The Nation October 08, 2012

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Jonathan sees First Lady in Germany

Dangote’s N430m for floods victims

NEWS

Page 6

NEWS •Kogi women to get N230m Page 12

•NTA shows Dame Patience tape

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VOL. 7, NO. 2272 MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

ONDO 2012

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•Akeredolu flays Bakare’s support for Mimiko •Fear of violence grips Youth Corps members MORE ON •Voter’s cards suspects to face trial •AND PAGES 4&5

Outrage over killing of UNIPORT students •Traditional ruler, 12 others held From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

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HERE was outrage yesterday over the mob killing of four university students accused of stealing mobile telephone sets and laptops.

Ugonna, Ilyod, Tekana and Chidiaka, 100 and 200 level students of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Rivers State were stripped naked, beaten to a pulp and set on fire by a mob in Aluu, near the university. They were in their 20s and studying Engineering and Theatre Arts. The course of the 100 level student among them was Continued on page 6

•The four UNIPORT students who got jungle justice for alleged stealing of mobile phones and laptops

JTF kills Boko Haram chief, 30 other suspects in gun duel Gunmen kill three Chinese, four others in Yobe, Borno, Zaria From Duku Joel, Damaturu

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T was another bad day for Boko Haram the fundamentalist sect responsible for the insurgency in some parts of the North yesterday.

A member, who is believed to be the field commander of the sect’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, was shot dead in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, in a gun duel.

Also killed were 30 other members. Ten others were arrested.

The JTF, which announced the killings, also said it recovered arms and ammunition from the sect’s hideout.

Also in Yobe, gunmen believed to be members of the sect, opened fire on residents of a village and killed two people. Many others were injured.

In Borno State, three Chinese construction workers were killed.

Killed in Damaturu was a man called Bakaka, who is believed to be the field command of the Boko Haram sect.

In a statement, JTF spokesman Lt. Eli Lazarus said Bakaka was killed alongside 30 sect members.

Continued on page 57

•FUR Y OF FL OODS: Flooded homes in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State...at the weekend.

•FURY FLOODS:

•THREE NIGERIANS DIE IN MECCA P57 •ICJ JUDGMENT: TENSION IN BAKASSI P6

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

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NEWS

US trade agency, gas giant Efforts to curb gas flaring, which in the first six months of this year cost the country N99bn, have received a boost with the U.S. Trade and Development The study will Agency (USTDA) grant to Oando Gas & Power Limited to develop large scale evaluate technical compressed natural gas refueling infrastructure, writes OLUKOREDE YISHAU and economic

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HEY are giants in every sense.

Even in gas flaring, Chevron, ExxonMobil and Shell are lords. The latest bulletin of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) shows that between January and June, they took the lead in spewing gas that would otherwise have yielded N99 billion for the country, if they had been compressed or liquefied.

In the first six months of the year, 222.8 million standard cubic feet (mscf) of gas were flared. Of this, Shell, Chevron and ExxonMobil contributed 67 per cent.

The oil giants are not entirely to be blamed for gas flaring. Reason: infrastructures to pipe the gas to where it can be turned to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) or Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) are not sufficient. This is why the decision of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) to help shore up the gas infrastructure is seen as a plus for the oil and gas industry and the country.

The agency said the goal of the grant was to support the development of compressed natural gas (CNG) infrastructure in Nigeria. The grant for this has been awarded recently to Oando Gas & Power Limited. The agency said: “The grant will fund a feasibility study to evaluate the viability of developing large-scale CNG refueling infrastructure in Lagos State, made possible because of Nigeria’s growing pipeline network. The new infrastructure would include the construction of numerous refueling stations across the state as well as vehicle maintenance and repair facilities. The study will also provide an analysis of policy and

regulatory issues surrounding development.”

U.S. Consul General Jeffrey Hawkins said the completion of the project would help deepen the domestic gas market.

He said: “The completion of this project will play a critical role in the Government of Nigeria’s efforts to broaden and deepen the country’s domestic market for natural gas. This USTDA-funded initiative also holds the potential to generate significant U.S. exports of goods and services as well as build business relationships between U.S. industry and Nigeria’s leading gas company.”

The $494,000 grant was signed at the U.S. Consulate in Lagos by Hawkins on behalf of USTDA and

by Chief Executive Officer Mobolaji Osunsanya on behalf of Oando Gas & Power, which owns and operates the country’s largest natural gas distribution network, with approximately 62 miles of pipeline already present in Lagos State and another 80 miles in progress.

USTDA, in a statement, said: “The company has identified the opportunity to develop the large-scale CNG infrastructure in order to provide cleaner and cheaper fuel to private and commercial vehicles throughout the region.

“The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority development projects in emerging economies. USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project planning activities, pilot projects, and reverse trade missions while creating sustainable infrastruc-

Natural Gas (CNG) stations.”

USTDA chose Oando Gas and Power Limited because it pioneered the private sector piping and distribution of natural gas to industrial and commercial consumers.

The company said: “With 100km of pipes already laid in Lagos State and another 128 km in progress in Akwa Ibom and Cross River States, we are taking bold steps towards building sub-Saharan Africa’s largest gas pipeline network.

“Over the years, we made significant investments in the development of gas and power infrastructure that assure reliable supply of natural gas including high pressure transmission pipelines, gas processing facilities etc. Our aspiration is to replicate the success recorded in our Greater Lagos Natural Gas Distribution in other parts of Nigeria and West Africa whilst we strive to expand our horizon in Independent Power Generation to captive opportunities in locations where we have gas infrastructure and Exploration & Production assets.

“At Oando Gas and Power, the nature of our business pre-disposes us naturally as supporters of industrial and commercial concerns by offering them cheap and affordable energy solutions which translates into significant cost advantages to the organizations that we serve. We will continue to consistently demonstrate competitive leadership in the Nigerian energy market.”

considerations for the development of a natural gas pipeline originating in Sagamu in Ogun State and passing through Ibadan (Oyo State) and Ilorin (Kwara State) before terminating at Jebba, Kwara State

ture and economic growth in partner countries.”

The journey to the partnership started late last year when OG&P announced that it had entered into agreement with the USTDA to jointly fund a feasibility study towards the development of an interstate natural gas transportation pipeline from the Excravos-Lagos Pipeline System to other Southwest States.

According to the company, the “study will evaluate technical and economic considerations for the development of a natural gas pipeline originating in Sagamu in Ogun State and passing through Ibadan (Oyo State) and Ilorin (Kwara State) before terminating at Jebba, Kwara State.

The pipeline will also have extensions to the adjacent states of Osun and Ekiti. The supply of natural gas to the Southwest States will provide an opportunity for industries in the region to access a cheaper, reliable and cleaner fuel that will boost power generation and economic growth through increased industrialization.

This development is in line with the current drive by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to boost domestic gas supply under the Nigerian Gas Master Plan.”

Osunsanya added that: “The USTDA assistance provides the much desired boost to our aspiration to develop the Nigerian Gas Grid and in so doing, support the Federal Government in achieving its gas revolution agenda. Oando Gas and Power continues to seek opportunities to expand its gas infrastructure to reach more industries through pipeline distribution grid and Compressed

Ending flaring by December 31

•Maku

• Ms. Pepple

• Gimba

administration of the late President Umar Yar’Adua to amend the Act largely proved abortive.

The experts also note that the sales of Federal Government’s property, including governmentowned quarters to existing occupants by the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, also failed to remedy the situation.

However, observers note that the public-private partnership in housing delivery, introduced by President Goodluck Jonathan’s

administration, has not been able to solve the problem, as most citizens cannot afford the exorbitant cost of the houses built by the private developers.

Mr Gimba Ya’u Kumo, the Managing Director of Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), acknowledges the enormity of the housing challenge facing the country.

He said the Federal Government would require more than N56 trillion to provide 16 million housing units to bridge the housing

deficit in the country.

Giving a breakdown of the figure, Kumo expatiated that the 16 million houses would be constructed at a conservative cost of N3.5 million per unit.

“Fundamentally, we need 16 million housing units to bridge the housing deficit existing in the country; providing these houses will cost N56 trillion at a conservative cost of N3.5 million per unit.

“This is a colossal amount, which cannot be funded only through the National Housing Fund (NHF). It

‘

The Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which is before the National Assembly, wants oil companies to end gas flaring

by December 31, a development considered a tall order given the high level of flaring still going on.

A draft of the PIB said: “Any licensee who flares or vents gas without the permission of the minister in (special) circumstances ... shall be liable to pay a fine which shall not be less than the value of gas.”

Gas flaring has been illegal in the country since 1984, but deadlines always passed with the hazardous activity still going on, with oil companies and the Federal Government blaming each other for a lack of infrastructure needed to trap and pipe flared gas.

The USTDA initiative is considered by industry watchers as capable of helping curb flaring. Observers also believe that

How to bridge housing deficit, by experts T

HE provision of affordable and decent housing for Nigerians has been a top priority for successive governments since the country’s independence in 1960.

Unfortunately, observers maintain that for more than five decades, Nigeria has yet to develop an effective and workable housing delivery programme that would enable the country to achieve the goals of its housing for all policy.

In some instances, gigantic housing programmes were initiated by successive administrations since independence but most of the housing schemes remained largely uncompleted.

Besides, in many instances, many Nigerians used up their entire life savings in the struggle to build their own houses.

Historically, one of the most ambitious housing policies in the country was introduced in 1979 by the Shehu Shagari Administration.

Observers note that in spite of the

By Sani Adamu, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

fact the policy involved a nationwide housing scheme, it, nonetheless, failed to meet the nation’s housing requirements due to a number of factors.

Available records showed that between 1973 and 2006, more than 30,000 housing units were constructed by the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) as part of measures to bridge the housing deficit.

Statistics put the current housing deficit of Nigeria — a country with more than 150 million inhabitants — at more than 12 million houses.

Industry experts, however, cite the inability of the government to amend the Land Use Act of 1978, which vests exclusive land ownership rights on the governor of each state, as a major factor limiting the actualisation of the housing for all initiative.

They recall that efforts by the

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

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NEWS

partner to boost infrastructure ‘

The USTDA assistance provides the much desired boost to our aspiration to develop the Nigerian Gas Grid and in so doing, support the Federal Government in achieving its gas revolution agenda •Consul General Hawkins and Osunsanya signing the grant

other initiatives such as the LNG projects must be fast-tracked.

‘

•Gowon

Former Heads of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon and Chief Ernest Shonekan are championing the call for curbing flaring through LNG projects.

Gen. Gowon, on a recent visit to the NLNG Plant in Bonny Island, said: “In just 13 years, Nigeria LNG Limited has brought in over $51 billion in revenue, delivered $9 billion dividends to Nigeria and paid $10 billion to the Joint Venture companies.

“It is therefore very disheartening if one stops for a moment and thinks about how different this country would have been if we had the benefit of an LNG plant since the 1960s. While such income would have been channeled towards roads construction, provision of basic amenities such as education and health,

the business would have created jobs for young Nigerians, who are currently roaming the streets in search of job.

“Think of how much cash, sorry gas, we burnt between when we found oil in 1957 and when Nigeria LNG was able to start monetising our gas resources in 1999. Last year, this country flared over 460 billion standard cubic feet of gas that, if processed and exported, would have fetched the country over $2 billion and minimised the health and environmental impact of gas flares.

“Think of how oil palm industry left Nigeria for Malaysia. Think of how athletics - we won gold at the Sydney Olympics 12 years ago - left Nigeria for Jamaica. And the worst of all, countries we started out with in the LNG business have all left us behind.”

The former Head of State frowned at the rate at which Nigeria is fast losing its leadership in LNG market, urging the Federal Government to intervene urgently.

He added: “According to experts, all the LNG projects on the drawing board in Nigeria (NLNG Train 7, Brass LNG, OKLNG) will add about 30million tonnes of LNG to our national output, which is not that much when we compare with Australia which has only 60 per cent of our reserves but effectively generates much higher domestic electricity and will soon be exporting much more LNG than the all the LNG companies in Nigeria combined.

“We can’t afford to sit on the fence any longer. The time to build Train Seven is now! Nigeria LNG Limited has become too much of a good example to be allowed to fail; too much

of a national beacon to be allowed to stumble; too much of a winning model to switch midstream. I have in private discussions with the management of Nigeria LNG Limited been assured that Train Seven will provide no fewer than 10,000 construction jobs; will attract over $8 billion in Direct Foreign Investment with its strong balance sheet; and will increase monetisation of gas resources, otherwise still being flared.”

Shonekan recently urged President Goodluck Jonathan to approve the Train 7 of the NLNG Plant and other LNG projects.

The elder statesman said: “The LNG market is tightening and other nations are not staying idle. For instance, the United States, formerly a major LNG export destination, will become a net LNG exporter by 2016, starting at 1.1 billion cubic feet per

day and rising to 2.2 bcf/d in 2019.

On the other hand, Nigeria LNG’s 6train facility has a capacity for 22mtpa on LNG and up to 5mtpa of Natural Gas Liquids (NGL).”

NLNG Managing Director Babs Omotowa said delay in the progress of LNG projects may dip Nigeria’s market share in the global liquefied natural gas supply by a marginal 5 percent in 2017.

Omotowa, while speaking at the 2012 edition of the Nigeria Oil and Gas (NOG-12) conference in Abuja, said output has stagnated at 22 million metric tonnes per annum.

He said: “Looking at the market share dip to 10 percent in 2008; which is now 8 percent and will be 5 percent by 2017. Accelerated progress on Train 7 and other LNG projects will help build a better Nigeria.”

requires urgent injection of funds from both the government and the private sector.

“That is why we are exploring offshore funding to boost financing for mass housing, which the nation urgently needs,’’ he said.

Kumo said the new management of FMBN had been pursuing new relationships with some institutions such as the Nigerian Air Force, the Nigerian Navy, the EFCC and the Nigeria Police, with a view to financing the construction of staff residential estates for them through the NHF. He said the bank had offered to finance the building of 150 housing units in each state of the federation and Abuja for officers and men of the Nigeria Police, making 5,550 housing units in all.

Besides, Kumo said the FMBN was putting in place a pragmatic housing programme for the citizens in spite of some constraints, which included lack of compliance with the NHF scheme, outdated mortgage laws and inadequate funding.

However, there are strong indications that the situation will soon change, as the Federal Government has just approved a new draft policy on housing delivery which is aimed at producing an average of one million housing units annually.

Minister of Information Labaran Maku announced the government’s decision at the end of a recent meeting of the Federal Executive Council that was chaired by Vice-President Namadi Sambo.

He said the new policy, when operational, would provide additional

employment and incomegeneration opportunities in the country.

“Council deliberated on this policy and all of us appreciated the kind of effort, the energy and the idea that went into the policy.

“Essentially, this policy hopes to achieve certain strategic objectives for Nigeria. The first is that it hopes to bring about real mass housing, which this country has been dreaming about for decades.

“This policy emphasises the central role of the private sector, while the government serves as a regulator and a policy facilitator.

“But, over and above this, the policy hopes to drive employment and income generation in the country,’’ he said.

Shedding more light on the new initiative, Ms Ama Pepple the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, explained that the new policy would address housing problems facing of lowincome earners and “the poorest of the poor’’ in the society.

She said the policy would also address issues such as houses’ maintenance, slums in urban areas, skills-acquisition centres and disaster management.

“There is one important issue that was brought up during our stakeholders’ forum at the National Council; this is the issue of maintenance because a lot of our people do not have the maintenance culture; when we build a house we just leave it.

“Look at the block of flats in Abuja, I recall a ceremony we once

had; we had to go and repaint some of the houses. We don’t pay attention to property maintenance in this country.

“So, we have also included property maintenance in the policy,’’ she added.

All the same, Mr Adeyemi Williams, a property consultant, urged the Federal Government to adopt the social housing scheme to address the problem of housing deficit in the country.

He said the social housing scheme entailed the provision of affordable houses by the government or non-profit organisations or by the combination of the two.

Williams said the key objective of a social housing scheme was to provide accommodation that would be affordable, particularly to low-income earners.

He stressed that rents charged on the scheme’s houses were usually kept low through government subsidy.

The scheme would be governed by a strictly defined system of rent control to ensure that rents are kept low.

“Unlike the private sector in which rents are dictated by the landlord, social houses are allocated to prospective occupants according to needs.

“Each social landlord operates an allocation policy, stating in advance what factors will be taken into account when deciding who gets preference,’’ he said.

Williams said local government authorities or housing associations

could adopt the social housing scheme for their housing development programmes.

“A social housing association is an independent and non-profit organisation that uses surpluses to maintain existing homes and finance new ones.

“It is now possible for commercial organisations to initiate and manage social housing projects. Although this is not yet a common practice, it should be encouraged,’’ he said.

Williams appealed to the Federal Government to consider the adoption of the social housing scheme as part of its housing delivery strategies, particularly as there were some housing bills which had yet to be passed by National Assembly.

However, Mr Tunde Makanjuola, another property consultant, holds a contrary opinion.

Makanjuola advised the three tiers of government to reduce the trouble which people often encountered while processing title deeds on landed properties so as to boost investment in real estate.

He, nonetheless, stressed that less than three per cent of Nigerian landlords had title deeds on their landed property.

Consequently, only about three per cent of property owners were paying taxes on their property since there was no way of mounting surveillance on the remaining 97 per cent, he added.

“This means that many illegalities were being perpetrated in transactions on landed property, while the government is being short-

changed.

“The proceeds from the taxes levied on property can be used to address the current housing problems facing the country,’’ he said.

Makanjuola urged the government to create a database on property owners to ensure their proper registration and regulation.

“This will help the government to keep track of any transaction on landed property, while reducing problems caused by fraudulent property agents and family land owners,’’ he said.

Makanjuola stressed that property tax was a more stable way of generating revenue than other forms of taxes.

“If the governments can exploit this avenue of revenue generation, it would be useful in efforts to provide the needed infrastructure.

“Also, property owners will be able to exploit the potential of their property to the fullest because the title can be used as collateral to get loans for other investments,’’ he said.

Makanjuola also called for the establishment of a land commission that would be charged with the sole responsibility of formulating policies on land matters, title registration and property development.

Experts, nonetheless, insist that efforts should be made to ease the process of obtaining mortgage loans to fund housing projects.

“If people are given liberal access to mortgage loans with good interest rates, the current housing deficit in the country will be reduced considerably,’’ some of them say.

Other efforts at curbing flaring

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

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NEWS ONDO 2012

Police storm Ondo over alleged murder threat From Damisi Ojo, Akure

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ETECTIVES from Zone X1, Osogbo, Osun State, at the weekend stormed Akure, the Ondo State capital, to investigate the alleged plan by some Labour Party (LP) chieftains to kill leaders of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

Sources said they met Police Commissioner Danladi Mshelbwala and the lawmaker representing Akure North/ South Federal Constituency, Ifedayo Abegunde over the allegation.

Abegunde, who is also the Director of Mobilisation for the Independent Campaign Network (ICN) and Director, Aketi Campaign Organisation (ACO) in the constituency and Mr. Saka Yusuf Ogunleye have been invited to the Zone X1 Command by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG).

The two ACN chieftains were in Osogbo to brief the police on their “SOS” letter to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) over alleged threat and plan to kill them.

They alleged in the petition that the LP chieftains and close associates of Governor Olusegun Mimiko including Soji Bello, Ige Akinji and the Chief of Staff (COS), Dr. Kola Ademujimi, have connived with LP supporters such as Ojo Adewole, Ayo Falaye, Jimoh Obabi and Funso Adu to murder them.

According to the petition, “we were attacked with dangerous weapons and they are still planning to attack us.

“For example, one of the accused persons, Ojo Adewole, the Chairman of the Taxi Unit of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Ondo State, who last Thursday led the hoodlums to attack ACN members at Ward Seven, Ibikunle Lane, has been arrested by the officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

•Asiwaju Tinubu being welcomed by supporters to a rally in Ondo town

Fear of violence grips corps members F

EAR of electoral violence has gripped members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) recruited as ad-hoc electoral officers for the governorship election in Ondo State.

But the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Akin Orebiyi, has assured them of safety, saying there is no cause for alarm.

Allaying their fears, he said security measures were being put in place to guarantee their safety.

The Independent Nigeria Electoral Commission (INEC) and NYSC authorities have said that participation in the poll as an ad-hoc electoral officer is optional.

Those participating described the election as an extension of their duties.

After training, participants sat for a qualifying test. Only

By Emmanuel Oladesu Deputy Political Editor

those who pass the test will be shortlisted for the assignment.

Some corps members who spoke with our correspondent in Akure at the two-day training organised by INEC at Oyemekun Grammar School, Akure said their concern is security.

There were reported cases of killings of corps members posted to serve in some northern states during the last general election, a development which made many prospective corps members of southern origin to decline serving in the region.

Corps members in Akure expressed reservations about their safety as polling officers, following reports of violence that marred the campaigns of

‘Bakare’s endorsement of Mimiko has no weight’

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HE Akeredolu Campaign Organisation (ACO) has described the purported endorsement of Governor Olusegun Mimiko of the Labour Party (LP) by Pastor Tunde Bakare as of no effect to the victory of Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the October 20 poll.

ACO’s Director of Media and Publicity, Mr. Idowu Ajanaku, said: “Pastor Bakare is notorious for being on the losing side. He supported Muhammadu Buhari in the last presidential election and pushed the man with his ambition to become his running mate until their party lost woefully.

“Bakare seems derailed and confused. He is a deadwood politician whose pastoral calling has been muddled up with partisan politics.

“Nobody will take him seriously. He has abused respected clerics such as Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye of the Re-

deemed Christian Church of God, Pastor David Oyedepo of the Living Faith Church (aka Winners Chapel) and Pastor Daniel Olukoya of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries.

“How many of his predictions have come to pass? He predicted that Chief Olusegun Obasanjo would not become president in 1999, but the man ended up spending eight years in office.

“He is a political irritant who has no structure in the Southwest.

“Is it not appalling that Mimiko has collected hundreds of billions of Naira in the last three and a half years without inaugurating a road?

“Is it not appalling that the man embezzled N65 billion Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC) money?

“Is it not appalling that there is no water in Akure where he has built a fountain for sight

•Bakare

seeing?

“Bakare is not an indigene of Ondo State. So he does not know where the shoe pinches.

Ondo indigenes are clamouring for a change in the manner they came out to attend ACN’s rallies.

“If ACN could win in Ogun where Bakare hails from and could also win in Ikeja where he lives, then the party will win regardless of his endorsement in Ondo.”

political parties in the state ahead of the October 20 poll.

They said the recurrent clashes between the supporters of the Labour Party (LP) and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) portend a bad omen.

A corps member, who identified herself as Lynda, said: “I am from Imo State. I don’t know this place very well. I cannot speak the language of the people, although I’m learning it in my place of primary assignment. Akure people are nice to corpers, but if they post me to any place outside the capital to work as an ad-hoc electoral officer, I will not go.

My safety is very important.”

Another NYSC member from Ilorin, Kwara State, who preferred anonymity, said: “The only reason I accepted the job of an ad-hoc electoral officer is that I know that no corper will be killed in any part of the Southwest because the people are civilised and educated. There is no family in Yorubaland that has not produced a corper. If there is free and fair election, there will be no problem. However, there is need for security.”

Some corps members also expressed fear about the long distance between Akure and the coastal areas. One of them said: “I may opt out of the exercise because they are saying those of us going to far places

T

have to move on the eve of the election. They say we will sleep in the locality so that we can get to the polling stations in time. This may sound good, but we don’t have foreknowledge of the type of accommodation they will provide for us. We keep worrying about security because life has no duplicate.”

A corps member, who exuded confidence about security, said: “Ondo is the only state where election is holding now. This means electoral officers will be drafted here to complement the efforts of electoral officers on ground and those of us who are corpers will supplement what remains. I also have the feeling that security agents from other states will be drafted to Ondo to assist their colleagues. The Inspector-General of Police has promised to be in the state on the day of the election. Southwest people are lovers of education and human capital development and I know that no corper will be killed. We will appear in our uniform on the day of the election. I am not a Yoruba, but I feel safe here.”

A female corps member said serving as an ad—hoc electoral officer in the riverine areas requires special preparation, adding that “this is challenging if you are afraid of rivers or you don’t know how to

swim. I am aware that there will be life jackets, but remember that a boat capsized during the election in Edo State.

Those going to the riverine areas should be catered for.”

Last month, Inspector-General Mohammed Abubakar said he would relocate to Ondo State to supervise the security arrangement for the poll.

He warned dubious people who might want to be willing tools in the hands of politicians as thugs to flee the state or incur the wrath of the police.

He urged road transport workers to reject entreaties from politicians to disrupt the poll.

Orebiyi acknowledged the preparedness of the police to maintain law and order before, during and after the election.

He enjoined the people, including corps members, not to panic, assuring that peace would reign in Ondo State.

He said: “Security agents will not be in short supply. We have a joint committee meeting with the representatives of the political parties and all we discuss there is peace and tranquility. We have made arrangements about campaign schedules to prevent rally clashes. We also keep telling the political leaders that the success of the election is a collective duty.”

I‘ll complete Owo roads, says Oke

HE governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olusola Oke, has promised the people of Owo in Owo Local Government that he will complete the road projects in the town within six months, if voted into office.

Oke, who spoke at the weekend during a rally of the party in Owo, said the building of the Owo township road should have been completed had the Labour Party (LP) government been sincere and managed the finance of the

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

state judiciously.

He said he would complete abandoned roads at Idoani.

The PDP standard bearer said government would bring the dividends of democracy to the people.

Speaking at a rally in Ireakari, the ex-chairman of Ose Local Government, Dennis Alonge, said erection of a billboard was the only project LP embarked upon.

He said Governor Olusegun Mimiko is a failure, add-

ing that he should not be reelected.

The deputy national youth leader of PDP said leaders of the party would support Oke to render good governance because Mimiko had been rejected by the electorate.

At the rally, the Special Assistant to the Ondo State Governor on Special Interest, Funmi Falade and Supervisor, Works and Lands in Ose Local Government, Afolayan Obasanya, decamped from the LP to the PDP.

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NEWS NATIONAL HONOURS 2012

ONDO 2012

ACN trains party agents •Preaches violence-free poll From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

•Supporters at the rally

Voter’s cards suspects to face trial

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HE suspects found with voter’s cards are to be charged to court today or tomorrow, The Nation learnt yesterday.

A Labour Party (LP) chieftain, Mr. Olaolu Oladapo and his wife were allegedly arrested with voter’s cards last Saturday. They were said to have claimed that they got them from INEC officials.

A source said an INEC official, who is suspected to be a guard may have been involved in the incident.

The couple was arrested by a team of policemen from the Area Commander’s office in Ondo town for having thumb printed ballot papers ahead of October 20 election.

More than 100,000 already thumb printed ballot papers in favour of LP were found in their posession.

Also found in their possession were 150,000 voter’s cards belonging to people across the 18 local government areas of the state.

A group on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria

Court orders release of ACN members

•INEC ‘should clear the air’ From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

(ACN), the Independent Campaign Network (ICN), yesterday challenged the Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Akin Orebiyi, to clear the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC’s) name over the arrest of the suspects.

A statement signed by ICN’s Director, Communication and Strategy Bureau, Mr. Bosun Oladimeji, alleged that some officials of the electoral body at the local level had compromised with the LP on how to rig the October 20 poll.

Oladimeji, who said he was not surprised by the arrest, stressed that they were aware of the plot by the LP governorship candidate, Olusegun Mimiko, to buy voter’s cards in the areas he believes he cannot win, at N20,000.

He urged the INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, to transfer the state REC if he fails

to clarify the name of the electoral body in the ongoing election malpractices.

The statement reads: “We learnt from sources that a worker of the INEC has been arrested over the allegation of electoral fraud. We are still expecting Orebiyi to explain to us what he knows about this ongoing election fraud because we got from sources that the alleged INEC worker duplicated the key to the Ondo West Local Government Electoral Officer’s (EO’s) office and after he opened the door, he was able to lay hands on the unclaimed voter’s cards.

“INEC and Orebiyi must speak out on the alleged role played by the worker of the commission. Though Orebiyi, at several stakeholders’ meetings, had been presenting himself as an unbiased umpire, with the revelation, we do not trust him. Jega must transfer Orebiyi if he fails to explain the stand of the electoral body.

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

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•Jega

“ACN and other opposition parties have been raising the alarm over the relationship of the LP and some INEC officials.

With this arrest, it is now clear that the LP conducted illegal voters registration and INEC was aware of this criminal activity. We will continue to reveal the illegal strategies of the present government to rig the poll.”

Kuku to Mimiko: don’t drag amnesty programme HE Special Adviser to His antecedents have proved the President on Niger him to be a man of peace and a into Ondo politics Delta and Chairman, consensus builder.

T

Presidential Amnesty Programme, Kingsley Kuku, at the weekend warned the Labour Party (LP) chieftains in Ondo State against dragging the amnesty programme into the state’s politics.

He decried the recent comments in the media by a chieftain of the party, who is also the leader of the former Niger Delta agitators in Ondo State, Chief Bibopere Ajube that there was a plot to use the amnesty programme to intimidate people into voting for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)candidate in the governorship election.

A statement signed by the Head of the Media of the Presidential Amnesty office, Daniel Alabrah and made available to reporters in Akure said:

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

“This flippancy of Ajube reflects the LP’s desperation to go to any length and do anything, no matter how sacrilegious, to score cheap political points.

“The Amnesty office frowns at the claims by Ajube and other LP leaders in Ondo that Kuku told the crowd at a PDP rally in Ese Odo Local Government that any ex-agitator currently enrolled in the amnesty programme, who does not vote for the PDP candidate, will be removed from the list of the beneficiaries of the programme. This, of course, is not true.

“It must be clarified again that at the Ese Odo Local Government PDP rally, Kuku merely enunciated the achievements of the PDP-led Federal Government, particularly the

Presidential Amnesty Programme, under the guidance of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.”

Kuku urged the people to vote for the PDP candidate to ensure the replication of the achievements of the party at the federal level.

He said only a PDP-led government in the state would meet the developmental aspiration of the riverine communities of Ese Odo Local Government.

Said he: “For the avoidance of doubt, the presidential adviser does not need to intimidate anybody to vote for the PDP in the election, particularly in Ese-Odo Local Government and in his federal constituency, as his integrity and track record are enough to earn votes for his party in the poll.

“I was involved in the local politics of my people before going to the Ondo State House of Assembly and they can testify that I represented them very well, impacting on many lives and families.

“As the Head of the Conflict Management Unit of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), I got over 100 youths from my constituency trained locally and offshore as non-violence practitioners.

“As the Special Adviser to the President and with the support of the National Assembly, I have influenced and attracted NDDC projects to my constituency such as the N6.1 billion Agadagba-Obon-Arogbo bridge project with a three-kilometre township road that was flagged off on September 27.

N Akure High Court presided over by Justice B.F. Adeyeye has ordered that the two Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) members arrested in the convoy of Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), the party’s governorship candidate, should be released.

They were arrested on trumped-up charges of armed robbery and unlawful possession of firearms.

The ACN legal team led by an Akure lawyer and activist, Titiloye Charles and Victor Olatoyegun, had approached the High Court for bail of the accused persons. This was after a chief magistrate’s court had declined jurisdiction on the matter.

It ordered that the two accused, Folagbade Dapo and Oluwasola Sunday, be remanded in Olokuta Prison.

Akeredolu’s convoy was attacked by LP thugs on July 28, but instead of arresting the hoodlums, the police arrested ACN members.

The case took a dramatic turn when the police anti-robbery squad withdrew from the case, arguing that it was not properly investigated and should be jettisoned. The Attorney-General, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), took over the case.

He said the ACN members have a case to answer and issued a legal advice directing their trial for robbery.

In a bid to ensure a free and fair election on October 20, a political platform in the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Independent Campaign Network (ICN), at the weekend urged members to guard against violence.

Speaking at a one-day sensitisation seminar organised for ACN’s agents expected to man the 3,007 polling units, the convener of the programme, Femi Adekanmbi, said the party was ready to support electoral agencies to ensure that the poll is violence-free.

Adekanmbi, a former House of Representatives candidate of ACN, said the programme was to enlighten members with a view to preparing them with the right attitude and political education for the October 20 poll.

“We know the importance of this coming election because it will determine the fate of the indigenes in the next four years. As a party who has responsible members and who is also preparing to win the election, we have decided to educate our members, particularly youths, on the need to guard against political violence.

“We are working towards success. We assure the people that our party will never involve in political violence.

At the end of this programme, participants will know the rules and regulations of the electoral body. We are ready to support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to enable Ondo State experience a violence-free poll.”

The ACN candidate, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), who was represented by a former governorship aspirant, Comrade Sola Iji, hailed ACN members for remaining calm, despite the attacks by Labour Party thugs during the last rallies.

He said leaders of the party would preach peace to prevent violence before and after the election.

The State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Akin Orebiyi, lauded the party for organising the training.

He re-assured the electorate of the electoral body’s readiness to make the forthcoming poll a benchmark for future elections.

Mimiko criticises ACN’s, PDP’s call for SSS chief’s removal

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HE Mimiko Campaign Organisation (MCO) yesterday criticised the call for the removal of the State Security Service (SSS) chief.

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have accused the SSS chief of being biased against them.

ACN at the weekend through a statement by Mr. Idowu Ajanaku, the Director of Media of the Akeredolu Campaign Organisation (ACO), vowed that the ACN and the PDP might have to resort to self help if the SSS boss was not removed.

Last week, ACN called for the removal of the Police Commissioner and other top officers of the command for similar reasons.

The MCO, through a statement by its spokesman Kola Olabisi described Ajanaku’s statement as reckless, dangerous and symptomatic of the desperation of the opposition in the state. It said it was a justification of its cries in the past that the two leading opposition parties were working together.

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THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

NEWS Jonathan, children visit First Lady in Germany

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•Former Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Adamu (left), Executive Director Public Sector North, FirstBank , Mr. Dauda Lawal, Group Managing Director Mr. Bisi Onasanya and former Zamfara State Governor Ahmed Sani Yeriman during the Customer Engagement Forum organised by FirstBank, in Abuja...at the weekend.

PHOTO ABAYOMI FASYESE

Tension in Bakassi ahead appeal deadline

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ARELY 48 hours to the deadline allowable for the review of the 2002 judgment on the ceding of Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has rejected an application by a law firm in Nigeria to appeal on behalf of some aggrieved people.

The ICJ said only states (sovereign governments), can file an application before it.

This development has also put legal obstacles before Bakassi Support Group which has engaged Mrs. Cherie Blaire’s International Legal Consultancy firm, Omnia Strategy LLP, on the review.

Also, the Federal Government has got a legal advice from London counseling Nigeria against any move to review the judgment.

The government got security report that tension was already mounting in the Peninsula with Cameroon determined to protect the place.

An Abuja-based law firm, Victory and Rose Associates had through its lead partner, Barrister Ugochukwu Osuagwu, written ICJ on its plans to

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

seek a review of the 2002 judgment on Bakassi.

The letter reads in part: “With barely two weeks to the expiration of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), ruling which ceded Bakassi Peninsular and other territories to Cameroon on October 10, 200 2, my firm wishes to lodge a review over the judgment.

“We therefore seek permission to file an application to review the said judgment delivered in favour of Cameroon against Nigeria.”

But in its response, the ICJ said only states(sovereign governments or nations) could file an application before it.

The ICJ through its Information Department said: “In reply to your e-mail, I have to inform you that the International Court of Justice is not authorised, in view of its functions strictly defined by its Statute (Article 34) and Rules, to give advice or make observations on questions such as those raised in your communication.

“The Court’s activities are limited to rendering judg-

ments in legal disputes between States submitted to it by the States themselves and giving advisory opinions when it is so requested by UN organs or specialized agencies of the UN system.

“It follows that neither the Court nor its Members can consider applications from private individuals or groups, provide them with legal advice or assist them in their relations with the authorities of any country.

“That being so, you will, I am sure, understand that, to my regret, no action can be taken on your communication.

Yours faithfully, Information Department, International Court of Justice.”

A source, yesterday, said: “By implication, the Bakassi Support Group which has hired Mrs. Cherie Blair cannot seek any review without applying through the Federal Government.

“What the Bakassi Support Group is trying to achieve is to internationalise its agitation and probably pressurise the Federal Government to back its request for review.

“But the President has tried to be as transparent as possible by raising a committee, headed by the Attorney-General of the Federation to look into fresh factors and documents being canvassed by Cross River State and other agitators.

“In the last 72 hours, the Federal Government Committee has not received relevant documents to be evaluated.

“The counsel to the Cross River State Government, Mrs. Nella Andem-Rabana, has so much relied on the fact that the 1913 Anglo/German Treaty which ceded Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon was not signed.

“This same evidence was tendered at the ICJ between 1994 and 2002 where it was confirmed that the treaty was actually ratified. We cannot go back to argue on the same issue of which judgment had been delivered.”

Meanwhile as Bakassi Support Group was hiring Mrs. Blair’s firm, the Federal Government has also sought legal advice from experts in LonContinued on page 57

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan was in Germany at the weekend to see First Lady Patience Jonathan The footage of the visit in which the President was in company with their two children, was aired last night on the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) network news.

In the footage, Mrs Jonathan was seen exchanging pleasantries with everyone including her husband and the children.

She was dressed in long skirt and blouse sown with African fabric with a matching head tie. The President was dressed in his trademark Niger Delta attire.

She was moving about greeting people while her husband sat. They were both laughing aloud. Their two children stayed close to her one - on the left and the other on her right.

She was overheard saying in the background: “let me take pictures with my husband”.

The footage did not however show whether they were in the hospital or elsewhere. But Presidential spokesman Reuben Abati who confirmed the President’s trip said the footage showed that much of what has been written on the First Lady’s health are incorrect.

It was gathered that the Pres-

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

ident was accompanied on the trip by The Chaplain of Aso Vlla Chapel, Ven. Obioma Onwuzurumba. Nigeria’s Ambassador to Germany, Abdul Usman Abubakar was with them.

The First Lady has been out of the country for about seven weeks. She was last seen in public on August 28.

Abati sad the President returned to the country yesterday after the one-day visit.

He said:”What that video has proved is that the President’s wife is hale and hearty and she is not in a bad shape like people will want Nigerians to believe.

“The video has put paid to all the lies that people who play politics with almost everything have been spreading.

“It was clear from that video that the scene was not an hospital scene.”

The First Lady sudden disappearance from the Presidential Villa has set the tongues wagging. There have been intense speculations about her state of health. Some said she was rushed out as a result of food poisoning, others have said it was as a result of ruptured appendicitis among others.

Plane’s engine packs up before flight at Lagos airport N aircraft engine packed up shortly before takeoff at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos.

The early morning Abujabound Aero Contractors plane was set for take-off at 6:45am when the flight was aborted because one of the engines had stopped working.

There was panic inside the aircraft whose door had been locked in readiness for take-off.

A woman shouted for the door to be open for her to disembark, it was learnt.

A pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Olumide Adeleye, who was aboard the plane, relived the experience in Abuja

A

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

yesterday.

He said: “We had already boarded the plane scheduled for 6:45am. It was filled to capacity, ready for take-off when the pilot announced that one of the engines had packed up.

There was panic, but people also thanked God that the engine did not fail in the air.

“A woman was just shouting ‘please open this door before I break it!’. I was travelling with my wife and within me I was saying, ‘God it is not my portion and that of my wife to die’.

I immediately remembered the Dana crash that happened, also Continued on page 57

Outrage over killing of UNIPORT students Activists condemn jungle justice

Continued from page 1

not known last night.

Two of their parents - Mr. Messiah Obuzor and Mrs Toka Mibe – were in tears yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state capital. They wondered why the youths got such a jungle justice.

Mrs. Obuzor and Mrs Mike said they were shocked, sad and displeased at the killings.

They described their wards as “brilliant”.

Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi ordered a thorough investigation into the incident, which occurred on Friday.

Amaechi, at an emergency State Executive Council meeting at the Government House, Port Harcourt, described the mob action as barbaric, sad and really unfortunate.

He warned against lawlessness and impunity, and asked the security agencies to ensure the immediate arrest and prosecution of people involved in the dastardly act, to serve as a deterrent to others.

Rivers Commissioner for Information and Communi-

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HE Human Rights Writers’ Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) yesterday expressed dismay over what it called lynch mob justice and arbitrary killings of crime suspects by mobs across the country.

HURIWA called on the River State Government to produce “without further delay” the members of Umuokiri Community, Aluu Obi/Akpor Local Government Area near Port Harcourt, River State who were captured in the video participating in the bestial killing the University of Port Harcourt students accused of allegedly pilfering mobile phones and laptop computers.

“The video of the dastardly criminal act of lynch mob killing of these four Nigerian youths and students of the Unications Mrs. Ibim Semenitari confirmed the arrest of a traditional ruler, among others.

Rivers State police spokesman Ben Ugwuegbulam confirmed the arrest of 13 people, including a king, last night. He urged UNIPORT students not to embark on reprisal.

Ugwuegbulam said: “The Rivers State police command unequivocally condemns the gruesome killing of four UN-

From Sanni Onogu, Abuja and Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

versity of Port Harcourt were captured and uploaded on the internet by some of the eye witnesses who saw the mob action take place,” the statement added.

HURIWA said the incident must be comprehensively probed by the Federal and River State Governments “so that all those who actually participated in this crime against humanity are arrested and prosecuted in the competent court of law for mass murder to serve as deterrent to other would-be mass murderers”.

Also yesterday, the Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (IHRHL) condemned the barbaric display and jungle justice meted out to the students.

IPORT students on Friday by an irate mob from Aluu community. The command sympathises with the families of the slain students and also appeals to them not to take the laws into their hands.

“Students of UNIPORT are urged not to engage in any reprisal, as such can lead to chaos and anarchy. The command has commenced diligent investigation into the ugly incident. Amazing suc-

It noted that the four students were inhumanly treated, tortured, finally ringed with car tyres and set ablaze to burn beyond recognition.

IHRHL, through its Executive Director, Anyakwee Nsirimovu, in Port Harcourt called on the police to urgently apprehend the perpetrators of the heinous act, with a view to ensuring thorough investigation, arraignment and allowing due judicial process take its full course.

The group said: “IHRHL wishes to state, and very strongly too, that what transpired in this instance must be seen as symptomatic of the little or no confidence or trust that exists between citizens and their official local law enforcement authorities.

cess has been recorded in that regard, as 13 persons, including the chief of the community, suspected to have been involved in the reprehensible and barbaric act, have been arrested, based on credible intelligence and video clips of the killings.

“The suspects are being interrogated by crack detectives from SCID (State Criminal Investigations Department).

The Rivers police command

is unwaveringly committed to protecting lives and property of Rivers people and will not rest on its oars, until the perpetrators of the horrendous act are not only arrested, but also brought to justice.”

A UNIPORT don, Prof. Ben Naanen, in a telephone interview, described the lynching of the students as “very sad” and “shocking”.

Naanen, who is the Depart-

•Amaechi ment of History and Diplomatic Studies, said the mob should have handed over the victims to the police or other security agencies for thorough investigation, rather than taking the law into their Continued on page 57

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

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

7

NEWS

Burglars raid Kwara Finance ministry They broke into the offices where the documents and money were kept, sources said.

The story first surfaced on twitter, a social network, when a whistleblower mentioned it on Tuesday.

It was said to have prompted a terse response from Dr Muideen Akorede, Governor Abdulfattah Ahmed’s spokesman, who reportedly called the incident a robbery.

The governor’s spokesman added that the matter was being investigated.

Akorede also made tacit confirmation of the foiled first attempt when he wrote on twitter: “Why would someone break into a place and return two days later?”

,

S

USPECTED burglars have reportedly broken into the Kwara State Ministry of Finance.

They were said to have carted away undisclosed amounts of money and documents, including their electronic backups, which detail government transactions from 2003 till date.

It was learnt that the suspected burglars first attempted to break into the AccountantGeneral’s Office in the ministry on September 21, but the security guards and the burglaryproof doors reportedly made it impossible.

The attackers were said to have returned on Saturday night with assorted tools and grenades.

The suspected burglars first attempted to break into the Accountant-General’s Office in the ministry on September 21, but the security guards and the burglary-proof doors reportedly made it impossible

,

He called the incident an attempt to blackmail the government and its officials.

The governor’s spokesman refused to answer questions the whistleblower and others asked him on the incident.

For instance, he was quiet on why the government treated the matter like an official secret and why there was no tighter security after the foiled attack on Friday night.

More than a week after, neither the state government nor the police have spoken officially on the matter.

It was not clear yesterday whether or not an arrest has been made.

A source said: “Having failed in their first attempt, the burglars returned to the same place in the early hours of September

22. This time, they were armed with sophisticated weapons and equipment, including a power generating machine and grenades with which they blew up the door and other encumbrances.

“While forcing their way into the place, they injured and disarmed the two security guards, one of who I understand jumped the fence and ran to the police for help. But rather than follow the security guard to the place, the police reportedly directed him to report at Division ‘C’ at Oja Oba in Ilorin, the state capital, then to Area ‘A’, which is in charge of the place.

Later, he was asked to return to the state police command.”

Orji, IG, Ghana’s NSA for lecture BIA State Governor Theodore Orji, Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar and Ghana ’s National Security Adviser, Brig.-Gen. Joseph Nunoo-Mensah (rtd) are among the dignitaries billed to deliver the eighth Security Watch Africa Lectures.

The event comes up at the prestigious La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, Accra , Ghana on October 18.

In a statement by Patrick Agbambu, International Coordinator of Security Watch Africa, the lecture, with the theme: Developing Regional Strategies and Best Practices in the Fight Against Crime and Conflicts in Africa,’ is in “response to the challenges posed by insecurity and emerging insecurity to governments and people, arising from urban development and disturbing levels of poverty in the rural areas.

Orji is expected to be the guest speaker. Abubakar will speak on the topic: “Urban Crime Prevention, Control Management and Fighting: The Nigerian Experience,” while Brig. Gen Nunoo-Mensah will address the topic: “Evolving a Paradigm Shift in Intelligence Gathering, Processing and Application.”

The lecture is expected to draw high profile security chiefs and their officers from across Africa, particularly, Ghana , Nigeria , South Africa , Namibia , The Gambia, Ethiopia and Zambia .

A

•Osun State pilgrims and their counterparts from other states moving to Mecca after the completion of some of the Hajj rites at Medinah... at the weekend.

•From left: Winners aa: Obinna Michael, Keneth Chinedu and Righteous Otserioluwa with their cheque in the singing, comedy and dancing categories in the Amstel Malta Showtime, Lagos edition at the Eko Hotel Towers and Suites.

Ezekwesili to Fed Govt: take charge of security or face anarchy

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FORMER Vice-President (Africa) for the World Bank, Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili, yesterday asked the Federal Government to take charge of the nation’s security and prevent the country from sliding into the precipice.

She expressed shock that students were killed in Mubi, Adamawa Statye and burnt in Port Harcourt, Rivers State with impunity .

Mrs. Ezekwesili, who spoke with reporters in Abuja, said Nigeria is close to precipice and those in government should act faster to pull it back.

She said: “I am shaken; I am outraged, I am devastated, I feel mortally wounded. The situations in Mubi and Port Harcourt were terrible. Did you see the videorecording of how students were

•Nigeria is close to precipice, says ex-World Bank VP From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

killed or bunt in Port Harcourt?

Is this not the same country where it is emotionally difficult for you to see a corpse on the street?

“I am sorry; I am totally outraged like any decent citizen of a nation that we love. The killings were barbaric, savage and devastating. Some people are acting or behaving as if there are no people in charge of the government.

“Something is fundamentally wrong with our society: To see the dastardly mob killing of four misguided youths (Port Harcourt’s) who stole sank my optimism. No! Even in death, these four must get justice. My voice shall be heard on this. What have we become?

“We used to be better than this. What has psychologically traumatised our people? There is a fundamental problem; there is a breakdown in something that is proudly Nigeria. I cannot believe that our society has got to this level. We are broken, we need to be mended and nobody will mend it other than ourselves.”

The former World Bank VP asked the Federal Government to rise to the challenge to prevent anarchy from overwhelming the country.

She also reminded the government that the nation cannot afford a conflagration like the case in some smaller countries.

She added: “We are getting to the precipice and we need to pull ourselves back. The government

has to take full responsibility; it has to be in charge to prevent anarchy. The only way out is for the government to prove that it is really in charge.

“We are a nation of 150million people; we are not a small country. If the situation continues like this, we cannot survive a large-scale conflict. It does not do us good to descend into a nation of conflagration.

“We have to watch it. A lot of countries that have had genocidal experience started like this.

“We have too many problems to descend into a state of anarchy again. How can we all sit and watch impunity becomes the order of the day.

“The whole world will be looking at us and say, what is

wrong with these people? We do live in a new Nigeria now where life means nothing. We cannot allow the situation to continue like this.

Ezekwesili demanded a rapid and full-scale investigation into these killings in order to bring the culprits to justice.

She said: “The government has to re-establish itself. The killing of these innocent students must not go off the news.

“These killings must not be swept under the carpet. There must be a rapid response from the government within the nuances of the law. The government must not just act, they should bring investigations into logical conclusion. If people watch and nothing happened, by tomorrow we will have worst scenario of killings.”

Magistrate blames lawyers for justice delay A Federal Capital Territory Chief Magistrate, Kabiru Lamido has blamed lawyers for the delay in the dispensation of justice in the country.

Chief Magistrate Lamido was speaking during the resumed trial of the former Chairman of Orsu North Development Area of Imo State, Damian Santa-Opkara and two others for allegedly giving false information to the Inspector-General of Police.

He said some lawyers instead of addressing issues before the court, derived pleasure in addressing matters that were not before the court, including those already decided by other courts of competent jurisdiction.

The Chief Magistrate regretted that his promise to give the case which started since 2009 accelerated hearing was being hampered by these extraneous factors.

Damian Santa Okpara, Edwin Obiezue and Ambrose Ogbuji are standing trial for allegedly informing the Inspector-General of Police in a petition that Chief Nelson Janel Okpara, Mr. Mathias Akunebu, Alphonsius Ojimba and late Ichie Silas Umedinnu burnt the house of Edwin Obiezue and kidnapped his four children.

After investigation, the Police discovered that it was the petitioners that took the children to Chokocho village in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State where they were hidden.

Aviation minister warns PS, MDs From Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

AVIATION Minister Ms Stella Oduah, at the weekend warned the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Ms Anne Ene-Ita and Managing Directors of its agencies and parastatals against underperformance.

Also cautioned were the Managing Directors of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. George Uriesi, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Mazi Nnamdi Udoh; DirectorGeneral of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Dr. Anthony Anuforum and Commissioner, Accident Investigations Bureau (AIB), Capt.

Mukthar Usman.

It was at the signing of a performance agreement with the ministry’s top officials in Abuja. Ms Oduah said there was zero tolerance for under-performance.

