, given the history of where the governor is coming from, it is not surprising that he has not been courageous enough to tell us this is what my predecessor left in the office for me. This predecessor that was still appointing people even the night to his leaving office as the governor of the state, he has left a lot of liabilities that cannot be remedied in 100 days and this is continuity. Continuity of conservatism; continuity of

rigmarole and that is why the present governor of Abia, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has not defined his identity. Whether you like it or not, you can’t say this is the identity of the governor. He is still living in the past because most of his cabinet members were already there before he came in as governor; that is, most of them were imposed on him.

Until Mr. Governor appoints his own commissioners and his men in all areas, the state cannot move forward.

Look at the road construction work going on, if you watch carefully you see that are some element of zeal. But does that zeal transform to intellectualism and approach? The zeal is making him take too many roles and you know when a soldier is engaged on so many fronts at a time, invariably, there is going to be crisis. The zeal he has might not be commensurate with the resources he has at his disposal.

So, in that case, what we are praying for is for people to give him a little time, and then we can definitely access him. But, for now, the governor has not separated himself from the past. He has not defined his identity.

He has not shown us whether he is going to be different from the past.

What do you make out of Osita Okechukwu’s comment that Governor Rochas Okorocha did not really campaign for Buhari?

Osita Okechukwu is not the spokesman of the APC in the Southeast. He is one of those that we will continue to look at as people who are not in line with the realities of the moment.

The realities of the moment are that any southeasterner in APC who says that Okorocha didn’t contribute to the success of the APC is only being mischievous, irresponsible and economical with the truth. When Okorocha started this battle that we should embrace the APC, a lot of people saw him as a saboteur. They saw him as not only as a pariah, but also

as a deviant and today, they are busy complaining. After failing to clinch the presidential ticket, Okorocha started his governorship campaign and was at the same time sponsoring rallies within the Southeast for Buhari. The truth is that some people are just using the APC to gain cheap popularity. Today, everyone wants to join the APC; everybody wants to identify with the party. But, at the outset, it was only Okorocha, ??????

Nyerere, Osita Izunaso, Senator Chris Ngige, Hon. Donatus Nwakpa, Prince Paul Ikonne, George Moghalu, Emma Enukwu, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Ikechi Emenike, Acho Obioma, Stanley Ohajuruka and a few others that were in the APC. Media reports have it that Kalu Idika Kau was a member of the party before primaries. How can somebody of that stature join the party without people knowing about it? I strongly believe that the chairman was misquoted. Kalu Idika kalu cannot join the party from behind. It means that we are trying to undermine him or even question his integrity as a person and if we believe such a thing happened. We will set up a committee to investigate how he became a member from the backdoor. Nkechi Nwaogu followed due process and today she is a member of the party; she entered from the ward to the local government and it was done openly. Then look at the status of Kalu Idika Kalu. So, what I am trying to say is that I still believe that Osita Okechukwu didn’t say what was attributed to him. But, if he did say that Okorocha didn’t contribute to Mr. President’s victory in the just concluded election, I would say that perhaps he was not a member of the APC then, because anybody who was a member of the party at that time cannot say such about Owelle Rochas Okorocha.

Hon. Toba Oke is a chieftain of the Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC). In this interview with MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE, he speaks on moves by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to resist the anti-graft crusade and other issues.

‘PDP should face reality of being in opposition’

W

HAT is your assessment of President Muhammadu Buhari so far?

The APC’s defence to the appointment made so far by the Federal Government is valid. It is valid in the sense that if you are taking a vehicle to the mechanic for repair, you don’t begin to dictate to the mechanic how he is going to repair the vehicle. The vehicle would have to be examined and diagnosed by the mechanic himself. People are accusing President Muhammadu Buhari of appointing northerners, but don’t forget that the people appointed so far are supposed to be members of his kitchen cabinet. He can only pick people that he trust. I don’t know why people made so much noise about it. When he appointed Ibe Kachikwu to head the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) there was no noise about it. How many people commended the President for it?

Now, he took Mr. Tunde Fowler, who was like the engine room of the revenue generation in Lagos and elevated him to the federal level. He was elevated simply because Buhari was convinced that Fowler will work toward rejuve-

nating the country’s revenue portfolio. If you look at all the institutions that generate revenue for the country, they are corrupt.

We should give it to Buhari; he has been there 30 years ago. He is there again, mature, grown in age and you don’t rubbish his experience. Whatever the reorganisation or house cleaning anybody wants to undertake in the Nigerian Custom Service (NCS), for instance, it has to be done thoroughly. Who among the pack in the Custom that can do the job? Check from top to bottom, the department lacks persons that could be trusted.

Therefore, it is important to get somebody who is well committed to do a better job. He needs a person that believes in the gospel of ensuring corruption free Nigeria, the gospel of corruption free federal institutions and he went for Col. Hamid Ali. Honestly, that is the safest thing for him to do. Col. Ali distinguished himself as a military administrator, who believes in the democratic process. When Gen. Ibrahim Babangida and Gen. Sani Abacha were busy truncating the democratic process, the man looked Babangida in the eyes and quit the service.

My take on this is that Buhari has

proved vigorously that the change mantra must be affected. Leaders of the party are committed to the change.

They are committed and sincere about it. They have the man who is not only straight forward, principled, but upright in the campaign against graft to emulate. So, I don’t see anything wrong in all the appointments made so far. If people must complain, they should wait until all the appointments have been made.

The opposition has accused the President of being selective in the war against graft…

What do you expect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)? You expect them to clap for Buhari for chasing them all over the place, to recover their loots? They won’t clap for him and of course they will be looking for excuses. They will also look for ways of scuttling the battle against corruption. They left an economy that is totally grounded to the President. What are they shouting about? They should not complain; they should rather face the reality. States and Federal Government could not pay salaries because of their misrule. These facts would not have been known, if former President Goodluck Jonathan had

not left. When the media gave a breakdown of the money allocated to the state to pay salaries, it was so appalling and mind-boggling. One could only imagine what would have happened if the last administration was not swept out. The country could have totally collapsed. So, what are they talking about? Most of the states that were not able to pay salaries are or were PDP states.

The rot in the country needs total cleansing, it was even reported that the NNPC has so many illegal accounts. I don’t see anything unusual about the probe. If you are accused of being corrupt and you are given the opportunity to explain yourself, please for God’s sake clear yourself.

Any minister that is accused of stealing money should come out boldly to clear himself.

How would you rate Buhari’s administration after 100 days at the helms of affairs?

When we were campaigning, the leadership of the party, particularly the architect of the merger that led to the formation of the APC, supported any other candidate to emerge as our presidential candidate. But, they know that the kind of change the country wanted could only be brought about by the

•Oke

Buhari personality. Even if he is not doing anything, just put him there, thing will work. People who know his pedigree don’t need to be advised before they begin to think and do right things. Fine, the aggressiveness of his military life has been tempered by age and maturity. That is the beauty of what is happening in Nigeria now. This is somebody who went in as military head of state, introduced War Against Indiscipline (WAI) and the monthly environmental sanitation. People know who the President is and everybody is falling in line with expectation. But, the PDP has been talking rubbish, when they were there, they were busy siphoning money. They were helping themselves with public funds as much as they could.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015

e-Business

•Regional Sales Manager, West Africa, Eaton Electrical Sector, Charles Iyo (left) and Data Centre Segment Leader, Deon Ferreira during the one-day data centre capacity building programme organised for ICT journalists at Protea Hotel, Maryland, Lagos.

PHOTO: LUCAS AJANAKU

COSON to NCC: stop theft of our intellectual property S

TAKEHOLDERS in the music industry have urged the regulator of the telecoms industry, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to end the rift of intellectual property theft going on in the digital space.

Specifically, they want the regulator to ensure that the telcos do the needful before their music become accessible to their customers through the network so that it will be a winwin situation for all.

According to the Chairman, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) Chief Tony Okoroji, who spoke in Lagos during the Nigerian Digital Music Summit, organised by COSON in collaboration with The World Bank, Growth and Employment Projects (GEM), UKAid and Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment said, there is need to deliberate on the rules of engagement of the music industry in the digital environment in an effort to ensure that practitioners who are involved in the value chain get a fair deal to ensure sustainable growth of the music industry.

Speaking on Establishing the Basic Rules of Engagement in the Digital Environment,

By Olatunde Odebiyi

Okoroji noted that the music industry has become remarkable with the evolution of digital revolution, saying rather than buying physical products such vinyl, music cassettes, CDs or DVDs, most consumers store music on their cell phones, iPads, iPods, Mp3s, Mp4s, memory chips, memory sticks and other similar digital devices.

He noted that while some of these means of getting music are paid for, a lot of it is free.

"The method of distributing music is changing rapidly with the telephone companies and internet aggregators who are providing the means through which music moves from the producers to the consumers.

"In Nigeria, all the cell phone companies have set up digital music distribution platforms including MTN, Airtel, Globacom, Etisalat and even several internet platforms have been set up to distribute entertainment products. New organisations such as Spinlet and Iroking are becoming important players in entertainment product distribution.

Phone manufacturing companies are loading their new

handsets with a large amount of music. All of these have rules which must be followed," he said.

Okoroji called on telcos and other digital platforms to be more circumspect in their promotional activities of the music industry, in order not to devalue or adversely affect the sustainable growth of the Nigerian music industry.

He said the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) would take cognizance of the emerging platforms and the challenges of music exploitation in the digital environment, adding that the commission will also provide a clear, simple and functional licensing regime on these platforms and would speed up ongoing reform process to address the protection, administration and enforcement of rights in the digital environment.

He said the increasing menace of illegal offline downloads which leads to infringement of copyright in music would also be addressed.

NCC Director-General, Mr. Afam Ezekude, said it is important for users of creative contents including the telcos to leverage on the facilities of copyright system to ensure the sustenance of

seamless availability of creative content and enhance their value added services. He said the use of creative content should be on the basis of license legitimately issued by those who own rights to the creative content.

Mr Ezekude noted that most operators appear not to be engaging the right platforms to secure appropriate license for creative contents deployed on some networks, saying they continually witness some avoidable copyright disputes, which do not only impact negatively on the image of the service providers, but also distract authors from pursuing their creative endeavours.

Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Peter Jack said much is still needed to be done to sustain the digital revolution in the music industry since the world is now driven by IT. He said IT is an enabler in all sectors, saying recent reports from National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) indicate that IT contribution to Nigeria's gross domestic product (GDP) rose from 5.7 per cent in 2011 to 12.6 per cent this year, growing at an annual rate of 6.4 per cent.

He said the statistics implies

Smartphone users disagree over accessories' use

S

MARTPHONE users have disagreed over the necessity of the use of mobile phone accessories.

While some say it amounted to frivolity and waste of funds, others say the advantages are too obvious to be ignored.

Mr. Ugochukwu Nwanchukwu says he uses the Samsung S5300 smartphone, adding that the only accessory he uses is its ear piece.

He said: "My phone is very small and it enters my breast pocket perfectly. The only accessory I use on my phone is my earpiece. This is because I use it to listen to the radio. I don't use bluetooth that is why I don't have a bluetooth. I don't have a phone casing because it makes my phone to look bigger. I don't have a screen

From Tolu Lawani

guard because the phone is portable and would hardly fall off my hands. The earpiece is the only accessory that is useful to me.

One of the most delicate parts of the smartphones is its screen. The screen which now doubles as the keyboard for most smartphones needs to be protected. A Sales Representative at Slot, Surulere, Vivian said the screen protector is a necessity for smartphone users.

She said: "Whenever a customer buys a phone, I always advise him to buy a screen protector which has tempered glass. The tempered glass is dust prove, scratch prove, as well as anti-break.

If you have a tempered glass on your expensive smartphone and it falls off,

the tempered glass will serve as an external screen which would break instead of your smartphone screen".

Adebisi Ajayi who uses a Samsung Galaxy S5 describes her tempered glass as her "phone saver". She said: "When my little cousin threw my phone down the staircase, the tempered glass protected my phone's screen. Instead of spending precious time and money looking for the screen that would suit my Samsung Galaxy, I only had to go for a new tempered glass."

Mrs Esther Kokumo said she uses accessories to preserve the beauty of her devices and prevent them from going bad. She said: "Smartphones are devices that you take everywhere you go. Sometimes you keep them in your pocket with the

car keys, place them on the dining table or on the dashboard of the car Overtime, it starts to lose its sleek colour and may take up a dull and unattractive look. But with accessories, you can make your smartphone look almost as new as when you just bought it."

Vivian agrees no less. She said accessories give mobile phones an added aesthetic value.

"A lot people buy accessories because they don't want to buy a new phone. It makes smartphones look more beautiful. In fact, you can also add tones and colours to your smartphones with the various phones shell.

