The Nation October, 14, 2011 by The Nation

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Baba Suwe held for alleged drug runs

NEWS

Page 8

•Detained at NDLEA’s airport office

Oshiomhole gets NLC’s nod for second term NEWS

•ANPP chief joins ACN in Edo

Page 10

www.thenationonlineng.net

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

VOL. 7, NO. 1913 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

Alao-Akala gets N500m bail

Reps invite AG, IG over invasion of The Nation

HE invasion of The Nation and the arrest of some of its editors yesterday drew the ire of the House of Representatives. The House invited the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Mohammed Adoke (SAN) and Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Hafiz Ringim over the matter. They are to appear before House Joint Committees on the Justice, Police Affairs,

All those arrested have been released. The last among them, the Human Rights, Media and Managing Editor, Northern Publicity next Tuesday. The Nation’s Lagos Head Operation, Alhaji Yusuf Alli, office and Abuja Bureau were was released yesterday after invaded by the Police on two days in detention. Others: Lawal Tuesday while MORE ON Ogienagbon (Deputy Edisome workers Yomi Odunuga were arrested. PAGES 2&3 tor), (Abuja Bureau Chief), They were arrested over the publication of Dapo Olufade (News Coordia letter written by former nator, Weekend titles), John President Olusegun Austin-Uwachukwu (Legal Obasanjo to President Continued on page 4 Goodluck Jonathan.

N150.00

•Workers’ strike may stall Daniel’s motion

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

A •Alao-Akala

N Ibadan High Court yesterday granted bail to former Oyo State Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala and his two associates, Senator Hosea Agboola and Mr Femi Babalola. Alao-Akala was granted N500 million bail with two sureties in like sum; Agboola and Babalola, a contractor,

From Bisi Oladele and Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

were given N300 million each. Agboola is to produce a surety and Babalola, two. Justice Mashood Abass said the sureties must swear to an affidavit of means including landed properties Continued on page 4

Why petroleum subsidy must go, by Jonathan President promises trade, tariff review From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

ESPITE the public outcry against the planned removal of fuel subsidy, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday insisted on its withdrawal. Funds saved from the removal will stimulate private sector investments to bridge infrastructure gap and create incentives for investment in refineries and the petroleum industry, the President said. He spoke at the opening of a Presidential Retreat with the Private Sector on Economic Development and Job Creation at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja. Explaining that the plan to remove petroleum subsidy was still at the proposal stage, the President said if it scaled through, the resources hitherto used as subsidy on the importation of petroleum products, would be invested in tangible infrastructure and provision of social safety nets to cushion the impact of the reforms. According to him, discontinuing with the subsidy remained the only

•President Jonathan (third right), Vice-President Namadi Sambo (third left), Speaker Aminu Tambuwal (second left), Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Pius Anyim (left), Senate President David Mark and Minister of Finance Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala at the retreat in Abuja ... yesterday. PHOTO AKIN OLADOKUN

responsible way of harnessing revenue for capital stock formation, among others. Jonathan said: “ There are proposals to phase out petroleum subsidies in a deliberate and responsible way that will harness revenues for capital stock formation and leverage on private sector investments in public-private part-

nerships (PPPs).” His administration, he said, was also working with the National Assembly to pass the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) into law, adding that the government was intensifying its engagement with the lawmakers and other key stakeholders to agree on critical reforms to the fiscal regime for the oil and gas sec-

tor. The latest move to withdraw the subsidy has attracted widespread condemnation from several quarters, especially the organised labour. Those opposed to the proposal argued that the policy would push up the prices of goods and make life unbearable for Nigerians.

Specifically, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) cautioned government against the withdrawal, threatening to call its members out to resist the policy. On Wednesday, Senators mandated its committees to unmask the Continued on page 4

•AGRIC P13 •SPORT P15 •POLITICS P17 •BRAND P23 •SOCIETY P29

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

NEWS OUTRAGE OVER SIEGE ON THE NATION FREEDOM AT LAST: After what many have described as illegal arrests, detention and search on their homes and offices, four senior editors of the newspaper, its labour and law correspondents and Chief Security Officer (CSO) are freed and reunited with their families. From left: Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon, Managing Editor Northern Operations Yusuf Alli, Abuja Bureau Chief Yomi Odunuga, News Co-ordinator for Weekend Dapo Olufade, Head of Judiciary Desk John Austin-Unachukwu, Labour Correspondent Dupe OlaoyeOsinkolu and Chief Security Officer Jide Adegbenjo.

Reps lambast IG, security agencies over T

HE House of Representatives yesterday condemned the manner in which editors of The Nation were arrested on Tuesday by the Police, saying it is a reminder of the suppressive era of military rule. The lawmakers lambasted the Inspector-General of Police Hafiz Ringim over the arrests. They said it was a breach of the fundamental human rights of the people involved. The House mandated its committees on Justice, Police, Human Rights, Media and Publicity to investigate the issue and report back in a week. Many members insisted that the Ringim should be summoned before the House to explain why he should not resign over the issue. This was sequel to a motion brought before the House under matters of national importance by the Chairman of the Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Zakari Mohammed. The Lagos and Abuja offices of Vintage Press Limited, publishers of The Nation were invaded by security agents on Tuesday and the Deputy Editor, Mr. Lawal Ogienagbon, News Editor weekend, Mr. Dapo Olufade, alongside three other staff, were arrested in Lagos by men from the FCID; the Managing Editor,

From Victor Oluwasegun

Northern Operations, Mr. Yusuf Alli and the Bureau Chief, Mr. Yomi Odunuga were arrested in Abuja by the Police on Tuesday. The arrest was in connection with the October 4 lead story of the newspaper entitled: “Obasanjo’s ‘secret’ letter to Jonathan stirs anger.” Though the others have been released on bail, the Police said they would to charge Yusuf Alli to court. Speaking while moving his motion under Order 8, Rule 46, yesterday, Mohammed said: “The journalists were arrested on Tuesday because they published a letter allegedly written by ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo to our present President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. “In Abuja, Yusuf Alli and Yomi Odunuga were arrested by security operatives from Force Headquarters and were kept for over 24 hours. Some were released.” According to him, “the issue at stake is that the security agencies wanted to know the source of the letter. And their offence is that they refused to disclose their source. And we all know it is against the ethics of the profession to divulge your source.” “In this hallowed chamber, we

Why they were arrested, by Ringim

HE Inspector General of Police (IGP), Hafiz Ringim, yesterday justified the arrest and detention of seven journalists with The Nation by the police. He said the police’s action was in line with its statutory responsibility of investigating allegation of crime. Ringim, in a statement by Police spokesman, Olusola Amore, said the arrests of the journalists were informed by a complaint by a Nigerian (whom he failed to name) accusing them of engaging in criminal act. The IGP, who confirmed the release of some of the journalists, said in view of the public interest in the case, members of the public would be briefed as the investigation progresses. “The attention of the IGP, Hafiz Ringim has been passed the FOI Act. If we pass a law, we should stand by it. Those that were arrested were not armed but were merely earning a living with their pens. If we allow this action by the security agencies to go unchallenged, the next thing may be that lawmakers will be arrested for making certain contributions on the floor.” Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who seconded the motion, said the house should treat the issue with the seri-

By Eric Ikhilae

drawn to the case of criminal complaint instituted by an individual against members of a Nigerian daily newspaper. “The IGP wishes to state clearly that the complaint emanates from an aggrieved individual who, under the Nigerian Constitution, has a right to lay complaint to the Nigeria Police. “In the process of this criminal investigation, seven members of the daily newspaper complained against were arrested and interrogated. “Due to the perceived public interest in the matter, members of the public will be briefed from time to time on this criminal investigation,” the statement said.

ousness it deserves. “What happened should not be taken for granted. It is The Nation today, it may be anybody tomorrow.” She said she learnt that some of the arrested journalists were kept in cells with hardened criminals and that this was a breach of their fundamental human rights. She noted that the former president reportedly denied that he wrote the letter and that the newspaper would hear from his lawyers. “We

did not know his lawyers are policemen,” she said. Minority Whip Samson Osagie said the days of jackboot regimes are over. “Gone are the days when security agents in a Gestapo manner will storm, intimidate and arrest people without warrants. Section 35 of the Constitution combined with Section 39 make it clear that the rights of citizens are guaranteed. “The way they were arrested were

Nyako, Agbakoba, Ngige flay police over arrest of journalists

DAMAWA State Governor Murtala Nyako, former Nigerian Bar Association President (NBA), Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), Mr Yusuf Ali (SAN), Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN) and Mr Kemi Pinhero (SAN), have said the manner of the arrests of four editors of The Nation do not speak well of a democratic state. Others who spoke were former NBA Assistant Publicity Secretary and past chairman of Lawyers in the Media (LIM), Mr Gbolahan Gbadamosi; former Chairman, NBA, Lagos Branch, Mr Chijioke Okoli; and former Chairman, NBA, Ikorodu Branch, Mr Nurudeen Ogbara. The lawyers warned President Goodluck Jonathan against turning Nigeria into a “police state.” Nyako described the newspaper as a peaceful organisation. Agbakoba wondered why editors should be arrested for doing their job. His words: “I should be very shocked as to why editors will be arrested in this day and age simply for doing their work. It certainly doesn’t speak well for our stature as a leading democracy.” Ali said although the police have a right to arrest anyone suspected to have committed an offence, they must state why the editors were taken into custody. “The general power of the police to arrest under the Police Act is pre-

•‘Don’t turn our country to police state’

•Nyako

•Agbakoba

By Joseph Jibueze and Barnabas Manyam, Yola

crude ways of doing things, could have simply invited the editors for questioning and they will honour it. “What happened is simply an act of intimidation of the press, which, like others in the past, will fail. These editors should be released forthwith or charged to court if any offence has been committed by them.” Pinhero said: “I hope these are not ominous signs that we are descending into a police state.” Okoli described the arrests as an attack on free speech, saying: “I condemn

mised on reasonable suspicion of the commission of a felony or an offence. I would want to believe that the police acted within the law. “The onus is on the police to tell the world the offence(s) of the gentlemen,” Ali said. Ngige said the arrests are an act of intimidation. “I think the arrest is condemnable. It’s a reminder of the sad days of military rule. The security agents, instead of resorting to

•Ngige

the arrests in entirety as an unconstitutional attack on free speech and personal liberty, which are parts of the democratic infrastructure. They should be released immediately.” Gbadamosi, a former Law Editor at The Guardian, said any attempt to suppress the press will be resisted. He added: “It is unfortunate that when we are perfecting our democratic experience, we are being exposed to a Gestapo approach to issues by security agents. “This is purely a civil matter. If

any member of the society is aggrieved by a report in any newspaper, of course we have the democratic space to exercise our rights. The right thing to do is to get a lawyer and go to court, and let the court adjudicate the matter. “If what we read in the newspaper is anything to go by – that somebody who believes he is well-to-do in the society is trying to use his position to muscle the freedom of expression – then it is totally condemnable. “I therefore condemn the arrest in its entirety and call for the immediate release of the editors.” Ogbara said: “The arrest of the four editors of The Nation is a sad reminder of the yesteryears of military dictatorship in Nigeria and it signifies descent into autocracy and dictatorship. “The Goodluck Jonathan administration is not only lawless, it is also anti-people and a disappointment given the enormous goodwill that all Nigerians lavished on the President in the last election.” Many residents of Yola, the Adamawa State capital, condemned the police action. Dr. John Ngamsa, a lecturer with the Adamawa State Polytechnic, condemned the action and urged President Goodluck Jonathan to openly beg the management of the paper.

arr

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

NEWS OUTRAGE OVER SIEGE ON THE NATION

Lagos Assembly berates police

arrest of The Nation editors What the lawmakers said

‘

In this era of democracy, for people to waylay journalists and bring someone from Lagos to Abuja like a criminal, should be condemned. We should take a stringent action against this. We should take this seriously. After winning the battle for democracy, we should not allow the enemies of our liberty to shackle us any more

‘

in a Gestapo manner. Others were arrested because those they sought were not available. Arrest by proxy is not acceptable. Where Freedom of Information Act is in full operation, not even the president can hide the conduct of business from the public. “This matter is important. Though we have had overzealous reporters in the past, we should not accept this. We should send a strong signal to the security agencies on this issue or our freedom of speech will be barnished.” Chairman Committee on Climate Change Eziuche Ubani said the staff of The Nation should not have been arrested in the first place. He said he learnt that Obasanjo sent a petition to the President on the issue and that the petition was send to the Justice Ministry and it was further passed down to the Police. “In this era of democracy, for people to waylay journalists and bring someone from Lagos to Abuja like a criminal, should be condemned. We should take a stringent action against this.

‘

If we cannot protect our press from harassment, we have failed. If the police say they are arresting the men for releasing classified papers, who determines what is classified? Action must be taken. If the police do not know how to do their jobs, we should invite them here and teach them how to do it

“Enemies of our liberties are still alive. We should take this seriously. After winning the battle for democracy, we should not allow the enemies of our liberty to shackle us any more. Samuel Adejare insisted that it was necessary for the House to summon the Inspector-General of Police to defend his actions. “We should call the IG to explain why he should not resign over this issue.” John Dyegh agreed with Adejare. He said: “Their action will stifle democracy. The press is an arm of democracy and if the press is shackled, democracy is dead. The IG should be called to explain his action.” Udoh Ibeji (Abia), in his contribution, said the action taken by the police is an embarrassment to democracy. “If we cannot protect our press from harassment, we have failed. If the police say they are arresting the men for releasing classified papers, who determines what is classified? Action must be taken. If the police do not know how to do their jobs, we should invite them here and

‘

teach them how to do it.” However, some members of the House made attempts to stop the issue from being discussed, saying the House has no right to do so. Koko Bright (Rivers), Simon Yakubu and Warman Ogorima, made spirited efforts under various points of Order to ensure the matter was not discussed. Bright said it was wrong for the House to suspend its rule to discuss the matter. He added that it requires two-third votes from members to do that. Warman Ogorima backed the lawmaker, saying the House has no right to discuss the case. Deputy Leader Leo Ogor, Chairman House Committee on Appropriations John Enoh and Chairman Business and Rules Sam Tsokwa countered their arguments. Their objections were overruled by the Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha, who presided over the plenary. At the end of the session, the IGP and the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation were summoned to appear before the House.

Obasanjo under attack over detention of editors LEGAL luminary, Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN) yesterday berated former President Olusegun Obasanjo over his role in the arrest of The Nation journalists. Akintola told reporters in Abuja that “the struggle against assault on the press is a collective fight. Many people would have been forgotten by now if not for the press.” . He said: ”I don’t know when it became a crime for a media organisation to publish a letter written to a public figure. If allegations were made against him (Obasanjo) and he thinks the allegations are false, he should go to court. He has the right to exercise his fundamental human right under the constitution. We thought we have gone pass that ….

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

“As I speak with you, public officers are not speaking against the arrest. They have forgotten that they might become victims tomorrow. “Most of the people enjoying the public offices never knew what we went through for us to have democracy. So it is convenient for them to gloss over the suffering of fellow citizens. But those of us who know the implication of keeping quiet in the face of tyranny, that is why we are condemning what is being done. If they have committed any offence; go to court. When did it become the norms that the police have to act at the behest of any expublic officer? Is Ota farm now an extension of the office of the president or IGP. We have so many

former presidents in United States; you hardly hear of them after leaving office, they keep low profile. But the reverse is the case in Nigeria. At every point in time our former leaders keep on disturbing our peace. They keep on heating the polity. “I pity all those public officers who are keeping quiet in the face of this. They will need the same press they are disparaging now when they are in trouble. I remember a number of former governors who have had the cause to go to court to seek for protection against the same state they had earlier ruled. “Our leaders don’t just learn because they don’t read. They don’t read about the past experiences of some people. When it is convenient for them, they disparage the press, they disparage the judiciary.”

AWMAKERS in the Lagos State House of Assembly yesterday at plenary condemned the forceful arrest and detention of the editors of The Nation by the police. They called on the President, Minister of Justice and the Inspector-General of Police not to take the nation back to the dark days of the military era. Raising the issue under Matter of Urgent Public Importance, Sanai Agunbiade (Ikorodu 2) said that the invasion of the newspapers by the police at Abuja and Lagos during which four editors were arrested is condemnable and undemocratic. According to him,”‘the action is against democracy, there should be respect for journalists. We heard the pressmen were arrested over the publication of a letter, which was allegedly written by ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo to President Goodluck Jonathan. Probably the police was ordered to investigate the matter and the only method they could adopt was to harass the pressmen.” He maintained that if anyone felt bad about a story, he ought to go through the normal process of tak-

By oziegbe Okoeki

ing the matter to court and claim damages. He added that what former President Obasanjo did was synonymous with the military system of government. Contributing to the issue, Funmi Tejuosho (Mushin 1) said Nigeria has talked about the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill severally, but that the country always goes back to her old ways. She emphasised that Obasanjo should have asked for a rejoinder or withdrawal of the story if he felt bad about the publication. “If you are not happy about a story, you can sue the writers. We should try and put a stop to this kind of thing, nobody is above the law,” she said. Contributing to the motion, Ipoola Omisore (Ifako/Ijaiye 2) stressed that the FOI Bill should be implemented and that people should not misuse power. Obasanjo, he said, is not above the law. Omisore condemned the inability of the police, led by the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Hafiz Ringim to handle the issue of bombing and kidnapping, only to be concerned about a story written about Obasanjo.

Rights activist condemns siege

RIGHTS activist, Richard Akinnola, has described Tuesday’s arrest of The Nation journalists by the Police as a crude exhibition of brute force and an attack on press freedom. He said the Police’s action was reminiscence of the country’s experience under military rule. “The police siege on The Nation and the arrest of four of its editors is not only arbitrary and abuse of power, but also a flagrant abuse of press freedom. “In a democratic clime, this gestapo tactics that reminds one of the inglorious days of the military, must be condemned by any decent and freedom-loving Nigerians. “It further poses an assault on press freedom for the police au-

By Eric Ikhilae thorities to insist on the source of information of the story that led to the siege. Apart from the fact that this is contrary to the ethics of journalism profession, it’s also against the position of the law. “In the case of Olusola Oyegbemi and Sketch v. Inspector-General of Police and the case of Innocent Adikwu and Punch v. House of Representatives, Justice A.O. Balogun, then of Ikeja High Court had declared that it is unconstitutional for a journalist to be compelled to disclose his source of information. “If the supposed complainant in this recent seige has any axe to grind with The Nation, let him seek redress in court,” he said.

Activists: Arrests unwarranted

WO Osogbo, Osun Statebased human rights activists, Comrade Amitolu Shittu and Biodun Agbola have described the arrests of the editors of The Nation as unwarranted. Shittu, National Co-ordinator, Committee for Democracy and Rights of the People (CDRP), described the invasion of the newspaper’s two offices as an

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

“unwarranted attack on the defenders of democracy.” Agboola and Folaranmi, coordinator, Peoples Welfare League, and chairman, Independent Masses Forum, said the arrest has showned that the Peoples Democratic Party government-led by President Goodluck Jonathan, is only paying a lip service to rule of law.

‘Invasion is barbaric, illigal’

CTIVIST-lawyer Morakinyo Ogele yesterday criticised the Federal Government over the detention of The Nation editors. He said the invasion of the newspaper’s premises by the security agents is a violation of the paper’s rights and the rights of Nigerians to have access to information as provided in the 1999 constitution. In a statement, Ogele described the detention of the editors as barbaric and a breach of the Freedom of Information Act. The statement reads: “The Inspector General of Police is hereby directed within seven days to apologise publicly for the acts of his men to The Nation and pay N10 million to each editor for unlawful arrest and detention. “The Peoples Democratic Partyled Federal Government has again informed the whole world the type

of government it is running. Almost four years ago, the security agents invaded the premises of Channels Television and sealed it off, a year after the Authority in Abuja entered into African Independent Television (AIT) premises to demolish it on the flimsy excuse of illegal structure. “It has become the culture of the Federal Government to harass and intimidate media houses. Nigerians should come out and condemn these barbaric and unprogressive acts from the security agencies.The invasion of The Nation premises and arrest of the editors is a signal to other media houses that they should adequately prepare for more intimidation and harassment. “Let those involved in this act remind themselves that they are only out to destroy the democratic structure bestowed on Nigerians by the constitution.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

NEWS Delta sacks 15 doctors over strike

•From right: Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, Guest Speaker; Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, his wife, Bisi; Ekiti Deputy Governor, Mrs Funmi Olayinka and her husband Lanre at a lecture/book presentation to mark the first anniversary of the Fayemi administration in Ado-Ekiti ... yesterday

HE Delta State Government yesterday announced the sack of 15 doctors on its payroll over their role in a strike that crippled operations at the state-owned hospitals. Health Commissioner Dr. Joseph Otumara, who justified the sack while speaking with reporters in Asaba, the state capital, said the appointment of the affected doctors had not been confirmed by their employer. He said the action was necessary to send the signal to others and serve as deterrent to those that may be nursing the strike idea. According to him, the State Hospital Management Board (SHMB), heeding a directive from government had issued appointment letters to those hired to replace the sacked doctors. The doctors’ strike had been

Why petroleum subsidy must go, by Jonathan Continued from page 1

beneficiaries of the N1.2 trillion subsidy. Senate President David Mark lamented that the subsidy was not reaching its targeted beneficiaries – the ordinary Nigerians. Unveiling plans to overhaul the external trade and tariff policies, Jonathan said it was important to promote domestic industries by protecting them from unfair trade practices. The country, he said, must also adopt a more responsive tariff policy which recognises the limitations of an over-extensive prohibition list. To ensure responsible fiscal policies, Jonathan said the Federal Government would strive to keep fiscal deficit

below three per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). There will be a deliberate and systemic reduction of domestic borrowing by government. Jonathan said the government was accelerating the implementation of key trade, tariff and customs reforms mostly to improve the domestic investment environment to achieve this, eh said. He said: “Accordingly, in line with the government’s commitment to ensure good and responsible fiscal policies, we are committed to maintaining the fiscal deficit at below three per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) during the life of this administration. “In this regard, we need to

arrive at more effective trade and tariff policies that facilitate the creation of local businesses and jobs. “We are determined to accelerate the implementation of the 48-hour ports clearance reforms, improve the efficiency of the Nigeria Customs Service and other related agencies, and reduce the incentives for smuggling.” Speaking of the formidable challenges for achieving these developmental objectives, the President added for achieving some of the fiscal, monetary and other risks that the country must mitigate were becoming more apparent. Jonathan said: “As evidenced by our strong economic growth in recent times,

our nation has been resilient to the global economic downturn. However, we face formidable challenges ahead in charting a course towards the achievement of our developmental objectives outlined in this administration’s economic transformation blueprint. Explaining the importance of the retreat, Jonathan said: “Our historical over-reliance on oil revenue has hampered the growth of the non-oil sectors of our economy. “I am happy to inform you that this administration is committed to reversing this trend by implementing targeted interventions to boost non-oil and real sector productivity. “For instance, under the Agricultural Transformation

Action Plan, efforts are underway to improve the productivity, yield and competiveness of key agricultural commodities with significant export potential. “By harnessing the value chains in the production of cocoa, groundnut, oil palm and rice, as well as for cotton, cassava and sorghum, we will conserve billions of dollars in foreign exchange that would otherwise have been spent on imports. ‘We will equally reverse the unsustainable food importation process, which has fuelled domestic inflation. “And in effect, improve our national food security position; and unleash the sector’s potentials for employment generation and wealth creation.”

Alao-Akala, Senator, contractor get bail Continued from page 1

in a Government Reservation Area in Ibadan, the state capital. There are, however, fears that the ongoing judicial workers’ strike in Ogun State may stall today’s hearing in former Governor Gbenga Daniel’s bail motion. The judge held that AlaoAkala, Agboola and Babalola could not be denied bail because their alleged offences are bailable. The accused are standing trial for alleged embezzlement of N25 billion. Justice Abass added that if the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which is prosecuting them, could grant them administrative bail, it is not the court’s business to deny them such facility. He insisted that bail is only temporary for the period of trial, adding that the availability of the accused to stand trial is the most important criterion. “It is the cynosure of all criteria,” he said. Justice Abass pointed out that the former governor promised in his affidavit not to jump bail, adding that all the accused have good standing in the society being a former governor, a serving senator and a business magnate. Besides, he said the facts before the court showed that the accused surrendered to the EFCC willingly, adding that

Workers’ strike may stall Daniel’s motion

HERE are fears that the bail application of former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel may not be heard today because of the ongoing strike by judicial workers. The strike may stall the hearing of the application. Daniel, who is facing a 16-count charge of stealing public funds, fraudulent conversion of public assets to personal use, failure to declare assets truthfully, and fraudulent use of Ogun State landed property is expected to return to court this morning. He is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Daniel was arraigned on Wednesday and his counsel, Mr. Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), filed his bail application the same day. A visit to the Ogun State High Court in Abeokuta yesterday showed that the courts were deserted. The gates leading to the Magistrate and High courts were not only locked but barricaded with wooden and metal materials. Agboola and Babalola have given statements to the commission on seven occasions between 2007 and 2010. He also took judicial notice of the fact that they do not have criminal records that could suggest that they may jump bail. Justice Abass noted that the Supreme Court once held that the ill-health of an accused overrides many other factors in considering him for bail. According to the judge, the

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

The Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) strike which entered its third day today is to protest the new tax regime introduced by the government. The JUSUN Chairman, Mr. Sina Adesanya, told reporters in Abeokuta yesterday that if there was nothing positive from the government before midnight, the warning strike would persist till next week regardless of its effects on the justice system. “If the strike continues, that case cannot come up, until the end of the strike. We are also part of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and none of us would be on ground as all of us must stay at home,” Adesanya said. The NLC and the government are quarrelling over the alleged poor treatment meted out to public servants under the new tax regime and some illegal allegedly were said not remitted to the appropriate quarters. But the Information and Strategy

maximum penalty for the offences allegedly committed by the accused is seven years imprisonment. He said Section 118 (1) of the Criminal Procedure Act also stipulates that the accused should be granted bail when the offence is not punishable with death unless the judge sees good reasons to the contrary. He adjourned the case to December 13 for trial. At 5.25p.m., Justice Abass signed the bail bond freeing Alao-Akala from custody.

Commissioner, Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu, and Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Mr. T a i w o •Daniel Abiodun Adeoluwa, had repeatedly said no new tax regime was introduced. They explained that all the Amosun administration has done is effective implementation of the existing tax laws. Olaniyonu and Adeoluwa challenged any civil servant who believes he or she is being overtaxed to come forward to make a case and if proven, the person would be refunded even with interest. Governor Ibikunle Amosun, a chartered accountant, on assumption of office, promised to raise the revenue profile partly through ensuring payment of all bills, rates and taxes due to the state.

When informed that the bail bond had been perfected, Justice Abass called in the accused persons one after the other to ensure that the documents were genuine. Immediately the accused fulfilled the bail conditions, their loyalists who waited outside the courtroom started jubilating and praising AlaoAkala. The loyalists approached Alao-Akala with placards with inscriptions like “Stop victimisation of Alao-Akala;

“No more character assassination”, “NULGE (National Union of Local Government Employees) needs Akala”; “Oluyole youths need Akala”, and “Akala shines in everybody’s eyes”. Decked in white agbada lace and a black cap, with necklace, Alao-Akala waved to the cheering crowd of supporters until he entered into one of the waiting vehicles and left in the company of security agents to his Bodija, Ibadan residence.

From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

triggered by what they called an authoritarian attitude of Dr. Caroline Ajuya, the Permanent Secretary in the SHMB. Under the aegis of the Association of Government General Medical and Dental Workers practitioners, they had embarked on the industrial action in August. They doctors also demanded the redeployment of Dr Ajuya from the SHMB. Besides, the doctors were kicking against the government’s taxation policy. But the commissioner lashed out at the doctors, pointing out that they not more important than other categories of workers in the state. He said government would not allow itself to be held to ransom by its employees each time they felt aggrieved. Otumara noted that doctors were not supposed to engage in ceaseless agitations but to be compassionate and see human lives as sacred, adding that the commercial inclination of some doctors has made them to lose focus of the ethics of their choice profession.

Reps invite AG, IG over invasion of The Nation Continued from page 1

Editor), Mrs Dupe OlaoyeOsinkolu (Staff Correspondent) and Jide Adegbenjo (Chief Security Officer) regained their freedom on Wednesday. The initial plan was to arraign Alli in court yesterday, but he was released without being charged. His release was believed to have been facilitated by Adoke, who was at the Force Headquarters, Abuja at noon yesterday. He left at 12.22p.m., after conferring with Ringim. Police spokesman Olusola Amore, who spoke for the IGP, yesterday justified the siege to The Nation’s office. He said an unnamed individual lodged “criminal complaint” against the paper.

Two Nigerians feared killed in Libya From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

WO Nigerians have been feared killed in Libya, according to a report on Radio Hamada International. The migrants, identified as Wilson Timi Mohammed, 28, and 30-year-old Mustapha Ayodele from Rivers and Lagos states, were allegedly killed on October 9 by some members of the Libyan National Transitional Council (NTC). Mohammed and Ayodele were killed as the battle for the last strong hold of Muammar Gaddafi’s city of Sirte heightened, with the NTC troops making more inroads. They were alleged to have been defending Gaddafi. Their deaths sparked criticisms of President Goodluck Jonathan’s policy on the troubled North African nation. The Nigerian community said the development further confirmed the spate of hostility towards Nigerians and other black Africans by the NTC.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

NEWS

‘Cocktail of drugs killed Michael Jackson’

DOCTOR has told a Los Angeles court that the “cocktail” of drugs Michael Jackson received before his death was a “recipe for disaster”. Dr Nader Kamangar, an intensive care doctor, said the star was receiving “very inappropriate therapy in the home setting, inappropriate sedatives... without appropriate monitoring by Dr Murray”. “Ultimately this cocktail was a recipe for disaster in a patient that had underlying dehydration,” he added. “There was inappropriate access to the appropriate medical equipment, a delay in calling 911 and inappropriate resuscitation that ultimately culminated in (Jackson’s) death.” “There were no real basic vital signs on him and this was the perfect storm,” he told the court. But defence lawyer J. Michael Flanagan told him that just because there was no record of Dr Murray charting Jackson’s vital signa, that did not necessarily mean Dr Murray did not obtain the information But Dr Kamangar replied: “In medicine, it is essential, we cannot take care of patients if we store it in our minds, we have to document things. It allows us to take better care of patients.” The prosecution claim Murray administered a fatal-

Promotion for accountants By Innocent Amomoh

AS part of efforts to enhance the productivity of its workforce, the Accountant-General of the Federation, (OAGF), has promoted accountants in his office. The promotion involves staff under Pro-Cadre and Executive Cadre from Level 07 to 14. It affected six centres: Abuja, Kaduna, Ibadan, Benin, Owerri and Lokoja. The Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU) commended the AGF, Mr. Jonah Otunla for the exercise. The chairman of the NCSU, OAGF Unit, Abuja, Mr. Orisamuyiwa Oladele, said.“The AGF, Mr. Otunla and his management team just broke a record.”