She said: ‘’Based on the agreements being signed today, your performance will be evaluated annually.

I wish to underscore the seriousness attached to this initiative and to emphasise the fact that the current leadership has zero tolerance for failure and underperformance.

To be sure, there will be severe consequences for failure and under- performance.

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

8

NEWS

Why CJN should appoint INEC chair, by Ajimobi

•Ajimobi

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YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi at the weekend said the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) should be given the power to appoint the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Ajimobi called for a review of the nation’s federalism to allow states control resources

in their domain.

He said this would encourage creativity and hard work in revenue generation.

The governor spoke at the Chatham House in London while delivering a lecture on “Review and reform: Key elements and implications of Nigeria’s constitution review process”.

He suggested the inclusion of party representatives, who are in the National Assembly, as members of INEC’s board.

Ajimobi said: “Extant constitutional provisions allow the President to appoint members of the INEC board, which will superintend the election in which he is likely to be a candidate.

INEC reports to the President. Its funding relies on the disposition of the President as well.

“All these have serious implications on INEC’s independence

•Seeks states’ control of resources and the possibility of having free and fair elections in the country.”

The governor described Nigeria’s present federal system as “feeding bottle federalism”.

He said a situation where states assemble monthly in Abuja for federal allocation does not allow for hard work.

Ajimobi said the milestones in many parts of the country were accomplished in the First Republic, when states had more control of their resources.

He said: “This allowed for healthy rivalry among states and the outcome is the many landmarks that still mark out the leaders of that era as the heroes of Nigeria.”

The governor, who listed

projects he had executed in the last 16 months, said he would have done more if the state had control of its resources.

On the tenure of elected officials, he suggested a five or six-year single tenure for the president, governors and deputy governors.

He said: “Extant constitutional provisions limit elected presidents, governors and their deputies to a maximum of two terms of four years.

“As a former senator and governor who had contested election three times in this dispensation, this provision allows elected executives only about two years of service. This means he has one year to settle down as a newly-elected officer and one year to prepare for election, if he wants a second

term.

“This is unhealthy for the system, because for the development that Nigerians seek, we need executives that can devote considerable time to the task of governance.”

The governor said the removal of the incumbent from elections would reduce the use of the incumbency factor to undermine the rights of other contestants.

Supporting the call for state police, he said it would guarantee a prompt response to security challenges and allow for indigenous police service, which he said would leverage on its knowledge of the local communities to detect and prevent crime.

Ajimobi said: “The provision for state governors as chief

security officers of their states is largely meaningless, because the police do not report to them.

“Valuable time is wasted in cases of security challenges because police authorities need to seek approval for action from the Federal Government, rather than the governor, who are on ground and who feel the impact of such security challenges.

“Previous administrations at the federal level used this control of the security apparatus to intimidate, arm-twist and undermine state governments, especially when they belonged to rival parties.

“The implication is that security agencies in states are compromised and the safety of lives and property has not received the best attention because of this structural problem.”

We’ll hasten work on roads, says Fayemi

T

HE Ekiti State Government at the weekend said it would hasten the repair of federal roads across the state.

Speaking with reporters on the activities lined up for the commemoration of the Governor Kayode Fayemi-led administration’s second year anniversary, Commissioner for Information Funminiyi Afuye said all federal roads in the state have collapsed.

He said although the state government has started work on the roads, the contractors would have to hasten the repair to end the hardship being experienced by commuters.

Afuye said: “There are no federal people or citizens; our people ply these roads. There is so much involved in road construction, but the carnage on roads is so much and the state government had to act fast.”

He said over 12 roads, six water projects, over 100 schools and seven rural electrification projects would be inaugurated during the second anniversary celebration.

The commissioner listed some of the federal roads being repaired by the state government include the Ado-Ekiti township roads, the Ado-Ifaki Road and the Ikere Ekiti-Iju Road.

State roads undergoing re-

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

pair according to Afuye are: the Ado-Ilawe-Igbara Odo Road, the Igbara Odo-Ikere Road, the Otun-Iloro Road, the Ikere-Ise-Eporo Road, the OdeIkole Road, the Ijan Ekiti-Ise Road and the Aramoko-Ido Road.

The roads listed above are different from the 5km road built in each local government area.

Afuye said: “The projects are not limited to Ado-Ekiti; they are spread across the state. The Ire Burnt Brick Company and the Ikogosi Warm Spring, which are being revived by this administration, are not located in AdoEkiti as well. So, Fayemi is not limiting development to the state capital. Other towns are benefitting too.

“But we must admit the prime place of Ado-Ekiti, being the capital, and the need to concentrate attention here more, as any assessment of development in the state understandably begins here.”

The “Legacy Projects”, which include the new Government House and Office in Ado Ekiti, the State Civic Centre, the State Pavilion, the Samsung Engineering Academy and the Life Academy in Iluomoba Ekiti, will also be inaugurated during the anniversary celebration.

Ekiti ASUSS to write assessment test today

•Aregbesola (second left), Aladeseye (left) and others...yesterday.

Aregbesola urges religious tolerance

O

SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola yesterday urged adherents of various religions to live together in peace.

He spoke at the 42nd Adult Harvest and Thanksgiving Service of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC), Osun Provincial Headquarters, Osogbo.

Aregbesola, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the harvest, said all religions preach oneness of God, but worshiped him in different

•NUT still adamant

A

ways.

He said people should worship God according to their religious dictates without creating hardship for people of different faith.

The governor wondered why there should be crisis among people in the worship of God in a society where the constitution guarantees religious freedom.

He said: “There should be no crisis among Muslims and

Christians, as they worship the same God. All religions preach good deeds, good character and good neighbourliness. No religion preaches evil. All religions enjoin their worshippers to do good to others, irrespective of religious differences.”

Aregbesola said what should be uppermost in everyone’s heart is the worship of God with sincerity of purpose.

He said it is not part of an individual’s religious duty to

compel others to join his faith, adding that the peace in the state is engendered by the mutual respect and understanding among all religions.

The Shepherd in-charge of the church, Superior Evangelist. Abraham Aladeseye prayed for continued peace in the state.

Lauding the programmes of the state government, Aladeseye said the state has achieved meaningful transformation in the last two years.

Accident victim gets N3m compensation

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

FTER the long disagreement between the Ekiti State Government and teachers over the Teachers Development Needs Assessment (TDNA) test, members of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) will write the test today.

The examination, which had been rescheduled several times, will hold today and tomorrow at designated centres.

Secondary school teachers will write the test today and primary school teachers would write theirs tomorrow.

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) is still against the test and this has reportedly pitched it against ASUSS. ASUSS State Chairman Mr. Sola Adigun urged the union’s members to write the test.

He assured them that the test result would not lead to their sack.

NUT Chairman in the state, Mr. Samuel Akosile said: “If any examination is going to take place, it should be subject based.

What is the exam syllabus? I have told my members to stay away from the centres to avoid any embarrassment.”

It was learnt that NUT officials threatened to deal with any of their members who writes the exam.

Teachers have been exchanging text messages on the consequences of refusing to write the test.

A message sent by a primary school teacher to another, which the reporter was privileged to see, reads: “I will be at the centre on time, but I will hide in a nearby building. When you come, call me, I will tell you where I am. We have to write the test this time.”

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

A

N accident victim in Ogun State, Mr. Seyi Adesanya, has received N3 million compensation three years after he was knocked down by a hit and run driver.

Adesanya was hit in Sagamu by a truck owned by the Flour Mills Nig. Plc. Presenting the cheque to Adesanya in Abeokuta, Ogun State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Wemimo Ogunde (SAN), said the compensation was made possible through the intervention of the Citizens Rights Department (CRD) of the Ministry of Justice.

Ogunde said the de-

partment provides a platform for people to exercise their rights and thanked Flour Mills Nig. Plc. for cooperating with CRD to resolve the issue peacefully.

He said: “This is a triumph for mediation and negotiation. This is the re-

sult of the high premium your organisation places on the protection of human rights, else, the matter could have resulted to litigation.”

The Head, Legal Department, Flour Mills Nig. Plc, Mr. Joseph Umolu, said the absence of a func-

tional legal department before his appointment was responsible for the delay in the compensation.

CDR Director Mrs. Dayo Osunfisan and the mother of the victim, Mrs. Ogunbowale, thanked the organisation for standing up to its responsibility.

Police foil Ekiti bank burglary

T

HE police in Ekiti state yesterday prevented burglars from accessing the vault of the Ajilosun branch of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.

The hoodlums attacked the bank around 2am.

They tied up the two security men and locked them up at the security

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

post.

It was learnt that the burglars cut the burglary proof of one of the windows and went into the bank.

Sources said the prompt intervention of policemen frustrated the burglars’ attempts to access the bank’s vault.

It is not clear whether the hoodlums stole any money, but one of the Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) at the premises was vandalised.

Police spokesman Victor Babayemi said the timely intervention of the police scared away the burglars.

He said no one was arrested.

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

9

NEWS NEMA gives relief materials to Delta flood victims

T

HE National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) at the weekend distributed relief materials to flood victims in Delta State.

It registered 8,790 displaced persons at the Internally Displaced Peoples Camps (IDPCs).

NEMA Director-General Muhammad Sani-Sidi said more camps would be established to accommodate more people.

Sidi, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Relief, Mr. Mike Adeyanju, said emergency workers were in the state for rapid response assessment and they discovered that the water level in coastal communities have continued to rise.

He said: “The agency hired boats to evacuate trapped person at Okpai Obeze, Okpai Umuaguru, Akarai Ekiti, Azagba, Power line and Forest Guard communities to nearby IDP camps.”

Adeyanju said the agency is involved in the administration of the camps and offers technical assistance to local emergency workers and volunteers.

He urged the state government to engage all stakeholders in the management of the natural disaster.

NEMA officials inspected camps at St. Patrick’s College, Asaba; Institute for Continuing Education (ICE), Asaba; Ossissa, Ndokwa East Council; Utagba-egbe, Ndokwa East

From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja and Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

Local Government; and St. Michael’s College, Oleh, Isoko South Local Government.

Yesterday, Deputy Governor Prof. Amos Utuama (SAN) said over 30,000 persons were displaced.

Utuama spoke in Asaba when he visited the ICE relief camp.

He said over 13 local government areas were affected.

Utuama said about 15,000 persons were in various camps across the state while another 15,000 refused to come to the camps.

He said the government has the capacity to take care of all the victims and urged people in flood-prone areas to come to the camp.

Minister of Finance Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said President Goodluck Jonathan has set up an inter-ministerial committee to tackle flood.

Also at the weekend, the National Commission for Refugees (NCFR) donated bags of gari, rice, buckets, blankets, salt, ground nut oil and palm oil to the victims.

NCFR Assistant Director Mrs. Ovoudo Abdulahi said the agency’s gesture was to ameliorate the suffering of the victims.

Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation Dr. Anthonia Ashiedu said skills acquisition training has begun at relief centres across the state.

She said ICE camp is home to 979 people.

Philanthropist to help the Nigerian Child

P

HILANTHROPISTS have been called up on to help ameliorate the existential plights of the Nigerian child. Ms Gloria Moweta, the new President of Ikeja Viva L’Amour Lions Club, emphasised the rededication of efforts from all quarters of the country to provide homes for the children displaced by floods in the Middle Belt and to restore sight to the optically impaired Nigerian children.

Ms. Moweta, yesterday at a fundraiser hosted by the club, engendered charity to promote literacy and reading culture among children. One of the causes she champions is the surgical repair of diseased eye defects of orphans to enable them learn.

By Damilola Owoyele

She has set the goals to foot the bills of a cornea transplant and cataract surgery in two orphans. She said she would take on the challenge of more eye surgeries.

Apostle Nike Williams and Pastor Ituah Ighodalo,who cochaired the effect also said they would follow suit in adopting the cause of eye surgeries in needy orphans.

Dr. Bola Meletoyitan of Lagos State University gave a lecture on the prevalent and worsening conditions of children in Nigeria. She fixated on parental neglect.

The District Governor of Lions Club Stella Agbogun installed Moweta as the new president and wished her a fruitful tenure.

•From left: Secretary to the Ekiti State Government Ganiyu Owolabi; Commissioner for Eduction, Science and Technology Dr. Eniola Ajayi and Commissioner for Information and CIvic Orientation Funminiyi Afuye during a news conference on activities marking the second anniversary of the Governor Kayode Fayemi-led administration in Ado-Ekiti...at the weekend.

Flood: Hundreds stranded on East-West highway UNDREDS of travellers on the East-West highway spent Saturday night on the road after a section of the busy highway was cut off by flood at Umeh Junction in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State.

Sources said over 60 cars broke down as about six kilometres of the road was flooded.

It was learnt that only trucks were able to drive through the water and many commuters were stranded.

Many of them were forced to turn back.

Mr. Neil Mcluskey, who was forced to abort his trip to Port Harcourt and return to Warri, told our reporter at Ohore, Delta State, that he was forced to make a U-turn after wading through water

H

•Many residents displaced From Shola O’Neil, Asaba and Polycarp Orosvewotu, Warri

that reached beyond his knee.

He said: “It is a shame that no government agency is here to warn people of the danger on this road. I saw two cars that were washed off the road by the fast moving current.

This could have been avoided, if the national Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other agencies were on hand to warn drivers of what laid ahead.”

Hundreds of desperate passengers wade through several kilometres of water to dry land, where they boarded new vehicles to continue their journeys.

A lady, who pleaded for anonymity, said: “I had to wade through the water be-

cause I had to get to Warri today (Sunday) for my parents’ wedding anniversary. I walked for over two hours before I got another vehicle. I got to Warri around 1am and came down with cold.”

The flood submerged Patani, Koloware, BuluAniama, Ogolomo, Abare, Torou-Angiama, Aven, Ogor, Adobor, Uduophori and Amatebe in Patani Local Government Area and Uzere, lgbide, Edherie, Ivrogbor, Ehwen, Edherie in Isoko South Council.

Many residents have been displaced.

Vehicles plying the Patani/ Ughelli route have increased their fare from the N200 to N500.

The Patani home of former Commissioner for Lands, Sur-

vey and Urban Development Mr. Raymos Guanah was affected.

Guanah, Dr. Chris Ekiyor, Mr. Brave Enode and Mr. Dogubo Mologe, whose houses were also submerged, have built a temporary camp on the Patani/Uzere Road for victims.

They also provided food and relief materials for the victims.

Guanah urged the Federal Government and relevant agencies to come to their aid.

He said the havoc wrecked by the flood was beyond the state government’s control.

The Pere of Kabowei Kingdom, L. M. Erebulu, thanked Guanah, Ekiyor, Enode, and Mologe.

The Anglican Bishop of Western Izaw Diocese, Rt. Rev. Edafe Emamezi, has relocated from his court.

Senate Leader Ndoma-Egba loses dad

J

USTICE E. T. Ndoma– Egba, father of Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-

Egba, is dead.

The senator announced this in a statement yesterday in Calabar, the Rivers State capital.

It reads: “My father passed on quietly on Saturday evening at his home in Ikom.

He was appointed a Judge of the Cross River State High Court and served in the Calabar, Etinan and Obubra divisions.

“He established the Eket and Oron judicial divisions, where he was the pioneer judge. He was elevated to the Court of Appeal in 1987 and served in Jos, Benin and Port Harcourt, from where he retired in 1992.

“After his retirement, he led a quiet life, devoting himself fully to the Presbyterian Church of

Nigeria, where he was both an Elder and Trustee.

“He is survived by Adeline, his wife of several decades; Rowland, a Professor of Surgery; Ransome, a community leader; Victor, Senate Leader; Knut and Eta, businessmen; Roy, a Special Adviser to the Cross River State Governor; Victoria; a head teacher; Glory, a court registrar and Mbong, a Canada-based lawyer.”

•From left: Abia State Commissioner of Police Ambrose Aisabor; President-General, Item Development Association, Bishop Sunday Onuoha and Commissioner for Public Utilities and Water Resources Vigilus Nwankwo at the handover of a Police Station built by Item Bende Community ...yesterday.

Ogun PDP threatens to sue Police Commissioner for contempt

T

HE Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday threatened to sue the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikemefuna Okoye, for contempt of the court.

In a statement in Abeokuta, the state capital, by its Publicity Secretary Waliu Oladipupo, PDP accused Okoye of “criminal complicity in aiding and

abetting some hoodlums to seize its secretariat on IBB Boulevard, Kopabe Road, Abeokuta, last Wednesday”.

The statement reads: “Up till now, the hoodlums, including some wanted criminals, are still at the party secretariat, having a free reign, shooting into the air intermittently and brandishing AK 47 rifles and other ammunition.

“We shudder to think what could have informed the decision of the Commissioner, who is paid from our commonwealth to keep the peace, to look away in the face of obvious threat to peace, law and order in our dear state.

“We are the management body for the state party, recognised by our predecessors, the party leadership at the

national level, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Our position has been further affirmed by several court judgments in Lagos, Abuja and Ilaro. Even the Assistant Commissioner of Police in-charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in his report to Okoye confirmed the Engr.

Adebayo Dayo-led exco as the

authentic leadership of the party. We availed CP Okoye all of these, yet he chose to play the ostrich. Does he want to return to the jungle where might is right?”

PDP urged Okoye not to rubbish the rebranding efforts of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, and do the right thing.

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

10

CITYBEATS

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

Herbalist charged with murder

By Precious Igbonwelundu

A 55-YEAR-OLD man, John Jegun, has been charged before a Sabo Magistrate’s Court in Lagos with the alleged murder of a motorcyclist.

Jegun was said to have poisoned Sule, 49, on August 23, around 7pm.

The accused, an ‘agbo’ (herbal concoction) seller, allegedly gave the deceased some concoction which led to his death.

Sule’s relatives alleged that he had been patronising the accused for more than three years friends.

On August 23, the deceased was said to have vomited blood immediately after drinking the ‘agbo’ given to him by Segun allegedly resulting in his death in front of a church beside the accused’s house.

Despite the late Sule’s family’s suspicion that the ‘agbo’ led to his death, the court heard that he died of asthma.

The prosecutor, Chris Takim, a Police Inspector, told the court that autopsy report indicated that the deceased died of asthma and not poison.

Jegun’s alleged offence was said to have contravened Section 221 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2011. He pleaded not guilty and was granted N100, 000 bail by Magistrate S.K. Matepo, with two sureties in the like sum.

Magistrate Matepo adjourned the case till October 22.

Help the child, philanthropists

By Damilola Owoyele

PHILANTHROPISTS have been advised to ameliorate the plight of the Nigerian child.

Gloria Moweta, the President of Ikeja Viva L’Amour LIONS Club, yesterday said efforts should be rededicated towards providing homes for the children displaced by floods in the Middle Belt and to restore sight to the optically impaired.

Ms. Moweta, at a fundraiser hosted by the club, urged charity organisations to promote literacy and culture of reading among children. One of the causes she champions is the surgical repair of diseased eyes of orphans to enable them learn. She has set the goals to financially oversee cornea transplant and cataract surgery in two orphans. She said she would take on the challenge of more eye surgeries.

The chairpersons of the occasion, Apostle Nike Williams and Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, also promised to sponsor eye surgeries for needy orphans.

Dr. Bola Meletoyitan of Lagos State University gave a lecture on the prevalent and worsening conditions of children in Nigeria, blaming it on parental neglect.

The District Governor of LIONS Club, Stella Agbogun, installed Mrs. Moweta as the new president and wished her a fruitful tenure.

Dr. Kweku Tandoh, Secretary General Local Organising Committee 18th National Sport Festival Eko 2012, Chief Omolade Okoya-Thomas, Chairman Marketing and Sponsorship Committee, Ngozi Nkwoji, Bra nd Manager, Maltina, Nigeria Breweries Plc, Nicolaas Vervelde, Managing Director, Nigeria Breweries Plc, C.Y Awosike, Executive Director LYMFAD Limited and Yusuf Ageni, Corporate Affairs Adviser Nigeria Breweries Plc, at the presentation of sponsorship cheque for Eko 2012 by Nigeria Breweries in Lagos.

F

Police recover bodies of NNPC men

OUR weeks after their death, the bullet-ridden bodies of three engineers of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) killed by vandals at Arepo, Ogun State, have been recovered by the police.

Their bodies were found in “two shallow graves” in the Arepo creeks after an intensive search.

The police were taken to where the bodies were buried by suspects arrested in connection with the engineers’ death.

The slain NNPC men were deployed to repair a vandalised pipeline in Arepo on September 5, when they were killed.

The Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) in charge of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Special Task Force, Friday Ibadin, said officers who used speedboats and helicopters to comb the creeks near Arepo dug up the bodies in two shallow graves across a river.

He told reporters in Lagos yes-

By Jude Isiguzo

terday: “We found, in a decomposing state, bullet-ridden bodies of the three victims. We learnt that the body of the local security guard employed by NNPC, Taye, aka Dead Man, was cut into pieces and disposed off.

“Shortly after the incident, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, reconstituted the dissolved Anti Vandal team. It became important to get to the root of the incident that led to the death of these NNPC officials. And in the course of investigation, about six suspects were arrested.

We gathered from the confession of one of them, Imerepamu Ijebu Joel, that he knew where the NNPC staff were buried.

“Initially, he took our team to a spot and after several hours, the bodies were not found. At night, the Ijaw boy attempted to dig one spot, but he was stopped by the

police who were on guard. And two days later he opened up and agreed to take us to the real spot.

“It took six hours of sailing to get to the spot. We had 40 heavily armed men, and we took along a pathologist, a coroner, and the medical team from NNPC who eventually identified the bodies.

They took us to a place where they claimed they bury non-natives.

With the assistance of John Bosco, Peter Opidi, and the suspect Imerepamu Ijebu Joel, we were shown two shallow graves. It was there that we discovered the bodies and they have been deposited at a mortuary.

“I wish to commend the gallantry of the sector commander, DSP Onaghise Osayande and his team, who dared the dangers of the creek to recover the bodies. Meanwhile, we are carrying out further investigations to see if there was more to the killings than what we had

gathered.”

Fuel shortage set in shortly after the NNPC men’s death. NNPC blamed the shortage on the shutdown of the damaged Arepo’s System 2B pipeline, which carries one third of the nation’s daily fuel needs.

Acting Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of NNPC, Mr. Fidel Pepple, said the pipeline was evacuating about nine to 11 million litres of fuel from Lagos to Ibadan, Ilorin and the North before it was damaged.

In March 2008 a pipeline explosion, in the same village, killed the Deputy Area Manager in charge of Maintenance at the Mosimi Depot.

Three other senior NNPC officials were also severely burnt.

In June 2009, NNPC’s pipeline in Ilado, a Lagos suburb, also exploded, wounding scores. Eleven boats belonging to the vandals were razed.

Brothers arraigned for assaulting in-law, stealing

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WO brothers have been arraigned before a Yaba Magistrate’s Court, Lagos for allegedly beating their sister’s husband.

Esonwanne Ikechukwu, 29, and Esonwanne Okechukwu, 25, are standing trial on two-count charge of alleged assault and stealing under Sections 171 and 285(1) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2011.

Prosecuting Sergeant Philip Osigale told the court that the accused on September 29, around 10:45pm, at 17, Fagbile Street, Surulere, Lagos unlawfully assaulted their in-law, Umeh Obinna, by hitting him with a wood. He said the accused injured the complainant on his left eye and head.

Osigale said the accused also stole an LG225 phone valued N12, 000 and N120, 000 belonging to their in-law.

They pleaded not guilty. They alleged that the complainant, who has been married, to their sister for seven years, always battered her.

Ikechukwu alleged that he had on several occasions, beaten their sister to coma, even when she was seven months pregnant.

He said they had warned him severally to stop beating her until it got so bad that she had to run home for safety only for him to come back and beg them that it would never happen again.

He claimed that they had to sign an agreement with him never to touch her again, else they will deal with him, but he continued to beat her.

T

By Precious Igbonwelundu

Ikechukwu said they had gone to ask him why he beat their mother who came to mediate between him and his wife.

According to him, Umeh did not give them any good reason for beating their sister and also pushing their mother when she came to his house the following morning to know why they were fighting.

He said: “Because he could not give us any reason for pushing our mother, we had to beat him because it showed that he does not have respect for our family.

“My sister was the one who called us about midnight the previous day that he wanted to kill her. She called my father’s phone that he has started beating her again that we should come to her rescue. Then, the following morning, my mother went to their house and he pushed her out.

“So, my brother and I decided to go and visit him to know what was wrong with him and why he did not keep our agreement but instead of answering us peacefully, he started shouting. That was why we beat him. We did not collect any money or phone from his house.”

Magistrate, Mrs. A.O. Gbajumo granted the defendants bail in N50, 000 with two sureties each in like sum and adjourned the matter till October 29.

Two in court for alleged kidnap

WO men have been arraigned before a Yaba Magistrate’s Court over the alleged kidnap of a middle-age man, Maxwell Obiahuoko.

Alani Saheed, 28, and Ozor Stephen, 50, were brought before Magistrate Patrick Adekomaya on a two-count charge of conspiracy and kidnapping under Sections 409 and 269 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2011.

Prosecuting Inspector Godwin Anyanwu told the court that the accused with others at large, on June 18, between 7pm and 9pm, at Ikate, Surulere, kidnapped Obiahuoko and took him to an

By Precious Igbonwelundu

unknown destination.

He said they detained him Obiahuoko against his will and prevented him from reaching his family.

Anyanwu told the court that the matter was reported by Obiahuoko’s wife, Franca, when she did not see her husband for days.

Anyanwu said the woman alleged that Ozor was not happy her husband came to demand the N240, 000 given to him in 2007 to rent a house for her. She said when

a peace meeting was called, Ozor threatened that he would teach her husband a lesson.

He said the woman alleged that Ozor, who has been her husband’s friend for many years, refused to pay the N240, 000, but threatened to deal with Obiahuoko and a few weeks later, he (Obiahuoko) disappeared.

Ozor, Mrs Obiahuoko claimed, did not remit the whole N240,000 to the landlord.

Obiahuoko’s wife was said to be looking for accommodation when Ozor offered to sublet his apartment since he wanted to

move into his own house.

Saheed, who was said to be owing Obiahuoko N1million for equipment he bought, allegedly threatened the missing man after he attempted to collect the equipment from him.

Obiahuoko was said to have been invited by Saheed to come and collect part of his money, when he disappeared.

The accused pleaded not guilty and were granted N500, 000 bail, with two sureties in the like sum

by Magistrate Patrick Adekomaya.

The matter was adjourned till November 5.

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

11

CITYBEATS Women advised against immorality

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

Femi Adebayo, Mercy Aigbe in Ogbe FAST-RISING Nollywood movie Director Seyi Specialborn has produced another blockbuster movie entitled: Ogbe. According to him, the movie will teach people how to handle heartbreaks.

“Heartbreak is a phenomenon noticeable in our society and there is barely anyone who has not, at one time or the other, received lashes from the ugly hands of heartbreakers irrespective of their class. The scenario normally leaves a deep wound in the heart of the victim and even when the wound heals; the scar remains. That is what Ogbe is based on,” he said.

The flick tells the story of a young lady, Dolapo (Mercy Aigbe), who suffers heartbreak from the love of her life, Rotimi (Seyi Specialborn), and consequently decides to commit suicide.

She meets another serious man, Yemi (Femi Adebayo), after she had taken a poisonous substance that would end her life within an hour. Within the same hour, she gets an offer to take up a job she had applied for months ago. She doesn’t want to die again, but it’s too late!

Meaning “wound” in English language, Ogbe is written, produced and directed by Seyi Specialborn and it features Mercy Aigbe; Femi Adebayo; Toyin Adegbola (Ajoke Asewo); Iyabo Oko; Tayo Ijebu; Biodun Sofuyi Okeowo and Mistura Asunramu-Alao, among others.

Agency invites Dana victims’ families

By Precious Igbonwelundu

FAMILIES of victims of the June 3 Dana plane crash yet to be compensated have been asked to forward their complaints to the Lagos State Public Advice Centre (PAC).

Ground victims whose properties were destroyed can also file similar complaints.

In a statement, PAC noted media reports that some residents of Iju-Ishaga, the crash scene in Lagos, were yet to be compensated by the airline.

The centre said none of the victims had complained despite being given the opportunity to do so by Governor Babatunde Fashola.

“The governor, had after the Dana plane crash, called the relatives of the victims together. Victims who died in the craft, on the ground as well as those who lost their properties as a result of the incident were invited. Sadly, those affected have not taken advantage of this offer because they have not come forward. Our services are free.

Our office, which is situated on the third floor of Ereke House, opposite the Secretariat Mosque, is there to assist residents whose rights have been infringed upon or have their rights violated. So, if there are instances where victims and their families are not being attended to adequately or compensation is not coming through, they can approach our office or send us an email on pacadvisers@yahoo.com,” the statement said.

P

ARTICIPANTS at a seminar on womanhood have urged women to shun immorality to avoid tarnishing their dignity and self respect.

Those who spoke at the seminar, with the theme: “Woman recognise your strength and how to use it to uplift yourself and the society,” included a former Special Assistant in former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, Princess Gloria Iweka, a public commentator and business mogul, Prince Jacob Akindele and President, Sunshine Foundation, Mrs Rose Odiete.

The seminar, organised by the Committee of Concerned Women in collaboration with the Sunshine

By Adebisi Onanuga

Foundation for the Elderly, was held as part of activities marking the United Nations International Day of the older persons.

In her paper on Womanhood, Princess Iweka, advised women not to allow societal pressure to push them into acts capable of debasing womanhood.

She said the only way they can retain their dignity is by being virtuous and true custodians of values.

The former Special Assistant argued that immorality would do a lot of damage than good to womanhood.

She said immorality would separate women from the essence of womanhood, adding: “When we do

anything that is against womanhood, it would push away spirituality.”

Princess Iweka admitted that there were times women, especially widows and divorcees, are faced with adversities, deprivations and poverty among others, insisting that sanctity, faithfulness to womanhood, nevertheless, remain the greatest strength of a woman.

“There is a law that everything that is similar comes together. Savannah forest is in one place, ocean and rain are in one place, but white birds fly together. So women should actually remain together under that law,” she urged.

In his paper, Prince Akindele described the recent rejection of Nigerian women

from performing the Hajj by the Saudi Arabian authority as a constraint on womanhood based on culture, religion and other factors.

He advised to honour themselves on issues that tend to undermine them, adding, that it is the first step in finding their ability and the strength to uplift themselves in the society.

“Self liberation must start with you; women must honour and love themselves.

If you don’t do this, you will find yourselves being passed about like ping-pong ball and end up being moulded by men to satisfy personal needs.”

Mrs. Odiete said studies have shown that more women fall into indigent roles upon attaining old age, add-

ing: “We all know our various cultural practices that relegate women to the background and remove all material gains they were meant to have.”

Odiete decried negative cultural values and other societal practices undermining women. She lamented that the society has not been fair to elderly people as issues relating to them are pushed to the background.

She said it was in realisation of the need to draw attention to their plights that made the United Nations to designate a day for the commemoration of the older persons in December 14, 1990, and which was later enshrined in Regulation 40/141 of December 21, 1995.

Bank cashier returns N20,000

•Senator Oluremi Tinubu (middle) assisted by Chairman, Lagos Island Local Government Hon Wasiu Eshilokun (second left) to present school materials to a pupil of Union Baptist Primary School, a beneficiary of the council’s programme tagged: ‘My Complete Student’ at the council secretariat in Lagos. With them are Head Teacher of the school, Mrs Fausat Ojuolape (first left) and council Vice-Chairman Hon Toyese Olusi.

Protesters stop Reps at Egbin thermal station

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EMBERS of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Power have escaped been lynched by protesters at the Egbin Power Station, Lagos. The committee was in Egbin as part of its oversight functions.

The members in company of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) officials could not inspect the thermal station as residents of its host community protested incessant power outages.

The protesters, carrying placards with various in-

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

scriptions, lamented the non-availability of electricity for weeks and prevented the committee from inspecting the station.

The protest embarrassed the visiting lawmakers who promised to investigate the matter.

The Committee Chairman, Hon. Patrick Ikhariale told reporters in Ibadan, Oyo State, when the panel visited the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) that the protest was not

targeted at him or the members, but PHCN officials.

He said efforts were made to educate the protesters that part of their protest was “why we are visiting, but they could not understand.”

According to him, all what people know is government, whereas every arm which comprises the legislature, executive and judiciary has specific roles.

Many Nigerians, he said, do not know that legislators have no access to

the financial purse, adding that the legislature would only ensure that money budgeted by the executive for projects are judiciously used for the purpose they are appropriated.

He said the legislators would not relent on their oversight functions to ensure that money meant for particular projects are used accordingly.

When the protesters prevented members from inspecting projects at Egbin, the panel moved to Ibadan.

Adeboye praises Lagos Chief Judge for freeing 233 prisoners

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HE General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG),Pastor Enoch Adeboye, yesterday praised Lagos State Chief Judge Justice Ayotunde Phillips, for freeing 233 prisoners.

On September 18, Justice Phillips freed 233 inmates from Kirikiri Medium and Maximum Security Prisons in Lagos, during her visit to the facilities.

Adeboye spoke during a special prayer for judges and lawyers in the state at the church headquarters in Ebute Metta, Lagos.

“When I heard the news that the Chief Judge of Lagos State released some prisoners, my heart leapt for joy.

“The last time I was in Kirikiri Prisons, I found out that if some inmates had been convicted for offences they committed, the maximum sentence would have been three years, but they have been in prison for more than 12 years awaiting trial.

“If it were to be in some developed countries, the prisoners would have sued government for robbing them of nine years of their lives,” he said. Adeboye observed that convicts often left prisons worse off.

“Maybe we have not discovered a better way of dealing with some criminals, the only person I know that can change a prisoner on a permanent basis is Jesus.

“There are some people that are in prison because they do not have anyone who would speak for them or defend them,” the cleric observed.

Justice Bola Okikioloyinile told reporters that the prayer session was aimed at having fruitful legal activities in the state.

Also speaking, Mr Wale Ogunade, lawyer and human rights activist, advised lawyers to always be on the side of justice.

A CASHIER with First Bank Plc., Akowonjo Branch, Cecilia Iyabode Oyero, has returned N20, 000, which a customer mistakenly over paid.

A police officer attached to X Squad of the state Police Command, had gone to the bank where he filled the bank’s deposit slip for N240, 000, but paid in N260, 000.

Hours after the transaction, his friend on whose behalf he deposited the money called to find out how much he deposited. It was discovered that N260,000 was deposited, but N240,000 was the amount filled on the slip. When the police officer got to the bank to complain, he was given the difference of N20, 000 already enveloped by Cecilia and kept with her branch manager.

D’banj talks illuminati AFTER being abroad for a few months to collaborate with US based musicians, hip hop artiste, Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo a.k.a D’banj, is back home.

In a chat on a radio station, the singer said that he is back and will be around till the end of the year. “It has been a crazy year, starting from January. I went to the States to expand my music. For me, it has not been that easy, but it has been wonderful.

In April I released my first single, Oliver Twist, and it became number two in UK R&B chart, number one on MTV and everywhere in the world. It has been a lot doing the promo,” he said.

Responding to his alleged affiliation with the group, Illuminati, he said the stories emanated from people who did not understand how he came about his success. “One thing I know is that God will not share His glory with anybody. God is the only reason I am doing this successfully. So, those of you who have thought or heard this, I am telling you now, I started in the church and Jesus is the only Koko tio Bad,” he added

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NEWS Abia ACN gets new executive •Chair calls for mass mobilisation From Ugochukwu UgojiEke, Umuahia

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HE Abia State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has inaugurated a new Executive Council (Exco).

Its chairman, Chief Egwuatu Egbulefu, urged members to mobilise the people and attract new members.

Inaugurating the new exco at the party’s secretariat in Umuahia, the state capital, at the weekend, Egbulefu noted that the party is an open platform to build an egalitarian society.

The politician said the new exco members have the opportunity to mobilise new members with the ideals of the party.

He said: “You are inaugurated as the foot soldiers for the entrenchment of true democracy and governance in Abia State. You are to carry the message of change and transport the manifesto of our great party, the ACN, to all parts of Abia State without fear or favour.

“The officers, having been inaugurated, are to specially and speedily undertake the business of mobilising for membership. It may seem a daunting task because Abians have been deceived and disappointed by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

“However, this same disappointment should give the people the affront to dump their beliefs (if any), that the PDP will ever do better. Rather, it should spur Abians to come and join us in ACN. “We are the alternative platform for a new democratic and productive government in Abia State. We have the platform to produce responsible representatives of our people at all levels of legislation and governance.”

The party chairman noted that ACN has been tested and never found wanting in the states it is controlling.

He said when the PDP took power in Abia State, it promised to deliver on its campaign promises.

Abia to pay teachers TSS December From Ugochukwu UgojiEke, Umuahia

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HE Abia State Government has said it would start the payment of the

new Teachers Salary Structure (TSS) to the teachers in its employ with 27.5 per cent enhancement allowance by December.

The state Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Enoch Omeoga, spoke at this year’s Teachers’ Day in Umuahia, the state capital.

He said the union and the government had agreed on this at one of their meetings.

The union leader explained that the government also agreed to pay the arrears on the minimum wage to the teachers from January.

According to him, this will bring the state’s teachers at par with other workers in the state.

Omeoga noted that no nation can improve its education when its teachers are neglected.

The union leader called for the appreciation of teachers to improve their lives better.

• Governor Wada (left) and Dangote (middle). With them are Deputy Governor Abayomi Awoniyi (right) and Executive Director, Dangote Foundation, Halima Dangote in Lokoja...at the weekend.

Dangote donates N430m to flood victims, women in Kogi

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FRICA’S foremost industrialist and President of Dangote Group of Industries, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, at the weekend donated N430million to victims of floods and women in Kogi State.

The state is home to Dangote’s Cement factory, said to be one of world’s largest. It also hosts Dangote Academy of Learning and Development, where young local talents are trained to boost the manpower needs of the nation’s industries.

At a ceremony attended by top government functionaries in Lokoja, the state capital, Dangote said the contribution was administered by his foundation to complement the effort of the government in providing materials to flood victims and resettling them as soon as possible.

The renowned industrialists said foodstuff and relief materials worth N50million would be donated

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to the victims and N150million would be given in cash.

He said N230million would be shared to women at N10,000 each to boost their businesses.

Dangote said he was touched by the pains of the flood victims, adding that the floods caused the death of some residents and the destruction of property.

According to him, it may lead to the spread of diseases and epidemics.

He said: “Obviously, the government alone cannot shoulder this onerous responsibility of bringing relief to the victims. The private sector and publicspirited individuals should join hands with the government to assist the victims of this national disaster that has ravaged about 21 states of the federation.”

Dangote said his foundation was increasing its philanthropic profile across the world.

Dangote, who was accompanied by his daughter,

Hajia Halima, hailed Governor Idris Wada for quickly taking measures that reduced the suffering of the victims.

He praised the Federal Government for its intervention through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), saying the agency dispatched a search and rescue team to Ibaji Local Government Area to rescue victims and donate drugs, clothes and other items.

With the governor, the philanthropist inspected some of the flooded areas of Lokoja and visited some victims at their temporary camp at St. Luke’s Primary School, Adankolo.

Wada described the gesture as overwhelming.

The governor noted that it was the largest donation the state had received for the victims.

He said the floods were of historical significance to the people because many of them took things for granted.

Governor blames Nigeria’s woes on bad leadership

MO State Governor Rochas Okorocha yesterday blamed Nigeria’s problems on bad leadership and lack of political will to take critical decisions.

The governor was the guest lecturer at the University of Nigeria Nsukka’s (UNN’s) Endowment Fund launch/lecture at the Princess Alexandra Auditorium of the university.

In the lecture titled: Nigeria and the Leadership Question, the governor noted that democracy has failed in Nigeria and other African countries “because it was foolish to adopt American democracy com-

From Chris Oji, Enugu

pletely without repackaging it in line with the cultures and traditions of the people”.

Decrying the flawed electoral processes in Nigeria, Okorocha said: “If you conduct good elections in Nigeria, you will see that over 80 per cent of the people in government have no business there. There is so much imposition of leadership in Nigeria and that is why nothing is working. There is noth-

ing wrong with the head but the head of the state.

“What Nigeria is experiencing now is neo-colonialism.

Everyday, our children line up at the American Embassy, looking for what? Why do we say people must pass English language and mathematics before they qualify for admission? That’s another form of neo-colonialism? Why don’t we say people must pass Igbo language?

“The disease in our country

is leadership and until this is solved, we can’t make any head way.”

UNN Vice-Chancellor Prof.

Bartho Okolo said the endowment fund would sustain the growth and development of the institution.

“By today’s development, the university would be following in the footsteps of legacy institutions all over the world where such capital campaigns exist and are used to fund variety of projects, including infrastructure development, research and scholarship.”

Lawmaker accuses Okorocha of abandoning flood victims

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HE lawmaker representing Ohaji-Egbema/ Oguta Federal Constituency, Gerald Irona, has criticised Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha for his alleged indifference to the plight of flood victims.

The lawmaker noted that the governor’s visit to the floods was not enough to reduce the sufferings of the internally displaced persons.

He said the visit should have been followed up by corresponding action that would reduce the victims’ suffering.

During an assessment tour of flooded communities in Oguta Local Government Area, led by House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha, Irona noted that the affected communities are in oil producing areas.

According to him, despite

•Ihedioha promise succours From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

the huge revenue derived from the area by the state government, the communities still remains underdeveloped.

The lawmaker, who is also the Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Gas, said the government ought to provide initial relief measures before the intervention of the Federal Government.

Decrying the exclusion of Imo State from a meeting of the flood disaster states, Irona said there was a disconnect between the state and the Federal Government.

He said this was responsible for the slow development of the state, especially in the oil producing areas.

Irona said: “Our people have continued to be marginalised in Imo State, despite the fact that we are an oil producing state. The governor came to Oguta to assess the level of damage, but after that, nothing has been heard from the government. My people are displaced and they face the danger of epidemics.

“We know what Anambra and Delta State Governments have been doing to assist the flood victims. But in Imo State, it has been politicised. That’s why the governor could come to Egbema without a bar of soap for the victims.

“We are appealing to the Federal Government and other interventionist agencies to come to our aid.”

Ihedioha, who expressed

shock at the level of the devastation, said the House of Representatives would carry out a comprehensive assessment of the 22 states that were ravaged by floods recently.

The lawmaker said the extent of damage to the states would be included in next year’s Environmental Hazard Budget.

He explained that the visit was to enable him have a first-hand assessment of the damage the flood caused, adding that he would submit his report the House for action.

Ihedioha, who donated N800, 000 cash to the victims, regretted that the floods destroyed homes and public institutions.

The lawmaker said the House would engage the executive for solution to the menace.

Apprentice wins Glo’s Ofala festival promo car

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HIS year’s Ofala Festival ended on Saturday at the palace of the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe.

A 22-year-old apprentice, Nworie Ndubisi Elijah, won a new Toyota Corolla car 2012 model.

It was in the special Glo Ofala Sim raffle draw held at the ImeObi palace.

All the age grades in the commercial city were at the palace.

They dressed in various traditional attires and danced.

They competed for the various prizes provided by Globacom to enhance the age grade development in the town.

The Obi, who wore his royal regalia, made the traditional three-round appearances at the arena.

This was preceded by the traditional dance among palace chiefs and the conventional paying of homage to the monarch.

Among the dignitaries at the grand finale of the festival were Ogun State Deputy Governor Segun Adesegun; the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Edem Duke; Globacom’s Regional Director, Marketing Communications, Mr. Charles Jenarius; wife of the Ooni of Ife, Olori Yeyelua Sijuwade, and many traditional rulers from Osun State.

Achebe hailed the guests and called for peace among Onitsha residents.

The monarch stressed Globacom’s commitment to the festival, adding that the telecommunications company had completed a block of classrooms at the Metropolitan College, Onitsha.

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NEWS Nigeria will remain united, says Maku

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HE Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, has said Nigeria would remain united.

He urged Nigerians in the United States to have absolute faith in the country.

The minister spoke in New York City while addressing Nigerians during an Independence march.

He said: “We must have absolute faith in Nigeria and I have seen a lot of faith in some Nigerians here in the United States. “ I have seen Nigerians here troop out in their thousands to celebrate our nation’s independence.

“This is great. This is wonderful and faith is what makes a difference in a nation. If you have faith, you can turn any situation into glory.

“If you have faith, miracles are possible, if you have faith, development and transformation are possible. So, the most important thing is faith in a nation.’’

He called on Nigerians around the world to be united and stressed that “diversity is the strength of Nigeria.

‘The same way you have diversity as the strength of the United States of America. No great nation is truly monolithic.

“So, we are many and we are diverse, these are the different resources you can put together for the development of Nigeria.’’

Maku said it was important for Nigerians to continue to respect the nation’s diversity and love one another

across ethnic boundaries and cultures.

He urged Nigerians in the diaspora to show interest in the development of the country by contributing to the development of the country.

He said: “Let us benefit from your talents, from your knowledge, from your resources. Those resources should be repatriated to the country of Nigeria. See how Chinese in the diaspora developed China.

“We expect Nigerians in the diaspora to contribute to our national development and we know that Nigerians are very talented in their professions. They are the leading lights in America and Europe.’’

The minister also encouraged Nigerians abroad to have faith in the democratic process the saying that “change is slow but change is certain.

“Every country you see today in Europe, had a very humble beginning, very difficult beginning, some of them more difficult than what we face now.

“So, every generation builds its own layer on the development of a country. Our country is a very young country; 52 years old.

“So, I believe that our country has a great future. The problems we face today are changes for the future generations.

“Even the gaps we have in development are opportunities for investment and contributions to the development of the country.’’

Maku assured the crowd that the 2015 general elections in Nigeria would be the best and added that bad leaders would not be elected into office.

The minister, however, assured Nigerians that the Federal Government would soon achieve its goal of regular and uninterrupted electricity supply.

He said the government was building 10 power plants across the country to stop irregular power supply.

“It is the priority of the sitting administration in Nigeria to make life bearable for its citizens through the provision of regular power supply, good roads, rural infrastructure and sound education.

Maku said government would do everything to restore credibility to the education system.

“The government in Nigeria has passion for education.

We want to ensure that every child has a qualitative education.

“Nigeria is investing in education, especially the primary school education in order to achieve the standard that America has in the area of education,” he said.

Maku said government had concluded plans to restore national infrastructure, including the railways.

He said there would be trains travelling between Lagos and Kano states beginning from 2013. “ Nigeria will surely be the best economy in Africa by the year 2025,’’ the minister assured

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

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COMMENTARY EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

COMMENT

When gold rusts ...

•It is shocking that big firms would breach disclosure rules

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RADITIONALLY, the nation’s erstwhile blue-chip companies generally see themselves as a beacon of hope in matters of corporate governance.

Timely rendition of financial statements to investors, capital market regulators and the general public stood out as their hallmark. However, it is a sign of the changing times that things are no longer as they seem; indeed the rigid requirement of timely rendition of financial statements seems to have become a fading virtue.

Consider, for instance, a recent report in the Daily Official List of the Nigeria Stock Exchange. Blue-chip companies like Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc, PZ Industries Plc, Forte Oil Plc are said to be among companies in breach of disclosure rules.

The companies, 90 in all, reportedly missed the deadlines for filing their financial statements. While pointing out that the companies failed to meet “the minimum listing standards in terms of timely disclosure of their quarterly financial performance and are thus operating below the listing standards of the Exchange”, the NSE drew the attention of the companies to the penalties for noncompliance as spelt out in the statutes governing their activities in the capital market, even as it warned that the “Exchange will protect the integrity of its Rules.”

Why the companies would run afoul of the rule of disclosure is a question best answered by them. However, it comes across as a major failure that one of the most fundamental rules for listing on the

exchange is said to have been observed in the breach. Having elected to be quoted as public entities, the management of the companies cannot claim to be unaware of their statutory responsibilities, particularly the duty to ensure timely disclosure of financial statements as spelt out in the relevant statutes. The rules, which many companies feign to forget, are in place to serve the investing public, the regulators and indeed, the general public. They guide different stakeholders to make informed decisions on the activities of the entities. We need to add that the requirement is at the heart of corporate governance; it is in alignment with global best practices. If only for these, the management of the companies ought not to have treated it with levity.

The NSE, therefore, cannot be faulted for drawing attention to the infractions.

At this time, the market needs such interventions, both to restore confidence and to boost the market. After the lull of the past four years, such measures are needed to sustain the current momentum and to further spur investor confidence.

The measure flows from the expectation that those running publicly quoted companies must be seen to act in line with best practices. So, if the planned sanctions are what the erring companies need to sit up – so be it.

However, we must observe also that timely rendition of financial statements does not, alone, guarantee that the statements will be accurate or even reliable.

The NSE cannot afford to keep an eye on

the issue of timely rendition of financial statements while neglecting the requirement for their reliability. They represent different sides of the same coin of corporate infractions which need to be dealt with.

As the recent example of CadburySchweppes Nigeria Plc does show, it is one thing to have a published financial statement; it is another for it to be reliable. In pushing to ensure that quoted companies publish their statements as they fall due, the NSE should also move to ensure that published statements are accurate and reliable. A good way to ensure this is for the exchange to partner with relevant accounting bodies to restore integrity to published financial statements.

‘However, we must observe also that timely rendition of financial statements does not, alone, guarantee that the statements will be accurate or even reliable. The NSE cannot afford to keep an eye on the issue of timely rendition of financial statements while neglecting the requirement for their reliability. They represent different sides of the same coin of corporate infractions which need to be dealt with’

Hajj fiasco •We hope Nigeria has learnt useful lessons this time around

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HE impasse that riddled this year’s hajj underscores the country’s negligence in adhering to dictates of Islam regarding observance of holy pilgrimage by female Muslims. Yet, the nation has a National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) that ought to be the repository of Islamic values as it relates to pilgrimage codes.

The commission ought to know that women going on holy pilgrimage, as a divine rule, must be accompanied by their husbands or male relations. It ought to know too that this is one law that the Saudi government holds dear.

Until the matter was resolved diplomatically by the governments of both countries, not less than 1,000 female pilgrims from the country were falsely im-

‘The commission should have screened the affected female pilgrims and be sure that they met, especially the Muharram conditionality. But it failed to do this, obviously thinking that Saudi Arabia is like Nigeria where people can get away with anything. While it serves NAHCON right, the degrading treatment that the female pilgrims went through at King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah has not in any way done the country any good’

prisoned, with some unlucky ones amongst them deported from Saudi Arabia. This incident expectedly overheated a religiously sensitive country like Nigeria, just as it caused the affected pilgrims (and their relations at home) serious psychological trauma.