For those that like trendy things, especially ladies, the pink phones shell are beautiful with various back case that gives your phone a

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015

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e-Business

NITDA seeks global collaboration to fight cybercrimes T

HE National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is seeking global collaboration to tackle the menace of cybercrimes. It said since cybercrimes is a global phenomenon, the whole world must sit together and find a way of collaborating to fight them.

Its Head, Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships and Inter-Agency, Mr John Kennedy Chime, who spoke in Lagos, said since information communication technology (ICT) has taken the centre stage, creating efficiency and wealth in many forms in all sphere of human endeavours, there is a need to maintain a minimum standard of security.

The NITDA as a Federal Government agency, he said, is mandated to regulate Information Technology (IT) in Nigeria, adding that it does that through policy, standards, enforcement and multi-stakeholders' engagements.

He said it is not easy to do away with cybercrime totally, but stressed the need for continuous stakeholder's engagement with the private sector, security agencies and other agencies globally

By Olatunde Odebiyi

so as to monitor developments and follow up.

According to him, the people engaged in cybercrimes are also working ahead of regulators, adding that NITDA has developed means of checking and tracking the criminals so that the system does not get damaged.

He called for multi-stakeholders collaboration, urging the private sector to key into what the Federal Government has done with a view to coming out with solutions to the challenge.

Chime said the Cybercrime Act, which was signed into law by former President Goodluck Jonathan, is the beginning of the fight against cybercrime, but noted that there is more to be done in the area of enforcement and information monitoring aspect.

“This is because, as the law is being enforced, the criminals are also looking for better ways to perpetrate their crime and are coming up with new apps,” he said.

He continued: "The private and public sectors have so much idea and this is why we call for stakeholders’ relationship, which is the best approach to proffer solutions to the problems.

"This is not a problem to be solved by one person, but people should come together to look for an agency like ours, that is in charge of IT regulation in Nigeria. We have so many information and relationship with other organisations, which they may not have. With a team work, we will have the ways to together, fight this cybercrime and get the best from it."

Dr Chime noted that in the banking sector, there has always been the application of new software that ensures that intruders are kept at bay.

He encouraged the use of genuine apps that will fight fraud, warning that if criminals get access to a bank's data, it could lead to the extinction of the bank and some of its customers whose life savings may have been affected.

WECO Systems gets NetApp's certification

W

ECO Systems International Limited has achieved NetApp Professional Services Certified Partner (PSCP) for Clustered Data ONTAP, reinforcing its capability to sell, architect, deploy and support NetApp solutions with a commitment to offering services based on NetApp service delivery best practices.

A statement from the firm explained that this gives its various customers, service delivery confidence and positions the firm as a trusted advisor while ensuring customer satisfaction Netapp, a world class leader in data management and storage solutions, awards the PSCP certification to partners and systems integrators, who have demonstrated expertise in selling NetApp solutions through partner branded implementation and professional services. The certification lets technology customers know that their NetApp solutions provider has the ex-

By Tolulope Lawani

pertise to handle anything from implementation, managing operations to transitioning to the cloud.

Weco Systems by this achievement belongs to the select few partners across the country, who have earned the NetApp PSCP accreditation.

Speaking on the milestone, its Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer (COO), Mr. Nnamdi Onyebuchi, said: "Our Data Centre Practice has been on the growth path over the years hence, earning the NetApp Professional Services Certification is an important step in our drive to deepen the strong partnership we already have with a strategic original equipment manufacturer (OEM) such as NetApp and our commitment to remaining on top of our game even as we continue to deliver valuable business outcomes to our customers."

Etislat bridges digital divide in Kano school

E

TISALAT has lifted the infor mation communication technology (ICT) centre of Girls' Government College, Dala in Kano State, Northwest of the country, with the donation of 30 pieces of desk top computers.

Vice President, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, Etisalat, Ibrahim Dikko, said the company aims to help in driving the delivery of quality education.

"The whole aim is to drive the delivery of quality education. What we have done is to create an enabling environment for conducive learning which in turn drives improvement in learning. As an innovative company, we are about driving sustainable development using education as one of the key platforms," he said.

Represented by the company's Head, Government and Community Relations, Mohammed SuleyYusuf, he reiterated the telco's commitment to partnering with the Kano State government in achieving its developmental goals in critical areas, particularly education.

"Etisalat is proud to be able to contribute positively to achieving the government's objective of improving Kano State especially in the area of education. We will continue to collaborate to move the state and indeed the nation forward, even as we work towards

being the telecommunications partner of choice for Nigeria. We laud Kano State government, for recognising the potential of and encouraging public private partnership," he said.

The State's Deputy Governor and Commissioner for Education, Prof Hafiz Abubakar, who unveiled the facilities renovated by Etisalat in the school as part of its Adopt-ASchool initiative commended the telco for the intervention.

He said: "Today, we are witnessing the result of a strategic partnership. We, as a people, are particularly glad because it is very clear to us that given our population as the most densely populated state in the country, the three tiers of government cannot singlehandedly bear the huge funding burden of education without external support. Therefore, it is very heart-warming to see Etisalat take this initiative of adopting a school for life with the objective of making sure that it brings about positive infrastructural development and enhanced quality of learning through the provision of educational materials."

He also noted that the intervention will help the Abdullahi Ganduje-led administration in achieving its objective of 'providing education for all' especially for

EMC rates CWG high in data centre, cloud •From left: Ianni; Oracle Senior Director, Business Development, ECEMEA, Orla Nichorcora; Sanni; and Oracle Vice President, Technology, AFTA Cluster, Janusz Naklicki, at the inauguration of Oracle Office in Lagos.

A

Oracle sees future in Nigeria

TECH firm, Oracle, has said with the level of uptake in technology in Nigeria, the future is bright.

Its Senior Vice President, Eastern Europe, Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Middle East and Africa, Alfonso Di Ianni, who spoke during the official opening of the firm's new office on Victoria Island, Lagos at the weekend, said the demand for Oracle's products in the country has outpaced that of South Africa, adding that the firm will keep on investing in the country; building local capacities and competences.

Ianni said the demand for the firm's services have moved from the telecoms sector to oil and gas, adding that it now runs a versatile cloud service for customers.

According to him, Oracle has built partnership with states such as Lagos and Edo, adding that the National Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) is not left out. He said in all these partnerships, it has been a win-win situation as the firm's solutions have improved service delivery at minimal costs.

"Demand for our products and services in Nigeria have been the best in Africa. It is higher than that of South Africa. Our cloud services enable customers to maximise

•Pledges more investment in human capital

By Lucas Ajanaku

productivity.

Our hybrid infrastructure allows customers to focus on where they have core competence while we provide the platform for them," he said, adding that Oracle has over 100 business partners in the country.

He said the opening of new office in Nigeria underscores the fact that the firm has huge customers base in the country, adding that with the new structure commissioned, it will begin to run its local and West African businesses from Nigeria.

The new office, according to him, is however, a starting point for the firm in its future operations in the country and the sub-region, adding that funding was needed to meet the growing demand of the market.

“We need more resources to meet the huge demand from the customers. The profile of Oracle is changing from only sales to having professionals such as accountants, experts and other professionals on ground in a fully functional office. This will help our customers to move their businesses from one premise to the

cloud,” Ianni said.

Oracle's revenue in the region has grown over the years, along with its partner ecosystem that has increased in size by 30 per cent over the past three years.

Its Country Leader, Adebayo Sanni said Oracle customers are rapidly adopting mobile, social and cloud technologies to transform their businesses.

He said: "They are delivering services that weren't possible before and they are finding very smart ways to bring their products to market; throughout Africa we have seen remarkable innovation and transformation.

"With cloud adoption rates accelerating, this ability becomes even more prevalent. Software as a Service (SaaS) is becoming ingrained in the sector's consciousness and Platform as a Service (PaaS) is also gaining traction. IT systems have to be fast and simple to be able to be agile.

"We're very excited by the opening of Oracle's latest state-ofthe-art facility here in Nigeria and look forward to continuing to provide world-class solutions to help our customers and partners innovate and grow in the region."

T

THE Chief Executive Officer, Emerging Markets Payments Group (EMP), Mr. Murat Ozulku, has said Computer Warehouse Group (CWG) is globally recognised as a leading player in the data centre and cloud services management space.

He spoke when he led a delegation of the company's executives on a working visit to the corporate head office of the firm in Lagos. The visit was aimed at deepening the partnership between both firms.

He said: "CWG is a recognised brand in the Data Centre and Cloud Services management sector, and a strong partner that has given us the technical backup we need to support the rapid growth in our clientele across Nigeria."

According to him, the visit was aimed at strengthening the relationship between the two companies, adding that it will also allow the two firms to build upon mutual aspirations.

"Our visit today gives us the unique opportunity to discuss ways in which our collaboration can be further exploited as we seek to expand our range of innovative solutions, and enable us to better cater to the needs of the fast growing payment industry in Africa and beyond," he said.

Addressing the delegation, the founder and Chief Executive Officer, CWG Plc, Mr. Austin Okere, said in line with the firm's Cloud Services offering under the new CWG2.0 business model, the firm operates a Data

By Modupe Elegushi

Centre for use, as well as for the use of her customers. The Data Centre, he explained, is a state of the art Category 3 facility manned by seasoned certified technical personnel.

Mr. Okere said: "CWG adheres strictly to a Standard Operating Procedure and provides a checklist for all clients' equipment to ensure that they meet best practices including dual power and network sources for all devices. This is further complemented with Managed Services for Level two and Level three technical support. With this facility, we have been able to offer EMP the platform they require to support their customers in Africa and the Middle East with unparalleled payment services."

True to its mission of deploying technologies that enable growth, CWG boasts of technology innovation and services that have improved the operations of financial institutions in Nigeria. It will be recalled that CWG recently powered the migration of United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Associated Discount House (ADH) to the Finacle 10 banking solution.

The firm also champions the course of financial inclusion in West Africa using its FinEdge Financial Platform to power products such as MTN XaaS in collaboration with MTN for Microfinance banking, and the Diamond Yello Account, in collaboration with Diamond Bank and MTN for Mobile Money applications.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015

AVIATION Nigeria @ 55 In other parts of the world, the aviation sector contributes siginificantly to the gross domestic product (GDP). In Nigeria, however, inconsistent policies, paucity of funds and other factors have continued to impede the growth of the sector, reports KELVIN OSA OKUNBOR .

Sector in turbulent cruise T

HE aviation industry has witnessed witnessed turbulent times. The liquidation of the national carrier, Nigeria Airways, a few years ago marked a turning point in the history of the industry.

Sector analysts say it has been mixed blessings for the industry, They however beleive the challenges facing the strategic sector of the economy far out weighs its few achievements.

Though Nigeria enjoys Category 1 safety rating of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), and the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), it has remained largely a consumer nation.

From the absence of a national carrier and inability to deliver an aircraft maintenance hangar for the repairs of aircraft, the sector may not have lived up to the expectation of its founding fathers 55 years ago.

The sector has also been struggling with the absence of a strategic sector master plan, uncompleted airport projects and other myriad of challenges that have made the journey to be bumpy.

Government over the years has not paid enough attention to the development of the sector as a veritable source of shoring up Federal Government revenue.

They argue that since independence, successive administrations have not designed a strategic development plan for the sustenance of air transport as a catalyst for accelerating economic development.

In the begining The aviation industry, according to experts predates independence with the activities of Imperial Airways flight in 1935 carrying mails from Cairo, the Egyptian capital to Kano.

This aviation activity culminated in the formation of West African Airways Corporation ( WAAC), in 1946 with its transformation into Nigeria Airways In August 1958.

This development marked the beginning of commercial air transport in Nigeria.

By 1978, the industry became sophisticated with the introduction of modern aircraft.

According to aviation experts, the 1970s witnessed increased flight activities for the defunct national carrier, Nigeria Airways Limited under the control of the Ministry of Aviation. It enjoyed a monopoly status through the 1980s until there was privatisation and deregulation in the air transport sector in early nineties.

The deregulation brought about the setting up of private airlines such as Okada Air, Harka, Kabo Air and others.

State of private airlines In the last two decades, no fewer than 27 private airlines have been established and shut down owing to many factors.

Experts blame the high mortality rate of carriers to the use of wrong equipment, lack of sound business plan, inconsistent policy and ban on the use of certain aircraft type.

These factors have generated concerns over what experts described as the ‘burst and boom ‘ circles of indigenous airlines.