‘There was inappropriate access to the appropriate medical equipment, a delay in calling 911 and inappropriate resuscitation that ultimately culminated in (Jackson’s) death’

Award for NAFDAC boss •Dr. Kamangar…yesterday

ly large dose of propofol to the singer and then failed to properly monitor his patient. Lawyers for Murray had claimed Jackson self-administered a fatal drug dose of propofol, but have now dropped that aspect of their case. Murray told the police that after administering propofol, he left a sleeping Jackson for two minutes to use the bathroom and returned to find the patient not breathing.

“When you monitor a patient, you never leave his side, especially after giving propofol,” Steinberg said. “It’s like leaving a baby sleeping on your kitchen countertop. You would never do it because there’s a small — a very, very small — chance that the baby could fall or grab a knife or something.” Leaving the room without an assistant watching Jackson violated the “fundamental basics of the Hippocratic oath … not to abandon your pa-

•Dr. Murray

tient,” Kamangar said. Murray told the police he discovered Jackson in distress at about noon. A Jackson security guard, at Murray’s request, called 911 at 12:20 p.m. Paramedics arrived six minutes later. Steinberg said the paramedics, based four minutes away, could have saved Jackson with oxygen-administering equipment and heart-reviving drugs if they had arrived by 12:06 p.m. Professional guidelines, he said,

PHOTOS: AFP

would have allowed Murray to spend no more than two minutes — from noon to 12:02 p.m. — assessing the situation. Steinberg said if the medics had reached Jackson’s mansion by then, Jackson would still be alive. Steinberg said he found it “bizarre” that a medical professional did not call 911 as his first action. Kamangar called the delay “an extreme and unconscionable violation of the standard of care.”

Confusion over arrest of Gaddafi’s son

T NTC forces have been sweeping across Libya defeating Gaddafi’s wellequipped soldiers with homemade improvised vehicles. Rocket launchers have been mounted onto cars and cannons onto pick-up trucks after they raided Gaddafi’s military bases.

HERE are conflicting reports in Libya about the fate of one of ousted leader Col Muammar Gaddafi’s sons. Some figures from the National Transitional Council told news agencies Mutassim Gaddafi had been seized in the family’s embattled hometown of Sirte. However, a military commander in the city denied the claims, which have sparked celebratory gunfire in several cities. NTC forces say they now control most of Sirte, following fierce fighting. Where is Gaddafi? There have been false reports of the capture of senior Gaddafi figures in the past, including another son, Saif al-Islam, and Gaddafi spokesman Moussa Ibrahim. But if confirmed, Mutassim Gaddafi’s capture would be a major breakthrough for the NTC, says the BBC’s Caroline Hawley in Tripoli. He is a senior officer in Col Gaddafi’s army and was a national security adviser to his father. The NTC would want to question him as to the whereabouts of his father and other family members such as Saif and another son Khamis - both in Col Gaddafi’s inner circle - analysts say. The reports that Mutassim Gaddafi was captured sparked celebrations in Libya Col Gaddafi is believed to be somewhere in Libya’s southern deserts. His supporters are also holding out in the town of Bani Walid. Reuters news agency quotes NTC officials as saying Mutassim was captured as he tried to escape Sirte in a car with a family, after shaving off his long hair to disguise his appearance. The officials said he had been taken to Benghazi, was being questioned in

a military camp and was uninjured but exhausted. NTC adviser Abdelkarim Bizama told AFP news agency on Wednesday that Mutassim “was captured at Sirte and was transferred to Benghazi”. “We did not announce the capture earlier to avoid that [his family or aides] try to free him,” he added. However, a brigade commander in the city, Wesam Bin Hamid, told the agency claims he had been captured were false. Mutassim Gaddafi’s presence in the city, and that of several other senior figures in the former regime, is believed to be responsible for the fierce resistance the anti-Gaddafi fighters have encountered. ‘Victory near’ On Wednesday the head of Libya’s National Transitional Council (NTC), Mustafa Abdul Jalil, said he was optimistic they would soon declare total victory. “I hope that liberation will be declared in less than a week, after we free Sirte,” he said at a news conference with Tunisian Prime Minister Caid Essebsi in Benghazi. “And within less than a month we will form a transitional government and the youth and women will have a role in that.” The NTC said taking Sirte would be a major step in being able to govern the whole of Libya, giving them full control of the country’s ports and harbours. Thousands of civilians have fled the city in recent weeks but an unknown number are thought to have stayed behind, facing shortages of food, medicine and drinking water. Cars leaving Sirte are being stopped and searched at checkpoints to prevent escaping pro-Gaddafi fighters passing themselves off as civilians.

DIRECTOR-General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, (NAFDAC) Dr-Paul Orhii has received the coveted Leadership Award from the New York-based Youths for Human Rights International. He got the award for dogged commitment in the fight against fake and counterfeit drugs through the use of cutting-edge technologies. The coordinator of the organisation, Rev. John Carmichael, said the NAFDAC boss was honoured “for his exemplary leadership in the global fight against drug counterfeiting through the introduction of cutting –edge technologies which has resulted in drastic reduction of fake and counterfeit drugs in Nigeria”.

Honour for Ekweremadu From Emma Mgbeahurike, Owerri

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, Senate President David Mark and Former Vice-President Alex Ekwueme are billed to attend a reception in honour of Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu. The reception will hold at the Eko Hotels and Suites on November 19. A statement by the organising committee signed by the Secretary Declan Emelumba said the reception is in recognition of Ekweremadu’s qualities as a team player and a level-headed leader. Emelumba, said: “Senator Ekweremadu has proved over the years to be a good team player and a levelheaded leader.”

NCC to launch number portability THE Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) has reiterated its commitment to introduce the Number Portability Administrative Service in the country. The number portability service enables subscribers to switch from one telecom provider to the other without changing their numbers. It also gives telecoms providers opportunities to add more customers and boost revenues. NCC Vice Chairman Dr Eugene Juwah said the commission has successfully selected a vendor to manage the process .

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

NEWS Senator makes case for women professionals DESPITE the limitations in male-dominated professions, women professionals can still rise to the zenith of their fields, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has said. Tinubu, who was the guest speaker at the investiture of Mrs Laide Osijo as the first woman President of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), noted that other women professionals can replicate such success in their careers. Hailing Mrs Osijo, a lawyer and fellow of the NCRIB, for excelling in her career, Mrs Tinubu urged other career women to overcome stereotype perceptions and cultivate excellence, integrity and other virtues expected of thorough professionals. She said: “Today is a significant day for you all; for your organisation and for the women folk in Nigeria. It is not just because you made a landmark decision in your association’s 50 years’ history by electing her (Mrs Osijo) the first female President; the fact that you acknowledge that she has more than fulfilled the critical test of professional competence equally matters. “Through your action today, you have recognised the dedication and precision skills Barrister Osijo brings to the work you do. She offers an inspiring example of how Nigerian women can be role models of excellence. “She is a shining the light to enable other women find the path to achieving their potentials and fulfilling their purpose.”

Kwara NBA rejects fuel subsidy removal From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

THE Kwara State branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has described the planned withdrawal of petroleum subsidy as insensitive. The association said the withdrawal would pauperise Nigerians, as it would lead to a rise in pump price of petroleum products with a concomitant effect on the prices of goods and services. Its Chairman, Rafiu Balogun, spoke in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital after taking the oath of office. He said: “I am of the humble view that the government should weigh critically the merit and demerit of the proposed removal of fuel subsidy; it will breed corruption the more as there will be more money in the states coffers to be mismanaged or siphoned by some corrupt public officers. “The government is hereby enjoined to put the removal of fuel subsidy in abeyance in the interest of Nigerians who deserve better living. The Federal Government should strive to put in place more refineries and ensure that the existing refineries are working at the optimum capacity. “These steps will put an end to the importation of refined fuel which brings about subsidy. Our government should also, in the interim, look into the corruption and corrupt practices in the oil sector and the importation of the refined fuel.”

Ex-LP chair accuses Ondo of plot to arrest him

ORMER Labour Party (LP) chairman in Ondo State Dr. Olaiya Oni, yesterday raised the alarm over an alleged plan to arrest him by the government for buying a party’s vehicle. He said the government accused him of stealing the bus when he was the chairman. Oni denied the accusation, saying he had paid for it before his resignation. He alleged that the government used some policemen and suspected LP thugs to invade his factory, asking him to return the bus. The former LP chairman said the bus was given to the party in 2006 during the governorship campaign and that after the election its engine became faulty during a trip from Cotonou. The former minister added

•Mimiko’s aide: it’s a lie

From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

that since the government refused to repair the vehicle, he spent N1.5million on it and paid N200,000 into the party’s coffers and bought it over. Oni alleged that the LP thugs forcefully collected the receipt of the vehicle from his driver when he wanted to make a photocopy, adding that it was through the intervention of the policemen that he regained the receipt. In an open letter to Governor Olusegun Mimiko and made available to The Nation in Akure, the state capital, Oni said the Mimiko administration was only looking for ways to embarrass him.

The letter reads: “On Wednesday, October 12, at about 4.00pm, I found a team of police personnel who unceremoniously entered my factory premises on Ilesha Road Industrial Estate along with two of your aides-Mr. S.O Olawale and Tunde Alade alias “Class” including two camera men, claiming that they had come to recover a bus stolen by me when I was chairman of LP. They were also accompanied by five political thugs from the LP secretariat. “I showed the police officers who led them in the presence of your two aides mentioned above the bank teller of first Bank Plc with No: 40556922 dated 12/8/2011

with the LP’s receipt No: 0152 dated 16/8/2011 to show that I purchased the six-year old bus as a scrap having been abandoned in Ondo town since May 2010 when it lost its engine brain and gear box, tyres and clutches discs on motion. “Indeed, your office felt it was too expensive to fix when we made a demand on you in May 2010, more so as I spent N1.5m fixing the bus which I bought for N200,000 to show you its state. And Governor’s office sold many of such vehicles the same way. “I was ordered by the police officers to go to OkutaElerinla Police Station in Akure to make a report. When I was at the police station, my security and three

of the police officers still waiting in my premises were confronted by some operatives from the Special Armed Robbery Unit who claimed that they got a radio-phone call from the office of the Governor reporting a case of armed robbery in my factory. They left when they found that the information was false”. Oni, however urged the governor to call his aides to order, saying he left the party with clean record. But the govenror’s aide, Mr. Tunde Alade denied the allegation. He said his visit coincided with the incident. Alade, the Publisher of Class Magazine said he was in Dr. Oni’s office to interview him only to see policemen in action.

Kukah laments slow progress since Independence From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

•ACN supporters at the rally...yesterday Inset: Fashola (right) addressing the rally. With him are Mrs Orelope-Adefulire (second right), Tinubu (second left) and Ajomale.

Tinubu asks Lagosians to reject PDP at council polls CTION Congress of Nigeria National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) and Chairman of the party, Otunba Oladele Ajomale, yesterday asked the people of Alimoso-sub zone, Lagos State, to reject the Peoples Democratic party (PDP) at the October 22 local government elections. They reminded the supporters, who received them at Abesan Secondary School ground, Abesan Estate, that PDP had opposed the creation of additional five local government areas in the sub-zone at a time the leaders and representatives of the zone agitated for eight councils. Fashola, whose deputy, Mrs. Joke Orelope-Adefulire, is from the zone, said ACN would be expecting to garner four million votes on election day, out of the six million that registered to cast their votes. Urging the ACN faithful to remain steadfast, the governor promised to continue to fight the infrastructure battle in the populous zone, assuring that the flood-ridden Ayobo-Ipaja road and bridge, and Igando Housing Estate would be built. Tinubu, Fashola and Ajomale presented the chairmanship candidates and their running mates to the jubilating supporters. They are Yusuf Sakiru Adisa and Falilat Ajijola (Ayobo-Ipaja), Adebayo Bello and Kunle Olowopejo (Egbe-

•’ACN is targeting four million votes’ By Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Political Editor

idimu), Augustine Arogun and Sola Akande (AgbadoOke-Odo), Abiodun Mafe and Opeyemi Akindele (MosanOkunola), Morenike Williams and Lekan Akodu (Igando-Ikotun), and Israel Sola Adekunle (Alimoso). At the rally were Deputy Governor Adefulire, Hon. Bisi Yusuf, Primate Charles Odugbesi, Chief Funso Ologunde, Pastor Raheem Daramola, Ade Enilolobo, Olu Adimula, Israel Ajao and Kenny Okunmuyide. Ajomale, who presented flags to the six chairmanship candidates, urged them and their supporters to engage in door-to-door mobilisation and campaigns in the neighbourhood. He said ACN, which is growing in leaps and bounds, would claim its manifest destiny in Nigeria. He added: “With the defection of ANPP leaders and members to ACN, which party is left in Lagos? ACN is enlarging its coast in the Southwest and beyond. We have a commitment to claim Ondo and Kogi States in the next governorship elections”. Explaining why the people of Alimoso should reject PDP at the polls, Fashola said: “Five months ago, they threatened us with cutlass and guns, but PDP failed at the end of the day. The political rats, termites and

politicians who have embezzled public money now want to invade the councils. You should not allow them. “Go and look at their governors with pot bellies. Look at us, we are slim. It is because we are working. This is an important poll. The local government is the most important. It is responsible for primary education and health. Don’t go to sleep. We have cut the head of the snake. It has not died completely. We should be vigilant. Until few years ago, the whole local government structure was one in Alimoso. Today, it is six. Who do you thank for this after God? It is Jagaban”. The governor called for understanding among aspirants who did not emerge as candidates. He said: “Many wanted to be chairmen and councillors. Time belongs to God. If you cannot attain it now, don’t lose hope. Your candidates should carry other aspirants along”. Tinubu asked Alimoso people to count their political blessings, stressing that the sub-zone has produced the governor of Osun State, Chief Rauf Aregbesola, Lagos State deputy governor, Adefulire, House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee chairman, Adeola Olamilekan and many members of the state cabinet since 1999. He said there is no foot-

prints of PDP in Alimoso worthy of mention. Tinubu added: “It is 12 years of civil rule. Those of you who were not so young knew how Alimoso was. In Lagos, NRC came. They failed. No road. No water. Alimoso stopped the gluttons. You brought AD, AC, ACN and Alimoso claimed victory. “Go to the local governments in the PDP states; Kwara, Benue, Kogi. People are suffering. The PDP Federal Government is in charge of all the money. What are they spending the money on? We only gave them Abuja to look after. No road, no electricity, no water. We called for state police, they said no and they cannot maintain the police”. The former governor congratulated his worthy successor, Fashola, for forging ahead in the works of development, stressing that he is “a competent, unrelenting, incorruptible, visionary, straightforward actualiser”. Tinubu hailed the voting style and prowess of Alimoso and paid tribute to its leaders, including, Adefulire, Adimula, Enilolobo, Adelabu Onibiyo and Bisi Yusuf, urging them to unite the political family in the area in readiness for electoral victory. He saluted the chairman of Agbado-Oke-Odo LCDA, Rev. Kenny Okunmuyide, who stepped down in party’s interest, saying that he is a good politician who will bounce back in the future.

N what was his first public lecture since he was enthroned as Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, fiery cleric Dr. Mathew Hassan Kukah has lamented the slow progress made by Nigeria since it obtained independence in 1960. “We know we are in a country that has not made much progress. Where are we now in Nigeria? Here we are, countries that we got independence with, those that got it after, those we had to assist in one way or the other are ahead of us in all indices that indicate development. The sense of identity are still too narrow to call ourselves a nation.” Kukah, who delivered the keynote address at the first anniversary lecture of the Kayode Fayemi administration in Ekiti State, exorted Nigerians to be patient in analysing the performance of government at various levels. Calling attention to the lop sided nature of federalism in the country, the Most Revd. Kukah noted that Nigeria is the only country in Africa where there are separate states with separate governors who have different ideals regarding how to run the society. He called for refocusing of the federal arrangement. He wondered why Nigerians, even after 50 years of Independence, still lacks basic facilities like roads, potable water and health facilities, despite the enormous wealth of the country, saying that it remains a riddle that a lot of Nigerian Naira has continued to swell and serve Indian hospitals. Rev Kukah identified impatience of Nigerians towards many policies of governments as hindrance to finding solution to the myriads of ill that plague the society. He called on citizens to exhibit more patience in the way they analyse performances of governmens at various levels. Dr. Kukah enjoined governments to empower the citizenry as a major step towards addressing endemic poverty. Fayemi explained that the anniversary was to offer opportunities to reflect on the ills in the immediate Ekiti enclave and what the state government had been doing to bring about needed reverse.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

NEWS Judge’s absence stalls trial of Adigwe, others

Court strikes out appeal against T al-Mustapha, others

HE hearing on a preliminary objection by a former Managing Director of Afribank Plc (now MainStreet Bank Limited), Sebastine Adigwe and others was stalled yesterday at the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Adigwe, Afribank’s former chairman, Osa Osunde and former executive directors – Jibrin Isah, Isa Zailani, Chinedu Onyia, Henry Arogundade and Peter Ololo for allegedly stealing the bank’s N87.5 billion. The suspects are challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear the matter. Proceedings were stalled yesterday as judges did not sit. They were attending the funeral of Lagos State Judiciary’s Director of Accounts, Mrs Sarah Olufowobi, who died on September 22. The defendants also seek to quash the charges on the grounds that the EFCC had no statutory powers under the Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2007 to prosecute them. They said they were already facing similar charges at the Federal High Court, Lagos, so arraigning them at the state High Court amounted to an abuse of court process and double jeopardy.

•Adigwe

Adigwe was accused of converting billions of units of Afribank’s shares belonging to 1,258 subscribers for the use of different companies. EFCC alleged that he induced Afribank Capital Limited to pay Spring Capital Limited N11.5 billion as the stock market price for Afribank’s 388,346,154 ordinary shares at N29.61 per share. EFCC said he also did so in respect of Afribank Trustees and Asset Management Company, which he allegedly got to pay Spring Capital N8billion as the stock market price for Afribank’s 360,238,657 ordinary shares at N22.21 per share. Ololo was accused of receiving Afribank’s N12billion through Resolution Trust “knowing same to have been stolen,” while Osunde as Director of Freeland Petroleum allegedly received over N800million stolen units of Afribank’s shares. They pleaded not guilty and were granted bail. The hearing has been adjourned till November 16.

HE Court of Appeal, Lagos, yesterday struck out an appeal filed by the Lagos State Government against a state High Court judgment, which freed former Chief Security Officer to the late Gen. Sani Abacha, Major Hamza alMustapha, and three others. Justice Helen Ogunwumiju said the state was not diligent in prosecuting its appeal. al-Mustapha, a former Commissioner of Police, Lagos, James Danbaba; a former Military Administrator of

By Eric Ikhilae

Zamfara State, Lt.-Col. Jibrin Yakubu and a former head of the Aso Rock unit of Mobile Police, Mohammed Rabo Lawal were charged with the attempted murder of Alex Ibru, publisher of The Guardian. At the close of the prosecution’s case, the accused made a no-case submission, which was upheld by Justice

Mufutau Olokoba. The court held that the evidence on all the counts preferred against the accused were worthless, saying there was no evidence of conspiracy as alleged on the first count. It held that no prima facie case was established against the accused persons. The court discharged and acquitted them. The state challenged the

judgment at the appellate court. It, however, neglected to compile the record of appeal and ensure its transmission to the court . Justice Ogunwumiju noted that the appellant after filing its notice of appeal on January 6 went to sleep. She said such attitude showed lack of diligence on the part of the appellant and consequently struck out the notice of appeal.

Tinubu gets award in London HE National leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, will today be honoured at the Yoruba Heritage Awards

Ceremony in London. He beat former President Olusegun Obasanjo by over 16,000 votes to clinch the ‘Yoruba Man of the Year Award’ .

Jonathan promises food increase RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday assured Nigerians on increasing food production by 20 million metric tonnes before 2O14. Jonathan said this would be possible through the implementation of agricultural value chains in rice, cassava, cocoa and cotton production. Other crops on the list are oil palm, maize, soya bean, livestock, aquaculture and other staple foods. President Jonathan made this known at the opening of the National Agricultural Show in Karu, Nasarawa State. Jonathan, who was represented by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Bukar Tijani, said government cannot afford to continue

From Olugbenga Adanikan, Abuja

with food importation. His words: “Nigeria will add 20 million metric tonnes of foods to its present status through the establishment and pursuance of value chains . The President said credit would be offered to farmers through direct budgeting and N450 million loan which was provided by the Central Bank to support them. He said government would support farmers with one million metric tonnes of fertilisers from next year. This, according to him, would be provided through Gross Enhancement Support Scheme whereby farmers and suppliers would negotiate under a National Fertiliser Biometric System.

Nigerian Idol auditions head for HE Nigerian Idol auPort Harcourt dition train, spon-

sored by Etisalat, has moved to Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. Auditions will hold today and tomorrow at the Hotel Presidential. A statement by the Founding Partner, Red Media Group, Adebola Williams said the organisers are impressed with the deluge of talented young people entering for the competition. The auditions seek to find shortlisted candidates who

would go to Lagos and battle to make the list of 10 finalists on the show. The show, Williams said, is to help young music talent realise their dreams. Idol is the most popular musical show in history, churning out globally recognised stars like Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard and Jennifer Hudson. The next Nigerian Idol will join the ranks of Yeka Onka, who won Season I of the show.

•THE OLD AND THE NEW: Former Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Richard Aisuebeogun (left) handing over to his successor, George Uruesi, at FAAN Headquarters, Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos… yesterday PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

Lawmakers oppose N98.4b virement proposal

HE N98.4billion virement proposal for some Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) sent to the House of Representatives by President Goodluck Jonathan suffered a setback yesterday. The proposal was opposed by many lawmakers. The House was forced into executive session to reconcile its differences by Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha, who presided over plenary. House Leader Mulikat Akande-Adeola, who introduced the general principle on the debate of the proposal, on reading the mood of the House requested to step down the motion. By stepping it down, the proposal could be presented at a later date. Sensing that many lawmakers opposed the House Leader’s decision, the Deputy Speaker called for an executive session, where the issue would be resolved. Members, however, rose in

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

disagreement. Some wanted the proposal to be thrown out without being referred to the Appropriations Committee. Ihedioha intervened severally to calm members down . Mrs. Akande-Adeola urged members to consider the economic positives inherent in the document whereby areas that require funds be availed to be able to execute their projects. Majority agreed with the Deputy House Leader Leo Ogor that the proposal be referred to the Appropriation and other relevant committees to scrutinise the document before presenting it for consideration. Jerry Manwe said the committee should determine the level of 2011 budget performance and how much the Executive has spent. “The year is almost end-

ed, why virement now? We need to know how much they have spent from the current budget and just three months to the end of the year they are asking for N98billion. “We need to know the level of budget performance and I think the committee should be able to gather enough information before we can act on it”. The virement request include N6,374,772,436 from Federal Ministry of Agriculture; N3.79 billion for Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences (ICPC); N256,439,661 for National Library of Nigeria; N7,768,824,003 for Federal Ministry of Education; N2,005,907,978 for Nigeria Defence College; N1,226,656,260 for Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji; N17,067,478,034 from Federal Capital Territory (FCT); N9,416,100,484 from Federal Ministry of Aviation; N111,754,080,739 from Recurrent budget (Non-

Debt); N2,843,232,350 from barracks rehabilitation; N1,454,893,610 from National Sports Commission; additional sum of N5,434,005,870 from Federal Ministry of Education and N3,252,930,673 from Federal Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs among others. Others are N11.5b from Police Commands and Formations out of which N25,676,910 is for maintenance of horses; N29,068,200 for maintenance of dogs; N10,658,340 for maintenance of police band; N995,524,472 for fuelling of motor vehicles with additional sum of N1.08 billion for vehicle/ transport; N945,540,000 for local travel and transport; N484.47 million for electricity bill; N1.944 billion for uniforms and other clothings as well as N520.33 million for stationery/computer consumables and N137.394 million for food stuff/catering material supplies in the Force.

Senate committee warns PHCN workers

HE Chairman, Senate Committee on Power, Phillps Aduda, yesterday warned workers of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) that Nigerians will not take more excuses from the Federal Government if the new drive to resuscitate the power sector fails. He gave the warning yesterday during an unscheduled visit to Shiroro Hydro-electric Power Generation Plant, where

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

he inspected the repairing of one of the four generating turbines at the plant. Aduda said while the Federal Government was committed to the sector’s rejuvenation, workers of the various companies in the unbundled PHCN and other licensed Independent Power Plants (IPP) should ensure that the new move works.

He said his committee would come up with a roadmap for the revival of the power sector. “Our committee is coming up with a roadmap that will complement that of the executive. We are going to work with the PHCN, licensed IPP operators and other stakeholders in the sector to ensure that power outage becomes history in this country.” The lawmaker said the epi-

leptic nature of the sector has worsened with the blackout that has hit Abuja since Monday. He said: “I have come here today to see for myself what the problems are and to tell you that Nigerians will not take any more excuse from us if we fail in this new drive to revive the power sector. “Government is set to invest in the sector and we all must make it work.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

NEWS

Five killed in Ibadan road crashes F IVE persons have been killed in two accidents in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. Several others were injured. Eleven vehicles were damaged. The first accident occurred on Wednesday evening on Ojo-Moniya road, when the brake of a trailer, with registration number XD 159 BDJ, failed and the driver lost control. The trailer, loaded with a petroleum product, ran into two commercial buses,

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

with registration numbers XY 912 AGL and GA985 LSR, killing four persons. On Tuesday, 11 persons, including two pupils, were killed in two accidents in Ibadan. Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Moniya Unit, Mr. Adebayo Francis confirmed the incident. He

said the trailer crushed the buses and the victims died shortly after. The second accident occurred at Akintoba Bus Stop on Ring road. The brake of another loaded tanker also failed and it ran into about 11 vehicles. The motor boy, who jumped down from the trailer and tried to place a wood in front of the vehicle, was crushed to death.

Fashola inaugurates 72 housing units

AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola yesterday inaugurated 72 units of three bedroom flats at Elegant Court in Ikota, Lekki Penninsula. Fashola said the government would continue to partner the private sector to develop similar accommodation for the middle/upper income class. He said the proceeds would be used to fund the government’s social housing provision. Fashola said during the

campaign for the last election, many opponents criticised his government for partnering the private sector to invest in luxury apartments. Fashola said: “What they failed to realise is that, if we don’t invest in these types of houses and fund social housing with the money, we will not have enough money for the project. “Over the next few weeks, months and years, in fulfillment of our electoral promises, Lagosians should expect to see the commence-

ment and completion of many more of these types of housing projects, funded directly by government in partnership with the private sector. “For our government and party, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), housing delivery remains one of the time tested policies for creating growth, economic development, galvanising employment and reducing crime.” The governor recently inaugurated 80 units of three bedroom flats in Ojokoro.

Three corps members get automatic employment in Oyo YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has offered three members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), who just completed their national service in the state, employment in the civil service. They are Maureen Odochi, Kulaiyol Akaasar and Adesesan Adetoun. They were also conferred with chieftaincy titles by their host communities in appreciation of their contributions to the communities. Odochi, who hails from Imo State, procured and installed a 200KVA transformer to serve Isabiyi, Akinode and Ketepe villages in Moniya, Ibadan. Akaasar, from Benue State, was honoured for training 100 pupils and establishing a science club. Ekiti State-born Adetoun donated eight sewing machines to the Orphans and Widows Centre in Ogbomoso. The trio were also given N50,000 each.

From Bisi Oladele and Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

The presentation ceremony took place at the state secretariat in Ibadan. Ajimobi, who was represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Adedapo Lam Adesina, said: “It is the policy of the present administration in Oyo State to reward diligence and hard work. This is what we are showcasing today by honouring these diligent, patriotic, highly skillful and young Nigerians, who came to serve their fatherland and are leaving behind their indelible footprints in the threshold of a new beginning in the state. “I have no doubt that the feat you have attained by distinguishing yourselves will propel you to greater heights.” Isabiyi village in Akinyele Local Goverment conferred on Anyanwu, the title of “Amuludun of Isabiyi,” while Tede village in Atisbo Local Government gave Akaasar the “Akeweje of Tedeland.” Adesesan was given the “Aare Atunluse of Iware land” in Afijio Local Government.

Ex-Ondo commissioner quits PDP

FORMER commissioner in Ondo State, Chief Tayo Alasoadura, has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Alasoadura, a founding member of the PDP, served in the administration of former Governor Olusegun Agagu as Commissioner for Finance.

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

His resignation letter to the PDP Chairman in Ward eight, Iju, Akure North Local Government, reads: “Having founded and led the party in the local government area since 1998, I enjoyed working with members and other party leaders at the local govern-

Osun Assembly summons four council chiefs From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

HE Osun State House of Assembly has summoned four local government caretaker chairmen to appear before it on Monday. They are the council chiefs of Ife-North, Ife Central, Atakunmosa West and Obokun. They were not at their duty posts when the House Committee on Local Government Affairs paid unscheduled visits to their local government offices. The Speaker’s spokesman, Mr. Goke Butika, said the caretaker chairmen must explain why “they abstained from duty during working hours.”

ment and state levels. “However, there comes a time in the life of a man when crucial and painful decisions have to be made, and that is what has led me into taking this decision. I wish the party well.” Alasoadura’s resignation came at a time when the PDP leadership is working towards repositioning the party for 2013 governorship election. The PDP said Alasoadura’s resignation is a welcome development. Its Publicity Secretary, Chief Olufemi Omosanya, said: “It is a welcome development. He has consistently remained an albatross in the neck of the party in his local government since his inglorious disrespect to Oba Farunkanmi, the Okiti of Iju, against whom he waged a war that saw the Oba abandoning his stool and fleeing for his life.”