Obviously, NAHCON underestimated the very strict Saudi immigration officials on the requirement of Muharram policy that is not peculiar to Hajj or Umrah but to every trip made by adult female Muslims. The commission should have screened the affected female pilgrims and be sure that they met, especially the Muharram conditionality. But it failed to do this, obviously thinking that Saudi Arabia is like Nigeria where people can get away with anything. While it serves NAHCON right, the degrading treatment that the female pilgrims went through at King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah has not in any way done the country any good.

Though the Saudi Consular in Nigeria claimed that Nigeria was not the only country affected by the exercise, its defence was not completely convincing.

While we do not support any breach of the Hajj code, it is apt to point out that the embassy was negligent too in allowing the un-accompanied female pilgrims pass through its consular screening process without being detected. Moreover, the Saudi immigration officials were overzealous with their insistence that wives must compulsorily bear the names of their husbands. This is not compulsory as the case of Nana Fatima bint

Rasuulullah serves as locus classicus (an authoritative and often-quoted passage) in this regard.

NAHCON must put its house in order. It is sad that a country that cannot effectively provide for the immediate needs of her people has governments that perennially spend billions of naira sending people on the holy pilgrimage.

Yet, it is not compulsory for people who cannot afford Hajj to make the trip to the Holy Land. Even Almighty Allah puts a caveat that only those who have the means should embark on the holy pilgrimage once in their lifetime.

While we appreciate governments’ gesture of sending people on holy pilgrimage, we clearly deprecate its being done at the expense of their welfare, which without doubt has not been well taken care of by successive administrations in the country. This development has led to the exodus of Nigerians, especially women, migrating from the country to better managed countries in search of greener pastures.

Obviously, the Saudi authorities must have been more strident about the Muharram policy because it was reported that not less than 44,000 illegal Nigerian immigrants, majority of them women, live in that oil-rich country.

They reportedly entered the country under the guise of coming to perform the pilgrimage. So, governments in Nigeria should do more to alleviate the poverty in the land while everything must also be done to prevent the recurrence of this year’s Hajj crisis.

A wake-up call for Barack Obama

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FTER the most hellish month of his presidential campaign, Mitt Romney finally had a good night on Wednesday with a gutsy debate performance. It will take a few days to gauge if it will have an impact on the 2012 race.

But for Barack Obama, whose presence at the podium seemed almost apologetic, the wake up call is well timed. With barely a month to go, the US president needs to lay out a much stronger case for his re-election. After Denver, he may no longer be able to rely on Mr Romney to do that for him.

Most urgent, Mr Obama needs to spell out how things would work differently in a second term than they have over the past two years. Before the debate, some were speculating that Mr Obama could be heading for such a clear victory it would strengthen his hand in the fiscal cliff negotiations that follow. That now looks less likely. In Denver, Mr Obama made almost no effort to explain how he would better handle a hostile Republican Congress.

Voters certainly like the president more than Mr Romney. But he needs to convince them why he would be more effective.

Second, Mr Obama’s campaign has given only the sketchiest details of what his second term priorities would be – beyond averting this year’s looming “taxmaggedon”. True to his reputation, Mr Romney in Denver elided all the tough choices implied by his campaign. The Republican nominee set out a plan to cut taxes on the middle class and balance the federal budget without apparently requiring sacrifice from anyone – barring a dig at the minutely-funded Public Broadcasting Service. This is worse than “fuzzy math”. It went unchallenged from Mr Obama. In Denver, Mr Romney appeared belatedly to be tacking to the centre. The president needs to meet him there.

Third, Mr Obama is suffering from high expectations. A jolt such as this might be precisely what he needed. All of a sudden, the Romney campaign is fired up. This is good for US democracy and ought to raise Mr Obama’s game. In 2008 Mr Obama campaigned with a bang. In Denver on Wednesday night he offered barely a whimper – and a long-winded one at that.

There are still two debates to go and one next week between Joe Biden and Paul Ryan. The race will probably lurch again.

Odd though it sounds at this late stage, Mr Obama must seize every remaining opportunity to make a positive case for his presidency. If Denver has enlivened a campaign that was starting to look predictable, the US voter can only benefit.

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

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THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: The literary giant, Prof.

Chinua Achebe, is at his best in “Things Fall Apart”; he is at his worse in his criticism of Pa Obafemi Awolowo of blessed memory, over his role in the Nigerian Civil War. How can an intellectual in his right minds fault Pa Awo for saying that “all is fair in war, and starvation is one of the weapons of war. I don’t see why we should feed our enemies fat in order for them to fight harder.” How can a reasonable people allow their war counterparts access to food and weapons if they can block it?

Achebe’s reference to genocide makes no difference in a war situation. That is why everything should be done to avert war in

EDITOR’S MAIL BAG SEND TYPEWRITTEN, DOUBLE SPACED AND SIGNED CONTRIBUTIONS, LETTERS AND REJOINDERS OF NOT MORE THAN 800 WORDS TO THE EDITOR, THE NATION, 27B, FATAI ATERE ROAD, MATORI, LAGOS. E-mail: views@thenationonlineng.net

Achebe’s tribal emotionalism

the first instance.

Did Pa Awo, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe (an Igbo like Achebe), and many other well-meaning persons within and outside Nigeria not try to avert the war? Pa Awo warned that if the Igbo were allowed to break-away, the Yoruba would break-away, and Lt. Col. Odumegwu Ojukwu interpreted it to mean that Pa Awo was ready to lead the Yoruba in

a secession war along with the Igbo. Hence there were many Igbo people who had it at the back of their minds that Pa Awo was not a man of his words! Yes, not all the Igbo people misunderstood Pa Awo, but the prejudice against him was massive. That is the residual that manifests in Achebe’s civil war memoir.

Pa Awo’s sagacity must have

contributed immensely to the defeat and surrender of the Biafran forces, but that meant termination of war and hostility, which ensued in gradual reunification.

Pa Awo’s contribution to the latter endeavour was also immense. He and General Yakubu Gowon did nothing in the line of taking undue advantage of the defeated; everybody was happy

the war ended as we prayed-for in Yorubaland. Note that the Yoruba people did not misappropriate the Igbo investments that were enormous in Yorubaland. Ojukwu himself has tremendous respect for Pa. Awo. When Baba died in 1987, he described him as “the best President that Nigeria never had.”

Pa Chinua Achebe should also be reminded of the direction of the war. It left Benin City, and it was heading to Yoruba hinterland. Was it not around Ore a fierce battle was waged and the Biafran forces halted? And so, Achebe expected Pa Awo to be indifferent?

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

On the race for Ibadan S/West Council chair

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IR: The much awaited local government elections in Oyo State will soon be here. His Excellency, Senator Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi, and the erstwhile Governor, Alhaji Lam Adesina, are two political gladiators whose personalities will influence the choice of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidates in the 33 local governments in the state. While the incumbent governor will possibly exercise his power of incumbency, Alhaji Lam Adesina will exert his influence as a national leader of the

party who is highly revered within and outside the state. However, the burning questions in the minds of party loyalists is: Will the choice of either of these two political gladiators reflect the wishes of the people at the local governments, or the choice of either of the two gladiators?

There are three leading aspirants. They are Hon. Taoheed Bolaji Adeleke, Hon. Fatai Olanrewaju Abimbola, and Hon. Quadri Olayemi Ayuba.

Hon. Adeleke is the chairman of Ibadan South-west Local Gov-

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all the security agencies to do everything possible to unmask the killers of these promising youths.

Perhaps, encouraging the female students to confide in any of the security agencies in identifying the killers may be of assistance.

Again, it is also a wake-up call on the government and school authorities to provide enough hostels within the schools for the students, to discourage this private lodge springing up at every community hosting higher institutions of learning in Nigeria.

ernment caretaker committee. A graduate of Physical and Health Education, he has embarked on various poverty alleviation programmes. His long standing relationship with the Ajimobis appears to be his advantage. But his inter-personal relationship with the party leaders is not so rosy.

Next is Hon. Abimbola. He is a Chartered Accountant and economic guru. Mogaji, as he is fondly called by admirers, is known to have listening ears. He is philanthropic, kind-hearted and articulate. He proffers solutions to

the problems of his people, putting smiles unto their faces. Hon. Ayuba is also a Chartered Accountant of many years. He equally has arrays of other certificate in the world of accountancy. A fairly educated mind as one would call him, the aspirant has established a firm of consultancy outfit where he trains young accountants. He is involved in various humanitarian and philanthropic projects. He is intelligent and friendly. However, politically, he is considered to be a green horn who does not

Government must bring Mubi murderers to justice IR: We strongly condemn the wicked massacre of

about 40 students at The Federal Polytechnic, Mubi, Adamawa State, on the wee hours of Tuesday, October 2. Indeed, this act was carefully plotted days before it was hatched and we do not completely agree that it has everything to do with the outcome of the Student’s Union Government election that was held few days before the killings.

We call on the government and

It is also important that the Federal Government, states and local governments begin to take security in the country very serious; no doubt there are proliferation of arms and ammunitions in the hands of questionable characters.

Those who are alleged to have committed heinous crimes must be arrested and dealt with to serve as deterrent to willing criminals.

Allowing people with proving record of having committed heinous crimes free from punishment encourages others.

Finally, we deeply feel for the families who lost their loved ones in this dastardly act. Once again, we call on Nigerians with useful information to give, to support the security agents in their investigations towards the arrest of these wicked killers for justice to take its cause.

The barbarians must not go free!

Uzodinma Nwaogbe Community Defence Law Foundation, CDLF, Abuja

understand the dynamics of politics.

What also worries the minds of party faithful is the speculation making the round that Ajimobi and Adesina would present one candidate each from the three major ones. This means we might have two candidates from one LGA. How will OSIEC resolve this? This obviously will not augur well for the party. An amicable solution is for the two political gladiators – Ajimobi and Adesina – to urgently resolve their differences. Both should allow objectivity, and the choice of the people to be their guiding principles in nominating candidates for each of the 33 LGs in the state. This will further strengthen the party in the entire South-west and project it as a party that is ready for the social, economic and political integration of the entire region as proposed by great leaders like Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Babatunde Fashola and Kayode Fayemi.

Akinade Alamu, Ibadan, Oyo State

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THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

COMMENTS

Ondo: Why Aketi should cut down Iroko

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LTHOUGH three political parties appear dominant in Ondo State ahead the October 20, 2012 governorship contest, it will be a strait electoral battle between Dr. Olusegun Mimiko and Chief other inside out. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN). They know each I recall the mid-seventies when I joined the two of them as student of the then University of Ife and both were in to campus politics.

Our Great Ife generation will forever recollect one significant accomplishment of the Student Union executive of 1975/76 session which was the immediate successor of Ayo Olukotun’s active tenure.

Akeredolu was then the Vice President while Mimiko was in the students’ parliament. I can recount their respective performances and impacts. Yes, Mimiko as a medical student was articulately lively, but Akeredolu being also the officer in charge of welfare was impactful.

Then we were being served cups of tea or coffee by the cafeteria staff. The limitation of what was obtained on long queues was unpleasing to students. Akeredolu stepped in and fought it out that we should be allowed to serve ourselves from various pot points.

He won. And he was hailed by all. This made unlimited tea and coffee available, and even those who could not afford the then 10kobo worth breakfast would step in and drink tea – free of charge!

It was a legacy Aketi left behind in Ife until the Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo junta’s cost increase disrupted students’ comfort on campuses. Ali-Must-Go nationwide uprising was the response.

Today, the two friends are confronting each other politically to rule over their state. Mimiko as incumbent Governor wants a second term. Akeredolu desires to step in to make impact. Akeredolu touched me beyond partisanship when he recently quoted in an interview that “the issue transcends whether Mimiko is formidable or not. It is about whether he has delivered to the people of Ondo State or not.”

There is much of propaganda in the land. Most in power dwell much on intentions than actualizations. They know the essential needs of the people but they prioritise personal interests. This is why the populace is largely not benefiting what are meant to be dividends of democracy. Claiming to have performed runs contrary to the reality on ground. In the midst of the nation’s abundance, standard of living of the masses keeps dwindling with underdevelopment and poverty reigning.

Wherever genuine change is taking place, the end product becomes non debatable. It will go beyond politics and would be more of what are of benefit to the people. In Lagos, I go through Oshodi to the office daily. The condition of Oshodi about four years

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ESS than three weeks from now, the governorship election in Ondo State will be history. Already preceding these are campaigns of different nature. Much as there had been attempts to narrow the campaigns to issues, the exercise had been shrouded in filthy politics, thus leaving the electorate more confused than they should have been in deciding their choice candidate in that election.

But with the debate thrown up amongst the various candidates in the election, perhaps, the time is right to bring up constructive and issue-based engagement in lieu of the election. As one who is in government and understands the nuances as well as the complications that dot policy execution, it is only trite that the present Ondo State government is accorded some benefit of doubts in the posers that will be raised in this very engagement while hoping that in subsequent interface, some of the issues raised herein would have been laid to rest with facts and figures as it were.

Thus, beyond façade of sterling performance being accorded the governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, are some of the issues I intend to bring up here with a view to genuinely igniting a gubernatorial debate.

Sometime in early 2010, at one of the cabinet meetings, the executive council agreed to enhance agricultural produce by purchasing 100 units of 72HP Massey Ferguson Tractors.

The then Commissioner for Agriculture, Chief J.A Akinnigbagbe, Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Rotimi Adelola, and Commissioner for Finance, Yele Ogundipe, were consequently mandated to source for viable banks that could purchase the items on lease finance loan for a good period of time before the expiration of the government’s first term in office.

Also at the meeting, Dynamic Agrosol limited, was consulted to supply the tractors. The negotiation with Dynamic Agrosol Limited for the 100 units and the implements of the 72HP Massey Ferguson Tractors was negotiated and reported to cost N594,819,915.60 (five hundred and ninety-four million, eight hundred and nine thousand and nine hundred and fifteen naira sixty kobo) only.

Adelola, therefore, reached out to First Bank Plc, in February 2010 for the deal. He wrote to the bank after his informal discussion with

ago compared to what it is today needs no contention. Even the sternest opposition would bow to the transformation.

Similarly, for several days early this year, I travelled through Benin City to parts of Edo State for my in-law’s funeral. Seeing quality road work, reformed schools and worthy infrastructural developments, I came back delighted that Governor Adams Oshiomhole needed no campaign for his re-election as good work would work for him.

In my Ekiti State, I observed the road to Afao Ekiti, Ayo Fayose’s town. It was one of the works Fayose boasted to have done well. But the worsening of the road barely a year after was as if it had never been touched before. I passed through that same road few weeks ago, and I saw quality performance – evidently perceptible to rationalize why the Governor of the state truly deserved recent Leadership Governor of the Year honour. Again, this is not politics but reality of devotional execution of promises to the electorate.

Now, the Ondo State is in focus. Mimiko’s trendy claim has been that of good performance. With the loud hype, those outside the state might key in to the assertion. But what of the people in the state? Two weeks ago, I was in the state, first in Akure. I saw Oba Adesida Road and the fountain at night time and was carried away with the beauty and splendor. That alone almost authenticated Mimiko’s self-declaration as a performer. The following day, I moved inside the city before heading to Akoko area of the state. Later, I had to go through several other places, including Mimiko’s Ondo township. My early perception instantly altered. It became clear that beyond the capital city, Ondo State, with all the huge resources has not much to showcase in development in the last four years.

Away from Akure, what are the benefits of the enormous multi billion naira revenue allocations to an oil producing state, and the huge loans obtained? Where are the newly-constructed roads in the last four years? Of what value are the built markets where there is hardly business? How many of the jobless have been innovatively engaged in the last four years? How deep has the creative Abiye project gone? All these and more are what a truly committed governor should have addressed to convince the people.

The news was even flowing around of the huge public funds that were dished out with no project to show for it. It is also talk of the town that Mimiko is a governor running his administration alone as his executive members are there in name only. Could this be why many have preferred to opt out of his government to pitch with the opposition?

In my school days, I lived in Akure till my father retired from public service. My affiliation with our neighbours plainly established the correspondence in nature with my Ekiti people who know what they want and cherish a life of integrity. Eyes are forced to open to determine the tested spirit and soul of who should be preferred to lead to worthy higher ground. For a people that are eager to move forward with the opportunity of enhanced resources, what is being said should be weighed against what is being done.

Were political leanings to become an issue, then Akeredolu should

be having a fundamental edge that would result in vital advantage to the people of the state. Progressivism was what gave the region now tagged South West the elemental development advantage over others in the days of Action Group (AG) and later the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN). The cardinal principles of the parties were the disciplined focus that enhanced noteworthy performances that Chief Obafemi Awolowo left as lasting legacies. The copious oil money that is today the despicable income diversely leading the nation to underdevelopment and penury was not obtainable then. Revenue internally generated largely from agriculture gave the united region quality advancement that today still remains verifiable.

The same region, minus only Ondo State is now under one party, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). The South West that was compelled to eight years of indisputable developmental downturn under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is today seeing light at the end of the dark tunnel through a focused guiding principle of regional integration. ACN is out with a developmental blueprint similar to the rewarding ideology of Papa Awo. The party might not be perfect, but states under its control are already being reformed for authentic change. But if Ondo State, notwithstanding its great potentials is allowed to remain under a clueless party, would be left out of the restoration of the glory of the region.

This is my worry. Those living in Ondo State know the truth on ground in their respective localities. It was no error that about 30 personalities came out aspiring to lead the state under one party that was once in virtual non-existence. Of course, some were moles and infiltrators planted among the multitude to explode the party.

But by stronger strength too are also several of the aspirants with commitment to serve their people on a plausible political platform.

To the enlightened people of South West, there must have been wisdom in replacing the imposed PDP with a more formidable political party, that was made to successfully dislodge an Akalamagbo from Oyo, shamed Agidiomo out of Ogun, dethroned a lack lustre unsweetened Oyin from the throne of Osun and chose an intellectual to restore Ekiti to the Fountain of Knowledge. So, if Ondo people implanted what they thought was a genuine Iroko but has focused on cosmetics instead of doing the needful, the time might have now come for uprooting a fruitless mighty tree so that the Yoruba integrity can be replanted for the good purpose of doing the will of the people.

If the governors in South West chosen above the non-productive rules of man are outstanding in performance and are working to lift up the glory of the region again, that means wisdom of leadership was used to the benefit of the people. Likewise, the leadership choice of Akeredolu as a privileged candidate with pedigree and commitment to give back to the society and the people of Ondo State, is also bound to actualize good sense above sentimentalism, self-centeredness and deceitfulness in governance.

The option now remains in the hand of the electorate. Their votes should be of value, deployed on the basis of reliability and trustworthiness, with readiness to defend their choice.

Ondo 2012: Before the voters decide

By Lateef Raji First Bank’s officials at their Alagbaka branch in Akure, Ondo State. Several other meetings were held after the bank headquarters had agreed to finance the project.

However, at another meeting, the bank and the government officials agreed to reduce the 100 unit of Massey Ferguson Tractors to 62 units at the same cost of N594,819,915.60 kobo. Furtherance to actualising the deal and the willingness of First Bank to formalise financing of the 62 units of tractors, the bank sent a Product of Offer letter to the government through the office of Dr. Adelola. The letter dated April 12, 2012 with reference number Aku 121395/L/ was sent from the bank’s Alagbaka branch office. The bank agreed to provide finance lease with payment tenor spread across 33 months. It was billed to commence in April 2010 and expire this month, October. The usual lease finance loan proposal and condition of terms were attached with the Product of Offer letter as well as the Acceptance of Offer sent to the office of Dr. Adelola. Thus, at the executive cabinet meeting of April 2010, the cabinet was pleased with the outcome of the interface with the First Bank on the deal. Subsequently, Dr. Adelola was assigned to finally seal the deal with the bank, while the fund was to be released to the Ministry of Finance, which in turn would liaise with the Ministry of Agriculture and the tractors’ supplier, Dynamic Agrosol Limited.

Surprisingly, while negotiation with the First Bank was ongoing, another was initiated by the governor’s kitchen cabinet with another bank. The deal, with the same proposal of 100 units of same 72HP Massey Ferguson Tractors with the same implements, was being negotiated. The kitchen cabinet at a meeting in July 2010, mandated Akinnigbagbe and Ogundipe, the state Commissioners for Agriculture and Finance, to reach out to Fidelity Bank Plc and discuss the financing through the same process like the one Adelola had successfully struck with First Bank.

For a certain period of time, the duo of Akinnigbagbe and Ogundipe was slow to act as directed until the governor allegedly reprimanded them at one of their meetings sometime in November, 2010. Following this, the two men met with Adelola who had advised them to go ahead as instructed

by His Excellency.

Thus, on November 19, 2010, the Agriculture ministry wrote another letter to Dynamic Agrosol Limited, giving the approval to supply Ondo State government the 100 of Massey Ferguson tractors with reference number AEH11851259. Having equipped themselves with information from Adelola, an erstwhile banker, Akingbagbe and Ogundipe subsequently wrote to Fidelity Bank’s Managing Director through the Ondo State Ministry of Finance letter headed, requesting the bank to finance purchase of 100 units of 72HP Massey Ferguson Tractors with the following set of implements; Ton Hydraulic Tipping Trailer, Disc Ridger, Disc Harrow and Disc plough.

The response from Fidelity Bank Plc on the request was not, however, encouraging as evident in a letter the bank sent on November 25, 2010. Left with that situation, Akingbagbe and Ogundipe jointly wrote and signed another letter to Fidelity Bank on December 2, 2010 with reference number SCF 29/28, requesting the bank to now finance the same tractors and implements for N954,819,915.60 Kobo, however, for 62 units of the same 72HP Massey Ferguson Tractors with same sets of implements attached.

The attention of one Dr. Musa was drawn in the reconfirmation letter, while the supplier, Dynamic Agrosol Limited, was copied that a full Advance Payment Guarantee (APG) was still required in the transaction.

ONDO 2012: Let the debate begins ….

With the fresh negotiation still ongoing, it is worthy of note that only seven units of tractors and equipment sets were supplied to the state government at the cost of N594,819,915.60Kobo, as against the 100

units proposed at inception with First Bank.

And since April 2010, First Bank has been collecting repayment for the entire transaction from the government. Unfortunately for government, Fidelity Bank has discovered the trick being played on the banks.

I can reliably inform that even the seven tractors supplied to government in 2011 were manufactured in 2009. The Seven tractors were supplied with implements’ set that included Alico-Disc plough 3 Discs, Alico-Disc Harrow-16Discs (Disc 2411) and Alico Rigger-3 Furrow through Mac Tonnel Nigeria Limited, Apapa, in Lagos State. All these were at the cost of N594,819,915.60kobo.

This somewhat shoddy transaction soon took another turn, when the state government allegedly went ahead to insure the 100 units of the tractors with an insurance company (name withheld) at the cost of N25 million and yet, under-paid for the insurance.

Coming from the analysis above, much as it appears more like a fraud being perpetrated by government, it is imperative to accord government some degree of response before conclusions are drawn. But the questions are: Why would government agree to buy 62 tractors for the initial negotiation of 100 at the same amount? Why does it have just seven since supplied despite the fact that repayment for full purchase is still ongoing? Of what basis was the need to involve Fidelity Bank when the deal had been signed, sealed and delivered with the First Bank arrangement?

These and more, the Ondo State Government must answer as we engage it further in the ensuing debate.

Without doubt, this is the kind of engagement that will enrich the voting power of the people as they file out on October 20 to either effect change or live with what presently obtains in the name of governance.

•Raji is Special Adviser to the Lagos State government on information

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

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COMMENTS

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WO recent events have once again brought to the fore all that is wrong with us as a people. And in them, we can reasonably find the causative factors for the recurring cycle of underdevelopment and poverty that have held this nation down over the years.

First was the conferment of national honours on 149 Nigerians by President Goodluck Jonathan during which event he threatened to withdraw the honours conferred on those who have been convicted or are facing criminal charges. The second has to do with the decision taken by the Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities on guidelines for the award of honorary doctorate degrees to reduce indiscriminate awards and restore the ‘age-long university culture and best practices’.

Secretary-General of the association, Prof.

Michael Faborode said the awards were now based on wealth, political office and position as well as a means of generating revenue with little or no regard for integrity, contributions to the development of the university and the nation.

What clearly stands out from these is our scant regard for time tested values- values that are cherished and preserved in other climes as a mark of their national pride. The objective is to promote excellence and high attainment in all fields of human endeavour through the unleashing of the creative energies of the people for national development.

By rewarding honour, virtue, patriotism and excellence, a statement is being made that only through such values can true greatness of the individual and the nation be attained.

But the facts of our own situation seem to be negating these ennobling and high-minded objectives. Little wonder we have failed to make any significant progress in the development matrix.

Not long ago, the National Universities Commission (NUC) had decried the flouting of university tradition on the appointment of professors. The commission was piqued that the tradition requiring peer review and assessment of such appointees by at least three professors from both within and outside the country in addition to having a ‘Professorial Chair’ were being observed in their breach. It also noted that some people were parading themselves as professors without any evidence of affiliation to any recognized university or academic discipline in which such scholarly contributions were made. The award of professorships by

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Emeka OMEIHE 08121971199 email: EmekaOmeihe@yahoo.com

Scourge of wrong values parastatals, research institutes and allied establishments that have neither a senate nor affiliation to any recognized university was another issue that gave the commission serious worries.

In an article titled ‘NUC’s fake professors’, I had drawn copious attention to how these dysfunctions not only degrade our university system but the entire Nigerian society.

We had also decried the high appetite of our people for sundry awards, recognitions, honours and titles without committing themselves to the necessary rigors and sacrifice that go with such elevated attainments. Our summation was that all these ruinous dispositions and high regard for vain glory signpost both the necessary and sufficient condition for colossal failure either as a people or nation.

Perhaps, the intervention of the Vice- Chancellors may have been part of the steps to address the observations of the NUC. That could as well be. But what all these go to buttress is that something has definitely gone awry with our values system. Much is also wrong with the way and manner we currently nominate and confer national honours on people. If our national honours were conferred on people who soon turned out as convicts or suspects standing trial before our courts, then we have with us all signs of a demented society.

It is a key evidence of the shoddiness that has over the years gone in the nomination and subsequent award of national honours to sundry characters using warped and questionable criteria. And this should not be a surprise to any one. Over the years, very well meaning Nigerians have voiced out against

HEN professional faultfinders lampoon Abia State government on the state of infrastructure in Aba, little do they realize, that the level of degradation that has ravaged Enyimba city for decades does not call for quick-fixes, nor cosmetic remedies which they are wont to proffer. Historically, it is a city that wears several hats from its early beginnings as a colonial administrative centre, World War 2 army rehabilitation centre, railway town, to its present role as a trans-national commercial epicentre of the eastern heartland- the home of Ariaria market famous for shoes, bags and other household items. Aba has one of the best football clubs in Nigeria.

It was a city that was well planned, by the British in a structured format that met town planning standards.

In the past, before you turned the sod in the soil for a building project, a potential developer had to follow set procedures. This includes obtaining necessary licences and permits, completing required notifications and inspections and obtaining utility connections.

Before the civil war years, a registered town planner analyzed the proposed site of a building and drafted an environmental impact assessment report which listed the potential impact of the project on the environment, such as the noise, traffic and increase in human density issues.

After wading through the gamut of due process, the Aba Town Planning Authority issued you with a building permit which was strictly adhered to the letter. Contiguous to the permit was the provision of canals, ducts and drainages for flood water control. A labyrinth of culverts, chutes and deep sewers, channelling all waste water into a massive gutter that spouted it into the river. Public and open spaces including recreational parks added to the aesthetic value of the city up till the end of the civil war when things went awry.

The masterplan of Aba was obeyed more in the breach, as developers, sundry traders built houses, shops on top of drainages and side walks. Motor parks, mechanic garages, workshops, garbage heaps dotted every open space to the extent the city was morphed into an environmental nightmare.

Recall that the topography and geography of Enyimba city is susceptible to ravages of nature. It was on account of these, that a former state chief executive

the conferment of honours on people solely on account of the political office they happened to occupy at the time. Merit, integrity, honour and contributions to the overall development of the country, are relegated to the back seat. It is not surprising that as soon as some of these characters leave office, they are apprehended to account for the criminal offences they committed in office. Is this not sufficient to cast a slur on the propriety and integrity of the award?

Perhaps, were such people allowed to complete their terms before their nomination for such awards, the government may have been saved the embarrassment of having to confer its highest honours on rogue individuals that it will be forced to withdraw so soon after. Ironically, even as Jonathan is pontificating on his intention to ensure that holders of national honours are truly worthy representatives of our national values, honour and are patriotic, the last award has with it all the trappings of previous ones. Much of the recipients were people currently occupying political offices either through elective offices or by appointment.

There is nothing to show that some of them will not go the way of those who were arraigned or convicted for one offence or the other soon after they left office. If Jonathan is serious in sanitizing the award process, he should have began by ensuring that current political office holders are disallowed from the process. Apart from saving the country the loss of face arising from conferring awards on questionable characters, we will also be ensuring that those in

public offices do not use them to influence the award in their favour.

Again, relying on ascendancy to elective positions as a veritable criterion for national honours in a clime that is still struggling to evolve a credible electoral process makes the matter more laughable.

Nigeria is not lacking in individuals who have distinguished themselves in the mould Jonathan characterized. There are former governors and others who have occupied federal and state offices without blemish. Nobody has deemed it necessary to honour them. Yet serving governors, legislators and sundry political appointees have easily smiled home with such awards even with very curious credentials.

It may be interesting to publish the criteria on which recipients were rated and the scores of each on that scale. The outcome will be very revealing. There is also something untidy in relying solely on the nominations of state governments for such a sensitive national exercise.

In the brand of politics we play in this country, there are bound to be very qualified people who are deliberately excluded just to settle political points. There has to be a way to fish out those people on their own merit so as to enhance the overall credibility of the exercise.

In all, our country is currently plagued by a scourge of wrong values. We must work hard to weed it of the debilitating malaise of denigrating time-tested values, awards and recognitions. Those who want to excel must be prepared to go through the mills of high attainment. That is the right path to national progress.

‘Our country is currently plagued by a scourge of wrong values. We must work hard to weed it of the debilitating malaise of denigrating time-tested values, awards and recognitions. Those who want to excel must be prepared to go through the mills of high attainment. That is the right path to national progress’

The challenge of urban renewal in Aba

By Chinyemike Torti in the eighties was pejoratively labelled as ‘weeping governor’ when he requested for federal assistance over the Ndiegoro, Aba flooding.

The truth of the matter is that when gutters are blocked,the effluent is denied the right of way, it flows into people’s homes and the roads don’t last. Previous administrations tackled the problem in an incremental manner.

It is against this background that Governor T.A Orji’s transformation agenda that encompasses the urban renewal of Aba has emerged. As we are speaking, 1800 houses, shacks, hovels are sitting on and blocking gutters and sewage system in Aba. Except these unapproved and illegal structures are demolished, all the investments by the administration in road infrastructure will end up in smoke. For the records, Aba has gulped quite some humongous investments. Sampler: dualization/reconstruction of Aba Owerri Road, reconstruction/dualization of phase 1 Aba-Owerri road (from Osisioma Express road junction to Umuimo Road Junction) 3.4km. Rehabilitation of 5no. selected roads, Ehi Road (2.1km) Ehere Road (0.8), Ogbor-Hill,Azikiwe road, Asa Road. Reconstruction/ rehabilitation of Ohanku (4.7km),Rehabilitation of Osisioma park- Ekeakpara road (4.5km).Reconstruction of Asa Road, Aba Owerri Road by Umuiron junction to Aba Motor Park and asphalt overly of Asa Road, Construction of unity Garden/Osisioma Ring Road. Construction/ dualization of Aba-Owerri road phase 11 (from Umuimo Road junction to Aba Motor Park) and Asphalt overlay .

Reconstruction of Port-Harcourt Enugu Express way from Osisioma Junction. Reconstruction of Obohia Road, construction of additional stretch of the Osisioma Ring Road, construction/rehabilitation of Samek Road, construction of Old Express Road.

It is strange to note that people block drainages which results in flooding, and turn around to blame the governor. When the submerged road disintegrates and

eroded away, the state government draws unusual flak as if nothing had been done even when the same road was worked on in the last season.

It is heart-warming that the Aba Landlords Association has endorsed the proposed demolition of illegal structures. This support signposts a new direction and thinking in development planning which focuses on upgrades in infrastructure such as streets, roadway improvements, sidewalks, utilities, public spaces, or plazas.

These upgrades will ultimately provide incentives to attract business and housing, enhance traffic flow and public safety, and support private investment in Aba. Dr T. A. Orji, the Abia state helmsman, has stood firmly with Aba, cognizant of the fact that Aba is of high political and social awareness. He is aware that Aba is laden with hardworking people who have unimaginable vote potentials.

As it appears, Aba gets more than required attention, evident in billions spent in construction, maintenance of infrastructure and crime prevention. Do we need to recall the apocalyptic years when Enyimba city, the Japan of Africa was the fiefdom of muggers, body snatchers and robbers. It was Governor Theodore Orji, who inspired and put into place a crack security template that gulped huge resources in collaboration with the military joint task force that restored tranquillity.

Following the assurances, some investors with interest in various fields have sent delegations to the state for feasibility studies while many others have indicated interest to come into the state to do business. An offshore investor that has shown interest include Alkamali Petroleum, a Dubai based oil and gas company, is keen in to establish a refinery in Ukwa West.

The governor invites all stakeholders to treat. As a consummate and thorough bred statesman he has always extended an olive branch to and welcomes the opposition, including, faultfinders, moaners, grumblers for an inclusive and anti-exclusionary ideal government that will move Abia forward.

• Torti is a public policy analyst.

Martins’ strike gives Flamingoes apologise Levante maximum points to NFF, Nigerians AFTERMATH OF WORLD CUP OUSTER

Pg. 24

Pg. 24

Sport Monday, October 8, 2012

PAGE 23

2013 AFRICAN YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP

Flying Eagles

qualify N

IGERIA Under-20 team on Sunday qualified for next year's AYC after they defeated South Africa 3-1 to advance 4-2 on aggregate.

Flying Eagles’ coach John Obuh commended the resilience of the South Africans.

“They are a very good team and they kept us on our toes from start to finish,” said Obuh.

“Kudos to the entire team for putting in their best to ensure we will be in Algeria to now defend our crown.”

The Flying Eagles took the game from the first blast of the whistle but it was not until the 38th minute when MVP Abduljaleel Ajagun turned smartly inside

the six-yard box before firing past goalkeeper Lebo Ngubeni.

But almost immediately the Amajita drew level on the back of a quick counter attack as the Nigerians seem to still be celebrating their opening goal.

And again it was danger man Thabani Mthembu who scored for South Africa, just as he had done two weeks ago in Nelspruit.

“It was a mistake on our part as we over celebrated our goal and we got punished for it,” lamented Obuh after this exciting clash between two good sides.

The game was then delicately balanced at 1-1 before Ajagun delivered the best goal of the day on 45 minutes when he blasted

home into the roof of the net to the relief of the big crowd at the Kwara State Stadium.

Enugu Rangers’ striker Alhaji Gero further settled the nerves of the home crowd when he slipped home a stylish through ball by the outstanding Ajagun.

However, to the credit of the visiting South Africans they did not give up the fight as they now opened up and took the game to their hosts.

Goalkeeper and skipper Samuel Okani was at his best as he kept out a goal-bound shot in the 74th minute and in stoppage time, Okani tipped another effort for a corner as Amajita continued to press for another goal.

Okorie was forced to clear into the side

netting for a corner as South Africa kept on the pressure.

And when the Ghanaian referee blew the final whistle, players, officials and fans erupted into a wild celebration.

NIGERIA’S U-20 SQUAD Samuel Okani (skipper) Mohammed Aliyu, Kenneth Omeruo (Shehu Abdullahi 46), Ikechukwu Okorie, Chizoba Amaefule Moses Orkuma, Abduljaleel Ajagun, Chidi Osuchukwu - Bright Ejike (Yahaya Adamu 64), Alhaji Gero (Uche Agbo 75), Umar Aminu Unused Subs: Jonah Usman, Halilu Obadaki, Agboyi Ovboka, Harrison Egbune

24

41

NATIONSPORT MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

NATION SPORT AFTERMATH OF WORLD CUP OUSTER

Flamingoes apologise to NFF, Nigerians

• Dedevbo

NATION SPORT

Martins' strike gives Levante maximum points

Egwuekwe backs Eagles for victory over Liberia

Keshi leans

AHEAD UNDER-17 QUALIFIER AGAINST GUINEA

Golden Eaglets savour 4-1 win against Leopards

• Keshi

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano • Martins

NATIONS CUP QUALIFIERS

From Patrick Ngwaogu, Abuja

Pillars’ players, officials get car gifts

on NPL stars for Liberia

NIGERIA VERSUS LIBERIA

Selection tickles Benjamin •Wants to work harder to get coaches' nod From Tunde Liadi, Owerri

AFTERMATH OF 3-3 DRAW WITH AHLY

Ogunbote makes case for Sunshine •Expects good officiating in Cairo From Tunde Liadi, Owerri

•Ogunbote

NFF thumbs up Copa Lagos

...Expects full house Tuesday •Joel Obi, Efe Ambrose promise to hit Calabar Tuesday From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja

•Efe Ambrose

Paralympics gold medallist, Adesokan gets more honour

25

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

ISSUES

We will make sure that there is a transparent process that every Nigeria will look at and say we have done fairly.

We don’t want anybody to think that these banks were taken over and handed over to special interests. It must be a very transparent process.

- Mr Mustapha Chike-Obi, CEO, AMCON

JOBS

After a lull, stock market bounces back - P. 31

Catch fun, get a job

- P. 37

News Briefing

Interbank rates flat on matured T-bills

Joint execution of IFRS, likely RISK officers are advocating processes that would allow banks to jointly implement the International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS), Basel I and Basel II Accords, The Nation has learnt.

T

- Page 26

CBN moves against money laundering ACCOUNT opening forms for all commercial banks have been unified by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

In a circular to all banks and Other Financial Institutions (OFIs), the apex bank said it took the step to forestall the use of the accounts for money laundering and financial terrorism by bank customers

- Page 30

‘Rising reserves won’t stop naira slide’ THE uptick in foreign reserves and improved oil production do not guarantee a possible slide in the value of the naira, analysts have predicted.

Oil production has remained at 2.2 million barrel per day (mbpd) with positive impact on fiscal revenue and oil receipts, taking the reserves to $41.16 billion, about 28 month high.

- Page 31 DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$107/barrel Cocoa -$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,800/troy ounce Rubber -¢159.21pound MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE JSE NYSE LSE

-N7.560 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -11.9% Treasury Bills -7.08% Maximum lending-22.42% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -2% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $35.8b FOREX CFA 0.2958 EUR 206.9 £ 242.1 $ 156 ¥ 1.9179 SDR 238 RIYAL 40.472

• From left: Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga; Minister of Trade and Industry, South Africa, Dr. Rob Haydn Davies and Group Managing Director/CEO, Access Bank Plc,Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, at the 2nd Nigeria International Investment Forum in Lagos

‘Foreign portfolio investment in NSE hits N277.15b’ T

HE Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has recorded a year-todate foreign portfolio investment of N277.15 billion.

The Managing Director, BGL Securities Limited, Sunday Adebola, said the figure represents the total value of shares traded on the floor of the Exchange by foreign portfolio investors since beginning of the year.

He said: “Data from the Exchange has shown that 66 per cent of the activities in the stock market are being controlled by the foreign portfolio investors.”

Adebola, told The Nation: “It has been established that N419.93 billion worth of shares have been traded on the floor of the Exchange this year alone. I want to believe that 66 per cent of these are done by the foreign portfolio investors.

“This translates to N277.15billion. That is what we can see in terms of what the foreign portfolio investors have done up to date,” he stated.

Adeola said the growth of a capital market is dependent upon certain microeconomic factors, such as the fundamentals of the quoted companies, forces of supply and demand, and international prices of crude oil, among others.

“Empirically, a study has been done that showed correlation between the oil price and stock market growth in Nigeria. If we have oil prices going up, the economy will become buoyant, more foreign in-

By Akinola Ajibade

vestors (direct and portfolio) will show interest in the economy, and the activities in the market will pick up.

He said although, we have seen a situation whereby oil prices are going up and the stock market was experiencing a downturn. But in most cases, the prices of crude oil determine the growth of other sectors of the economy,” he added.

He said all the All-Share Index, market capitalisation, share index of various sectors have improved in recent times, adding that the achievements are remarkable when compared with what was obtained last year.

The expert said the market growth can be sustained, if all the various initiatives introduced by the regulators are not kept.

He added that the emergence of market makers has improved liquidity and activities in the market.

He noted that the coming in of market makers has buoyed the confidence of investors who hitherto have gone to sleep.

Adebola said the monetary authorities have promised to bring down the interest rates, arguing that the development would made people shift from fixed-income securities to the stock market.

He said when investors know that they will have better yields in the stock market than bonds, they would take good investment decision.

HE Nigerian interbank lending rates were flat across the board last week at an average of 10.58 per cent, as liquidity was buoyed by the repayment of about N190 billion in matured open market operation (OMO) treasury bills, traders said.

Dealers according to Reuters said the repaid treasury bills helped enable the market to open with a positive cash balance of N375 billion, compared with N226.6 billion penultimate week.

The secured Open Buy Back (OBB) was unchanged at 10.25 per cent, 1.75 percentage points lower than the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) 12 per cent benchmark rate, and 25 basis points above the Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) rate.

Overnight placement and call money were unchanged at 10.50 per cent and 11 per cent, respectively.

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

26

BUSINESS NEWS Flight Schedule MONDAY - FRIDAY LAGOS – ABUJA Departure Arrival 1. Aero 06.50 08.10 2. Associated 07.00 09.30 3. Air Nigeria 07.00 08.20 4. IRS 07.00 08.20 7. Arik 07.15 08.15 7. Chanchangi 07.15 9. Air Nigeria 08.15 09.35 10. Aero 08.45 10.05 11. Arik 09.15 10.15 12. Chanchangi 10.00 11.00 13. IRS 11.15 12.35 14. Aero 12.20 13.30 15. Air Nigeria 13.25 14.45 16. Chanchangi 13.30 14.30 17. Arik 13.45 14.45 18. IRS 14.00 15.20 19. Aero 14.10 15.30 20. Air Nigeria 14.50 16.10 21. Chanchangi 15.30 16.30 22. Arik 15.50 16.50 23. Aero 16.00 17.20 24. IRS 16.30 17.50 25. Arik 16.50 17.50 26. Chanchangi 17.30 18.30 27. Air Nigeria 17.35 18.55 29. Air Nigeria (T/TH) 18.30 19.50 20. Arik 18.45 19.45 31. Aero 19.20 20.40

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

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Arik Aero Arik Aero

1. Arik 2. Aero 1.

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

LAGOS – KADUNA Aero 08.00 Chanchangi 10.00 Arik 10.00 Arik 15.10

08.30 09.10 11.50 12.45 13.40 15.20 16.30 16.40

R

ISK officers are advocating processes that would allow banks to jointly implement the International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS), Basel I and Basel II Accords, The Nation has learnt.

The IFRS are principle-based standards, interpretations and the framework adopted by the International Accounting Standard Board (IASB) that requires disclosure on a range of issues, including risk management measures and changes in accounting policy.

Risk Expert and Chairman, IFRS Interpretations Committee, at the IASB, Bob Garnett confirmed the possibility of a joint implementation of the IFRS by lenders to The Nation at an IFRS meeting organised by Ernst & Young in Lagos.

He said how much a bank achieves in terms of data integrity and efficient financial reporting, is hinged on its application of IFRS models and Basel I and II Accords.

Basel Accord, analysts said, is a set of agreements set by the Basel Committee on Bank Supervision (BCBS), which provides recommendations on banking regulations with regards to capital risk,

By Collins Nweze

market risk and operational risk.

The Basel II, which is to be fully implemented by 2015, focuses on three main areas, including minimum capital requirements, supervisory review and market discipline, known as the three pillars.

The thinking is that although banks cannot be stopped from taking risks associated with their businesses, but they must put in place structures and processes that will hedge against loss.

Nr Garbett said banks are in the business of taking risks, for without risk taking, the possibility of making money becomes illusive.

“So, while one cannot stop financial institutions from taking risks, a failed financial system has serious adverse implications on the economy. That explains why all over the world, banks and financial institutions are the most highly regulated,” he said.

Garnett said the process whereby banks manage their market risk, reputational risks, environmental risks, and all other risks that face financial institution, in a disparate form, may not

produce the best result.

“We have all risk managers scattered everywhere and when you manage risks with such approach, the institution will fail. The modern approach to risk management is what is referred to as enterprise risk management system. It is an integrated approach to risk management system,” he said.

The expert urged the adoption of regulatory processes to ensure that banks comply with risk management procedures, adding that harmonising the IFRS and Basel Accords, would give Nigerian banks’ financials, better credibility.

He said the IFRS, which requires disclosure on a range of issues, including risk management measures and changes in accounting policy, will ensure that their results for this year are compliant with the international guidelines.

Garnett explained that the global knowledge and expertise reduces the risks of getting things wrong, adding that the adoption of the model will further enhance transparency and facilitate the restoration of investor’ confidence in the on-going efforts to sanitise and rebuild the financial services sector.

12.15 12.45 09.10 11.00 11.10 16.20

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LAGOS – OWERRI Aero 07.30 Arik 07.30 Air Nigeria 13.40 Arik 14.00 Arik 16.30

08.40 08.40 14.55 15.10 17.40

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LAGOS – WARRI 08.15 11.50 11.55 14.55

09.1 12.50 12.55 15.55

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

08.50 09.45 14.00 15.45 19.55

LAGOS – OWERRI 07.20 14.00 16.30

08.30 15.10 17.40

LAGOS – MAIDUGURI 1. IRS 11.15 13.15 2. Arik 15.50 18.00 LAGOS – ILORIN 1. Overland 07.15 2. Arik (M/T/TH/F) 17.30

By Uyoatta Eshiet

08.50 12.40 14.10 17.20

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

1. Arik 2. Arik 3. Arik

‘Insuance brokers Joint execution of IFRS, not in 12 states ‘ Basel Accords by banks likely

08.00 18.00

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

•From left: Managing Director, Proshare, Olufemi Awoyemi; Managing Director, Capital Market Academy, Mr Delme Thompson; General Manager, listings sales and retention, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Taba Peterside and Chief Operating Officer, Proshare, Reshu Bagga at a media interactive session on the forthcoming maiden workshop by the London-based Academy in Lagos

‘Farmers ’ll suffer financial losses from flood’

ARMERS would suffer cash losses as a result of the ravaging flood, a post harvest specialist, Prof Lateef Sanni, has said.

He said many farmers are at risk of losing their crop.

Sanni, who is Deputy Dean, College of Food Science and Human Ecology, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), said however, that there is no data to help estimate crop losses. He said but that food production is expected to drop due to the massive flooding in the country.

Heavy rains fell across much areas of the southern part of the country and left large portions of corn and other crop fields submerged.

Following this and poor water drainage system, low lying areas were

F

By Daniel Essiet

water logged. The same is true of businesses and entrepreneurs operating in the northern part of the country, as they have suffered severe losses as a result of the rains.

The business community, the government and farmers continue to be seasonal victims of the floods, with the agricultural sector heavily affected, as majority of the communities in the north depend on farming.

Some states in the north, especially Taraba, Kogi, Katsina and Benue, Sanni noted, have experienced cases of flood and heavy rainfall, which washed off farmlands and food crops in

The states, considered food baskets, are witnessing constant rainfall.

As a result, it is expected that food insecurity will further increase in the affected areas.

Sanni said it is critical for the government to act quickly to allow producers to make plans for the future. In many of the affected areas, agriculture is the major economic driver and it affects the long-term economic prospects of the farmers and communities.

He called on the authorities to implement an action plan to alleviate mounting losses facing farmers as a result of the wide spread flooding.

The effect of the flooding is being felt deeply across the south. Cross River, Delta and Akwa Ibom, are at the top of the list of devastated areas, with hundreds of acres of farm lands, affected.

Power: Experts make case for rural communities

T

HE on-going privatisation of electricity distribution in the country may remain a mirage if adequate provision is not made to address the apprehension of rural communities in the new power distribution model.

Immediate past Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission NERC, Dr. Ransome Owan, disclosed this at a business forum in Lagos.

He noted that the preferred bidders are more likely to be inclined to focus on the urban centers where there is propensity for achieving high returns on investment at the detriment of the rural dwellers.

He said this is no time for experiment as electricity supply under the new model could be a security issue if left in the hands of inexperienced op-

erators technical comprehensions that do not reflect the reality of the peculiarity of the environment.

Dr Owan, who commended the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) for a job well done, admonished the privatisation agency to ensure that cynics of the entire privatisation process were encouraged to change the pervading apprehension in the land over the sincerity of the government to pick the most qualified bidder in terms of footprint, stakeholder knowledge and size of previous projects handled.

Speaking in the same vein, the Managing Director, Bayelsa Electricity Company Ltd, Engr. Olice Kemenanabo noted that current inefficiencies in the power sector have brought about great expectation that the new entrants will address the identified shortcomings and make electric-

ity consumers smile again based on the following criteria: size of utility experience of the bidders and experience in rural and urban areas, the need for the state government’s participation; are the partners familiar with the terrain?

Can the shortlisted distribution companies deliver; can they take power to the rural riverine areas?

According to Kemenanabo, who doubles as Special Adviser to the Bayelsa State Governor on Power sector,.

“We must ensure that we give it to somebody who has a track record of having done it before with great competence. Loss reduction figures should not be a strait-jacket yard stick for selecting preferred bidders as against technical experience, size of previous operations and adequate knowledge of the local environment.”

EFFORTS to bring Insurance and its benefits closer to Nigerians may be further be hampered due to the absence of Insurance Brokers in 12 out of the 36 States.

GIZ, a German agency for sustainable development working in partnership with Riskguard –Africa Limited, which unearthed the position, said 79 per cent of existing brokers, are only fringe players who can be deployed into the underwriting or partner agency model under microinsurance.

It observed that there seems to be a legendary apprehension at the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) that anything coming from National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) may not be in their best interest. It called on NAICOM to address the issue.

“NAICOM will still have to open – up the Agency system, relax the entry points and provide close supervision,” it said, adding that the existing operators don’t see any incentive for new markets.

“Our study of other countries has shown that insurance brokers have never served as a successful channel for microinsurance distribution.

“Our other studies have however shown that 79 per cent of the existing Insurance Brokers in Nigeria are fringe players who can be deployed into the Underwriting or Partner Agency model under microinsurance,” the agency said.

Corporate Affairs Manager NCRIB, Tope Adaramola, said the council is working assiduously to address the issue, adding that the present leadership of the council has taken steps in recent time to ensure that brokers’ services are extended to all parts of the country.