The list of the airlines that have

• Nigeria Airways aircraft

• Buhari

shut down include include Okada Air, Chrome Air, Savannah Air, Freedom Air Services, Albarka Air Services, Falcon Air, Skyline Airlines, EAS Airlines, NICON Airways, Spaceworld Airlines, DASAB Airlines, Afrijet, Fresh Air, ADC, Sosoliso, Air Nigeria, Oriental Airlines, Concord Airlines, Slok Air, Capital Airlines and others.

Some domestic carriers which have not shut down but have ceased to fly due to operational and technical reasons are IRS Airlines, Discovery Airways and Chanchangi Airlines.

Arik Air, Air Peace, Overland Airways , DANA Air, Medview Airlines, AZMAN First Nation Airways and Aero Airlines that are still in business are struggling with debts overhang, high operating costs and multiple charges which have combined to make the business unattractive.

The executive Chairman, Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Captain Nogie Megisson, said aviation in Nigeria in 55 years of independence has not done well when compared with the progress made in other countries.

Megisson said operators are struggling with a myriad of challenges that government should address to make the business attractive to investors .

He said until government realises the importance of aviation only then could it put in place friendly policies that will drive the growth of the industry.

He said the huge funds allocated by government to the aviation agencies for airport infrastructure needed to be accounted for by managers of the industry.

Megisson said the constant change rate of ministers to take charge of the industry by the Federal Government has remained an ugly

development which has occasioned inconsistency in policies, This has been blamed for the slow growth of the sector Other operators including the chairman of Air Peace, Mr Allen Onyema and the Managing Director of DANA Air, Mr Jacky Hathiramani said if any gains could be counted for aviation in the last 55 years, government must carry out a forensic audit of the sector to ensure that right policies are put in place to allow domestic carriers thrive.

They argue that unless urgent steps are taken to reverse current policies in the sector, many domestic carriers may go into extinction .

They said the precarious situation is accentuated by failure of government to design policies that will rescue domestic carriers from the predatory invasion of foreign carriers which enjoy multiple entry points into the country.

They said why many countries are designing market protection policies for their carriers, Nigeria is opening her borders to different foreign carriers at the expense of her citizens.

Infrastructure / navigation equipment In the last few years, infrastructure at the airports and air navigation equipment have received a face lift in line with global requirements.

The facelift is coming after many decades of neglect and abandonment by successive administrations.

In particular, the airport remodeling project pursued by the last administration despite its many controversies brought about some refurbished and brand new airport terminals in Lagos, Abuja, Benin, Enugu, Kano, Yola and a few other airports.

These terminals, according to experts have upgraded some airports to terminals compared to what is obtainable in some parts of the world, what is however disturbing is the non disclosure of the cost of the projects.

The last administration embarked on remodeling of 22 airports across the country standing at different levels of completion even as some of the projects have been halted due to paucity of funds.

However, infrastructure at airports in the last 55 years have transformed dramatically.

Call for national carrier With the liquidation of Nigeria Airways, there is renewed agitation in the sector for a new national carrier as mandated by President Muhammadu Buhari.

A committee set up by the Ministry of Aviation is putting together its report on the modalities for the new national carrier.

But, some players in the aviation sector have queried the membership of the committee which they alleged is skewed against existing operators. They particularly queried the inclusion of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) as member.

Opinions have remained divided in the industry since government mooted the idea of setting up a national carrier.

Some industry experts including former spokesman of Nigeria Airways, Mr Chris Aligbe described it as a welcome development by government.

According to Aligbe, the revival or establishment of a new national carrier would be a fitting achievement to mark Nigeria’s 55 independence anniversary.

He said such a carrier would restore Nigeria ‘s sovereign image and assist to correct imbalance in her bilateral air services agreement.

Lopsided bilateral air services agreement One of the many sore points in the aviation sector in the period under review is the failure of government to address the lopsidedness in her 73 bilateral services agreement with many countries without adequate reciprocity.

Since the liquidation of Nigeria Airways in 2003, bilateral air services agreements have been skewed

‘The revival or establishment of a new national carrier would be a fitting achievement to mark Nigeria’s 55 independence anniversary’

in favour of foreign countries and their carriers against Nigeria.

Airport safety / security Despite favorable outings at the ICAO safety security audit and other audits carried out by the United States Transportation Safety Administration ( TSA), security and safety at airports in the over the five decades have become a subject of serious concern.

This became prominent with recurring incidents of stowaways by some unauthorised persons at some airports.

Accident investigation With an improved safety record after the triple crashes between 2005 and 2006 involving Bellview, ADC and Sosoliso Airlines, series of measures were put in place avoid air mishaps.

Airport concessions controversy With increasing private sector participation in the aviation sector, the drama that has played out over the number of years of the concession agreement has been disturbing.

The litigation between concessionaires such as BiCourtney Aviation Services Limited, Maevis Limited and AIC Hotels International, Terminal Zero and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) over these agreements have served is a huge disincentive to private sector investment in the aviation sector.

Experts argue that until there is a transparent template for adherence to contractual agreements, the industry may not attract the huge private sector investments needed to accelerate its development.

Aircraft maintenance hangar Indigenous carriers still spend millions of dollars periodically to carry out major repairs on their aircraft in different countries across the globe.

This is a source of huge capital flight that remains one of the sore points of the aviation sector.

Despite attempts by some private sector players to set up a national aircraft maintenance hangar in the country, it has not been realised because of lack of government support.

Analysts say the there is still much to be done to make the sector contribute substanatially to the GDP. They urge President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint professionals that would be able to take the industry to the level.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015

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THE NATION

BUSINESS MARITIME

e-mail: maritime@thenationonlineng.net

How NIMASA blew N17b on varsity land, by panel E

VEN though it has yet to take off, the Nigerian Maritime University (NMU) in Kurutie, Delta State, has cost a fortune.

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the university’s promoter, may have spent N17 billion on acquiring the land for its temporary site, a probe panel has learnt.

The panel was constituted by the Federal Ministry of Transport (FMoT) to ascertain the desirability or otherwise of the university, which was inaugurated with fanfare by former President Goodluck Jonathan 19 days before he left office.

The panel is wondering how NIMASA spent N17 billion to get two hectares of land in Kurutie, which lacks basic facilities, such as power, water, road, school and

Stories by Oluwakemi Dauda Maritime Correspondent

health centre.

Its members, it was gathered, were not happy with what they saw when they visited the site, last week.

Sources said there was nothing to justify the huge amount spent on the Kurutie land.

A source said: “The promoters of the university had bad motive before going there to buy land. Are they telling us that it is more expensive to buy land in the creeks than Abuja and Eko Atlantic City?

“They left the capital city of Asaba, Warri, Agbor and other developed towns to purchase the land in the mind-boggling creek village because they wanted to build a university? Is that the first community to host a university?

“How much is a plot of land in

• Abdul with the seized goods in Lagos.

Asaba and other developed towns in Delta State for anybody to claim that they purchased a plot of land in the creek for over a billion naira? What was the attraction?

“Even in the big commercial city of Lagos, Ibadan and Port Harcourt, how much is a plot of land in the creeks not to talk of the remote village of Kurutie?

“How many millionaires not to talk of billionaires are living in that community and its environs? What is the major occupation of the people living in that area apart from fishing?

“Apart from the land and the structures on the temporary site, even if the university is the owner of over 50 new buildings and the land they occupy, it would still not justify the N17 billion spent on the land by NIMASA,” he said.

The panel has reportedly queried

PHOTO: OLUWAKEMI DAUDA

• President Buhari

the amount paid for the buildings on the land before its acquisition.

A senior NIMASA official claimed that when the agency proposed to establish the university in Kurutie, the community agreed to provide the land. But the promoters, he alleged, returned, few months later to say that the land was bought for N17 billion.

“Leaders of that community and the promoters of the university must be invited by the committee and the Federal Government to tell Nigerians if the land was sold to NIMASA or not. The amount that was paid by NIMASA and the actual amount it cost to get a plot of land in that area.

“The N17 billion is public money. The past and present leadership of the agency must be made to tell Nigerians the truth about the money. Why the management of the agency should abandon its core responsibility of safety at sea to build university in order to siphon public fund and think that they can go away with it because they have the ears of the last administration?

“Well, time changes with man.

Therefore, we are happy that there is a change in the government and we hope President Muhammadu Buhari will help us retrieve the money,” the official said.

The official also alleged that the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) was not well managed by NIMASA, urging the committee to investigate how much was withdrawn from the fund and what it was used for.

The CVFF, he said, has grown to billions of dollars without any

Hard time awaits smugglers, says comptroller

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EDERAL Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ Ikeja Customs Area Controller (CAC) Comptroller Amade Abdul, has said hard time awaits smugglers as the year is ending.

Speaking with The Nation after the interception of an articulated truck laden with 5020 cartons of imported poultry products on the Sagamu-Ijebu-Ode Expressway, Abdul said his men were working with the Headquarters Special Assignment Team to flush out smugglers.

The items, he said, were concealed in the truck with 2016 cartons of Nestle bottle water.

The items, findings revealed, were discovered during examination at FOU office, Ikeja.

With the support of his men, he said, he would deploy all human and material resources to achieve the zero tolerance policy on smuggling.

Comptroller Shittu Abdulmaruf, Chief Superintendent Dahiru

Shehu Usman and other officers, he said, were waging battle against those involved in illicit trade in the zone.

“The operational dexterity of the Unit cannot be compromised, in consideration of the need to protect our country from being a dumping ground.

“The items seized include 5020 cartons of smuggled frozen poultry products neatly concealed with 2016 packages of nestle bottled water with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N30,117,600.

“A suspect was apprehended in connection with the seizure and he will act as a clue towards unraveling the major kingpins behind this illegitimate transaction with a view to ensuring that they are prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others.

“The seizure became, particularly, symbolic in consideration of the dubious ingenuity of the smugglers to the extent that they could contemplate that mode of

concealment.

“The Service under the present Comptroller-General of Customs Col. Hammed Ibrahim Ali (rtd) will reach its full potential in view of the antecedents of the CGC and his generally acclaimed stance on anti-corruption. We have taken cognisance of the new order and we are working towards ensuring that the mission and vision of the new Comptroller-General is actualised,” he said.

On frozen poultry products, the Controller pointed out that the Service since inception of ‘Operation Hawk Descend’ had recorded very remarkable achievements, which can easily be seen from the scarcity and high cost of the products in the market.

“From the look of things, it is certain that our aggressive patrol activities along the flanks and flashpoints have turned on serious heat on the smugglers, thereby forcing them in their desperation to look for alternative

means of smuggling. Unfortunately, we are totally determined and committed to this assignment irrespective of whatever their antics might be.”

The Controller promised to sustain the tempo as he acknowledged the effort of the NCS Management in providing logistic support in terms of functional patrol vehicles, arms/ammunition, training and re-training of officers, among others.

He said the Unit will continue to play its leading role as the hub and flagship of anti-smuggling, having fine-tuned its operational methodologies to align with the change mantra of the Federal Government.

Seeking the support of Nigerians, he advised importers and customs agents to keep abreast of import guidelines before bringing any commodity into the country.

Businessmen and companies that comply with the extant order have nothing to fear, he allayed.

• Acting D-G NIMASA Jauro

indigenous ship owners benefiting from it.

Contributors, he said, do not know the amount in NIMASA’s care, adding that it was time its Acting Director-General, Pastor Haruna Jauro, made the amount public.

NIMASA Deputy Director, Public Relations (DDPR) Hajia Lami Tumaka, said the panel’s report would be sent to the government when it is ready.

The committee, according to her, is expected to evaluate all the projects being executed by NIMASA to ascertain their level of completion vis-à-vis the funds released for them.

Customs seizes N226m goods in Imo

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HE Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘C’ of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Owerri, Imo State capital has seized counterfeit drugs worth N226.38 million.

Its Area Controller, Victor Dimka, told The Nation last weekend that he was happy that the drugs were seized because they are harmful to health.

The items, he said, did not have NAFDAC registration number.

Dimka warned the public to desist from patronising individuals and stores selling with unregistered drugs.

Other items seized were furniture, 303 cartons of dining table glasses, 1,936 pieces of side stool with a DPV of N63,120.

Others, which were seized along Owerri-Eleme Port Harcourt Road, were 1,430 pieces of bags, (similar to laptop bags) valued at N8.58 million.

He said the items were seized within one week, adding that no arrest had been made except the driver of one of the vehicles carrying the goods.

Dimka reiterated the determination of the Customs to fight smugglers until they were brought to their knees.

According to him, the Customs is now better equipped, trained and motivated to reduce smuggling to the barest minimum.

The state Coordinator of National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Victor Mmamel, who received the items on behalf of the DirectorGeneral of the agency, praised the service for the good job.

He promised to continue to collaborate with customs and other security agencies to end the illicit trade.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015

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THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015

NEWS NEMA predicts another flood in Imo

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IVERINE communities in Imo State should expect another round of flooding, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has warned. Residents of coastal communities have been advised to watch out.