•Baba Suwe

Baba Suwe held for alleged drug trafficking

OPULAR Yoruba actor/comedian Babatunde Omidina, popularly known as Baba Suwe, was yesterday arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos, for suspected drug trafficking. He was arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) during the final clearance of passengers, who were to board an Air France flight to Paris, France. The airport security scanner revealed that the actor had ingested substances suspected to be cocaine. NDLEA spokesman Mitchel Ofoyeju con-

firmed the arrest. He said Baba Suwe is being detained at the Airport command office and is under observation pending when he would pass out the substance. Sources said the comedian denied ingesting the drugs until he was taken through the scanner. Baba Suwe had earlier told the security operatives that he was on his way to Paris, where he was supposed to be the master of ceremonies at a naming ceremony on Saturday. It was gathered that an airline staff was also arrested in relation to the case.

Ekiti better under Fayemi, says ALGON HE Chairman, Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Ekiti State chapter, Chief Joel Omoniyi, yesterday said the people of the state have fared well under the administration of Governor Kayode Fayemi. He said the administration’s one year anniversary should be celebrated because it has achieved a lot. In a statement by his spokesman, Gbenga Sodeinde, Omoniyi said: “Ekiti people, particularly those at the grassroots, have a lot of good stories to tell in the last one year, as the eight-point agenda of the

government has impacted positively on their lives. “The government has provided necessary social amenities across the state., such as, education, water, health, rural road network, agriculture and the employment of thousands of youths. “Parents and students in Ekiti higher institutions, including the School of Nursing, will forever remain grateful to the governor for the reduction in school fees and free education in public primary and secondary schools. “The free health care for mothers, children and the aged, as well as the restruc-

turing in the civil service and local government administration are pointers to the fact that the government has started well.” Omoniyi, who is also the Caretaker Chairman of Efon Local Government, said all local government chairmen have begun work on the five-kilometre road project mandated by the governor in the 16 local government areas. He canvassed a review of the federal allocation of local governments from 20 per cent to 36 per cent. The ALGON chairman said this would speed up development in the grassroots.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

NEWS Group vows to work against PDP in Kogi

CPC candidate kicks as tribunal upholds Yakowa’s election

From Mohammed Bashir, Lokoja

•‘Dismissal is miscarriage of justice’

POLITICAL pressure group, Ebira Solidarity Movement, yesterday threatened to work against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the December 3 governorship election if the party refuses to change its governorship candidate. The group alleged that Governor Ibrahim Idris imposed an unpopular candidate against the wishes of party supporters. Captain Idris Wada was announced winner of the September 22 governorship primary of the PDP in Kogi State. He is said to be the governor’s brother in-law. Addressing a protest rally in Okene Local Government Area, spokesman of the group, Mohammed Salihu, alleged that Wada emerged the PDP candidate through irregularities. He said if the party fails to cancel the primary, the group would mobilise against it during the election.

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

•Yakowa

HE Kaduna State governorship candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in the April election, Haruna Saeed Kajuru, yesterday faulted the dismissal of his petition challenging the election of Governor Patrick Yakowa. He described the verdict as a miscarriage of justice and vowed to appeal. The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Kaduna yesterday dismissed his petition, saying he failed to prove his case beyond reasonable doubt.

Tribunal Chairman Justice Garba Kwajafa dismissed the evidence of three expert witnesses on the grounds that they were not qualified to be called experts as they lacked basic knowledge in election matters. The tribunal chairman ruled that the documents tendered by the counsel to the petitioner, Adebayo Adeniyi (SAN), were dumped on the tribunal as he failed to call any witness to substantiate the need for the documents and who they were meant for. Citing some cases, Justice Kwajafa noted that it was not the tribunal’s responsibility to analyse the documents that were not supported by oral evidence.

He said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the polling agents, Returning Officers and others were called to testify or adopt the documents. The tribunal chairman noted that those linked with the documents were not called to testify and that there was evidence before the tribunal on why they were excluded from testifying. Justice Kwajafa said the documents tendered by counsel to the petitioner had no value since their purpose was not established. The tribunal chairman said for any tendered document to be considered, it must have value by virtue of its analysis, adding that the court could not examine those tendered.

He said the documents should, therefore, be expunged from the tribunal’s records. According to him, since the petitioners did not plead the documents in their petition and in the list of documents, admitting and examining them became irrelevant to the case. The tribunal expunged the evidence of the three expert witnesses, noting that they did not qualify to be so addressed as they were mainly concerned with counting votes and declaring Haruna Saeed winner of the election. The petitioners, the tribunal said, were unable to prove the allegation of corrupt practices as well as ballot stuffing, multiple thumb-printing, among others, during the election. It averred that the evidence of those displaced during the post-election violence was not enough to nul-

Borno to employ 11,000 youths From Joseph Abiodun, Maiduguri

HE Borno State Government has said it would employ over 11,000 youths through collaboration with the Chad Basin Development Authority (CBDA) to resuscitate its South Chad irrigation programme. Governor Kashim Shettima spoke when he visited the South Chad irrigation project at Marte. The governor said his administration would assist the Authority to regain its lost glory. He lamented that the irrigation project deteriorated because of the receding waters in the Lake Chad and negligence by the authorities. According to him, the collaboration would bring back at least 50 per cent of the project’s installed capacity. Shettima expressed satisfaction with the prospects of the basin, promising that he would prevent its decline. The governor directed the management of the Chad Basin to liaise with his administration on a blueprint for the resuscitation of the basin.

Attack on judge blamed on insecurity From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

HE Kwara State Sharia Court of Appeal, Ilorin, has described the attempt on the life of one of its judges, Justice Salihu Mohammed, as a reflection of the insecurity in the country. The court urged security agencies to unmask those behind the attack. In a statement in Ilorin, the state capital, the court’s Chief Registrar, Alhaji Abdullateef Kamaldeen, urged “security agencies to tighten their belts to fight crime, guarantee safety of life and property for the peaceful coexistence and harmony of Nigerians.” He thanked the state government for paying the medical bill of the khadi, who was shot by unknown gunmen at his GRA home, IIorin, on October 2.

•Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu (right) presenting a souvenir to Sokoto State Deputy Governor Muktar Shagari (second left) at the swearing in of local government chairmen in Minna, the state capital...yesterday. With them are the Chairman, Nigerian Governors’ Forum and Rivers State Governor Rotimi Ameachi (second right) and Niger State Deputy Governor Ahmed Musa Ibeto

JTF arrests four murder suspects in Borno

HE Joint Task Force (JTF) on Security in Borno State has arrested four suspects over the murder of a security man, Mallam Ibrahim Lawan, in Maiduguri, the state capital. Lawan worked at a private home behind the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) House in New GRA, Maiduguri. Addressing reporters at the Giwa Barracks in Maiduguri while handing over the suspects to the police for prosecution, JTF spokesman

From Joseph Abiodun, Maiduguri

Lt.-Col. Hasan Ifijeh Mohammed said the suspects were arrested following a tip-off by some residents. He said the JTF does not keep suspects in its custody, adding that suspects are handed over to the police for interrogation and prosecution. Mohammed said though the suspects were not members of the Boko Haram, they have similar characteristics.

According to him, some people hide under Boko Haram to perpetrate evil, adding that Boko Haram members are faceless people that are difficult to identify. He said the suspects stabbed the deceased with a knife many times in the neck and on the chest, a crime they reportedly confessed to. Mohammed said the suspects allegedly killed Lawan when they attempted to steal iron rods at a house under construction.

Tribunal dismisses Turaki’s petition

HE Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, has upheld the election of Senator Danladi Sankara of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the Senator representing Jigawa North West. The tribunal set aside the petition filed by former Governor Saminu Turaki of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) challenging the election of Sankara. Turaki challenged Sankara’s victory on the grounds of non-qualification and alleged electoral malpractic-

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

es. He prayed the tribunal to nullify the election and declare him the winner. During proceedings, Turaki testified and produced three witnesses to substantiate his claims and the respondents called only Sankara. Justice K.S. Nwankpa ruled that the petitioners failed to prove their claims, saying the petition lacked merit. He ordered the petitioners (Turaki and four others) to pay the first and the second

respondents (Sankara and the PDP) N50,000 costs. He also ordered the third, fourth and fifth respondents – the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and others - to pay N50,000 as costs. Justice Nwankpa averred that the grounds of Turaki’s petition were eroded by the facts presented during the trial by the respondents. He noted that as the petitioners could not substantiate the allegations they forwarded to the tribunal, the tribunal had to dismiss the petition with costs.

The suspects are: Suleiman Samila, (24); Yusuf Ishaku; Ishaku Alhaji Abdsullahi, (25); and Yahaya Abubakar. The JTF spokesman said the suspects threw Lawan’s body into a nearby river. The decomposing body was reportedly discovered a week after the killing. Samaila said he stabbed Lawan four times on the chest and in the neck when he tried to prevent them from stealing the rods. The JTF also handed over another suspect, Mohammed Usman, who was arrested September 19, for attempting to stab a woman, Amina Mohammed, in her house in Bulunkutu Ward of the metropolis.

lify the election. The tribunal dismissed the petition and upheld the election of Yakowa as the governor of Kaduna state. Yakowa, basking in the euphoria of his triumph at the tribunal, urged the CPC candidate to join hands with him to build the state. The judgment was delivered amid tight security. The roads leading to the High Court premises were cordoned off and Police Commissioner Bala Nasarawa led the security team. Kajuru said: “This is a miscarriage of justice, which anybody present in court today can attest to. Everything about the judgment was done in error and we are going on appeal immediately. We are not wasting time on this.”

Ahmed swears in ACPN members From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

KWARA State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed yesterday swore in three commissioners and two special advisers. Among them are former members of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) who defected to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Also sworn in were nine permanent secretaries. One of the advisers was also a former ACPN member. The commissioners are: Alhaji Saka Onimago, (Commerce and Cooperatives); Anthony Towoju, (Sports and Youth Development); and Alhaji Aliyu Mohammed, (Special Duties). The special advisers are: Alhaji Usman Ajape, (Transport and Utilities); and Alhaji Yaqub Ajibade, (Electoral Matters).

Group berates Al-Makura From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

A GROUP, the Nasarawa State Surveillance Group, yesterday criticised Governor Tanko AlMakura for not appointing commissioners five months after assuming office. In a statement in Abuja by its Chairman, Abubakar Abdullah, the group noted that Nasarawa State is faced with sundry challenges that cast doubts on the governor’s capability. The statement said most of the projects commissioned during the first 100 days of the governor were initiated by the last administration. It said: “The appropriation of the glory for the purchase of the transformers and buses by the incumbent administration is in tandem with its character of reaping where it did not sow.

AUCTION! AUCTION!! AUCTION!!! OSHODI /ISOLO LOCAL GOVERNMENT EJIGBO LOCAL COUNCIL DEVELOPMENT AREA On the instruction of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, there will be an auction sales of unserviceable vehicles at their premises on Tuesday 18th October, 2011 at 10:00 am prompt. J. F. Obitunde Government Licensed Auctioneer. (08033466559 )

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14 , 2011

10 PUBLIC NOTICE I formerly known and addressed as MISS JOSEPH EFE blessing now wish to be known and addressed as MRS CHIBUIKE EFE BLESSING, all former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

SPACE

NEWS

FOR SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE NEHEMIAH YOUTH EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVE This is to notify the General Public that the above named initiative has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No.1 of 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. TONYE COLE 3. EMILOMO UNUIGBE 2. EMMANUEL DANIA 4. NDIDI NNOLI-EDOZIEN AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To promote, encourage and empower youths in Nigeria and beyond for self-reliance and self-substance. 2. To provide avenues for the youths to develop and harness their innate abilities, skills and talents. 3. To ensure that the less privileged youths in the society are not discriminated against and to ensure that they enjoy justice, fairness and equity in all respect. 4. To establish skills acquisition centres to train and develop the youths in entrepreneurial skills. 5. To raise partners and volunteers who will be trained in carrying out the objectives of Nehemiah Youth Empowerment Initiative. Any objection(s) to the registration should be forwarded to The Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. Signed: MRS. J.O. LADEJO No. 52, Coker Road, Ilupeju, Lagos State.

•One of the injured (middle)...yesterday

10 injured in Edo drivers’ clash

PUBLIC NOTICE CHRIST REDEMPTION MINISTRY INTERNATIONAL This is to inform the general public that the above named church has applied to the corporate affairs commission for registration under part C of the companies and allied matters act 1990 THE TRUSTEES ARE 1. Prophet Tilufoye Olaitan Gabriel Ojediran 2. Pastor Prof. Francis Yinka Adesina 3. Lady Evangelist Comfort Olubukola Gabriel Ojediran 4. Pastor Leke Aladegbemi 5. Pastor Prof. Olu Olatubara AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To preach the word of God to the world 2. To help the poor and needy 3. To embark on personal and mass Evangelism 4. To bring deliverance and healing through preaching and revivals Any Objective to the registration should be forwarded to the registrar general, corporate affairs commission, plot 420 Tigris crescent, off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28days of this publication. Signed: Prophet Tilufoye Olaitan Gabriel Ojediran General Overseer /Founder

EN persons were injured yesterday in Benin City, the Edo

State capital, when members of the Drivers’ Welfare Scheme (DWS) and a revenue collection team, headed by Comrade Tony Kabaka, clashed with members of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN). There was sporadic shooting. Many traders hurriedly closed their shops and fled to safety. The clash disrupted activities around Mission road and the New Benin Market. Live bullets were brought

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

in cartons and loaded into double barrel guns. A source said trouble started when RTEAN members went to motor-parks to collect dues from their members, but were resisted and beaten up by Kabaka and DWS leaders. Kabaka said RTEAN had been banned from collecting revenues in the state and they were surprised when RTEAN members came to the motor-parks yesterday morning to collect money from drivers. He said they had reported to security agencies in the

past, but nothing was done. DWS President Comrade Henry Okaka said they were protesting the return of RTEAN to motor-parks and would resist any attempt by RTEAN to impose dues on drivers. A source at Oredo Local Government said RTEAN has not been authorised to collect revenue for the local council. RTEAN Publicity Secretary Chief Ben Okpokunu said they went to the parks to collect dues from their members as enshrined in their constitution, and not to

collect revenue for Oredo local council. He said: “We have never stressed that we must collect revenue for the local council. The claim that we invaded motor-parks is untrue. If we decide to retaliate this unprovoked attack on our men, there will be blood-bath in Benin.” Leaders of all parties in the dispute were invited for questioning at New Benin Police Station. Soldiers and policemen later restored peace in the area. Police spokesmen Ejiroro Ahwara said they are investigating the incident.

Two robbery suspects killed in shootout with police T WO suspected robbers, Akanimo and Kalu, were killed yesterday in a shoot-out with policemen in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. It was learnt that a patrol team from Rumuekprikom Divisional Police Station, responding to a distress call

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

from Rumurolu, engaged two of the hoodlums, who were part of a robbery gang, in a gun battle.

The suspects were shot to death. Police spokesman Ben Ugwuegbulam confirmed the incident. He said one Hp laptop, a Samsung digital camera, one BlackBerry

phone, one Nokia phone, one HTC phone, one Iphone, one Samsung phone and some jewelry, identified by the victims, were recovered. Also recovered were one locally made single barrel pistol, one double barrel pistol, three live and expended cartridges.

Labour backs Oshiomhole for 2012 ‘CAVEAT EMPTOR’ Notice is hereby given to the general public that JOGBO family of Ago Jogbo, DUROJAIYE family of Ago Durojaiye, OGUNDARE family of ago APO and BADA family of Ago Eledie are the owners of the vast area of land in AGUN FARMLAND, IGBESA, measuring approximately 120 acres as delineated and have ever had ancestral hold thereon till date. Prospective investors and / or agents are hereby cautioned to stay off the said land as transactions and / or deals thereon without the expressed consent and assent of the owning families here above mentioned shall be ultra vires, null and void and of no consequences whatsoever. The Grace Akinyemi and Akinyemi Chambers 1st Floor 42/43 Marina, Lagos. Tel:234(0)8037141725 E-mail:lekangracechambers@yahoo.com For the families

HE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole deserves to be re-elected next year. It said Oshiomhole, a former NLC President, has provided dividends of democracy to the people. NLC President Comrade Abdulwahab Omar spoke yesterday in Benin City, the state capital, when the union’s National Administrative Council visited the governor after its one-day meeting. Omar said Oshiomhole has translated all the things he advocated for as NLC President into reality as a governor. He described the relationship between Labour and government in the state as the best in the country. Omar said: “It has been confirmed that you have not disappointed Labour. It is a thing of pride today that nobody would say what they were saying two years ago about this state.”

•Edo ANPP chieftain defects to ACN From Osagie Otabor, Benin

The NLC President praised the governor for transforming the state, adding that the Congress would stand by him in his re-election bid. Oshiomhole said his administration would soon recruit over 3,000 staff into its workforce. He said his administration has rebuilt the confidence of the people in public schools. Also, the Chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in Edo South Senatorial District, Samson Oyegue, and his supporters yesterday defected to the Action Congress of Nigeria

(ACN). They included seven executive members of the ANPP, who are grassroots politicians. Oyegue, who led the defectors to the Government House in Benin, said they joined the ACN because of the development going on across the state. He said: “We are here to join the Comrade Governor and contribute our quota to the development of the state. We want you to come back in 2012 because you have convinced 80 per cent of voters with your development projects.” Edo ACN Chairman Thomas Okosun, who was a

former member of the ANPP, said: “The ACN is determined to eradicate godfatherism in Edo State and Oshiomhole described the ACN as “a political movement for change and sustainable development.” He said: “Our party is about service, rather than sharing opportunities. It is about challenges, not sharing. The dream we share is to rebuild our state and help our people to regain their pride of place. “Thank you for reinforcing our strength. As members from one of the oldest parties in the state, join us to redefine politics and governance in our state. You have taken the right decision and we assure that you will not regret it.”

Boy jailed for raping eight-yr-old girl

20-year-old boy, Godday Emmanuel Owolo, has been sen-

tenced to three years imprisonment for raping an eightyear-old girl.

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

The President of an Oredo Magistrate’s Court, Mrs. Rachel Ogbevoen, sentenced the accused without an option of fine.

The prosecutor, Joseph Ebosereme, presented the facts of the case. Owolo committed the act on September 25 at No. 25, Lagos Street. Owolo pleaded guilty.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

With the launch of Nigerian-owned communications satellites, the revenue made from Nigeria on bandwidth from other countries will be retained in Nigeria and used for our development. -Prof Ita Okon Bassey Ewa, Minister of Science and Technology,

Interbank forex market halts on dollar shortages

Naira falls amid speculation CBN can’t meet dollar demand

AIRA fell for the first time in three days against the dollar amid speculation that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) can’t meet demand for the greenback from importers after returning the naira to its target band at an auction yesterday. The naira according to Reuters news retreated as much as 2.2 per cent in the interbank market to N159.475 per dollar, before trading 2 per cent weaker at N159.15 by 12:34 p.m. in Lagos. The apex bank met demand in full for the first time in 26 auctions yesterday, selling $591.67 million and bringing the currency back into its target band of 3 percentage points below or above N150 per dollar. The naira was the world’s secondworst performer yesterday against the dollar after Gambia’s dalasi. CBN Governor Lamido Sanusi increased the key lending rate by 2.75 percentage points and reiterated the naira target range at an extraordinary meeting October 10. The bank raised the cash-reserve ratio to 8 per cent from 4 per cent. The naira had its biggest one-day rally in almost eight years after the decision. There’s been “large demand for foreign currency from importers, which has pushed the likes of the naira weaker,” Dina Ahmad, a London-based emerging-markets strategist at BNP Paribas SA, wrote yesterday in e-mailed comments. “The central bank has stepped up its foreign-exchange auction, but I don’t think that they are comfortable with maintaining the size at these levels - I think that’s partly the reason why they resorted to a sharp rate hike.”

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$112/barrel Cocoa -$2,856/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,161/troy ounce Rubber -¢146.37pound MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE JSE NYSE LSE

-N6.747 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -9.3% Treasury Bills -7.08% Maximum lending-22.42% Prime lending -15.82% Savings rate -2% 91-day NTB -10.23% Time Deposit -7% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $30.8b CFA EUR £ $ ¥ SDR RIYAL

FOREX -

0.281 213.2 245.00 156.91 1.5652 245.8 40.57

• From left: Fidelity Bank Plc Executive Director, Business Banking, Chief Willie Obiano, Media Vision Ltd CEO, Mr Obafela Bank-Olemoh, MD Fidelity Bank, Mr Reginald Ihejiahi and the bank’s Executive Director, Shared Services, Mr IK Mbagwu at the presentation of the 2011 Banker’s Games trophy to the winner at the bank’s headquarters in Lagos...yesterday PHOTO: DAYO ADEWUNMI

NERC queries PHCN over load shedding T

HE Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has warned its licensees that massive load shedding without its approval violates the Electric Power Sector Reform (EPSR) Act 2005. It said appropriate sanctions would henceforth, be meted out to erring organisations. This warning is coming on the heels of the 1,400mega watts load shedding that started on Tuesday involving five power plants. The load shedding that will last seven days was without the Commission’s approval. The Manager, Media Relations, Mr. Michael Faloseyi made these known in a statement yesterday. A letter dispatched on Wednesday to Chief Executive Officer of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), the Executive Director, System Operator (SO), Transmission Company of Nigerian and Chief Executive Officers of Geregu, Sapele, Ughelli, Olorunsogo, and Omotosho Power Plants warned of the grave consequences of their actions. The commission told the affected officers to explain why they are operating in

• Power consumers owe N100b

By Emeka Ugwuanyi and John Ofikhenua in Abuja

contempt of the Act, that governs the national grid and the market rules that guides Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI). The rules stipulates that massive load shedding requires the commission’s permission. Chairman of NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi, in the letter said: “While we are not opposed to the maintenance work on gas facilities or PHCN generating and transmitting stations, the commission will not allow the flagrant violation of due process and procedures especially as it relates to disruption of power supply to Nigerians. “You are to note that henceforth appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against all licensees and their management for any violation of the grid code and market rules particularly the need for submission of outage and maintenance plans.

“For avoidance of doubt, in the event of a planned outage in the future you must get approval from NERC, the only regulator of the sector,” the commission warned. The affected power plants and management of PHCN had earlier in the week announced they will shut down their plants for seven days beginning from Tuesday, October 11, 2011. Meanwhile, customers of the PHCN owe the utility company over N100 billion in unpaid bills for electricity consumed, it was learnt yesterday. The amount is the combined debt owed the 11 electricity distribution companies in the country as at the end of last month (September). The military and government establishments were fingered as the worst defaulters in payment of electricity bills - accounting for about 80 per cent of the total debt, while 18 per cent of the remaining 20 per cent

is currently undergoing reconciliation. The Chief Executive Officer of Eko Electricity Distribution Company, Mr. Oladele Amoda, said at a media briefing at the company’s office in Lagos, that out of the over N100 billion debt, customers in Eko owe the company N8 billion as at the end of September, which he said was the least owed distribution company in the country. Amoda said that the government has mandated the distribution companies to device ways of collecting their debts. In view of the directive from the government, the management of Eko he said has started writing such class of customers to pay their debt. He said that the company will publish the names of debtor corporate customers including the military and government establishments in the national newspapers. Besides, he said the debtor corporate customers will be disconnected if they don’t pay after their names are published.

RMAFC gets revenue sharing formula review data

HE Revenue Mobilsation Alloca tion and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has received data from the 36 states and local governments of the federation for the review of the revenue sharing formula, it was learnt yesterday. The commission’s chairman, Elias Mbah disclosed this in Abuja while receiving Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Dakwambo in his office. He noted that RMAFC would also conduct a verification exercise of the data in the local and state governments of the federation.

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

Mbah however, urged the governor to advise his state to provide the commission with the correct information to fast-track the review. He said: “On the review, we have received data from the states and local governments. We are processing the data after, which we will carry out the verification exercise at the state and local government levels. We request for the cooperation of your staff during that exercise. We don’t want bloated figures. We want to get it right so that at the end, what we have is what we will pay the respective

states.” He said the commission has commenced the review and it is very optimistic that it would round it off by the first quarter of next year . He explained that the commission was being tactful in the review because of the impact the revenue sharing can have on the socio-economic development of the country. Besides, he noted that RMAFC was being careful of its handling of the matter because of its relevance to the unity of Nigeria. He said: “The revenue sharing formula is a very sensitive issue and we are very careful of how we

handle it because our action and inaction has a lot of implication on the socio-economic development of this country, in particular the unity of this country. We are very conscious of that and we are very careful to make sure that what will come out as the sharing formula will be acceptable by the majority of Nigerians.” The chairman expressed concern over the country’s dependence on oil and gas as its economic mainstay, adding that the states must task themselves on generating revenue from other sector of the economy.

IGERIA’s forex inter bank market halted trading yesterday due to a dollar shortage after the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) sold dollars meant for lenders to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), dealers said. The market according to Reuters news had expected around $700 million from the NNPC, boosting dollar liquidity at the interbank, but instead the state-owned energy firm sold the greenback to the apex bank. “Nobody is showing quotes on the naira at the moment,” one dealer said, adding that the diversion of NNPC funds was causing illiquidity in the market. Currency traders stopped dealing on the local currency yesterday after the interbank market traded at a value of N160 to the U.S. dollar, much higher than central bank’s Wednesday auction value of N150 naira. The unit opened at N157.10 on thin volumes, dealers said. After the CBN emergency meeting on Monday, it back its tightening policy by clearing all dollar demand at its bi-weekly auction at N150 naira to the greenback and also pumped $200 million at 153 naira into the interbank market. Dealers expected the unit to firm close to the auction rate yesterday but instead interbank market weakened to N160.70 naira at 1157 GMT on thin volumes.

Fed Govt sells N201.8b bills • Yields rise

IELDS climbed higher at the short-dated treasury bill auction yesterday after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) hiked its benchmark interest rate this week much further than expected to support the local naira currency. The apex bank according to Reuters sold N201.82 billion ($128 billion) in 91-, 182and 364-day treasury bills at its regular auction with yields reflecting the 275 basis points increase in the monetary policy rate to 12 per cent last Monday. It sold N70.15 billion in the 91-day bill at 15 per cent marginal rate, N63.49 billion in 182-day paper at 16 per cent, and N68.18 billion in the 364-day bill at 16.22 per cent. The papers were sold at a lower marginal rate at the last auction in September with the 91-day paper attracted 10.23 per cent, 182day at 10.85 per cent and 364day at 11.24 per cent. Traders said the higherthan-expected rise in yield on the treasury bills led to the shorting of the bond market yesterday as longer maturities are unable to compete. The CBN issues treasury bills regularly as part of monetary control measures to help lenders manage their liquidity.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

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 5. Dana 07.02 08.22 6. Arik 07.15 08.15 7. Chanchangi 07.15 8. Air Nigeria 08.15 09.35 9. Dana 08.10 09.20 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. Dana 12.06 12.26 15. Aero 12.20 13.30 16. Air Nigeria 13.25 14.45 17. Chanchangi 13.30 14.30 18. Arik 13.45 14.45 19. IRS 14.00 15.20 20. Aero 14.10 15.30 21. Air Nigeria 14.50 16.10 22. Dana 15.30 16.50 23. Chanchangi 15.30 16.30 24. Arik 15.50 16.50 25. Aero 16.00 17.20 26. IRS 16.30 17.50 27. Arik 16.50 17.50 28. Dana 17.10 18.30 29. Chanchangi 17.30 18.30 30. Air Nigeria 17.35 18.55 31. Air Nigeria (T/TH) 18.30 19.50 32. Arik 18.45 19.45 33. Aero 19.20 20.40 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

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

1. 2. 3. 4.

Arik Aero Arik Aero

1. Arik 2. Aero 1. 2. 3. 4.

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

09.10 11.00 11.10 16.20

08.40 08.40 14.55 15.10 17.40

1. 2. 3. 4.

Arik Aero Arik Aero

LAGOS – WARRI 08.15 11.50 11.55 14.55

09.1 12.50 12.55 15.55

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

LAGOS – KANO Air Nigeria 07.10 IRS 08.00 Dana 08.10 Arik 12.20 IRS 14.00 IRS 18.15

08.50 09.45 09.40 14.00 15.45 19.55

LAGOS – OWERRI 07.20 14.00 16.30

08.30 15.10 17.40

LAGOS – UYO 10.35

11.35

LAGOS – MAIDUGURI 11.15 13.15 15.50 18.00

LAGOS – ILORIN 1. Overland 07.15 2. Arik (M/T/TH/F) 17.30

lion, 18 per cent higher than the N2.4 trillion recorded last year, while deposits rose 30 per cent to N2.0 trillion in the review period, as against the N1.6 trillion recorded in the corresponding period of last year. Net loans and advances went up by N1.3 trillion this year corresponding to 11 per cent increase, compared with N1.1trillion in September last year. Loan loss provision in balance sheet stood at N61 billion in the review period, while provision for credit losses came to N18.7billion. The bank said shareholders’ funds of N322 billion was also recorded. Also, Risk Weighted Assets rose 10 per cent to N 2.1 trillion in the nine months under consideration, while basic earnings per share of 175 kobo was also recorded. The bank also recorded cost of funds of 2.1 per cent and a net interest mar-

gin of 6.6 per cent, while return on average equity came to 18.1 per cent. Reacting to the result, the Group Managing Director, Bisi Onasanya, said: “In conditions which presented both opportunities and challenges, FirstBank turned in very satisfying results, signifying the robustness and resilience of our business model. Our operating income grew 38 per cent over the prior year period, benefitting from a higher interest rate environment, rising contribution from non-interest revenue and a deliberate focus on optimising our assets.” He said a large portion of loans granted in the quarter were foreign currency loans, driven by increasing participation in oil and gas, as well as trade finance sectors. He said, in the wake of record half year performance, the bank’s deposit book has continued to grow, up five per cent quarter-on-quarter and 30 per cent year-to-date to N2.0 trillion.