“The report may not be entirely far from reality. It further affirms the steps the NCRIB is taking especially under the regime of our new president Mrs Laide Osijo. The reality confronted her, and that was why she made the empowerment of the Area Committee and Chapters of the Council one of her priority and focus.

E

Germany partners Dangote, ITF TRADE delegation from Germany has expressed its willingness to partner the Dangote Academy and the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), in the provision of vocational and technical training for Nigerians.

Head of Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Nigeria, Mr. Andre Ronne disclosed this at the end of a recent working visit to the Corporate Head Office of Dangote Group and the ITF, in Lagos.

He said Germany was willing to assist Nigeria to promote industrialization and infrastructure development because both countries share similar goals, particularly in terms of using private industrial sector to drive economic growth.

Noting with satisfaction the structure of the Academy and the existing facilities at the ITF, which he said are of world-class standards, he said that Nigeria will in the next few years, become a major industrial power in the world given the efforts organisations such as DIL and ITF are making to upgrade vocational and technical skills of Nigerians.

Ronne, who also disclosed that his organisation had concluded plans to set up the pilot phase of its project sites in Lagos, Abuja and Ogun to train Nigerians, added that retired highly skilled experts from the German industrial sector will be invited to assist Nigeria to enhance the quality of her vocational and technical training.

In their presentations, Mrs. ElkeEhlen and Robert Malzacher of the German Chamber of Commerce also expressed satisfaction with what they saw on ground at Dangote Academy.

A

27

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

ISSUES

•Trading floor of the NSE

As the Nigerian stock market makes a steady recovery, with one of the highest average returns in advanced and emerging markets, investors are smiling again. But there are still clouds in the horizon, reports TAOFIK SALAKO

Stock market: After the pain, comes gain N

IGERIA now ranks among the best eight performing stock markets in the world. With average yearto-date return of more than 25 per cent, it is second to Egypt in Africa and ahead of most markets in the Asia Pacific, Europe and the Americas. In most cases, Nigeria's returns double average returns by global stock indices, including the Global Dow and the DJ Global Index, which indicate some 7.3 per cent and 11.3 per cent. The average return indicates the significant recovery in prices of most equities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

In the third quarter alone, Nigerian investors pocketed about N1.4 trillion in capital gains as sustained upswing in the latter part of the quarter spiralled returns to investors. Value indices at the NSE indicated a return of 20 per cent during the three-month period ended September

30. Aggregate market capitalisation of all equities, which had opened the third quarter at N6.895 trillion, closed the period at N8.282 trillion. This represented an increase of N1.39 trillion. Also, the All Share Index (ASI) - the benchmark index at the NSE, which tracks changes in prices of all equities – jumped from its index on board of 21,599.57 points to 26,011.64 points, an increase of 20.43 per cent.

So far, this year, investors have earned about N1.8 trillion. Market capitalisation of equities opened at N6.533 trillion. The ASI, which doubles as the country index for Nigeria, has already exceeded most estimates for the year, reflecting in part the historic highs being set by several stocks.

Enticing fundamentals Managing Director, MBC Securities Limited, Mr Toyin Ayoade, said the upswing at

the stock market was induced by the stellar earnings by quoted companies. With the reforms in the banking sector crystallising into stronger earnings, the traditional strong performances of the manufacturing sector created a robust earnings outlook for the entire capital market. Most companies closed 2011 with better earnings. For instance, Cement Company of Northern Nigeria (CCNN) Plc, Dangote Sugar Refinery (DSR) Plc, National Salt Company of Nigeria (Nascon) Plc and NCR Nigeria Plc distributed N6.34 billion to their shareholders as cash dividends for the 2011 business year. CCNN distributed about N566 million on the basis of 45 kobo dividend per share as the net profit of the cement company rose by 82 per cent in 2011.

DSR distributed N3.6 billion on the basis of 30 kobo per share. Nascon paid out N1.85 billion on the rate of 70 kobo per share while

NCR distributed N324 million on the basis of N3 per share to all shareholders.

Key extracts of the audited report and accounts of CCNN for the year ended December 31, 2011 showed profit after tax nearly doubled from N1.27 billion in 2010 to N2.30 billion in 2011. Profit before tax grew from N1.75 billion in 2010 to N3.29 billion in 2011. Turnover stood at N13.92 billion as against N11.18 billion in 2010.

Conoil increased cash payouts by 25 per cent to N1.73 billion as the petroleummarketing company grew profit to N4.4 billion in 2011. At N2.50 per share, the dividend per share was a significant improvement on N2 paid the previous year.

Audited report of Conoil showed sales rose by 53 per cent from N102.88 billion in 2010 to N157.51 billion in 2011. It further consolidated its profitability with •Continued on page 28

28

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

ISSUES •Continued from page 27

profit before tax rising from N4.02 billion to N4.4 billion. Profit after tax rose from N2.79 billion to N2.95 billion.

Besides, most companies are optimistic that earnings would improve further this year. Stanbic IBTC Bank has projected that profits before and after tax would be N3.06 billion and N2.47 billion this quarter just as gross income was estimated to hit N17.2 billion.

Presco expects a net profit of N466 million on total sales of N2.5 billion while Berger Paints could earn N88.26 million in net earnings on turnover of N976.30 million.

Also, RT Briscoe projected that turnover would be N6.21 billion while pre and post-tax profits is expected to be N52.30 million and N35.57 million respectively.

Evans Medical Plc, which is just recovering from a scandalous losing streak, indicated it could record a net profit of N67.55 million on turnover of N1.62 billion during the fourth quarter ending December 31, 2012.

Ayoade noted that good fundamentals laid the foundation for the current bullish rally as investors were encouraged by substantial dividend yields and prospective returns on equities.

Comparatively, higher returns by Nigerian equities have lured more foreign fund managers and institutional investors to the Nigerian market.

Foreign investors account for some 70 per cent of turnover on the NSE. Out of total turnover of about N68.5 billion recorded on the NSE in September, foreign portfolio investors accounted for about N48 billion. Transactional analysis for September indicated foreign portfolio investors staked an average of about N12 billion every week on Nigerian equities during the period. Average weekly turnover for September stood at N17.12 billion.

Still undervalued Most analysts said the Nigerian market is still substantially undervalued. Analysts at Sterling Capital, FSDH Securities, Financial Derivatives Company (FDC), and Partnership Investment Company among others, said several equities are still below their intrinsic values.

Economist and securities advisor, Sterling Capital, Sewa Wusu, said equities have headroom for further capital appreciation considering the average earnings and yields by the Nigerian market to other emerging markets.

"Any irrational fall in stock prices will be an opportunity to buy, fundamentals remain favourable regardless," Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company, Mr Bismarck Rewane noted. He singled out the banking sector as a segment with substantial potential for gains, noting that the sector's multiples remain attractive from a historic and relative basis.

"Price-to-book value of most banks remain under 1.0. Results released so far shows that the financial sector has fully recovered while the non-financial sectors are seeing their margins squeezed.

The banking sector is also most likely to have some of the better dividend increases during the coming years," Rewane projected.

According to analysts at FSDH, improved corporate earnings and current low valuation of quoted companies amongst others would improve overall stock market performance this year. Analysts at Afrinvest (West Africa) and Crossworld Securities also shared similar sentiments.

"The current market recovery is sustainable; the fundamentals are there to support the current state of the market. With the anticipation of nine months results, there would be further positive consideration. Except for the usual profit

•Minister of Okonjo-Iweala

Finance,

Ngozi

•CEO NSE, Mr Oscar Onyema

• MD, GTI Oyekunle

Securities,

Tunde

Stock market: After the pain, comes gain taking that may be experienced at intervals, the market remains on a good stride," Managing Director, GTI Securities, Mr Tunde Oyekunle, said.

He added that the relatively low returns on fixed income securities, the commencement of market making and other reform initiatives would create a stable platform for the market recovery.

The long-drawn recession at the capital market has forced several regulatory and operational changes. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had reviewed and published a new corporate governance code, which became effective in April 2011.

Also, in relation to efforts to improve corporate governance, periodic disclosure of financial information and the quality of such information have improved in recent years as a result of enhanced monitoring, enforcement and the requirements for higher quality information disclosure from public listed companies by SEC and NSE. To improve disclosure in offer prospectuses, SEC in the last few years has also introduced a number of new rules and rules changes.

In a recent report, FDC highlighted the importance of the reforms in the financial services industry to the stability of the capital market. It noted that financial markets regulators must sustain reforms to ensure companies adopt best practices in their operations and accounting.

According to the investment research firm, sustained recovery of the stock market would depend largely on the effectiveness and continuation of the reform in the financial market. It pointed out that continued stringent regulatory activities would make the financial sector to be more ethical and responsible, thus enabling it to serve the needs of the economy.

The report outlined that adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) by quoted companies is a step in the right direction that would enhance both the values of quoted companies and the Nigerian market.

"IFRS reporting will also lead to convergence benefits, such as lowering the costs of comparing firms' financial position and performance, and enable Nigeria

capital market to be more globally competitive," the report noted.

Clouds on the horizon But there are several headwinds against the market, with many of the current opportunities as potential threats. Ayoade said the market runs the risk of a burst if any global or domestic factor triggers massive sell down by the foreign portfolio investors. Given the substantial nature of foreign participation and its concentration in the core dominant banking sector, foreign portfolio adjustments could create a bandwagon effect that would overturn the market recovery. Oyekunle underscored the need to moderate the susceptibility of the Nigerian market to the vagaries in the global market by reinforcing local participation.

Many analysts were also concerned about the possibility of the market making going awry. While market making creates stability by providing liquidity to stocks, it is also susceptible to abuse; especially in a less rigorous regulatory environment. Market operators said capital market regulators must constantly review the operation of the market making initiative to ensure it is in line with its objectives.

The leadership crisis at SEC is also another sore point, which could unravel the gains in recent months. Although regulatory influence is muted in the recovery, continuing crisis and vacuum at SEC could create a wrong impression of instability. There are also pending corporate governance issues at the NSE, which brokers insisted must be resolved within the provisions of the Memorandum and Article of Association of the Exchange.

Most stakeholders agreed that timely and transparent resolution of the crisis at SEC is the only way to restore credibility to the battered image of the apex capital market regulator, whose directorgeneral has been enmeshed in scandalous allegations of financial mismanagement, incompetence and maladministration.

The Presidency and National Assembly are still considering available options at resolving the SEC crisis. Director-General of SEC Ms Arunma Oteh was recalled from compulsory leave and reinstated as the boss of the commission through a letter by the Secretary

to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Anyim Pius Anyim. Anyim had stated that Oteh's recall was based on her exoneration by the report by PriceWaterHouse Coopers, although he admitted she committed some infractions. However, as Ms Oteh was resuming, the House of Representatives' Ad Hoc Committee on the Near Collapse of the Nigerian Capital Market released its 84-page report detailing several alleged criminal breaches and illegalities by Ms Oteh.

Resolution 19 of the report of House of Representatives' Ad hoc Committee stated that: the appointment of Ms Arunma Oteh be terminated forthwith as Director-General of Securities and Exchange Commission as her appointment is in violation of Section 3 (2) a and Section 38 (1) (b), 2 and 3; Section 315 of the Investment and Securities Act, 2007 in that she did not have 15 years experience in the Nigerian capital market as required; she has shown incompetence in the management of human and material resources at her disposal in Securities and Exchange Commission; lack of transparency in managing Project 50, regulatory failure in some of the recent mergers, acquisitions and approvals of transactions by Securities and Exchange Commission and general inability to carry along her staff, board, and management in decision making in Securities and Exchange Commission, and questionable staff recruitment policies.

The report also identified some of the key reasons for the recent meltdown in the market to include conflict of interest and misconduct of the current leadership of the SEC, loss of credibility of the entire SEC management team, and lack of statutory qualification by Ms Arunma Oteh among others.

The report called on the Ministry of Finance to reorganise SEC and sanction erring staff of SEC that were culpable in the sharp practices that festered the deterioration at the capital market.

President, Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria (PSAN), Mr Boniface Okezie, said the Federal Government should demonstrate its commitment to transparency and probity by releasing the report submitted by PriceWaterHouse Coopers.

‘For now, the market recovery is fragile and much more needs to be done to ensure stable and sustainable growth. And that's the challenge for all stakeholders’

Citing the release of reports of other probes, Okezie said the capital market requires highest level of transparency and government and must not be seen to be hiding issues.

Also, with the September 28 exit of individuals appointed by the SEC from the council of the NSE, market operators said it's time to reconstitute the council of the Exchange in line with its status as a self regulatory organisation (SRO). Market operators said the new appointees must be in line with the provisions of the Memart of the NSE. "We want the provisions of the Memart to be complied with; these are very clear about who can be appointed and how people should be appointed to the council. All we want is that the due process should be followed. The peaceful situation that we have at the general meeting can be sustained if the rules are followed," a major stakeholder stated. The reconstitution of the council will also herald major changes in the structural administration of the NSE, with many committees expected to be reconstituted.

Besides, many are still worried about the potential reversal that may be caused by unfavourable macroeconomic and monetary policies. Oyekunle said unstable economic policies and inconsistent monetary policies still represented clear dangers and many investors were treading cautiously to avoid being caught in the intrigues of politicized economic decisions.

Rewane said investors were worried about fiscal policies which could undermine their investments citing the Federal Government's discouraging policy on wheat flour and potential impact of such policy on investments in quoted flour millers. Analysts were also concerned over any drastic future changes in the banking sector, the dominant sector on the NSE, could trigger another run on the market.

The recent boom and burst of the market were directly related to changes in banking regulations including recapitalisation and consolidation.

Catalysts for stable growth Capital market stakeholders agreed that the stability of the market requires concerted efforts by government, regulators and operators. Managing Director, Cowry Asset Management Limited, Mr Johnson Chukwu, said the government and capital market regulators should work out a package of incentives to woo quotable domestic and multinational companies to the NSE. According to him, the government should work out amenable incentives in the areas of lower corporate tax rate or differential rate of withholding tax on dividend for quoted companies while capital market regulators should make listing and post listing requirements less onerous.

Ayoade said the government should help to reduce the debt overhang in the market through special intervention fund for stockbrokers. He added that the government should set minimum equity investment benchmark of 25 per cent for pension fund administrators and insurance companies.

Oyekunle urged the government to make subsequent listing on the NSE a precondition for the power companies being privatised. Such policy, according to him, will encourage local investors to participate in the market and make it more representative of the economy.

For now, the market recovery is fragile and much more needs to be done to ensure stable and sustainable growth. And that's the challenge for all stakeholders.

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

29

INSURANCE

PenCom seeks tax exemption for pension returns T HE National Pension Commission (PenCom) is seeking tax exemption and strict enforcement of the Pension Reforms Act 2004 to ensure returns on investment of pension funds.

This, its Director - General, Mohammad Ahmad, said would enhance retirement benefits.

In a statement, he said though Sections 7 and 10 of the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2004 provided for tax exemption at the point of accumulation and payment of retirement benefits, it is silent on taxation of income from investment of pension funds.

“To ensure real returns on investment of pension funds and ultimately enhance the retiree’s retirement

Stories by Uyoatta Eshiet

benefits, the income earned on investment of pension funds should also be exempted from taxation,” he said.

“On exemption of Pension Fund from Tax, Ahmed said even though Sections seven and 10 provides for tax exemption at the point of accumulation and payment of retirement benefits, it is silent on taxation of income from investment of pension funds.

“In order to ensure real returns on investment of pension funds and ultimately enhance the retiree’s retirement benefits, the income earned on investment of pension funds should

NAICOM pegs group life commission at 8%

T

HE National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has pegged group life insurance commission at eight per cent, The Nation has learnt.

A source said the commission had written underwriters and brokers, ordering them not to charge more than eight per cent commission on group life insurance. Violators, he said, would be sanctioned.

“NAICOM made it clear to the operators that group life commission is not nine per cent as being canvassed by some practitioners, the source said.

It was gathered that underwriters and brokers have been on a running battle over what should be charged as commission.

Investigation revealed that both parties early in the year agreed to raise the commission to nine per cent, but the underwriters later reneged on the agreement, as it was

considered inimical to their operation.

The circular by NAICOM, it was gathered was issued to halt the running battle between brokers and underwriters.

From a reliable source, it was learnt that NAICOM made several attempts to settle the rift between the parties, but failed because the underwriters were not ready to keep to the agreement reached with the brokers early in the year.

Though brokers were uncomfortable with the new policy issued by NAICOM, they agreed to abide by it to avoid being sanctioned.

The commission would be applied on this year’s Federal Government group life insurance, which premium is valued at about N7 billion and over 300 brokers appointed by the Federal Head of Service.

also be exempted from taxation,” he said.

The PenCom boss called for the amendment of Section sevens of the Act to include tax exemption on income from investment of pension funds.”

Chief Executive Officer, IBTC Pension Managers, Dr Demola Sogunle, also said tax exemption should be used by the government to encourage employers to embrace the pension scheme.

Sogunle said one of the ways the government could assist to ensure the success of the scheme is to engender

strict enforcement of the Pension Reform Act 2004.

He noted that government needs to enforce strict sanctions against defaulting employers, adding that the introduction of the new scheme has induced nation-wide mass saving culture, which allows Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) accumulate assets that can be invested in financial markets.

Sogunle noted that one of the major challenges against the success of the scheme in the private sector is the fact that many employees are yet to

register with a PFA, while some employers fail to remit or are defaulting in remitting contributions into their employees Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs).

“The issue of defaulting poses a major challenge to the success of the contributions pension scheme, since it influences the adequacy of the benefit payments to participants. A lot of enlightenment is required to ensure that employers and employees understand the benefits of keying into the contributory pension scheme, especially as it is mandatory by law,” he said.

Benefits of micro-insurance products listed

C

ONCERTED efforts in the development and introduction of micro-insurance products will go a long way to create insurance awareness among Nigerians, Acting Director - Inspectorate, NAICOM, Mr. Emmanuel Farinu has said.

He was presenting a paper on how to develop the insurance industry. The forum was organised by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM).

Farinu said micro-insurance is accessed by the low income population, provided by a variety of different entities and run in accordance with generally accepted insurance principles.

The International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) defines micro-insurance as: “The protection of low income people against specific perils in exchange for regular premium payments appropriate to the likelihood and cost of the risk involved.”

Farinu said micro-insurance involves low level of premium. “It is insurance with small benefits, simple, easily understood contracts unlike the complex nature of the conventional insurance,” he said.

He said quite a number of products are offered under the micro – insurance scheme, some of which are: life and savings, health and disability insurance as well as agriculture and livestock insurance. Others include: index based crop insurance, funeral insurance, property insurance, credit insurance/loan protection and packaged policy.

Explaining the different types of micro- insurance, Farinu stated that for one who took the life and saving insurance, at death, the deceased’s beneficiary will be paid the amount held in the savings plus benefits.

The health and disability policy is to enable the poor cover the cost of medicine, hospital stay and treatment as well as protecting against the loss of income due to sickness or injury while the agriculture and livestock insurance is to protect against losses associated with cattle rearing, piggery, poultry, fish farming and other types of farming.

Farinu explained that Index based crop insurance is for protection against adverse weather conditions while the funeral insurance cover the cost of burials. Property insurance, he

explained, replaces assets lost due to theft, damages or destruction. Property damage could result from fire, flood or other natural disasters, he stated. For credit insurance /loan protection, he explained that it is meant to “To prevent people from becoming poor due to illness, natural disaster, lack of savings, or loss of assets or livestock, developing Countries must invest in micro-insurance. Micro-insurance focuses on helping people from falling into poverty traps on their way to the middle class”.

The Commissioner for Insurance, Mr Fola Daniel, said insurance penetration in Nigeria was not more than five per cent compared with 15 per cent and above in some African countries, including South Africa.

A study conducted by the combined team from GIZ, a Germany agency for sustainable development, and Riskguard-Africa Limited revealed that less than 25 percent of insurance companies operating in the country are known by Nigerians.

This clearly shows the level of apathy among Nigerians to the insurance sector.

0008

08-10-2012

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

30

MONEY LINK

CBN moves against money laundering CCOUNT opening forms for all commercial banks have been unified by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

In a circular to all banks and Other Financial Institutions (OFIs), the apex bank said it took the step to forestall the use of the accounts for money laundering and financial terrorism by bank customers.

The circular signed by CBN Director, Financial Policy and Regulation, Obot U.A said the absence of uniformity in account opening procedure and documentation for pro-

A

Such plan, he added, will also facilitate quick investigation of financial crimes by relevant agencies. For review therefore, are all account opening form for individuals, companies, partnership and sole proprietorship, and for designated nonfinancial businesses and profession.

The banking watchdog said implementation of risk-based supervision to combating money laundering and terrorist financing depends on a sound understanding of the threats and vulnerabilities of the menace to each financial institution in particular and

•Unifies account opening forms

By Collins Nweze

spective customers has continued to hinder the effectiveness of Know Your Customer requirement in banks and OFIs. He said, the apex bank has prepared a draft copy of the proposed form, and directed banks and OFIs to make inputs to enable it approve the final copy for implementation by the lenders.

The Director said that the adverse effect of this on the fight against money launder-

ing and combating of financial terrorism cannot be overemphasised.

Obot explained that the apex bank, in conjunction with the Committee of Chief Compliance Officers of Banks of Nigeria, has said developed draft uniform account opening forms for adoption by banks and OFIs in order to increase the effectiveness of customer due diligence, comply with anti-money laundering /combating the financial terrorism (AML/CFT) standards.

Resource staff disrupt Enterprise Bank’s operations

S

TAFF of First Spring Franchise Services (FSFS), a human resource service provider of Enterprise Bank Limited have failed to honour agreement between the lender and their organisation. This affected banking operations at the bank’s Head Office last Friday.

According to a statement from the bank, representatives of national officers of Nigeria Union of Banks, Insurance and

Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the bank and the FSFS had reached agreement on how to resolve the matter, but the workers were alleged to have failed to keep their own side of the agreement. .

The Management of Enterprise Bank said it was surprised that the FSFS staff will recant and resort to picketing the financial institution, disal-

Following the intervention of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) in the now defunct Spring Bank in August last year, the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) took over the bank and recapitalised it to start a new bank.

Enterprise Bank Limited, which has stabilised its operations over the period, and has shown positive indices in all areas of operation.

lowing staff and customers’ access to the offices and banking halls respectively, while carrying placards with denigrating remarks. “ Appeals to the picketing staff by the management of the bank for more time to look at the issues have fallen on deaf ears as they have continued with the illegality which began without due notice of the required minimum of seven days,” it said.

Unity Bank restates commitment to customers

By Tonia Osundolire

A

S part of activities to mark the World Customer Service Week, Unity Bank Plc has again restated its commitment to its customers and meeting the yearnings of its entire stakeholders through value creation.

The bank, which is pres-

ently at a N45 billion capital base is working towards raising a tier one capital from the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in the next few months.

Speaking at an interactive session with the press at the weekend, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer

experience as never been seen before in the banking industry. Some of these include excellent security measures to ensure that on-line banking and transactions’ safety are guaranteed and uncompromised in a bid to safeguard customer identity in support of the cashless policy of the Government.

of the bank, Ado Y. Wanka, represented by the Executive Director, Lagos and West Lanre Fagbohun ,said that bank has overcome all its merger challenges and it set to continue to deliver quality service to its customers.

According to him, the bank has put in place measures to allow for superior customer

entire financial industry in general.

The apex bank has commenced full implementation of its anti-money laundering /combating the financial terrorism (AML/CFT) riskbased supervision framework, it issued in 2011.

The CBN said the measure is further supported by the importance the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) attached to the risk-based ap-

•CBN Governor, Lamido

Sanusi

proach to AML/CFT supervision in its revised recommendations issued last February.

Asset Managers, SEC facilitate securities lending

T

HE Association of Assets Custodians of Nigeria has said that its partnership with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) assisted in the implementation of securities lending in the country.

Speaking at the first annual general Meeting of the Association held at the weekend, in Lagos, President of the association, Segun Sanni said the group is at the forefront of promoting securities lending because, such will help deepen the market.

Sanni said the group was able to ratify its constitution, received report of its activities, approved its audited financial year for 2010 and 2011, appointed auditors among other deliberations at the AGM. According to him, the group has also partnered with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on collective investment and automation of the Certificate of Capital Importation (CCI). The CCI enhances confidence of

foreign investors when they are investing in the country.

Sanni explained that foreign investment constitute between about 70 per cent of the total turnover volumes in the capital market.

He said there is increasing need to automate the CCI as such would enable foreign investors to easily find out the status of their investments in the country, increase transaction efficiency and ensure that investors get adequate returns on their investments.

Sanni explained that the group also prevailed on the apex bank to relax its rule, mandating foreign investors to keep their investments for at least one year, before disposing them.

He said such policy affects foreign direct investment (FDI) as there should be free entry and exit by investors. He said the risk of investors not being able to take away their investments at will would not favour the economy, adding that after presenting these views to the CBN, the policy was abolished in 2011.

DATA BANK Tenor

Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 350m 150m 350m 138m 350m 113m

MANAGED FUNDS

NIDF NESF

Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2012 “ 14-04-2012

GAINERS AS AT 5-10-12 SYMBOL

IICO ACADEMY REDSTARS FIDELITY CADBURY CHAMPION ASHAKACEM NEIMETH CCNN EVANSMED

O/PRICE

0.62 1.79 3.18 1.77 26.25 3.45 15.97 1.32 4.98 1.15

C/PRICE

0.68 1.94 3.39 1.87 27.56 3.62 3.56 16.75 1.38 5.20

CHANGE

0.06 0.15 0.21 0.10 1.31 0.17 0.78 0.06 0.22 0.04

C/PRICE 8.51 12.74 30.68 1.15 4.11 5.69 1.58 1.99 1.61 8.25

CHANGE 0.64 0.67 1.61 0.06 0.21 0.29 0.08 0.10 0.08 0.40

Date 2-7-12 27-6-12 22-6-12

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Year Start Offer

NGN USD NGN GBP NGN EUR NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) (S/N) Bureau de Change (S/N) Parallel Market

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

147.6000 239.4810 212.4997

149.7100 244.0123 207.9023

150.7100 245.6422 209.2910

-2.11 -2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

153.0000

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

July ’12

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

12%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate Inflation Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 11.8%

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

NSE CAP Index

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

LOSERS AS AT 5-10-12

SYMBOL O/PRICE ACCESS 9.15 OANDO 13.41 MRS 32.29 TRANSCORP 1.21 UPL 4.32 BOCGAS 5.98 LIVESTOCK 1.66 AVONCROWN 2.09 MAYBAKER 1.69 DANGFLOUR 8.65

Exchange Rate (N) 155.2 155.8 155.7

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

OBB Rate Call Rate

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m 113m

Offer Price

Bid Price

ARM AGGRESSIVE 9.17 KAKAWA GUARANTEED 1.00 STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE 125.13 AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 116.60 LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL 0.77 BGL SAPPHIRE FUND 1.10 BGL NUBIAN FUND 0.93 NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. 1,724.29 PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND 10.45 CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST 1.39 CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST 1.87 STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY 8,652.66 THE DISCOVERY FUND 193.00 FIDELITY NIGFUND 1.67 • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

9.08 1.00 124.96 116.90 0.74 1.10 0.91 1,721.97 9.94 1.33 1.80 8,411.80 191.08 1.62

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK

Bank P/Court

Previous 04 July, 2012

Current 07, Aug, 2012

8.5000 8.0833

8.5000 8.0833

Movement

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

31

MONEY MARKET REPORT

‘Rising reserves, oil won’t stop naira slide’ T

HE uptick in foreign reserves and improved oil production do not guarantee a possible slide in the value of the naira, analysts have predicted.

Oil production has remained at 2.2 million barrel per day (mbpd) with positive impact on fiscal revenue and oil receipts, taking the reserves to $41.16 billion, about 28 month high.

The naira had last week, firmed to N157.20 to the dollar, its strongest in two weeks against the dollar on the interbank market. The currency was supported by dollar sales by international oil companies (IOCs).

Analysts at Afrinvest West Africa Limited said the cushion of external reserves of over nine months of imports cover and oil output still do not make the naira bullet proof. Managing Dircetor Financial Denvation Company (FDC), Bismark Riwane predicted that oil price volatility and likely decline by 13 per cent to $95 to 100 per barrel after United States election may after also naira.

Also, interbank lending rates were flat across the board last week at an average of 10.58 per cent, as liquidity was buoyed by the repayment of about N190 billion in matured open market operation (OMO) treasury bills, traders said.

Dealers said the repaid treasury bills helped enable the market to open with a positive cash balance of N375 billion, compared with N226.6 billion last week.

The secured Open Buy Back (OBB) was unchanged at 10.25 per cent, 1.75 percentage points lower than the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN’s) 12 per cent benchmark rate, and 25 basis points above the Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) rate.

Overnight placement and call money were unchanged at 10.50 per cent and 11 per cent, respectively. “The market will still be liquid and rates are likely to remain at the same level next week,” one dealer said.

BDCs The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) last week listed the key documentation requirements expected from bureaux de changes (BDCs) in filling their forex reports. It said that BDCs are expected to document and render returns on statement of assets and liabilities, statement of profit and loss accounts, foreign exchange purchases and utilisation among others.

Speaking at a workshop organised by the banking watchdog for BDCs on returns rendition and adequate documentation, Deputy Director, Other Financial Institutions Supervision department (OIFSD), Mr. Yemi Bedu said, “This workshop is been organised to get the BDCs operators to understand the expectations of the CBN from them, in terms of rendering their returns, in terms of operating their business.

“All BDCs are required to maintain adequate accounting and other records of its transactions, render the statutory returns, renew their annual license within the stipulated period, put in place the necessary anti-money laundering policies and procedures in place.”

FBN Capital The decision taken by CBN to restrain debtors owing Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) from further access to credit is plausible, FBN Capital, an investment and research firm has said.

The CBN had in a circular issued on September 17, barred banks from extending credit to more than 100 companies, which owed the AMCON. This, FBN Capital said, was relevant because the full list, published in the local media, includes some members of successful consortia bidding for power plants.

The investment firm said that AMCON, which acquired the debts under its bond exchanges, has suggested that the power sector bids will not be derailed as a result.

CIBN The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), is partnering with key stakeholders and institutions in the country to ensure that the Nigerian banking sector attains the highest level of professionalism.

A statement from the Institute said it would continue to partner with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to ensure that bankers carry out their work diligently.

By Collins Nweze

The institute also said that it was partnering with Unity Bank Plc and other government and private bodies within and outside the country with a view to taking the Institute and the banking profession to greater heights.

RenCap The price of petrol is expected to hit N147 per litre by 2014, analysts at Renaissance Capital (RenCap), an investment and finance firm predicted. An emailed report from the firm said the Federal Government may institute phased petrol price hikes in 2013 and 2014, which will raise the price by N50 per litre in two stages.

Currently, a litre of petrol costs N97, meaning that the cummulative cost per litre would be N147. RenCap said exposure to oil marketers were meant to draw support for subsequent petrol price hikes. According to the report, liberalising petrol prices would halt a large amount of petroleum related fraud, adding that Nigeria loses about $10 to $15 billion annually to oil theft.

•Currencies

JP Morgan bond index Nigeria, last week became a key member of JP Morgan local currency government bond index. This makes the country, the second African country after South Africa to be included in a widely followed index, especially due to its improving liquidity levels.

The country’s entry into the JP Morgan Government Bond Index-Emerging Markets (GBI-EM) could translate into at least $1.5 billion of inflows to the bond market, the bank estimates. It will raise the country’s profile and is expected to lead to greater foreign participation, given that Nigerian yields offer a significant premium to established sovereign lenders.

“It’s now seen as a market that can’t be ignored internationally and one of the frontier markets where you need to have a position,” Samir Gadio, emerging markets strategist at Standard Bank said.

Agric financing The apex bank set new rules for lending to the agricultural sector of the economy. It took the decision after reports from banks and discount houses indicated that lending to the subsector remains a high-risk, which should be followed with caution.

In a circular, the CBN said agricultural lending accounts for approximately 1.4 per cent of formal lending, and has been on the decline since 2006 because of the perceived risk of the sector. This situation, it said, was because banks have limited understanding of and lack of confidence in the sector.

To reduce the inherent risk in the level, the apex bank advised that going forward, lenders should conduct environment and social risk analysis and assessment of agricultural clients and activities before extending loans to them.

The lenders, by this rule, are also expected to ensure that identified risks are adequately monitored and managed while adhering to local environmental and social laws.

Voter’s card The apex bank approved the use of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) identification card (ID) as means of customer identification in banks.

In a circular addressed to all banks and Other Financial Institutions (OFIs), the CBN said it included the INEC ID to other existing means of identification to enhance financial inclusion.

•Oil platform

The circular signed by Amugo K.N of the Financial Policy and Regulation Unit of the CBN, advised all banks and OFIs to accept INEC voter’s registration card duly issued by INEC, bearing the holder’s name, photograph, date of birth and address as a valid additional means of natural persons for the purpose of conducting banking business in the country.

Risk management Business need to work harder to spread responsibility for risk management across the whole organisation, according to a new report from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

The survey of over 2,000 members found that accountants have vital role to play in successful risk management. The survey, it said in a statement, also found a statistical link between the use of accounting practices that contribute to managing risk and lower occurrences of fraud. It also found differences in the perception of a company’s exposure to risk between those at board level and those accountants working below board level.

World Bank Jobs stresses the role of strong private sector led growth in creating jobs and outlines how jobs that do the most for development can spur a virtuous cycle, the World Bank has said.

The report, contained in the World Development Report 2013, explained that poverty falls as people work their way out of hardship

‘The price of petrol is expected to hit N147 per litre by 2014, analysts at Renaissance Capital (RenCap), an investment and finance firm predicted. An emailed report from the firm said the Federal Government may institute phased petrol price hikes in 2013 and 2014, which will raise the price by N50 per litre in two stages’

and as jobs empower women to invest more in their children. “Efficiency increases as workers get better at what they do, as more productive jobs appear, and as less productive ones disappear. Societies flourish as jobs foster diversity and provide alternatives to conflict,” the bank said in an emailed report.

Bank to bank report First Bank of Nigeria Plc said it is committed to improving cocoa production and contribution to the economy. The bank in a statement, said it will achieve this using its support for the Cocoa Investment Conference slated for October 4 to 5, in Ibadan.

The event, which is organised by the Cocoa Association of Nigeria (CAN) in partnership with the World Cocoa Foundation and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will identify and implement a sustainable growth path for the production and exportation of cocoa in the country.

Enterprise Bank Limited (EBL) last week joined the rest of the world to mark the annual Customer Service Week themed “Be the One.” The bank said in a statement that the move was meant to appreciate its customers for their loyalty over the period.

The event, which is celebrated in the first week of October every year, according to a statement from the bank, is a unique period when service organisations and global agencies extol the patronage and loyalty virtues of their esteemed customers by introducing several unique and special activities to appreciate the customers.

Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank Plc, Aigboje AigImoukhuede, yesterday said Nigerian banks would post profit that is equivalent to 10 per cent of the aggregate profit of all the European Union (EU) banks this year.

The bank CEO, who spoke at the at the ongoing Nigeria International Investment Forum (NIIF) in Lagos, said that about five years ago, the total profit posted by all EU banks was about $60 billion, while all the Nigerian banks posted a combined profit of $386 million.

He however, noted that in 2011, the tally changed significantly with the combined profit of all Nigerian banks climbing to $1.6 billion compared with an aggregate profit of $52 billion recorded by the European banks.

32

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

THE CEO Banks and manufacturers are supposed to have symbiotic relationship. A sort of give-and-take arrangement mutually beneficial to them. But banks, according to Mr John Isemede, Director-General, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), are not ready to help manufacturers that are key players in the private sector. Banks, he tells TOBA AGBOOLA in this interview, only go after deposits, denying the real sector the much needed fund for investment.

‘Banks only interested in deposits’

• Isemede

T

HE year is fast running out.

Can we say it has been good to the business community?

No. The year has not been good to the business community at all. We had a false start from the first of January. To start with, the price of petrol was jacked up unexpectedly. This was against the plan of some companies. I mean many industries did not plan for the increase and this affected most of them.

Secondly, the budget was not passed on time. There was delay in the passage of the budget and most of the companies could not come out early with their business plan because it has to do with the budget. We are in a country where everything narrows down to the budget.

Things are not moving the way they should and it is the private sector that is feeling the pain most.

What is your take on the government’s transformation agenda?

We are talking of transformation agenda, but people need to be transformed first. They are the drivers of the economy. Let the drivers of the economy work with the Organised Private Sector (OPS).

We have also noticed that the transformation agenda is in line with the OPS vision of partnering with the government. For instance, we expect that government should provide the airports the necessary equipment, while individuals provide the aircraft. That is, let there be infrastructure.

This is the spirit of Public-Private Sector Partnership (PPSP). Govern-

ment will provide the railway, while individuals will provide the wagons or government should sell the railways entirely. In the power sector, the problem is not only in generation, but distribution as well.

What we want is to come closer to government so that the government will adequately confront their responsibilities of providing the enabling environment and partnering with us.

Do you think Vision 20:2020 is still realisable?

First, let us ask ourselves, do we have any parameter on how to

achieve Vision 2020. There are lots of hiccups in the system. Even if we are not there, we should be close.

But, like we said earlier, a situation where the budget is not passed on time, and policies are made by the World Bank, things cannot work.

What are the key economic challenges facing the OPS? The government should develop a national rolling plan. Before now, this country was not run on budget.

Budget is a financial estimate. After the World War, the Germans had a Marshal Plan. We have seen plans in Japan and other parts of

‘Banks are not helping us at all. They are not ready to finance projects, especially, in the agric sector. All the banks are focused on, is for us to open account and be depositing money with them. What the commercial banks are dealing with today is simply what we call, hot money, which comes and goes’

the world and we have seen how people are prepared for the 21st Century.

But ours is being run by budget.

In the past, this country’s economy was not run on yearly budget. The most worrisome aspect of it is that the budget is tied to one commodity – oil. That means if the price of oil goes down, the country suddenly falls flat. What is happening to the economy is not that we do not have the manpower, but it seems that we are eating from hand to mouth.

Let us have structures and plans that, in five years, we want to see the railways back on track; in 10 years, we want to see electricity everywhere; in five years we want to see water flowing everywhere, the dams, and all.

These are not the technology of tomorrow; these are what some countries have passed a hundred years ago. These are the things affecting our economy.

• Continued on page 33

33

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

THE CEO

‘Banks only interested in deposits’ •Continued from page 32

What we are saying is, let us have PPSP because government cannot do it alone.

Look at manufacturing, they are only contributing four per cent to the gross domestic product (GDP). This is collective failure. You can imagine, at 52, we are still bringing lots of goods, even perishable ones which we should be producing.

Also, the high cost of governance has been responsible for the lopsided pattern of expenditure, with recurrent expenditure taking about 70 per cent of total budget. If we have a situation where government is only reducing recurrent expenditure by only two per cent, I believe that has not gone far enough in bringing about the restructuring that will deliver the kind of value we expect from the budget to Nigerians. In the light of the very huge infrastructure deficit that we have, we expected that more resources should have been committed to capital spending.

The 15 per cent increase in capital spending is a step forward, but the government can do better than that.

Are banks doing enough to help the private sector?

Banks are not helping us at all. They are not ready to finance projects, most especially, in the agric sector. All the banks are focused on, is for us to open account and be depositing money with them. What the commercial banks are dealing with today is simply what we call, hot money, which comes and goes. It is that kind of money, for instance that will make the monetary authorities to say the naira is appreciating by year end, when a lot of visitors will be coming into the country with a lot of money because the pressure on the currency is down.

And by January when they will be leaving, we will be seeing another scenario entirely because they will be leaving with so much money and the pressure will be mounting again.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) should check the high lending rates charged by banks. If care is not taken, the constant increase in banks’ lending rates would retard the growth of industries.

A downward review of the lending rates is necessary because every policy on lending rates taken here, becomes an advantage to neighbouring countries.

The ports are not working. It takes you less than two days to clear goods in Benin Republic ports. In Ghana, it takes you few days to clear goods. We have a problem here. The ports are not even accessible and when you increase interest rate you pass it to the consumer which is another disadvantage to our already dead industries. The issue of increasing interest rate will not be in the interest of the OPS. If I may ask you, at what rate are we getting money in Nigeria compared to the rate at which businessmen in developed countries get their loans? A few years ago some banks came here to do investment banking, but quickly left on discovering that the rules were being changed here and there by the authorities.

So Nigerian bankers must understand that banking is not a business of one day as most people are thinking, but it is a business that can take years to yield result. One should be free to take a loan for 20 or 50 years.

What is your view on the CBN’s financial rescue plan through BoI? It is true the CBN Governor has given some money to the real sector, and we will continue to applaud any good move government is making towards assisting the productive economy. But our position is that if you give people funds, you should also give them the opportunity and the right environment to operate.

Do you see the number of vehicles on the road and the large contingent of revenue collectors and security agents claiming to collect money on behalf of government, and nobody is concerned that the trend could be injurious to genuine businessmen! In that case, even if government gives OPS all the money without strengthening other components of the economy and blocking leakages in the system, it will be difficult to get result.

The CBN should take into cognisance the gestation period for a manufacturing facility, because even if a factory stands in three years, there are still other critical issues that must be attended to for it to have a smooth sail.

• Isemede

‘The CBN should come up with a template that would say, for instance, that for the next five years, borrowers should not pay any interest on the funds, so that they can monitor the performance of the entrepreneurs. NACCIMA is not even in support of giving cash to entrepreneurs. The loan should be tied to projects being implemented and backed with effective supervision’

• Isemede

The CBN should come up with a template that would say for instance, that for the next five years, borrowers should not pay any interest on the funds, so that they can monitor the performance of the entrepreneurs.

NACCIMA is not even in support of giving cash to the entrepreneurs. The loan should be tied to projects being implemented and backed with effective supervision.

So, giving money to the real sector is not the solution to the problem, the solution borders on guiding them to utilise it optimally.

NACCIMA believes that giving money is not the first stage; the most important step

is for CBN to consider the product life cycle of an organisation, which includes commencement, growth and decline, so as to know where to render financial assistance, other wise in the next one year, people will start going to court to settle matters on the recent CBN loan; and more people may end up in jail again.

Is it true that government never consulted with OPS on power reform?

Our role in business is advisory. We have travelled round the world; we know how things are done in other countries, so we advise appropriately. NACCIMA is a body that doesn’t talk anyhow. Before we make

any pronouncement, we would have done our research and have our facts and figures.

We always tell the government to look at the other side of the coin. We don’t say government must do this or that. We also have a stake in this country. We advise the government based on facts and figures. We never said that government did not consult us on power reform. We were represented in most of the meetings and town hall meetings.

On the power sector, government has been close to us, though we are still telling the government that if we are going to pay more, there is the need for other forms of incentives for the OPS. We are ready to partner with the government, but what we are saying is that government should not over-tax us because we are in competition with other people from other parts of the world. So, if we don’t produce at a lower cost, we will not be able to compete, and to compete is to take up the world.

Despite all these hiccups, why are foreign investors still willing to do business with their Nigerian counterparts?

If you think Nigeria is not important, you’re wrong. Foreigners are here making so much from visa fees paid by Nigerians rushing out of the country. Do you know the number of Indians in this country and citizens of other ECOWAS countries?

I think we should be able to say good things about our country and forget the things some people have continued to say about us. Some Kenyans came here and discovered that the cost of training one person in their country is equivalent to what you spend training about 10 in Nigeria. They enrolled them in the University of Lagos and went home.

Look, they cannot do away with Nigeria. .Nigeria is not the worst in the world. Other developed countries have also passed through this phase.

All we have to do is to look inwards and not depend on international outfits for funding.

What is the way forward?

A good environment for both local and foreign investors is necessary for the government and private sector to achieve their mandate. It is imperative that the Ministry of Trade and Investment creates a good investment environment, especially now that the government’s policy thrust is on attracting investments nationally and internationally.

We need to also ensure that necessary incentives are made available to our Smalland Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) to boost export of Made-in-Nigeria products.

However, it is important for Nigeria to attract foreign investors. The country should move from import-based to export. Government at all levels should begin to think of giving incentives to SMEs, to position the nation among other world economic powers.

I want to urge the Ministry of Trade and Investment to forge a partnership with NACCIMA and other relevant trade and investment agencies and organisations in repositioning the country economically.

The ministry would need the expertise of stakeholders in the sector to achieve its mandate of trade and investment development.

Nigeria needs to move from Tokunbo mentality to production and consumption of value-added locally-produced products. It is only when we have a change of attitude towards importation, that we can drive the President’s economic transformation agenda. I also want to propose the establishment of agricultural marketing boards that are private sector-driven, unlike the former marketing boards that were fully funded by government.

The reintroduction of the marketing board, which was submitted as part of the measures to fortify the agricultural sector, was part of the proposals submitted by the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. As an expert in agribusiness, I want to say that Agricultural Marketing Board is a statutory body for a nation which acts as a compulsory marketing agent, performing or controlling one or more of the functions of marketing on behalf of producers and farmers of specific agricultural commodities.

Boards may be established and operated under either provincial or Federal Government’s legislation, depending on whether the products they market or regulate are for the local market or export.

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

34

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 5-10-12

Nestle Nigeria leads equities as investors gain N138b ESTLE Nigeria set a new market-wide alltime high of N615 value per share last week as investors pocketed about N138 billion in new capital gains.

Nestle Nigeria led a compact but impactful pack of fast moving consumer goods companies that provided impetus for further market recovery. Other major gainers during the week included Guinness Nigeria, Cadbury Nigeria, Flour Mills of Nigeria, Nigerian Breweries and GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria (GSK).

Nestle Nigeria’s share price improved by N35, representing an increase of 6.03 per cent. Guinness Nigeria followed with a gain of

N

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

N17.20 to close at N277.20.

Cadbury Nigeria added N3.62 to close at N27.56.

Flour Mills of Nigeria gained N3.32 to close at N64.99 while Nigerian Breweries and GSK added N2.85 and N2 to close at N139.85 and N38 respectively.

Gains by 48 stocks added N138 billion to aggregate market capitalisation of quoted equities, which rose from opening value of N8.282 trillion to close at N8.420 trillion. The All Share Index also reflected the gain with closing index of 26,442.67 points as against its opening index of 26,011.64 points.

Total turnover stood at 4.76 billion shares worth N40.472

billion in 20,364 deals, a marked improvement from a total of 1.70 billion shares valued at N14.54 billion exchanged in 24,202 deals in previous week. The consumer goods sector accounted for 3.261 billion shares valued at N32.447 billion in 3,902 deals.

The financial services sector followed with 905.262 million shares valued at N6.236 million in 11,327 deals.

Turnover was largely driven by the transfer of majority equity holdings in Dangote Flour Mills Plc. The flour mills accounted for 3.178 billion shares, representing 66.78 per cent total turnover for the week.

On the secondary over-thecounter bond market, investors staked N198.96 billion on 185.76 million units through 991. This represented a slowdown from the previous activity level, when investors staked N247.31 billion on 229.84 million units in 984 deals.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 5-10-12

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

35

EQUITIES WATCH

Email: taofad2000@yahoo.co.uk

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria (GSK) Plc has fallen to its lowest market consideration in three years. But it is also now selling at its highest share price, riding on the back of the greatest momentum in recent years. With year-to-date return more than twice market's average return, TAOFIK SALAKO reports that emerging earnings will be the main factors for future consideration

Where will GSK be?

T

HE health care sector at the stock market is a mixed-grill of the bitter-sweet tastes of drugs, drinks and foods from the sector. But it's more of bitterness than sweetness. Out of the 10 stocks in the sector, three are stagnant at their value-on-board prices; three have depreciated while the remaining four are trading with returns above the average return. Ekocorp, Union Diagnostic and Nigerian-German Chemicals are fixed at N5.05, 50 kobo and N8.59 respectively.

Morison Industries has lost 42.65 per cent of its opening market capitalisation while May & Baker Nigeria and Pharma-Deko has depreciated by 19.1 per cent and 13.7 per cent respectively.

But many health care stocks represent the recovery mood of the market. Evans Medical carries a return of 77.62 per cent. Fidson Healthcare is trading with 44.3 per cent gain while Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals carries average return of 27.8 per cent.

2007

2008

GSK opens today with a year-to-date return of 65.22 per cent, equivalent to a gain of N16 billion in the past nine months. Average yearto-date return at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) opens today at 27.55 per cent. At 38 per share, GSK opens today at its highest price in the past 34 months. It had traded within a range of N31.50 and N20.85 in 2010. In 2011, it trended downward to a range of N29.65 and N22.47. It surmounted initial scare of a record low of N18.97 to attain its current peak of N38.

With this, GSK's market capitalisation has risen from N22 billion at the beginning of this year to N36.4 billion, more than 83 per cent of total market capitalisation of the healthcare sector.

Stable fundamentals GSK's share price is underpinned by stable corporate earnings. Audited report and accounts for the year ended December 31, 2011 had showed appreciable growth in sales and

2009

2010

2011

profit. Total sales rose by about 28 per cent while pre and post-tax profits improved by 19 per cent and 16 per cent respectively. Group turnover trended upward to N21.53 billion in 2011 as against N16.86 billion in 2010. Gross profit stood at N8.99 billion in contrast to N7.44 billion in 2010, representing an increase of 21 per cent. Profit before tax closed at N3.50 billion as against N2.94 billion in 2010. After taxes, net earnings stood at N2.30 billion as against N1.98 billion. Per share earnings analysis showed that basic net earnings per share improved from N2.07 to N2.41. The company distributed 49.9 per cent of total profit after tax totaling N1.15 billion as cash dividends to shareholders. With a dividend per share of N1.20 per share for the past two years, sustainable dividend outlook improved in 2011 with a dividend cover of 2.01 times as against 1.73 times in 2010. Net assets per share improved by 15 per cent to N9.41 in 2011 compared with N8.20 in 2010.

Although the company's profit margin remained under strain, recent earnings report continued to indicate a stable outlook. Interim report for the first half ended June 30, 2012 highlighted modest increase in earnings this year. Turnover stood at N12.85 billion in first half 2012 as against N10.18 billion in comparable period of 2011. Gross profit improved from N4.32 billion to N5.08 billion. Profit before tax increased to N1.94 billion as against N1.65 billion recorded in 2011. After taxes, net profit improved to N1.31 billion compared with N1.14 in corresponding period of 2011.

With this, six-month earnings per share closed June 2012 at N1.37 as against N1.19 in 2011.

Annualised, current interim earnings indicate full-year increase of 14 per cent on N2.40 recorded for the whole of 2011.

Pricing the earnings Both the actual and projected earnings of GSK

•Chairman, GSK, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye

point to somewhat similar performance outlook- a mixed-grill of modest sales growth and tight margin. The board of the company estimated that turnover could be N6.76 billion within the quarter ended September 30, 2012.