NEMA’s Coordinator in Owerri , Dr. Innocent Ezeaku, who spoke yesterday during a sensitisation, titled: “Flood: Early Warning and Solid Waste Management” in Ose-Motto autonomous community, Oguta council, said the only way to prevent losses was for the people to be prepared and heed warning.

“I want everybody to be vigilant this time because the flood can come overnight and overrun communities. The people should call on NEMA whenever they notice an unusual rise in the level of the rivers around them.”

Ezeaku said as part of its preparation for the expected flooding, the Federal

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

Government built Internally Displaced Person’s camps in different communities of the flood-prone areas.

The chairman added that relief materials had been procured to enable quick response to displaced persons, even as he urged the state government to prepare medicament necessary for effective response.

He advised farmers to harvest their produce immediately to reduce the resultant loss from the impending flood.

The NEMA boss attributed the flooding to indiscriminate dumping of solid waste into rivers, urging the people to desist from activities that could endanger the environment.

“You must resist anybody coming to dump solid waste in the rivers surrounding your communities because it is when a river can no longer carry its normal volume of water that it will empty into the farms and communities,” he said.

Mass defection looms in Ebonyi PDP From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

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OME party bigwigs in the Ebonyi State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are planning to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), following Chief Azu Agboti’s move to the APC. In a letter to the chairman, Joseph Onwe, Agboti simply dropped his resignation letter without giving reasons but it was learnt that he defected because his candidates were jettisoned.

“It is with sincerity of purpose that I hereby resign my membership of the PDP. My resignation takes effect immediately,” Agboti said.

But a source close to the senator said he left the party because he was disappointed with recent events.

“He is not happy with the party’s inability to keep certain promises made to him before the election. His candidates for commissioner and other appointments were jettisoned, hence, his decision to move to the APC, which has promised to carry him along,” the source said. Another source in the APC said more defections are looming in the PDP as the list of disappointed party faithful grows each day.

“Many stakeholders who were not appointed or whose list of candidates was jettisoned felt betrayed and are in talks with the APC to defect,” the source said.

Ishaku imposes curfew on Sambo’s town

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ARABA State Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku has imposed dusk to dawn curfew on Zing, the hometown of the late Kpanti Zing, Alhaji Abbas Ibrahim Sambo.

Sambo and two of his wives, with their relatives were among the over 700 people who died in the September 23 stampede in Mina, near Makkah, Saudi Arabia, while performing the Hajj’s symbolic stoning of the devil.

Following Sambo’s death, Zing local government area has been engulfed in crisis over

From Fanen Ihyongo, Jalingo

who succeeds the late monarch with sources saying the crisis was between Muslims and Christians.

A statement by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Anthony Jellason urged residents to abide by the curfew and to remain calm till further notice.

Governor Ishaku directed the Wazirin Zing, Linus Ibrahim, to act in the office of the Kpanti Zing, in line with the tradition guiding the traditional stool of the Zing chiefdom.

Community protests land allocation Nwanosike Onu, Awka

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ESIDENTS of Awka in Anambra State have kicked against the government’s plan to allocate their land to a private developer.

The youth are threatening violence if Governor Willie Obiano went ahead with his plans of allocating their land to Rock Land foundation, a private estate developer, without meeting with the community.

One of the youths, who pleaded for anonymity, said they were ready for anyone who tampers with their land without consulting them.

They said naming the estate Williams Court, instead of names of heroes like the late Prof Kenneth Dike, first monarch, Igwe C.O Nebe or Igwe S.C Ndigwe, was not welcomed.

Addressing reporters yesterday in Awka, chairman of Ez-

•Obiano

inano, Comrade Obi Ochije, said any caterpillar seen on their land would be destroyed.

Ochije said though government could acquire land anywhere in the country, taking the community’s land without due process was unacceptable.

“If those lands were acquired for public interest like building schools, it will be different, but giving them to a private developer is what we will not tolerate,” he said.

•From right: Vice Chancellor, University of Nigeria (UNN), Prof. Benjamin Ozumba, DeputyVC Admin., Prof. Eddy Igbokwe, Deputy VC Academics, Prof. Polycarp Chigbu and Deputy VC Enugu Campus, Prof. Ifeoma Enemuo at the institution’s 55th Founders’ Day in Enugu...yesterday.

PHOTO: OBI CLETUS

How to combat terrorism, others in West Africa, by experts

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XPERTS in law and transnational crimes and security met in Abuja yesterday to examine ways of combating the growing trend in trans-border criminality.

They blamed the increasing wave of crimes in the sub-region on sundry issues including poverty, corruption, governments’ failure translate policies to meet the people’s need and lack of inter-agencies’ cooperation.

Speakers included the President of the Community Court of Justice (CCT) of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Justice Maria de Ceu Silva Monteiro, Solicitor General of the Federation (SGF), Ahmed Yola and the Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Nigeria, Koli Kouame.

They spoke at a joint meeting of members of the Asset Recovery Inter-agency Network for West Africa (ARINWA), the West African Network of Central Authorities and Prosecutors (WACAP) and the Sahel Paltform for Judicial Cooperation (SPJC).

Justice Silva Monteiro, who was represented by Justice Micah Wilkins Wright, argued that intranational and transnational crimes in the subregion are fuelled by the deliberate fail-

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

ure of government to address the people’s needs “It is my belief that poverty, in the midst of riches, corruption amidst greed and selfishness, and underdevelopment and bad policies are serious contributing factors for the rise, entrenchment and quick expanse of organized transnational crimes in West Africa,” she said.

Justice Silva Monteiro called for enhanced institutional collaboration among ECOWAS states as a veritable means of combating the scourge of criminality in the region.

The ECOWAS Court President was of the opinion that for the sub-region to achieve a rapid and more meaningful regional integration, “it must be willing and prepared to invest particularly in institutions that will make people develop their potentials with dignity.

“As we collectively engage in the war on drug trafficking and its related predicate offences, a very necessary consideration must be the ultimate upliftment of our people out of the shackles of poverty and degradation and underdevelopment.

“Governments have the highest duty to respond to the needs of their people by adopting and implementing policies and pro-

grammes indented to uplift the people and countries improve the quality and standards of the lives of our people. Our people and countries must experience not only economic growth, but meaningful and measurable human development.”

“In West Africa, member states must respect, obey and enforce the orders, mandates, treaties, protocols and conventions of ECOWAS and its institutions by complying with legal instruments to ensure the security of a prosperous region.

Yola, who was represented by Nigeria’s Director of Public Prosecution, Mohammad Diri, highlighted the various initiatives put in place by the country to tame transnational crime, particularly terrorism.

He advocated the need for increased collaboration among member states to reduce crimes in the West African sub-region.

“Nations, more than ever before must come together, be more liberal in their attitude towards international cooperation, the imperatives of states coming together to share ideas and ways of collectively combating the challenges of organised crime underscores the very essence of this gathering Kouame, who was represented by UNODC’s Senior Crime

Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer, Organised Crime Branch, Mrs. Karen Kramer argued that crime rate in the subregion was enhanced by lack of institutional and governmental cooperation.

He stressed the need for crime fighting and prosecutorial agencies in membercountries to cooperate and collaborate to combat crimes in ECOWAS. “Working through crossborder relays, the criminal networks are trying to create their own area of operations using corruption as a weapon of persuasion, and threat as a weapon of deterrence and destabilisation of the institutions.

“No country can effectively combat organised crime by itself due to the latter’s complexity and its international ramifications.

“To effectively fight against cross-border networks, it is necessary to establish coherent and effective cross-border networks of police and judicial cooperation. This cooperation shall be in accordance with the law, with respect for human rights and the sovereignty of each state.

The four-day event continues today.

Beware of usurpers, Ashade family advises Ambode

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ROYAL family in Ogba, Lagos, has raised the alarm over alleged attempts by some people to usurp a vacant royal stool and cause a breach of peace in the state.

Praising efforts by Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, to keep the peace in Lagos communities, the Ashade Descendant Family of Ogbaland advised in a statement yesterday that it has not conceded the stool of Ologba to any unknown ruling house as it is being rumoured.

The statement reads in part: “The authentic chieftaincy declaration of the Ologba of Ogbaland title was in a gazette prepared by the minister of chieftaincy affairs in the then Western region of Nigeria in 1976. The official gazette which approved the appointment of the late Oba Suberu Babalola Ashade by Lagos State Government dated 30th August, 1997, with commencement on 10th May, 1979.

“A chieftaincy declaration is like the constitution of a country guiding the conduct of the people, so it is in our community. After the demise of the late

Oba Ibrahim Sanni Ashade, the Arolagbade 4th as Ologba of Ogbaland in November 2014, we noticed the unusual.

“However, Ashade family wrote a letter to the executive secretary of Agege Local Government on January 13, 2015 informing the council of our intention to forward the name of a candidate to fill the vacant stool, in accordance with the stipulated law of 30 days. It was then that the secretary, Chieftaincy Committee at Agege Local Government, showed the Ashade Royal family’s secretary a declaration made in 2000 containing three ruling houses namely: Ashade Ruling House, Idowu Oro Ruling House, and Osho Anifowoshe Ruling House in order of rotation.

“The purported declaration was done secretly without the knowledge of the entire Ashade Descendant Family. The emergence of that declaration with its order of rotation, aside from being incorrect and misleading, totally offends and disconnects the traditional values and the method of selection to the stool, thus prompting us to write two petitions to the Lagos State government.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Ologba stool has ever been by the descendants of Ashade till date who are the original owner of the land.

“Ashade reigned from 18801930 as Bale of Ogba, and was given a Union Jack by the Queen of England as a mark of honour and recognition by the then colonial master on his contributions to the development of the entire Ikeja Division. He was then being paid a stipend of 30 Shillings monthly and given a police post with two police officers attached.

“After the demise of Bale Ashade, the stool of Ogba as ever been occupied by his descendants thus: Ojelade Ashade from Ebo Aweri Ruling house ruled from 1941-1956 as Bale of Ogba; Suberu Babalola Ashade from Oku Ruling house ruled from 1971 to 1980 as Oba Ologba of Ogba, approved by Lagos State government in a gazette of the 10th May 1979; Ibrahim Sanni Ashade ruled from 2001-2014 from Ajayi Ruling House as the 4th Ologba of Ogba.

“If it is well observed, there had been several gaps of vacancies in between the periods of

one ruler on the throne to another, never has any family in Ogbaland filled the gap, because the vacant stool was an inheritance of the descendants of Ashade family of Ogbaland.

“As a kind of response to our letter dated January 13, 2015 and received by the executive secretary of Agege Local Government, to our surprise there was a publication from the office of the executive secretary dated March 17, 2015 inviting people who might be interested in occupying the stool of Ologba of Ogba. The content of this strange public notice is totally against the long standing customs and tradition of how we present candidate to fill the stool of Ologba of Ogbaland.

Having challenged the public notice, we were then presented with a declaration that is alien to Ogba community and unknown to the Ashade family, also to our tradition. Based on this development, the Ashade descendant family instituted a court action challenging the validity and legality of the declaration dated May 22, 2000. The case is presently pending in Ikeja division of Lagos High Court.

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015

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NEWS Shettima nominates ex-commissioner as deputy

Command establishes rustling squad

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ORNO State Governor Kashim Shettima has nominated the former Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Youth Empowerment, Alhaji Usman Mamman Durkwa, as his deputy.

The nomination follows the death of ex-Deputy Governor, Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha, on August 15 in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, while on an official assignment.

Spokesman for the Governor Malam Isa Gusau confirmed that Shettima, in a letter dated October 5, addressed to the Speaker, sent Durkwa’s name, seeking the Assembly’s approval.

He said the governor acted in accordance with the powers conferred in him by Section 191 Sub-Section (3) of the Constitution (as amended).

“I have the honour to convey vide this letter the name of Usman Mamman Durkwa for confirmation as deputy governor, following the demise of Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha on August 15. I wish to reassure the House of the continuous cooperation of the executive arm and solicit confirmation of the nominee.

Please accept the assurances of my highest consideration,” Shettima said in his letter as quoted by his spokesman.

‘Sokoto council poll for January 9’ From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

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HE Sokoto State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) has fixed January 9 for the conduct of the local government elections.

It said the poll would be conducted across the 23 councils.

SIEC Chairman Alhaji Usman Abubakar, who spoke yesterday at a news briefing in Sokoto, said the commission had notified the 29 registered parties.

He said SIEC was working towards the release of the guidelines and timetable for the poll, adding: “We will release everything on October 15 and meet the parties on October 22.”