12.15 12.45

LAGOS – OWERRI Aero 07.30 07.30 Arik Air Nigeria 13.40 Arik 14.00 Arik 16.30

1. IRS 2. Arik

By Collins Nweze

08.50 12.40 14.10 17.20

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

1. Dana

IRST Bank of Nigeria Plc has recorded a pretax profit of N49 billion, according to its unaudited group results for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. This represents 20 per cent rise from the N40.7 billion pretax recorded over the same period of last year. In a statement released yesterday, the bank said it recorded N42.2 billion Profit After Tax, representing an increase of 32 per cent over the N32.6 billion recorded in the corresponding period of last year. The group financial highlights showed gross earnings of N211.2 billion, indicating an increase of 19 per cent compared with the equivalent period in 2010 when it earned N177.1 billion. Also, Net interest income went up by 33 per cent to N118.9 billion, compared with N89.6 billion in September 2010. Also, operating income moved up 38 per cent to N179.7 in the review period, as against the N130.3 billion recorded in September 2010. Total assets went up to N2.9 tril-

08.30 09.10 11.50 12.45 13.40 15.20 16.30 16.40

LAGOS – PORT HARCOURT (CIVIL) 1. Aero 07.15 08.35 2. Arik 07.15 08.35 3. Arik 09.00 10.20 4. Dana 09.27 10.40 5. Aero 10.50 12.30 6. Arik 11.40 13.00 7. Air Nigeria 12.00 13.10 8. IRS 13.30 15.00 9. Arik 14.00 15.20 10. Dana 15.03 16.20 11. Air Nigeria 16.00 17.10 12. Arik 16.10 17.30 13. Aero 16.15 17.30 14. Arik 17.10 18.30

1. Arik 2. Arik 3. Arik

Shell FirstBank records N49b profit CNPC, refinery JV in deal with local govt in nine months A F

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: Executive Director, Retail Banking, Keystone Bank, Mrs. Yvonne Isichei; the Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Oti Ikomi and Vice-Chancellor, University of Benin, Prof. Osayuki Oshodin, during a visit to the VC recently.

IFC supports Vitafoam with $2.8m

HE International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, yesterday advanced $2,8 million loan to Vitafoam Sierra Leone to support manufacturing and encourage cross-border African investment. Vitafoam Sierra Leone, is a recently created subsidiary of the Nigerian Stock Exchange-listed Vitafoam Nigeria involved in foam manufacturing. In a statement made available to The Nation yesterday, IFC said it is the first time the corporation has provided financing to a manufacturing project since Sierra Leone’s civil war ended a decade ago, signalling a new phase in IFC’s support for the nation’s economic revival. “It demonstrates the importance

By Tonia Osundolire

of investment between African countries and highlights to all investors that Sierra Leone is open for business, IFC said. The Managing Director of Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, Bamidele Makanjuola, said: “Sierra Leone is a promising market that holds new opportunities for Vitafoam. Our partnership with IFC gives us confidence to expand in this new market and take advantage of the opportunities provided by peace and an improving business climate.” The entry of the Vitafoam Group into Sierra Leone is expected to create at least 65 jobs in an economy where youth unemployment is a major issue. It would also create indirect employment through

wholesale and retail outlets, as well as generate tax revenue and contribute to a manufacturing base important for reducing imports. At the signing of the transaction in Lagos, Thierry Tanoh, IFC Vice President for Latin America and the Caribbean, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Western Europe, said: “IFC wants to encourage Nigerian companies to invest beyond their home market. Sierra Leone is a promising economy emerging from a long conflict, so this project creates opportunities where they are needed most in Africa.” Mary Agboli, IFC Resident Representative for Sierra Leone, said: “IFC is committed to being a partner with businesses and the government in Sierra Leone to create an environment that will allow private sector businesses to create jobs.”

New FAAN boss promises radical reforms

HE new Managing Director of the Federal Airports Author ity of Nigeria ( FAAN), George Uruesi, yesterday said there would be a “Tsunami” in the airport authority. He said there is need to facilitate what he described as “sea change” in the way things are done in airports across the country. Uruesi, who spoke while receiving handing over notes from the former helmsman, Richard Aisuebeogun, explained that the ‘Tsunami,’ may not necessarily involve erasure of

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

jobs or massive movement of people out of the authority, but a new approach to managing the airport systems, which must be in line with global standards. He explained that though he is yet to settle down in office, he will next week unveil his plans on how to run an airport system, predicated on his vast experience in running airports in South Africa. He said though the Nigerian system is unique, the new management

team will evolve strategies that will turnaround the nation’s 22 airports in line with the transformation agenda of the Jonathan administration, stating that the vision he has conceived for FAAN, is how to run an efficient system , such that Nigerian airports could be compared to airports anywhere in the world. Uruesi said government does not have an option than to fix the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, which is the face of the nation as the premier gateway.

proposed oil refining and petrochemical joint venture agreement between China’s CNPC, Royal Dutch Shell Plc and Qatar has been signed, the local authorities in east China’s Zhejiang province, where the mega project will be built, said yesterday. The project, to include a 400,000-barrel-per-day oil refining and 1.2 million tonnes-peryear ethylene plant, according to Reuters news, was approved by the National Development and Reform Commission, the country’s macro planner, in June, industry officials said. Pending final government approval, which also includes environmental clearance, the greenfield refinery would give Shell and Qatar their first solid foothold in the world’s second biggest oil consumer, which is in the midst of a refinery building boom. The Taizhou venture, in coastal Zhejiang province, will use imported condensate and other raw materials to produce ethylene and other petrochemicals, CNPC said in a company newspaper. “The agreement further clarifies work scope and targets for each side, reflecting sincere intentions to cooperate,” it said. Qatar is the world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) producer and pumps increasing amounts of condensates as a byproduct of its gas production. In January, Qatar’ Oil Minister Abdullah al-Attiyah and Wang Yong, Head of the state-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC), which is both a regulator and shareholder in most of China’s big state-owned companies, pledged to strengthen cooperation in the oil and gas sector and discussed the Taizhou project.

ETI’s acquisition of Oceanic Bank effective today

COBANK Transnational In corporated (ETI) has fixed today, October 14, 2011 for the acquisition of Oceanic Bank International Plc. A senior official of ETI, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos. The official said the October five earlier fixed for the acquisition was shifted due to operational constraints. ETI, had in a statement in September, said the acquisition of Oceanic Bank would be completed by October five, immediately after the endorsement of its scheme of arrangement by shareholders. ”The revised timetable for the acquisition will now be completed on Friday, October 14, (today), “ the official said, adding the shift in the date was also caused by the court order, which granted ETI the permission to acquire the bank. “ETI will now file the necessary documents as regard the court permission before the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). “It is expected that by October 14, all the necessary documentation would have been completed. This is why the October 14 was picked,” he said. The NSE had earlier approved ETI’s scheme of arrangement for reorganisation of the operating shares of the troubled Oceanic Bank. ETI said after the acquisition, it would take up to three years to fully integrate Oceanic Bank’s businesses.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

AGRO-BUSINESS

CBN seeks Ebonyi’s collaboration on lending T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has solicited the collaboration of the Ebonyi State government on the implementation of the Nigerian Incentive-Based Risk Sharing Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) programme. Branch Controller of the bank in Ebonyi State, Mrs Obiageli Obiekwe made the call in Abakaliki, when she led a delegation of the bank’s officials on a cour-

Stories by Daniel Essiet, Agric Correspondent

tesy call on Governor Martins Elechi. Obiekwe noted that the bank needed the government’s assistance in the area, especially for farmers. “Ebonyi is noted for the production of rice, which is one of the first 10 crops adopted for the pilot scheme of the programme and

which it has comparative advantage over other states. “NISRAL is a holistic de-risking incentive-based banking, which gives value to the Agricultural Value Chain, input producers, farmers, agro dealers/processors and industrial manufacturers, among others,” she said. The branch controller remarked that the programme was built on the five pillars to be supported by

$500 million to be provided by the CBN. “These pillars include risk sharing ($300 million), insurance facility ($30 million), technical assistance facility ($60 million), holistic bank rating mechanism ($10 million) and bank incentives mechanism ($100 million),” she said. She said work on the permanent site of the bank in Abakaliki was in progress and expressed the hope that its completion date and hand over billed for November 12, would be met. The controller disclosed that the Development Finance Office of the bank had guaranteed 121 loans valued at more than N35 million to farmers across the state, under the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme and recovered 88 loans valued at N21.4 million. Obiekwe also claimed that the bank had employed six indigenes of Ebonyi as executive assistants, clerical assistants, drivers and trea-

sury assistants, with the approval of its head office. Governor Elechi thanked the bank for its numerous contributions to the growth and development of the state, especially its laudable programmes in the agricultural sector. “We are determined to revolutionalise rice production in the state to maintain its status as the leading rice producing state in the country. “We are inaugurating three rice processing mills across the senatorial zones of the state. We are also tackling the problem of pests which hamper the yield of the produce. “The government also intends to embark on commercial rice production to create employment for the state’s teeming youths to reduce incidences of crime,” he said. The governor pledged the government’s continued partnership with the bank to achieve its developmental objectives in the state.

New processing technology essential for value addition, says expert

• From left: Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olajide Basorun; Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture and Co-operatives, Prince Gbolahan Lawal and Director Finance and Administration, Mrs Azeezat Adeyemi, at press briefing in Lagos.

Lagos plans terminal markets to boost food HE Lagos State government distribution with the final consumers better as is establishing terminal marthey can sell raw and processed kets in different parts of the

state where farmers can sell their produce directly to consumers. The Commissioner for Agriculture and Co-operatives, Prince Gbolahan Lawal, said in Lagos during a press conference that the markets are designed to give more remunerative returns to the farmers by reducing their post harvest losses and reducing the middlemen. He said the markets will be established in key areas in the state and will be linked to the production areas. To boost their activities, Lawal said the government is prepared to provide modern marketing infrastructure and encourage the private sector to establish processing

units and other allied facilities. He said the markets would curb post-harvesting wastage and ensure food security when fully established. According to him, items to be sold at the market include vegetables, fish, fruits, palm products and chicken. Others are eggs, garri, yam flour, cassava flour and grains. “Forty per cent of perishable agricultural produce in the state is lost to poor storage facilities, transportation problems and poor marketing of agricultural products. “With the establishment of these farmers` markets by the Gov. Babatunde Fashola-led administration, farmers can come in contact

directly to residents at low prices. “The markets will provide benefits for all; the farmers get value for their efforts because they have ready markets, the consumers get produce at cheaper prices and the government ensures food security as wastage are minimised,” he said. He said the government wants to drive reforms in marketing sector and accelerate development of marketing and post harvest infrastructure. In another forum, Lawal said since the residents have become wealthier, higher income translate into higher food needs and so a more intense form of agriculture will be required to feed the huge population.

‘Grant disaster loans to farmers’

HE Federal Government has been urged to make available disaster loans to farmers and agricultural co-operatives, which have suffered losses as a result of excessive rain and flooding. Speaking with The Nation, a consultant to the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Prof Lateef Sanni, said such loans will help farmers recover from damages and losses to crops following natural disasters. He expressed the hope that the agric insurance scheme proposed by the Agricultural Minister, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, will offer farmers protection against natu-

ral disasters. He said the government will issue disaster relief loans to farmers whose farms were hit with heavy rains and cost substantial crop damage. Project Manager Director for Africa Region of the C: AVA Project, Dr. Kola Adebayo, said the nation needs a special Disaster Relief Fund to support farmers who have suffered due to the recent flooding and severe disasters. With the limited insurance coverage, he said farmers need relief support to absorb the losses from disastrous fires and drought conditions.

He said farmers are vulnerable to drought, frost, hail, floods and other weather adversities which are not covered by insurance. Adebayo said farmers need to have access to different financial products, to help them cope with different needs in their daily activities. A consultant, Mr Dmejabi Adebayo, said disaster loans are needed in such after disasters to enable farmers to recover their financial investment, buy new seeds and bounce back. He said the absence of insurance will cause farmers to fall into deeper poverty

Institute to produce agric statistics manual

HE University of Agriculture Abeokuta (UNAAB), Institute of Food Security, Environmental Resources and Agricultural Research (IFSERAR), is set to develop and produce a universal manual for the documentation of agricultural statistics in Nigeria. Director of IFSERAR, Prof Segun Osinowo, stated this at the

institution. He said the move is against the backdrop of persistent conflicts, associated with agricultural statistics, being released to the public by relevant agencies. Osinowo pointed out that though the statistics being churned out by the agencies were accurate in most cases, he observed that sometimes

they are ridiculously in sharp contrast. He blamed the development on lack of common framework, to produce agricultural statistics, adding that IFSERAR is working round the clock to fill the vacuum by producing a manual that will guide agencies in the collection of statistics and data.

EVELOPMENT of new processing technologies is essential for ensuring value addition and improving food production, according to the Managing Director, Bio Organics Nutrient System, Dr Kenny Acholonu. Speaking in his office in Ogun State, Acholonu expressed dissatisfaction with the low level of processing and value addition of fruits and vegetables prevailing in the country. He said demand for processed foods are increasing due to rapid urbanisation and changing food habits of people. Stressing that efforts should be made to develop technologies and strategic plans to promote profitability of farmers, Acholonu said that value addition always pays when supported by state-of-the-art technology. He said his organisation is prepared to work with the government and the private sector for devel-

oping and standardising various useful technologies. Acholonu said his company has expertise to help the nation produce more food and feed more people. He said they can help producers solve technical and quality challenges by using knowledge to ensuring people have access to safe and nutritious food. Acholonu said there is a need to increase the range of foods available to improve overall nutrition. The benefits in terms of health, vitality and productivity are obvious, and cannot be underestimated. With food demand increasing, Bio Organics Nutrient System boss called for investment in food and food processing technologies, skills and equipment. He urged the government to accord priority status to the food processing industry and for support for agricultural research to address new challenges.

Govt urged to give priority to sector

ARMERS in Edo State have called on the Federal Government to give priority to agriculture, saying agriculture is critical to the revamping of the economy. The farmers acknowledged that the government had espoused robust policies for boosting agriculture, but expressed doubt if the programmes would be implemented as enunciated. “If our economy will be boosted, the government must give priority to agriculture,” All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) Coordinator in Edo North senatorial district, Alhaji Abdulahi Mohammed, said. He remarked that all the government succeeded in doing over the years was to make policy pronouncements that were never translated into reality. Mohammed said if given priority, agriculture was capable of turning around the economy “due to its multiplier effect”. He also said the sector had the potential of tripling current earnings of the country, maintaining that there were many areas in agriculture craving for harnessing. According to him, the sector will not only create millions of employment opportunities and boost food

production; it will also strengthen export activities. “That is not all, when most people are gainfully employed, stability will be ushered into the nation’s security challenges and there will be enough raw materials for local industries,” he added. The AFAN co-ordinator said: “If half the amount of what is voted for security is used to develop agriculture, the present security challenges would have been averted. “The security challenges and pockets of unrest we are having hereand-there are caused largely by unemployment. “There is the need for the government, at all levels, to faithfully implement policies on agriculture already made public on the pages of newspapers.” Mohammed also challenged the government to ensure that the real farmers were identified and charged with the responsibility of driving the policies that would transform the sector. “We have discovered that over the years, the real farmers were often sidelined when it comes to implementation of government policies on agriculture. “The farmers know what the sector needs to develop and so will do everything to see the programmes through.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

AGRO-BUSINESS Boosting food production in Enugu By Daniel Essiet, Agric Correspondent

• From left: Regional Co-ordinator, Rural Institutional Development (RID), NPFS, Mr Abel Adebayo, Okelola and Ashafa, at the event.

Farmers get training in business management A

S part of plans to boost food security and promote commercial farming, the Lagos State Agricultural Development Authority (LSADA) and the National Programme for Food Security (NPFS) have held a workshop in Lagos for site operatives, extension agents and farmers to improve their business management skills. The three-day training, attracted 50 participants who would facilitate the enlistment of farmers into a Farm Business School (FBS) in their communities. The trainees are also expected to organise seasonal training for farmers to work in small groups at their own time and location. Speaking during the training, the Programme Manager, LSADA, Mr Kayode Ashafa, said the trainees would address farmers’ needs because many of them lack knowledge on how to increase their productivity. Ashafa, who described Lagos State as pace setter in

By Toluwani Eniola

agriculture, advised the young ones to embrace agriculture because it is very profitable. NPFS National Facilitator, Dr Oluwole Okelola, said the implementation of Farm Management Advisory Services (FAMAS), a core aim of the training, which uses the FBS approach, is timely because old people in the rural areas are getting tired and unable to keep up with the pace of technology necessary to turn around the agricultural sector. He said the ultimate aim of the training was to build farmers’ capability in entrepreneurial and management skills through learning- bydoing approach. He said the FBS concept would be implemented at village level and would enable farmers to learn and improve their knowledge, change their attitude and enhance their skills toward farm commercialisation.

Okelola said for farmers to increase income by taking advantage of market opportunities, they need to become better decision makers. This, according to him, calls for better farm business management skills and knowledge He said farm management advice service, which the trainees will provide for farmers after the training, would help farmers to make the right choices between farm enterprises according to individual level of resources, endowment and level of risk adversity. He said: “The Farmer Business School is a new idea. The purpose is to work with farmers to help them build knowledge and skills to make their farms more profitable. They will do this by learning about business. “This is because dramatic changes are taking place in farming worldwide as a result of globalisation and rapid urbanisation. Farmers are intensifying existing patterns of production and di-

versifying their farm enterprises to improve their livelihood. Therefore, farmers need to change from farming to meet their own needs to supply markets locally and internationally. Technical know-how is not enough. Farmers have to learn to manage their lands and resources as a business. They need to prepare and adapt to changes in their farming and selling environment. They have to learn to cope with changing prices of inputs and outputs; changing availability of inputs and changing varieties and ways of not only growing and producing food but adding value to them. “Besides, to be competitive and take advantage of perceived opportunities that are arising in food production sector, Nigerian farmers increasingly need to posses the requisite skills to adapt their farm business to market changes and improve efficiency, productivity, profitability and income.”

‘Health authorities responsible for animal disease outbreak’

NIMAL safety authorities have been blamed for poor handling of animal diseases outbreak. Speaking with The Nation, an animal production expert, Prof Abiodun Adeloye, said such outbreaks have been possible because the industry lacks tools for identifying and tracking cattle diseases sources. He said the industry ought to be informed of the potential hazards associated with certain breeds of live stocks. Adeloye, who is of the

OVERNOR Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has promised to partner with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in developing the state by exploring its economic potential. Al-Makura made the pledge in Lafia when he received the management of the Lafia branch of the CBN, saying the partnership

By Daniel Essiet, Agric Correspondent

Animal Production Department, University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) , said the industry needs a livestock identification and tracking system. With a National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) in place, to track cattle diseases, he said the industry will have information on a possible animal disease epidemic, helping veterinarians to monitor all livestock closely for signs of diseases in cattle and sheep.

Adeloye said the NLIS enables livestock to be tracked for food safety, disease control and market access purposes from their birth to their slaughter. This enables the rapid tracing of livestock in the event of any disease outbreak or residue incident. This will mean the impact of these incidents on the particular livestock industry will be minimised. One of the pillars of the traceability system, he noted, is animal movement tracking. Adeloye said animal Iden-

tification and premises Identification (PID) provides the ability to trace where an animal has been and what animals it has come in contact with over the course of its life. He said the authorities will track the animal from birth to death and “rely on scientific information and tests to confirm infection and toxin sources.” The don called on the government to promote innovation in the sector and reduce the risk of animal diseases.

Nasarawa to partner CBN would go a long way in developing the state’s agricultural sub-sector. He said the visit by the CBN had boosted the government’s morale and noted that the presence of the apex bank in the state had enhanced the efficiency in banking services in recent times. The governor noted that more benefits would accrue

to the people if the government embarked on the development of infrastructure. According to him, his administration will ensure that basic social amenities are put in place because of their immense benefits to the people. Al-Makura, however, appealed to the CBN to consider Nasarawa indigenes for employment.

Earlier, the CBN Branch Controller in the state, Malam Usman Sule, had said that the bank began operations in November 2010 and had been meeting the requirements of all banks in Nasarawa. He also said the bank had taken measures to promote agriculture in the state, as it sensitised the people on best practices in agriculture.

NUGU State has rich agricultural land as a result of its location within the tropical forest and savannah belts. Consequently, almost every tropical crop thrives in the state. Over 60 per cent of the population are farmers growing food crops, such as rice, cassava, maize, yams, banana and a variety of fruits and vegetables. Cash crops such as palm produce and cashew are also produced in large quantities. The sector provides around 60 per cent of the state’s food needs. There is an agricultural policy aimed at maximising its agricultural potentials. The state Ministry of Agriculture and the state Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) ensure the execution of this policy through the provision of improved seeding, subsidised tractors and other modern farm equipment as well as pesticides and technical advice by agricultural extension workers at reduced cost. On its own side, the state government is embarking on capacity building (training of extension officers and farmers) as well as establishing a micro-credit fund for small to medium scale farmers of not less than N100 million in annual disbursement. The government pursues a vigorous mechanised agricultural policy aimed at maximising the potentials of food production. The government said returning the state to agricultural development is placing it on the path of economic growth and development. The strategy is to make agriculture the economic fulcrum of the government and Enugu State an agricultural production hub that will not only feed our teeming population, but will also earn foreign exchange. The government wants the farmers to be able to feed the state and the country. Farmers are orientated to better organise their means of production - whether ordering the right input at the right time or selling their crops directly to customers. Governor Sullivan Chime said there was no going back on his government’s ambition to make the state the leading producer of agricultural products in Nigeria, stressing that no effort would be spared to ensure that the objective was achieved. He said the government • Governor Chime was already implementing a master plan to ensure that the state not only becomes an exporter of many cash crops but that the agric sector offered the greater number of employment opportunities to her teeming youths. The Governor promised to ensure that all vital roads and other infrastructure needed to ensure the all round success of the village would be completed in the next six months adding that another batch of young graduates in the state is about to be sent for intensive training in agricultural and allied disciplines at the Songhai Institute. “We have laid out our vision for agriculture and we have made clear our ambition to surpass all others in this sector and we are going about it with undiluted vigour and resolve and we are sparing nothing to get there”, he said. The government is devising credible strategies to boost productivity in food to meet rising local demand and develop a viable local agro-industry. This requires substantial productivity-enhancing investments, including rural infrastructure, irrigation, marketing, extension, and agricultural research and development (R&D).

Food prices to be more volatile, says UN

OOD prices are likely to become more volatile in coming years, increasing the risk of more poor people in import-dependent countries going hungry, the United Nations said in an annual report on food insecurity. Global food price indices hit record highs in February and were a factor in the Arab Spring of unrest in North Africa and the Middle East. Prices have since eased but the UN report said economic uncertainty, low cereal reserves, closer links between energy and agriculture markets and rising risks of weather shocks were likely to cause more dramatic future price swings. “Food price volatility featuring high prices is likely to continue and possibly increase,” the Food and Agriculture Organisation, the

World Food Programme and the International Fund for Agricultural Development said in the joint report. “Demand from consumers in rapidly growing economies will increase, population continues to grow, and further growth in biofuels (displacing food crops) will place additional demands on the food system.” The report said poor farmers and consumers in small importer countries, particularly in Africa, would be more vulnerable to shortages as a result. It said short-term price swings had long-term impacts on development, depriving young children in vulnerable areas of key nutrients, which permanently cut their future earning capacity and increased the likelihood that they would remain poor.

Give me another Taiwo upbeat despite chance, Siasia begs poor start at Milan Pg. 16

Nation Friday, October 14, 2011

Pg. 49

• Taiwo

PAGE 15

OLYMPIC QUALIFIER HOST

CAF dumps Nigeria, picks Morocco Pg. 49

• Nosa Igiebor

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

NATION SPORT

Governor's Cup begins today in Lagos

HE 11th Governor's Cup Lagos Tennis Championship begins today and will end on October 30. The tournament is expected to produce fireworks that will see winners in both men and women's events winning the sum of $80, 000 (about N13m) in the competition sponsored by Etisalat and FCMB. Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan, venue of the championship is already wearing new look with the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and the officials of the Nigeria Tennis Federation, NTF putting finishing touches to the organisational structures planned for a glamorous championship. Registration of the players will precede qualifying matches which be played between Saturday and Sunday before the Main Draws will serve off on Monday. There is no doubt that this year's tourney will be keenly contested judging from the calibre of the players coming from all part of the world with their high rankings. Capkovic Kamil of Solvakia, who is ranked No. 292 is leading in the men's event. Other players who have been in Lagos for the competition are

By Innocent Amomoh and Stella Bamawo Indian Rastogi Karan (324) and Boy Westerhof of Holland (440). Idoko Candy, who is ranked No. 1361, is leading Nigerian boys to the Governor's Cup this year. He will be joined by Enosoregbe Kingsley (1634), Shehu Lawal (1634), Olawepo Bolaji, Igbinovia Monday, Adamu Sanni, Alade Kehinde Maku Sunday, Akiangbade Pekun, Mbanu Onyeka, Ayeni David and Yussuf Ganiyu. In the women's event, Bratchikova Nina of Russia (138), Floris Anna of Italy (177), Perrin Conny of Sweden(259), Klaffner Melanie of Austria (274),Hendler Tamaryn of Belgium (286), Majeric Tadeja of Slovakia (297), Naydenova Aleksandrina of Bulgaria (349), Svitolina Elina of Ukraine (353) are some of the foreign players storming Lagos for the competition. Only Abinu Fatimah and Akingbade Ronke registered among Nigerian ladies for the Governor's Cup, while others will be playing courtesy of the wild cards the NTF will be given Nigeria as the host of the competition.

Ekiti to host national U-15 team

HE chairman of the Ekiti state sports council, Mr Ademola Adetola in a press statement in Ado Ekiti has said machinery is alreadyin place to ensure a hitch free match. The chairman said the pitch at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado at present can host any international match. According to the chairman, the friendly match between the Ekiti State “under 15” and the national under 15 teams would afford Nigerians the opportunity to see the physical development that governor Kayode Fayemi has brought to the stadium. Mr Adetola noted the Ekiti state under 15 team has been training very hard for the match and assured that the team will surprise many Nigerians. “I trust my players, they will surprise many people. You will

see the outcome of the match. I won’t say more than that for now.” Adetola said. The chairman who confirmed the authenticity of the match said the national team was almost in Ado Ekiti as at 1;00 pm Thursday. He said the team will have a light walk out at the Oluyemi Kayode stadium on Friday. Also speaking on the match, the coordinating officer in charge of the match Mr Olu OLoworemo thanked governor Kayode Fayemi for giving top priority to sports. Mr. Oloworemo said the renovation work going on at the Oluyemi Kayode stadium is an indication of the governors commitment to take sports to the next level in Ekiti state. He expressed optimism that the Ekiti State under 15 team will beat the national team.

MATCH-FIXING ALLEGATIONS

Phone transcript stalls probe

match-fixing enquiry by the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) has been held up because a transcript of a phone conversation between a match official and a club official is being awaited. “The match-fixing investigations has been held up because the panel has demanded from a telephone company the transcript of a telephone conversation between a referee and a club official,” a top source informed MTNFootball.com “The truth of the matter is that the panel wish to do a very thorough job

and that is why no stone will be left unturned to bring some people to book if they are found wanting.” Vice-chairman of Lobi Stars, Dominic Iorfa, has alleged that Nigeria premier League leaders sunshine Stars compromised the referees for their rescheduled match on September 1 in Bauchi. Sunshine have vehemently denied this accusation after the game ended in a 1-1 draw. Sunshine lead the NPL with 64 points from 34 matches, while Lobi are in eighth place with 52 points.

Aiyegbeni wants Siasia replaced B

LACKBURN Rovers' striker, Yakubu Aiyegbeni has passed a damning verdict saying that Nigeria head coach, Samson Siasia should vacate his post. Aiyegbeni’s reaction in an interview on Brila FM on Thursday morning comes after Nigeria’s Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. The former Everton man also believes that the blame lies at the doorstep of Siasia and he should accept responsibility for the country’s failure to claim a spot at the Afcon. Aiyegbeni, 28, also holds the view that Stephen Keshi can turn out to be a perfect replacement for Siasia. He said: “He (Siasia) failed to take the team to the Nations Cup. Unlike coach Christian Chukwu who took the team to the Nations Cup and still got sacked or another that took the team to the World Cup. So he (Siasia) should go and they (the Nigeria Football Federation) should bring in a technical adviser, may be a person like Stephen Keshi. “The manager didn’t do well so they should look for another person to take the opportunity.” The striker, who has been blacklisted from the Super Eagles since his infamous miss against South

Korea at the 2010 Fifa World Cup in South Africa, said missing the Afcon is disappointing for Nigeria. He added that the players will feel the pain more when the Africa Cup of Nations gets underway in January. “It’s sad that we will not be there (at the Afcon),” he lamented. “For the players they don’t know what has happened to them right now. By January they will know what they will be missing.” However, Aiyegbeni refused to lay into the players saying that it is the prerogative of the coach to know when a player is having a bad day in the office. He pointed to his miss against South Korea at the World Cup as an example. “A striker misses and scores goals, which are part of the game. When I missed a goal at the World Cup I was criticised. Even (Fernando) Torres too missed his own too. But it is still the coach that will go if any of this happens,” he said. The NFF Technical Committee will meet in Abuja on Thursday to decide on the future of Siasia amidst clamour from Nigerian fans for his sack.

Give me another chance, Siasia begs N

IGERIA coach Samson Siasia has issued an impassioned plea to be given more time in the job. The Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations but Siasia believes he’s capable of turning the team around. “I love this job and I know what I’m doing - I just need some time,” Siasia told the BBC in an exclusive interview. The coach issued a strong defence of his record in the ten months he has been in charge. “Let [Nigeria fans] look at what we have been doing, let them look at the games we have played and compare them with videos of what obtained before I took over - they can see improvements, they can see changes. “They can see the players running not what we saw at the World Cup. I don’t need to tell them - let them go and look,” Siasia told the BBC’s

Oluwashina Okeleji. The coach addressed head-on the problems he has faced in trying to run the squad, especially in terms of discipline - and admitted he had difficulties with some members of the camp. “Most of the players causing the problems are the ones who have been there for more than 5 years - they just want to take over the camp and I won’t let them,” he said - explaining why there had been persistent discipline problems within the squad. “I am not a brutal person or a dictator, I try to compromise - but I am the head coach and whatever happens I will take responsibility.” He hinted that, if given the chance to continue, he would be reshaping the senior team. “It takes time to build a team - give us some time. We know Nigerians are hurting but give us some time.” Siasia said he had been given all the

support he wanted from the NFF - a point echoed by the man leading the enquiry in to whether he should keep his job, Emmanuel Ikpeme of the NFF’s technical department. “No Nigeria coach, not even a European coach, has ever enjoyed the kind of support that Samson Siasia has had as coach of the Super Eagles,” Ikpeme told the BBC. Nigeria’s 2-2 draw with Guinea last weekend left them out of the Nations Cup finals in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon and prompted an outcry amongst fans. The coach admitted that the result was a disappointment and praised his players for turning out in the friendly match with Ghana in the UK on Tuesday. “It takes a lot of courage and hard work to get these boys back to play the way they played and I thank them for trying to look forward not backwards,” the coach said.