Profit after tax was projected at N580.82 million for the three-month period. Many analysts are optimistic GSK could surpass the third quarter estimates. But even with the full realisation of the forecasts, the company will need the windmill of expectations of a more robust fourth quarter to tickle a new record-setting bullish run. As increasing share price reduces prospective earnings and dividend yields, investors will need to price in underlying returns into the secondary price. And this consideration, going forward, will be located in the expected third quarter report and the earnings perspective for the fourth quarter. This may be too hard to fix, but definitely, it's not far from the current level.

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

36

DUE DILIGENCE

University Press: Still stable

U

NIVERSITY Press's turnover crossed the historic N2 billion mark in the immediate past year as modest growths in key actual profit and loss figures reflected a generally stable outlook. Audited report and accounts for the year ended March 31, 2012 showed substantial recovery from the previous slump, but the printing and publishing continued to struggle with top-line costs, which remained the Achilles' heel in a tepid market. With 18 per cent increase in cost of sales as against 11.2 per cent, percentage growths across other indicators dropped to single digit. Tight control on internal administrative and distribution expenses provided cushions against the top-line costs, nudging pre-tax profits by 5.2 per cent.

With increase in net earnings, the company distributed N151 million to shareholders and ploughed more retained earnings into its reserves. The balance sheet position of the company also remained largely supportive with zero financial leverage and more working capital

Financing structure Total assets increased by 11.5 per cent to N2.68 billion in 2012 as against N2.41 billion in 2011. Current assets had increased from N1.34 billion to N1.66 billion while long-term assets dropped marginally from N1.06 billion to N1.02 billion. Total liabilities stood at N833 million in 2012 compared with N634 million in 2011. Current liabilities had increased by 36 per cent to N772 million as against N568 million. Long term liabilities reduced slightly from N66 million to N61 mil-

Fiscal Year Ended March 31 Nmillion Profit and Loss Statement Main Business Segment Total turnover Cost of sales Gross profit Operating expenses Interest and other incomes Finance expenses Pre-tax profit(loss) Post-tax profit (loss) Basic earnings per share(kobo) Gross dividend (Nm) Cash dividend per share (kobo) Net Assets per share (kobo) Balance Sheet Assets: Fixed assets Total long term assets Trade debtors Current assets Total assets Liabilities: Trade creditors Bank loans Current liabilities Long-term liabilities Total liabilities Equity Funds Share capital Total Equity Funds

outpaced sales growth by almost seven percentage points at N998 million in 2012 s against N846 million in 2011.

Gross profit thus moderated to N1.08 billion compared with N1.02 billion.

Total operating expenses inched up to N760 million in 2012 as against N733 million in 2011. Distribution expenses had increased from N281.7 million to N290.8 million while administrative expenses rose from N451.7 million to N469.5 million.

Consequently, trading profit imEfficiency proved from N289.14 million to University Press balanced increased N323.89 million. With 55 per cent destaff remuneration with better produccline in non-core business income and tivity just as overall cost efficiency reabout 77 per cent increase in bank mained stable. Average number of charges, profit before tax closed 2012 employees dropped from 311 persons at N344 million, 5.2 per cent above in 2011 to 301 persons in 2012. AggreN327 million posted in 2011. Profit gate staff costs however increased from after tax followed the same pattern at N278 million to N293 million, indiN227 million in 2012 as against N211 cating average cost per head of N0.974 million in 2011. million and N0.894 million for 2012 Segmental analysis showed that and 2011 respectively. Average connorthern zone outpaced the western tribution of each employee to the botzone to become the largest and fastest tom-line improved correspondingly growing market segment. Northern from N1.05 million to N1.14 million. sales increased from N657.7 million Total costs of business, excluding fito N877.04 million. Eastern sales also nance charges, remained tight at 84.4 increased from N336.3 million to per cent in 2012 as against 84.5 per cent N500.3 million. Sales within the westin 2011. ern region however dropped from N842.4 million to N702.1 million. Export sales slumped to N2.7 million in Profitability 2012 as against N31.9 million in 2011.

The performance of University Press Primary school books accounted for was boosted by significant improve67 per cent of total sales at N1.4 bilments in sales in the eastern and northlion compared with N629.5 million ern regions of the country. But declines and N52.3 million for secondary and in the western region and international general reference books. business moderated the performance However, the western region and outlook. Total turnover rose by 11.5 non-primary books provided more per cent from N1.87 billion to N2.08 profit per every unit of sales. Gross billion. However, cost of sales profit margin was highest in the western region at 55 per cent and lowest in 2012 2011 the northern region 12 months % change 12 months at 49 per cent, reflecting the difficulties in the region.

2,082 11.5 1,868 Gross margin was 2,082 11.5 1,868 54 per cent in the 998 18.0 846 eastern zone while 1,084 6.0 1,023 export sales pro760 3.7 733 vided 52 per cent.

Non-primary books 19 -55.1 43 recorded gross mar9 76.9 5

By Taofik Salako

lion.

The company sustained its zero gearing ratio as sufficient working capital insulated it from the pressures for bank loans. Equity funds amounted to 69 per cent of total assets in 2012 as against 74 per cent in 2011. The proportion of current liabilities to total assets stood at 29 per cent in 2012 in contrast to 23.6 per cent.

344 227 53 151 35 429

5.2 7.6 7.6 0.0 0.0 4.4

327 211 49 151 35 411

1,020 1,020 92 1,663 2,683

-4.1 -4.1 21.2 23.8 11.5

1,064 1,064 76 1,343 2,407

286 0 772 61 833

221.9 0.0 35.8 -7.6 31.3

89 0 568 66 634

216 1,850

0.0 4.3

216 1,773

gin of 56 per cent as against 50 per cent by the primary books segment. Overall, the company's gross margin dropped from 54.8 per cent in 2011 to 52.1 per cent in 2012. Pre-tax profit margin also dropped from 17.5 per cent to 16.5 per cent.

Per share analysis indicated basic earnings per share of 53 kobo in 2012 as against 49 kobo in 2011. Net assets per share improved from N4.11 to N4.29, more than current market consideration of the stock. While dividend per share remained unchanged at 35 kobo, the future sustainability of cash payouts became more assured with a dividend cover of 1.51 times for 2012 as against 1.40 times for 2010. Return on equity also improved from 11.9 per cent to 12.3 per cent. Return on total assets dropped slightly from 13.6 per cent to 12.8 per cent.

Liquidity The liquidity position of the company remained stable. Current ratio, which previews possible immediate liabilities with similar assets, stood at 2.15 times in 2012 as against 2.36 times in 2011. The proportion of working capital to total sales improved from 41.5 per cent to 42.8 per cent. Debtors/ creditors ratio stood at 32.2 per cent in 2012 compared with 85.4 per cent in 2011.

Governance & structures University Press is one of the oldest surviving companies in Nigeria. Incorporated in 1949, it converted to a public limited liability company and listed its shares in 1978. Fundamentally, it is the leading quoted printing and publishing company. University Press is owned by about 11,000 shareholders with three major investors holding 23.71 per cent. Oxford University Press, United Kingdom, the foreign partner, holds 9.19 per cent equity stake. Cashcraft Asset Management Limited, a Nigerian investment firm, holds 8.26 per cent while Dr. Lalekan Are, who chairs the board of directors, holds the largest individual equity stake of 6.26 per cent.

The company has benefitted im-

• MD, UP Plc, Mr Samuel Kolawole

mensely from stable board and management. Mr Samuel Kolawole remains the managing director. It complied broadly with the code of corporate governance and best practices with appropriate committees, checks and controls to ensure independence and integrity of the decision-making and accounting processes.

Analyst’s opinion The performance of University Press is commendable, especially against the background of the difficult operating environment. The printing and publishing industry generally faces challenges of high costs and unethical practices by unscrupulous importers of sub-standard books. The dependence of the sector on government educational plan makes it susceptible to changes and delay in national budget.

University Press needs to retool its sales strategy to unlock new domestic and international markets. A large topline growth provide more room to manage costs and deliver a healthier bottom-line. Recent investments in facilities, wide distribution network and experienced human resources should provide supports for the company against the sluggish market. With these, there is reasonable basis to assume that the company will sustain a stable and steady performance outlook.

Fiscal Year Ended March 31

2012 %

2011 %

Financing structure Equity funds/Total assets Long-term liabilities/Total assets Current liabilities/Total assets Debt/Equity ratio

69.0 2.3 28.8 0.0

73.7 2.7 23.6 0.0

Profitability Gross profit margin Pre-tax profit margin Return on total assets Return on equity Dividend cover (times)

52.1 16.5 12.8 12.3 1.51

54.8 17.5 13.6 11.9 1.40

Efficiency Pre-tax profit per employee (Nm) Staff cost per employee (Nm) Cost of sales, operating exp/Turnover

1.14 0.974 84.4

1.05 0.894 84.5

Liquidity Current ratio Working capital/Turnover Debtors/Creditors

2.15 42.8 32.2

2.36 41.5 85.4

JOBS THE NATION

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

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

37

• Tourists in front of the National Museum in Lagos.

Here is good news for job seekers. They can make a living in tourism. What is more, the work is easy and not too capital intensive. All they need is the drive to push things as tour operators, writes AKINOLA AJIBADE.

Catch fun, get a job

T

OURISM has been with us for a long time, but we have not been able to tap its enormous potentials. Gradually, it is dawning on Nigerians that through tourism a lot of jobs can be created. You name it; there are jobs in tourism hot spots, such as beaches, waterfalls, hills, mountains cattle ranches, monuments and hotels.

The tourism industry, according to experts, is worth over N100 billion. Statistic shows the industry employs many unskilled workers, who work in hotels and allied sector. There is a window of opportunities for job creation in tour packaging, under which a travel agent organises a tour, transportation, food and lodging at an inclusive price for those interested in

visiting tourist centres. The organiser gets a bus and takes people to tourists’ beaches, museums, cinemas, art galleries and historical sites, among other places.

Tour packaging has the capacity to create jobs for people in the tourism value chains.

Experts believe that tour packaging can create about a million jobs, depending on the volume of traffic at tourists centres across the country. Each tour organiser can create five or six jobs, they said, such as driving, tour guiding/coaching.

Managing Director of SJ Tours Limited Mrs Abiola Ogunbiyi said a tour organiser can create jobs for four or more individuals. She said Lagos alone could have more than 2,000 operators packaging tours, adding that each would get events to pack-

age.

She divided tour packaging into special interest tours, adventure tours, city or regional tours, group tours and fully escorted tours. Special-interest tours are designed around a particular interest area which could include arts, food and wine, sports, cultural or agricultural; adventure tours allow tourists to participate in areas of interest for the duration of the tour. Examples include diving, rock or mountain climbing, horse riding, skiing or cycling.

City/regional tours last for a day or less. Usually, the tours follow a fixed itinerary, visiting areas of interest.

• Continued on page 38

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

38

JOBS

Catch fun, get a job • Continued from page 37

Group tours also follow a fixed and prearranged itinerary, and require a certain number of travellers. The tours require getting a 56-seater bus to accommodate more travellers. The fully-escorted tours are for solo tourists.

Often times, the tours are somewhat educational because the travellers are exposed to local, historical and cultural knowledge by their guide.

Mrs Ogunbiyi said each tour determines the number of jobs that would be created.

She said: “Tour packaging among other concepts has opened a window of employment opportunities for people. Many people can go into tour packaging because of the huge tourism potentials in Nigeria.

Considering the over 160 million population, and array of tourists’ sites in the country, there is a huge market for people that venture into tour packaging. I package tours for companies. The tours are meant for local and foreign tourists, and they are rewarding.

“Recently, I packaged a tour that culminated in visiting places, such as Bar Beach, Eko Atlantic, Museum and Nike Art Gallery. This is not without fees and the participants found it interesting.”

She said tour packaging provides avenues for drivers, food sellers, tour guides, among others, to earn a living as they do not need a university degree to become a tour guide. She added that a tour guide only needs integrity and knowledge of the areas to educate his clients properly.

“You do not need certain educational certificates to become a tour guide. What you

need is honesty among other attributes to get businesses. A tour guide must have the ability to convince people to buy his ideas.

There are many who sit at home at weekends. They are not doing anything. Tour guides can encourage them to visit sites to catch fun.

“We are talking of social miscreants in the society. They can serve as tour guides, after their orientation must have been changed.”

According to her, more than 5,000 guides are needed to work for those packaging tours.

She said tour packaging has a multiplier effect because it provides business for many, stressing that those selling drinks, foods, souvenirs and other mementoes benefit from the business.

The Commissioner for Tourism and Inter-Governmental Relations in Lagos State, Mr Disun Holloway, said Lagos boasts of huge tourism potentials.

Speaking at a programme organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and In-

dustry (LCCI), Holloway said the population of the state is a boost to tourism because it can provide job opportunities for many.

In its latest forecast, the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) said some 897,500 jobs, representing 1.4 per cent of the country’s total workforce can be generated by tourism.

The body said the industry contributed about N1,232.2 billion (3.3 per cent) to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) last year, adding that the figure would increase by 10.8 per cent this year. The figure, it said, would increase by 7.0 per cent yearly to hit N2,690.8 billion in 2022.

“Travel and tourism directly generated 838,500 jobs (1.4 per cent of total employment) last year, and this is forecast to grow by 7.0 per cent in 2012 to 897,500 jobs. The jobs would be created by hotels, travel agents, airlines as well as activities of the restaurant and leisure industries directly supported by tourists and other passenger services (excluding commuter services),”

‘Tour packaging among other concepts has opened a window of employment opportunities for people.

Many people can go into tour packaging because of the huge tourism potentials in Nigeria. Considering the over 160 million population, and array of tourists’ sites in the country, there is a huge market for people that venture into tour packaging’

• Otunba Runsewe

the report said.

It noted that the country has witnessed a steady growth in its GDP and job creation over the last four years, stressing that the development favoured the tourism sector.

The Director-General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Otunba Segun Runsewe, said the agency is wooing investors in line with the corporation’s forecast.

He said the investment would help in building tourism and hospitality infrastructure, manpower and drawing global attention to the hospitality, transportation, eco- tourism and sports sectors of the economy.

MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Oby Ezekwesili joins Bharti Airtel board

F

ORMER Education Minister Mrs Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili has joined the board of Bharti Airtel. In a statement, the company, said she was bringing her wealth of experience to the board.

Mrs Ezekwesili is a former World Bank Vice President for Africa and a world-renowned expert on economic reforms and economic gov-

Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. She is also a chartered accountant.

At the World Bank, Mrs Ezekwesili, according to the statement, was responsible for operations in 48 countries in sub-Saharan Africa and supervised a lending portfolio of over $40 billion.

The Nation gathered that the change in the Bharti Airtel board

affected its subsidiary, Bharti Infratel.

The change was effected because of the proposed Initial Public Offering (IPO) of Bharti Infratel, which is one of the leading providers of passive telecom infrastructure in India.

Bharti Infratel deploys, owns and manages telecom towers and communication structures, for

various mobile operators across 18 states of India. It is the industry’s pioneer in adopting green energy initiatives across its tower network.

Bharti Infratel also has a footprint of over 33,000 towers and holds a 42 per cent stake in Indus Towers Limited – a Joint Venture between Bharti Infratel, Vodafone & Idea Cellular.

Basics of effective job search (IV)

that is not to say that the process of conception to delivery is a sure, certain and riskless endeavour.

Many things can, and often go wrong, ending the story in an entirely different, sometimes tragic direction.

Thank for a moment what athletics go through to achieve glory – great odds, various obstacles, challenges and set backs. Many things could have gone wrong, and the story will be different.

Many things can be wrong with your job search, which may be responsible for your prolonged stay in the unemployment queue. The article is not meant to weigh you down; but to give you a framework to execute your current job search campaign.

It is also going to be useful in evaluating your efforts and strategies employed so far in the quest for that your dream job. And then seek to change things that need be done differently.

People get job everyday. Yours is at hand.

From Mercy Madu, Abuja

ernance.

She also served as director of the Harvard-Nigeria Economic Strategy Programme in Boston and Abuja.

Mrs Ezekwkesili holds a master’s in International Law from the University of Lagos, a master’s in Public Policy and Administration from

CAREER MANAGEMENT

T

HIS is the last of this series on master skills essential for successful job search. The objective is for us to be able to focus on potential sources of errors, mistakes and inadequacies of our job hunting. Let cover the last two of 10 reasons that may explain why we are yet unable to get the job of our dream or any job for that matter.

• Develop/acquire excellent interview skills. As often said in this column, there are basically five questions you get at job interviews: • Why are you here?

• What can you do for us?

• What kind of a person are you?

• What distinguish you from the other if people who have the same ability as you have? And finally • Can we afford you?

So if a job seeker does not have answers to these questions before any interview, then he/she hasn’t started to look for work. (This has been thoroughly treated in one of the past presentations).

When an interviewer looks at your resume are says “You’ve been out of work for quite some time, haven’t you?” Or when you resume reveals a record of perhaps six jobs in eight years or when you are considered too

By Olu Oyeniran

young, too old, too short for heavy etc.

What is your defense for these questions and other uncomfortable questions that may come up?

At the end of most interviews, you are given opportunity to ask the interviewer(s) questions. Most candidates waste this beautiful opportunity by not asking strategic questions that will position them as the right candidate for the job. Most candidates also fail to directly and pointedly ask for the job. It is not enough to do well at the interview ask for the job!

Perhaps the greatest sin committed by an uncomfortable large number of job interview candidates is failure to follow up the interview. The interviewer(s) gave you the opportunity to “sell” yourself, gave you their valuable time and perhaps encouragement before and/or during the exercise.

The least you can do is to let them know that you appreciate all they gave you. It can be a clincher in very competitive job selection process.

• Plot a winning job – hunt strategy. If you are not going to anywhere in particular, any road will lead you there. For us, the funda-

mental of job hunt strategy is to determine you job target/objectives which job would you want to do. Where, i. e., which sector or industry or company or geographic locale.

In short, you need to construct a thoughtful, practical and achievable job target/objective statement. A job that’s “interesting”, “challenging” that offers “opportunity” for “personal growth” or “personal expression” look good and adorable as job objectives. But they are inadequate unless tied to some fairly concrete goals. And it is such beautiful prose of no value, or sometimes bombastic phrases that recruitment personnel see most of the time.

If we assume that you have your job objectives/target, the question then, how to do you reach this objective? How do you get a shot at your dream job without which you stand no chance of getting it at all?

Usually to reach a goal, there are a number of ways and means – some effective, some ineffective.

It is very important to determine and use the most effective and efficient means for you.

For most job hunters, opportunity rarely knocks, not even once.

Job seekers who want to succeed will have to do the knocking, the digging, and the searching. It must be done actively or better still, pro-actively. You have to develop your own leads, and figure out the test way to follow them up. Most job hunters rely on the conventional route. Unfortunately, the conventional route is in job hunting is crowded. The odds are long, and the going is slow.

One of the worst mistakes you can make in a job search is to stop moving forward: to sit back and wait for jobs or job leads to locate them, for employers, for recruitment agencies to call, for job advertisements that appeal to you to appear in the newspapers. That way, job seekers spend 90 per cent of their time working hard to fail by doing just that- waiting!

A job can originate almost anywhere – from dozen of sources but they differ in terms of both the number of leads they generate and the quality of those leads. It is up to you to set of your strategy accordingly. One last thing about job–hunt strategy: you must ever be willing to change your strategy if the ones you are using appear not to be yielding result.

Babies are born everyday. But

Good luck. See you next week on these pages.

Olu Oyeniran is the Lead Consultant, EkiniConsult & Associates.

Website: www.jobsearchhow.com E-mail: oluoyeniran@yahoo.com Tel 08083843230 (SMS Only).

39

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

LABOUR

T

Ogun pays N1.6b pension to local govt retirees

HE Ogun Bureau of Local Government Pensions said it has disbursed N1.6 billion as monthly pensions patment to retired local government and primary school workers.

The Permanent Secretary of the Bureau, Alhaji Ade Momodu, said this last week during an oversight visit by members of the Ogun House of Assembly Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

Momodu said the money was paid between January and September, adding that the money was paid from the monthly allocation the bureau received from the Joint Allocation Account

• Stories by Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu

Committee (JAAC).

“The bureau has also paid N643.3 million as gratuities to retired local government staff, as well as primary school teaching and non teaching staff between January and September 2012.

“This was paid from the state’s grant to Local Government Staff Pension Fund and the balance of statutory allocation from (JAAC)

after monthly pension would have been paid,’’ he said.

On the new contributory pension scheme, Momodu said it was introduced to remedy the shortcomings of the old scheme, explaining that a 7.5 per cent deduction is expected to be made from the salaries of all serving officers, while another 7.5 per cent of each officer is expected to be contributed by their employers.

He said the bureau received 15 per

cent deduction of the salaries of primary school teaching and nonteaching staff directly from Joint Allocation Account Committee on monthly basis.

“The local governments are required to remit their own deductions directly to their pension fund administrators,’’ Momodu said.

The Committee’s chairman praised the bureau for carrying out its assignment, saying, “I think you have done a good job, but l still want you to always make the collection of pensions easy for the retired local government officers, the primary school teaching and nonteaching staff,’’ Oluomo said.

NUPENG seeks govt’s assistance for flood victims

T

HE Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas

Workers (NUPENG) has called on the Federal Government to quickly come to the aid of victims affected by the floods ravaging parts of the country.

In a statement signed by the Acting General Secretary, Comrade Isaac O. Aberare, the union advised that a state of emergency should be declared in the affected communities, while relief materials and temporary abode be made available to them.

The union added that a supplementary budget to assist the flood victims should be sent to the National Assembly for approval to provide succour for the affected people and their communities.

The union commiserated with the families of those who lost lives in the floods. It also warned that state governments should desist from allocating and allowing buildings to be erected in flood-prone areas; especially around the river banks.

It called on the Federal and state governments to, as a matter of urgency dispatch medical teams to the areas to avert epidemic and diseases from ravaging the communities.

NUPENG re-iterated that the three tiers of government must begin to enlighten the populace on global warming or climate change, which is partly responsible for the upsurge. The union added that agencies of government, such as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), responsible for providing assistance to the affected people, should be alive to their responsibilities.

NUPENG stated that adequate forecast should be made available as to the extent of such damages when waters are released from dams to make people move before they are trapped as it is done in advanced countries.

Towards ameliorating the sufferings of the affected people, the union called on the Federal Government to assist the affected states with funds.

It called for better ways to channel excess water from dams and to collaborate through a joint commission with the Republic of Cameroun where the excess water was first released.

Gombe to employ 3,000 teachers

G

OMBE State has said it would recruit about 3,000 graduate teachers to improve the standard of education in the state within the next three years.

Commissioner for Education, Mrs Aishatu Mohammed, told The Nation that 1,000 of the teachers would be employed yearly.

Mrs Mohammed also said Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo’s intervention in the education sector has started yielding fruitful results.

She said this showed in the state’s performance in national examinations.

“This time, we have 906 candidates who passed with five credits, including English and Mathematics, in the recent West African Examinations Council (WAEC) results.

“You will recall that only 18 candidates passed with five credits, including English and Mathematics in 2011.

“This development is indicative of more successes in the education sector soon,’’ the commissioner said.

Mrs Mohammed said the result was also an indication that funds totalling over N6.5 billion spent on education by the state government were not wasted.

“These were invested in the reconstruction of classrooms and the purchase of instruction materials, and that is why the sector will still witness more success stories,’’ she said.

•Bankole explaining a point to Elumoye

Medview airline’s debut brings jobs

A

BOUT 225 new jobs have been created by Medview Airline, one of the country’s official hajj pilgrims carriers.

Jobs created by the airline include those of pilots, about 16 cabin crew, ground officers, as well as ticketing staff.

Arrangements have been concluded for the commencement of scheduled flights to four routes, namely Lagos-Abuja, Abuja-Port Harcourt, Maiduguri-Yola and Lagos-Port Harcourt.

The Managing Director/CEO, Alhaji Muneer Bankole, stated this in Lagos while receiving officials of the Lagos State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

Alhaji Bankole, said the company is venturing into domestic operations so as to alleviate the plight of the local travellers. He stated that a Boeing 737-400 has been sourced to enable the company begin operation, adding that the inspection unit of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has concluded the inspection of the aircraft and approved them for operations in the country.

“We have undergone the necessary inspections as stipulated

by NCAA, but I can tell you categorically that we will start very soon.”

Bankole promised that one of the unique selling points of the airline would be on- time

departure and adherence to the safety rules of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and NCA. He said that the company has been known for keeping to time in its handling of hajj affairs in the country.

“The coming of Med-View airline into the scene of Hajj operations in year 2007 shortly after its incorporation, changed the whole concept of pilgrims airlifting in Nigeria. The marshalling of the operational plans in a professional way, coupled with resourceful and dedicated team of workers, served as a pivot on which this new Airline’s tremendous success rests.

Imo teachers undergo special training

T

HE Imo State Universal Basic Education Board has embarked on a 10day train-the-trainer workshop for its teachers.

The workshop entitled Strengthening Mathematics and Science Education (SMASE), is aimed at training core teachers who would implement the programme in their respective schools.

The desk officer coordinating the programme, Mrs Vivian Owunna, told The Nation that the focus of the exercise was to change the attitude of the teachers in mathematics and science subjects.

“We are trying to train the teachers here on ways to teach their students how to relate mathematics and scientific

•Imo Governor, Rochas Okorocha

concepts to their daily lives.

The teachers trained here by the national trainers will con-

tinue this training in their local government areas so that every school will benefit,” Owunna said.

One of the trainers in chemistry, Mr Joseph Onimisi, said the training was a customised contextual course meant to enhance teaching of mathematics and sciences in schools.

“This will teach them content mastery; we encourage them to bring out the topics students find hard to grasp and we teach them a more practical approach to make teaching easier,” he said.

“The trainers have all gone on these customised courses sponsored by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, either in Malaysia or the Philippines, at the Asian regional educational centre.

•Labour Minister, Emeka Wogu

NDE trains 232 youths

T

HE Imo State Coordinator of National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Jaja Isichei, said the directorate has recruited 232 unemployed youths for training in various trades.

He told The Nation the state’s NDE has carried out orientation and documentation of trainees recruited under Basic (B) and Advanced (A) and the National Open Apprenticeship Schemes (NOAS).

He listed some of the basic trades as computer operation, carpentry, electrical installation, fashion designing, auto mechanic, hair dressing, welding and fabrication, generator and GSM repairs.

Isichei said the essence of the orientation is to educate the trainees about the different trades they chose and the training duration.

“Our training period is free and lasts between three months and three years, depending on the trade chosen; the Advanced NOAS are 25 in number and their training lasts for three months only.

“We will post them to their various training centres from next week.

After training them, they will be resettled. Some will be given money equivalent to their trade, while others will be given equipment to start their own businesses,” he said.

Isichei urged the trainees to calm down and learn by listening to their trainers so they could become employers of labour themselves.

40

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

Taxation Self-Assessment Pr actice in Nig eria Practice Nigeria

T

he self-assessment tax system was introduced in the Nigerian tax laws in 1991 with operational effect in 1992 and initially restricted to a threshold of taxpayers and extended to the rest in 1998. However it was not until 2011 that its implementation became effective, through a Project based system. The Self assessment system requires that:• The taxpayer accurately calculate his tax liability, pay the tax due at designated bank, collects eticket and file self-assessment return on or before the statutory(due) date for filing such tax return; • Tax returns are accepted, by the tax authority, as filed, subject to on-the-spot simple checks to ensure that tax return forms are correctly completed. The returns are later subjected to further administrative processing including risk assessment of all tax returns and audit, where necessary, determined by risk-based case selection; • Where the taxpayer fails to meet his obligations, late returns penalty and interest are imposed without fail, as the case may be. The tax authority exercises its right under the law by issuing administrative assessments on taxpayers who fail to file tax returns on due date. Information for such assessments are obtained by an on the spot audit of the taxpayer’s records and from thirdparty sources. It is noted that ahead of due dates for filing tax returns, taxpayers are reminded about their obligation to file and pay taxes due.

• The Tax Authority relies heavily on post-filing controls such as risk-based audits, collection enforcement measures, et cetera to elicit compliance.

The implementation of self-assessment tax system as re-invigorated since 2011 has brought about changes that resulted from a re-designed work-flow processes, which gave the taxpayer his full right to assess himself/herself. The Self-assessment system eliminated the 100% examination of tax returns that was hither-to in practice and replaced it with risk based case selection for audit. The Tax Administration (Self Assessment) Regulations gazetted on December, 2011 has clarified provisions of the Tax laws on Self Assessment and provided rules for processes. The fact that some publishers of tax laws have included the Regulation in new Compendium of Tax Laws is a measure of acceptance.

It is worthy of note that field offices and officers have embraced the system of self assessment and made giant strides in not only their collections but Taxpayer education and information through Stake holder engagements on Self-Assessments and Tax administration in general. The buy in of the internal stakeholders who are also champions of change in the Administration has impacted positively and endeared partnership between the Service and various segments of taxpayers. Some of the engagements that were held within the 2nd Quarter

administration in the following ways: a. Man-hours spent on issuance of assessment notices and associated human activities which culminated in misplacement of files, challenges of whether assessment notices were issued or not , delays in service of notices of assessment is reduced; b. Disputes arising from issuance of inappropriate notices and its associated cost of litigation is reduced; c. Taxpayers now see themselves as key stakeholders in the determination of their tax liabilities;

• ALHAJI KABIR MOHAMMED MASHI, AG. EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN, FIRS

The use of spot audit and third party information to be used for administrative assessment reduces disputes and objections to the assessment and increases income generation at reduced cost.

2012 where Self assessment was extensively discussed are as follows: i. Stakeholders Engagement /Sensitization and enlightenment programme on Self Assessment ion Lagos, 4th of April 2012. It was well attended

by Large taxpayers. ii.

Presentation of paper titled “Self Assessment Issues and Challenges” at CITN engagement in Lagos - 05/07/2012. The fact that CITN is a major stakeholder speaks volumes about the acceptance of Self-assessment.

iii. Stake-Holder Engagement for Abuja Region.

Titled “Self-Assessment and Regulations- what the Taxpayer need to know and/ or do”. 11th July 2012 iv.

Stakeholders’ Interactive forum Jointly Organized by Large Tax Offices (Oil & Gas) Lagos. Event theme “Sensitization workshop on Self Assessment and Voluntary Compliance”. Title of paper presented by Self Assessment Project- “Enhancing voluntary Tax Compliance through Self-Assessment. The role of the Regulation”. 30th July 2012. It was a very well attended and exciting engagement.

v. In addition to face-to-face engagements, prints and electronic media were used to sensitize taxpayers/stakeholder on the tenets of the Selfassessment tax system. This approach worked to place self-assessment in public domain.

The Self-assessment system where effectively implemented would positively impact on tax

d. Imposition of frivolous best-of-judgment assessments without recourse to taxpayer’s books is reduced tax arrears. The fact that administrative assessments will be derived from taxpayers records and third party information will engender record keeping culture and change in compliance behavior. e. Tax authority now focuses more on tax returns that will yield optimum revenue. It is emphatic that in selecting the cases, a risk-based approach is adopted, thus showing casing transparency and encouraging voluntary compliance.

Self-assessment implementation has greatly increased collection because of enablement given to taxpayers by the tax authority, and also as taxpayers are mindful of enforcement activities associated with non-compliance.

Conclussion: The self-assessment system requires payment of taxes due on due date in concurrence with filing of tax returns, ends the era of bogus ‘’best of judgment assessments’’, reduce the accumulation of uncollectable arrears and builds mutual trust/ effective partnership of taxpayers and tax officers.

The use of spot audit and third party information to be used for administrative assessment reduces disputes and objections to the assessment and increases income generation at reduced cost.

The self-assessment system re-defined processes and introduced new methods of risk profiling technique for all cases and therefore necessitated the building of new capacities and realignment of personnel to areas of their optimum capability and competence.

The risk assessment and risk profiling technique to be used in the system is designed to eliminate subjective selection of cases for audit and conduct a risk based audit case selection, as audit are to be done in line with audit time reporting system in use by the Service.

Oscar luring Neymar to Chelsea

"The Luis Suarez ban sent out a strong message that racism isn't tolerated in the game. Diluting that with this four-match ban almost undermines the initial message.

If part of their integration is actively partaking in the antidiscrimination campaigns, in the seminars that go on, not only will they benefit from the information that's shown in these seminars, but also it shows that they do show some remorse for their actions."

42

Monday, October 8 2012

Wenger:

Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) chairman Clark Carlisle, stressing John Terry's four-match ban undermines the Football Association's strong stance on tackling racism.

We believe we can

BALOTELLI

runs off to Italy after substitution

M

ARIO Balotelli was so frustrated at being substituted for Manchester City against Sunderland he immediately left the ground and jumped onto a budget flight bound for Italy, according to reports.

The volatile striker was having a quiet game before he was taken off and replaced by Sergio Aguero in City's home Premier League tie.

But rather than stay on

the bench and wait for the game to finish, the 22-year-old reportedly left the Etihad and immediately jetted off to Italy a few hours later using budget carrier Ryanair.

For a man who is renowned for having extravagant taste, it certainly would come as a surprise if he chose to travel using the modest airline.

However, being hooked after a disappointing 55 minute display seems to have done the trick.

The Italian striker's team-mates did eventually go on to beat Sunderland 3-0, thanks to goals from Aleksandar Kolarov, Sergio Aguero and James Milner.

But we doubt that will be any comfort to Balotelli, who is probably still seething.

win Premier League

A

•Wenger •Ferdinand

TERRY’S BAN NOT ENOUGH:

PFA chairman Carlisle

P

FA chairman Clarke Carlisle says John Terry's four-match ban undermines the Football Association's strong stance on tackling racism.

Liverpool's Luis Suarez was given an eightmatch ban last season for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.

"The Luis Suarez ban sent out a strong message that racism isn't tolerated in the game," Carlisle, 32, said.

"Diluting that with this four-match ban almost undermines the initial message."

Chelsea defender Terry was given the ban on 27 September after an independent FA regulatory commission found that his words towards QPR defender Ferdinand during a Premier League game in October last year were used as an insult.

Terry has until 18 October to appeal against his suspension and £220,000 fine.

Carlisle wants a rehabilitation programme to be imposed in addition to any suspension for a racism offence and the York City defender says Terry should contribute to such a campaign if he does not contest his ban.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 live's Sportsweek programme, Carlisle added: "If part of their integration is actively partaking in the antidiscrimination campaigns, in the seminars that go on, not only will they benefit from the information that's shown in these seminars, but also it shows that they do show some remorse for their actions.

RSENE Wenger has revealed the Gunners' 3-1 defeat of West Ham United has suffused the club with selfbelief and helped the team believe a genuine title challenge is possible. Arsenal came from a goal down to beat the Hammers but still trail league leaders Chelsea by seven points.

"We started with a lot of questions raised about the team. We have now played seven games and the belief in the squad is that we have a chance. Of course we now need to do it week after week. The spirit and quality are there. It is about how consistent we are now," Wenger told the club's website after the West Ham game.

At present, Arsenal are fifth in the league, with 12 points from seven games. They could drop back to seventh by the end of the seventh round of games, depending on results for Manchester United (to play Newcastle United) and Tottenham (to play Aston Villa), but that does not faze Wenger.

"It was important for us to respond well and after our defeat against Chelsea, we won against Olympiakos on Wednesday night. We had a difficult game three days later and we knew today a draw was not good enough for us. We went for it," the 63-year-old explained.

Arsenal have already played three of their main rivals this season - Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool - and have come away with four points from a possible nine. The West Ham game, therefore, was a crucial one, as Wenger pointed out. The fact they fell behind to an early Mohamad Diame goal could have been the cue for the club to implode, as they have done in the past. However, to their credit, the team re-grouped and immediately went on the attack, with new signings Lukas Podolski, Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud looking very strong.

B

RAZIL hotshot Neymar is being urged to join Chelsea by his international teammate Oscar who is loving life at Stamford Bridge.

The 20-year-old has been linked with a host of top clubs including Barcelona and Real Madrid, but the Blues midfielder is desperately hoping he will follow him to west London.

Neymar, who is currently playing his club football in Brazil for Santos, is anxious to keep his options open for as long as possible although a move seems on the cards next season after much speculation about his future.

The forward claims Oscar isn't the only one trying to influence where he goes next, with Barcelona star Dani Alves also in his ear about linking-up with him at the Nou Camp.

Neymar told The Sun: "Oscar messages me to tell me what a great club Chelsea is and what a great city London is.

"He and Dani are both very good salesmen for their club.

"When the time is right I will listen to the right offers that my agent has for me.

"It is very simple: if Barcelona are interested you listen, if Real Madrid are interested you listen, if Chelsea are interested you listen.

"There are maybe five clubs in the world that you know you must at least listen to."

•Neymar

Other Sports...Other Sports...Other Sports...Other Sports...

RESULTS England - Premier League Southampton 2 - 2 Fulham Liverpool 0 - 0 Stoke Tottenham 2 - 0 Aston Villa Newcastle U. 0 - 3 Man. Utd. Italy - Serie A AS Roma 2 - 0 Atalanta Catania 2 - 0 Parma Fiorentina 1 - 0 Bologna Pescara 0 - 3 Lazio Siena 1 - 2 Juventus Torino 0 - 1 Cagliari Spain - Primera Division Levante 1 - 0 Valencia Mallorca 1 - 2 Granada Germany - Bundesliga I. M/bach 2 - 0 Eintracht Hannover 0 - 1 Dortmund Stuttgart 1 - 1 Leverkusen France - Ligue 1 Brest 1 - 1 Bordeaux Lorient 1 - 1 Lyon

Federer shrugs off 'small' death threat

ROGER Federer is surprised and disappointed at the level of attention given to a death threat he received.

The threat towards the Swiss world number one was posted online via one of his fans' websites.

"I'm a bit disappointed that it became a lot more public and came out in the press," Federer said.

"It was very small on a website, nothing very clear and concrete people debating. To make that kind of big news is a bit surprising for me."

“I've felt very safe here; the authorities have been wonderful” Federer is in China for the Shanghai Masters, where he is being chaperoned by a large

security presence.

The local chief of police has also said he will boost the police presence around the ATP event at the Qi Zhing tennis centre.

Federer revealed that he first learned of the threat around 10 days ago, and stressed that it

•Federer

had no bearing on the decision of his wife and children not to travel to Shanghai with him.

"I don't want to talk too much about it." Federer added.

"I've felt very safe here, the authorities have been wonderful, the government has been very supportive and I've felt great since I've been here.

"Obviously it's been a different type of preparation and it's a little bit of a distraction - there's no doubt about it.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

43

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

For the 1983 elections, Chief Obafemi Awolowo had a daunting task of selling his candidacy and party, the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), to the Igbo. Against the background of the civil war and the conceptions and misconceptions, he was hosted to a town hall meeting in Abeokuta where he explained the roles he played in the 30-month gruelling war. The transcript is reproduced here.

Biafra: I’ve done no evil to the Igbo - Awo Y

OUR stand on the civil war, however unpopular it may have been to the Biafrans or Igbo people, helped to shorten the war. Today, you’re being cast as the sole enemy of the Igbo people because of that stand, by among others, some of the people who as members of the Federal Military Government at that time, were party to that decision and are today, in some cases, inheritors of power in one Nigeria which that decision of yours helped to save. How do you feel being cast in this role, and what steps are you taking to endear yourself once again to that large chunk of Nigerians who feels embittered?

As far as I know, the Igbo masses are friendly to me. In fact, whenever I visit Igboland, either Anambra or Imo, and there’s no campaigning for elections on, the people receive me warmly and affectionately. But there are some elements in Igboland who believe that they can maintain their popularity only by denigrating me, and so they keep on telling lies against me. Ojukwu is one of them. I don’t want to mention the names of the others because they are still redeemable, but Ojukwu is irredeemable so I mention his name, and my attitude to these lies is one of indifference, I must confess to you.

I’ve learnt to rely completely on the providence and vindication of Almighty God in some of these things. I’ve tried to explain myself in the past, but these liars persist.

Ojukwu had only recently told the same lie against me. What’s the point in correcting lies when people are determined to persist in telling lies against you, what’s the point?

I know that someday, the Igbo, the masses of the Igbo people will realise who their friends are, and who their real enemies are.

And the day that happens, woe betide those enemies. The Igbo will deal with them very roughly.

That has happened in my life. I have a nickname now, if you see my letterhead, you’ll find something on top, you’ll find a fish done on the letterhead. Some people put lion on theirs, some people put tiger, but mine is fish. And fish represents my zodiac sign; those of you who read the stars and so on in the newspapers; you’ll find out that there’s a zodiac sign known as pieces. In Latin pieces mean Fish.

So, I put pieces on top, that’s my zodiac sign, being born on the 6th of March. And then on top of it I write, Eebudola. All of you know the meaning of that. You know I don’t want to tell a long story but Awolowo school, omo Awolowo, this started in Urhobo land, in Mid-west in those days. They were ridiculing my schools, I was building schools – brick and cement, to dpc level, block to dpc level and mud thereafter. And so the big shots in the place..”ah what kind of school is this? is this Awolowo school? Useless school” and when they saw the children..”ah these Awolowo children, they can’t read and write, Awolowo children” that’s how it started, with ridicule, and it became blessing, and now they say “Awolowo children, they are good people” no more ridicule about it, that’s how it started, so the Eebu becomes honor, the abuse became honor.

And so, when I look back to all my life, treasonable felony, jail, all the abuses that were heaped on me, to Coker Inquiry, all sorts, and I see what has happened to the people who led all these denigration campaigns, where are they today? Those that are alive are what I call Homo Mortuus- dead living, that’s what they are.

So when I look back, I come to the conclusion that all these abuses which have been heaped on me all my life for doing nothing, for doing good, they have become honour, and so Eebudola is one of my nicknames. So I’ve cultivated an attitude of indifference, I’ve done no evil to the Ibos.

‘You won’t hear of a single lawyer, a single doctor, a single architect, who suffered from kwashiorkor? None of their children either, so they waylaid the foods, they ambushed the vehicles and took the foods to their friends and to their collaborators and to their children and the masses were suffering.

So I decided to stop sending the food there.

In the process, the civilians would suffer, but the soldiers suffered most’ • The late Awolowo

During the war, I saw to it that the revenue which was due to the Iboland- South Eastern states they call it, at that time, East-central state, I kept it, I saved the money for them.

And when they were librated I handed over the money to them- millions. If I’d decided to do so, I could have kept the money away from them and then when they took over I saw to it that subvention was given to them at the rate of 990,000 pounds every month. I didn’t go to the executive council to ask for support, or for approval because I knew if I went to the executive council at that time the subvention would not be approved because there were more enemies in the executive council for the Ibos than friends. And since I wasn’t going to take a percentage from what I was going to give them, and I knew I was doing what was right, I wanted the state to survive, I kept on giving the subvention 990,000 almost a million, every month, and I did that for other states of course- South eastern state, North central state, Kwara and so on.

But I did that for the Ibos, and when the war was over, I saw to it that the ACB got three and a half million pounds to start with. This was distributed immediately and I gave another sum of money. The attitude of the experts, officials at the time of the ACB was that ACB should be closed down, and I held the view you couldn’t close the ACB down because that is the bank that gives finance to the Ibo traders, and if you close it down they’ll find it difficult to revive or to survive. So it was given. I did the same thing for the Cooperative Bank of Eastern Nigeria, to rehabilitate all these places, and I saw to it as commissioner for finance that no obstacle was placed in the way of the ministry of economic planning in planning for rehabilitation of the war affected areas.

Twenty pounds policy And the case of the money they said was not given back to them, you know during the war, all the pounds were looted, they printed Biafran currency notes, which they circulated, at the close of the war, some people wanted their Biafran notes to be exchanged for them. Of course I couldn’t do that, if I did that, the whole country would be bankrupt. We didn’t know about Biafran notes and we didn’t know on what basis they printed them, so we refused the Biafran note, but I laid down the principle

that all those who had savings in the banks on the eve of the declaration of the Biafran war, would get their money back if they could satisfy us that they had the money there. Unfortunately, all the banks’s books had been burnt, and many of the people who had savings there didn’t have their saving books or their last statement of account, so a panel had to be set up.

I didn’t take part in setting up the panel, it was done by the Central Bank and the pertinent officials of the Ministry of Finance, to look into the matter, and they went carefully into the matter, they took some months to do so, and then made some recommendation which I approved.

Go to the archives, all I did was approve, I didn’t write anything more than that, I don’t even remember the name of any of them who took part. So I did everything in this world to assist our Igbo brothers and sisters during and after the war.

And anyone who goes back to look at my broadcast in August 1967, which dealt with post-war reconstruction would see what I said there.

Starvation policy The ending of the war itself that I’m accused of, accused of starving the Igbo, I did nothing of the sort. You know, shortly after the liberation of these places, Calabar, Enugu and Port Harcourt, I decided to pay a visit. There are certain things which I knew which you don’t know, which I don’t want to say here now, when I write my reminiscences, I will do so.

Some of the soldiers were not truthful with us, they didn’t tell us correct stories..

I wanted to be there and see things for myself, bear in mind that Gowon himself did not go there at that time, it was after the war was over that he dorned himself up in various military dresses- Air force dress, Army dress and so on, and went to the war torn areas. But I went and some people tried to frighten me out of my goal by saying that Adekunle was my enemy and he was going to see to it that I never return from the place, so I went.

But when I went what did I see? I saw the kwashiorkor victims. If you see a kwashiorkor victim you’ll never like war to be waged. Terrible sight, in Enugu, in Port Harcourt, not many in Calabar, but mainly in Enugu and Port Harcourt. Then I enquired what happened to the food we

were sending to the civilians. We were sending food through the Red cross, and CARITAS to them, but what happen was that the vehicles carrying the food were always ambushed by the soldiers. That’s what I discovered, and the food would then be taken to the soldiers to feed them, and so they were able to continue to fight.

And I said that was a very dangerous policy, we didn’t intend the food for soldiers. But who will go behind the line to stop the soldiers from ambushing the vehicles that were carrying the food? And as long as soldiers were fed, the war will continue, and who’ll continue to suffer?

Those who didn’t go to the place to see things as I did, you remember that all the big guns, all the soldiers in the Biafran Army looked all well fed after the war, its only the mass of the people that suffered kwashiorkor.

You wont hear of a single lawyer, a single doctor, a single architect, who suffered from kwashiorkor? None of their children either, so they waylaid the foods, they ambushed the vehicles and took the foods to their friends and to their collaborators and to their children and the masses were suffering. So I decided to stop sending the food there. In the process, the civilians would suffer, but the soldiers suffered most.

Change of currency And it is on record that Ojukwu admitted that two things defeated him in this war, that’s as at the day he left Biafra. He said one, the change of currency, he said that was the first thing that defeated him, and we did that to prevent Ojukwu taking the money which his soldiers has stolen from our Central bank for sale abroad to buy arms. We discovered he looted our Central bank in Benin, he looted the one in Port Harcourt, looted the one in Calabar and he was taking the currency notes abroad to sell to earn foreign exchange to buy arms.

So I decided to change the currency, and for your benefit, it can now be told the whole world, only Gowon knew the day before, the day before the change took place. I decided, only three of us knew before then- Isong now governor of Cross River, Attah and myself. It was a closely guarded secret, if any commissioner at the time say that he knew about it, he’s only boosting his own ego. Because once you tell someone, he’ll tell another person. So we refused to tell them and we changed the currency notes. So, Ojukwu said the change in currency defeated him, and starvation of his soldiers also defeated him.

These were the two things that defeated Ojukwu. And, he reminds me, when you saw Ojukwu’s picture after the war, did he look like someone who’s not well fed?

But he has been taking the food which we send to civilians, and so we stopped the food.

Abandoned property I saw to it that the houses owned by the Igbo in Lagos and on this side, were kept for them. I had an estate agent friend who told me that one of them collected half a million pounds rent which has been kept for him. All his rent were collected, but since we didn’t seize their houses, he came back and collected half a million pounds.

So, that is the position. I’m a friend of the Igbo and the mass of the Igbo are my friends, but there are certain elements who want to continue to deceive them by telling lies against me, and one day, they’ll discover and then that day will be terrible for those who have been telling the lies.

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

44

POLITICS Mr Femi Fani-Kayode, a former Aviation minister, joins the debate on the statements denigrating the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo in Prof. Chinua Achebe’s book, There was a country.

Obafemi Awolowo and Chinua Achebe’s tale of fantasy

I

AM a historian and I have always believed that if we want to talk history, we must be dispassionate, objective and factual. We must take the emotion out of it and we must always tell the truth. The worst thing that anyone can do is to try to re-write history and indulge in historical revisionism. This is especially so when the person is a reverred figure and a literary icon. Sadly it is in the light of such historical revisionism that I view Professor Chinua Achebe’s assertion (which is reflected in his latest and highly celebrated book titled ‘’There Was A Country’) that Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the late and much-loved Leader of the Yoruba, was responsible for the genocide that the igbos suffered during the civil war. This claim is not only false but it is also, frankly speaking, utterly absurd. Not only is Professor Achebe indulging in perfidy, not only is he being utterly dishonest and disengenious but he is also turning history upside down and indulging in what I would describe as ethnic chauvinism.

I am one of those that has always had tremendous sympathy for the igbo cause during the civil war. I am also an admirer of Colonel Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu who stood up for his people when it mattered the most and when they were being slaughtered by rampaging mobs in the northern part of our country. At least 100,000 igbos were killed in those northern pogroms which took place before the civil war and which indeed led directly to it. This was not only an outrage but it was also a tragedy of monuemental proportions.Yet we must not allow our emotion or our sympathy for the suffering of the igbo at the hands of northern mobs before the war started to becloud our sense of reasoning as regards what actually happened during the prosecution of the war itself. It is important to set the record straight and not to be selective in our application and recollection of the facts when considering what actually led to the starvation of hundreds of thousands of igbo women, children and civilians during that war. And, unlike others, I do not deny the fact that hundreds of thousands were starved to death as a consequence of the blockade that was imposed on Biafra by the Nigerian Federal Government. To deny that this actually happened would a lie. It is a historical fact. Again I do not deny the fact that Awolowo publically defended the blockade and indeed told the world that it was perfectly legitimate for any government to impose such a blockade on the territory of their enemies in times of war. Awolowo said it, this is a matter of historical record and he was qouted in a number of British newspapers as having said so at the time. Yet he spoke nothing but the truth. And whether anyone likes to hear it or not he was absolutely right in what he said. Let me give you an example. During the Second World War a blockade was imposed on Germany, Japan and Italy by the Allied Forces and this was very effective. It weakened the Axis powers considerably and this was one of the reasons why the

• The late Ojukwu

By

Femi Fani-Kayode

war ended at the time that it did. If there had been no blockade the Second World War would have gone on for considerably longer.