According to Abubakar, “notification of the date of the primaries by the parties to the commission will be done between October 27 and 31, while the conduct of the primaries and submission of candidates’ names to the SIEC is scheduled for between November 1 and 16.”

The SIEC boss said nomination would close on November 23 and screening by the commission will be between November 24 and December 10.

He said names of candidates would be released on December 14 and the submission of the substituted candidates’ names to the SIEC by the parties would be between December 15 and 22.

“The submission of the party agents’ names will be done between December 23 and 25, while campaigns will end on January 8.

“The election will be conducted on January 9 and the commission may likely use card readers”, Abubakar added.

He noted that SIEC had arranged with the Indepen-

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

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•Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode (second left) with the newly appointed Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary for Education District IV, Mrs. Lola Are-Adegbite (third right), her elder brother, Mr. Miftah Bolaji Are (left), her daughter, Miss Detola Adegbite (second right) and relative, Mrs. Olaide Agoro (right) during Mrs. Are-Adegbite swearing-in at the Lagos House, Ikeja ...yesterday.

N11b refund: It’s arrant nonsense, says Audu

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X-Kogi State Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Prince Abubakar Audu has dismissed reports credited to the state chairman of the party that he would return N11billion to the state’s coffers if elected.

A visibly angry Audu told reporters at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja after a closed meeting with the National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state wrote the report to discredit him.

Reports in online media quoted Kogi State APC

•Melaye, Oyegun meet From Tony Akowe Abuja

Chairman, Alhaji Hadi Ametuo, of assuring the people that Prince Audu would return the over N11 billion he allegedly stole while in office, if re-elected.

Audu, who was confident of winning the election, said: “That is arrant nonsense. It is the PDP in Kogi State that is spreading the rumour and it will not help the members.”

He said the APC was going round the nooks and crannies spreading its gospel of change, adding that he was

confident of winning.

Audu is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly misappropriating N11 billion of the state’s funds when he was the governor between 1999 and 2003.

But he denied the report, accusing the commission of window-shopping for a court to convict him. He added that the anti-graft agency took the case to about four courts without obtaining judgment.

The lawmaker repre-

senting Kogi West, Senator Dino Melaye, has held a meeting with the national leadership of the APC led by the national chairman.

It is believed he was at the secretariat to lobby the leadership on the petition filed against him by Senator Smart Adeyemi challenging his election.

Those believed to have attended the meeting included Prince Audu, who arrived the party’s secretariat about 4:20pm; the National Vice Chairman (North), Senator Lawal Shuaibu; the Deputy National Chairman (South), Segun Oni; among others.

50 observer groups for Kogi, Bayelsa polls From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

•Mrs Amina-Bala Zakari

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HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved 50 groups to observe the Kogi and Bayelsa governorship elections.

The elections are scheduled for November 21 and December 5.

According to a letter by the Director of Elections and Party Monitoring Department (EPM), Bala Shittu, 43 of the 50 organisations are domestic and seven are foreign.

The groups are to obtain,

complete and return Form EPMC 002 for the two elections from the EPM Department, INEC headquarters, Maitama, Abuja between 8am and 4pm, Monday to Friday, from October 2 to 23.

INEC said the photographs of officials to be deployed by approved groups in the two states with their names should be submitted

in hard and soft copies (CD drive using JPEG) to the EPM Department, latest October 23.

“Late submission will not be entertained.”

The commission said the dates for the distribution of observer kits in the two states would be communicated in due course, adding that enquiries should be directed to the Director, EPM Department.

Why I’m posted to Jos, by Mbu

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SSISTANT Inspector General of Police Joseph Mbu has said his posting to the Police Staff College, Jos as the commandant is not a demotion or a punishment as being speculated.

He spoke yesterday on his resumption at the college in Jos. The commandant, who arrived the college at 11am, said: “Some said I’ve been forcefully retired. Some said I’ve been demoted. Some said my posting to Jos is a punishment.

“These are the wishes of my detractors. As far as I’m concerned, I’m a professional police officer ready to serve anywhere I’m posted to. I will use

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

my professional training to make a mark at my duty post.

“Let me tell you that the Inspector-General of Police has promised that the issue of training of officers will be a priority.

The IG wants to send one of his finest officers to the college so that it can be transformed in such a way to serve the training needs of police officers.

“That was why I was posted to the college. My posting is not a punishment as my detractors intend to portray.

“I assure everyone that soon, within the next two months, this college will witness trans-

formation. The college has been dormant. There are people in Jos, who don’t know this college exists. This is not good enough. Now that I’m here, the impact of this college will be felt positively.

“I’m happy and privileged to be posted to the Police College as the commandant. I will do my best to make a mark whereever I go. I don’t buy publicity, my work speaks for me whereever I go.

I will make sure this college is transformed. I will cry to the IG to help the college grow.

“I did not resume early because I was on leave. I needed to rest because I had been serving in turbulent com-

•Mbu

mands. From the commissioner of Police Mobile to Oyo, from Oyo to Rivers, from Rivers to FCT, FCT to Zone 7, from Zone 7 to Lagos. So I needed to rest.

Hence I went on leave. My leave ended last week and I’m resuming today.

No Zamfara pilgrim died in Saudi, says deputy governor

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AMFARA State Deputy Governor and leader of the state’s delegation to the hajj, Alhaji Wakkala Muhammad, has said none of the pilgrims died in the stampede.

He said although two of the pilgrims, a man and a woman, were missing, their names were not on the list of the dead pilgrims.

The deputy governor, who spoke yesterday with our correspondent in Makkah, said: “We have searched for the

From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Makkah

pilgrims in the hospitals and morgues and we didn’t find them. So, we cannot say they are dead. We will continue to look for them.”

On the transport of the pilgrims back home, he said he led 4,006 pilgrims to the holy land and close to 3,500 had been transported to Nigeria.

Muhammad said the exercise would be concluded next Monday.

HE Kano State Police Command has established a rustling squad as part of efforts to tackle cattle rustlers.

Police Commissioner Muhammad Katsina spoke when presenting a renovated police station and a new Toyota Hilux at Gani village in Sumaila Local Government.

The office and the vehicle were renovated and donated by a lawmaker representing Sumaila Constituency, Alhaji Zubairu Masu.

He said the squad, with its base at Gani village, would be headed by an assistant commissioner of police.

Katsina said more than 500 policemen would be deployed in the area and other strategic places near the notorious Falgore forest on the Kano-Jos Road, the den of robbers and rustlers.

Said he: “Tactical operation points have been established on the Falgore forest highway, which links Kano with neighbouring Kaduna, Bauchi and Plateau states.

“An ambush squad has also been established to attack bandits and rustlers.”

The police boss said the command was taking measures to rid the area of rustlers and other hoodlums.

He hailed the lawmaker for renovating the police station and providing vehicle, urging other political office holders to emulate him.

Masu said he hoped the gesture would reduce crimes.

‘Don’t meddle in Saraki’s trial‘ From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

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GROUP, the Kwara Freedom Movement (KFM), has urged Kwara State traditional rulers not to meddle in the trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

The state Traditional Rulers Council had advised the President Muhammadu Buhari administration against politics of persecution.

The monarchs, reacting to Senator Saraki’s trial for alleged false declaration of assets, said it was obvious that the Senate president was being persecuted.

KFM in a statement by its Chairman, Dr. Tijani Babalola, said members were unhappy with a section of the monarchs, who condemned Saraki’s trial at the CCT. Babalola said the monarchs were “encouraging contempt”, which was not in the interest of their subjects, but an “embarrassment and abuse of the rule of law.”

The statement reads: “The Kwara State traditional rulers are admonished to face the traditional roles of maintaining peace, law and order in their domains instead of parading themselves at the corridors of power against the wishes of their subjects.”

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THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015

NEWS

2016 Budget ‘ll boost economic diversification, says Buhari

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RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has said the 2016 National Budget being prepared by his administration will include fresh policies and measures for the rapid diversification of the economy from its current over-dependence on the Oil and Gas sector.

The President spoke yesterday in Abuja when he hosted the President of the Movement of the Enterprises of France (MEDEF), Mr. Pierre Gattaz and a delegation of French investors at the Presidential Villa.

He said the policies being

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

evolved by his administration to boost domestic manufacturing and attract greater investment to Nigeria’s agricultural and mining sectors would be fully realised in the 2016 budget.

President Buhari urged Gattaz and the French trade mission, which included over 50 companies with interest in manufacturing, agriculture, infrastructure development and other areas, to return to Nigeria next year to reap the

advantage of the new policies.

The President, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, also assured the French investors that under his leadership, Nigeria would not fall short of international standards in the protection of foreign investments and the repatriation of returns on such investments.

He said security and the inflow of foreign investment were intrinsically linked.

President Buhari told the

French investors, whose visit to Nigeria was a follow-up to his recent trip to Paris, that the Federal Government was taking necessary measures to overcome the nation’s security challenges.

He said: “Our government came into office at a time when many people had abandoned the country’s manufacturing, agricultural and mining sectors.

“We are doing our utmost best to encourage diversification into these sectors which can employ a lot of people and we will welcome your support

in this regard.

“Ultimately, reducing unemployment will also help to improve security because unemployment and insecurity are inseparable.”

The President pledged that Nigeria would also welcome more French investments in its Power sector because availability of steady power supply would lead to the reopening of closed factories and the creation of more jobs.

He also assured the delegation that his administra-

Woman arraigned for biting off co-tenant’s finger

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Women ‘against electoral violence’ From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

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OMEN from various communities in Bayelsa State yesterday rose against electoral violence and intimidation, ahead of the December 5 governorship election in the state.

The women, mostly mothers, who addressed reporters after their meeting in Yenagoa, the state capital, said they were apprehensive of the political tension, ahead of the poll.

The women spoke under the auspices of Women of Excellence (WE), a socio-political group yearning for a levelplaying field for every Bayelsa woman. They urged the parties participating in the election to adhere to the rules of engagement.

WE’s Coordinator Mrs. TariEre Gita said: “In recent past, Bayelsa State was smeared by violence, killings, kidnappings, cultism; state machinery was used to sponsor terrorism, directed mostly at political opponents and perceived enemies of the government.”

Councillors lock out council chief over bailout fund From Osagie Otabor, Benin

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

HE Edo State Police Command has arraigned a 30-year-old woman, Rita Egharevba, before an Oredo Magistrate’s Court for allegedly biting off a finger of her co-tenant, Mrs. Maureen Ekwase.

Police prosecutor Sylvester Omor, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), told the court that the incident occurred during a fight on September 15, at 21, Isibor Street, off Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium Road in Benin, the state capital.

Omor said Mrs Ekwase allegedly caught Egharevba urinating near the path to her (Mrs Ekwase’s) apartment.

Counsel to the victim, E. O. Unuareokpa, said although his client wanted to settle out-ofcourt, the victim was asking for N1 million. Unareokpa said his client offered N250,000, adding that the victim refused an advance payment of N20,000.

Mrs Ekwase denied demanding N1 million, urging the court to continue with the case.

The offence contravenes Section 332 (1) of the Criminal Code Cap 48, Vol. II, Laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria 1976, as applicable to Edo State.

The Magistrate, Mrs C. A. Nwoha, had granted bail to the accused for N150,000 and two sureties in like sum.

She adjourned the matter till October 12 for hearing.

tion was tackling corruption with renewed vigour to ensure greater probity in the management of national resources.

The MEDEF President, who spoke on behalf of the French investors, sought assurances from President Buhari on the safety of their planned investments in Nigeria and the easing of bureaucratic bottlenecks.

• Governor Oshiomhole flanked by Prince Emiko (right) and Chief Brown Mene, during the governor’s condolence visit to the regent in Warri...yesterday

Oshiomhole’s visit to Warri strengthens Bini, Itsekiri ties

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DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has expressed pain on the passage of the Ogiame Atuwatse II, the Olu of Warri, Delta State.

But the governor noted that it was not within anyone’s power to question God’s actions.

Oshiomhole, who spoke during his visit and commiseration with the Itsekiri, said it was incumbent on him to visit the Delta ethnic nationality because of the fraternal relationship between the Bini and the Itsekiri.

He prayed God to grant the Itsekiri the fortitude to bear the loss of their monarch.

Accompanied by top gov-

From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

ernment functionaries, the Oshiomhole said the late Olu contributed to the development of the Itsekiri, Warri Kingdom and the nation.

He said: “We are not in a position to question God’s will or our ancestors, but to pray that God grants His infinite mercy on Warri Kingdom to bear the irreparable loss.

“We value the relationship between us in the spirit of (the defunct) Bendel State.

We are one; we are with you in our prayers. The trust and bond that existed between us will continue to grow stronger.”

Oshiomhole prayed God to grant the soul of the departed Olu eternal rest.