NFF has power to sack Siasia — Sports Minister From Patrick Ngwaogu, Abuja HE Minister of Sports and Chairman National Sports Commission, Yusuf Sulieman has refuted the recent statement that was credited to him that the sacking of Super Eagles Head Coach Samson Siasia is beyond the NFF. The Minister who expressed his displeasure over that report, said he made that before any decision can be taken on the Chief Coach, that a holistic approach would have to be adopted “everything about the team’s poor performance would have to be looked into. This in line with the transformation agenda of the present government. I cannot say that the NFF cannot sack Siasia. They are the ones who employed him, and if at the end of the day, they found out that sacking him will be the best way out, then, they can go ahead’ the Minister stressed. He appealed to the sporting press to ensure that they properly inform the public of the true position of things at every point in time. It would be recalled that some of the angry fans who invaded the Abuja National Stadium media centre immediately after the disastrous Nigeria/ Guinea match last weekend said that certain session of the media misinformed them to believe on the technical capabilities of the Super Eagles Chief Coach.

Nation. Onigbinde who spoke mostly in Yoruba parables with regards to the Super Eagles described Nigeria Football as a case of the root and the fruits of a tree. “Nigeria Football can be likened to the case of the root and the fruit. Everyone wants to eat the reap fruit but forget that the fruit gets its nutrient from the root” While calling on Nigerian coaches handling the National team to operate an open door policy towards their colleagues, the Eagles coach to the 2002 world cup, charged Austin Eguavoen to stay focused on the task ahead. “I have read different stories concerning your team, over who is incharge of this, who should handle this

IGERIA international defender Taye Taiwo has promised to shine at AC Milan despite a sluggish start in Italy. After he was slowed down by an ankle injury, Taiwo, a free agent from French side Olympique Marseille in the summer, finally made a tentative official debut for the Italian champions against Cesena. Milan won 1-0 but Taiwo seemed overwhelmed by the occasion and was lucky not to be red carded for a second dangerous-looking foul before he was replaced early in the second half. But the left back has now told MTNFootball.com that his best will come at the top Italian club very soon when he would have adjusted fully to a new life in Italy. “I know I have the quality to impress and make it big in AC Milan but I just need to concentrate and continue to

work very hard and I will soon impress in Milan,” Taiwo exclusively told MTNFootball.com. “I know I am young and have time on my side and will still play a lot of games for the club. The players who are playing there now are older than me and I have better advantage over them. “I am bold to say that when they were younger they did not even play up to my capacity or rather capabilities. So, it is a matter of time and I will still bounce back and seize my opportunity with both arms. “When I left Lobi Stars to join Olympique Marseille in 2004, I did not settle down until after about three, six months. Since then I caught up and started playing well. The same thing is happening right now at Milan and I am so confident of clearing this hurdle and then I will move on from there.”

NFF, football fans will smile again—TB Joshua

ROPHET TB Joshua who foresaw the Super Eagles failure to qualify for next year’s Nations Cup has predicted the country will soon smile again. “I see good days for our football. Something will happen and the NFF (Nigeria Football Federation) and Nigerians will smile. I won’t say more,” he told several thousands of his congregation members. Joshua, who owns My People Football Club that produced Golden Eaglets stars Sani Emmanuel and Ogenyi Onazi, was reported to have warned of dangers for Nigeria against Guinea in last Saturday’s Nations Cup qualifier in Abuja. “I saw it (the Nigeria vs Guinea game) and I called them but nobody

listened,” he said. “There was nothing I could have done to change the mind of God. I love Nigeria but I’m human like all of you. “I feel the same pains as Nigerians that we will not be at the Nations Cup, but I only told people what God revealed to me.” Several of the country’s top football stars like Daniel Amokachi, Nwankwo Kanu, Joseph Yobo as well as top coaches like Shuaibu Amodu and John Obuh are known to have consulted Prophet Joshua. West Bromwich Albion striker Osaze Odemwingie revealed that Joshua’s prophesy pressured the Eagles and another prophet was invited to come and pray for the team before the match.

• Agbonlahor

Agbonlahor fit for Villa's trip to City

ABBY Agbonlahor has handed Aston Villa a major boost after being declared fit to lead the line at Manchester City on Saturday. The pacey striker has recovered from the back problem which forced him to pull out of contention for England’s qualifier against Montenegro. Villa boss Alex McLeish said: “He’s been back on the training field and we’re pleased with the progress he has made on his back problem. “Gabby seems to be fine and we just have watch the load we give him in training. I think the smart money is on him being available against City.” Defender James Collins is also winning his race to be fit after missing Wales’ international matches with a foot injury.

OLYMPIC QUALIFIER HOST

CAF dumps Nigeria, picks Be more diplomatic, Amodu Morocco

ORMER Super Eagles’ Coach, Shuaibu Amodu believes Samson Siasia regrets how he handled certain actions in the past few months. The embattled Nigerian trainer has endured a tumultuous reign since he was named national team coach on November 4, 2010. Well documented cases of misunderstandings with important members of the squad like John Mikel Obi, Osaze Odemwingie, Vincent Enyeama and Dickson Etuhu hugged the headlines with Fulham’s Etuhu vowing never to play for Nigeria as long as Siasia remained at the helm. Odemwingie was suspended from the national team by Siasia before being recalled, while Enyeama (viewed by many as one of the best goal keepers in the world) missed the crucial 2012 AFCON qualifier against Guinea as his trainer chose not to include him in the squad following yet another spat. With Siasia adopting the hard line of instilling discipline in the team, Amodu last week warned that

Dream Team V on condolence visit to Onigbinde ATIONAL U-23 team otherwise called the Dream Team V technical crew on Thursday paid a condolence visit to former Super Eagles Coach Adegboye Onigbinde following the passing on of his beloved wife, Chief Mrs, Regina Omonike Asunke Onigbinde last Sunday. The team led by head coach Austin Eguavoen proceeded straight to the Modakeke high chief’s home in Felele area of Ibadan immediately after the team’s morning session. Despite his grief, Onigbinde upon sighting Eguavoen, said “its sad, very painful but that’s what we face as Coaches. The result affect us all” apparently referring to the Eagles ouster from the 2012 Africa cup of

Taiwo upbeat despite poor start at Milan

cautions Siasia Siasia’s position may backfire. The experienced coach who successfully steered Nigeria through two World Cup qualifying campaigns advised Siasia to adopt a more diplomatic approach as it concerns managing his players as it might backfire. With the NFF now set to reach a decision on Siasia’s future on Thursday, Amodu has now taken out time to voice his sentiments on the latest turn of events. “Yes, I did voice such comments last week. I am sure Siasia regrets some of the actions he has taken in the past,” Amodu told SuperSport.com. The Super Eagles put up a brave display in an international friendly against Ghana on Tuesday night in London and Amodu believes it was a result that was well earned. “They did well and we must give them credit. Hopefully, that should be a pointer in what direction we are headed next,” Amodu explained.

HE Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced that Morocco will host the final round of Africa’s Olympic qualifiers next month. The North African nation has been awarded the tournament after Egypt withdrew earlier this week. CAF says the tournament will be hosted in Marrakech and Tangiers, with additional venues in Rabat and/or Fes. The top three automatically qualify for London 2012, while the fourthplaced team plays off against an Asian side. CAF is labelling the competition as Africa’s first Under-23 Championships. The continent already has competitions at both Under-17 and Under-20 level, where the top three qualify for Fifa’s finals at those age levels. When the draw was made last month, Egypt were drawn in Group A against Gabon, South Africa and Ivory Coast. Group B meanwhile comprises Nigeria, Morocco, Algeria and Senegal. The Moroccans intensified their preparations when beating Ivory Coast 2-0 in a friendly in Tangiers on Tuesday. The competition will run from 26 November to 10 December 2011.

Oshiomole tees off 17th Benin Ladies Open

T • Onigbinde and what have you. Please remain focused and remember that if anything goes wrong it is you Nigerians would hold responsible”.

• Super Eagles players in a training session in Abuja

HE Benin Golf Club is set to witness unprecendented sporting bliss as Edo state governor comrade Adams OShiomole tees off the 17th Benin Ladies Open tomorrow. The event, a two-day clear activity of golf will involve some 250 golfers from across the country. Delectable prizes ranging from electronics to selected silverware mainly sponsored by Fareast will be won in every category of the game. Even veterans, that is golfers from above 60years of age, have prizes to cart

home. Besides, all lady golfers coming from outside Benin shall be accomodated free of whatever charge through the duration of the tournament. "We always want to do thing right here, especially when the issue is sports", Lady Captain of the Club, Lady Nkeruika Awiaka, mentioned. "The Governor of the State, Adams Oshiomole loves sports, especially golf and he has been showing this through his support in the past games. This is reason we are deciding to leave nothing to chance

while giving total comfort to golfers who are coming from across the nation. This one tournament will stand out and golfers will testify to this when we are rounding up on Sunday". To indeed prove this year's Benin Ladies Open will be a special one, Lady Awiaka last Wednesday put together a N100,000 tourney for professional golfers who reside in Benin. A promising young Pro, Chukwudi Okoro won the event with an outstanding 2-under par 72

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Internal friction has continued to unsettle the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), thus putting its chance in future elections in a precarious state. NWANOSIKE ONU writes on efforts being made by the party’s stakeholders to rescue the party.

Obi, Umeh battle for soul of APGA I

N 2002, when Mr. Peter Obi was contesting for the office, he asked a pertinent question that became a sing-song in the state: “Is Anambra cursed, or are we the cause?” People, including him, have been battling to provide an answer, but to no avail and the 20year-old state continues to swim in the ocean of hatred among its citizens. When he eventually took over the leadership mantle of the state, the joy of everybody knew no bounds and he was christened the expected messiah, especially by members of the party that gave him the mandate, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). But today, the once peaceful party has fallen apart. From Abia to Imo, Enugu to Ebonyi, the areas believed to be the strongholds of APGA, it has been a chain of crises to the extent that most members are passing a vote of “no confidence” on their national chairman, Chief Victor Umeh. Some analysts believe that with the problems ravaging APGA, it may be difficult for the party to stand up to be counted during the 2014 governorship election in Anambra, even when it had managed to secure the same position in Imo State during the last governorship election. Others say that those fueling the purported crises are “power-drunk individuals in some of the states who want to be counted in the scheme of things including Anambra State.” Observers believe that the APGA’s problem may not be unconnected with the moves by its former leader, Chief Chekwas Okorie to reclaim the party from Umeh, who they said, had floored him on several occasions in different courts of the land. Some others are blaming Obi, who they claim has no interest again in the party as, according to them, “he had made up his mind to join the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for what they called his Vice Presidential ambition in 2015 after his second tenure as governor. Yet, some others have attributed the crises to the absence of the party’s national leader, Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu. They contend that if the warlord had been around, nobody would have the liver to look Umeh in the face. However, the allegations being leveled against the APGA Chairman include lack of sense of direction and dictatorship. Also, they allege Umeh’s total lack of accountability, constant and unjustifiable removal and imposition of officers without recourse to the party’s constitution. The groups dropped threats of suspension or dismissal of members who hold opposing views to Umeh’s inability to mobilise, sensitise and motivate followership. Again, continual running of the party like a fiefdom, unilateral elongation of his tenure for another four years without holding a convention, factionalisation of the party at all levels and gross disrespect to state leaders of the party, especially the governors, are other allegations. The allegations came from a group known as APGA Stakeholders in Anambra State after its recent meeting where they analysed critically, issues of the party’s affairs. The communiqué of the meeting was signed by the 21 local government chairmen of the party. Therefore, they want the party’s leadership to arrange for its immediate restructuring by conducting ward, local government and state congresses to restore unity, cohesion and confidence in APGA. But Umeh has dismissed all the allegations against him describing them as the handiwork of idle ones. He told The Nation that there is nothing like stakeholders in APGA, accusing Chief Nwobu Alor, an uncle to Obi, of being the brain behind the crisis in the party. Umeh insisted that there is no form of crisis in the party, describing it as a figment of the

• Obi

• Umeh

‘One of the party’s elder statesmen in Anambra State, Chief Nwobu Alor, told The Nation that the two governors of Anambra and Imo States, Obi and Rochas Okorocha, had already written to Umeh to dissolve the structures of the party in all the formations in the country. This, according to him, is to allow for the conduct of congresses in the states and indeed, another convention’

‘If you go and cross check, you will notice that there is no crack in our party; there can only be a division in the party if the National Working Committee of the party is divided and the State Chairmen are no longer loyal to the national leadership. But I can tell you that as at today, all the officers of APGA are intact and loyal to the leadership of the party’

imagination of some confused persons. He said: “It is obvious that some satanic agents are attacking the party. When the agents of the devil are on the prowl, those of us who are Christians will rely on God for prayers. So, our party is intact from the national leadership to the state leadership across the country to the zonal leadership. “If you go and cross check, you will notice that there is no crack in our party, there can only be a division in the party if the National Working Committee of the party is divided and the State Chairmen are no longer loyal to the national leadership. But I can tell you that as at today, all the officers of APGA are in tact and loyal to the leadership of the party.”

He said that APGA has a constitution with laid down procedures for removing officers of the party. “All I’m saying is that I’m not vacating my office until the party asks me to.” Anambra State Chairman of APGA, Chief Mike Kwentoh, told The Nation that nobody has the right to remove their national chairman, adding that he can only be removed by the national convention. What this implies is that Umeh’s tenure ends when the convention of the party comes up again because the last convention of the party was held in January. Kwentoh further said that people who were insinuating that the party was going through series of crises were wasting their time, describing APGA as one united family.

One of the party’s elder statesmen in Anambra State, Chief Nwobu Alor, told The Nation that the two governors of Anambra and Imo States, Obi and Rochas Okorocha had already written to Umeh to dissolve the structures of the party in all the formations in the country. This, according to him, is to allow for the conduct of congresses in the states and indeed, another convention. Alor, further said that the letter from the governors was yet to be replied by Umeh. However, the cordial relationship that had existed between Umeh and Obi for a long time has diminished, though Umeh told The Nation recently that there was no misunderstanding between them. But it was gathered that the cold war between the duo began when Umeh advised the governor to conduct local government election. Umeh’s insistence that Obi should dissolve his cabinet of five years has been another reason for the misunderstanding which it was learnt got Obi angry and he told Umeh that nobody should teach him how to run his administration. The face off reached a dizzying height during the last general elections when Umeh, had to abandon APGA in the state to its fate and moved over to Imo State to deliver Rochas Okorocha as the Governor. During the Senatorial battle between Prof. Dora Akunyili of APGA and Dr. Chris Ngige of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) for the Anambra Central Senatorial seat. The Nation learnt that Umeh was no where to be seen except on election day. This, according to The Nation’s checks got Obi and other stakeholders of the party angry, fueling the sour relationship the more. The Nation learnt in the week that quarrel between the duo, may not be unconnected with the political romance between Governor Peter Obi and the oil guru and Chief Executive of Capital Oil and Gas, Mr. Ifeanyi Uba’s governorship ambition. It was gathered that Obi’s purported move to replace himself with Uba when his tenure expires in 2014 was not welcomed by Umeh as the chairman of the party. One of the party leaders who spoke with in confidence said, “you know Umeh is a party man while Obi is not and if you watch closely, you will notice the kind of romance going on between Obi and Ifeanyi Uba”. “Obi has insisted that the right person to replace him is Uba but it has not gone down well with Umeh who has insisted that a core party man be chosen by the party for the position and you should know that Uba is not a member of APGA.” From what is playing out now in APGA, the party is likely to go the way of PDP in Anambra and this being Obi’s last tenure, he has one leg in PDP and the other one in APGA, the source said. One thing is clear, there is looming war in APGA, despite the rebuttal of some of its members, but whether the leaders would let it affect its fortunes in Anambra is not yet clear.

Embrace decorum, agency tasks politicians, electorate

HE Lagos State Director of the National Orientation Agency, (NOA), Mr Waheed Ishola, has advised voters not to sell their conscience in the forthcoming local government elections scheduled to hold on October 22. At a public enlightenment campaign at Orile Agege in Lagos, the NOA boss told the audience that bad governance was being perpetuated because the voters allowed themselves to be used by politicians. He said: “To nurture our growing democracy to maturity and to sustain this political system, the citizenry must be well-informed about democratic tenets and have sufficient

By Musa Odoshimokhe

knowledge how democratic system functions.” He said: “We are here to talk to ourselves on how we can have credible, peaceful and successful local government elections in Lagos State.” The director called on politicians to show decorum in their quest for peoples’ votes given that whatever action they take could affect the process either negatively or positively. “It is on this note that I would like to appeal to the party’s chieftains to consider the mobilisation and sensitisation of the popu-

lace paramount. You have to go all out to see that our people are fully aware of the significance of the elections and the need to participate effectively.” “We have it on record that 23 political parties are coming into the race this time around. Thus, it is suggestive that the elections will be keenly contested, we are using this medium to plead with gladiators not to see it as a do or die affairs,” said Ishola. He urged them to play the game according to the rule set by the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) which allows for peaceful conduct of elections in any part of the state.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

POLITICS No matter how judicious a public office holder makes use of the people’s mandate, if he doesn’t dole out money, to many Nigerians, he has done nothing. Assistant Editor DADA ALADELOKUN examines the ugly trend which people now see as a means of extorting the dividends of their mandate. • President Goodluck Jonathan at a campaign rally before the presidential election.

T was a spectacle - and so amusing it was. Yet, many would be wont to dubit offensive. An awkward way it was though now commonplace - to give out the dividends of democracy to a ‘hungry’ people. At the centre of it then was the late governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Muhammad Lawal. He had made a visit to the Ijora, Lagos headquarters of The Comet Newspapers, now defunct, in the early days of 2002.Incidentally, the popular Ijora Motor Park where the newspaper’s office was located was peopled with mostly Kwara indigenes who were into active commercial motoring. Mission accomplished with his hosts, Lawal made to depart, but it was not to come easy. He stepped into a waiting mammoth crowd of the Kwara-born motorists who chanted his praises to high heavens – Up Lawal … Action governor!’ It was not for fun; they wanted their share of the ‘national cake.’ With apparent understanding of his ‘admirers’ language,’ he made to play ball. Before one could say Jack, a lump sum of mint money had landed in his palm. “This is your money o!” He enthused amid deafening applause, as he landed it in the hands of one of them. After the bedlam that ensued, the man who received the money was a wreck. He was mobbed. By the time the pandemonium was over, all that was left on him was a torn piece of naira note. It would be a miracle if he did not have a medicine seller to pay, at least. Of course, Lawal has driven off the scene. Today, the ugly trend has become Nigerian electorate’s preferred means of getting returns over the mandate they often give during elections. The trend, no doubt, raises a poser: Who is a performing public office holder by Nigerian standard? Is it the one who uses public funds wisely to give people the good things of life or the leader who cashes in on the monstrous poverty in the land to dole out money to hungry praise-singers? Only those who have lost touch with political realities in the land will pick the former. Early this year, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Bolaji Ayinla, was at the popular Itire mosque to worship. He was also participating in upgrading the mosque. Outside the centre was a large crowd of residents waiting to get their ‘share.’ Indeed, the lawmaker left the scene pecuniarily empty. On many occasions, Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon from Lagos West Constituency has had it harrowing extricating himself from crowds of youths and adults alike who would always inundate him with all manners of personal requests. On such an occasion when he was chairman of Mushin Local Government, this reporter had sought to know how he was coping with the situation. His response: “It is a very sad and worrisome situation which depicts the poverty level

Worry as dividends of governance go awry at the grassroots especially. But we cannot but attend to their petty demands because if we fail to do, they will go into various crimes and thus pose serious threat to the system. Above all, however, government must ensure that unemployment is tackled frontally, while the economy is also attended to.” In the height of the celebration of Independence Day last year, Dame, wife of President Goodluck Jonathan moved to evince the altruism in her in Abuja. He distributed bags of rice to people. Precisely, it took place at the International Conference Centre/Radio House axis, Garki. It was part of her Food Outreach Programme. Even policemen and Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) officials reportedly partook of the scramble for the item. Not everyone left the scene with their limbs intact. Those who narrowly got the item had it hectic in the face of the mass struggle. Not long ago, some women, who were said to be members of a political party, staged a bizarre ‘show’ in the Badia area of Lagos. Precisely, it was on Fadaini Road during an environmental sanitation exercise. Describing state of the important road as deplorable would no doubt be an understatement. Curiously, rather than bathing the council boss whose administration had obviously neglected the road with invectives when he appeared there, the women sang his praise, calling him all sort of head-swelling cognomens, all in the name of getting him to ‘drop.’ A few days to the April election, a discourse ensued at a liquor joint in the Onipanu area of Lagos. It was about the state Governor Babatunde Fashola who is being celebrated even beyond the shore of the country as an exemplary performer. “I’m not a politician; neither do I belong to a party. But even the blind would not claim ignorant of the various exploits of Fashola’s administration in this state. In fact, so far, he is said to be the most hardworking governor in Nigeria today.

So, as far as I’m concerned, he has no opponent in the coming governorship poll,” a young man, obviously a layabout, submitted amid affirmatory nods by a few others. However, to the shock of many, one of them rose up to his feet, asking on top of his voice: “What has Fashola done? As far as I’m concerned, he has not done anything!” The expression ‘this man must be out of his senses’ was bold on the countenance of others. Then the man explained his stance to the chagrin of all: “I have never got a kobo from him. Ko nya paper now (he doesn’t dole out money). If he likes, let him tar all the roads in Lagos; that doesn’t concern me.” He went on by gleefully recalling a “good and performing” council chairman who, not long before then, doled out “a whole” N5, 000 to him and eight others. Not a few laughed scornfully at him. One of them simply shook his head, took a furtive glance at him and walked away in passionate soliloquy: “It is time Nigerians were made to know the true meaning of the dividends of democracy.” Now, for any public servant, even a councilor, to step out each day, he must load his pocket. Even at that, he would be smuggled out of every outing to escape from the ubiquitous “all right sir” boys. Dr. Ifeoluwa Arowosoge, who represents Ekiti South West, Ikere and Ise/ Orun Federal Consistency 1 in the House of Representatives, described the development as worrisome. He was however quick to ascribe it to the failure of governance at all levels over the years. He explained: “It is sad indeed that poverty has almost overrun the land. This is why our people are after immediate satisfaction because the war being fought in virtually every family today is that of the belly. Not long ago, I gave out grinding machine among other things at the flag-off of what I

‘Not long ago, some women, who were said to be members of a political party, staged a bizarre ‘show’ in the Badia area of Lagos. Precisely, it was on Fadaini Road during an environmental sanitation exercise. Describing state of the important road as deplorable would no doubt be an understatement. Curiously, rather than bathing the council boss whose administration had obviously neglected the road with invectives when he appeared there, the women sang his praise, calling him all sort of headswelling cognomens, all in the name of getting him to ‘drop’

called empowerment programmes for indigent citizens of my constituency. I also donated three complete computers sets to the best schools in School Certificate Examination (SCE) in the constituency in to encourage them to do more and also to encourage them on ICT. Many even smiled home with cash gifts from me.” “However, it is important to note that as a lawmaker, I was elected to go in there to join others to evolve bills that can positively impact on the lives of all; I should not be executing projects. I just did that as a way of appreciating my people’s support. But quite unfortunately, people believe erroneously that it is our duty. I would want to appeal to out government at all levels to see to it that our sick economy is rejuvenated to boost people’s purchasing power and their overall livelihood. It is only when this is done that we will move freely among our people without pressure from them,” Arowosoge added. In this regard, the grassroots administrators are the most “endangered” because they live with the impoverished lot. The chairman of Lagos Mainland Local Government, Mr. Oladele Adekanye, today, has in his kitty, various awards from residents and organisations for building a good number of roads, rehabilitating public schools, constructing drainages and boosting health care in his domain among others things. This reporter was with him in the week. Then he reeled off his giants strides which gave him the return ticket of his party, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), ahead the next local government election in the state. “Our level of governance deserves better attention in terms of improved financial resources to fully withstand the demands and pressures at the level where poverty resides. He had barely recounted how he had been under intense pressure to solve varied personal problems of many residents when a sickly young man walked in. His gait was unsteady and piteous. “What can I do for you my brother?” The soft-spoken council boss asked compassionately. “I’m a sicklecell patient; I have come to seek your help on my health sir,” he replied, disclosing that he would need N50,000 to have his problem solved. After a response that soothed the nerves of the helpless boy, Adekanye added: “This is what we face every second. It is the chairman that will feed new babies, take care of ailing grandmothers, pay the school fees of every student and even feed every family.” As way out, besides seeking improved revenue for both local and state governments, Adekanye believes employment must be created while the nation’s economy is put on a sound footing to improve the income of an average family. It therefore seems an urgent challenge to President Goodluck Jonathan’s economic strategy.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

EDITORIAL/OPINION Comments

EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

Assault on free speech •Police raid on The Nation a sad reminder of our ugly past

HE raid, by operatives of the Nigeria Police, on the Lagos and Abuja offices of this newspaper on October 11, brings back disturbing memories of the dark military years. Back then, the military czars, impressed by the awesomeness of their rogue powers, were sworn to crushing the messenger, when the message was too hot to handle. That was power savagery at its worst. Such conduct must not be countenanced, not to talk of being excused, in a democratic order, which driving force is the rule of law, not arbitrary power. That is why the raid on our offices, in Lagos and Abuja, without any warrant, is very strange indeed. But maybe there are extenuating circumstances. So, what might those circumstances be? Under what conditions might the police invade a newspaper house, and attempt to cart away its editors? Even if individual editors had a case to answer, do the police have the right, by their arbitrary conduct, to paralyse the lawful operation of a newspaper by wilfully decimating its top staff? These are the tough questions the police authorities, as well as the Jonathan

‘The Nation is bound by the law; and ifanyone has wronged the law, let the judiciary do its job, unfettered. But we will not stand by and watch misguided officials, no matter how highly placed, toy with constitutionally guaranteed democratic rights of the people and the press. We would not chase away military brutes only to suffer gladly, putative civilian dictators’

Presidency (since the Presidency controls the centralised police) would have to answer. From facts pieced together after the raid, all the excitement would appear a result of the controversial letter that this newspaper said former President Olusegun Obasanjo allegedly wrote. The Nation reported the story on its front page on October 4. Obasanjo, on that same day, denied writing any letter asking the president to sack the chief executives of five government parastatals. Indeed, Obasanjo lampooned The Nation and its editors, asking: “The Nation and those who run it, are they sane?” This flat denial prompted The Nation to publish a bromide copy of the contentious letter, which it followed up with an editorial, suggesting Obasanjo’s was a bluff taken too far; and that his language, for a former military head of state and elected president, was a bit too uncouth. Obasanjo reportedly petitioned the Presidency, alleging forgery of his signature, though it is unclear whether the petition was before or after The Nation editorial. If the former president feels injured, he has every right to petition the authorities for redress. But that comes from the republican right of every citizen under the law, not an exclusive privilege of a former president. That is why it is a puzzle really that the Obasanjo petition appeared to have galvanised the police to turn themselves into a public muscle of a private citizen (which the former president is now); or the presidency into his poodle. For, how else would anybody interpret the wilful arrest and detention of the newspaper top personnel, including the company’s lawyer, four top editors and a female correspondent, aside from the top security personnel, who have absolutely

no link with the story? How else could anyone rationalise that the editors, in Lagos, were thrown into open cells with common criminals, and the police at Force CID, Alagbon, Lagos, indeed watched with satanic relish as the cell mates tossed the journalists around in the name of “initiation”? If that happened in Lagos, only God knows the experience of The Nation’s Managing Editor, (Northern Operations), Mr Yusuf Ali, the prized police capture in Abuja! And when the Inspector-General of Police, Hafiz Ringim, broke his silence on the matter yesterday, his fourparagraph statement titled “IGP clears the air on arrested journalists.... Says investigation in progress” hardly cleared any air. It was too vague and answered no question. For instance, the name of the personality who triggered the police action was not mentioned even when it is already in the public domain; so was the newspaper involved. These are the sort of embarrassing conducts that have brought the police into disrepute and its top echelon castigated for brazenly flouting democratic ethos. During the three-day siege of The Nation, the President seemed to detach himself from the regrettable affair. We are not fooled. Intimidating the press is too serious a matter for the president to feign detachment. The Nation is bound by the law; and ifanyone has wronged the law, let the judiciary do its job, unfettered. But we will not stand by and watch misguided officials, no matter how highly placed, toy with constitutionally guaranteed democratic rights of the people and the press. We would not chase away military brutes only to suffer gladly, putative civilian dictators.

Worthy women •The 2011 Nobel Peace Prize underscores the need for gender equity

HE award of the 2011 Nobel Prize for Peace to two women from Africa and one woman from the Middle East is a long-delayed tribute to the tremendous role women have been playing in ensuring the enthronement of justice, peace and progress in their respective societies. The recipients were Mrs. Ellen JohnsonSirleaf, the President of Liberia, Leymah Gbowee, a Liberian activist, and Tawakkol Karman, a Yemini campaigner for democracy and human rights. All three women have made significant contributions to the positive development of their countries. President Johnson-Sirleaf is widely credited with ensuring that her war-ravaged country did not return to the brutal conflicts of its recent past. Mrs. Gbowee played a crucial role in organising ordinary women against the rapes, maiming and sundry other brutalities that had characterised the Liberian civil war. Mrs. Karman was a catalyst for the pro-democracy movement that has consistently opposed authoritarian government in Yemen. In its announcement, the Norwegian Nobel Committee, which administers the prize, stated that the three women were awarded the prize “for their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women’s rights to full participation in peace-building work.” The commitee stressed that democracy and peace were unattainable unless women had the opportunity to influence decision-making at all levels of society.