In the case of the Nigerian civil war though the story did not stop at the fact that a blockade was imposed by the Federal Government which led to the suffering, starvation, pain, death and hardship of the civilian igbo population or that Awolowo defended it.

That is only half the story.

There was a lot more to it and the fact that Achebe and most of our igbo brothers and sisters always conveniently forget to mention the other half of the story is something that causes some of us from outside igboland considerable concern and never ceases to amaze us. The bitter truth is that if anyone is to be blamed for the hundreds of thousands of igbos that died from starvation during the civil war it was not Chief Awolowo or even General Yakubu Gowon but rather it was Colonel Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu himself. I say this because it is a matter of public record and a historical fact that the Federal Government of Nigeria made a very generous offer to Ojukwu and the Biafrans to open a road corridor for food to be ferried to the igbos and to lessen the suffering of their civilian population. This was as a consequence of a deal that was brokered by the international community who were concerned about the suffering of the igbo civilian population and the death and hardship that the blockade was causing to them. Unfortunately Ojukwu turned this down flatly and instead insisted that the food should be flown into Biafra by air in the dead of the night. This was unacceptable to the Federal Government because it meant that the Biafrans could, and indeed would, have used such night flights to smuggle badly needed

•Fani-Kayode

arms and ammunition into their country for usage by their soldiers. That was where the problem came from and that was the issue.

Quite apart from that Ojukwu found it expedient and convenient to allow his people to starve to death and to broadcast it on television screens all over the world in order to attract sympathy for the igbo cause and for propaganda purposes. And this worked beautifully for him.

Ambassador Ralph Uweche, who was the Special Envoy to France for the Biafran Government during the civil war and who is the leader of Ohaeneze, the leading igbo political and socio-cultural organisation today, attested to this in his excellent book titled ‘’Reflections On The Nigerian Civil War’’.

That book was factual and honest and I would urge people like Achebe to go and read it well. The self-serving role of Ojukwu and many of the Biafran intelligensia and elites and their insensitivity to the suffering of their own people during the course of the war was well enunciated in that book. The fact of the matter is that the starvation and suffering of hundreds of thousands of igbo men, women and children during the civil war was seen and used as a convenient tool of propaganda by Ojukwu and that is precisely why he rejected the offer of a food corridor by the Nigerian Government. When those that belong to the post civil war generation of the igbo are wondering who was responsible for the genocide and mass starvation of their forefathers during the war they must firstly look within themselves and point their fingers at their own past leaders and certainly not Awolowo or Gowon. The person that was solely responsible for that suffering, for that starvation and for those slow and painful deaths was none other than Colonel Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the leader of Biafra, himself.

• Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson (right) explaining a point to the State Deputy Governor/Chairman of the newly inaugurated Emergency State Flood Relief Committee, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (rtd) (second right) at Government House in Yenagoa, while the Chief of Staff of the State Government House, Chief Diekivie Ikiogha (left) looks on.

I have written many good things about Ojukwu on many occassions in the past and I stand by every word that I have ever said or written about him. In my view he was a man of courage and immense fortitude, he stood against the mass murder of his people in the north and he brought them home and created a safe haven for them in the east. For him, and indeed the whole of Biafra, the war was an attempt to exercise their legitimate right of self-determination and leave Nigeria due to the atrocities that they had been subjected to in the north. I cannot blame him or his people for that and frankly I have always admired his stand. However he was not infallible and he also made some terrible mistakes, just as all great leaders do from time to time. The fact that he rejected the Nigerian Federal Government’s offer of a food corridor was one of those terrible mistakes and this cost him and his people dearly. Professor Chinua Achebe surely ought to have reflected that in his book as well. When it comes to the Nigerian civil war there were no villains or angels. During that brutal conflict no less than two million Nigerians and Biafrans died and the yoruba who, unlike others, did not ever discriminate or attack any nonyorubas that lived in their in their territory before the civil war or carry out any coups or attempted coups, suffered at every point as well. For example prominent yoruba sons and daughters were killed on the night of the first igbo coup of January 1966 and again in the northern ‘’revenge’’ coup of July 1966.

Many of our people were also killed in the north before the outbreak of the civil war and again in the mid-west and the east during the course and prosecution of the war itself. It was indeed the predominantly yoruba Third Marine Commando, under the command of General Benjamin Adekunle (the ‘’Black Scorpion”) and later General Olusegun Obasanjo, that not only liberated the midwest and drove the Biafrans out of there but they also marched into igboland itself, occupied it, defeated the Biafran Army in battle, captured all their major towns and forced the igbo to surrender. Third Marine Commando was made up of yoruba soldiers and I can say without any fear of contradiction that we the yoruba therefore paid a terrible and heavy price as well during the war because many of our boys were killed on the war front by the Biafrans.

The sacrifice of these proud sons of the south-west that died in battle to keep Nigeria one must not be belittled, mocked or ignored. Clearly it was not only the igbo that suffered during the civil war. Neither does it auger well for the unity of our nation for Achebe and the igbo intelligensia that are hailing his self-serving book to caste aspertions on the character, role and noble intentions of the late and reverred Leader of the Yoruba, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, during the civil war. The man may have made one or two mistakes in the past like every other great leader and of course there was a deep and bitter political division in yorubaland itself just before the civil war started and throughout the early ‘60’s. Yet by no stretch of the imagination can Awolowo be described as an igbo-hating genocidal maniac and he most certainly did not delight in the starvation of millions of igbo men, women and children as Achebe has tried to suggest. My advice to this respected author is that he should leave Chief Awolowo alone and allow him to continue to rest in peace.

This subtle attempt to denigrate the yoruba and their past leaders, to place a question mark on their noble and selfless role in the war and to belittle their efforts and sacrifice to keep Nigeria together as one will always be vigorously resisted by those of us that have the good fortune of still being alive and who are aware of the facts. We will not remain silent and allow anyone, no matter how respected or reverred, to re-write history. Simply put by writing this book and making some of these baseless and nonsensical assertions, Achebe was simply indulging in the greatest mendacity of Nigerian modern history and his crude distortion of the facts has no basis in reality or rationality. We must not mistake fiction and story telling for historical fact. The two are completely different.

The truth is that Professor Chinua Achebe owes the Awolowo family and the yoruba people a big apology for his tale of pure fantasy.

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

45

DISCOURSE

Challenges of Nigerian Bar Association in 21st Century •Paper delivered by Aare Afe Babalola at the NBA Leaders’ Summit on September 20, at the Transorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja Protocols It was with delight that I received the invitation to participate in this summit. Any occasion which would afford me the opportunity of sharing the company of members of this great profession is one that I always look forward to. However this leaders summit, the first of its type in this country gives me much joy than perhaps any other that I have attended under the auspices of the Nigerian Bar Association for a long time. Furthermore, the subject is designed to afford Legal Practitioners an opportunity of sharing ideas with the elders of the BAR on the challenges facing the Legal Profession in Nigeria in the 21st Century. I therefore congratulate our new president, Okey Wali, SAN and his executives for organizing this event not only for their thoughtfulness in formulating a concept like this but also for their doggedness in making it a reality.

As I have been made to understand that each speaker has been allotted a period of 30 minutes to address the Topic of this summit, I will proceed immediately to highlight what I consider the main challenges with which the Legal Profession contends at the moment.

However in order to place these challenges in their proper perspectives, it is necessary to firstly highlight a brief history of the Legal Profession.

The legal profession The legal profession has an ancient history and predilection. The modern legal professional, earning his living by fee paid for legal services became clearly visible in the late Roman Empire. The practice later spread to Europe including England. It has always been the most respected and loved. Although, I read what Nathaniel Hawthorne said in 1804: “I don’t like to be a doctor and live by men’s diseases, nor a lawyer, to live by quarrels”; yet, it is an incontrovertible fact that every family wishes and prays to have a lawyer in the family. Generally, we pray to have a Doctor and a lawyer.

Law – a utility subject Most people believe that once a person qualifies as a lawyer, he or she must engage in litigation and go to court. The view is not correct.

Law is a utility subject. As a qualified lawyer, one does not have to engage in litigation at all. Most qualified lawyers go into Banking, Industry, Commerce, Teaching, Civil Service and Politics. The fact remains that wherever they are, they are the most respected and successful having regard to their deep learning and training in handling human affairs.

Today most successful politicians, administrators, bankers, bureaucrats, businessmen all over the world are lawyers. In fact, history has shown us that great world leaders like Abraham Lincoln, Bill Clinton, Tony Blair, Benazir Blutto to mention just a few were/are lawyers. In Nigeria at the moment, some of the Governors widely acclaimed to have delivered on the dividends of democracy are Lawyers.

Role of lawyers It is therefore widely acknowledged that Lawyers have a great role to play in nation building. This is even particularly moreso in Nigeria. In 2003 when I delivered the keynote address at the Annual Conference of the Nigerian Bar Asso-

•Aare Babalola

ciation at Enugu. I addressed this very issue. Permit me to quote from the said Lecture wherein I stated that: “The role of lawyers in the society Lawyers, it is often said, are influential agents of change having prominent roles as organisers and spokesmen of civic reform groups.

It is submitted that the above represents the summary of the key enormous burden squarely placed on the shoulders of lawyers by the society. Being “influential agents of change” requires more than mere rhetoric. It involves action, determination, doggedness, grave risk, diligence and, above all, consistency. Changing the status quo in any society, anywhere in history, has never been an easy task. It is often achieved at great cost-sometimes with human blood. But when the change is finally effected, (positive change of course) the aroma of victory travels far and wide. Lawyers, by virtue of their calling, are looked upon by the larger society sometimes for rescue operation (figuratively speaking) especially when the society is in dire straits.

A good example is when a nation is undergoing dictatorship (e.g. military) or civilian despotism.

If Nigeria and indeed the world community must succeed in making the transition from traditional to modern society, persons of proven integrity who are endowed with requisite skills and social conscience must initiate reforms and manage the legal systems. Thus, the tasks of reformation and, by necessary implication, development call for lawyers who can effectively serve in the specialised roles of judges, government lawyer, law teacher, private practitioner and at the same time serve as guardians and therefore shapers of processes of law at sub-national (local), national and international levels for the good of all.

The role of lawyers, especially in the area of costs of legal development, can not be overemphasised.

This is more profound in develop-

ing nations of the world. Often, the assumption has been all too frequent in both developed and developing countries and international organisations that legal systems and institutions can take care of themselves while investments in development can safely by-pass the legal sector.

It is common ground that many countries continue to invest a minimum and marginal fraction of their resources in the administration of justice, the implementation of legislated development programmes, and legal services to those participating in development and legal education. A fresh awareness of the relevance of these features has emerged only as increasing and chronic social violence, political instability and economic stagnation have unmasked the inadequacy of legal systems to cope with the dynamic problems of developing nations. It is therefore part of the role of lawyers – acting through a virile Bar Association like ours to ensure that the costs of the sustained reforms and competent management of a nation’s legal system in its substantive, institutional and cultural aspects be an integral part of any soundly conceived developmental plan, programme and budget.

By the process of law making, a society can give legal personality to the institution; can help to articulate a new or modified role or

tasks of an institution, thereby creating corresponding expectations in society and obligations among the members of the institution.

Also, through law-making, the society can re-allocate resources to the institution to enable it to perform its new or modified role and carry out its tasks; establish guidelines and standards for the conduct of the institution and its members and of others towards the institution; and monitor the institution’s behaviour, with the prospects of corrective action or of subsequent revision of the law and further adaptation of the institution.”

The bar and myraid of problems Regrettably, the Bar Association in Nigeria has historically been plagued with a myriad of problems which have prevented it from providing the proper platform for Lawyers to contribute meaningfully towards Nation building. I doubt if anyone can forget the years when the Nigerian Bar Association was comatose owing primarily to the events at its 1992 Annual Conference. It was only through the efforts of some personalities, of which special mention must be made of Chief Adegboyega Awomolo that concerned stakeholders could once again come together under the umbrella of the Nigerian Bar Association to forge a way forward. That we are all gathered here today is a testament to the success of that process.

Life style of judges As stated earlier, one of the important roles or duties of Lawyers in Nation building is to entrench, strengthen and support the rule of law. One of the avenues through which this can be achieved the most is through Lawyers who get elevated to the Bench. But has the Bench in Nigeria been able to live up to the challenge? In times past Judges used to be highly respected.

They were regarded with great awe. It was a rare sight to find Judges walking on the streets or even generally in public places.

However things have changed. It is now a common sight to find Judges at social occasions. Due to the economic realities of the time which has affected even Judicial officers, it is not uncommon to find Magistrates riding in Taxis and other forms of public transportation. The point being made here is not that Judges and other Judicial Officers must live in a state of utopia irrespective of the realities of the day. The point is that these developments increasingly expose Judicial Officers to risks and temptations from Litigants and even accused persons standing trial before their courts. Little wonder then that claims of corruption, bias and judicial high-handedness which hitherto were virtually unknown or unheard of in the Country’s Judicial Service System are now a common phenomena.

Quality of judges: appointment of san as judges Closely related to the above is the quality of persons appointed as Judges. In any clime, Judges should ordinarily be appointed

‘A fresh awareness of the relevance of these features has emerged only as increasing and chronic social violence, political instability and economic stagnation have unmasked the inadequacy of legal systems to cope with the dynamic problems of developing nations’

from the best the bar can offer.

Judges should be appointed from Lawyers who have had extensive practice before the Courts in Nigeria. But this is not the case in Nigeria. Persons who have had little or no serious practice of law have often been appointed judges. Appointments are not always made on merit but on extrinsic factors such as family and political ties or affiliation. As a result of this the Judiciary and ultimately the Judicial Service System have been the worse for it. Cases now get protracted not always because of the attitude of Lawyers as many have been made to believe, but because of the poor quality of some Judges.

It is quite common to get to Court having travelled hundreds of kilometers only to be informed that the Court would not sit. As a way out I suggest a system whereby Judges are appointed from Senior Advocates of Nigeria. This system operates in the United Kingdom wherein Judges are appointed from the body of Queens Counsels (QCs).

The adoption of this system will ensure that only the most experienced and knowledgeable practitioners of law are appointed to the Bench. Our Jurisprudence would surely be the better for it.

Appointment of senior advocates The question that this proposal will necessarily attract is whether we have enough Senior Advocates of Nigeria to man our courts? This is quite understandable as the total number of Senior Advocates of Nigeria may not be sufficient to offer enough candidates to fill the vacancies which occasionally arise on the Bench of the High Courts of the States, the Federal High Court, High Court of the FCT and the National Industrial Court. The answer to this question is to be found in an overhaul of the current system of appointment of Senior Advocates of Nigeria.

At the moment, the process of appointment of Senior Advocates of Nigeria is restrictive and selective. There is a need to make it more open and transparent. In order to ensure that applicants possess sufficient experience in legal practice, the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee has put in place certain criteria including handling of a number of cases before the Courts of the land including the Supreme Court as well as other conditions. All applicants who meet these requirements are then shortlisted and subjected to a selective process using parameters which are not clearly defined and indeed have attracted criticism and controversy. In other words, the approach currently adopted is to enquire why someone who ordinarily merits conferment with the rank having satisfied all conditions laid down should be denied that right due only to restriction on the number that must be appointed in a year. This approach ipso facto leaves room for abuse as the factors which dictate who to pick out of qualified applicants is subjective and therefore prone to abuse and or manipulation. I am of the firm belief that all persons who meet the requirements laid down should be conferred with the rank.

If 100 Legal Practitioners merit it in a year, let them be so conferred.

This way there will be no backlog of applicants. Even if only one qualifies, so be it.

This same view was canvassed by me in a paper presented to the Privileges Committee. In the paper, I quoted extensively the practice in England under which all qualified candidates in a year are conferred with the rank of Queens Counsel. There is no backlog.

There are no complaints, no bickering.

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

46

DISCOURSE

Challenges of Nigerian Bar Association in 21st Century •Paper delivered by Aare Afe Babalola at the NBA Leaders’ Summit on September 20, at the Transorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja Continued from page 45

Members of privileges committee Furthermore there is little rationality in appointing Senior Advocates of Nigeria who have just themselves been conferred with the rank into the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee a year or two earlier. I believe that such newly appointed SANs may not be able to dispassionately discharge the duties of screening or determining which other persons will subsequently be conferred with the rank. Clearly the candidates will be applicants with whom they would have competed recently before being appointed.

The possibility that this will affect their judgement cannot be ignored.

A SAN who has just himself been conferred with the rank perhaps after 8 previous unsuccessful applications and then appointed into the LPPC may not be favourably disposed to a first time applicant being conferred with the rank even where it is clearly merited. This is just a fact of human nature. Thus it is better to appoint more experienced Senior Advocates of Nigeria into the Committee. I therefore recommend that Senior Advocates who would have served on the Privilege Committee must have had at least ten years experience as Senior Advocate.

Role of lawyers at the bar Lawyers who choose to remain at the Bar invariably have the Bar as the platform to contribute whatever they can to the development of the country. However the Bar of late would appear to have derailed from this fundamental objective. In several instances, the affairs of the Bar were conducted much like a Political Party, Pressure Group or Trade Union. The Bar involved itself in matters which are clearly outside of its purviews. This opened the Bar to interested Politicians who were bent on making it an appendage of their political parties. Such was the extent of the damage done to the ideals of the Bar that some Lawyers doned their Professional Regalia to stage a protest march to the office of the Governor of Lagos State over a matter that was not connected to the practice of their profession!!!

Furthermore, service on the Ex-

•Aare Babalola

‘I suggest therefore, that an amendment be made to the Constitution whereby states would have their own separate and distinct appellate court system. Under this system, all matters before a State High Court which do not have any connection or determination of which will not have any effect on federal laws on the constitution must as a matter of necessity terminate within the appellate court structure of each state’ ecutive of the Bar at any level or indeed in any capacity is now regarded as a means to acquire quick popularity and the riches and affluence which many believe comes with it. People who hold such belief are always quick to refer to some of their colleagues who experienced tremendous change in fortune after election into office.

The bar is not and should not be regarded as a Political Party or a means to acquire quick wealth.

Such views clearly detract from the ability of the body to effectively discharge its duties.

Payment of practising fee Lawyers on their part must be willing to fulfill their obligations to the Bar Association. Perhaps the

most paramount obligation is that by which lawyers are required to pay their annual practice fees. It is however common knowledge that many lawyers fail to honour this sacred obligations. As way out, I suggest that each local branch of the Bar Association be empowered at the start of the second quarter of every year to compile a directory of all lawyers who have paid their practice fees for the year. Each lawyer should then be assigned a number the directory which itself will be circulated to judges within the jurisdiction of the branch. In court, after appearance of their name, the lawyers will be required to also indicate their numbers on the directory to the judge who will then

quickly confirm that the name of the legal practitioner concerned is actually on the list. I am certain that this procedure will ensure that lawyers pay up their practice fees. No matter how broad base or wide spread the practice of a lawyer is, I believe he must occasionally make appearances in the jurisdiction in which his firm is based and in which he is well known.

Office of the attorney general of the federation and minister of justice I am of the view that the office of the Attorney General of the Federation should be separated from that of the Minister of Justice. In most jurisdictions, the Attorney General who is the Chief Law Officer of the country is responsible only for matters related to law. On the other hand, the Minister of Justice is a technocrat responsible for the administration of the Judicial Institutions of the states. I believe the fusion of the two offices in Nigeria has prevented successful occupants of the highly exalted office from efficiently discharging their duties in a manner envisaged by the Constitution and required in nation building process.

Structure of court – need for state to have appellate judiciary At the moment, all matters before all Courts in Nigeria have the chance to be lifted up to the Supreme Court.

Therefore, a suit over a parcel of land in rural area in Oyo State can find its way up to the Supreme Court of Nigeria. To compound matters, the recent amendment to constitution has conferred jurisdiction on the Supreme Court in gubernatorial election petitions which hitherto terminated at the Court of Appeal. The current system has put a lot a strain on the Supreme Court and even the Court of Appeal with the result that the appeal process from the High Court to the Supreme Court on the average take about 10 years. This is tasking on stakeholders including judges, lawyers and the litigants themselves. Convicted persons are most affected as they have to wait endlessly whilst languishing in jail to have their appeal heard and determined.

I suggest therefore, that an amendment be made to the Constitution whereby states would have their own separate and distinct appellate court system. Under this system, all matters before a State High Court which do not have any connection or determination of which will not have any effect on federal laws on the constitution must as a matter of necessity terminate within the appellate court structure of each state. Therefore, the Federal Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court will be left to handle

NEWS Police probe Kano licensing office over alleged corruption

D

ETECTIVES from the Bompai Headquarters of the Kano State Police Command have begun investigation into the alleged sharp practices at the licensing office.

It was learnt that men of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), at the weekend, visited the office of the State Internal Revenue Board, which houses the licensing office on Post Office Road.

They are to investigate the alleged registration of stolen vehicles.

The police were said to have discovered that a stolen vehicle was found carrying a number plate allocated to the Special Services Office of the Government House.

A light blue Honda Civic car,

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

with registration number (Kano) BJ288DKA, which was allegedly stolen on September 11 on the premises of Green Park Restaurant on Ahmadu Bello Way, Kano, was allegedly recovered with a new registration number (Kano) AA26TRN. The new number was said to have been originally allocated to one of the Special Services.

It was learnt that days after the car was stolen, the owner, a student of Bayero University in Kano, spotted it on his way to school.

The owner reportedly found the car with the marks he had made on it, including a particular sticker.

“He trailed the car to Red Bricks Housing Estate, where he confirmed that his praying mat, which was in the car when it was stolen, was still inside.

But the number plate had been changed to that of Tarauni Local Government of Kano,” a source said.

The owner was said to have reported the matter at the Rijiyar Zaki Police Station after which the matter was transferred to CID Department on the orders of the Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim K. Idris, following complaints of interference in the case by some highly placed persons.

He said leader of the car snatching syndicate was immediately picked up and detained in the CID cell at the Bompai Headquarters.

matters which revolve round federal laws and the constitution. That was the position under the First Republican Constitution where Western Nigeria has a strong Court of Appeal. This is also the system that currently operates in the United States wherein the Supreme Court of the United State of America have the power to decide the matter it will or it will not entertain.

Election petition matters I have always suggested that election petitions tribunals should be constituted mainly by retired judges or referred to the Institute of Arbitrators of Nigeria. I still hold this view. Retired judges will be less prone to temptations of considerations such as career advancement which may affect the judgment and reasoning of serving judges.

Furthermore, appointing retired judges will ensure that the dispensation of justice in regular courts is not disrupted while serving judges are on national assignment sitting on nation election tribunal. In the case of arbitration, there will be virtually no need for an appeal.

Sovereign national conference I am aware some of the suggestions I have proferred above will involve a critical overhaul or restructuring of the political and judicial structures and institutions of the country. The problems afflicting the Judiciary and the Bar cannot be divorced from the virus that has endangered the existence of Nigeria as a corporate body. Lawyers are Nigerians. They live among Nigerians and are affected in large measure by Nigerian factor. Therefore, it is quite necessary that a sovereign national conference be convened to address many of the issues raised in this paper. I have at several occasions advocated this view and I am still of the conviction that it is a view shared by many Nigerian irrespective of political or religious inclination.

Conclusion Ours is a profession that is very unique in many respect. As I stated earlier, lawyers have a role in nation building. The credible discharge of this role is a topic that should concern all legal practitioners. Therefore, it is my hope that summit of this nature will be a regular occurrence in the activities of the Nigerian Bar Association. We must as a body of professionals remain alive to our duties. Once more, I pay tribute to our newly elected President, Okey Wali, SAN and his team who for the first time have brought about the innovative idea of Leaders Summit. May God bless him and his team. May God bless all of you.

Thank you.

Floods hamper our transformation agenda, says Wada From Muhammad Bashir, Lokoja

•Wada

K

OGI State Governor Idris Wada yesterday said the floods in the state have disrupted the implementation of the Transformation Agenda.

The governor spoke in Lokoja, the state capital, when he hosted the President of Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Rev. Jeremiah Kado.

He said: “The recent flood-

ing that destroyed property worth billions of naira and displaced several persons happened when this administration was settling down to implement its Transformation Agenda.”

Wada said the government was positioning Kogi to become one of the most developed through the 20:2020 plan, when the floods occurred.

The governor noted that the floods did not only devastate the state but also surpassed the early warning and government’s preparation.

The state, he assured, would overcome the challenges.

Wada hailed ECWA for sharing in the state’s moment of grief.

The governor also praised

the church for its archievements in the educational, health and other sectors.

He noted that ECWA has remained a worthy partner in the state’s Transformation Agenda.

Wada congratulated Rev. Kado, the ninth ECWA President, as well as his predecessors for their contributions to the state and the nation.

The governor urged them not to relent in building the people and spreading the gospel.

Rev. Kado said the church commiserated with the government and the people over the hardship the floods caused.

The cleric said the church would support the states in its Transformation Agenda.

He urged the residents to protect their environment.

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

47

MOTORING

Mark appeals for equity in FERMA projects T

HE Senate President, David Mark, has urged senators, especially chairmen of committees, to ensure that projects included in budgets representative of the entire country.

Mark made the appeal while reacting to an allegation by Sen. Ita Enang (PDP-Akwa Ibom) that the 2012 budget of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) was skewed to favour only one zone.

The Senate president said although he had not seen the budget, if Enang’s allegations were true, the senators were not being fair to the rest of the country.

“The important thing is that every senator is a senator of Nigeria.

If you are a chairman of a commit-

tee, you must also know that there are other senators who are chairmen of other committees.

“We must be fair, and we must ensure that there is justice and that there is equity. I don’t know what they have advertised, but if it is skewed in one direction, it is not correct. “ It must be representative of this country. That is what the Senate is all about,” the Senate president said.

Enang had earlier observed that the FERMA budget was lopsided as all projects for road construction were centred in only one state.

“The budget of Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) is not representative of this country.

It starts almost in one state and ends in one state.

“The roads start mostly in the Southeast and are concentrated in Enugu State. I’m sorry to say this, and that should not be done in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“I am saying this from what is on record,’’ Enang emphasised.

He had advocated that the budget of FERMA be stopped immediately, and the money for road projects be shared to the zones.

“Let Enugu State alone not take the money that belongs to the entire country. Mr President, I want us to even dissolve FERMA because it is not doing what it is supposed to do.

“One person alone has the opportunity to write the budget, he diverts

everything to his village and starves the entire country.

“This is not the purpose of federal character. Even the village of the Senate President is not captured in the FERMA projects, ’’he said.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Sen. Ayogu Eze had, in his response to the allegations, said that the issue was completely mistaken.

Eze explained that there had been an earlier publication of constituency projects of some individuals which was not a representation of the FERMA budget.

“What was advertised during the holidays was mainly some of the new projects that came as a

result of constituency projects of some individuals.

“It is not a representation of the entire budget of FERMA. Before they made this last advertisement, they have awarded about 90 per cent of their contracts in different parts of the country,’’ Eze said.

He also alluded to the fact that every zone of the country was represented on the committee of works.

The Senate also confirmed the nomination of Mr Nnoli Nnaji (South East) as a member of the governing board of FERMA. Mark congratulated the new board member and urged the board to live up to the expectations.

Stallion gets franchise for Korean vehicles

S

TALLION Motors, a leading automobile dealership has won exclusive dealership for SsangYong, Korea’s fourth largest automaker, bringing to nine similar automobile franchises managed by the conglomerate.

Other exclusive franchises controlled by Stallion Motors include Porsche, Audi, Volkswagen, Skoda, Honda, Hyundai, Ashok Leyland and Foton.

The firm will by virtue of this recognition be responsible for marketing, sales and after sales activities of SsangYong brand in Nigeria.

An archetypal replica of MercedesBenz, SsangYong adapted Mercedes Benz technology in 1991 after the company brokered skill partnership acquisition with Daimler-Benz to develop SUV using Mercedes-Benz know-how.

SsangYong leveraged on this influence to build its infrastructure while utilising the existing Mercedes-Benz network to raise the profile of its evolving presence in the competitive SUV market.

SsangYong Nigeria Marketing Director, Mr Jatin Nadkarni, told journalist at the unveiling of SsangYong product line-up in Lagos that Stallion Motors is committed to creating a niche for SsangYong in Nigeria.

Nadkarni said Stallion Motors is

T

HE Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has urged motorists to use designated parking points at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport and the General Aviation Terminal, Lagos.

A statement by the General Manager, Corporate Communications Yakubu Dati said, there are laid out

By Tajudeen Adebanjo working towards generating consistent demand for SsangYong in Nigeria and that it plans to impel clientele with the powerful technological affiliation SsangYong enjoys with Mercedes Benz.

The company has already taken delivery of the entire SsangYong range in preparation for the formal launch that would come up at a later date.

The models include Rexton, Kyron and Actyon Sports, all of which are available in Stallion Motors branches nationwide. The Korando is expected to be available in Nigeria early next year.

A notable highlight among the models from SsangYong is the Actyon Sports Pick-up 4WD, expected to interest clientele seeking solutions for haulage and other commercial uses.

The new Actyon Sports Pick-up is available in three variants - 4WD Manual Transmission, MT), 4WD MT with ABS+ABG and 2WD Manual Transmission.

A veritable pioneer automaker, SsangYong initiated the era of fourwheel drive vehicles in the 80s when it independently developed Musso and Korando - Korea’s most enduring SUV brands in the global mar-

•Ssanyong Rexton

ket.

Today, SsangYong has established itself as leader of SUVs by building a full line-up of SUVs consisting of Rexton, Kyron, Actyon, and Actyon Sports.

The icing on the cake for the evolving automaker is SsangYong’s Chairman W luxury sedan which is currently rated as Korea’s new sensation in the luxury segment.

‘Chairman W’ is Korea’s first luxury vehicle with V8 5000cc engine and a 7-speed automatic transmission which compares with other leading luxury cars around the world.

SsangYong Motors is also committed to the advancement of ecofriendly diesel technology through the development of a sophisticated, world-class common rail engine to

Agency advises motorists on parking lots signages provided to guide motorists on the routes around the terminals.

The airport environment, Dati said, is a special place and the need to keep international standards is uppermost, hence the need to create a safe and sane environment for steady flow of

traffic.

He said towing of vehicles at the airport is to help FAAN focus on its main business of running airports and terminals, and to serve as deterrent to errant motorists that will not abide by the rules.

He said: “The action is to compel mo-

torists to conduct themselves in orderly fashion and to transform the environment into a world class airport as envisioned by the management. We want to discourage the arbitrary parking of vehicles and often cases of abandoning of vehicles for days on end, which results in cri-

strengthen its global competitive edge by producing environment-friendly, small eXDi200 engines that conform to the EURO5 standards. This is in addition to the company’s recent efforts to develop EURO6 compliant engines.

SsangYong SUVs is sold through 1,250 sales networks in over 96 countries and is actively entering the global market by establishing strong and viable local bases in major markets including Nigeria.

sis in traffic management.

It is against standard practice worldwide for vehicles to park at designated no-parking zones, park haphazardly or be left unattended at airport environments. Such vehicles not only constitute a nuisance to the scenic environment being envisaged, but are a threat to the security and wellbeing of the airport and the general public.”

SAFE DRIVING

H

ABITS once formed are in most cases very difficult to drop. In this write up, I want to talk about the driving habits that must be dropped and detested by all categories of drivers in Nigeria (including vehicle owners).

•Restlessness :Some drivers are so friendly with impatience that they cannot stay on the queue or in traffic when there is traffic Snarl. They move from one lane to another in a bid to beat the traffic. Drivers must be patient and show sanity on Nigeria roads.

•Drunk driving :Alcoholism and drug addiction are great enemies of driving. They work on the human brain thereby creating effects such as slow reaction

Kill these driving habits

time, wrong judgement, blurred vision and aggressiveness among others.

•Distraction: Drivers must avoid every act of distraction such as making or receiving calls, texting, eating, drinking, smoking, making up, shaving, etc.

•Tailgaiting: Inadequate following distance is very dangerous.

Under normal driving environment, you should apply the two – second rule but on wet roads, you should increase it to four – seconds.

Following too closely is the main cause of multiple accidents.

•Dangerous:Overtaking vertaking wrongly is dangerous

and has become a major cause of road crashes in Nigeria. Before you commence the overtaking process, you must ask whether it is necessary, whether it is safe and whether it can be done without violating the speed limit rule.

•Poor lane management:Many drivers (private and commercial) don’t know how to keep their vehicles in lane when driving. Your vehicle should always be positioned at the middle of the lane without trespassing to the next lane except when overtaking.

•Overspeeding:Some drivers are already addicted to overspeeding even on bad roads. This is also another major cause of accidents on

roads. Other bad habits formed by some drivers include wrong lane formation, driving off – lane (driving on road shoulder), driving without seat belt, speeding at traffic lights to beat the red light, vehicle overloading, driving with underage children sitting at the front, speeding on wet road, disobedient to traffic officers and driving against traffic among others.

According to an adage, the best way to break a plate is to drop it.

To break the above dangerous driving habits, drivers must drop then without delay. Dropping the above habits by all the drivers concerned will promote sanity and safety on Nigeria roads.

Jide Owatunmise •Registrar / Chief Executive , Professional Driving and Safety Academy

48

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

With ekpoita :funtreatsvilla@yahoo.com / 08077706130

Behind The Phrase Cool As Cucumba Meaning: Calm and unruffled.

Origin Cool here means imperturbable rather than having a low temperature. Cucumbers are cool to the touch.

First recorded in John Gay’s Poems, New Song on New Similies, 1732: “I ... cool as a cucumber could see The rest of womankind.”

BUSINESSWORD PUZZLE

ACROSS

1. Price (4) 3. Financial Instrument (6) 7. Money, in relation to wants (6) 8. Single Item (4) 9. Merchandise (4) 11. Wagers (4) 13. Trade (4) 14. An Eastern Currency(3) 16. Buoyant (5) 18. Sell (4) 20. Amass, as in profit (4) 21. Book of Records (6) 22. Financial Institution (4)

DOWN Teller (7) Divides (6) 4.Comany’s Shares (6) 5. Item entered in book (5) 6. Card with highest value (3) 10. Measuring Device (5) 11. Unwritten Cheque (5) 12. Number (5) 15. Sum up (3) 17. Relax (4) 19. Cash Box (3)

PHOTO PUZZLE

RICHSINGLES Mabruka Mai Deribe

SIMPLY WEIRD PEOPLE & PLACES

Find alternative words for the words in the clue below. The numbers beside the words indicate the spaces in the grid where the letters that make up the alternative words should be placed. when done, the name of a forerunner of the seat occupied by the person whose photograph appears inset the grid would be spelt. The first one has been solved to spur you on.

The Black Blondes of Melanasia

A B CLUE Arunma Oteh, DG. SEC

Mabruka Mai Deribe is the daughter of late super rich Mai Deribe. A fashion designer of repute and held in high esteem in the fashion circle, Mabruka Mai Deribe is the designer behind Mabs couture. Her line of fashion include hand- made fashion accessories- earrings, bracelets and rings , crystallized ankara print fabric and dressy kaftan dresses.

What’s more? She is blessed with a beautiful body which keeps men gaping and gazing in awe and admiration.

Fortunately she is still single but for those who would dare to get fresh with her, they must according to her, be imbued with the qualities of her late billionaire father.

Hmm, a seemingly tall order!

Pep Talk

1. Bleat of sheep (7, 8) 2. Noise (9, 6, 1) 3. Freedom (10, 3, 2, 5, 4)

They are noteworthy because they manifest the conventional Melanesian physical type, but their hair has a blonde cast to it. When you ask the people why there are so many blonde people on the islands, they answer 3 things: they have white ancestors, they receive too much sun, or they do not eat enough vitamins! – Langania village, New Ireland, Papua New Guinea.

sudoku Simply fill in the missing spaces in the grid to ensure that every row, column and 3 by 3 box contains the numbers 1 to 9

They are the Melanasians, a native group of people living on the Soloman islands of northeast Australia famous for their beautiful black skin and naturally blonde hair.

The odd combination has got scientists wondering about how such a color combo develops over time.

What’s truly beautiful in this fascinating discovery is that it’s a great example of convergent evolution, where the same outcome is brought about by entirely different means. The variant is completely separate from what causes blond hair in Europeans, and doesn’t even exist in the European genetic set.

The diamond may adorn royalty, regardless of personal worth; but jewels of thought render even poverty illustrious and sublime - Gems for the Fireside

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

49

With ekpoita :funtreatsvilla@yahoo.com / 08077706130

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

ACROSS

DOWN

1.Resort (3) 4.Repair (5) 7. Examine (4) 9. Buttocks (4) 10. Peruse (4) 12. Entreat (4) 14. Trunk (5) 16. Perform (2) 17. Insect (3) 18. Ominous (4) 20. Musical Note (2) 21. Full of Mint (5) 22. Yes (3) 23. Single (2) 24. Nipples (5)

1.Begin (5) 2.For Each (3) 3.Convince (6) 5.Mud (4) 6. Fellow (4) 8. Brief (5) 11. End Prematurely (5) 13. Proceed (2) 15. Carry out order (4) 16. Noise (3) 18. Have Dinner (4) 19. Seeing Organs (4) 20. Beam (3) 21. Rug (3)

MISSING LETTERS All the words in the columns below have lost their first letters as indicated by the blank spaces above them. You are required to find and affix them. When done, all the first letters will form a 9-letter, sexually offensive word or action. Happy Puzzling!‘

SANDS OF TIME

FOOD FOR THOUGHT The Chicken

Marilyn Munroe - 50 years after

Pep Talk

Brain Teaser A man in a restaurant asked a waiter for a juice glass, a dinner plate, water, a match, and a lemon wedge. The man poured enough water onto the plate to cover it.

“If you can get the water on the plate into this glass without touching or moving this plate, I will give you $100,” the man said. “You can use the match andA lemon to do this.”

A few minutes later, the waiter walked away with $100 in his a n pocket. How did the waiter get the water into the glass?

HUMOUR True Believers The two thousand member Baptist church was filled to overflowing capacity one Sunday morning. The preacher was ready to start the sermon when two men, dressed in long black coats and black hats entered thru the rear of the church.

One of the two men walked to the middle of the church while the other stayed at the back of the church. They both then reached under their coats and withdrew automatic weapons. The one in the middle announced, “Everyone willing to take a bullet for Jesus stay in your seats!”

Naturally, the pews emptied, followed by the choir. The deacons ran out the door, followed by the choir director and the assistant pastor.

After a few moments, there were about twenty people left sitting in the church. The preacher was holding steady in the pulpit. The men put their weapons away and said, gently, to the preacher, “All right, pastor, the hypocrites are gone now. You may begin the service.”

Getting Into Fights A young couple drove several miles down a country road, not saying a word.

An earlier discussion had led to an argument, and neither wanted to concede their position.

ANSWER

First, the waiter stuck the match into the lemon wedge, so that it would stand straight. Then he lit the match, and put it in the middle of the plate with the lemon. Then, he placed the glass upside-down over the match. As the flame used up the oxygen in the glass, it created a small vacuum, which sucked in the water through the space between the glass and the plate. Thus, the waiter got the water into the glass without touching or moving the plate.

You can try this experiment at home with appropriate supervision.

August 5, 2012 marked the 50th anniversary of Marilyn Monroe’s death, and still, a half century later, the world is fascinated by the legend of Hollywood’s most celebrated sex symbol. Marilyn the icon will continue to be an indelible persona in our pop culture, but behind the movie star, there was a woman who few knew as well as photographer Sam Shaw.

Shaw famously shot the iconic image of Marilyn standing over a subway grate with her skirt flying on the set of The Seven Year Itch. But that celebrated photo was just one of many the photographer captured of Marilyn, and his candid images of her, off-set and away from the movie cameras, are the images that tell a more intimate story of a friend whom he described as “beautiful without makeup and in spirit as a person.” Marilyn and Shaw first met in the early 1950s when he was the photographer on the set of Elia Kazan’s Viva Zapata!. The charismatic Shaw was a friend to actors Anthony Quinn and Marlon Brando (whom he famously photographed in a ripped tshirt for Kazan’s A Streetcar Named Desire.) But it was Kazan’s girlfriend at the time, a young actress named Marilyn Monroe, whom Shaw developed a close friendship with during the making of that movie. Kazan had asked Marilyn to drive Shaw to the set everyday, and this was the start of a relationship between the movie star and photographer that lasted until Marilyn’s tragic death in 1962. Shaw, who died in 1999, said of Marilyn: “I see her as a metaphor for Hollywood...the good, the bad and the beautiful.” And in describing his famous photographs of her, he explained: “I just want to show this fascinating woman with her guard down, at work, at ease, offstage, during joyous moments in her life as often she was— alone.”

Once upon a time, there was a large mountainside, where an eagle’s nest rested. The eagle’s nest contained four large eagle eggs. One day an earthquake rocked the mountain causing one of the eggs to roll down the mountain, to a chicken farm, located in the valley below. The chickens knew that the must protect and care for the eagle’s egg, so an old hen volunteered to nurture and raise the large egg.

One day, the egg hatched and a beautiful eagle was born. Sadly, however, the eagle was raised to be a chicken. Soon, the eagle believed he was nothing more than a chicken. The eagle loved his home and family, but his spirit cried out for more. While playing a game on the farm one day, the eagle looked to the skies above and noticed a group of mighty eagles soaring in the skies. “Oh,” the Eagle cried, “I wish I could soar like those birds.”

The chickens roared with laughter, “You cannot soar with those birds. You are a chicken and chickens do not soar.” The eagle continued staring, at his real family up above, dreaming that he could be with them. Each time the eagle would let his dreams be known, he was told it couldn’t be done.

That is what the eagle learned to believe. The eagle, after time, stopped dreaming and continued to live his life like a chicken.

Finally, after a long life as a chicken, the eagle passed away.

The moral of the story: You become what you believe you are; so if you ever dream to become an eagle follow your dreams, not the words of a chicken.

As they passed a barnyard of mules and pigs, the husband sarcastically asked, “Are they relatives of yours?”

“Yes,” his wife replied. “I married into the family.”

Touch a life today by a smile, a word of encouragement or any kind gesture.

Our ideas like orange plants, spread out in proportion to the size of the box which imprisons the roots.

– Edward Bulwer Lytton

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

50

67TH KANO STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING

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oday Wednesday 2nd October, 2012 (17th Dhul-Qa’adah, 1433 AH) the Kano State Executive Council held its Sixty seventh (67) sitting in continuation with sequence of previous sittings during which important policy issues and programmes that positively impact on the quality of lives of our citizenry were deliberated upon.

Importantly, in Sixty six (66) sittings the present administration approved a capital expenditure close to N214 billion of which N1,522,871,786.45 was approved for the execution of 14 projects by the Council during its most recent 66TH sitting.

Today, Council sitting was presided over by the Gov. RABIU MUSA KWANKWASO FNSE during which 17 memoranda were submitted by 10 MDAs for deliberation by the Council. An expenditure of N1,538,602,339.22 covering 12 projects was approved for execution by the Council.

MINISTRY OF PROJECTS MONITORING AND EVALUATION 1.

Request for funds for the procurement of vehicles to some technical advisers on Projects Monitoring;Accountability, eternal vigilance on deployment of public resources are among the resolutions of the present administration and for which the Projects Monitoring Directorate is responsible. The contents of this memorandum reminded the Council of the appointment of seven (7) Technical Advisers on projects monitoring by the Government with the desire to utilize their professional expertise in the implementation of various development projects being initiated by the present administration.

These projects are spread all over the state which makes adequate provision for mobility to the seven (7) technical advisers on projects monitoring necessary. In any case only one Toyota Hilux Double cabin vehicle was allocated and the Ministry of Projects Monitoring and Evaluation requested for the Council to direct the Office of the Secretary to the State Government to procure and allocate six (6) additional Toyota Hilux Double Cabin vehicles to the Ministry for the use of the remaining six (6) Projects Monitoring Technical Advisers.

Council noted, considered and directed the Ministry of Land and physical Planning to utilise the provisions in the preliminaries of the contracts to process the procurement and allocation of the six (6) vehicles with contractors executing the projects.

MINISTRY OF INFORMATION, INTERNAL AFFAIRS, YOUTHS, SPORTS AND CULTURE 2.

Request for funds to facilitate for the sponsoring of Television Programmes and Jingles as proposed by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Kano; In pursuance to the tenets of the laudable policy of the present administration on “Community Re-orientation,” aimed at social mobilization of the citizens for behavioral change the need to educate the citizens becomes a necessity. Council noted, considered and enacted a Committee to study and advise Government on the way forward on the issue by next Council sitting.

MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCE 3.

Request for funds to enable the development of a design for the new 90 MLD water treatment plant at Wudil ;The Technical sub-committee on water resources of the main Transition Committee recommended three (3) measures to be implemented in order to restore full water supply and explore other economic opportunities that were hindered by acute water shortages facing the State. The Committee proposed short and medium term measures to be implemented to solve the problem. In implementing the recommendation, recently the Government purchased and awarded the contract for the installation of 600mm ductile iron pipes linking Watari Regional water supply to urban Kano and another set of 1000mm ductile iron pipes linking the Challawa Water treatment plant to Gwaron Dutse Water Storage and distribution facility. Other policies implemented were the purchase and supply of alluminium sulphate (Alum) to Water Treatment Plants (WTPS) across the state, purchase, supply and installation of 1650KVA electricity generators to the New Power House at Tamburawa Water Treatment Plant, etc. All are measures implemented by the present administration which have successfully improved the quality and quantity of pipe borne water supply in the state.

Nevertheless, to consolidate the effort and gain made on the improvement of water supply in the state a three (3) year development plan (2013 - 2015) was drafted in which a New 90 MLD Water Treatment (WTP) was proposed to be constructed at Wudil including a 32KM of 1000mm pipe conveyance to Greater Kano.

The aggregate sum of N67,278,750.00 was requested for release by the Council to the Ministry of Water Resources to enable the relevant investigation and design works for the project. Council noted, considered and approved for the release of the requested sum of money to the Ministry of Water Resource to enable the execution of the stated projects which will certainly lead to the implementation of a long term measure in the improvement of water supply to Greater Kano from a completely new source.

Office of the Secretary to the State Government 4.

Office of the Secretary to the State Government submitted four (3) memoranda on behalf of some MDAs for deliberation by the Council as follows; (a) Request for funds to produce some scholarly works of Late sheikh Nasiru Kabara from the Shariah Commission;Contents of this memorandum attested to the fact that the Shariah Commission periodically undertakes the production of important religious works in which pamphlets on holy scripture are interpreted into Hausa as our local language for the benefit of the Muslin Umma in the State. So, the Shariah Commission requested for the release of a trimmed down sum of N14,500,000.00 for the production of 2,500 copies each of Ma’anonin Alkur’ani Vol. 1- 4 and Bayain Ashafa Vol. 1-2 which are books authored many years ago by the renown Islamic Scholar and Leader of the Qadirriya Movement in West Africa late Sheikh Nasiru Kabara. Facilitating for the project will go a long way in consolidating the legacy of the Late Scholar who commanded large follower ship and respect across wide spectrum of our society. Council noted, considered and approved for the release of the requested sum of N 14,500,000.00 to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government to enable the production of the two books. (b)

Presentation of letter of acceptance of salary/remuneration offered by the Kano State Government to Professor Dato Muhammad Razali Agus as Vice Chancellor of Northwest University Kano ;The implementation committee on the establishment of Northwest University Kano submitted, through contents of this memorandum, the package offered to engage an expatriate Vice Chancellor for the University which is in concert with the prevailing salary regime and applicable remuneration package offered expatriates serving in Nigerian Universities as vice chancellors.

The professor accepted the package offered with details on seven (7) items ranging from monthly salary and allowance to other fringe benefits along with computation as per provision of the New personal income Tax Act .

Council considered and approved for the issuance of relevant appointment letter to the expatriate officer and commencement of its implementation as at when he assumes duty. Presently, all other important requirements for the take-off of the university are provided. For example, a befitting temporary site (Gidan Ado Bayaro), a permanent site at which construction is in progress, Academic and Administrative facilities and personnel are being recruited, while admission of students is underway. The Northwest University Kano is established to cater for the hundreds of students seeking admission to further their education. (c)

Request for funds to facilitate for the payment of scholarship expenses for the 501 prospective students sponsored to study post graduate degrees abroad;The sum of N1,115,552,520.00 was approved for release by the Council, as requested by the contents of this, to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government to facilitate for the payment of scholarship expenses for the 501 prospective Students selected for sponsorship to study post graduate degrees in Universities abroad according to the details presented. The gesture is informed by the commitment and dedication of purpose of the present administration to reinvigorate education sector in the state.

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES 5.

Two (2) memorandum were presented for deliberation by the council from the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources

a.

Submission on the requirements and request for funds for the immediate take-off of the institute of livestock and Entrepreneurship;It is pertinent to remind the general public of the effort of the present administration on the establishment of various skill acquisition institutions targeted at provision of viable skills acquisition opportunities for our teeming unemployed / unskilled youths. About 20 such institutions have been established among which many are related to issues connected to agricultural production. 20 empowerment institutes were established since the inception of this administration. Amongst Rabi’u Musa Kwankawaso them are, the Poultry Institute established at Tukwui, the Fishery Institute established at Bagauda and the Animal Traction Institute established at Gwarzo. These institutes are designed to make their graduates self-employed and sustaining as such all trainees are donated post training package to start-off their respective businesses.

Hence, contents of this memorandum presented the immediate requirements and requested for funds to facilitate for the immediate take-off of the Livestock and Entrepreneurship institute. So far, the committee on the establishment of the institution has completed its assignment and recommended that: I. The commencement date of the training will be 15th October, 2012 II. The institute is to commence training on three (3) modules;• Rabbit production/processing • Ram/Buck fattening • Bull fattening iii. The training is to be for thirty (30) days. So far, the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources requested for the release of the sum of N5,000,000.00 to facilitate for some remaining expenses to ensure smooth take-off of the institute. Council noted, considered and directed that the committee utilises the remaining balance of N15 million in their account to acquire the items and report next week.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH 6. a.

Request for funds to facilitate for the general renovation of Gezawa General Hospital destroyed by Unfortunate fire outbreak on 24th February, 2012 ;The Health sector is among the priority concerns of the present administration since the inception of its second coming. Multitude of refurbishing / renovation project at various Healthcare delivery facilities have been approved for execution for example; I. General repairs at Hasiya Bayaro pediatric Hospital.

II. Refurbishing of Accident and Emergency ward at Murtala Muhammaed Special Hospital.

III. Construction of relation(s) shed at the Maternity Ward Murtala Muhd Special Hospital.

IV. General renovation of the Kano State Dental Center.

V. Relocation of the medical store to Madobi LGCA. VI. Repairs/ renovation of four (4) senior staff and two (2) intermediate staff quarters and reconstruction of wall fence at Tudun Wadar Dankadai General Hospital.