The regent of the Itsekiri, Prince Eroro Emiko, thanked the governor for the visit.

The prince noted that Oshiomhole’s presence with other eminent Nigerians around the Itsekiri gave them confidence.

He said: “Our hearts are heavy but when we look around and see people like you, our long journey will be achievable.”

A prominent leader in the ancient town, Chief Brown Mene, noted that the departure of the Olu of Warri took the Itsekiri by surprise.

He said Warri Kingdom

had reasons to celebrate because the late monarch contributed to the progress of his people and Nigeria.

The Akulagba of Warri Kingdom, Chief Ayiri Emami, said Oshiomhole had shown that he was a true brother. Present at the visit were: Chief S. S. Rone, Chief Isaac Jemide, Chief N. Utienyione, Chief C. D. Ikomi, Chief Brown Mene, Dr. Duakpenmi Andrew Ayi and Mrs. Rita Lori Ogbebor.

Others included: Prince Ola Emiko, Chief Ayirimi Emami, Delta State All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman Prophet Jones Erue and Olorogun Jaro Egbo.

OUNCILLORS in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State yesterday locked out the local government’s chairman Victor Enobakhare for alleged failure to state how much he received from the bailout funds from the Federal Government.

The councillors also demanded to know how much the local government was making from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), the council’s head cost and payment of outstanding salaries.

The councillors reportedly barricaded the gate and prevented Enobakhare from entering the secretariat.

When our reporter visited the secretariat in the afternoon, the workers were in their offices but only three councillors were in their offices.

The local government’s Secretary Joshua Uwagboe said only three councillors participated in the protest.

Joshua said the councillors wanted an explanation from the chairman on some grey areas, adding that Enobakhare said standing at the gate was not the proper way to seek clarifications on such issues.

He said: “About three of them said they had some information about the council’s IGR, their salaries and many other issues. The councillors said they wanted the chairman to answer them. We believe that standing in front of the gate was not the right thing.

“They are lawmakers. If they want any information, they could invite the chairman. I don’t think they had invited the chairman and he refused to answer them. I believe they were misinformed.

There is peace now at the council’s secretariat.”

Bayelsa election can’t be rigged, says Dickson

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AYELSA State Governor Seriake Dickson

has said nobody can rig the December 5 governorship election in the state.

In a statement yesterday in Yenagoa, the state capital, by his Chief Press Secretary Daniel Iworiso-Markson, the governor said the election would be decided by the will of the people based on the antecedents of the contenders.

He said: “Let me assure you all Bayelsans that the fear of rigging in this election, reasonable as it sounds, will not be possible. Nobody can rig this election, because the whole world will be in Bayelsa to monitor the pro-

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

cess.

“Your votes will count.

When you vote on Election Day, wait and be a monitor yourself. There will be adequate security and all key federal institutions that will be saddled with the task of conducting the election, such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and law enforcement agencies, will be fully on ground to ensure there are no hitches or give room for manipulation in favour of a particular candidate.”

He urged Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members, who defected to the All Pro-

gressives Congress (APC), to return to their initial party and join him in his re-election.

Dickson said his appeal was borne out of his feelings that the defectors were being humiliated and betrayed by APC’s leadership in the state.

According to him, the defectors had become onlookers in their quest for political participation and relevance.

Dickson noted that the opposition did not represent any viable alternative to peace, unity and development of the state.

The governor alleged that the APC leadership had a repressive and retrogressive past, which would not serve any better purpose in the cur-

rent dispensation.

He added that the December 5 poll was not about him but for the greater good of the state.

Dickson urged PDP defectors to jettison their grievances and cooperate with him to uphold the interest of the state and the Ijaw above personal interests.

According to him, none of them can afford to allow the state slide into the dark days of the past.

Dickson said: “We may have had our differences, but in the light of current realities, it is only desirable that all our former members return to the PDP and join hands with me for the great-

er development of Bayelsa State.

“Certainly, we cannot afford a return to the dark days of our past and allow the state to slide into anarchy, killings, maiming, kidnappings, cultism and statesponsored terrorism directed at political opponents.

“The harrowing experiences of many Bayelsans, who fled into exile in neighbouring states and far-flung places, under the APC candidate when he held sway as governor for five years, remain vivid and should not be allowed to be repeated. This is why we have to reason together and make amends.”

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THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015

NEWS Town Hall meeting today

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AGOS State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode will today meet with residents at the maiden edition of his quarterly Town Hall Meeting, in Lagos West Senatorial District.

The meeting is in fulfillment of his campaign promise to engage the citizens and tell them the administration’s plans, policies and programmes.

A statement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Folarin Adeyemi, said the Town Hall Meeting would hold at the Abesan Mini Stadium/Play ground, Abesan Housing Estate, Ipaja by 11am.

Adeyemi urged stakeholders and residents to come for the meeting, which will provide a veritable avenue for them to interact with the governor.

He listed some achievements of the Ambode administration to include the reconstruction of Ejigbo-Ikotun Road, Isolo- Ikotun Road, Brown Street, Oshodi, provision of 20 mobile care units' ambulances and 26 ambulances deployed across various general hospitals.

Adeyemi said the governor will fulfil his campaign promises by improving on the standard of living of our people, attract foreign investment and build a prosperous Lagos.

Advisory Council inaugurated

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HE Ekiti State government has reconstituted the State Advisory Council to the Governor on Prerogatives of Mercy.

Members of the council include the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Owoseni Ajayi (Chairman); Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Babatope Ojo, Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Gbenga Daramola and Comptroller of Prisons, Ekiti State Command, Mustapha Atta.

Others are Chief Imam of the Government House, Rafiu Fatai, Government House Chaplin Seyi Olusola and Mrs. Margaret Oyebola (Secretary).

Ajayi said the committee was reconstituted to assist the governor to duly exercise his discretionary power to grant state pardon to prisoners.

He said the Advisory Council would advise the governor on issues bordering on pardon, respite, punishment and committal of sentence of convicts.

Reiterating the commitment of the Fayose administration to the formulation and implementation of various policies and reforms that would guarantee safety and security, Ajayi highlighted such gestures to include the creation of the office of public defender.

Residents protest college restructuring

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ESIDENTS of IlaOrangun, Osun State, marched on the streets yesterday to protest the alleged proposed restructuring of the College of Education by the government.

Traditional chiefs, elders, students, artisans gathered at the Igbonibi City Hall, and took turns to express disappointment at the alleged proposal.

Leaders and members of the Ila-Orangun Parapo, IlaOrangun Elders’ Consultative Forum, Ila-Orangun Community Development Council and Ila-Orangun Action Council were present at the town hall meeting.

Many youths carried placards with various inscriptions, such as “Aregbe should stop inflicting suffering on people and IlaOrangun”; “Aregbe should not play tribal politics with tertiary institutions in Osun” and “Aregbe should stop his ravaging war against Ila-Orangun”, among others.

Some of the speakers said the government had denounced the proposal but they said it was necessary that the people were enlightened about the issue because they do not want to be caught unaware if the government decided to carry out the plan.

Secretary of the Ila-Orangun Community Development Council Yemi Adeoye said the information of the proposed restructuring shocked the Orangun of Ila and residents.

He said: “We want to categorically state that the information transcends a rumour. Ila people

•‘Aregbesola not against town’s interest’ From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

are aware that a serious plan is underway to relegate Osun State College of Education, IlaOrangun to a mere Continuing Education Centre. God forbid.

“Ila people say no to that bid and describe it as sheer marginalisation.

“Ila-Orangun is an ancient town and as the heart of Igbominaland, its people are peaceful, calm and accommodating.

“But does that mean that Ila people should be taken for granted in the name of institutional rationalisation or restructuring by the government.

“Inflicting under development on Ila-Orangun should by no means be the prize of our loyalty and mass support for Governor Rauf Aregbesola.”

The Chairman of the IlaOrangun Action Council, Paul

Ogunrinde, said the town had socially, economically and academically benefited from the college since its establishment in 1979.

According to him, on January 1, 1981, the college gained autonomy and was affiliated to the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University).

He said the gathering was not political but to let Governor Aregbesola know that the people were against the restructuring.

“We initially planned to go and protest in Osogbo and other Ila indigenes in Lagos and Abuja have promised to join us.

“But the governor called the monarch to deny that there is no plan to move the college.

“Ila is against the restructuring. The college has been in Ila since 1979. Every previous administration has contributed to its growth and this is what we expect from the Aregbesola administration. So, we beg him to

take his restructure elsewhere because we don’t want it,” he said.

The Chairman of the college’s Governing Council, Niyi Akande, has assured that the administration will not work against the interest of the people.

In a statement, he said Aregbesola has no reason to hurt the host communities of the four tertiary institutions in the state.

The Chairman said Aregbesola and the council members of the four tertiary institutions were great lovers of education.

Akande decried the way the unions and some students were expressing their grievances.

He advised the unions and students not to allow themselves to be used by “the unprogressive elements, who were looking for ways to disrupt the peace”.

Shittu battles Oyo APC to retain nomination

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HE ministerial nominee for Oyo State has begun moves to stave off opposition by leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

It was gathered that Adebayo Shittu took his case to traditional rulers in OkeOgun, urging them to prevail on APC leaders because “if he loses the slot, it will never come back to Oke-Ogun “.

A source, who pleaded for anonymity, told The Nation that Shittu chose to play the ethnic card because he viewed it as a strong weapon that could cow his opponents.

According to the source, no monarch or kinsman would be comfortable with such alleged plan to take a ministerial slot away from his domain.

But he added that party leaders had been educating the monarchs that the case was beyond individuals or sentiment, stressing that all leaders and members would align with the party’s position.

The source said the party would prefer a substitute, who is a core party member and a team player from Oke-Ogun .

He added: “He has been reaching out to monarchs in our area, telling them that the APC opposed his nomination because the party does not

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

want the slot to come to OkeOgun.

“He is prompting them to prevail on the party, particularly APC leaders in Oke-Ogun, to drop their opposition because his service will be beneficial to the people.

“He said the party would prefer to take the slot to another zone if he is dropped. But we have been telling them that party members will align with the decision of the party.

“We have told them that it is neither an Oke-Ogun nor a particular person’s matter. The

party wants a core member of the APC who is committed to the party.

“His substitute can even come from Oke-Ogun. What is important is that the candidate should be the party’s choice or at least, someone who is not against the party.“ Party members and leaders, particularly in Oke-Ogun where Shittu hails from, have been opposing his nomination since the ministerial list came out last week.

They contend that Shittu did not support the APC in the last election.

In his reaction, Shittu, a

Tutor-General sworn in

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AGOS State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday reiterated his commitment to ensure that the civil service remains one of the best in the country.

The governor spoke at the swearing in of Mrs. Lola AreAdegbite as the Tutor General/ Permanent Secretary of Education District Four, at the Lagos House, Ikeja.

Stating the smooth running of governance lies with the civil service, he said permanent secretaries have adequately carried on even in

the absence of the State Executive Council.

“The permanent secretaries have proven in the last four months that even without a cabinet, the business of government can actually be done and this is worthy of commendation,” Ambode said.

Mrs. Are-Adegbite, born July 1, 1958, holds a B.sc in Biology from Texas-Southern University, Houston Texas, Post Graduate Diploma in Education and a Masters Degree in Education both from the University of Lagos, Akoka.

•Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano cutting the tape to open a 100-bed hostel built by a philanthropist and business mogul, Dr. Ernest Azudialu Obieje at Dennis Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha...at the weekend.

PHOTO: OBI CLETUS

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015

53

CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 09091178827

1,920 miscreants face trial

Ago Palace road ready in three months

By Olatunde Odebiyi

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AGOS State Task Force Agency has prosecuted 1,920 miscreants so far this year, its chairman, Mr Olubukola Abe, has said.

Abe told reporters in his Alausa, Ikeja office that 2,127 miscreants were initially arrested, adding that 162 were screened and 55 were discharged.

He said over 1,720 motorcyclists were arrested for plying restricted routes and their machines confiscated.

The agency’s activities, Abe said, were geared towards ensuring a secure and tidy environment for commerce to thrive.

Street trading, he said, remained prohibited in the state, noting that it is responsible for most of the heavy traffic in the city.

He urged motorists to desist from patronising street traders.

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HE General Manager, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), Li Bing, yesterday said the rehabilitation of Ago Palace Way in Okota, Lagos will be completed in three months.

He spoke when the road was inspected by Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Mr Ajibade Bade-Adebowale.

Bing said the firm’s major challenge is the weather, nothing: “If the weather doesn’t stop us, we will complete it before Christmas if not, it may be delayed. We have also been able to grade some parts of the road but the rain has been disturbing us from work. At this stage, we need people’s support and understanding so we can finish as planned. The road situation is bad now because the drainage system is blocked but we will improve on it.”