The award of the most prestigious of the Nobel Prizes to three women from developing countries is a timely reminder of the crucial role women play in nationbuilding. They constitute a significant segment of the population in the Third World, but are rarely taken into consideration when social, economic and political policies are being enunciated. Ironically, when those policies fail to achieve their intended goals, it is the women who bear the brunt. Johnson-Sirleaf, Gbowee and Karman symbolise the emergence of a new manifestation of womanhood in the developing world: the woman who refuses to accept traditional prejudices designed to keep women silent and surbordinate; the woman who realises that only sustained collective effort can bring about positive change; the woman who understands that gender is no obstacle to attaining the highest goals in life. These female Nobel Laureates are all indicative of positive trends in the oftensad history of women’s issues. JohnsonSirleaf’s political rise as Africa’s first elected female president encourages women all across the continent to throw off the shackles of discrimination and vie for high elective office. Gbowee and Karman demonstrate the vital importance of women in championing those causes that will benefit them and the society as a whole. They are all worthy heirs of the late Wangari Maathai, the Kenyan environmental activist who became the first African woman to win the Nobel Prize

for Peace in 2004. Ultimately, the award sets new standards of attainment for women in the developing world and elsewhere. Women can no longer afford to merely complain about discrimination and exclusion: instead, they must consciously embark on actions that will ensure that nobody can afford to exclude them. They must realise that the objectives they desire to achieve will not be given to them on a platter of gold, but must be struggled for. Nigeria’s women must play a vital role in tackling the many development challenges facing the country. By imitating the courage, determination and sense of purpose of the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize winners, they will be making a significant contribution to ensuring that Nigeria fulfills its great potential.

‘Ultimately, the award sets new standards of attainment for women in the developing world and elsewhere. Women can no longer afford to merely complain about discrimination and exclusion: instead, they must consciously embark on actions that will ensure that nobody can afford to exclude them’

Europe’s day of reckoning on its financial crisis is at hand

F KICKING THE CAN down the road were an Olympic event, American politicians would win a medal. They have postponed a solution to this country’s interconnected tax, entitlement and fiscal deficit problems for — how many years has it been? But the can-kicking gold goes to Europe, for its inconclusive reaction to financial and economic problems that, if anything, pose far clearer and more immediate dangers than those of the United States. Here’s all you need to know about the continent’s temporizing to date: Europe has twice run “stress tests” to prove to the world that its banks are well capitalized despite the large amount of questionable sovereign debt on their balance sheets. But Dexia, the Franco-Belgian bank that collapsed under a mountain of Greek and other stressedout paper last week, had passed both of those tests, easily. Greece has enough cash to last halfway through next month; its international rescuers are still deciding whether Athens has reformed enough to deserve another infusion of money; meanwhile, the markets are fairly screaming that Europe’s banks could not survive a Greek default and about the possible repercussions in Italy and elsewhere. President Obama says the situation in Europe is “scaring” the world. Britain’s prime minister, David Cameron, warns, “Time is short.” This week, GermanChancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy finally responded with a joint “we get it.” Their countries “are determined to do everything necessary to ensure the recapitalisation of our banks,” they announced. An all-encompassing solution is on the way, they promise — by the end of the month. The rest of the world, the United States very much included, has little choice but to hope that Ms. Merkel and Mr. Sarkozy actually have a plan. Their late recognition that Europe’s banks may be woefully undercapitalized is not encouraging. But better late than never. The goal now must be threefold: organizing a Greek restructuring with big “haircuts” for private creditors; establishing a vehicle for pumping public capital into the banks that must write down this debt; and shoring up Italy and Spain, if necessary with generous but temporary liquidity from the European Central Bank. None of these would be easy under the best of circumstances. Among the circumstances that make the situation far less than optimal are the lingering differences between Paris and Berlin over how to use the still-not-completely-ratified euro zone bailout fund to aid big banks, the weakest of which seem to be French. France wants to tap the fund quickly, which would reduce its direct costs and thus help preserve its decreasingly plausible AAA credit rating. But Germany, which would have to pick up more of the tab under this scenario, is balking. The fact that the bailout fund also depends on the approval of tiny Slovakia, whose parliament voted against it Tuesday, adds an unwelcome note of absurdity to the situation. Paris and Berlin, and all the other governments from Bratislava to Brussels, need to find common ground, and fast, lest Ms. Merkel and Mr. Sarkozy, and their colleagues, go down in history as the leaders who brought Europe, and the world, to the brink of economic disaster — and then over it. – Washington Post

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THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

EDITORIAL/OPINION

IR: It is unbelievable that the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, in an erratic reaction to The Nation of October 5 titled ‘Obasanjo’s Secret Letter to Jonathan’ caused the arrest of four senior editors of the newspaper by the Police. That such can happen in a country where Freedom of Information (FOI) Act is already law betrays the insincerity of the government and all it portrays itself to stand for in the eyes of the citizens. It is understandable that the FOI law is not a passport for any journalist to feed the populace with false information; but when a publication does not go down well with some bloc in the circle of power, such can be challenged by instituting suits against the publisher in

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Is this government serious? the court of law, and not just by irrational arrest that would violate the constitutional rights of citizens and press freedom. So, where is the respect for the rule of law that the government makes all the noise about? How sad is it that the democratic government in whom we reposed our trust and voted in massively less than a year ago, to help us reposition a disarrayed country that Chief

Obasanjo left behind, is fast becoming anti-people through its harsh economic policies and anti-press freedom by this unholy arrest. One would have expected the Boko Haram sect, who has become sudden national security threat, to be the one to be hunted by the Police. But this is not to be, even after they had wasted a lot of innocent lives and bombed the Police headquarters and the United Nations’

office both in Abuja. Armed robbers and kidnappers who have taken hold of the nation are those we expected them to hunt to the ditch; but the police instead appear to lack the courage and ability to match them strength for strength. They shiver at the slightest consciousness of the presence of these people of the underworld. What they are only capable of doing is running after and embarrass-

NCC wasted billions on SIM card registration

IR: Recent developments surrounding the recently concluded Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards registration exercise directed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Abuja would seem to suggest that the exercise may well be another waste, similar to previous data-gathering efforts. Last year, NCC’s request for N6.1billion for the exercise sparked off heated debate in the House of Representatives. The debate centred on the propriety or otherwise of the request given that private telecommunications companies had already embarked on the exercise at no cost to the treasury. Many of the legislators had expressly dismissed the budget as waste of tax payers’ money. They questioned in particular, whether it ought to be the business of the NCC, or that of the telecommunications companies or both as preferred by the NCC. Of course, there has been a litany of complaints of double registration, defective data-capture and needless SIM de-activation cases after due registration by telecom service subscribers among others. This writer’s personal experience is instructive. On October 8, a customer service lady from my telecom company called my mobile phone number urging me to register my SIM card immediately. At first, it sounded like joke since the line in question had already been registered with biometrics captured by an NCC SIM registration agent at a designated locale over three months before. Not satisfied with my explanation, she politely informed that I needed to re-register again. The

NCC registration, she further informed, was invalid. Whose responsibility is it to do SIM registration between the NCC and telecom companies? The registration of existing and new SIM cards by both NCC-appointed agents/consultants and mobile network operators simultaneously, though ordinarily expected to enhance the quest for a genuine, robust identity register of subscribers has instead created challenges of data harmonization. The NCC needs to answer the following questions; what’s the NCC’s understanding of the concept of Know Your Customer (KYC) in business? Does the NCC know the individual subscribers as the

telecom companies do? Who have been producing the SIM cards, recharge cards, related accessories, selling same to subscribers and activating the SIM cards over time? Who is in a better position to collate and harmonise data from millions of subscribers using telecom services over the last decade? The NCC must be held responsible for the confusion and challenges that beset the exercise. Instead of turning itself into a national identity management database “officer”, a milestone which even the trio of National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), National Population Commission (NPC) and National Bureau of Statistics regrettably have all been unable to accomplish since 1963, the

NCC should concentrate on its statutory mandate of regulating the activities of the telecom companies operating in Nigeria. The NCC needs to extend the duration of the registration, allow and support the telecom companies to do a thorough, accurate and complete job of collating, verifying and harmonising their subscribers’ biometrics before turning them in to the commission for use. Any continued and unjustifiable threat of deactivation of unregistered SIM cards will only frustrate the realisation of the objective of the project. • Gbenga Kayode Lagos.

ing harmless journalists who only exercised their civic responsibilities. What an unlucky country! We expected that President Jonathan would be happy that the man who is silently holding the presidency in his tight-fisted claws and taking it as his own birth-right by the way he interferes in the matters of the state unbidden has just been exposed. But we were wrong. Now that the fine journalists who found the courage to speak the truth are being persecuted, how are we sure that President Jonathan himself is not secretly on his knees begging Obasanjo to name a new set of names for the same appointments. Only God knows! Whatever may be, the truth is that the arrest of those journalists is very unfortunate. It has done more damage to the image of Jonathan presidency than good. It has only succeeded in proving the point that GEJ, as earlier widely insinuated, is actually an Obasanjo stooge. May God please save the country and send us a Messiah, for the man we thought we could count on has greatly forsaken us. There’s no employment, no security of lives, no power, no water and no food. Add to that the fact that the government now appears not to care about those than chasing around innocent and hardworking journalists who only tried to free him of undue interference. Now I think there’s every cause for me to regret and even cry in my quiet moment that I just wasted my energy and vote last April 19. What a colossal and tragic waste! • Alimi Olukola Fatai, Osogbo, Osun State.

Lemu’s panel did not indict Buhari

IR: The Nation Tuesday, October 11, “Lemu Panel indicts Buhari over post-election violence” refers. On reading the details, I found that, not my friend, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, was indicted, but “successive regimes since the military hand-over of power in 1999”. The Panel notes and I quote: “The first and probably most important cause is the failure on the part of the previous successive regimes since the military handover of power in 1999 to implement the recommendations of various committees, commissions and panels that had taken place in our nation.” The Panel mentions the “Babalakin Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Bauchi State Civil Disturbances; Karibi-Whyte Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Kafanchan Disturbances; Niki Tobi Judicial Commission of Inquiry into

Plateau State Disturbances; Justice Sanki Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Wase and Langtang Disturbances; Justice Disu Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Plateau State Disturbances; Professor Tamuno Panel of Inquiry on National Security; Justice Uwais Electoral Reform Committee.” The panel found: “The second major cause of the recent electoral violence was the existing widespread desire for change as a result of frustration and disappointment of many members of the general public regarding the inability of the successive regimes to solve the problems of electricity power failure nationwide, deplorable state of Federal Government roads throughout the nation, bribery and corruption which have virtually been legitimized in all affairs of our nation.” Thirdly, according to the report, “The next major cause of violence and disturbances is the manner in which

political office holders have lucratised their respective positions at the expense of the nation. The Panel discovered that the remuneration and allowances of the members of the legislature in particular are considered by stakeholders who addressed us or wrote to us about the issue to be outrageous.” Thus, those who are indicted by the Panel know themselves, unequivocally. Note that in Africa, when two parties quarrel, the un-culpable or less culpable person is also indicted somehow, not to make the other party feel despair. Otherwise, to indict Gen. Buhari seriously would require some of the participants in the violent acts to implicate him as their sponsor, which of course did not happen. Gen. Buhari is said to have told voters to defend their votes with their lives. Did Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole not say the same thing? And if I may ask,

what is wrong with telling voters to defend their votes with their lives? Instead of blaming the thief unanimously, some people are blaming the owner of the stolen good as being careless with his or her property. I congratulate Pa Lemu’s panel for a job excellently done. In the Panel’s report, I saw frankness coupled with political sagacity, sophistication and prudence. The panelists recommend inter alia the implementation of past inquiry reports, including that of the Justice Muhammed Uwais Electoral Reform Committee. That singular one represents a call for propriety in the polity. The other items in the Recommendations are equally fantastic. The onus is now on President Jonathan and Co. to implement the Recommendations or be seen to be mismanaging Nigeria. • Pius Oyeniran Abioje, Ph. D, University of Ilorin.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011 16

EDITORIAL/OPINION

End of the working class heroes (1)

Reality Bites N

Olatunji Ololade

EITHER proverbs nor verse; nor the most burdensome introspection could rewrite our tragedies into bliss. The grandest of rhymes would make no monstrosity sublime. Nor could it ever lighten the most gutless of hearts into an elegance of fire. But we continue to chant anyway; even as our freedom song becomes a funeral dirge. We continue to chant anyway; we who invite the tree maggot to beautify our funeral pyre. It is no wisdom, humaneness or courage that drives us to do the things we do, rather it is an absence of these that dwarfs our hearts from the highest deeds. Thus we evolve from a nation enfeebled by fear and greed, to become the land besotted to lust and death’s every endeavour. Hence our pursuit of self to the detriment of the Nigerian State. It is to the same evils that we are still beholden. Despite our tiresome rant and supposed displeasure with the status quo, we remain the perfection of a stagnant form of self-complacency. The role of the Nigerian elite and the working class is today, perverted. No longer do they serve to provide a focal point to challenge the nation and ultimately advance its course. The Nigerian elite today, settle principally to perpetuate their parasitic existence. And so does the country’s impoverished working

class. Despite our protests in the interest of the working class or the proverbial “average Nigerian,” reality proves us mostly, to be just another band of opportunists and frauds. The Nigerian working class indeed, constitutes a fraud. Without doubt, this purportedly cheated class has evolved to become as much tormentors as the country’s ruling class. Both the ruling class and the working class are indeed cut from the same stock. They possess no enviable culture or refinement save their proficiency in the decadent and perverse. That explains why the major preoccupation of the Nigerian people is to acquire – albeit obscenely – material wealth, fame and a limitless degree of influence and impropriety to make an obscene show of it. This in no small measure impacts negatively on the country’s social institutions of which a great many evolve to become like those chestnut burs which contain abortive nuts, perfect only for pricking the fingers. The downside of this abnormal situation manifests in the quality of citizenship available to the Nigerian nation. Although the country’s pioneer elite class emerged to serve both patronizing and reactionary roles in response to the agenda of the country’s British colonialists, this

‘The role of the Nigerian elite and the working class is today, perverted. No longer do they serve to provide a focal point to challenge the nation and ultimately advance its course’

WON a fellowship (October 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012) for which I sought a visa to travel to the United Kingdom. I scrupulously followed the direction of the Centre of African Studies, University of Cambridge in pursuing entry clearance. In a correspondence of Mrs. Dorian Addison, Administrator of the Centre in March, I was advised to apply for visa three months to the date of my departure (October 3) for the UK. Thus, I applied for visa on July 7. I applied for academic visitor visa as advised in my letter of appointment, signed by the Director of the Centre of African Studies, Professor Megan Vaughan FBA. I submitted a copy of this letter, which clearly outlines the terms and conditions of the fellowship with other necessary documents when I applied for visa. The young lady, who received my application at the Ikeja VSF office of the UK, in what turned out to be my first and last interactive session in my quest for entry clearance, wondered why a university teacher of Political Science wants to stay in the UK for six months in the name of fellowship. Obviously, her only perception of fellowship was religious association. I had to spend some time explaining to her that the period of association with an academic institution other than one’s own institution of affiliation is also called fellowship. Little did I know that my journey to rejection was just beginning! Thus, on August 4, I was shocked to receive a letter refusing me entry to the UK. The reason was that I ‘do not meet all the requirements of paragraph 46 G iii (d)’, which states: “to act as an Academic Visitor but only if he has been working in an institution of higher education overseas or in the field of their academic expertise immediately prior to seeking entry.” I do not know how accurately anyone else can interpret this rule because I submitted a letter of introduction signed by the Registrar and the Bursar of my University. The letter opens with this is to introduce the above named, who is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Political Science, Faculty of The Social Sciences of this university (University of Ibadan). I also submitted three months’ pay slips (March, April and May 2011) together with six months’ bank statement. Indeed, I have

small band constituting the country’s ruling class have since evolved along various shades of political culture that are at best rudderless and incoherent. The Nigerian working class, on the other hand, evolved out of an economic necessity. The evolution of this class has over time betrayed series of conscious and desperate attempts by members of the class to align themselves with the ruling class against fellow underprivileged members of the working class. Hence today, the country’s working class has evolved into a fundamentally crooked class, comprising struggling professionals, unemployed youth, self-styled activists and opportunists persistently milking every impasse and volatile situation to their advantage. With the inexorable expansion of the process of globalisation, they are bonding much faster and inching together towards a more definite destruction of the nation’s populist movement, and its yet untapped array of sociopolitical and economic resources. The scale of the current crisis is no doubt immense and reflective of the contradictions that have been piling up in the last 51 years of the country’s independence. Not only has the Nigerian working class been severely depleted of men of potential and substance, its capacities to make new heroes of otherwise dormant youths has been ruthlessly sabotaged. Far removed from its limitless potentials in the pre-independence era, the country’s working class has become too handicapped to face the country’s infinite challenges. Therefore, the citizenry’s total capitulation to the country’s extremely stringent living standards which persistently manifests in the country’s leadership malaise, dying industries, unemployment, substandard education, healthcare and insecurity to mention a few. Caught in the vortex of these de-

humanizing conditions, many social commentators have advocated a Soviet-styled or Middle-Eastern styled revolt against the country’s ruling class however, what most of such advocates have failed to note are the striking peculiarities that will hinder such a revolt in this part of the globe – basically, the absence of a cohesive and a fundamentally conscious working class. The most remarkable detail replicated in the various revolutionary actions that have successfully taken place across the world, is the indisputability of Freidrich Engels’ assertion that the State is nothing more than armed bodies of men, organized in the interest of the private property. As Ola Balogun identified recently, Hosni Mubarak, Ben Ali like various characters constituting Nigeria’s conscienceless leadership are just individuals, who on their own are totally powerless, but they maintain their influence and might by imposing themselves on the citizenry via the apparatus of coercion and violence perpetrated through their nation’s armed forces. But unfortunately for Mubarak and Ben Ali among others, the armed forces of men constituting their nation’s armed forces are themselves human beings with feelings and are also affected by the pervasive harsh realities and inhumane conditions of their societies. At a decisive point during the revolution, these armed bodies of men discovered in the citizenry’s revolt, a rousing fearlessness and fortitude to challenge and conquer, thus even the army got divided along class lines. The middle and junior ranks began to reason and identify with the aspirations of the revolutionary movement. Eventually, they began to see themselves too as civil servants and the oppressed even as they unapologetically flouted ageold military codes.

Who qualifies for entry clearance into the Uk? By Victor Adefemi Isumonah, worked as a teacher at the University of Ibadan since 1995. Thus, I have a pensionable appointment. On enquiry, I learnt that Dr. ‘Tunde Awosanmi of the Department of Theatre Arts of my University, that is, University of Ibadan, was granted academic visitor visa for the same fellowship last year. However, I immediately informed Mrs. Addison who contacted the High Commission on my behalf. In their response forwarded to me on August 18, she was informed that my application was being reviewed and that ‘it takes a minimum of 20 working days to complete’ a review process. In a response to her enquiry about the status of the review on September14, the High Commission said, the applicant will be “contacted in due course”. Mrs. Addison had also informed them that four of the five Africans that won the 2011/2012 Cambridge/Africa Collaborative Research Programme award had been granted visas. I decided to email the High Commission to provide more information about myself on September 15. Part of it reads, ‘I am not a new visitor to the UK as I indicated in my application form. I was a Fellow, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London-Leventis Research Co-operation Program, 25 September to 15 December, 2000. During my stay at Galway, Republic of Ireland as Bank of Ireland Nelson Mandela Fellow, Irish Centre for Human Rights, National University of Ireland, Galway, Republic of Ireland, 2005/2006, I visited the UK. Besides, I have visited many other countries including the United States of America, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Germany, to mention but a few. I have been to some of these countries on conferences and fellowships twice or thrice. I have never stayed a day longer than permitted in any country. I have no other desire than to take advantage of the appoint-

ment to the Cambridge/Africa Collaborative Fellowships to be part of knowledge production, academic interaction, which is always the purpose of academic fellowships, and use the insights gained to complete the research I have proposed, namely, The Ethnic Language of Rights and Political Community in Nigeria.’ Apart from visits, I have transited at UK ports of entry several times. In another email, I wrote: ‘I do not intend to miss any part of the programme. This is why I planned from the beginning to leave Nigeria for Cambridge on October 3. I missed a funded conference trip to South Africa, 2227August 2011 because of the uncertainty surrounding my UK visa application. I attached documents related to this when I made an enquiry about the status of my visa application in July from the High Commission. Should I be made to suffer more hardship/losses as a result of the delay in issuing me entry clearance? In the February 1 letter informing me that I have been short-listed for the fellowship, Professor Vaughan FBA, said, “… and wish to encourage you at this stage to enquire about the possibility of paid leave from your institution for the period October 2011-March 2012.” Accordingly, I have sought and secured leave of absence with pay from my University during the fellowship. Thus, the delay in issuing me entry clearance is traumatizing me and becoming destabilizing of my plans. As a political scientist, I am fully aware of the political values of the United Kingdom. The particular one I request you [Embassy] to kindly apply to me is equal treatment based on merit.’ ‘There are numerous academics who can bear out my integrity. Take for examples. Williams A. Schabas, OC, Professor of International Law and Director, Irish Centre for Human Rights, National University of Ireland, Galway, Republic of Ireland; Mark Sidel, former Profes-

What is deductible from these occurrences is that even the armed forces and various other apparatuses of State coercion and power will act decisively in the interest of the rebellion if the masses can give them enough reason to do so – via infinite tenacity, purpose, initiative and preparedness to sacrifice. These sterling qualities unfortunately, are lacking in the country’s citizenry. Thus Nigeria remains an independent nation constituted by citizenry who do not know yet how to be free. We could not be totally free yet even if we tried. Even if it could be granted that the average Nigerian – working class to be precise – has freed himself from a colonial tyranny, he remains at present, slave to various classes of home-spawned political and economic tyranny. The Nigerian working class today lacks a true culture of citizenship and manhood characteristic of the free. They are essentially shorn of initiative and slavish in character. Slavish, because they are unapologetically mindless, gullible and unable to evolve an acceptable standard of determining the truth and identifying with it. However, it’s probably due to the persistent hardship and extreme realities they are forced to endure that the country’s working class have become pitiably vitiated in reason and exploits. The success of any revolution is never totally dependent on the presence of a bloodthirsty revolutionary front but as current realities instruct; the existence of a conscientious, cohesive, patriotic, peaceful and formidable working class. The existence of such peace-loving and dependable class of citizenry becomes imperative in a country like Nigeria where the ruling class seems completely lost to reason and justice. • To be continued…

For SMS only 08038551123

sor of Law and International Affairs, Iowa State University/former President, International Society for Third-Sector Research (ISTR) and Doyle-Bascom Professor of Law and Public Affairs at the University of Wisconsin. He wrote a reference letter in support of my application for the fellowship (let me add that I was a member of the Board of Directors of ISTR, 2006-2010); Eghosa Emmanuel Osaghae, Professor of Political Science and Vice-Chancellor, Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State. He also wrote a reference letter in support of my application. Bola Osifo, Professor of Clinical Medicine and IAEA Counterpart/Coordinator, National Nuclear Medicine Project, who wrote to request entry clearance to enable me, travel on October 3, so that I do not miss any aspect of the Cambridge/Africa Collaborative Research Programme.’ My Head of Department, Dr. O.B.C. Nwolise also wrote about my visa application. When all these efforts proved in vain, I emailed Professor Vaughan, FBA who until last week was on vacation, about my plight. She apologized and promised to do whatever she can to sort out my problems. She emailed a letter to the High Commission and its Home Office Friday September 30. My fellowship had begun and I was yet to be granted entry clearance. So, who qualifies for entry clearance to the United Kingdom? • Dr Isumonah is of the Department of Political Science, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

‘On August 4, I was shocked to receive a letter refusing me entry to the UK. The reason was that I ‘do not meet all the requirements of paragraph 46 G iii (d)’, which states: “to act as an Academic Visitor but only if he has been working in an institution of higher education overseas or in the field of their academic expertise immediately prior to seeking entry.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

EDITORIAL/OPINION ‘No evil deed will go unpunished. Any evil done by man to man will be redressed; if not now, then certainly later; if not by man, then by God-for the victory of evil over good is temporary.’’——Late Dele Giwa (Irrepressible Nigerian Journalist)

N the frontiers of armed robbery operations in the country, one name that would feature prominently is that of Shina Rambo who in the late nineties terrorised Nigerians in Lagos state, the centre of excellence and along all trans-border routes leading to Cotonou, whether through Badagry or Sango-Ota in Ogun state. Rambo was a dare devil robber whose mastery of that criminal act of robbery was legendary. He operated in the day light killing and snatching exotic vehicles at will and driving them in convoy in a reportedly menacing but unruffled manner that underscored his contempt for security agencies in the nation. Then, reports of the armed robbery skills of this underworld kingpin were too hard to believe. It sounded like a fictitious Hollywood narration meant to entertain and not to be believed. But some days back, newspaper reports of voluntary public confession of the rueful notorious Rambo, now Evangelist Mathew Oluwanifise, at a book launch were really bewildering to the eyes. The event was the launch of a collection of poems entitled: Sounds of Broken Chains, written by a journalist-cum-environmentalist, Mrs Betty Abah. It is quite a respite that Rambo was eventually caught, arraigned, convicted and sentenced to years of imprisonment He reportedly claimed to have been converted while in the prison by Prophet Timothy Obadareled World Soul-winning Evangelistic Ministries (WOSEM) of the Christ Apostolic Church. The interest of today is not particularly that Rambo claimed to have seen the face of God. Several others that had travelled that ruinous path at one time or the other in the past claimed to have become born-again Christians. Even when nothing has destroyed the evil powers they acquired while in the satanic world of armed robbery business. If anybody anywhere in the world still doubts the notoriety and extent of Rambo’s evil deeds, the following words reportedly ascribed to him at the book launch will suf-

OU may think Expresso is still on escape mode which it got caught in recently writing about witches, but this is dead serious. While the preliminary patent is being worked out, let it be known in all corners of the world that Expresso contemplated this great idea first. By way of full disclosure, yes, an incipient germ was given wings by a green programme on CNN. This cable tv show which was all about saving our environment by eliminating all forms of emissions (aka smoke) showed a German gym in which by pedaling one of those health bikes, you could generate enough energy to charge your mobile phone. They actually showed viewers how the keep-fitter plugged in his phone to the device and it got charged as he pedaled away. Let’s call it pedal energy? Now don’t go off the handle because the idea immediately seized Expresso that we can equally explore and exploit something like coital energy (C E). The idea descended so strong and grippingly it was easy to commune with the late great mathematician, Prof. Chike Obi when his great idea struck him in the bathroom and transported him stark naked, outdoors shouting eureka! Eureka! No, Expresso did no such thing. That would have amounted to cheap imitation. It was not even original to Chike Obi. But the possibility – no matter how slim - of using CE to power up Nigeria and even the whole world was so overpowering that the only thing close to it would have been an orgasm of a tsunamic magnitude. If you think one is merely exaggerating, consider the limitless possibilities of converting coital energy (aka sexual energy) into electricity currents. It is a well known fact that the black race is a bit stronger and more energetic than all others and let’s admit it, we love our coitus. A white American statesman whose name am better off to have forgotten once made a private, racial quip to the effect that a black man needed only warn shoes and his voluptuous woman. Though he lost his high office when his unstatesmanly remark was made public, he may well have been lending credence to the enormous potentials of the man of colour. Over the years, scientists have worked out the quantum of energy burnt in the course of a routine sexual act. Physics is not my strongest point but if energy is burnt or expended

The ‘unknown’ IGPs

• Ringim

fice: “I was a confirmed devil. I killed people without mercy. I used to carry over N25 million on every trip to lavish on women in Sheraton Hotel. I had people in authority that also reaped from the proceeds of my satanic operations. I had many incisions all over my body. I was involved in countless rituals for empowerment.’’ He continued: “I used 901 souls for rituals to ensure my safety during robbery. I don’t close my eyes before I kill people. I used 24 expectant mothers for rituals. Then I could identify the blood of women who were pregnant just by tasting it. I killed 24 men of God. I was so empowered satanically to the extent that nobody could take my photograph during robbery….I used to give the proceeds of my robberies to top people in authority. I worked with four Inspectors-General of Police (IGP)…’’ With the high profile robbery scale of

Rambo, sorry, Oluwanifise, there is no doubt that the man, except with state complicity, should have been sentenced not only for armed robbery but also for murder. But this is Nigeria where anything is possible. This underscored why such a dreaded criminal managed to secure years of imprisonment and not death sentence. Having said this, it is now apt to ask about the efforts so far taken by security agencies after these grisly confessions by Rambo. The guy has made serious allegations regarding the fact that people in high security positions benefited from his criminal proceeds. In well organised and better governed climes, this kind of revelation by a notorious robber of Rambo’s stature would have generated security wrangling. The citizens would have publicly demanded to know the Inspectors-General of Police (IGPs) that worked with and benefited from Rambo’s criminal siege on the nation while his robbery escapades lasted. In actual fact, such IGPs and their ilk still in service are the ones undermining the security of this country. They knew that Rambo stayed in Sheraton, Ikeja but looked the other side deceiving and pretending to the nation that they were making frantic efforts to nab him. They never did but rather allegedly benefited from such destructive operations as reportedly claimed by Rambo. The implication of this Rambo confession is that some highly placed security big-wigs might possibly be working in tandem with Boko Haram and the militants for pecuniary benefits not minding the fact that the security stability of the nation is being destroyed in the process.