VII. Establishment of the Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board (SBHCMB), etc.

The contents of this memorandum requested for release of funds to facilitate for the renovation and reequipping of Gezawa General Hospital that was destroyed by fire incident which occurred at about 1.50am on 25th February, 2012 and affected patient wards, Pharmacy, Theatre, Laboratory, X– Ray(room/machine), medical ward /unit and administrative block. It may be recalled that, Government recently responded to a similar request for the same Hospital when the calamity of rainstorm destroyed it in the year 2011. Nevertheless, Council noted, considered and approved for the release of the requested sum of N74,838,505.34 to the Ministry of Health to facilitate for the referred renovation project. a.

Request for approval to utilize logistics funds:The Sum of N3,351,000.00 was meant to be allocated for the management of the logistics planned for the utilization of the N1.4 billion worth of the DFID - PATH 2 health commodities support (Drugs, Consumables and Medical equipment) under the on-going laudable programme of the State to support Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Contents of this memorandum maintained that over 65% of the earmarked commodities are already in Kano State awaiting distribution for which the Ministry of Health requested for permission to utilize and release of the approved Sum of N3,351,000.00 put aside for logistics management for Health Commodity Supplies to Kano State under the 2011/2012 DFID – PATH 2 Support.

Council Considered and approved for the release of the requested Sum of money and granted permission for its utilization by the Ministry of Health as logistics Support in the distribution of the Commodities Supplied to Kano State under the N1.4 billion worth of DFID – PATH2 health commodities support (Drugs, consumables, and medical equipment).

The commodities need to be distributed to reach their designated destinations where the desired positive impact is intended. The State Government has been an eager partner for programmes that will benefit its citizens. b. Request for funds to facilitate for renovation works at Leprosy Hospital Yadakunya;The Leprosy Hospital at Yadakunya (Bella) is a specialized Healthcare delivery facility (Hospital) and happens to be the only one of its type in the state. Though specialized in the treatment of leprosy disease, the Hospital also offers services in the treatment of skin and other related diseases. Nevertheless, the hospital is old and the structures and general facilities available are obsolete and in poor condition requiring upgrading to current standards. As such, the Ministry of Health requested for the release of the sum of N42,587,625.30 to facilitate for the general repair works and upgrading of the Leprosy Hospital at Yadakunya.

Council noted, considered and approved for the release of the requested sum of money to the Ministry of Health to execute the stated project as it is in consonance with the laudable policies of the present administration – especially for the health sector which is in the forefront. Other specialized hospitals such as the Kano state Dental center, Hasiya Bayaro Pediatric hospital, Murtala Muhd Specialist hospital, etc have been refurbished and generally upgraded within the first year of incumbency of the present administration. (d). Request for funds to facilitate for the renovation works at psychiatric Hospital Gwaron Dutse;The sum of N11,972,311.58 was approved for release by the Council to the Ministry of Health, as requested by contents of this memorandum, to facilitate for renovation works at psychiatric Hospital Gwaron Dutse .

The prompt approval was informed by resolve of the present administration to fulfill its campaign promises on the transformation of the health sector for better performance. This Hospital caters for psychiatric patients and its renovation supports this administration’s commitment to healthcare delivery to its citizens.

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION 7.

Request for the release of funds to facilitate for the participation of the state contingent at the 5th National School Sports Festival “Rivers 2012” at port Harcourt, Rivers State (11th -21st October,2012) ;Contingents from Kano state at any sporting tournament have proven to be excellent ambassadors of the state and victorious in their endeavours. The recent commendable performance of the football team of Government College Kano (KTC) and Kwankwasiya Academicals at a football tournament in England and Dubai respectively are noteworthy. As such, the Ministry of Education notified the council of an invitation extended to the state from Nigeria Schools Sport Federation to attend and participate at the 5th Nation School Sports Festival “Rivers 2012” holding at Port Harcourt, Rivers state (11th – 21st October, 2012).

Council noted, considered and approved for the release of the requested sum of N5,447,200.00 to the Ministry of Education to facilitate for sponsoring contingents of the state from Basic and Senior Secondary Schools to participate at the forthcoming National School Sports Festival “Rivers 2012 ” in Port-Harcourt (11th – 21st October,2012 ).

8.

MINISTRY OF RURAL AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Request for approval and the release of funds to facilitate for the electrification works at Kafin Agur town extension in Madobi LGCA;Availability and steady supply of electricity is vital to economic and social wellbeing as well as the general

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012 status of development of any society. So, the present administration performs very well in ensuring that electricity reaches the door –steps of the people especially the rural dwellers. Consequent upon this objective the council recently approved expenditure for the execution of constituency projects for electrification at numerous constituencies across the state. A lot has been done in the rehabilitation of damaged electricity supply facilities in many Local Governments. The Ministry of Rural and Community Development requested for the release of the sum of N19,074,427.00 to facilitate for the provision of electricity at Kafin Agur town in Madobi LGCA . The entire project will involve the following: i.

Site preparation ii. Construction of intra-town (ITC) connective iii. Distribution network iv. Construction of a sub-station. Etc. Council deliberated on the such a request and approved the release of the sum of N19,074,427.00 for the execution of the project at Kafin Agur town.

MINISTRY OF WORKS, HOUSING AND TRANSPORT 9.

Two (2) memorandum were submitted for deliberation by the council from the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport as follows;a.

Request for funds to facilitate for the installation of Traffic signal (control system) at ten(10) location within Kano metropolitan;Council was reminded of the decision of the State Government to create (establish) the Kano State Road Management Agency (KAROTA) to check the significant increase in the volume of vehicular traffic on our roads and sanitize the indiscriminate abuse of traffic rules and regulation as well as check congestion at our road intersections for smooth and harmonious flow of traffic. Traffic signal control system helps tremendously in controlling of traffic especially in mega cities such as Kano.

Based on this, council noted, considered and approved for the release of the requested sum of N169,048,575.00 to the Ministry of works, Housing and Transport to enable the Task-force committee on repairs and rehabilitation of street and traffic lights execute the installing of traffic signals (control system) at ten (10) locations within Kano metropolis which include; I. Abdullahi Wase by IBB Road (Plaza).

II. Ibrahim Tayo by Ado Bayaro Road III. Katsina Road by IBB road (Hajj camp) IV. BUK Road by Kabuga V. BUK Road by Sheikh Jafar Road VI. Abdullahi Wase by Gidan Shattima Road VII. Tal-udu by Aminu Kano way Roundabout VIII. Zoo Road by Gidan Buhari IX. Ibrahim Taiwo Road by Civil Center X. Maiduguri Road by Tarauni

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NEWS

Reps grill FCC chief on 2012 budget T

HE House of Representatives Committee on Federal Character Commission yesterday quizzed the commission on its allocations in the 2012 Budget.

The committee’s Chairman, Ahmed Idris, who led other committee members to the commission, said Nigerians must know how the 2012 Budget was used.

He said: “Members are here on the order of the House of Representatives for oversight function in relation to the 2012 Budget, to know how much was spent on overhead, personnel, capital expenditure and the balance of whatever amount the budget was.

“We would like to have a complete breakdown of every money spent, figures and ben-

This project will certainly ease the flow of traffic at each of the ten(10) respective points and bring the desired succour to the road users which is a cardinal resolution of the present administration.

Submission of the Design/costing on mass Housing under tripartite relationship between State Pension Fund Trustees, Kano state Housing Corporation and Kano State Investment and Properties (KSIP) Ltd;The present administration is determined and committed to fulfilling its resolve at providing access and opportunity to owning befitting accommodation (housing) and place of residence to the people of the state as heralded by its decision to sell Government owned houses (GP) to the civil servants residing in them.

Again, development of several categories of residential layouts among which the three (3) modern cities of Kwankwasiyya, Amana and Bandirawo are included is among the laudable efforts of the present administration towards transforming the housing situation in the state.

As such, Council noted, considered and approved for the adoption of the presented arrangement that; i.

The sum of N2.6 billion will be granted as loan to be share at 50:50 percent ratios by the two Agencies (State Housing Corporation and KSIP). ii. Each agency will build houses at the three (3) modern cities and sale them to the public from which the profit will be shared at 60% : 40% ratio between the Pension Fund Trustees and the two Agencies (State Housing Corporation and KSIP).

Notably, four (4) categories of houses are to be built at Kwankwasiyya city while eight categories of house are to be built at Amana and Bandirawu cities respectively.

UPDATE ON ACTIVITIES OF THE 67TH EXCO SITTING 1.

TWENTY FIVE (25). KANO STATE INDIGENOUS CANDIDATES TO STUDY MARINE ENGINEERING AT INDIA AND UNITED KINGDOM Council noted with appreciation the report received from the Government officials that escorted 25 State indigenous candidates to India to undergo Marine engineering which indicated that both officials and students were well received by authorities of the institutions.

In the same vein, Council noted the remarkable efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Education for the processing of Visas and authentication of documents in relation to 501 state indigenes to undergo post graduate studies at various institutions abroad.

FOUNDATION - LAYING CEREMONY OF NORTHWEST UNIVERSITY KANO 2.

Council today noted with delight the successful foundation laying ceremony of Northwest University which took place on 29th September, 2012 at the permanent site. In the same vein, Council expressed its profound gratitude to all stakeholders and well meaning individuals who graced the occasion.

In a related development, the general public is hereby informed that the Screening/Post UME exercise for the new intake of students into the University including recruitment of staff has commenced with immediate effect.

3.

LETTER OF APPRECIATION FROM MUKHTAR IBRAHIM DANBATTA Council was presented today with the letter of appreciation received from the named Kano State indigenous citizen who was unlawfully dismissed by FAAN in 2006 but, as a result of prompt intervention of the present administration towards attainment of success, recognition and empowerment of humanity the dismissal was reverted to normal retirement.

Accordingly, the general public is hereby informed that, Kano State Government under the able leadership of His Excellency the Governor would continue to monitor such issues with a view to ensuring that Justice and fair play prevails.

RESTRUCTURING OF TRIUMPH PUBLISHING COMPANY GIDAN SA’ADU ZUNGUR 4.

Exhaustive deliberation upon the inherited deteriorating situation of the State owned print media company (Triumph Publishing Company) revealed the pathetic condition of the company. Council noted that, the Company is in a very poor shape lacking required machines which are broken down and obsolete.

In a desire to address the pathetic situation, and restructure the company, Council considered and resolved as follows:(i) Approved for the payment of the outstanding salaries due to the entire work force of the company. (ii) Directed all permanent staff of the company to henceforth report to the Office of the Head of Civil Service for reassignment to relevant MDAs. (iii) Directed contract and casual staff to submit their Curriculum Vitae to the Office of the Head of Civil Service for further appropriate action. (iv) Approved for the appointment of a high powered committee to amongst other things look into the company’s persistent problems, with a view to proffering far reaching recommendations, aimed at restructuring and improving the standard of the company.

Signed: Commissioner, Information, Internal Affairs, Youth, Sports & Culture

eficiaries. The third quarter has ended and the commission has not shown any sign that the fund made available has been used judiciously.”

The Chairman of FCC, Prof.

Shuiabu Oba AbdulRaheem, said only N40million was allocated to the commission in the 2012 Budget.

He said of the N40million, N16million was released, and it was released in three batches.

“Of the N40million, N16million has been released and this was in three batches.

The first was N6.4million, the second N1.1million and the third N8million.

“Of the N16million, the commission is supposed to maintain the 36 states in the

federation, including the headquarters in FCT. The commission has no functioning ICT, though the contract has gone out but not paid for because we are not sure of funds yet.

“The commission is really short of funds. The building we are occupying is a rented building, yet we are expected to pay our rent from this N40million. Monitoring, promotion and enforcement all come from this money. All this are capital-intensive.”

Idris said N40million was small to run the organisation.

“The government has been very cunning, especially with the budget. If the government cannot take care of a big institution like this, it means there is something wrong,” he said.

Minority whip urges EFCC to probe N3.38b Edo road contract

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10. MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT Request for funds to facilitate for the second (2nd ) batch of sustainable modern bee keeping training of 300 farmers in the state;Access to training for skill acquisition to empower the beneficiaries for self reliance and employment opportunities is among the cardinal preoccupation of the Community Reorientation Committees (CRC) and the creation of 20 institutions aimed at achieving the same results. Bee Keeping is a lucrative business requiring little investment but could provide employment, food supplement, Medicine, and Income generation to thousands of youths. As such, the Ministry of Environment requested for approval for the release of the sum of N10,000,000.00 by the Council to enable Kano Agricultural Project (KNAP) undertake the 2nd batch of sustainable modern Bee Keeping training for 300 selected farmers across the 44 Local Government Areas of the state.

Council considered and approved for the release of the requested sum of money to the Ministry of Environment to enable KNAP actualize provision of the referred training in view of its significance.

From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

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HE Minority Whip in the House of Representatives, Samson Osagie has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe the a ward of the Oben-OmoghunNokhua road project in Edo State to Askay Constuction Company Limited.

Osagie spoke with reporters in Omogun Nokhua in Orhionmwon Local Government after an inspection of the road project.

He decried the progress of work.

Osagie said: “The people of this community, Obe, Omoghun Nokhua within Orhiomwon Local Government Council have been shortchanged. I am unable to accept the argument that the weather condition has been largely responsible for the delay in this project.

“This is one case of inc ompetence. The contractor lacks the capacity in terms of men and machinery to ex-

From, Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

ecute such a gigantic project.

“Don’t forget that the total cost of this project is N3.38 billion and from my record, over N800 million has been paid. From what we have seen today, the job done is not commensurate with the amount that has been paid.

“I think seriously as the mouthpiece of the locality, that this is a proper case for the anti-corruption agency to look at.

“I cannot watch the people of my constituency continue to be shortchanged by an unscrupulous contractor, who no has no capacity. It is a clear case lack of capacity.

“You will agree with me that the soil level and the type of terrain is are friendly, not a difficult terrain. This is an area where you have less than three feet into the ground, you have laterite for the proposed filling and I

cannot accept and my people have said it is unacceptable .”

He said the contract was awarded in November 2009.

“The initial crisis, not withstanding, they have no justification to tell us that three years after they have not been able to lay asphalt in any part of the 22-kilometre road. It is unacceptable. “ I have come here to see things for myself. I have come to look at the project and the progress that has been made so far. I am going to do a comparison with similar projects within my constituency and I will make my recommendations to the House Committee .

“I will make my complaint to the leadership of the National Assemble, and indeed this construction company, called Askay Nigeria Construction Company must give the people of my constituency value for their money.”

‘ Food importation bane of agricultural sector’

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CONSULTANT to the World Bank, Prof.

Abel Babalola Ogunwale, has said imporation of food is an obstacle to sustainable agricultural production and food security in the country.

He spoke as a guest speaker at the Eighth Inaugural Lecture of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso.

The lecture is entitled: ‘Repositioning Agricultural Extension: The Umbilical Cord of Sustainable Local Food Production’.

Ogunwale said the Federal Government has failed to make impact on smallscale farmers.

Some of the problems, according to him, include poor and erratic funding, ineffective extension supervision, over-emphasis on export crops, duplication of organisations and services.

He said: “The consequence is that Nigeria’s huge economic potential evidenced in the vast

From Bode Durojaiye, Ogbomoso

unexploited productive capacities is held down by institutional and infrastructural rigidities, as well as high cost of capital associated with many of these programmes.”

“About N217 billion was spent on sugar importation and N97 billion on fish importation, despite the marine resources, rivers, lakes and creeks the nation is blessed with.”

He said rice, the leading imported food, can be cul-

tivated successfully in Benue, Kogi, Kano, Sokoto, Niger, Ebonyi, Enugu, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti and Lagos States.

Ogunwale said root crops, such as cassava, yam and potatoes are in abundance in many states, while maize, millet, and sorghum, as well as leguminous crops can also be cultivated abuntantly.

He said aquatic foods are readily available in Nigeria, in addition to a very rich forest belt in the southern parts.

Enterprise Bank resumes operation

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TAFF of First Spring Franchise Services, a human resource service provider for Enterprise Bank Limited , have called off their protest.

They disrupted operations at the bank’s headoffice during the protest, and called off the strike to allow the management time look into their grievances .

Before resorting to picketing the bank, negotiations, involving representatives of the national officers of the Nigeria Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had produced no agreement .

The management of Enterprise Bank Limited said it hoped that a long lasting solution would be found to finally settle the dispute.

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THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

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THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

54

FOREIGN Special service for April Jones

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Venezuelans living in Colombia celebrating after casting their votes at the Venezuelan consulate in Bogota, as presidential elections are being held in their country... yesterday.

PHOTO: AFP

Venezuela election: Chavez, Capriles contest poll

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OTERS in Venezuela are going to the polls in what is predicted to be the country’s most tightly contested presidential election in a decade.

Left-wing incumbent Hugo Chavez, first elected in 1998, is being challenged by opposition leader Henrique Capriles.

Mr Chavez wants to continue what he calls his socialist revolution while Mr Capriles has promised to restore economic growth.

Almost 19 million Venezuelans are eligible to vote in the election.

Mr Chavez - who is seeking a fourth term in office - was diagnosed with cancer last year but says he has now fully recovered.

A colourful and often controversial figure on the international stage, President Chavez, 58, has nationalised key sectors of the economy.

Venezuela is a major oil

producer and high oil prices over the past decade have allowed his government to fund health-care, education programmes and social housing.

He says he needs another term to complete his “Bolivarian Revolution” towards socialism.

However, Mr Capriles, 40, and the opposition say the president’s policies have led to bureaucracy, inefficiency and shortages.

They also accuse Mr Chavez of authoritarianism, and of suppressing the judiciary and silencing critics in the media.

Mr Capriles says a lack of investment in Venezuela’s crucial oil industry has led to a decline in production.

BBC Mundo correspondents in the capital Caracas say Chavez loyalists have been using trumpets to sound a “wake-up” call for voters.

Mr Capriles’ supporters were also banging pots in the

street in what they called their “goodbye song” for Mr Chavez, our correspondents say.

Defence Minister Henry Rangel Silva said the armed forces had identified some groups planning to cause public disturbances but said violence was “unlikely”, the state news agency AVN reported.

He also warned those who he said may be thinking of stirring up trouble that troops were on stand-by to quell any disturbances.

Queues formed early outside schools used as polling stations.

Gerardo Montemarano, who was already waiting to vote when the polls opened, brought a chair with him. “I knew there was going to be a long queue,” he told the BBC. About 100,000 Venezuelans, including about 2,000 in the UK and the Republic of Ireland, are registered to vote at diplomatic outposts around

the world.

Voter Rebecca Anaya cast her ballot at the Venezuelan consulate in London Hundreds of opposition supporters gathered outside the consulate in central London as expatriates cast their ballots.

“I don’t support this government,” said voter Rebecca Anaya. “I am here because I cannot live in that country. It’s almost impossible. The security situation is the worst thing in the world.”

BBC reporter Glen Campbell, who spent two hours outside the consulate on Sunday morning, says not a single voter identified themselves as a Chavez supporter.

However, he cautions that this is not very surprising, because by definition many of those who have left Venezuela are critics of the current regime.

Both candidates have been using social media to urge voters to cast their ballots.

Almost 140,000 soldiers have been deployed to guard more than 10,000 voting centres.

A week before the election, three opposition activists were killed during a campaign rally, while four people were injured in a shooting during a voting rehearsal in September.

From Saturday evening to Monday evening, the sale of alcohol is banned and only the security forces will be allowed to carry arms.

National Electoral Council (NEC) official Socorro Hernandez called on all parties and non-governmental groups to contribute to a peaceful election “and avoid any distortions”.

While polls are scheduled to close at 18:00 local time (22:30 GMT), NEC President Tibisay Lucena said that the hours could be extended if voters were still queuing to cast their ballots

Hundreds march in Pakistan to protest drone attacks

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CONVOY of more than 100 vehicles left Islamabad, Pakistan, on Saturday on a march toward South Waziristan to protest U.S. drone attacks.

Pakistani cricketer-turnedpolitician Imran Khan is leading the march, which includes about 35 members of the U.S. anti-war group Code Pink.

The group traveled to Pakistan last week to join the march, group representative Mirza Shahzad Akbar told CNN. “We are here to say, on behalf of those Americans with a conscience, that we apologize to the people of Pakistan for the killing and suffering,” Medea Benjamin, a founder of Code Pink, said at a news conference Thursday.

American activists in Pakistan to protest U.S. drone strikes.

The U.K. advocacy group Reprieve and former Prime Minister Tony Blair’s sister-inlaw, Lauren Booth, are also part of the convoy.

But senior government of-

ficials warn that the participants will not be allowed into South Waziristan.

“We have already informed the convoy that we will not allow the participants to enter due to security reasons,” Shahid Ullah, a senior government official, said.

“The situation in the tribal areas is comparatively good but not suitable for any gathering there,” Tashfeen Khan, another government official, said.

“Visiting South Waziristan with foreigners would not be advisable. It can create prob-

lems,” he said.

While the government has given no assurances for the safety of the march, the Pakistani Taliban has also voiced concern at the convoy entering the volatile region.

“We haven’t given any kind of guarantee for the safety of the so-called Peace March planned to visit South Waziristan,” said Ihsanullah Ihsan, spokesman for the Pakistani Taliban.

The counterterrorism drone strike program in Pakistan has long been controversial, with

conflicting reports on its impact from the U.S. government, Pakistani officials and independent organizations.

American officials insist that the choice and execution of the strikes — begun under President George W. Bush and ramped up under President Barack Obama — meet strict standards and that cases of civilian deaths or injuries are extremely rare.

But a study released last month by Stanford Law School and New York University’s School of Law said the drone attacks have killed far more

people than the United States acknowledges, traumatized innocent residents and been largely ineffective. Civilians account for a significant portion of those killed, the study said.

Meanwhile, fliers were distributed in the city of Tank on Friday from a militant splinter group claiming that Imran Khan was a Jewish American agent and that he would be endangering his own life and those who were traveling with him if he entered the tribal areas.

Gaza militants targeted in Israeli air strike

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WO Palestinian militants and several other people have been wounded in an Israeli air strike on the southern part of the Gaza Strip, Hamas officials say.

Israel said the attack targeted a small militant group thought to be involved in a cross border attack from Egypt in June in which an Israeli was killed.

Palestinian sources told the AFP news agency the strike was in the Rafah area of Gaza.

A number of bystanders were hurt, the report said.

Two of the wounded were said to be children.

A Gaza medical official said the motorcycle had been travelling in a busy neighbourhood of Rafah, which borders

the Sinai peninsula.

In a statement, Israel’s Defence Forces (IDF) said they had targeted two members of the group Global Jihad, including Talat Halil Jarbi who they said was a “senior operative” in the 18 June attack close to Israel’s security fence.

Gunmen who appeared to have crossed from Egypt’s Sinai peninsula attacked a convoy of construction workers, killing one and wounding another.

Palestinian medical sources told the AFP agency that Talat Halil Jarbi had lost both legs in Sunday’s air strike.

The Israeli statement identified the second militant as Abdullah Muhammad Hassan Maqawai.

UNDREDS of people attend a touching service for five-year-old April Jones as the search for her continues.

The Right Reverend Andrew John said the service allowed people to be drawn together and focus on what they were feeling.

It is almost a week since the five-year-old, who suffers from cerebral palsy, disappeared while playing near her home in the town.

A procession of more than 700 people, many wearing pink ribbons symbolising the faith that April remains alive, walked slowly through the Welsh town towards the church.

Hundreds gathered at the Bryn-y-Gog estate from where April was abducted on Monday evening.

Reverend Kathleen Rogers opened the service, offering prayers for April’s parents Coral, 40, and Paul, 44, who did not attend the ceremony.

Some 700 residents walked through the town before the service She said: “We cannot bring little April, our sweet and innocent little girl, home as we had hoped. But our hope has now been moved on to sure and certain hope that she is in the arms of Jesus.

“Coral and Paul may not be with us this morning, but we hold them very close in our hearts as we pray for them.

“There are hundreds of people today searching our town, our countryside, our river. Many hundreds more have been searching this last week.”

Philippines, Muslim rebels reach peace deal

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HE Philippines has reached a preliminary agreement with Muslim rebels after 15 years of talks, the president announced yesterday, marking a major milestone after decades of militant insurgency in the nation’s troubled south.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front has fought for decades for an independent Islamic state in southern Philippines. It has been blamed for rampant attacks in the region.

President Benigno Aquino III described the deal as a “framework agreement” for establishing a new autonomous region to be administered by Muslims in the south.

It comes after 15 years of negotiations between the government and the rebels.

“This framework agreement paves the way for a final, enduring peace in Mindanao,” Aquino said. “It brings all former secessionist groups into the fold; no longer does the Moro Islamic Liberation Front aspire for a separate state.”

It also provides a framework on issues such as power structure and revenues in the southern region.

“This means that hands that once held rifles will be put to use tilling land, selling produce, manning work stations and opening doorways of opportunity for other citizens,” he said.

The new autonomous region will be named Bangsamoro.

“It deserves a name that symbolizes and honors the struggles of our forebears in Mindanao, and celebrates the history and character of that part of our nation,” the president said.

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

55

NEWS

Cameron to Britons: expect more budget cuts B

RITAIN will have to keep cutting public spending to reduce the budget deficit, Prime Minister David Cameron said yesterday, underlining the government’s tough task of pulling the country out of recession while winning back waning public support.

Citing the euro zone crisis in explaining the problems facing the British economy, Cameron comments are likely to please the influential eurosceptic wing of his Conservatives as they gather for the party’s annual conference.

“It is a very challenging situation, you only have to switch on your television set and look at what is happen-

ing in the euro zone. We have got many countries going into quite a deep recession, these are very difficult times,” Cameron said.

An aide said the government was paving the way for the next phase of austerity rather than signalling bigger than planned measures, but economists say longer or deeper cuts look likely after a return to recession cast doubt over its deficit targets.

The next election in 2015 will be fought on the economy and how best to get the deficit, which peaked at 11 percent of the nation’s annual

economic output, under control.

Cameron’s Conservativeled coalition planned to all but erase the deficit by 2015 but has been forced to project two more years of cuts.

Underlying borrowing between April and August was a fifth higher than last year, suggesting that either bigger cuts or a further extension of austerity could be on the cards when the government updates its economic forecasts on December 5.

“We inherited a budget deficit at around 11 per cent, it is down to eight per cent,”

Cameron told the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

Referring to this year, he added: “It is too early to say where they will end up.”

Official figures in March predicted a fall to below 6 percent this year, a target which now looks uncertain.

Abandoning the austerity plan would prove politically disastrous for the Conservatives, who staked their 2010 election campaign on it.

“The economy is healing.

But it’s a longer and harder road that we have to travel down,” chancellor George Osborne told the Mail yesterday.

“There will have to be further cuts,” he added.

Philippines, Muslim rebels agree to landmark peace deal

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HE Philippine government and Muslim rebels agreed on a deal to end a 40-year conflict that has killed more than 120,000 people, President Benigno Aquino said on Sunday, paving the way for a political and economic revival of the country’s troubled south.

The agreement begins a roadmap to create a new autonomous region in the south of the mainly Roman Catholic country before the end of Aquino’s term in 2016, giving the Muslim-dominated area greater political powers and more control over resources.

Expectations are high that after nearly 15 years of violenceinterrupted talks, both the government and the country’s largest Muslim rebel group will keep their pledges in the agreement, to be signed on October 15 in Manila and witnessed by Aquino and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak.

“This framework agreement is about rising above our prejudices. It is about casting aside the distrust and myopia that has the plagued efforts of the past,” Aquino said via a live broadcast from the presidential palace.

The new entity, whose exact size will decided by plebiscites ahead of elections in 2016, will be called Bangsamoro — the term for those who are native to the region and which Aquino said honored “the struggles of our forebears in Mindanao”.

The south’s volatile and often violent politics could still hamper the plans. There is a risk that radical Islamic factions could split off from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and carry on fighting in a region that has a history of links with al Qaeda militants.

Shortly after the announcement, a breakaway group said it would continue to fight for an independent Islamic state.

“We do not care if the government and the MILF reached an agreement. We do not want the Bangsamoro entity or whatever they may call it,” said Abu Misry Mama, spokesman of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement, in the southern city of Davao.

The group launched attacks on army positions in the south in August as government and rebel negotiators held talks in Kuala Lumpur, but were repulsed by government troops.

Another threat comes from powerful clans who control some areas in the region and may fear a loss of political influence.

The MILF and the government still need to thrash out details of their broad agreement in the months ahead as a 15-member commission drafts a law by 2015 to send to Congress.

Canadian foreign minister for Nigeria, Austria and France

F

•The wreckage of burnt vehicles at the site of a car bomb attack at Damascus police headquarters...yesterday

Libyan Prime Minister Abu Shagur to IBYA’S Prime MinisterZawiya and Zuwara stand down ofstormed elect Mustafa Abu the Congress build-

L

Shagur is to stand down after failing for a second time to win parliamentary approval for a new cabinet.

Abu Shagur had called for the formation of an “emergency government”, consisting of just 10 ministries.

The General National Congress (GNC) voted 125 to 44 against the proposal. Seventeen members abstained, according to a Libyan national television report.

The GNC now has three to four weeks to elect a new premier.

The national assembly was elected in July in Libya’s first free elections in decades, fol-

lowing the overthrow of Col Muammar Gaddafi.

Mr Shagur’s second and final offer consisted of just 10 ministries, as opposed to the 29 he offered last week.

Before the vote, he told the GNC it was a proposal to lead Libya with no regionalism and urged members to “assume its responsibilities at this historic time”.

His initial cabinet line-up was rejected late on Thursday on the basis that it was not representative of important regions and lacked qualified members.

During the debate, protesters - mostly from the towns

ing in the capital Tripoli, calling for his resignation.

Mr Shagur had initially aimed for a unity government and what he described as “people with merit” to work with him.

However, he said that when he consulted with political parties, some had pursued their own agendas. Without naming them, he said one party had demanded 11 seats, and another had asked for nine.

Mr Shagur said he would not give in to pressure and political games.

“I will not abandon my principles and my convic-

•Mustafa

tions. I did not return to Libya [from years in exile] to become head of government, I came back to serve the country and its children,” he said.

15 die as Sudanese military plane crashes near Khartoum

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SUDANESE military plane carrying personnel and equipment to the strife-torn Darfur region crashed near the capital Khartoum yesterday, killing 15 people on board, the army said.

The plane’s engine stopped working and the pilot was trying to make an emergency landing when it went down about 40 kilometre (about 25 miles) Southwest of the Khartoum suburb of Omdurman, state news agency SUNA said.

The Antonov 12 transport

plane was travelling to El Fasher in Northern Darfur, military spokesman AlSawarmi Khalid said.

Thirteen people initially died and nine were injured in the crash, all of them military personnel, he added.

Two of the injured later died of their wounds, SUNA reported.

There have been several crashes in Sudan in recent years, where years of United States (U.S.) sanctions have made it difficult for airlines to get spare parts for their fleets.

Antonov aircraft are Russian built however and not subject to sanctions.

The plane belonged to Azza Air, the state-linked Sudanese Media Centre reported. An Azza cargo plane leased by Sudan Airways crashed in the United Arab Emirates in 2009.

In August, 32 people including a government minister died when a plane taking them to an Islamic festival crashed in a southern border state.

Government media blamed that accident on bad

weather.

A military helicopter crashed in the country’s North Kordofan state in December because of a technical failure, killing six crew members, the military said at the time.

The armed forces has formed a committee to investigate “the reasons for the recurrence of Antonov aircraft accidents”, SUNA said.

Government forces have been battling an insurgency in Darfur since rebels took up arms in 2003, accusing Khartoum of neglecting the remote region.

OREIGN Affairs Minister John Baird yesterday announced that he will travel to Nigeria, Austria and France from between today and Friday.

Baird will begin his trip in Abuja, Nigeria, and will meet with Foreign Minister Olugbenga Ashiru, during the inaugural meeting of the Canada-Nigeria Binational Commission. They will discuss cooperation on political, economic, security and development matters. Baird will also meet with members of Nigerian civil society.

“Nigeria and Canada have a relationship that is rife with opportunity when it comes to economic, social and security cooperation,” said Baird. “We know that security and prosperity go hand in hand and will discuss ways to expand both.”

In Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, Baird will meet with representatives of the Nigerian business community and Canadian businesses working in Nigeria to discuss opportunities to create jobs and growth in both countries.

In Vienna, Baird will meet with senior officials and technical experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency to discuss the international security threats posed by Iran and North Korea.

The Minister will also meet with his Austrian counterpart to discuss key areas of cooperation bilaterally and more broadly in the EU. Baird will conclude his trip in Paris, where he will meet with his French counterpart, Laurent Fabius. The pair will focus on deepening an already strong and broad-based relationship between France and Canada. They will also discuss global issues of mutual importance, including the Syria crisis. Baird will also meet with Bernard Cazeneuve, the Minister Delegate to European Affairs, to discuss current European issues, including fiscal reform and trade.

“Canada’s relationship with France is rooted in our deep historic, cultural and linguistic ties, and we work closely on global issues of strategic importance,” said Baird.

The Minister’s visit to France builds on the momentum established by Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s meeting with President François Hollande in Paris in June 2012.

Sudan to reopen border with South Sudan

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LL is set for Sudan to eopen its border crossings with South Sudan after the former civil war foes reached a security deal last month, Sudanese state media said yesterday.

Cross-border trade between the two countries largely stopped ahead of South Sudan’s secession from Sudan last year, severing historic supply routes for food, fuel and consumer goods.

The halt stoked double-digit inflation in the South as traders in border states and elsewhere began to rely on goods, trucked in from Kenya and Uganda at a premium.

Sudan’s President Omar Hassan al-Bashir announced: “The opening of the border and the land and river passages” with South Sudan, state radio said in a text message sent to mobile phones.

The two countries broke apart in July last year under a 2005 peace deal that ended decades of civil war, but remained embroiled in disputes over oil, contested areas along the border and other issues.

Under international pressure, the countries agreed last month to secure their shared border. The deal paved the way for the landlocked South to resume oil exports, which it shut down in January in a row with Khartoum over fees

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

56

NEWS

Salami: Acting Appeal Court president urges court to reject NJC’s stand From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

•Salami

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HE Acting President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Dalhatu Adamu, has urged the Federal High Court to reject the National Judicial Council’s (CJN’s) position on the recall of Justice Isa Ayo Salami.

The NJC has asked the court to declare that its decision on Justice Salami is final and that the President has no role in the matter.

The position of Justice Adamu, who is a member of the National Judicial Council (NJC) by virtue of his is positiuon, is against the suit by the Registered Trustees of Centre for the Promotion of Arbitration.

Filed by 11 Plaintiffs before the Federal High Court, the suit is seeking the reinstatement of Justice Salami to his duty post.

The NJC, acting on the recommendation of three-member panel, decided to reinstate Justice Salami and has commu-

Wife wins slain husband’s Assembly seat in Plateau

nicated its decision to President Goodluck Jonathan.

The plaintiffs are: Mr. Jitobo Akanike, Idris Musa, Allens Agbaka, Ibrahim Bawa, Princewill Akpakpan, Obruche Ayeteni, Nosa Ihaza, Timothy Odumosu, Stewart Salomi, Egogo Lawrence and Maxwell Adeniran.

The Defendants are Jonathan, the Attorney General of the Federation and Justice Minister, NJC, Salami and Justice Adamu.

While Jonathan and AGF were yet to file their responses as at the last sitting, NJC, in its response, agreed with the Plaintiffs that the power to recall suspended Justice Salami solely and exclusively belongs to it without any recourse to the direction or authority of any other person outside the council including the President.

But Justice Adamu has asked the court to discountenance the council’s position and dismiss the suit in its entirety.

Contrary to the argument of the NJC, Justice Adamu said the council was wrong to say that it has absolute power to reinstate Justice Salami without the approval of the President. That will “amount to usurpation of the powers of the President,” he said.

His assertion is contained in his written address filed by Sebastin Hon (SAN) in oppo-

sition to the Plaintiffs originating summons.

Justice Adamu said: “It is not correct, as urged by the Plaintiffs/Respondents’ Counsel that by the clear wordings of paragraph 21(b) of Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution, the 1st Defendant (Jonathan) has no disciplinary powers to exercise over a Judicial Officer.

“Since both suspension and dismissal mean temporary or permanent removal, respectively, from office on disciplinary grounds, it then means that the NJC, having in this case recommended to the President of Nigeria the suspension of the 4th Defendant, the President was right to have suspended the 4th Defendant; and it is no more within the competence of the 3rd Defendant(NJC) to turn around to overreach the President and or torpedo his action on the said recommendation, by unilaterally recalling the 4th Defendant (Salami). This will, with respect, amount to usurpation of the powers of the President.

“The power of the President to exercise such disciplinary powers over the 4th Defendant on the recommendation of the NJC is akin to the powers of the Governor over other named judicial officers.

“We further submit that there is no constitutional provision which binds the 3rd Defendant to implement any recommendation relating to the recall of the 4U Defendant.

“It our submissiçn that

even if there is a recommendation by any panel of the 3rd Defendant to recall the 4th Defendant, such recommendation cannot be binding on the 1st Defendant to act upon. “..,,the President of Nigeria has constitutional powers to exercise disciplinary powers over the President of the Court of Appeal. Mr. President having not yet lifted the suspension of the 4th Defendant in this case, it is futile to posit, with due respect, that with the so called recommendation of the 3rd Defendant’s three-man panel that the 4th Defendant be recalled (which in any case is not proved), all issues relating to the suspension/recall of the 4th Defendant have been put to an end.

Justice Adamu, through his counsel, also submitted that Plaintiffs’ evidence on the recommendations of the NJC three-member panel chaired by the incumbent Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Mariam Aloma-Mukhtar, is “hearsay evidence and therefore inadmissible to form the basis for the determination of this Issue”.

But the NJC, in its written address to the Plaintiffs’ originating Summons stated that “the exercise of disciplinary power and recall of a suspended Justice of the Court of Appeal is exclusively vested in the NJC by the Constitution.

It also stated that the extension of Justice Dalhatu Adamu’s appointment as the Acting PCA is unconstitutional, illegal, null and void by virtue of section 238(5) of the 1999

Constitution.

The NJC argued that Justice Adamu cannot be re-appointed by President Jonathan after the expiration of the three months in office without its recommendation.

“By the combined provisions of Sections 153, 158 (1) of the Constitution, and the National Judicial Council’s power to exercise disciplinary control over Judicial officers contained in paragraph 21 (1) of the part 1, third schedule of the Constitution, the 3rd Defendant is to Unilaterally and Exclusively exercise disciplinary control over the Judicial officers.

“The only instances the 3rd Defendant exercises its powers in conjunction with the President is in appointment and removal of judicial officers and do not extend to the 3rd Defendant’s disciplinary control over the Judicial officers and reinstatement/recalling of suspended Judicial officers; these, we submit, are residual powers exercisable by the 3rd Defendant exclusively.

“The foregoing submission is strengthened by Section 158 of the Constitution as amended which states that the 3rd Defendant “shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other authority or person”.

By the provision of Section 158 (1) of the Constitution, the NJC argued that it needs no recourse at all to the President in exercising its powers as expounded above.

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

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RS Kenang Gyang, wife of slain Majority Leader of Plateau State House of Assembly, Gyang Fulani, has won the byelection into the Barkin Ladi Constituency.

She contested on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Returning Officer, Prof. Fatima Sawa, of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University of Technology (ATBU), Bauchi, announced the results yesterday.

The Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) candidate in last Saturday’s by-election into Plateau North Senatorial seat, Gyang Nyam Shom Pwajok, has also been declared winner after getting the highest votes cast.

Prof Sawa said: “From the results collated from the six local government areas within the zone, GNS Pwajok of the PDP has won the majority votes and is duly elected the senator representing Plateau North.”

A breakdown of the figures showed that Pwajok scored 195,349 votes; Jonathan Yusufu Pam of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), 27,609; Dr. Danladi Atu of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), 30,132; Chris Giwa of the All Peoples Grand Alliance (APGA), 36,245; Col. David Dung of the Democratic People Party (DPP), 38,847 and Lumumba Dah Ade of the Labour Party (LP), 25,527.

Accepting the result, Pwajok said: “The best I can do for people of my constituency is to see how I can rehabilitate the victims of crises, who are in thousands. I will set up a relief funds account through which I will solicit funds from anywhere. ..”

•Gombe State Deputy Governor Tha’anda Rubainu (middle), receives the Unity Torch in Gombe ahead of the National Sports Festival...yesterday

Woman arrested for allegedly killing husband

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HE police in Kwara State have arrested a woman for allegedly killing her husband, a soldier, for reasons that are yet to be explained.

Military authorities arrested the wife and handed her over to the police.

Sources at the 22 Armoured Brigade, Sobi, Ilorin, said the incident occurred last week.

The late soldier’s neighbours at his Block 55 home were in shock over the incident.

It was gathered that the woman allegedly bathed her

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

husband with acid at 10pm, a few weeks after she was said to have attempted to poison him.

The man was said to have recently returned from the military hospital for food poisoning.

The deceased, identified as Sergeant Kayode, hailed from Iloffa in Oke-Ero Local Government Area of Kwara State. His wife was said to hail from Kaduna State.

They have two children.

The deceased, believed to

have been in his 40s, worked with the Supply and Transport Corps of the Brigade.

A source said authorities were shocked because the late soldier was not known to be violent.

Investigators were told that neighbours raised the alarm following a scream from the couple’s room.

It was learnt that the soldier was found to have been bathed with acid.

Although the woman reportedly denied involvement initially, investigators

were said to have discovered a bottle containing acid in the room.

The woman reportedly said the door to their room was locked from behind during the acid attack.

This was said to have prompted investigators to hold her as the first suspect, before they found the bottle.

A source said: “The military set up a Board of Enquiry into the matter and it was after the investigation that the case was transferred to the police.”

‘50 repatriated women pilgrims to perform Hajj’ From Khadijat Saidu, BrininKebbi

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HE Kebbi State Government has assured the 50 women repatriated from Saudi Arabia last week that their visas had been sent back to Kano to enable them meet the demands of Saudi Arabian Government for this year’s Hajj.

Addressing reporters in his office in Birnin-Kebbi, the state capital, the chairman of the Pilgrims’ Welfare Board, Alhaji Suleman Suru, assured that the women would perform this year’s Hajji.

He explained that of the 5,614 pilgrims from the state, 3,000 had departed.

The chairman said the board was working on how the other intending women pilgrims would not face a similar problem.

Suru said of the 50 repatriated intending pilgrims, Shanga and Yauri local government areas have the highest number.

He urged the pilgrims to be good ambassadors of their state and Nigeria, adding that they need to pray for peace to return to the country.

Boko Haram: Police discover bomb factory in Minna From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

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DETACHMENT of policemen from Minna, the Niger State capital, on Saturday night discovered a bomb-making factory in Maitunmbi quarters of the town.

The factory was believed to belong to the Boko Haram sect.

Acting on a tip-off from one of the five suspects earlier arrested on the killing of three policemen in two operations in the town last week, a team of armed plain-clothes policemen stormed the factory behind a popular private school at 8.30pm.

The raid, which lasted about two hours, was led by an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) from the command’s headquarters.

It recovered two domestic gas cylinder, already prepared for making explosives.

Other items found in the factory include 30 disposable food beverage and soft drink cans as well as body spray cans, filled with explosives; 25 kilogrammes of fertiliser, batteries, remote control devices and other electrical gadgets.

A senior member of the police team that raided the factory, told The Nation in confidence that the operation lasted about two hours to avoid any casualty and possible attacks on the residents.

The source said: “We took our time before we stormed the bomb factory. We did not want to cause any chaos. We also wanted to avoid any killing. We were able to achieve these. Though nobody was found in the house, we discovered about 30 cans of soft drinks stuffed with explosives, body perfume cans, two gas cylinders, a 25kilogrammes bag of fertiliser, remote control devices, batteries and other electrical gadgets.”

The source said the weapons were taken to police headquarters at 11:15pm.

“After the raid, all the items found in the house were taken to the headquarters,” the source added.

57

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

NEWS Outrage over killing of students Continued from page 6

BIR THD AY •BIR BIRTHD THDA GIRL: Mrs. Toyin Ajakaye being assisted by her husband Mr Adeniyi Ajakaye and children: Aderonke (left) and Adedotun to cut her 50th birthday cake at De-Hall Centre, Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja, Lagos…yesterday.

PHOTO: RAHAMAN SANUSI

own hands.

Most UNIPORT off-campus students live in Aluu. The area thickly populated, with a lot of commercial and social activities.

Aluu is off the ever-busy East-West Road, currently being dualised by the Federal Government through Setraco Construction Company.

Residents of Aluu are fleeing the ancient community to avoid indiscriminate arrest by policemen.

The owners of the expen-

Kebbi, Kano, Katsina pilgrims die in Saudi Arabia •40,000 transported

T Task Force kills Boko Haram chief, 30 others in gun battle Continued from page 1

Ten members were arrested after a search at a hideout in Khandahar in the state capital.

The statement said: “In the early hours of Sunday, 7th October 2012, men of JTF in Damaturu, Yobe State on cordon and search operation in suspected Boko Haram hideout at Kandahar and the cemetery areas of Damaturu, engaged in a gun battle with the suspected terrorists.

“About thirty (30) suspected Boko Haram Terrorists were killed in the battle which lasted several hours. In the battle, the notorious, one-eyed Bakaka, the field commander of Boko Haram in Damaturu and a close associate of Abubakar Shekau, was killed. Ten (10) others arrested during the battle are presently assisting investigators to track other senior members of the terrorist group.

“Six (6) rifles, ninety (90) rounds of ammunition, several handsets and sim packs were recovered. Other items recovered include; knives, bows and arrows, diggers, knives and two (2) keke napep tricycles. Also, three (3) cans of IEDs recovered were detonated.”

He said the success so far recorded in the operation shows the cooperation of the residents, adding: “JTF wishes to appreciate the support so far received from the peace-loving and law-abiding people of Yobe State, urging them to volunteer more information that will lead to arrest of other sus-

pected terrorists. JTF further requests that people should remain calm and go about their lawful activities as efforts are geared towards ensuring the safety of lives and property.”

The statement also announced the appointment of Colonel I.S. Ali as the new Commander of the JTF in Yobe state.

Ali is to take over from Colonel Dahiru Abdulsalam who proceeds to Defence College for further military studies. Until his recent appointment, Colonel Ali was a Deputy Director at the Army Headquarters Department of Training and Operations (DATOPS).

Two people were killed when unknown gunmen opened fire on residents of a village in Yobe, Police Commissioner Patrick Egbuniwe said yesterday.

“So far we have confirmed two people killed on Saturday by these criminals who went about shooting indiscriminately in the village,” Patrick Egbuniwe told AFP. The gunmen stormed Dogon Kuka village and opened fire on residents, he said.

“The JTF (Joint Task Force) has deployed there and we are awaiting comprehensive details of casualties,” Egbuniwe said.

He declined to say if the attackers were members of the Boko Haram.

The village, inhabited mainly by Muslims, is about 70km from Damaturu, the state capital.

Suspected Boko Haram men reportedly shot and killed three Chinese construction workers in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon in Gubio Local Government Area, about 89 kilometers from Maiduguri, Premium Times reported.

The Chinese are said to be working for a construction company, working on several projects in the state.

Reports indicate that the victims, who regularly visited local markets, were shot as they patronised a local market.

Kaduna State Police Command yesterday confirmed the killing of two people in Zaria by gunmen at a pub.

Kaduna police spokesman Aminu Lawal, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Zaria, Kaduna State, that the incident, in which one other person was injured, took place on Saturday night along King’s Road, Sabon-Gari area of the town.

Lawal said security operatives were on the trail of the gunmen, adding that there were clues that would assist the police in tracking down the killers.

While applauding the people for reporting the incident, he urged them to be more security conscious and to promptly report any suspicious characters in their midst.

An eyewitness told NAN that the gunmen came in a vehicle and opened fire on their victims at the pub.

“The incident led to the death of two people and another was rushed to the hospital for medical attention.

“The security agents were alerted and they responded promptly. The security personnel pursued the killers but I can’t say what happened next.”

HREE Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia have died, Dr Bello Tambawwal, Head of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCO), Medina Mission, said yesterday.

Tambawwal told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Medina that the pilgrims were from Kebbi, Kano and Katsina states.

The Kano State pilgrim died aboard the plane conveying him and others in the inaugural flight to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The others died in Medina from illnesses. Tambawwal said: ‘’ Both of them were in their ripe age at the time of their death.’’

Tambawwal said the Nigerian mission was working to ensure that medical services are always available to the pilgrims by operating two clinics in Medina, which render 24 hours services.

He said the commission was working with the medical teams of state pilgrims’ boards to ensure that priority attention is given to the health- care of pilgrims.

He praised the FCT, Edo, Jigawa, Osun and Kogi states for their zeal and commitment to the healthcare of their pilgrims and urged others to emulate them.

Tambawwal also praised

Plane’s engine packs up before flight at Lagos airport Continued from page 6

on a Sunday. Fear “The Murtala Muhammed International Airport , Lagos, was thrown into confusion as some passengers were contemplating on refund of money.

Even when another airline was ready to fly, passengers were insisting that the authority

must properly check the plane, test-run it, before take-off.

“I booked the 6:45am flight so as to get early to church as the pastor of my parish in Abuja, to preach and preside over the thanksgiving service and dedicate a set of twins, which I did.

“I thank God for a successful

journey back to Abuja. I was just imagining what people would have been telling my children about their father and mother.”

The airline said the action of the pilot was in order.

A spokesman of the airline, Mr. Simon Tumba yesterday said as a safety curious carri-

sive mobile phones, including BlackBerry, and laptops at the off-campus hostel, raised the alarm, which attracted indigenes of Aluu and passersby.

The missing phones and laptops were later traced to the killed students, who were said to have denied knowledge of the development.

They were beaten to pulp and set ablaze by the angry mob.

The blood-soaked bodies of the victims were deposited at the morgue of an undisclosed hospital in Port Harcourt.

er, the airline withdrew the aircraft to safeguard the interest of the passengers and crew.

Tumba said such precautionary steps were necessary for the safety of the passengers and crew, which is part of the routine in the safety measures at the disposal of the airline.

the states for the thorough screening of intending women pilgrims, which resulted to none carrying a pregnancy unlike in the past. ‘’Last year, we had nine cases of pregnancy, resulting in still birth or safe delivery of the babies, but we have no pregnancy cases this year,’’ he said.

No fewer than 40,000 Nigerian pilgrims have been transported to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj, another official of NAHCO said in Jeddah yesterday.

Alhaji Mohammed Girei, the NAHCON desk officer at the Jeddah International Airport, told NAN that the airport was recording “at least five flights per day’’ from Nigeria.