He said alternative routes had been provided for motorists to beat the traffic gridlock.

The Permanent Secretary said it was the last phase of the three roads marked for rehabilitation on the OkotaIsolo axis.

He said: “The reason the road has been delayed is the downpour and the landlords who took the state government to court but that has been resolved. This road is very important because it also serves as alternative routes for motorists heading

Hoodlums invade PHCN Estate

•The road ... yesterday

By Dare Odufowokan, Assistant Editor

By Basirat Braimah

to Festac and Badagry. Residents should cooperate with CCECC because for them to have a good outcome, they must go through hardship.”

Bade-Adebowale urged residents to cease dumping refuse in drains to avoid flooding and damaging the roads.

A resident, Mrs Dorcas Ihevba, prayed for early completion of the road.

She said: “Though it hasn’t been easy walking on the road but I know it will soon be over because we have suf-

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•Bade-Adebowale (middle), Bing (second left) and officials of the ministry during the PHOTOS: OMOSEHIN MOSES inspection... yesterday

fered enough.”

A shop owner, Chris Dave, said he is also praying for the completion of the road.

He said: “When I came to shop this morning (yesterday), I was overwhelmed because I have suffered on

this road. I can’t count the amount I have spent on tyres but I know all that will be over. Though it has affected my business; I know after the completion, everything will fall in place.”

A tricyclist, who gave his

name as Tijani, said: “I am really glad about this because most times I spend my day at a mechanic workshop repairing my Marwa. If the road is completed, I don’t have to spend my day there.

It is a good development.”

Suspected scavenger-robber held at Ojota

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MAN, who disguises as a scavenger to rob people around Ojota in Lagos has been arrested

by Rapid Response Squad (RRS) operatives.

Abdullai Umar (24) was arrested by a RRS patrol team around Abiola Garden in Ojota.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect is a member of a gang, which disguises as scavengers and hides arms in trucks to commit robbery.

According to RRS, the suspect and other members of his gang threatened victims with weapons before robbing them of their valuables, such as phones, jewellery

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

and cash Two of Umar’s victims accompanied him to the RRS Headquarters at Alausa, Ikeja, to narrate their ordeals to the police.

Mr Dayo Zachariah, one of the victims, said he was attacked along the road leading to China Town while going to work.

He said: “A guy jumped out from the bush and attacked me with a cutlass, and collected my phone and purse containing the sum of N1,700 and I.D card with bank teller and also a passport photograph.

“My phone and purse were recovered from him by

the police but the money inside the purse had vanished.”

Another victim, Grace Akanna, told the police that the suspect also robbed him on that spot on the same day.

“On that fateful morning, I was going through Abiola Garden, Ojota to board a bus to Maryland, a man came from nowhere and snatched my purse containing the sum of N2,000, Identification card, Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards and some documents,” Akanna said.

RRS Commander, Olatunji Disu, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP, said the patrol team saw Zachariah and Akanna crying for help.

“Immediately, the policemen went after the suspect, who was nabbed while making an attempt to hide inside the flower in the area”.

The suspect, who claims that he hails from Kawo Local Government Area of Kaduna State, said: “I disguised as scavenger to rob people. I work with Sunday, Stephen, Papa, John, Muscle and Akeem.

“We operate around that area during day and night.

My receiver is an Igbo man who owns a shop at Mile 2 in Lagos. I sold Nokia and Techno phones to him and any other stolen valuables including wrist-watches and jewellery. I am ready to co-

•The suspect

operate with the Police to arrest other members of the gang”.

Disu said his men would go after fleeing members of the syndicate.

NESREA seals firm for violating environmental laws

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HE National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) yesterday sealed off Nigerian Aluminium Extrusions (NIGALEX) Ltd at Oshodi, Lagos, for alleged violation of environmental laws.

The company, established in 1973, has over the years emerged as the leading producer of high quality Aluminum products in West Africa.

Head of NESREA’s enforcement, Mr Kolawole Gbenga, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the company was served violation and abatement notices before the exercise.

He said the agency had discovered that some companies were producing without protecting the environment.

Gbenga said: “Today, we

have come to seal this company that is involved in the production of metallic products (iron rods). It has not been complying with some relevant environmental laws, such as the disposal of their waste and untreated effluents. We are expected to manage the environment and not to destroy it.

“If we must site a company, we are expected to follow and comply with relevant laws put in place to protect the integrity of the environment. We have issued compliance notice thrice; also, we issued two abatement notices as warning, but the facility owners failed to comply and we have no option than to apply the law.’’

He said the company was expected to correct the anomalies before the unseal-

ing by the agency.

Lagos State Coordinator of NESREA, Mr Nosa Aigbedion, said the warning notices were served on the company on June 11, 2014 after the agency’s first inspection.

Aigbedion said the company was further instructed to install an effluents treatment plant which it has not

installed.

He said: “The company has failed to comply with environmental laws by not having an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) certificate and non-submission of Environmental Audit Report (EAR) to NESREA. We have applied the carrot and it is time to apply the stick. We conducted the first inspection

in 2014 and till date no action has been taken to mitigate the concerns and we have a duty to ensure the environment is clean and safe for all. There is a need for them to reach out to their community as a form of Corporate Social Responsibility.”

An official of the company declined to speak on the matter.

O fewer than eighty families have been rendered homeless at NEPA Estate, Egbin in Ijede Local Council Development Area of Ikorodu, Lagos after some hoodlums invaded the estate.

The hoodlums’ attempt to forcefully evict the residents from their properties led to destruction of several buildings.

The Nation learnt that the hoodlums looted many houses before vandalising more than 100 buildings within the estate.

According to Ojo, one of the affected landlords, the hoodlums came in about five vehicles with two of them bearing Federal Government plate number. They also stormed the estate with scores of ladders with which they climbed the rooftops while vandalising the building.

Some residents, mainly retired staffers of the defunct National Electrical Power Authority (NEPA) who tried to confront them, were beaten.

A nonagenarian victim of the invasion, who was manhandled by the hoodlums, was rushed to a nearby hospital.

Our correspondent, who visited the estate on Sunday afternoon, reported that many of the residents were seen trying to fix their vandalised buildings. While some were renovating damaged rooftops, others were replacing broken windows and ceilings.

The Nation learnt that the landlords, through their association, reported the matter at the Ijede Police Station but were not attended to.

“They told us to go to Court,” one of the landlords said.

It was learnt that the police is yet to visit the scene of the attack as at press time.

Son remanded in prison for father’s death

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35-YEAR old man, Nelson Oamen, who allegedly stabbed his father to death, was yesterday remanded in Ikoyi Prison by an Ebute-Metta Chief Magistrate’s Court in Lagos.

Chief Magistrate Folasade Botoku, ordered that the accused be remanded in prison pending the release of legal

advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the plea of the accused was not taken as the court lacked the jurisdiction to prosecute murder cases.

The Prosecutor, Olagoke Akinlabi, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) had earlier told the court that the

offence was committed on September 18, at Abesan Estate, Ipaja, a Lagos suburb.

He alleged that the accused used a broken bottle to stab his 75-year old father, Sunday Oamen, severally all over his body while he was sleeping, claiming that he refused to take care of him.

“He claimed that his father refused to give him money to

purchase a bus and on the said day he went into his father’s room where he was sleeping and stabbed him with a broken bottle,” he said.

Akinlabi said that the offence contravened Section 221 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The case has been adjourned to November 5 pending legal advice from the DPP.

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015

54

FOREIGN NEWS Nato warns Russia on air strikes

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ATO has urged Russia to end air strikes "on the Syrian opposition and civilians", days after Moscow began raids to support Syria's government.

Moscow says it is targeting Islamic State and other Islamist positions, but US-led allies and Turkey say government opponents are targeted.

Turkish F-16 fighter jets were scrambled after a Russian plane entered Turkey's air space on Saturday.

Russia said the incident was a "navigational error".

• Over a period of 1,000 years, devout artists would create more than 700 cave temples with about 45,000 square metres of murals.

Originally intended as prayer cells, the Mogao grottos would come to accommodate the artistic efforts of 1,000 nameless artists. It is this UNESCOprotected heritage site that underpinned Dunhuang's emergence as a world-class tourist destination.

Turkish jets intercept Russian plane

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American Airlines pilot dies mid-flight

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N American Airlines pilot died mid-flight after experiencing a medical emergency this morning, airline officials said.

The pilot, whose name and age were not released, was flying from Boston to Phoenix when the plane was forced to land in Syra-

cuse, New York.

There were 147 passengers on board with five crew members, including the pilot. An airline spokesperson confirmed the incident to ABC News and said it is "incredibly saddened" and is focusing on taking care of the family members and crew involved.

Recordings of the crew's communications with air traffic control, obtained via liveatc.net, show that someone on the plane called in saying that the "captain is incapacitated" and at another point, saying "pilot is unresponsive, not breathing."

The nature of the pilot's

sudden illness has not been disclosed.

An airline spokesperson said that one of the flight attendants is also a nurse and was trying to assist the ill pilot.

Airlines in the United States are required to have two pilots on board, and that was true in this case as well.

Syrian insurgent groups vow to attack Russian forces

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HE 41 groups, which included powerful factions such as Ahrar al-Sham, Islam Army and the Levant Front, said Russia joined the war in Syria after President Bashar Assad's forces were on the verge "of a crushing defeat."

The Russian attacks have largely focused on the northwestern and central provinces - the gateways to the heartland of Assad's powerbase in the capital, Damascus, and on the Mediterranean coast.

The Russian intervention was widely criticized by Syrian opposition groups and activists especially since Moscow once played the role of a mediator hosting rounds of talks between the Syrian government and its opponents.

"This new reality requires the region's countries and the allies in specific to hasten in forming a regional alliance to face the Russian-Iranian alliance that occupies Syria," the 41 factions said in a statement released by Ahrar al-Sham. It was apparently referring to backers of the opposition such as Turkey and Saudi Arabia.

A Syrian military official

was quoted by state media as saying that Russian airstrikes on Monday hit in the central province of Homs and Idlib in the northwest.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human rights said warplanes believed to be Russian have targeted the northern town of Al-Bab that is a stronghold of the Islamic State group. It said the airstrike left "a large number" of casualties.

• Assad

A Facebook page used by IS posted photos of wounded people being treated in a clinic and another of what appeared to be a burned body being pulled out of a charred car. The Facebook page said dozens of people were killed or wounded in the airstrikes.

The Syrian militant and rebel factions, including the U.S.-backed Division 101 and Tajammu Alezza, said "the Russian military aggression on Syria is considered a blatant occupation of the country even if some claim it was done with the official request of the Assad regime. Those who lost legitimacy can't offer it."

"All Syrian armed revolutionary factions must realize we are in a war to push an aggressor, a war that makes unifying ranks and word a duty on all brothers," the factions said in the two-page statement posted online.

"Any occupation force to our beloved country is a legitimate target."

Earlier in the day militant websites report that Syria's Muslim Brotherhood declared that jihad against the "sheer Russian occupation of Syria" is a legitimate duty for

everyone capable of carrying weapons.

The Brotherhood's media chief Omar Mushawah was quoted as saying that "we as Muslim Brotherhood group confirm that we are witnessing a sheer and clear Russian occupation" and that "resisting the occupier is a legitimate duty."

Meanwhile, Syria's foreign minister says Russian airstrikes and its new military "steps" in Syria took months of preparations.

Walid al-Moallem says in remarks broadcast on Beirut's Al-Mayadeen TV that Russia closely coordinates with the Syrian army over its airstrikes. The full interview with al-Moallem will be aired later on yesterday.

In neighbouring Lebanon, a roadside bomb hit a minibus carrying passengers in the eastern town of Chtoura near the Syrian border without causing any casualties, the Lebanese army said.

Some local media reports said the bus belonged to Hezbollah while it was on its way to Syria, where the militant group has been fighting in alliance with Assad's forces.

USSIA said the incident was a "navigational error" and that it has "clarified" the matter to Ankara.

Turkish jets patrolling the border were also "harassed" by an unidentified plane on Sunday, Turkey said.

Russia has been carrying out air strikes in Syria in support of President Bashar al-Assad.

Turkey, a Nato member, has called the Russian strikes a "grave mistake".

The US Secretary of State John Kerry said: "We're greatly concerned about it because it is precisely the kind of thing that, had Turkey responded under its rights, could have resulted in a shoot-down."

Representatives of Nato's 28 member states will meet later to discuss the incursion into Turkey.

Yesterday Russia said it had "continued performing pinpoint strikes" on IS targets in Syria, carrying out 25 sorties and hitting nine Islamic State (IS) targets.