EXPRESSO STEVE OSUJI

SMS O8055001684 email:steve_osuji@yahoo.com

Blackout: eureka! I found solution or released in the course of an action, conversely (I hope I can say that), it can be harnessed and put to further use. Well, considering how the simple technology of generating and distributing electricity has stumped us for the past 51 years, we must not discard any idea off hand. Did you hear Senate President David Mark cry out last week over Nigeria’s miserable 3000 mega watts? For sure, CE will be clean, cheap and overabundant. No national grid (greed) will be required. Once we can wire up ourselves with a simple device to gather the current at source, it just goes direct from the bedroom (or wherever else) to the home grid just like your generating set. But unlike the generator, no noise, no smoke, no fuel, no diesel, no oil, no cranky technician, no cranking… We will bury the ghost of NEPA, and put away PHCN. We will put paid to gas supply wahala and the generator cabal will suffer hunger and lack if he doesn’t change quickly to importing Viagra and durex. This technology is bound to turn the entire world on its head for good if we can latch on to it quick. I call on the Honorable Minister of Power Prof Barth Nnaji to give it a thought. He has not done badly so far visiting power plants and keeping supply fairly stable. The benefits are innumerable. Imagine about 100 million Nigerians powering their homes every night! Millions enhancing their performance with Viagra, bura antaci, Alomo Kasapreko, agbo jedi, Kolaq superpower, ogwu akwara and all such stuff. Imagine the enormous power to be released daily from thou-

sands of hotels, motels and the seedy brothels that litter the land. It will be good bye to blackout once and for all. Street lights will burn brightly across the country as excess current from homes will be channeled to the community grid. Power will now flow from bottom up and not the other way round and no pun intended. However, what can be considered uncomfortable facts and statistics may emerge willynilly as this new day dawns. Fake (I pass my neighbor) generators from China will become extinct like three pence. If, as a man of the house, your home is in darkness for two days, one week, two weeks… and you are not on the hospital bed, that will be an uncomfortable fact. Would you want to be caught tapping current from your fellow man, your neighbor? Sexual escapades will minimize; it will be easy to determine which tribe and race have more virile men without much controversy; and the age-old debate whether size matters will be settled once and for all. Love, whatever it means, may suffer but is it not said that money answereth all things? Performance pressure will be a notable side effect. He will not be a very happy man who will always depend on the excess energy from his neighbor. The cover of less endowed men will be violently torn off and their misery will tag on their back like a red shirt. What a sad life it would be for many a man. There will emerge such businesses as Stud Energy Company; and Girl Power will mean something more than singing, dancing and baring flesh. It could well be the registered name of a giant electricity producing outfit

The government would only demonstrate its seriousness to build a well respected security outfit for the nation by weeding out bad eggs from the service. The template for commencing action in this regard has been laid by Rambo’s reported public confession. The government by now should have summoned the self professed born-again robber to come and reveal names of those shameless and treacherous IGPs that benefited from his blood stained criminal largesse. The souls of the unborn babies, pregnant women and others that Rambo perished so as to satanically fortify himself would not forgive Rambo and those expected to take action on this matter if the confession is treated like a family affair, the PDP way, by powerful elements in power. This issue should not be turned into another case of ‘unknown soldier.’ No atrocity against humanity of this high magnitude brought to the notice of the public should go unpunished by government. Nigerians that are daily befuddled by poverty and insecurity should be spared the agony of fear, hence the need for government to do something to instil public confidence in its ability to protect the country. Who are these four IGPs that worked with Rambo? Is this purported born-again man just playing to the gallery to win public sympathy and to unduly discredit the nation’s security agencies? The government must find answers to these salient questions. However, there is insecurity everywhere and insider security-complicity is alleged. The only way to send the right signal to serving corrupt security men and regain public confidence is for the government to give the Rambo confession the official significance it deserves.

‘The citizens would have publicly demanded to know the Inspectors-General of Police (IGPs) that worked with and benefited from Rambo’s criminal siege on the nation while his robbery escapades lasted’ owned and managed by our women. This new way will give a fresh meaning to an old village ditty in which rustic women sang that they never new there was so much wealth attached to the waist and all this while they had wasted their time dancing okoso with it. A whole new vista will open as fiery waists will find more gains in producing premium energy than dancing freely to the orchestra of foolish men. You will agree that right now, only Shakira, the Spanish musician is making good money with her inimitable waist. More remarkably, there will be a new meaning to that ugly term: commercial sex worker. They will now be known and addressed as: sex professionals i.e. those who live to produce CE. Even countries will be rated not by the usual GDP we now know, but by their Gross Domestic Power Production (GDPP). It will be a brave new world and a grave new one as well. The possibilities are at once magnificent and fearsome. To cut it all short, our world will never be the same again if we ever switch to CE. Only one thing will be sure, there will never be blackout in our lives again. Expresso commends this potential game changer to Nigeria and the power ministry. Since we cannot seem to understand electric energy like the rest of the world does, surely we will love coital energy. LAST MUG: LSPWC kills the witches: after Expresso wrote about the witches of Onimongoro, exposing the monstrous potholes along Abeokuta Road, (September 30th) the Lagos State Public Works Committee (LSPWC) moved to the spots and patched them up. Whether they read Expresso or were working to their schedule is irrelevant. What matters is that thousands of commuters are happier now. And they did it with minimum disruption of traffic; perhaps working nights and on public holidays. Kudos to LSWPC.

‘Performance pressure will be a notable side effect. He will not be a very happy man who will always depend on the excess energy from his neighbor’

23 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

Vol 3 No. 147

Star Game Show: ‘A bundle of excitement’ After seven weeks of excitement for its participants and audience which saw to the emergence of 21 millionaires, the Star TV Game Show by Nigerian Breweries has come to an end. WALE ALABI, who attended the events, reports.

•From left: Olalekan K Ismail, winner of N1 million; Herbert Eze, Sales Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc; Gbenga Adeyinka, Show Host, Nwachukwu O. John, another winner of N1 million, Jacco van der Linden, Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries and Prince J. Ubani, another winner of N1 million, at the final edition of the Star TV Game Show, at the LTV 8 studios, Ikeja, Lagos

ITH just a minute to go and N3 million for grabs, this may well be the most crucial moment in Nwachukwu John Okechukwu’s life. The 25year-old indigene of Imo State, who should be in Taraba State, for his National Youth Service (NYSC) programme was in Lagos, for the Star TV Game Show. The game is down to the wire. A razor sharp tension permeates the ambience. The fate of Okechukwu’s team lies in his hands. Should they win, they will walk away with N1 million each. But the odds are against them even as they are trailed by 10 points. The game is the Star Dunk, an adaptation from the basketball game. Okechukwu takes a deep breath, closes his eyes, opens them again and aims for the rim. The rest is history. Okechukwu, along with the other members of the team, Prince Joshua Ubani and Olalekan Kazim Ismail, walked away with N1 million each in the final edition of the Star TV Game Show. The excitement tore through the live audience as they joined the three winners in frenzied celebrations. ‘’Welcome to the millionaires club,’’ Gbenga Adeyinka, ace comedian and anchor of the Star TV Game Show, says to the three men. As Okechukwu wipes the sweat from his brow, a voice rings out from the audience, ‘’wipe that poverty away from your face.’’ Laughter. Indeed, it was a fitting end to one of the nation’s most popular and longest running game show on TV, the Star TV Game Show. In all, 21 millionaires emerged. They include bankers, farmers and businessmen in the seven-week game show. Students were not left out as six of them became millionaires courtesy of the show. For most of the winners, it was a life-changing experience. Emmanuel Ewo, an Enugu-based poultry farmer, who won N1 million in the sixth edition, could hardly believe his luck after he was announced as one of the three winners. ‘My life has changed with this money. I am

going to invest it in my poultry. Business has been poor over the last few years, but I thank God that things are about to turn around for me for the better,’’ he said. ‘’Oluyole Oluwase, an Ibadan-based supermarket attendant, who also won N1 million in the third edition, said in the same vein: ‘’This money is coming at the right moment. I have been going through serious financial difficulties, so this money will really help me.’’ Okechukwu, who is due to complete his one year National Youth Service Corps early next year, is already assured of the future after service courtesy of his prize money. ‘’I can’t wait to leave service. This money will be useful to me when I complete my service. I am going to set up a business with it,’’ he said. Mark Alabi, a 300-level student of the University of Lagos, says a significant portion of the money will go into his education. “Now I am confident that I will finish my final exams without any financial hitch.’’ For the winners, life will never be the same after the show. However, the Star TV Game Show is not only about doling out money to winners. It also generates ample fun and excitement not only for the participants in the game, but also the live audience. Much of this is owed to the show anchor, Adeyinka. His ability to connect with the audience and the participants certainly gives the Star TV Game an edge over others. With his humour and witty refrains, there is hardly a dull moment. The humour merchant, it was, that coined sev-

eral hilarious phases to depict points won during every game. While Etwetwe means five points, Igbagba is for 10 points while Ofilingi is for 20 points. As ridiculous as they may sound, it became a hit with the audience and participants of the show. As for the show audience and participants, selected from bars in cities across the country, the experience goes beyond winning the prize money. All the participants brought to Lagos were lodged in the posh Mainland hotels for a night before they were taken to the show. Joseph Adikpo, a Kaduna-based teacher, attended the show. He said: “I haven’t been to Lagos before. This is a wonderful experience. I am so happy that Nigerian Breweries brought me all the way fom Kaduna to Lagos for the Show.’’ Henry Olalekan is a retiree based in Jos, Plateau State. He talks about his experience. “It has been a wonderful experience for me. It feels like a holiday for me because I have always craved for a trip to Lagos.’’Jude Nwehu, who is a businessman also based in Jos is happy with the relief that the trip to Lagos. ‘’I am just glad to be here. There are so much killings and bombings in Jos where I stay. So, I am thankful for this opportunity to be away from the violence,’’ he said. Francis Omamogie, a graduate of Auchi Polytechnic, he can’t help but recollect his very first flight experience. “Ýou won’t believe that before coming for this event, I had never boarded a plane. The Star TV Game Show

‘The final episode was an explosion of excitement. It is a summary of this year’s game show and you can see that everyone present, from the participants to the audience had great fun’

gave me the first opportunity. In addition to the experience, the audience had the opportunity of meeting top entertainers during the event. A host of stars, including Paul Play Dairo, Sound Sultan, Naeto C and M.I were present to present the cheques to the winners. Though this year’s edition may have ended, next year promises to be bigger and better, according to Jacco van der Linden, Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc., makers of Star. Linden said during a chat with journalists after the show that the company’s key objective towards next year’s edition is to make it bigger and more professional. While expressing approval of this year’s edition of the show, he described the final edition as ‘’an excitement’. ‘’The final episode was an explosion of excitement. It is a summary of this year’s game show and you can see that everyone present, from the participants to the audience had great fun,’’ he said. Speaking on the rationale behind creating the Star TV Game Show, Linden said the Star TV Game Show was created to reward loyal consumers, who have made Star the number one lager beer in the country. ‘’Star is by far the best selling beer in Nigeria, which means we have a lot more loyal Star consumers than any other brand. And if you really are serious in rewarding loyal consumers, you must try to evolve creative ways of appreciating them. That was why we came up with the TV show,’’ he explained. Right from its debut on June 2, 1949, Star has been positioned as a winning brand. Its long standing bonding with consumers is enmeshed in the theme of enjoyment and sparkle of life. As the first beer in Nigeria, Star enjoyed a national brand familiarity for its constant advertising policy. Its availability meant that it was one of the most easily recognised consumer products in Nigeria.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

Steve Jobs: A tribute

Indomie: The making of kid heroes

WO years ago, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation shelled out a whopping $3 billion to fight diseases, poverty and ignorance across the world. Bill Gates’ move has inspired a number of the deep pocket tycoons and brands in different parts of the globe to make heavy financial contributions towards good causes and mankind’s comfort and happiness. The Virgin Group founder, mercuric Richard Branson’s Corporate Social Responsibility platform is focused solely on environmental and climate related issues. Coming down home, in Africa, the Mo Ibrahim Foundation established by the Sudan-born entrepreneur, Mohammed Ibrahim, focuses on building a better society in Africa with good governance by political leaders. In recent times, the current popular corporate business mantra globally is: ‘Doing good is good business’ or to borrow a popular Lagos street lingo: ‘Givers never lack.’ This act of giving by brand builders or corporate bodies is known as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). More and more brands today leverage on CSR to help solve most of the biggest problems in their immediate environment and beyond. In Nigeria, one brand that is living true to the CSR writ is Dufil Prima Foods Plc, owners of the fast selling, fast food delicacy, Indomie Noodles, through its Indomie Independence Day Awards (IIDA), aimed at rewarding heroic deeds in children across Nigeria. The IIDA, in its fourth edition this year, is part of the CSR platform of Dufil Prima. Last Saturday, IIDA held its awards at the Federal Palace Hotel, Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos. At the well-attended event, three new heroic kids, who emerged this year, were honoured for their bravery and exemplary acts of heroism. The three winners Njoku Chigbo, 14; Ajila Wehbe, 10 and 15-yearold Sule Mallam Hamza were unveiled and presented with crystal plaques and cash prizes. Chigbo from Abakaliki in Ebonyi State, South-east Nigeria won the coveted first prize of N1 million for outstanding bravery and heroic act. He rescued a drowning woman and repeatedly dove into the Ebonyi River to rescue her properties as well, including a motorcycle. The second Prize winner, Wehbe, from Lagos was rewarded with N750,000 for safely delivering her 16-year-old pregnant sister without adult supervision or previous medical experience while Sule Mallam Hamza from Nasarawa won the third Prize of N500,000 for saving the life of a little boy from drowning. In his welcome address at the event, the Managing Director, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Mr Deepak Singhal, revealed that the Indomie Independence Day Award for Heroes of Nigeria, the flagship Corporate Social Responsibility initiative of the company, is a reflection of the importance and belief of the company in the extraor-

dinary qualities of the Nigerian child which must never be ignored but must be celebrated. “Through the years, Dufil Prima Foods Plc has enlarged its concentration areas on CSR, in an effort to continuously impact positively on the lives of our consumers, most importantly the children. The joy we feel in giving back to the society as a responsible corporate citizen brings our founding principles to life,” he said. While congratulating the winners of the fourth edition of the awards for their courage to live a life of a hero through selflessness and bravery, Singhal urged other children through exhibiting even greater acts of heroism. Delivering his keynote address, entitled: The Plight of Nigerian Child, 51 years Post Independence, the Special Guest Speaker at the event, Otunba Olufemi Deru, President ,Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry(LCCI) lamented the poor plight of the Nigerian child and the numerous challenges confronting them from competing favourably with other children in other parts of the world. He called on the government as well as responsible corporate citizens to do everything possible to change the condition of the Nigerian child and create the much-needed enabling environment to enable them to compete favourably with their counterparts anywhere in the world. Earlier in her goodwill addressed delivered on her behalf by Hajia Hauwa J Keri, the wife of the Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,Hajia Aminah Namadi Sambo, noted that the Indomie Heroes Award is very symbolic, especially with the fact that it is tied to the nation’s Independence. “l would like to strongly commend the management of Dufil Prima Foods Plc makers of Indomie for this unique and laudable Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, which will definitely encourage and serve as a morale booster to Nigerian children,” she said. Also speaking on the occasion, the First Lady of Lagos State, Dame Emmanuella Abimbola Fashola, applauded the organisers for inspiring the spirit of heroism and patriotism in the children, who are the future leaders of the nation. She admonished other Nigerian children to strive to be heroes. In their remarks, Senators Ganiyu Solomon and Gbenga Ashafa urged other corporate bodies to emulate Dufil Prima by incorporating children friendly programmes in their CSR platform. According to Ashafa: “When we look at the import of this Indomie project, it tells us that the future is bright. At least by celebrating the heroic activities of children, it shows that all hope is not lost on Nigeria. Therefore, as a senator, I will work along with my colleagues to ensure that the Seventh Senate aligns the bills passed by us with the dreams and aspirations of the Nigerian children.”

‘Through the years, Dufil Prima Foods Plc has enlarged its concentration areas on CSR, in an effort to continuously impact positively on the lives of our consumers, most importantly the children. The joy we feel in giving back to the society as a responsible corporate citizen brings our founding principles to life’

TEVE Jobs came with half-eaten apple deliberately, so that he would not share it with you. Instead, he seduced you with non-stop music from his iPod and you have been playing music non-stop ever since.When he noticed that you could not get enough, he gave you his iPhone. Then your life changed. The way you make phone calls changed. Your status changed. Because of iPhone. At a stage when you were engrossed with the iPhone, he unveiled his tablet PC. You held your breath. Jobs’ iPad change dexecutive strategy meetings. Would it ever be the same again? You do not know. However, while you were thinking, an waiting for what the apple man would bring again, it hit you. He has taken a flight. He would not return. He left another day without saying goodbye. However,he did say goodbye to Walt Mossberg of Wall Street Journal. Here, Mossberg shares his personal memories of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs from their late-night gripe sessions to one final walk together.That Steve was a genius, a giant influence on multiple industries and billions of lives, has been written many times since he retired asApple’s chief executive in August 2011. He was a historical figure on the scale of a Thomas Edison, or Henry Ford, and set the mold for many corporate leaders in many other industries. He did what a CEO should. He hired and inspired great people; managed for the long term, not the quarter or the short-term stock price; made big bets and took big risks. He insisted on the highest product quality and on building things to delight and empower actual users,not intermediaries like corporate IT directors. As he liked to say, he lived at the intersection of technology and liberal arts.In addition, he could sell. Man, he could sell. However, there was a more personal side of Steve, of course, and I was fortunate enough to see a bit of it, because I spent hours in conversation with him, over the 14 years he ran Apple. Here are a few stories that illustrate theman, as I knew him. I never knew Steve when he was first at Apple. I was not covering technology then. Moreover, I only met him once between his stints at the company. Within days of his return in 1997, he began calling my house, on Sunday nights, for four or five straight weekends. As a veteran reporter, I knew he wanted to flatter me, to get me on theside of a teetering company whose products I had once recommended, but had recently advised readers to avoid. Yet there was more to the calls than that. They turned into marathon,90minute, wide-ranging, off-the-record discussions that revealed tome the stunning breadth of the man. One minute he would be talking about sweeping ideas for the digital revolution. The next about whyApple’s current products were awful, and how a colour, or angle, orcurve, or icon was embarrassing. After the second such call, my wife became annoyed at the intrusion hewas making in our weekend. I was not. Later, he would sometimes callto complain about some reviews or parts of reviews—though, in truth, Ifelt very comfortable recommending most of his products for the average, non-techie consumers. (That may have been because they were his target, too.) I knew he would be complaining because he would start every call by saying “Hi, Walt. I’m not calling to complain about today’s column, but I have some comments, if that’s OK.” I have no way of knowing how Steve talked to his team during Apple’s darkest days in

1997 and 1998, when the company was on the brink and he was forced to turn to archrival Microsoft for a rescue. He certainly had a nasty, mercurialside to him, and I expect that, then and later, it emerged inside andoutside the company. However, I can honestly say that, in my many conversations with him,the dominant tone he struck was optimism and certainty, both for Apple and for the digital revolution as a whole. Even when he was telling me about his struggles to get the music industry to let him sell digital songs, or griping about competitors, at least in my presence, his tone was always marked by patience and a long-term view. This may have been for my benefit, knowing that I was a journalist, but it was striking. At times in our conversations, when I would criticise the decisions of record labels or phone carriers, he would surprise me by forcefully disagreeing, explaining how the world looked from their point of view, how hard their jobs were in a time of digital disruption, and how they would come around. This quality was on display when Apple opened its first retail store. It happened to be in the Washington, D.C., suburbs, near my home. He conducted a press tour for journalists, as proud of the store as a father is of his first child. I commented that, surely, there wouldonly be a few stores, and asked what Apple know about retailing. He looked at me like I was crazy, said there’d be many, many stores, and that the company had spent a year tweaking the layout of the stores, using a mock-up at a secret location. I teased him by asking if he, personally, despite his hard duties as CEO, had approved tiny details like the translucency of the glass and the colour of the wood. He said he had, of course. Sometimes, not always, he would invite me in to see certain big products before he unveiled them to the world. He may have done the same with other journalists. We’d meet in a giant boardroom, with just a few of his aides present, and he’d insist—even in private—on covering the new gadgets with cloths and then uncovering them like the show man he was, a gleam in his eye and passion in his voice. We would then often sit down for a long, long discussion of the present, the future, and industry gossip. I still remember the day he showed me the first iPod. I was amazed that a computer company would branch off into music players, but heexplained, without giving any specifics away, that he saw Apple as adigital products company, not a computer company. It was the same with the iPhone, the iTunes music store, and later the iPad, which he asked me to his home to see, because he was too ill at the time to go to the office. For our fifth All Things Digital Conference, both Steve and hislong-time rival, the brilliant Bill Gates, surprisingly agreed to ajoint appearance, their first extended onstage joint interview ever. However, it almost got derailed. Earlier in the day, before Gates arrived, I did a solo on stage interview with Jobs, and asked him what it was like to be a major Windows developer, since Apple’s iTunes programme was by then installed on hundreds of millions of Windows PCs.He quipped: “It’s like giving a glass of ice water to someone inHell.” When Gates later arrived and heard about the comment, he was, naturally, enraged. In a pre-interview meeting, Gates said to Jobs “soI guess I’m the representative from hell.” Jobs merely handed Gates a cold bottle of water. The tension was broken, and the interview was a triumph, with both men acting like political leaders.

‘However, I can honestly say that, in my many conversations with him,the dominant tone he struck was optimism and certainty, both for Apple and for the digital revolution as a whole. Even when he was telling me about his struggles to get the music industry to let him sell digital songs, or gripping about competitors, at least in my presence, his tone was always marked by patience and a longterm view. This may have been for my benefit, knowing that I was a journalist, but it was striking’

*Editor - Wale Alabi *Consulting Editors - Rarzack Olaegbe, Sola Fanawopo * Correspondent-Jimi David * Human Relations Executive - Owolabi Afolabi *Operations Executive - Isiaka Hassan *Creative - Oluwaseyi Sulaimon*Front Office Executive - Blessing Nkeanya * Business Development - Kenny Hussain * Legal Adviser - Olasupo Osewa & Co Brandweek is powered by Drumbeat Media and published every Friday in THE NATION newspaper. Corporate Suite: 20 Akinremi Street, off Awolowo Way, Ikeja, Lagos. All correspondence to the editor - 0808.247.7806, 0805.618.0040, , e-mail: korede2000@gmail.com © All rights reserved.

INFRASTRUCTURE

ENVIRONMENT

INCENTIVE

Community decry absence of roads

Experts explore response mechanism to oil spill

A boost for agric

Akwa Ibom 40

Cross River 28

Lagos

FRIDAY OCTOBER 14, 2011

Page 25

Email: news_extra@yahoo.com

Delta tackles maternal mortality

•Uduaghan

HEN, on November 26, 2007 the Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan initiated its free maternal health programme, not many took it seriously. But four years on, the initiative has brought succour to the lives of many expectant women within and outside Delta State. A United Nation Population Fund (UNFPA) 2005 survey estimated that maternal mortality rate was 680 per 100,000 live births in the state. But latest figures from the state Ministry of Health indicate that maternal mortality has reduced drastically. Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Otumara said: “I think this is one of the best pro-

From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

grammes of His Excellency, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, because we have been able to reduce maternal mortality rate which used to be 680 per 100,000 to 250 per live birth and we are committed to bringing the rates further down in the next four years to about 120 per 100,000.” Continuing, he said: “The present figure ranks Delta State among the best three states in the federation. I would like to thank Dr. Uduaghan for a good job because this is one of the indices in measuring how developed a state is. It is worrisome that globally, Nigeria still ranks low, but with concerted efforts by government, things are bound to improve.”

The Delta State free maternal health services cover ante-natal care, delivery including caesarean section and post-natal care. Dr Otumara said the need to reverse the high maternal mortality rate in the state and meet the Millennium Development Goal 5 (MDG 5) by 2015 informed government’s decision to initiate the programme. Another reason, according to Dr Otumara, is the realisation that finance posed the greatest barrier to accessing medical services by the poor. He said to ensure that the free maternal health programme achieves its goals; the state has commenced construction works on maternal/child health centres, maternity wards, renovated labour rooms

in the 65 government hospitals across the state. Aside from these measures, Otumara said the state will embark on a massive recruitment of medical and health practitioners to reduce the time spent by pregnant women at hospitals.. The gains recorded in the health sector have not been without challenges; despite over N400m expended on it annually. The commissioner also said that the death rate for children below five years in the state was not as high as previously thought, saying that it was at present as low as 20 per of every 1,000 live births. He stressed that with improved equipment and increase in medical and health personnel, the figure would drop to a single digit as obtained in advanced countries. •Continued on Page 26

ITH her savings from her university days, her monthly entitlements from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and loans from friends and well-wishers, Miss Chika Eucharia Anunobi terminated the torment of a secondary school in Nasarawa State. The students are usually seen every weekday trekking from their homes to Government Pilot Junior Secondary School in Nasarawa-Eggon Local Government Area. Some of them from poor homes go to the school in slippers. Others, who walk barefooted to school, are seen clinging to their notebooks under their armpits. But the good news is that the students, irrespective of the kind of homes they come from, have a roof over their heads in their various classes to receive lectures. They used a block of three classrooms belonging to the Pilot Primary School, Nasarawa Eggon after the primary school pupils had closed for the day. The Principal, Vice-Principal and teachers of the secondary school were not as lucky, as they did not have any administrative block or an acceptable shelter for them to stay and do their jobs when not teaching in the classrooms. They only found small comfort under a mango tree in the school compound. They sat there to mark the students’ tests and assignments sheets and also prepare their lesson notes. While they did their work under the tree, they often prayed it did not rain till the school closed by 5pm. If it did rain, they scrambled to find a space to stand in the various classrooms even when other teachers were still teaching the students. This was the pitiable situation in the school for a long time until Anunobi, walking past the school, was moved to intervene. The corps member, a graduate of Science Laboratory Technology (Biology/Microbiology) from the Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic,

•Eucharia and some officials of NYSC during the inauguration ceremony

Corps member ends school agony Builds administrative block Teachers, community grateful From Austin Ehikioya, Nasarawa

Afikpo, Ebonyi State, was worried about the scenario and decided to salvage the situation. She used savings from her school days and her monthly entitlements from NYSC called ‘allawee’ and borrowings from friends and well-

wishers to tackle the problem, which eventually became her community development project. She embarked on building a standard three-room administrative block for teachers, the Principal and Vice-Principal of the school. Speaking with Newsextra on what motivated her embarking on

the project, Miss Anunobi, who hails from Enugu State said: “On October 26, 2010, I was posted to Nasarawa State and after three weeks at the orientation camp, I was posted to the Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area to serve for one year under the Primary Healthcare. There was a particular school, Government Junior Secondary School. Whenever I was passing by, I always see the teachers under a mango tree. “And that time was during the harsh cold season with dust blow-

ing on them. So, I was worried and I approached the Principal of the school one day to find out why he and the teachers normally sit under the tree. He told me that they don’t have administrative block in the school. “I felt bad and I asked him if I could do something about the situation and he told me that whatever I can do to put a roof over their heads is a welcome development. So, after clearance •Continued on Page 26

THE NATION

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

Delta tackles maternal mortality •Continued from page 25 He said since the commencement of the free maternal health programme, deliveries in the state have jumped from 35 per cent in 2008 to 52 per cent in 2009. For 2008, antenatal bookings were 55,344, routine ante-natal 146,886, total deliveries were 19,700, live babies were 18, 138, post-natal attendance was 2,545 while in 2009 antenatal bookings were 44,488, routine antenatal 170, 972, total deliveries were 23,410, live babies 22,890, and post-natal attendance was 9,880. Dr Otumara listed some challenges to include limited spaces for antenatal patients, delivery spaces, and bed spaces in labour ward. According to him, this acute shortage has forced the state to build two maternal/child health centres in Warri, Warri South Local Government Area and Ekpan, Uwvie Local Government Area. Dr Victor Onwordi, Consultant Surgeon, and Acting Zonal Medical Director, Asaba/ Okwe Medical Zone gave the programme a pass mark. His words: “The programme has shown excellent results. It is a very well thought-out programme and it has been very helpful venture by Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan-led administration. The programme has come to stay and the attendant results show it is worthwhile. We are getting large visits from outside the state. We receive patients from Anambra, Imo, Abia and Rivers and some parts of Northern states. Some people travel down just to be beneficiaries of the programme. On a general note, it has been a success.” He said the success of the programme has been due mainly to support from government. During a visit to Okwe Central Hospital, Oshimili South Local Government Area Dr Onwordi had to, on more than two occasions, calm the frayed nerves of patients demanding quicker service. He assured scores of nursing mothers and other patients that the medical personnel •Continued from page 25 from NYSC, and by the grace of God, I built a three-room administrative block for the school. I completed the work in July 2011 and it was inaugurated on September 21, 2011.” She went on: “The teachers, students and the whole community really appreciated the project on the inauguration day. They were really happy and I was really satisfied within me seeing those smiles on their faces and knowing that I have been able to impact on the com-

•A patient, Mrs Aisha Isah, recuperates after undergoing Caesarean section under the free maternal health programme of Delta State

I think this is one of the best programmes of His Excellency, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, because we have been able to reduce maternal mortality rate which used to be 680 per 100,000 to 250 per live birth and we are committed to bringing the rates further down in the next four years to about 120 per 100,000 would, if need be, work late to ensure that all patients are attended to. He said the work load in the hospital is attributable mainly to Nigerians from neighbouring states enjoying the free maternal health programme. On non-Deltans benefitting from the programme, Dr Onwordi said as a medical practitioner, his training precludes him from turning back any patient. He said from statistics available, the patients who constitute most problems are usually from neighbouring states. He said: “If you are within Delta State, you

are considered a patient within our jurisdiction. We see them as patients irrespective of tribe, state, and religion. And being patients, they are the reason behind our working here. We render services without prejudices.“ Dr Onwordi noted that new statistics available shows that “newly registered cases averages about 300, with over 1, 000 pregnant cases (old) , caesarean section is 30 cases monthly. Maternal mortality cases have been three deaths since the beginning of 2010. At the female ward of the hospital, two women who had benefitted from the programme expressed their joy at free maternal

•Dr Otumara health programme. For Mrs. Peace Balogun from Edo State, “I did not pay a kobo. I just brought my bag and I was admitted and I have been delivered of a baby girl. “My husband, who is also from Edo State, is a businessman. I want to thank the Delta State government for using this programme to assist the poor in the society.” Aisha Isah, another beneficiary from Taraba State enjoyed the full benefit of the programme as she was delivered of a baby boy through caesarean section. According to her, she heard about the programme in Taraba State and her husband brought her to the hospital. At the children’s ward, a grandmother, Mrs. Ifeanyi Nwose praised the under-5 free health care programme. Her words: “I am very happy for what the state government has done to rescue the poor. The people that cannot afford the cost of medical care have been rescued through this programme. My twins were stooling and vomiting and they had fever. In the last three days treatment has been free.

Corps member ends school agony munity positively in my own little way. And I know I will not be hurridly forgotten in that community for a long time to come. “From the assessments of projects done by Corps members in the state during my period, I came fourth and got N30, 000 from the NYSC.” On the cost and source of funds for the project, she said: “I spent

•

•Eucharia with some officials of the NYSC

about N956, 000 on the project. Apart from my little savings before the service year, I used my ‘allawee,’ got assistance from friends and well-wishers back home. I also borrowed some money and, at a point, the students, numbering about 320, contributed N200 each towards the completion of the project.” The Principal of the school, Mrs.

Rhoda Usman, who expressed her happiness over the completion of the project under her tenure, said that the three-room administrative block is now providing comfort and shelter for the teachers that were operating from under the mango tree. “There is nothing I can give her as a principal, but my prayer is that she should be given an award or employment,” she said. A fellow corps member, Miss Pauline Omoifoh, who witnessed the beginning and completion of the project said: “The project can be described as God’s intervention for the teachers in that school. Before she embarked on the project, the teachers were suffering under the mango tree. “I don’t really know how the assessment was done, but comparing what she got from the government with what she put into that project, it is nothing to write home about. I know she borrowed a lot of money to complete that project. “An award should have been given to her. I don’t think it is out of place for Nasarawa State government to even give her automatic employment because of that project,” she added.