He said the tempo increased following the resumption of flights from Nigeria last week after the row over the deportation of Nigerian women pilgrims.

Girei said the deportation stopped, following measures taken by NAHCON in conjunction with state pilgrims’ boards.

“I can confirm that there has been no new case of deportation of female pilgrims over the lack of male companion.

“Some women initially deported have since returned to Mecca and are already performing the religious obligations,’’ he said.

Girei expressed confidence that all 95,000 Nigerian pilgrims would be transported to Saudi Arabia before the closure of Jeddah Airport on Oct. 20.

He commended the pilgrims and airlines for cooperating with the commission toward ensuring the success of the transportation.

Tension in Bakassi ahead appeal deadline Continued from page 6

don.

Another source added: “The legal advice has been received, it does not support any application for a review of the judgment at all.

“The Bakassi Support Group has forgotten that the judgment of the ICJ covered alignment of borders from Lake Chad to the Atlantic Ocean.

“With Lake Chad involved in the judgment, there is also need to protect the border interest of some Northern states too. No one is talking about protecting these Northern states.

“That is why we are saying that the issues surrounding the judgment have to do with maritime and land boundaries.

How do you seek a review for

one part of the country without carrying the other part along? Have they forgotten that some Nigerian villages around Lake Chad were also relocated.

“So, there is no way Blair’s firm could go to ICJ for a review without the consent or authority of the Federal Government. There are no facts known to law as I am talking to you for Nigeria to make a U-Turn on the ceding of Bakassi.

As at press time, it was gathered that there had been tension in Bakassi Peninsula with Cameroon ready to protect the place that was handed over to it in 2008.

A government source added: “We have got reports about tension in Bakassi Peninsula,

but we are trying to manage the situation so that there won’t be crisis between Cameroon and Nigeria.

‘The Cameroonian Government is determined to protect the Peninsula. We are suspecting that it is moving troops towards the area to secure the place.”

Notwithstanding, the Cross River State Government and other support groups have explained why they are adamant on the review.

A document prepared by Andem-Rabana(SAN) which was also submitted to President Goodluck Jonathan reads in part: “Cameroon does, of course, dispute Bakassi’s current status as part of Nigeria.

But, as Nigeria has shown, there is no doubt that histori-

cally Bakassi is Nigerian. Nigeria’s forerunners in this area were the Kings and Chiefs of Old Calabar. They were not just a miscellaneous group of undeveloped tribes. They were, rather, an entity with recognized sovereign status.

Within their territory, they ruled with sovereign authority.

“With the outside world, they conducted their relations through an extensive network of treaties including treaties both with Great Britain and other European States. Nigeria’s Counter Memorial contains a long, but even so not necessarily complete, list of such treaties.

“The Kings and Chiefs of Old Calabar exercised their sovereign authority over a

large area around the Calabar Estuary. That authority extended a considerable distance to the East. The Bakassi Peninsula was therefore clearly within their domains. Of that there can be no doubt.

“One must therefore ask, Mr. President, what can have happened to change that clear position. Nigeria’s answer is simple-nothing. A century ago, Bakassi was clearly and admittedly Nigerian; the same remains true today. Bakassi was, and still is, Nigerian territory.

“Cameroon is misguided in its legal arguments and this is equally apparent from a simple statement of what those arguments amount to.

“In the first place, they involve giving weight to a se-

ries of proposed agreements as if they had entered into force but they never did enter into force.

“In the second place they involve the astounding proposition that a State can give to another State something-in this instance, a piece of territory-which the first State does not itself have.

“Mr. President, there can be few, if any , legal principles more universally respected than that expressed in the maxim memo dat quod non habet.

“Yet Cameroon wishes this Court to agree that Great Britain, which did not have sovereignty over the Bakassi Peninsula, could nevertheless give that territory to Germany and thus, later to Cameroon.”

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8 2012

58

PREMIERSHIP

SPORT EXTRA

Walcott set to sign new T Arsenal deal

HEO WALCOTT is reportedly ready to sign a new deal at Arsenal and talks could be concluded before December.

A report in the Sunday Mirror claims that the 23-year-old wants to stay in north London with the Gunners and is ready to sign a new three-year

extension.

Walcott’s current contract expires next summer and he would be free to talk to other clubs come the January

transfer window and arrange a free transfer elsewhere.

Arsene Wenger has always insisted he wants the England winger to stay at Arsenal and this report suggest he may get his wish.

Walcott came off of the substitute bench to give the Gunners the lead in their 3-1 win over West Ham United on Saturday and is hoping he will get further chances to impress from the start of

matches.

While he would not be drawn on the issue of a new deal, the former Southampton trainee insisted he would continue to work hard to regain his place in Wenger’s first XI. “I have to play the waiting game for now. I just want to get back in the team and show people what I can do,” he said.

Arsenal received some criticism when the summer transfer window closed and they had failed to either agree a new deal or sell Walcott, but this report suggests the decision to continue talks could well have paid off.

Hodgson: Cole is an excellent professional

R

• Walcott

Ivanovic: Tougher tests lie ahead

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RANISLAV IVANOVIC warned Chelsea that far tougher tests lay ahead after helping them shrug off the latest scandal to engulf the club by storming four points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League.

The European champions refused to be knocked off course by the John Terry and Ashley Cole furore as they came roaring back to crush Norwich 4-1 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Posting their best start to a season since 2006 - 19 points from 21 - was the perfect way for Chelsea to go into the international break.

But the Blues, who are past masters at playing amid a maelstrom off the field, will return to action in a fortnight to face what could end up being their hardest run of games of the entire campaign.

First up is a reunion at Tottenham with former boss Andre Villas-Boas, who tried so hard last season to get Chelsea playing the kind of dazzling football they are now producing under Roberto Di Matteo.

FOR SALE A brand new TOYOTA COROLLA, black colour, manual is for sale. In good condition, also good for school runs or corporate use.

Model:- 2009/2010 Price: Very attractive.

If interested, please call: Prescillia on 08122647291 or 08037160424.

OY HODGSON has praised Ashley Cole as an “excellent professional” and is not ruling out the prospect of handing him the England captaincy despite the defender’s controversial Tweet about the Football Association.

The Chelsea left-back is set to face disciplinary action from both his club and the FA after posting an offensive message online concerning the governing body’s investigation of the “evolution” of his evidence in the case of John Terry having racially abused Anton Ferdinand.

Though there is debate over whether it would be appropriate to make the defender captain in his 100th game, Hodgson feels that he is lucky to have the Blues man in his squad.

“I have found [Cole] to be an excellent professional and a very, very enthusiastic and important member of the group and I’m looking forward to working with him for a period of time to come,” he told reporters.

“He has done it with consistency and there is no reason why he cannot set his sights higher. I must say [100

caps] is an achievement we shouldn’t be underestimating and if people are going to praise his achievement it is something I would endorse.”

The 31-year-old later deleted the Tweet in question but is now likely to face a fine and a possible ban. However, Hodgson was cagey as to whether Cole could captain England against San Marino on Friday.

“It is something that would need an awful lot of consideration and you would need to discuss it with Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, who have been captaining the team,” he noted. “It is not something you should take lightly. It is certainly worthy of consideration.

“What is more worthy of consideration is the fact that Ashley, at a relatively young age and with more football left in him, is likely to get his 100th cap very soon – and that is fantastic. I don’t think we should ever underestimate the value of that.”

Despite Cole’s outburst, Hodgson also praised him for refusing to bow to the press and give interviews, adding: “Every player has the right to be true to their own feelings, and [Cole’s] is that he will do his talking on the field.

Moyes lauds ‘extra-ordinary’ Baines

D

• Ivanovic That is followed by a difficult Champions League game away to Shakhtar Donetsk, back-to-back league and Capital One Cup clashes with Manchester United and - after a trip to Swansea - home meetings with Shakhtar and Liverpool.

To make matters worse, the Blues will be without captain Terry for their first four domestic games during that period if he decides not to appeal against the guilty verdict in his Football Association racist abuse case.

It is still unclear whether Cole will face any suspension for his offensive tweet towards the FA on Friday, with Di Matteo confirming on Saturday the club would take disciplinary action of their own against the left-back.

AVID MOYES has called on his Everton players to follow the example set by in-form fullback Leighton Baines whose late penalty equaliser capped a towering display in the Toffees’ 2-2 draw at Wigan.

In a week which saw the future of England’s left-back berth thrown into doubt by some errant tweeting from Ashley Cole, Baines headed into the international break with the praise of Moyes ringing in his ears following his 88th-minute strike, after earlier goals from Arouna Kone and Franco Di Santo had sandwiched a Nikica Jelavic effort.

“Leighton has been a big asset for us for a long time and we are hoping to have the same [impact] down the right and in other areas as well. We had it with Jelavic getting forward and getting us another goal,” Moyes said.

“Leighton was extraordinary for us. At times he was unstoppable - he was that good. I think we were disappointed we were

trailing and it was a great effort to stick at it and get a hard-earned point.”

Everton’s fine start to the season came under threat in a lethargic first half performance and it took the excellent Kone just 10 minutes to break the deadlock when he headed home at point-blank range.

• Moyes

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8 2012

59

EUROPEAN FOOTBALL

SPORT EXTRA

Guardiola side better than Cruyff's — P Spain legends IRRI and Asensi discuss the hostility that the surrounds El Clasico, stating that the negative relationship between the sides should be extinguished Two legends of both Real Madrid and Barcelona have given their thoughts on the impact of the Blaugrana on modern football, with the latter of the pair hailing Pep Guardiola's era as the

greatest in the club's history.

Pirri, who made a total 417 appearances for Real Madrid, spoke with Juan Manuel Asensi, who in turn made 299 outings for the Catalan outfit and the two agreed that the Barca side that has been assembled could be considered as the best ever.

"The club started with [Johan] Cruyff, and then

Guardiola's team eclipsed everything," he stated.

Pirri, who agreed with his former international teammate, suggested that the recent turmoil, and arguments between Madrid and the Blaugrana should be

forgotten as he commented on his personal friendship with Asensi years on from

Petkovic: Lazio must go far

L

AZIO boss Vladimir Petkovic was in a positive mood after his side picked up a 3-0 win over Pescara at the Stadio Adriatico and insisted that they should keep up their good form even if people do not expect them to.

The 49-year-old coach is always demanding perfection from his side and this was no different as the Biancocelesti boss looks to go build on their impressive start to the season.

“This Lazio must go far, but right now it is better to focus on improving certain things.

Our objective is victory. We always want to win," Petkovic told reporters.

“The first phase of the season was very important and we started positively.

Now we have two weeks to work with the squad, minus the internationals, and try to recoup some energy.”

Miroslav Klose scored twice in Lazio's 3-0 win and Petkovic spoke of how important it is to have experienced players with ambition in the team.

He added: “We want to carry on this winning mentality. Great champions like Miroslav Klose are

• Zeman

Zeman: Why I dropped Roma stars

Z

DENEK ZEMAN explained why he dropped Daniele De Rossi, Pablo Osvaldo and Nicolas Burdisso for Sunday’s win over Atalanta.

“I don’t like the concept of having to win regardless of the performance, but I think it’s right that we first learn to suffer and then learn to play,” said the Coach following the 2-0 victory.

“We suffered above all at the start of the game, but this win is important for us and everyone around Roma.

“We were frightened after the Juventus defeat, so to begin with we were stretched out and left too many spaces.

If we don’t get courage from the back by going up to help the midfielders, then they tend to pull back instead.

“I have always said that everyone can play in my team and I chose these 11 players to start. I am interested in what the lads do at this moment and right now I considered this to be the best line-up.

“I do not doubt the quality of De Rossi, Osvaldo and Burdisso, as they are important players who I hope can give us a great deal.”

Zeman did explain on Saturday that Burdisso did not understand his tactics yet.

“I spoke about Burdisso, but the truth is I would love 20 players with his mentality and work ethic. Right now he cannot give his best, but he has the right attitude.”

H Pellegrino laments costly mistakes made at Levante V “I think that the first half belonged to us, but we did not convert our chances and they took advantage of theirs,” Pellegrino told the press after the game.

“After the goal, the game was played as Levante wanted it and we made mistakes. My team failed to

break through the difficulties encountered.

“What happened is that we made a mistake as we had in the [2-0 loss to] Mallorca and it cost us dearly."

The defeat was Valencia's third of the season and leaves them in a lowly 14th place in the Primera Division.

ANS-JOACHIM WATZKE may well be a powerful figure at the reigning Bundesliga champions but he says there is no conflict between him and Jurgen Klopp.

Both Watzke and Klopp are strong characters, but when questioned on their relationship the general manager was quick to talk about the mutual trust between him and his coach.

“No, we never argue! Jurgen, Michael Zorc, and I maybe discuss things together. But

Magath bemoans lack of morale

W • Magath

OLFSBURG coach Felix Magath has admitted he is feeling the pressure with his side inside the bottom two after seven games of the season.

The Wolves were beaten comprehensively by Magath's former club Schalke on Saturday and the coach says his side's form is causing him a few sleepless nights.

"Of course I am sleeping worse when my team are remaining below the expectations," he told

WDR 2. "It worries me and then of course there is an hour here or there at night or in the early hours when it is bothering you."

At the moment, we lack the morale to cope with going behind.

Felix Magath, Wolfsburg coach The 3-0 defeat by Schalke leaves the Wolves in the relegation zone and with the prospect of another season of struggle, having started the campaign with the minimum aim of

necessary for a team that has ambition."

• Klose

Watzke: I never fight with Klopp

• Guardiola

ALENCIA coach Mauricio Pellegrino has lamented his sides' errors in their derby defeat against Levante on Sunday in La Liga.

Los Che went down 1-0 to the Granotes thanks to Obafemi Martins's solitary strike and Pellegrino believes that had his side taken their chances, they might have come away with more.

their footballing rivalry.

The former Real Madrid star said: "The good atmosphere between the clubs was proof that we were friends beyond the colours, and in a way, because of the colours."

qualifying for Europe next season.

But with every passing game the situation becomes more critical, and Magath says this is unsettling the players too.

"At the moment, we lack the morale to cope with going behind," he said. "When things are not going for you and when you go to play a team who are in the Champions League and have always played well so far, then you can also understand that."

• Watzke

we have total basic trust that is always there,” Watzke told Bild.

“We know we can rely on each other and are very close together.”

When Watzke was asked about whether he would like the club to have someone pumping millions into the team he said it is more enjoyable not having huge amounts of money to spend.

“We have our way, we are independent and free. It’s also fun to be creative and to not buy everything,” he added.

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8 2012

60

SPORT EXTRA

Kebede, Baysa in Chicago double

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SEGAYE KEBEDE became the first Ethiopian man to win the Chicago Marathon by capturing Sunday’s 35th running in a course record with compatriot Atsede Baysa taking the women’s title by a stride.

Kebede surged in the final mile to win in 2 hrs 04 mins 38 secs and defeat countryman Feyisa Lilesa by 14 seconds with Tilahun Regassa third in 2:05:26 in his marathon debut to complete an Ethiopian men’s podium sweep.

Kebede’s victory snapped a run of consecutive Chicago victories by Kenyan men at nine.

The former men’s course mark was 2:05:37 last year by Kenyan Moses Mosop.

In a women’s duel in doubt until the last second, Ethiopia’s Baysa edged Kenya’s Rita Jeptoo, the 2006 Boston Marathon winner, at the finish line.

Baysa was given an official time of 2:22:03, a personal best by one secon, with Jeptoo second at 2:22:04 and Kenya’s Lucy Kabuu third, 38 seconds adrift.

Liliya Shobukhova failed in her bid for a fourth Chicago Marathon title in a row, the 24-year-old Russian settling for fourth, 56 seconds off the pace.

Russia’s Maria Konovolova led early and Shobukhova led halfway but the lead pack began to surge after 20 miles and Shobukhova fell off the pace.

Shobukhova was unable to finish the London Olympic marathon because of stomach cramps and has been nagged by injuries this year but last year won the event in 2:18:20.

Kebede, third at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, moved to the front of the lead pack after 30 kilometres and by the 35km mark he was out with Regassa and Lilesa, who was third at last year’s world championships.

Once Regassa slowed in the 23rd mile, it was a two-man show.

Both leaders ran under 2:05:00 for the first time in their careers, but 2010 Chicago runner-up Kebede pulled away from Lilesa in the last half mile for the victory.

‘Kenya’s Sammy Kitwara was fourth with countryman Wesley Korir, last year’s Chicago runner-up and this year’s Boston Marathon champion, in fifth.

Haye will be heavyweight champion again — Tyson F

ORMER heavyweight champion Mike Tyson believes that David Haye (26-2, 24 KO’s) can recapture one of the world heavyweight titles if he wants to.

Tyson thinks the soon to be 32-yearold Haye still has it in him to recapture a belt after having been easily beaten last year by IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko in an underwhelming performance by Haye.

Speaking with the Telegraph.co.uk, Tyson said “I think if he [Haye] keeps on fighting and gets more experience he’ll be a heavyweight champ again.” I’m not sure if Tyson has noticed but Haye seems to be in the shutdown mode already with his career and appears only interested in a big money fight against WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko. First off, Haye isn’t going to get that fight. Vitali won’t bother

there are ways of getting one in the near future. However, I don’t think Haye really cares about picking up a paper strap. He wants to get a big money fight and try to win it off of the slower and older Klitschko. Too bad it won’t happen.

Tyson should forget about Haye winning any title unless it’s a British or Commonwealth heavyweight strap. I don’t think Haye could even beat the EBU heavyweight champ Kubrat Pulev. I rate him as a much better heavyweight than Haye. If Tyson wants to see a real talent than he needs to focus on American Deontay Wilder. Now he’s someone that IS capable of winning a world title with his size, power, speed and athleticism.

Wilder isn’t just looking for one fight against the Klitschko. He wants to win a world title and defend it against all comers.

Gabrovski banned for two years

B

ULGARIAN cyclist Ivaylo Gabrovski has been banned for two years after failing a doping test during the Tour of Turkey which he won, the Bulgarian cycling union said on Sunday.

Gabrovski was disqualified and stripped of his title after testing positive for the banned blood booster EPO in late April.

The 34-year-old’s B sample also confirmed the presence of the banned substance in his urine, the International Cycling Union (UCI) announced mid-September.

Hamilton: I won’t win a single race at Mercedes next season

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•Kebede

fighting this guy because there’s no upside to beating a fighter that his brother Wladimir totally humiliated. Secondly, even if Haye did fight Vitali he’d only get trounced like he did against Wladimir. Vitali would make mincemeat of Haye and send him packing back to jolly old England.

There is a way that Haye could win a title if that was his main goal and he didn’t care about he won it against. If he was in hurry to capture a paper title, he could go after WBA World heavyweight champ Alexander Povetkin and probably beat this guy. I don’t know that anyone would care about him doing so, but then again few were impressed how Haye picked up the WBA title from then champion Nikolay Valuev in 2009.

So, if Haye is completely focused on winning a heavyweight strap

EWIS HAMILTON has revealed he does not expect to win a single race next season following his decision to leave McLaren for Mercedes.

The startling claim emphasises just how much work lies ahead for Hamilton if he is to help transform Mercedes.

It also comes after an admission by Michael Schumacher, the man Hamilton will replace, that his decision to retire for a second time was influenced by his inability to turn Mercedes into a match for McLaren, Red Bull, Ferrari or even the likes of Lotus and Sauber.

Low expectations: Hamilton is not expecting success with Mercedes next year but is looking forward to 2014 when the team can benefit from new regulations.

Asked whether he could be a title contender in 2013, Hamilton replied: ‘No, absolutely not.’ Pressed on whether he could even register a win, Hamilton added: ‘I’m not even expecting that.’

Mercedes have managed just one victory since buying out Brawn three years ago, and the early-season promise which saw Nico Rosberg earn that win in China in April has long since

evaporated.

Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn had claimed next season will not be a write-off, even though it is in 2014 when he hopes to leap forward as new engine regulations come into play.

But Hamilton is certainly preparing himself for a barren spell. ‘It’s long term,’ said Hamilton. ‘It’s 2014 and 2015 when I anticipate we will have most success.

‘I am not going into next year thinking let’s have a c**p year. I am just well aware we don’t have the best car and it will take a lot of work to improve it.’

Hamilton has stood on the top step of the podium in every year of his Formula One career, even when McLaren presented him with a dud in 2009. But he was forced to concede: ‘I know that is not the case going into next year.’

It will be fascinating to see how Hamilton stands up to the mental challenge of not fighting for wins, although he claimed such a scenario could ease the pressure as he beds into his new team.

‘It’s not going to be high on me, that’s for sure,’ said the 27-year-old.

‘I will not set the bar up there when this is not possible.’

The failure of either Schumacher — who carried a 10-place grid penalty for ploughing into the back of Jean-Eric Vergne’s Toro Rosso in Singapore — or Nico Rosberg to get Mercedes into the top 10 shootout for the Japanese Grand Prix certainly added weight to Hamilton’s gloomy prediction.

And after qualifying ninth, Hamilton’s chances of moving on as a double world champion are also extremely slim.

After putting his car on pole for the fourth successive year at Suzuka and escaping with just a reprimand for blocking Fernando Alonso, it seems Sebastian Vettel is best placed to deny the Spaniard the title.

Hamilton will certainly not be getting any on-track assistance from current team-mate Jenson Button, who revealed his only concern is helping McLaren to the constructors’ championship for the first time in 14 years.

‘I said that I’d do anything to help the team win the championship,’ said Button, emphasising the word ‘team’, in response to suggestions he had told principal Martin Whitmarsh he was ready to move aside for Hamilton during races.

• Hamilton

Button, demoted from third to eighth on the grid after picking up a penalty for a gearbox change, also insisted Hamilton will not be taking a dossier of McLaren technical secrets with him when he goes.

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

61

SPORT EXTRA

S

UPER Eagles’ first choice goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, Israeli based shot stopper, Austin Ejide and Real Betis of Spain midfield showman, Nosa Igiebor, are among the early birds expected in the Super Eagles’ camp in Calabar on Monday.

The trio will be joined by the rest of the squad on Tuesday morning as some of them have visa issues to sort out, especially John Mikel Obi, while yet other have late games on Sunday evening and will link up with the rest of the squad on Tuesday. “All the players will be here on Tuesday and that is so because some of them have little visa issues to sort out at their clubs and we expect to have a full house at Tuesday training session”, enthused Head Coach Stephen Keshi.

The national team departed

NIGERIA/LIBERIA CLASH

Enyeama, Ejide, Igiebor expected today C …As Eagles arrives camp for Calabar on Monday morning and the technical crew has already scheduled a training session for Monday evening at the Abraham Odia Sports Complex inside the University of Calabar. Officials say there is absolutely no time to waste ahead of Saturday’s crunch qualifier against the Lone Star of Liberia.

Arrangements have since

been made for all the invited players to find their way to Calabar and as usual the Metropolitan Hotel in the heart of the city will be the camping site

of the national team. At the weekend, Keshi named seven home based players to join the 15 foreign based earlier announced for the encounter on Saturday in the Cross River state capital.

A

M

•Rotimi Akeredolu

•Enyeama

Sunshine fought back in the match showed their team character too.

"I think we gained a lot from the information we got on Sunshine and we will not relent because we know that they are a good side," the coach of the six times Champions League winners said.

4th Lagos Tertiary Games begins Oct 26

T

Akeredolu vows to revive sports in Ondo R Rotimi Akeredolu(SAN) has bemoaned the neglect of sport development in Ondo State and has promised to give the sector a deserved attention if elected Governor.

He said Govenor Olusegun Mimiko has banished the Sunshine Football Club to Ijebu ode because he has abandoned the renovation of the Old Akure Stadium and the construction of the new Akure Stadium. It is a also a fact that the Ile-oluji Stadium has been abandoned after releasing 273 million naira to the contractor.

In a Statement by Mr. Idowu Ajanaku, the Director Media, Publicity and Strategy of the Akeredolu Campaign Organisation(ACO), he said Akeredolu made the promise as he joined some supporters

T

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri

HE 4th edition of Lagos Tertiary Games will hold from 26 October- 3 November, 2012.

Series of meetings between the facilitator of the Games- the Office of the Senior Special Assistant on Grassroots Sports Development to Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, organised by various relevant sporting associations and the representatives of all higher institutions in Lagos State are ongoing to ensure that

at Ijebu-ode over the weekend to cheer the Sunshine Football Club to a 3-3 Draw in a CAF Championship match with Al ahly SC of Egypt. Akeredolu said perharps the result would have been better for the Sunshine boys had they played in Akure before a home crowd to give them the needed home advantage. He said the situation where our Football Club will continue to play in Ijebu Ode away from home is unacceptable.

For us ACO we want to say that Akeredolu being a man of honour will deliver on his promises and he can be trusted by the people of Ondo State who will vote massively for him on October 20.

this year’s competition surpass previous editions.

Since 2009 when the tourney made its debut, the Tertiary Games have been a platform for the students of higher institutions in Lagos to compete for honours in various sports and have created healthy rivalries among the institutions where student athletes have been winning prizes not only for their schools but incentives such as cash awards for themselves.

Some of them have appreciated the Governor’s initiative and confirmed usage of the same to take care of their educational endeavours.

The sum of N9.825 million was graciously approved by the sports-loving governor of Lagos as prize monies for winners in various sports (athletics, Basketball, Volleyball, Table Tennis, Football, Beach Soccer and Beach Volleyball) in last year’s edition and another sum of N3.250 million as preparation support (kits and training sessions) for the 17 institutions depending on the numbers of athletes they featured in the Games last year. The same prize monies and preparations grant are also available for the 4th edition As the kick-off day draws nearer, authorities of various schools have intensified training of their athletes.

Lagos State Polytechnics, LASPOTECH won the 2011 edition with 6 gold, 4 silver and 8

bronze medals and the winners were given N3.3m as well as giant trophies and medals for their efforts. University of Lagos came second with 5 gold, 3 silver and 7 bronze and they won N2m, Lagos State University, LASU came third with 4 gold, 4 silver and 4 bronze medals, the athletes received N1.810m, while Yaba College of Education, Yabatech, came fourth with 4 gold, 5 silver and 3 bronze and the athletes were proud winners of N1.735m.

Trophies are for the institutions, while medals and cash awards are direct benefits to all the winning athletes. This has always been stated clearly when disbursing to all the lucky institutions.

In 2011, 1189 Students/athletes participated for the 17 institutions in the last tournament.

As mentioned earlier, vigorous training sessions are going on within all the institutions (State, Private and Federal) Lagos- based that will take part in the weeklong tourney.

The questions on the lips of several students and enthusiasts are, who will be winners in all these sports and who will become the best athletes/teams in various categories?

Other students, friends and contemporaries of all the institutions and athletes are getting set to cheer them to victories in registering their own participation and they are expected to be at all the venues.

Wife, daughter cheer Utaka to goal-scoring feat

P

ETER Utaka's wife and two - and- a - half - month old daughter were in attendance to watch the 27th round of matches in the Chinese Super League between Dalian Aerbin and Beijing Guoan.

Dalian Aerbin were victorious against their opponents by 3 - 1, with the Eagles’ player accounting for two of the goals.

After the game, Chinese media Peninsula Morning News Haili Network quoted Utaka's wife as saying: ''She was very well-behaved, rarely crying. She was her father's Lucky Star, the week she was born ,her father

APITAL Oil and Gas has redeemed a pledge of $15,000 made by its chief executive Ifeanyi Ubah to the Flying Eagles.

A representative of the oil company, Nnanna Egwuonwu, made the cash presentation on behalf of his chairman at the Bovina View Hotel in Ilorin soon after the African champions outscored South Africa 4-2 on aggregate to qualify for the 2013 AYC in Algeria.

“Congratulations to the Flying Eagles for a marvellous re-

sult and performance,” said Egwuonwu, who is the chief inspector of Capital Oil. “We are most honoured to have redeemed the Amabssador’s Bonus as pledged by our chief executive, Ifeanyi Ubah.”

Two-goal hero Abduljaleel Ajagun also received the MVP cash award of $2,000 from the capital Oil representative.

Ubah is the Nigeria Youth Football Ambassador and he hosted the same team when they reached the last eight of the 2011 U20 World Cup in Colombia.

NFF praises Flying Eagles

We studied Sunshine tapes- Ahly coach HLY coach Hossam AlBadri has opined that the match tapes they got on their CAF Champions League semi final opponent, Sunshine Stars of Nigeria proved to be of immense help in their thrilling 3-3 draw they secured at the Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu Ode in the first leg.

The coach in a brief chat with NationSport after the match stated that they knew that the Akure Gunners would be a hard nut to crack hence their decision to view how they have prosecuted their matches thus far in the ongoing Champions League campaign.

Hossam Al-Badri stressed that they still have a mountain to climb in Cairo and would not allow the draw secured in Nigeria to get into their heads ahead of the second leg in a fortnight. " We know that Sunshine are a good side and we expected what we got in Nigeria and the way

Capital Oil redeems pledge to F/Eagles

scored three goals (last goal was later cancelled,) Today, for the first time she came to watch a game and her father scored two goals.''

Utaka, former OB Odense hero, is delighted to end his recent barren spell in front of goal.

His last strike before Saturday's game was in August against Changchun Yatai.

He told the newspaper: ''I know my wife an daughter came to watch me, and it is my daughter's first time watching a football game. I felt motivated, would also like to thank my teammates, we have scored a victory, this is the most important.''

With 18 hits in 25 matches, Pe-

ter Utaka is the second highest goal scorer in China's elite league.

• Utaka

HE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has praised the U-20 National Team, Flying Eagles, for its qualification for the 2013 African Youth Championship, following a telling 3-1 defeat of South Africa’s Amajita at the Kwara State Stadium, Ilorin on Sunday.

NFF President Aminu Maigari, who joined Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed at the State Box for the big duel, said the Flying Eagles, sixtime African champions, deserve credit for an inspired performance.

“I am truly impressed with the performance of the team, and I can tell you that the NFF as a body and the entire Nigeria football family are impressed.

“I will use this opportunity to pledge that the NFF will give the team all the support to prepare very well for the defence of its title in Algeria next year,” assured Maigari.

Midfield impressario, Abduljeleel Ajagun, one of Coach John Obuh’s undetachables from the U-17 squad that finished as runners-up at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Nigeria 2009, hit a first-half brace before setting up top striker Alhaji Gero for a third and tie-determining goal early in the second period. The petite playmaker was fittingly selected the Most Valuable Player, picking up oil magnate Ifeanyi Ubah’s laid-online $2,000.

Chelsea FC of England boy Kenneth Omeruo, on loan at Dutch top side ADO Den Haag, and Turkey-based Mohammed Goyi Aliyu, both also from Obuh’s U-17 side, held firm at the back while the delicate Chidi Osuchukwu pulled the

strings effortlessly in midfield.

It was hard going but Ajagun, team’s top scorer in the qualifying campaign with five goals, was at the right place to slam past goalkeeper Gershin Kock with seven minutes left in the first half.

Celebrations were rudely cut short as the Amajita equalized straight from the re-start, only for Ajagun to again slam into the top right corner on the dot of half time.

Seven minutes into the second half, Ajagun cleverly carved an opening from a sweeping move and set up Gero beautifully. The big striker made no mistake.

NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu, said at the final whistle. “We give glory to God for the victory.

The Flying Eagles were impressive against an equally brilliant South African team.

“We will work hard to give the team quality preparation ahead of the 18th African Youth Championship in Algeria next year March. And we now look forward to the Super Eagles qualifying for the 2013 African Nations Cup by beating Liberia in Calabar on Saturday.”

•Maigari

Bosso retains Wikki job T

HE management of the Bauchi State Government-owned Wikki Tourists Football Club, at the weekend resolved to retain Isa Ladan Bosso as the Club's chief sweat merchant.

Chairman of the Club, Alhaji Sule Chindo told Nationsports that'' Ladan who was the nation's Chief coach and had overseen the

affairs of the club successfully in the last football season has been retained by Wikki management".

Four years ago,the same Bosso after an unsuccessful outing with the Nation Under 23 Male team came back to Bauchi to take Wikki Tourists to relegation but returned during the last season to pilot the same team into the elite football clubs.

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

62

SPORT EXTRA

L

IONEL Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were both in scintilating form as Barcelona and Real Madrid played out an enthralling 22 draw at Camp Nou in the first Liga Clasico of this season.

Despite coming as just the seventh fixture of the season, the match was touted as having a potentially huge impact on the final Liga outcome. With Madrid in need of a win, Ronaldo got them off to the perfect start as he silenced the crowd with his sixth consecutive Clasico goal.

But a brace from Messi, including a sumptuous second-half free kick, put the Blaugrana in the driving seat. However, the last had not been heard of Ronaldo and he capitalised on a disorganised defence to equalise 25 minutes from time.

After all the intense buildup, the first surprise of the night was sprung as news filtered through that in the absence of Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol, Adriano would start alongside Javier Mascherano in the centre of defence. Mourinho, meanwhile, opted for Karim Benzema and Mesut Ozil ahead of Gonzalo Higuain and Mesut Ozil.

The teams were greeted on the pitch by a cacophony of noise and a sea of Catalan red and yellow in the stands and the match began in a similarly hectic manner, but Los Blancos' more adventurous tendencies when in possession saw them gradually take hold of the game.

After Benzema snatched at a volley in the 13th minute, Barca's defensive frailties began to really show six minutes later as Sergio Ramos rose, unmarked, to meet Ozil's corner. His header had pace and Victor Valdes, who was rooted to the spot,

BARCELONA 2-2 REAL MADRID

Messi, Ronaldo share goals in El Clasico

•Ronaldo (L) and Messi

breathed a sigh of relief when it shaded the outside of his post.

Despite enjoying a large share of possession, the hosts began to sit deep and

invite Mourinho's men onto them, and they were punished in the 23rd minute. A brilliant flowing move, initiated by Ozil on the right, ended with Benzema slip-

ping the ball to Ronaldo who thumped a low shot past Valdes at his near post.

Madrid continued to slice apart the hosts' makeshift defence with ease and they

Ferguson: Rooney ready to explode

M

ANCHESTER United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is confident that Wayne Rooney is back to full fitness after suffering a horror thigh injury against Fulham and ready to "explode" onto the scene again.

The England forward has endured a frustrating start to the 2012-13 Premier League campaign, with a badly gashed leg requiring surgery following a collision with Hugo Rodallega.

However, the 70-year-old Scot feels that Rooney can now hit the ground running following a good period of training, expecting him to only get better as the season continues.

"Rooney is fit, he has trained really well," Sir Alex told reporters.

"I think Rooney will start scoring soon, once he gets a few games back. We know that, his track record tells you that each year he gets better with his finishing.

"I think Rooney will explode again soon. It is just the start of the season."

The United boss credited the 26-year-old with working well during his recuperation period but warned that, because of Rooney's physique, he will have to maintain a high workload to remain fit and in the team.

"The period he was injured, I

think that was key to it. He maintained his fitness which is important because he is a stocky lad," the Scot continued.

"He is very stocky, he is going to have to train well all the time, there is no doubt about that."

While Robin van Persie's early form - seven goals in eight games - may have taken the Old Trafford spotlight

away from Rooney, Sir Alex insists that he wants the goals to be shared among his strikeforce.

"If you go back to the season before last, [Dimitar] Berbatov scored 20-21 goals, Chicharito scored 22 and Rooney scored 30-something," he observed.

"That was perfect, wasn't it?

"Two players there who took a load off of Rooney in that

respect. I don't think it matters that much who gets the goals now.

"Van Persie has had a great start, seven goals. If him and Wayne and possibly one of the other strikers, Welbeck or Chicharito, get to around 20, we are in business.

"I think Rooney and Van Persie will [each] get over 20."

Tiote: Sloppy goals killed us

A

disappointed Cheick Tiote vowed that Newcastle would be ready for the Tyne-Wear derby in two weeks' time after their 3-0 defeat to Manchester United on Sunday.

The Magpies conceded twice from set-pieces inside the opening 16 minutes to leave themselves with an uphill task against the most successful team in Premier League history, with Jonny Evans and Patrice Evra on target.

And although the Ivorian thought team-mate Papiss Cisse had pulled a goal back early in the second half, referee Howard Webb allowed play to continue and England midfielder Tom Cleverley added a third for the visitors with a stunning goal in the 71st minute.

Tiote told nufc.co.uk: "We were really disappointed to-

day about the result, because I think we prepared for the game well before the kick-off.

"But we conceded two sloppy goals and I think that killed the game. If you concede two goals so early against Man United, it's difficult to come back.

"But after the two goals, I think we worked hard and we tried to come back, but we didn't score and in the second half they scored a third goal and I think that was the game over."

In the same fixture last season, Newcastle won 3-0 with the Magpies' flying start proving to be the foundation for the victory.

"Today was a different story," Tiote admitted. "But that's football. We can not win every game; we lost today and now we have to think about the next game.

"It's hard to play against Man

United. When you play against Man United, you have to work so hard because they have such good players.

"So it's hard to play against them but I think if you play as a team you can do something.

"But today we conceded two sloppy goals and that's killed us."

Even so, Cisse's 50th minute diving header, which was clawed away by David De Gea having at least partially crossed the line, could have changed the course of the match.

However, Tiote conceded: "I didn't see really, but I was thinking the ball was in. But the referee said no and it's over. Now we have to think about the next game.

"It's the derby and everyone will ready for this game.

"It's a tough game so I think we need to play well against them."

should have doubled their lead in the 25th minute.

Benzema once more found space in the area but his shot cannoned back off the post and Angel Di Maria was

unable to convert the rebound.

Yet the Blaugrana were unperturbed at the other end of the pitch and they secured an equaliser when Pedro's cross looped into the air following a pair of deflections. In his eagerness to head the ball away, Pepe misjudged the flight of the ball and Messi, who was lurking in the box, beat Iker Casillas as it dropped behind the defender and fired into the back of the net.

The Catalan giants drew confidence from that goal and after being denied a penalty early in the second half, they took the lead for the first time on the night with a moment of sheer, unadulterated class from Messi. The mercurial Argentine flighted a beautifullystruck 30-yard free kick over the wall and into the top corner with 61 minutes on the clock.

Not to be outdone though, Ronaldo notched his second of the night just five minutes later. After being jeered by the home crowd for missing an overhead kick, the 27-year-old caught the Barca defence completely unawares to slot home from Ozil's through-ball.

With the game so finely poised, neither team was willing to take the risk of committing too many men forward in search of a winner. But there was still time for some final moments of drama as Martin Montoya pushed on but saw his rocket of a strike come back off the crossbar in the 89th minute and Pedro drilled a low shot wide in stoppage time.

In sharing the spoils, Barcelona remain at the top of the table and also maintain their eight-point advantage over Madrid with seven games played so far this season.

18 NATIONAL SPORT FESTIVAL

Yuguda charges athletes, as Unity Torch arrives Bauchi

B

AUCHI state Governor Isa Yuguda has tasked state athletes that will participate at the 18th National Sports Festival in Lagos next month to make the state proud by winning more medals at the sports meet.

Yuguda gave the charge at weekend when he received the Torch of Unity of the National Sports Fiesta at the Government House Bauchi where he ran a 100 meters jog with the Torch,.

He described sports as an "event that brings Nigerians together under one umbrella without any discrimination of religion,tribe,ethnic,religion or any form of social inclination" He explained that the Festival Torch of Unity is a symbol of bringing different ethnicity group together in the country.

Adding that " considering that the nation is blessed with over 450 different tribes across several communities, sports has been the major tool of unity of Nigerians.

“This Torch of Unity is also symbol of prosperity, patriotism as well as greatness of our country, through sports we can unite the country that is blessed with about 450 ethnicity group, and there is absolute need for Nigerians to come together and make the country more devel-

From Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi oped” he said.

The Governor also commended the Bauchi state athletes that participated at the recently concluded Intra- zonal competition in Gombe for making the state proud further challenging them to win more medals at the Lagos sports meet.

Earlier the Northeast Zonal Coordinator of the National Sports Commission,Talba Umar Shua hailed the Governor for showing interest in sports development in the state.

He said ''Governor Yuguda is a pace setter in the North East zone in terms of sports promotion which every stakeholder in the zone is proud of and , urged him to improve on his current the tempo".

•Isa Yuguda

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

63

TODAY IN THE NATION

MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

C OMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

S

INCE I read the play, Death of a Salesman, about two decades ago, I have never lived down the pithy vitality of its language, its barebones fury and patterned telling of a lovelorn world. Its genius of moral ambiguity is vitiated by a harsh human story that haunts all those who believe they will grow old one day.

But most potent for me has been its message about the ordinary worker, who toils from day to day and loses most of his life force to the employer, whose savage flair for profit is exceeded only by a fierce disregard for the tint and tonic of blood flowing cheerlessly in the veins of the employee.

At the end of the day, the hoary hour comes.

He stares at the stark emptiness of his stewardship of many years, his inability to care for home and hearth, and to keep the family out of want and despair. He kills himself because the salesman made his pitches, travelled the cities of America in its grim entrails, and comes back to realise that, for all his sacrifices, he never really made a sale.

The play, written by American author Arthur Miller, was received by the world with chilly gratitude for its poignant tone and cheeky sincerity. For me, it has been a story that reminds me always of many loved ones I have known over the years, who have worked their whole lives and ended up as though, as Willy Loman the main character - says, their lives were a “wonderful lie.”

Individuals may not make a sale, but what of a nation, or a government, when it desires to sell itself? For the first time, I was compelled to look at the play in the context of a nation selling itself last month in New York, the world’s headquarters of the sale.

It was at the tony New York Palace Hotel, located in the 50th street in Manhattan, around some of the shops and offices advertising and selling some of the world’s marquee brands.

Feet fast and eyes dreamy, many buyers and sellers find the ambience of Manhattan the congenial locale. So that was where the Nigerian Roundtable took place, and it was billed as an investment forum to advertise Nigeria’s best to a city and world of appetite and profit.

But when I entered the hotel, I saw the sights that could only be described as Nigerian. I met a lady, dressed in a iro and buba and it was easy to know she was one of us and I asked where the Nigerian event was happening. I was on vacation, and I wanted only to enjoy the sights and other joys of the city. But the reporter could not miss out on such a potential news event. It turned out, though, that while I waited to see foreigners, all I saw were Nigerians. Most of them were dressed in suits, except some of the women, especially the two dames of subsidy, Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke.

My eyes swept over the hall. I saw only a sprinkle of foreigners. Most of the attendees were Nigerians. I wondered what the difference could have been if the show took place in the tranquil relic of Lokoja or conceited grandeur of Abuja or in the bustle of Lagos.

RIPPLES

IT’S CHEAPER TO BUY FUEL VANDALS Suspected dealer

Of course, it’s the only way to enjoy SUBSIDY REMOVAL

VOL 7 NO 2272

‘Our country is currently plagued by a scourge of wrong values. We must work hard to weed it of the debilitating malaise of denigrating time-tested values, awards and recognitions’ EMEKA OMEIHE

SAM OMATSEYE

IN TOUCH

intouchsam@yahoo.com 08054501081(sms only) •Winner, Informed Commentary 2009& 2010 (D.A.M.E)

Dearth of salesmen

•President Jonathan

The Jonathan administration festooned the place with ministers and special advisers and even envoys from outside the United States. You would think it was a big deal, and Nigeria was going to finally nail the issue of investment.

But as speaker after speaker spoke, it was clear this was a case of Nigerians talking to Nigerians. The few foreigners were already doing business or talking business with Nigeria, including Goldman Sachs. And I spoke to a lady, an American, who said she belonged to a consulting firm for companies that invested “in your country.”

So while a lady like Alison-Madueke made an elaborate show of making a pitch, I could not but see how comic it all was. She spoke about the changes in the oil sector, including NNPC

unbundling as well as the new bill, and she celebrated the upsurge in electricity supply. More comical was Okonjo-Iweala, who had earlier been cautioned by reporters when she rebuffed a question from this newspaper’s correspondent based in the U.S. She spoke at the event about savings, about the government’s attempt to restrain its spending and the general atmosphere of ease for investment.

But what was odd was that two state governments that had good stories to tell were put in the middle of this oddity. They included the Delta State Government and the Akwa Ibom State Government. Delta State Governor Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan was represented by his senior adviser, Oma Djebah. Dr. Uduaghan, I learned, had to return to Nigeria for pressing matters after a high-scale meeting with the top brass of French diplomats, including the prime minister, for bilateral matters. Djebah, in his characteristic verve, spoke of Delta State’s potential in such areas as agriculture, health, maritime, manufacturing and education.

But what caught the imagination was when Akwa Ibom Governor Godswill Akpabio took the stage. He had been on song speaking about his infrastructure accomplishments, as well as the investment potentials of power, education, agriculture and a wide gamut. He is one of the best governors in telling his own story, with clear-eyed humour and enthusiasm. But the drama came when Okonjo-Iweala interjected and wanted Akpabio to speak in favour of savings.

“But I am in a spending mode,” answered Governor Akpabio, smiling. The Finance Minister, who is often described as the coordinating minister of the economy, generated some murmur in the audience, and some wondered why

HARDBALL

the minister was sounding such naïve tones.

I wondered how a country that had poor infrastructure, education, health care, and many other deficiencies would be speaking savings in an investment forum when it expected people to come in and spend. It is a reflection of how Okonjo-Iweala does not understand her job that she had to embarrass herself and the country.

Anyway, only a sprinkling of foreigners was there.

Is it not by spending that you energise a poor economy? Even anti-Keynesians also know.

Just outside, I encountered a local newspaper the New York Post that reported that Nigerian contingent who attended the United Nations General assembly had enmeshed New York traffic with its big limousines in major arteries. They wondered how such a country with its poor profile should make a grandiloquent contrast in their roads. No wonder President Jonathan came with a flood of ministers and other aides. Our nation went to New York to sell itself but New York was absent at the party. It became an interior monologue. We failed there. Then we sold something awful: our primitive love of excess with our limousines. New York did not buy.

The worst sale came during the meeting of the U.N. on polio with President Goodluck Jonathan attending. I managed to attend. Two things struck me. Our President acted unpresidential when the Australian Prime Minister entered late. She shook hands with Bill Gates and others, including Pakistani Prime Minister. They all sat down to shake her hands.

When it got to Jonathan’s, he stood up. Next was U.S. Secretary of Health, who also did not stand up. Our President slumped back to his seat as though unable to find traction sitting upright. That was not a good way to sell a President. The other point was that the President said he would eradicate polio when this term ends in 2015. Fellow Nigerians, President Jonathan has now told us that he would run for another term. A poor way to sell an intention. I wonder what his speech writers were thinking, just as his Independence day stumble.

We don’t have many good salesmen.

Mimiko’s mimic men My column last week generated not a few hate mails from those who clearly were partisan and I accept that. They are MimiKo’s mimic men. But none of them was able to fault my content. They just questioned my motive. That is a clear case of intellectual ignorance. Rather than read, they were embroiled in psychodynamic rigmarole. They chased the wind on end.

That is the quality of the coward. I would really like it if readers actually read.

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Obama/Romney: The sense and nonsense of polemics

B

Y popular acclamation, President Barack Obama of the United States lost the first round of the presidential debate to his Republican Party challenger, Mitt Romney. Two more rounds of the debate are outstanding before the November polls. In that first round, Obama was said to have debated like a bored university lecturer, while Romney went in like an aggressive bull ready to do battle. Both incumbent and challenger stretched their stories exceedingly tall and ladled out inaccuracies like confetti, but Romney disrespected facts and figures much more, in fact far worse than our own President Goodluck Jonathan did with the Transparency International (TI) figures.

Democratic Party faithful expect Obama to be ruthless in the next two rounds of the debate, that is, assuming his genial nature will permit him to bite in the clinches.

Romney’s performance has predictably revived his chances in the November poll, and he will seek to press home the advantage. If Obama is not to be buried alive, he must bring his talents as a law professor to bear, for now more than ever he needs them. But that precisely is where the problem lies. Polemics is by no means an easy art, as indeed many victims of unsparing polemical pugilism can testify.

Victory in polemics does not always go to the most astute, most intelligent, most oratorical, for polemics consists of dangerous chemical and metaphysical elements with unpredictable

properties. Even if it were listed on the periodic table, anyone who succumbs to polemical defeat would still be unable to fathom what hit him or what the properties of the elements are.

The inimitable Mark Twain captures for posterity one such polemical disaster as contained in the story of Abelard and Heloise in Chapter XV of his book, Innocents Abroad. It is a love story between a cold-hearted and ungrateful priest, Abelard, and a trusting, warm and innocent nun, Heloise, whose passionate love was unrequited. In the end Abelard betrayed Heloise, and he in turn was vanquished by a skilful debater called St.Bernard at the debating ground – fittingly, said Mark Twain.

Hear Twain: “Abelard, a man of splendid talents, and ranking as the first debater of his time, became timid, irresolute, and distrustful of his powers. He only needed a great misfortune to topple him from the high position he held in the world of intellectual excellence, and it came.

Urged by kings and princes to meet the subtle St. Bernard in debate and crush him, he stood up in the presence of a royal and illustrious assemblage, and when his antagonist had finished he looked about him and stammered a commencement; but his courage failed him, the cunning of his tongue was gone: with his speech unspoken, he trembled and sat down, a disgraced and vanquished champion.”

The effect polemical defeat has on the vanquished is akin to a crushing defeat suffered

by a politician at the polls: both would rather die than live, for such defeats, having been publicly delivered, are impossible to live down.

Obama probably did not experience a crushing blow to the medulla, but there is no doubt he knew he was thrashed, a fact that two-thirds of the 58 million people who watched the debate conceded. Too many people have had their reputations ruined on the debating ground. The sensible thing to do, therefore, is to avoid being pinned down to a formal debate. Nigerian politicians are adept at doing this. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo avoided the Yale-educated Chief Olu Falae of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in the aborted 1999 presidential debate; Umaru Yar’Adua scorned Abubakar Atiku in 2007; and both Muhammadu Buhari and Dr Goodluck Jonathan simply ignored the Young Turks of the opposition in the 2011 debate.

Romney may have outperformed Obama last week, but America would be the poorer with him as president, as indeed the country was under George W. Bush. And as many women whose chastity and reputations have been ruined by smooth-talking men can attest, the most oratorical is often the most avidly libertine. If Obama does not turn the table against Romney in the next rounds, he must pray that Americans become as sturdy as Nigerians who in the First and Second Republics relished the oratory of Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe on the stump but still went ahead remorselessly to vote for their candidates and champions.

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Editor Daily:01-8962807, Marketing: 01-8155547 . Abuja Office: Plot 5, Nanka Close AMAC Commercial Complex, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja. Tel: 07028105302. Port Harcourt Office: 12/14, Njemanze Street, Mile 1, Diobu, PH. 08023595790. WEBSITE: www.thenationonlineng.net E-mail: info@thenationonlineng.net Editor: GBENGA OMOTOSO