Among those targets was a communications centre in Homs, and a command centre in Latakia, it said.

The Russian air campaign began on Wednesday, with Moscow saying it was targeting IS positions and those of

other extremists. Syria said on Monday that the air strikes had been planned for months.

But Turkey and other members of the US-led coalition in Syria say the principal target is in fact the Syrian opposition groups fighting President Assad. They assert that Russia's intervention will further escalate the conflict and risks driving more recruits to IS. Saturday's interception took place near Yayladagi in the southern Hatay region, Turkey says. The foreign ministry in Ankara said it had summoned the Russian ambassador to issue a "strong protest".

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told Turkish TV that the rules of engagement were clear, whoever violates its airspace.

"The Turkish Armed Forces are clearly instructed. Even if it is a flying bird, it will be intercepted," he said.

But he played down the possibility of a "Turkey-Russia crisis", saying that channels between the two countries remained open.

The Turkish foreign minister, Feridun Sinirlioglu, has spoken to his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, as well as ministers from other Nato countries.

Oscar Pistorius must remain in jail, review board says

O

SCAR Pistorius must remain in jail and not be transferred to house arrest after a decision to grant him parole was again delayed.

His lawyer Brian Webber told the AFP news agency that a decision over his early release has been referred back to the parole board.

The Paralympic star was jailed for five years in 2014 for the culpable homicide of Reeva Steenkamp.

He has been fighting a lengthy battle to be released early from jail.

Pistorius was due to be released in August, but remained in prison after Justice Minister Michael Masutha made a last-minute intervention blocking it.

The parole review board the final recourse for parole disputes - met on Monday to decide if the star, 28, should be allowed out on house arrest.

A definitive parole ruling is now unlikely to be made before the athlete in a separate legal process appeals against his conviction on 3 November in Bloemfontein.

This ruling could result in him receiving a longer prison

term.

Mr Webber explained that the parole review board decided to refer the matter back to the original parole panel the body accused by Mr Masutha of "prematurely" wanting to release him in August.

There will not be much sympathy for Pistorius because many people felt that the judge erred by acquitting him of murder.

The double amputee will have to remain behind bars because while his case joins the lengthy queue of other parole hearings that need to be heard, and there is no indication when this will happen.

Legal experts say the decision by the justice minister Michael Masutha to intervene was correct in terms of the law.

At the time of his intervention, Pistorius had been granted parole only six months into his five-year sentence.

Civilians 'accidentally struck' in Afghan hospital bombing, U.S. commander says

A

DOCTOR without Borders hospital in Afghanistan was struck accidentally after Afghan forces called for air support from the American military, the commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan says.

The bombing of the hospital in the city of Kunduz over the weekend killed 23 people -- nearly half of them hospital

patients -- and has prompted outrage around the world.

Addressing reporters at the Pentagon on Monday, Gen. John Campbell said initial reports had indicated that the airstrike was called to protect U.S. forces.

"We have now learned that on October 3, Afghan forces advised that they were taking fire from enemy positions and

asked for air support from U.S. forces," he said. "An airstrike was then called to eliminate the Taliban threat, and several innocent civilians were accidentally struck."

Campbell offered his "deepest condolences" to the victims.

U.S. President Barack Obama says the Pentagon is carrying out "a full investigation" and

he expects "a full accounting of the facts and circumstances."

"If errors were committed, we will acknowledge them.

We will hold those responsible accountable, and we will take steps to ensure mistakes are not repeated," Campbell said.

"We will await the outcome of the investigation to provide any additional updates, and

we will share the results of the investigation once it is complete." Campbell said he was releasing the information after speaking to the investigating officer in Kunduz.

Doctors without Borders also known as Medecins Sans Frontieres, or MSF are demanding an independent inquiry into what it is calling "a war crime."

• Pistorius

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015

55

TODAY IN THE NATION

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

‘OGA must beware of the chameleon syndrome. You can’t be a Yoruba culture ambassador, yet betray the omoluabi ethos by turning political racketeer during election time’ OLAKUNLE ABIMBOLA

VOL.10 NO. 3358

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

A

HEAD of its official release just as last week was ending, the most closely-guarded and most anticipated list in Nigeria’s political history sprang a huge leak.

Senate President Bukola Saraki is keeping what has been released so far to his obdurate chest, bravely keeping up the pretence that he is a worthy occupant of that post and a worthy recipient of the document, even after being docked like a common miscreant. I will return to this point shortly.

Perhaps by the time you read this piece, Buhari will have released the complement.

Never was a list so highly anticipated.

And it was not just by those jockeying for cabinet positions. Having a close relation or friend or even the merest acquaintance in the cabinet is the closest thing to being a cabinet minister. It could translate into easy money, financial help, juicy contracts, jobs for dependents who have been pounding the streets forlornly since graduating five years ago, and perhaps even into a huge leap from obscurity to celebrity.

Interest and speculation were therefore very high among those with eyes trained on the main chance. And in the ranks of such persons whose candidates found favour, there is already great rejoicing, as reflected in the upsurge in special thanksgiving sessions during Sunday worship. The celebrations, aso ebi and all, will come later, with the scale varying directly as the perceived juiciness of the assigned ministry.

There has also been a corresponding upsurge in supplication with regard to the content of the supplementary list. Fervent prayers, with fasting and solemn pledges, are being said that those who did not figure in the first list will figure prominently in the coming one, and that the outcome will confirm the wisdom of the ancients that those who laugh last laugh best.

Some of those desperately hoping for cabinet positions fuelled interest and speculation in the process by insinuating themselves in the media as prospects receiving serious and active consideration, hoping thereby that if Buhari does not know their merit, the media would tell him just what he is missing.

This tactic hasn’t always worked, but can you blame anyone for trying?

Basking in Saraki’s faded glory instead of establishing his own bona fides, the mercurial Senator Dino Melaye has declared that the confirmation hearings will be thorough; that the era of “bow and go,” whereby a candidate for confirmation is asked to take a bow and move on, without any enquiry into his or her qualifications and fitness for the office, is over.

It is to be hoped that this is not another example of the empty talk for which Melaye has become notorious. It would be nice if, for once, the Senate did its home work and put the candidates through the searching examination that will show how qualified

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OLATUNJI DARE

AT HOME ABROAD olatunji.dare@thenationonlineng.net

Beyond the list

Dr Saraki

they are to be ministers in these uncertain times that demand substantive mastery, and a huge capacity for learning, adaptation and innovation.

President Buhari should help the Senate in his regard by attaching a portfolio to each nominee. The idea that any person adjudged fit for ministerial office can function as political head of any ministry, a carry-over from the Shagari era, is preposterous. A person who can muddle through as Minister of Parks and Gardens is unlikely to do a credible job as Minister of Science and Technology or as Minister for the Navy.

Vice versa, persons eminently suitable for those posts will most likely make a hash of the Parks and Gardens portfolio.

In times past, some senators would now be preparing for a rich harvest. Prospective cabinet members knew that it was one thing — the easy part, in fact— to be nominated, and quite another to be confirmed. It was not unusual for hints to be planted by persons claiming to work within the system that the path might be lubricated with a substantial infusion of cash or goods routed through them, or for candidates to offer same upfront, without waiting to be asked.

Either way, the “system” was the winner.

Not this time; not under the new Sheriff.

What role will Saraki play in all this?

He is stuck in the hole he dug himself into, and continues to dig furiously. Docked like a common criminal, he presumed to lecture the presiding judge on the law and the Constitution. Instead of the triumphal homecoming that crowds had been rented to accord him in Ilorin, he was pelted with water sachets and stones and called the most repellent names at the praying grounds during Sallah and had to be spirited away for his own safety.

The event was captured on video and splendidly reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the nation’s most professional and most reliable media source.

But Saraki’s spokespersons claim that it never took place. So much for their credibility.

To counter his Sallah misadventure and create the illusion that he was in good standing, Saraki suborned major traditional rulers in Kwara State, among them a retired judge of the Court of Appeal, who, as I was reminded by a younger friend the other day, might have become the nation’s chief justice,

HARDBALL

H

ARDBALL is angry this morning — very, very angry. A four-year old pupil was allegedly raped, and all the proprietor — and a cleric to boot — appears capable of is stark indifference!

Now what sort of cleric is this? Doesn’t his faith, at which he is “reverend” preach compassion?

The Nation of October 5, in its CityBeats section, reported the haunting agony of a grandmother, Mrs. T. Ajose, discovering that the school’s bus driver on September 17 raped her granddaughter, a Nursery 2 pupil.

“The following day, when I got to the school, I shouted on top of my voice.

Though my daughter has been attending the school since she was 18 months old, the teachers pretended as if they didn’t know me,” Mrs. Ajose recalled. A case of cold collusion, having known the dreadful crime the driver had allegedly committed?

Attracted by the old woman’s scream, a mob reportedly invaded the school, destroyed part of the property, before reporting the matter to Alagolo Police Station at Ipaja, Lagos. The alleged rapist, one Yemi Adesina, was subsequently arrested after a parade of all the male workers. Thrice was the parade; and thrice, the four-year-old picked the suspect. But for the mob, would the school have surrendered the alleged felon?

to pay him the courtesy visit that was usually accorded the serving governor, and to confer on him a vote of confidence even as he faced ongoing criminal investigations.

When the Senate resumed after yet another well-compensated recess, he launched into a self-serving oration about how he had become Senate President in accordance with the constitutional provision that the Senate would elect one of its own to the post, and how he was being persecuted on account of that fact, and for his vow to safeguard the “independence” of the Legislative Branch.

But not before stage-managing another vote of confidence.

Why does a person who is completely innocent need so many votes of confidence?

Yes, the Senate is enjoined to elect one of its own as president. It also prescribes the manner in which the choice is to be made.

There is also the weighty matter of the spirit of the law. Saraki subverted the spirit of the law to become president. Withal, he is a defendant in a charge of forgery – forgery of the rules of procedure that governed his election.

The “independence” of the legislature that Saraki says he is out to protect is a threadbare pretext. The legislature is just one of the three arms of government. Its bills become law only when the President assents to them. It can delay or revise, but only rarely can it countermand the President.

And whereas the courts can invalidate any act of the legislature incompatible with the Constitution, the legislature cannot overturn the verdict of the courts.

So, where is the “independence” Saraki says he is out to protect? “Independence” from whom, and for what?

What will it take to make him realise that he cannot continue to preside over the Senate without destroying that institution?

How many more of these sophomoric stunts can he stage in his desperation to hold on to office?

I am hoping that when the hearings get under way, at least one nominee will look Saraki in the face and say, “Senator, with all due respect to your office, you lack the honour and the moral integrity to sit in judgment as to whether I should serve on President Buhari’s cabinet or not. I cannot in good conscience submit to your authority in this matter. I thank the President for the nomination, but must for the reason I have stated respectfully withdraw from consideration.”

•For comments, send SMS to 08111813080

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

What sort of school owner?

Recollected the child to her grandmother: “He put me on a table, covered my mouth and my face with a piece of cloth and put something inside my bum. But he later cleaned it.”

But that came after much prodding. Her initial attitude was silence — stone silence.

“When I persuaded her to tell me what happened,” the jolted grandma said, “she said she had been warned not to tell anyone. I asked her who told her that; and she said Uncle Yemi in her school.” Some satanic uncle!

You could imagine the sheer trauma: the child, virtually struck dumb, excreted on her body (quite unlike her), excrement mixed with blood (which the grandma still passed as mere pile), her pant soaked in blood and finally the medical confirmation of rape!

It is good the alleged rapist is cooling his heels at Panti Police Station, Adekunle in Yaba.

Everything should be done to thoroughly investigate this case; and prosecute and convict with despatch. Paedophiles should not be allowed a free rein in our society.

But beyond paedophilia, how do you explain the school management’s conduct?

The school claims a worker died when irate

neighbours invaded the school. Others countered that the woman actually slumped and died in her home — claims and counter-claims.

But the scandal is not contrasting claims but the school’s cold attitude. To the proprietor and his management, the rape of a four-year-old in the care is not the issue.

The issue, rather, is the controversial claim of a worker’s death, as well threatening the victim to drop the case, or else ...

Hear Revd. Michael Abodunrin, the proprietor: “I don’t think I will make any comment because it is just an allegation yet.

The case is in court already. Our school was vandalised by some residents on September 18, between 7:30 and 8am in respect of the rape case.”

So, Mr. Revd. Proprietor would rather not comment on a violated child in his care but on alleged vandalism of school property? Does this guy have the emotional soundness to own a licence to run a school?

The Lagos government should swiftly move in, even as the judicial authorities sort out the alleged rapist. As we weed paedophiles from our school system, we should also do away with emotionally-unintelligent school owners.

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