Also speaking on the project, the Nasarawa-Eggon Local Government NYSC Inspector, Mr. Altize Haruna said: “I was the one who assessed the project. She did a good work by completing a three-room administrative block for the secondary school. She got to a point where she was stalled on the project and she had to travel to meet friends and well-wishers for financial assistance. She did a real outstanding job as a corps member.” On appreciation of such projects done by corps members in the state, he said: “For government to have responded in inaugurating the project and giving them some financial reward means that the government appreciated their efforts. But the only thing is that here they don’t offer them jobs. When I was in Cross River State, they offered them automatic employment.” Anunobi, with her selfless service to the community irrespective of coming from the Southeast, has shown a rare quality not common among corps members, who mostly use the one year service to gather as much as they can get in preparation for life after the service year.

THE NATION

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

‘How to end Niger Delta woes’ I

MMEDIATE past deputy governor of Akwa Ibom State, Patrick Akpan Ekpotu has spelt out ways to permanently end the woes of the people of the Niger Delta. He said that adequate attention, a sense of belonging and joint control of the resources derived from the area would help end the crisis. Ekpotu offered the way of the region’s crisis in his book Lifting the Perils. In its review, former President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) Prof. Olu Obafemi said Ekpotu offered critical discourse on the search for an enduring resolution of the Niger Delta warfare and the security. Former Director-General, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and also former Minister of Foreign Affairs Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, said the former deputy governor has demonstrated courage

By Olukorede Yishau

in the way he tackled the problems. “Ekpotu has shown immense political courage in confronting the issues raised by the Niger Delta conundrum,” he said. “If there is hope for the Niger Delta and the future of Nigeria, it would be because of the likes of Engineer Patrick Ekpotu who confronted with complex and dangerous issues, took the long and hard road of the public good. On the whole, this book should have a positive and salutary effect on a debate that is bound to be with us for a long time.” The Bishop of Sokoto Matthew Hassan Kukah commended Ekpotu for revealing the injustice from foreign oil giants in the Niger Delta. He observed: “...I had actually been wondering the impact of these foreign do gooders and how we are

The author has shown courage in sinking his teeth into the complex and daunting Niger Delta conundrum and attempting to provide a new road map, a new paradigm of peace and development

NON-GOVERNMENTAL organisation (NGO), IPAS, has organised a workshop to fight for women’s rights throughout the federation. It does not operate alone but in concert with cluster groups in the six geopolitical zones in the country. These are the Network of the Bar, Bench and Police (NBB&P); Reproductive Health Journalists (RH), NIMSA/Youth PACNET, among others. Every minute of every day, women who do not have access to safe abortion services take great risks to end unintended pregnancies. Many lose their lives; others suffer serious, often permanent injuries. According to Mrs Ifeoma Kachy, a lawyer, the vision of NBB&P is to have a society where the reproductive health and rights of women are not only provided for, but are also fully protected and enforced. A recent publication indicated that about 34,000 women die yearly due to complications resulting

reaping some of their sour fruits. But you have captured it in an excellent manner. Great stuff. Let me commend you for being a thinker who just happens to have become a politician. I do hope that the narrow and corrosive political space will not erode your sharp intellectual cutting edge. I wish you well and well done for such an excellent work.” Former Cross River State governor Mr. Clement Ebri, said the book was well-articulated. He said: “So far elaborated in this book, solutions to the problem are also carefully thought-through and well articulated; with an eye to ensuring the consolidation of social justice among millions of marginalized, displaced indigenes of the Niger Delta.” A Professor of French at the University of Ibadan, Joseph Ukoyen, agreed with Ebri. Ukoyen said: “The work is highly informative and insightful. It speaks for itself.” Veteran journalist Ray Ekpu said the book was a bold attempt at finding solution to the crisis in the oil-rich region. In his words: “The author has shown courage in sinking his teeth into the complex and daunting Niger Delta conundrum and attempting to provide a new road map, a new paradigm of peace

and development….He has traced the changing trajectory of the crisis, the devastation of the environment and the devastation of the human dimension, which includes killings and kidnappings and the various actions of the youth which, if unchecked, can impose on all of us a cancerous future, a future that is morally wounded even before it arrives. …The strength of the book comes from the clinical, scientific analysis of the author, and from the richness of his imagination which is helped by the helicopter view that his official position offers him as well as the candour and lack of fear of being controversial or disagreeable.” Editor, Sunday Tribune Newspaper Alhaji Debo Abdulai, said: “Lifting the Peril is a precise testament of the historical trajectory of the Niger Delta crisis. With such rarity of analytical profundity and an unbiased indictment of the Nigerian collectivity, the author’s polemics capture the scene-mapping of the Niger Delta miasma. This prognosis oscillates between two extremes. The text is a must read for all stakeholders in the Niger Delta project.” Ekpotu, a Chemical/ Petroleum Engineer, is a member of the Nigerian Society of Petroleum

•Ekpotu Engineers and a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE). In 2003, after participating actively in the campaign to re-elect Obong Victor Attah as governor of Akwa Ibom State for a second term, he was appointed Commissioner for Information, Culture & Ethical Reorientation, Akwa Ibom State and served from 2003 to 2005. At the emergence of Godswill Akpabio as governor, he became deputy governor from 2007 to 2011.

NGO moves to ensure women’s rights From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

from unsafe abortions in Nigeria. The country’s maternal mortality rate is one of the highest in the world. These deaths are fueled by restrictive abortion laws and or inadequate medical facilities that

promote sexual and reproductive health. Apart from the pains and or death resulting from these practices, those who survive are likely to suffer both psychological trauma and physical disabilities. These are beside the social consequences of infertility, family dis-

In the Southeast, most of the primary, secondary health care facilities are not working and that is what makes it impossible for teaching hospitals to work in a very optimal manner…The vision of IPAS is to ensure a world where no woman dies from complications of abortion

•Chairman, Oji-River Local Government Areas, Enugu State, Hon. Gabriel Onuzulike (middle) his deputy, Sir Ephraim Ofia (left) and the chairman of the state council of NUJ, Mr. Ossy Ogboso during the media tour to assess projects executed by the council chief PHOTO: OBI CLETUS

harmony, stigmatisation, loss of self-esteem, and vulnerability to sexually-transmitted diseases. Women and young girls continue to be victims of rape, indecent assault, female genital mutilations and domestic violence on a daily basis and the victims are left to live with the effect of these abuses as there may not be any avenue or means to seek redress to these wrongs committed against them. In the circumstances, therefore, a two-day sensitisation workshop was held recently in Awka, Anambra State capital for the Southeast zone at the Nobles Hotels. Experts attended the workshop was organised to fight for the rights of women. For Prof. Brian Adinma, one-time Commissioner for Health in Anambra State, the activities of IPAS are humane. He said Nigerian women needed to be sensitised on issues of reproductive health. Emmanuel Ugorji, the media coordinator of IPAS in the country, and Ngozi Obi-Chukwuma said it is necessary to engage, sensitise and empower women to be in the forefront of the advocacy for better reproductive rights. The country Director of IPAS, Dr. Ejike Orji decried the state of health facilities in the country especially in the Southeast. He said: “If you look at the public sector and across the Southeast, the secondary health care facilities that belong to the states are in very bad condition. “In most of the states, they are morgues and chapels. Patients are not being seen there. 70 to 80 per cent of our people are supposed to be attending primary healthcare when

they have problems. They are rather referred to secondary care facility. “In the Southeast, most of the primary, secondary health care facilities are not working and that is what makes it impossible for teaching hospitals to work in a very optimal manner because most of the patients that should have been taken care of at the secondary care level now troop to the teaching hospitals. “Believe me, they can never, never meet the mandates for which they were established. Research and training of healthcare personnel indexes show that none of our teaching hospitals can meet that mandate effectively now. “This is because they are already so overwhelmed by patients that were supposed to have been taken care of at the secondary care level,” Orji said. Continuing, he said: “The vision of IPAS is to ensure a world where no woman dies from complications of abortion. We want to see a world where women can make safe reproductive choices that will advance their well-being and reproductive health.” On the abortion law reforms being canvassed, Orji said that what IPAS actually is doing in that direction is to sensitise women, adding that it is not the organisation that is pushing it rather the women themselves. He further said the seven women groups who had been working together are preoccupied with giving them information, knowledge and skills to act themselves and demand that the abortion reform law should include rape, incest and healthcare conditions. Orji said: “As an international organisation, we cannot push for any reform of any law, but we can give technical capacity to our partners to act for themselves.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

Communities decry absence of road T

•Governor Imoke

HE residents of Ikot Offiong and Nasarawa communities in the outskirts of Calabar, Cross River State have decried the absence of an access road to their areas. They said the only road leading to the communities was in a deplorable state and had become impassable, especially during the rains. One of the residents, Mr Anietie Umoh, told reporters that the road was “horrible” and that the residents were wondering if the state and local governments had not forgotten them. Umoh, a taxi driver, said the condition of the road was more disturbing because of its flooding, which often made it difficult for the residents to get back to their homes after work.

Youths protest witholding of derivative fund

OUTHS from the major oil producing communities in Imo State - Oguta and Ohaji/Egbema local government areas have protested in Owerri, the state capital against the withholding of the 40 percent oil derivation due to them. The youth who came in their thousands with their placards reading: ‘‘we say no to embargo’’, ‘’Okorocha remove the embargo on ISOPADEC money or face the action of the militants’’, release our 40% you have 60%’’, we will shot down all oil wells if——‘’ among others, matched from Orlu Bank road down to Wetheral.This caused traffic gridlock, making road users to wait for several minutes before continuing their journey. The youth blocked the major entrance to Government House, preventing government officials, staff and some security officials from gaining access to their offices. Those who insisted were turned back by the angry looking youths. Governor Rochas Okorocha on arrival from Abuja took a different route to his official residence when he sighted the great number of youths that barricaded the major gate to Government House. The protest which lasted for hours attracted

Imo From Emma Mgbeahurike, Owerri

the attention of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security Administration Mr Okechukwu Okorocha who called the leaders of the protesters into his office to listen their grievances. The leader and the President General ISOPADEC Youth, Comrade Chinenye Zestus Odinaka replied that they wanted the governor to as a matter of urgency, remove the embargo placed on the 40% oil derivation from the Federal Government meant for the development of the rural area, empowerment of the youth among other things. They threatened to close down all oil wells in their area if the governor failed to remove the embargo on the 40 percent oil derivation. They regretted that there has being no meaningful development in the two oil producing areas, adding that lack of good, accessible roads, medical facilities, good drinking water as well as youth unemployment are the major challenges facing the areas.

Govt donates to fire victims

Cross River

“As you can see, whenever it rains, residents find it difficult getting back to their houses because the road will be flooded. “Sometimes, the situation will be so bad that the few taxi cabs that manage to ply the road are scared and residents returning from various destinations walk home, wading through the flood stretch.” Umoh said that commercial motorists were avoiding the route due to the damage it often caused to their vehicles. According to him, “if as a taxi driver you manage to work a whole day on that road, then you must end up in the mechanic workshop the following day.” Malam Abdullahi Danfulani, a cattle dealer in the area, complained that the state of the road was scaring away customers coming to buy cows from the cattle market in the Nasarawa community. “Honestly, the road is a problem to us. Many people have stopped coming to Nasarawa to buy cows because of the road. “Even, sometimes trucks conveying our cattle get stuck on the road because of its poor state.” Another resident, Mr Emmanuel Ekong, told NAN that many people had moved out of the area due to the bad road and called on he state Ministry of Works to come to their aid. “I appeal to the government to come to our rescue by including the road in its urban roads rehabilitation programme,” he said. The Commissioner for Works, Mr Venatius Ikem, had, at a recent media briefing in Calabar, said that the ministry had embarked on the reconstruction and rehabilitation of some urban roads in Calabar.

•Akwa Ibom State Governor Godwill Akpabio sharing a happy moment with Prof Enefiok Essien,his wife, Mrs Essien and Obong Ini Udobong at the pre- Legal year Banquet in Uyo

Delta to spend N100b on projects

ELTA State government has pledged to spend N50 billion out of the N100b at plans to raise firm the capital market on projects with maximum impact on the masses A major chunk of the money is voted for roads, education and healthcare areas. The State recently concluded arrangement to raise N100 billion from the capital market. The Manager, Communications to Delta State Governor, Mr. Paul Odili said 17 projects have been listed to benefit from the first tranche of N50 billion. According to Odili, “The state will in addition to the bond proceeds finance the listed projects from other sources”

HE All Power In Christ Church along Elegbeleye Street, Ikosi-Ketu, Lagos is to hold its 16th edition of seven days revival programme with the theme: “The Foundation of my Warfare be Destroyed” The programme will run from October 17 to October 23. Speaking on the event, the General Overseer, Rev.E.B. Elusope said the programme would afford every participant and members the opportunity of total victory over all manner of warfare and stubborn situation in their lives. Rev. Elusope added that God would visit everyone’s foundation and review them completely even as we approach yuletide season.

Abuja From: Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

“In the execution of the RUFIN mandate, we realised that the late commencement of the CBN promoted Micro Finance Development Fund (MFDF) would limit available opportunities for wholesalelending to the MFBs as a motivation to increase lending activities to their rural clients. “This is one reason we are committed to using the Linkage Forum to explore refinancing windows. The MFBs and MFIs are there to serve and be dedicated to rural communities among which they grow their businesses. Refinancing window would spur motivation to perform more, expand outreach and create employment”. The minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Ezekiel Oyemomi, added that RUFIN has selected 33 Microfinance banks to provide accessible loans to rural farmers in the country.

•A Somolu resident being screened by an optician, Mr Innocent Itong (right) at the eye screening and glasses donation programme organised by the District 404B Lions International Club at the Oba of Somolu Palace, Bajulaiye Road, Somolu

From Okungbowa Aiwerie,Asaba

He further said:“the state has a robust balance sheet and therefore has the capacity particularly through its internally generated revenue to repay the bond proceeds “.. Projects listed include education (primary, secondary and tertiary) which will cost N8.8 billion, N12 billion has been voted for the Ughelli-Asaba Expressway, Effurun-Eku Road and Ugbenu-Koko road. Other projects to be financed by the bond are the Warri Industrial and Business Park, Rehabilitation of courts, Warri Water project and transportation among others.

Church holds programme

FG, IFAD to support farmers HE Federal Government in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has unveiled plans to strengthen the capacity of microfinance banks in order to provide accessible loans to rural farmers in the country. The Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, disclosed this during the 2011 Financial Linkage Forum held in Abuja, adding that the project is to be administered by the Rural Finance Institution Building Programme (RUFIN) to improve agricultural productivity in the country. Adesina said the programme, which would run on a pilot scale is to be executed in 12 RUFIN states of the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. The states include Adamawa, Bauchi, Katsina and Zamfara. Also included are Benue, Nasarawa Lagos and Oyo states while others are Anambra, Imo, Akwa-Ibom and Edo states. He said: “It is expected that under the RUFIN programme, rural farmers, other rural micro entrepreneurs would be properly positioned to have unfettered access to rural credit and loan able funds.

Delta

•Sister Jumike Soyemi, of the Busy Bees Society, Wesley Cathedral, Olowogbowo, Lagos presenting a gift to the wife of the Presbyter, Sister Bosede Omoniyi, her husband, Very Revd Titus Omoniyi and the wife of the CEO, Unity Hospitals Group, Lagos, Lady Gloria Williams at the 50th birthday of Sister Omoniyi at the church

Lawmaker advises youths

member of the House of Representatives, Dr. Ifeoluwa Arowosoge, representing Ekiti South West, Ikere and Ise/Orun Federal Constituency 1, has cautioned the youth against the urge to ‘get rich quick’. While the lawmaker also tasked government at all level to expedite action on employment creation, he admonished parents and guardians to be fully involved in the moral upbringing of their wards. Speaking with Newsextra in the week, Arowosoge said: “We cannot afford to close our eyes to the current worrisome attitude of most of our youths, especially the unemployed lot, to life. It is worrisome to see most of the engage in acts that are dangerous to them and calamitous to the society. Something drastic must be done to arrest the situation.” He further said: “Across the country today, we hear of some youths going into cults for money rituals; many find succour in armed robbery, while others resort to what they now call yahoo dealings on the internet. All these point to the fact that there is a threat to the future of the society.” He explained that it was his fear about the situation that prompted him to empower some youths in his constituency at a thanksgiving service organised after his election into the House of Representatives. “I used the occasion to flag off my empowerment programmes for indigent people in my constituency. Besides donating three

By Dada Aladelokun

complete computer sets to the best schools in School Certificate Examination (SCE) in 2011 to encourage them on ICT, I commenced work on empowering the youths by giving out loans to support their various vocations. It is a thing that must be sustained and emulated by other wellmeaning Nigerians,” he added. On the part of parents and guardians, Arowosoge said: “The family is traditionally saddled with laying the moral foundation of sane upbringing of their wards, thus allowing the larger society something positive to build on. It is the family that should nurse its ward in a way that he will embrace the virtues of hard work, honesty and discipline. Once the family fails in that regard, the child and indeed, the society are endangered. Therefore, we have to take the matter seriously for the good of all.” •Arowosoge

HE Enugu State government has donated relief materials and cash worth over N5 million to victims of last July’s petrol tanker fire disaster at the police and prisons quarters in Enugu, the state capital. No fewer than four lives were lost and property worth millions of naira damaged in the inferno. The donations included 50 bags of rice, 100 pieces of family foams and cash donations of N100,000 to each of the 56 affected families, while the family of Uka Iloha of the Enugu Prisons Service which lost some of its members, received a donation of N250,000. Making the donations on behalf of the government, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Sullivan Chime on Public Enlightenment, Mr Paul Nnajiofor, stated that the gesture was in fulfillment of an earlier promise made by the governor during his visit to the disaster area. Nnajiofor, who was accompanied by the Chief Security Officer to the Governor, Mr Fidelis Ogarebe and Chief Press Secretary Chukwudi Achife, urged the affected families to bear their losses with fortitude, adding that the gesture was the government’s way of showing its concern for their plight though it may not replace all that they had lost. Recalling the cordial relationship between the police, the State Prison Services and the state government, he stressed that government would continue to partner with organisations to ensure that the highest level of security was maintained. He further called on other organisations and well-meaning individuals in society to also come to the aid of the unfortunate fire victims. In their separate speeches at the occasion, the Deputy Comptroller of Enugu Prisons, Mr Peter

Queen’s College marks 84th anniversary amongst all as ‘QC of my dream” will be unveiled at the luncheon. The association said: “The project is about rebuilding QC to the QC of our individual dream that’s why the emphasis is on word MY”. The event will take place on October 16 at Harbour Point, 4, Wilmot Road, off Ahmadu Bello Way, Victorial Island, Lagos at 2,00 pm

LASU alumni holds programme LAGOS State University Muslim Engineering Graduates Association (LASUMEGA) will on Sunday hold LASUMEGA Day. The event with the theme:Virtues and Values, would hold at Lagos State Secretariat Mosque Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja. The Secretary Planning Committee, Mr Ibrahim Idowu, said the event is aimed at promoting Islamic brotherhood, mutual

understanding and co-operation among the Muslim graduates of Engineering in LASU. LASUMEGA, Idowu said, is an offspring of Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN). He added that the association plans to create an avenue to practise Islam outside the university environment and to impact positively on the alma mater. “We also stand to contribute to personal, religious and community developments amongst members in particular and the populace in general,” he said.

Anambra to return more schools ANAMBRA State government is to return more schools to the missionaries soon in addition to those earlier returned. The state governor, Mr. Peter Obi, announced this at the first session of first synod of the Diocese of Niger West at Saint Peters Anglican Church, Aguleri. He said all mission primary schools would be handed over to their original church owners. Obi, therefore, expressed satisfaction with the

From Chris Oji, Enugu

Udoh and the state Commissioner of Police Mr Job Dan Azumi Doma who was represented by the Assistant Commissioner in charge of operations Mr Isaac Akinmoyede ,expressed their gratitude to Governor Chime for his care and concern for the plight of the victim They also lauded the quick intervention of the state fire service which according to them, had helped limit the extent of damage, adding that their efforts was a credit to the state government as it showed that public institutions in the state were functional. Speaking on behalf of the recipients, Assistant Superintendent of Police Joseph Elela expressed gratitude to the state Government and other individuals and organisations including the Chairman of the Enugu North Local Government Council , Mr Herbert Oji, Hon. Offor Chukwuegbo and the Ogbette Market

•Governor Chime Traders Association for coming to the aid of the victims. He added that their intervention had helped alleviate the suffering of the victims and given them hope that the society had not forgotten them.

Vehicle owners warned The Lagos State Police Command have warned owners of vehicles parked at the following police divisions to remove them immediately or forfeit same through auction. They are: Abattoir Division Nissan micro-BF 822 EKY Akinpelu Division Mercedes Benz – AV17AKD Ijaiye Ojokoro Division Sappcro car (Scrup) –U919 GE Fanagor bus Volkswagen – XM143 BDG Ketu Division Honda Civic (scrap)- BU 422 EKY Aswani Police Station 1. Mercedes Benz 300 - JA 2. Convoy Bus- XN 399 FKY 3. Golf car – XT893 AGL 4. Mazda 626 – DY 970 KRD 5. Volkswagen Polo Classic CF 131 EKY 6. Honda Accord 7. Volkswagen bus XW167 AKD

Briefly THE Queens College Old Girls Association (QCOGA-Parents Body) invites all past students and members of the public to its 84th anniversary. The Founders Day Luncheon is an annual event of the association. It is organised by the group to create awareness about the state of the school

Enugu

remarkable improvement recorded by the secondary schools earlier handed back to the churches. Furthermore, he said his government would continue to finance the schools and pay salaries of the teachers but would only be involved in supervisory roles. He urged leaders to have strong character, integrity and be courageous enough to take difficult decisions irrespective of circumstances.

•From left: Member, House of Representatives, Hon. Aliu Kazeem; Chairman, Itire-Ikate Local Council Development Area, Hon. Hakeem Bamgbola; Chairman, Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area, Hon. Kamal Bayewu and his Lagos Island counterpart, Hon Wasiu Eshilokun at the prayer session of late Alhaja Sidikat Apatira at LTU Blue Food, Alausa, Lagos

Lawmaker tasks govt on power supply

member of Delta House of Assembly, Mr Oboro Preyor, has called on the government at all levels to invest more in the power sector in order to encourage small and medium scale industries. Preyor, who represents Bomadi constituency, said in an interview with reporters in Asaba, that if there was adequate power supply in the country, industries would thrive and perform at utmost capacity. Besides full capacity performance, he said that most small and medium scale industries would expand and sustain their businesses. Noting that power was a critical infrastructure in any economy, Preyor said that its abundant availability would also encourage self employment and help in reducing poverty in the society. “When we have good power supply, young people who are looking for white collar jobs will find a way of setting up their own businesses and this will help to check the challenge of unemployment in the country,’’ he said.

Delta Preyor said that more than 80 per cent of small and medium scale industries in the country needed electricity to remain in business and maintained that unavailability of adequate power was aiding unemployment. He said that poor power supply was a bane of economic development in the country. “When you have adequate power supply, restaurants, hotels, artisans, including hairdressers and barbers, will grow. “Apart from fending for themselves, most of them will become employers, no matter the size, and help in taking some of the youths off the streets.’’ Preyor also urged the government to invest in agriculture, saying that the sector had a lot to contribute to the economic growth of the nation. “Everyone knows the benefits of agriculture to homes and the nation and it is therefore, painful to see the lip-service governments at all levels, pay to the sector in the scheme of things.”

Robbers attack 94-year-old monarch

HE spate of prevailing insecurity in Delta State and environs assumed a worrisome dimension recently morning when armed robbers attacked the palace of Owhorode of Olomu Kingdom, Ovie R. L. Ogbon OgoniOghoro I. Our correspondent learnt that the incident occurred exactly 10 years after a similar attack on the palace by hoodlums led to the death of the 94-year-old monarch’s driver. Several artefacts including beads dating back several centuries and royal costumes were carted away during the incident that occurred October 10, 2001. Newsextra learnt that the armed hoodlum stormed the traditional ruler’s palace again in the wee hours of Monday. But unlike 10 years ago, residents told our correspondent that the hoodlums were repelled by the timely intervention of the police and community vigilante.

Delta From Shola O’neil, Warri

Speaking on the incident the monarch’s wife, HRM Grace Ogbon, “At about 4 am, seven armed men jumped over the fence and attacked the security man, they over-powered him down, tied him down and collected his phone and remove the SIM card. “They went to my room’s window and saw my mother and commanded that she should go and open the door; my mother asked them who they were and they shouted at her, sensing that they were robbers she ran to meet us upstairs. “When she told us, we started making distress calls to people; by then they broke through our kitchen window’s protector and broke the store door thinking it led to the stair case, others went through the whole down floor rooms including offices.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

PEOPLE THE NATION

A SEVEN-PAGE SECTION ON SOCIETY

The Solicitor-General of Lagos State, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN) last Sunday decked in flowing Agbada and a befitting traditional Abeti Aja cap at the Blue Roof of the Lagos Television (LTV), Agidingbi, Ikeja, where eminent personalities within and outside the state, joined him to celebrate his 50th birthday, writes TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO

•The celebrator assisted by his wife Aminat, children and representatives of the Oba of Lagos, Chief Ajayi-Bembe (second left) and Sasi of Lagos, Chief Lamina Sasi (right) to cut the cake

HE atmosphere was electrifying. Nature was kind enough on that day. Gaily dressed men and women competed for recognition with their various classy attires and choice four-wheelers. They cat-walked on the long red carpet stretched from the back row of the arena to the high table to take their seats. Among the guests, who shone in their best outfits, were groups of revelers popularly called Fanty from Lagos Island entertaining the cheery crowd. It was a beautiful display and scintillating performance by various groups from Lafiaji, to Olowogbowo, Oko Faji and Campus. Fanty is a beautiful recreation of the age long tradition of the Brazilians as pioneered in Lagos by the Brazilian returnees, Emancipados. It was given added impetus through a colourful display of music, dance and procession along designated routes by various groups. So on Sunday, as the Lafiaji group, refined in red and white dresses showcased a superlative display, Olowogbowo, garbed in yellow and white and Oko Faji in blue, red and white apparels followed suit with wonderful presentations. The yellow and green Campus group completed the performance with the fanty Make no mistake; this is not another Lagos carnival, but a special appearance by the groups for the ‘son of the soil’, the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Mr Muhammed Lawal Alade Pedro (SAN) fondly called the Golden boy by friends and associates, who celebrated his grand entry into the golden age. At every stage of his education, Pedro held leadership positions and displayed qualities that prepared him for the role he

Golden Boy Lawal Pedro at 50 has ably assumed today. He was the captain of his class in Primary School; in his final year in Secondary School, he was Games Prefect and at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), he was the Assistant Director of Sports at the Congo Campus. The week-long ceremony included presentation of the celebrator’s revised edition of his book: Jurisdiction of courts in Nigeria last Thursday and a Novelty match on Saturday. Last Sunday party was a re-union of some sorts for the old students of Anwar-Ul-Islam College, (ACOSA), the school formerly known as Ahamadiyya College, Agege. And in accordance with the first line of the second stanza of their school anthem, ‘’It’s a happy day today.” It was, indeed, a happy day for the alumni as their National President and President of the ’77/78 set turned 50. The spacious Blue Roof of the Lagos Television (LTV) was full of happy people. The emcee, an ace broadcaster, Bashir Adisa Baba Gboin, lived up to expectation, eliciting broad smiles on the faces of the guests with hilarious jokes. Members of the alumni led by Mr Babatunde Alarape presented giant artistic drawings of the celebrator.

One of them was Pedro in lawyer’s wig and gown while another showed Pedro during his secondary school days wearing green jersey and medals on his neck. An excited Pedro was taken by surprise as he exclaimed “Wow!”. “How did you get this?” seemed to be the question on his mind. “I’m highly grateful,” he said in an emotion-laden voice. Plethoral of gifts immediately followed. Alarape congratulated Pedro. “We are pleased to rejoice with you. I recall your glorious teenage years in Agege metropolitan. You stood out in everything you were part of then. “Today is a very significant day for the Pedro family and members of ACOSA,” he said. He said Pedro’s prowess in sporting, football in particular, earned him Games Prefect in their school days. Lagos paramount ruler, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, represented by the White Cap Chiefs, wished Pedro long life and more resounding success in his career. Speaking on behalf of the monarch, the Obanikoro of Lagos, Chief Adesoji AjayiBembe described Pedro as a worthy son of the ‘State of Excellence.’ “The monarch wished him well in life,”

he said. The Judge of the High Court, Justice Habeeb Wale Abiru, described Pedro as a brilliant advocate. “I was not surprised when they gave him Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) because he deserves the title. He is very hardworking and dedicated to his work. My prayer is that he would attain his heart desires,” Justice Abiru said. An Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) chieftain in Lagos, Hon Mutiu Aare, described the celebrator as a gentle and humble person. “I’m very happy for him because he has been doing his work diligently. A levelheaded human being, Lagos State is really proud of him being the only SAN as Permanent Secretary,” he said. Aare urged him not to relent in his effort. A member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon Idowu Obasa, described Pedro is a gentleman who cares for others. “He has been a good friend of the house. As Solicitor-General of the state, he has injected sanity into the system. Lawal has been so blessed by Allah; he is a SolicitorGeneral, Permanent Secretary and SAN. I wish him more fruitful years,” he said. “Fifty years on earth”, Obasa said, “is the beginning of another life. At the age of 50, you start showing leadership role to your community. Life is no more about his family, but the state, federation.” The Celebrator thanked the guests for sharing in his joy. Messers Richard Okanlawon-led Afrcan Don Williams Band later entertained the guests. •More pictures on page 30

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

SOCIETY •Continued from page 29

•Speaker Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon Adeyemi Ikuforiji

•Senator Ganiyu Solomon

•Governor Fashola’s parents, Alhaji and Mrs Ademola Fashola

•Senator Gbenga Ashafa

•Justice Abiru

•Justice Ishola Olorunnimbe and his wife, Idowu

•Mr Dele Adesina (SAN)

•Lagos State Head of Service, Mr Adesegun Ogunlewe

•From left: Hon Samuel Agunbiade, Mr Simon Ajala and Mr Shalish Kasiyap

•Olu of Owode Egba, Oba Kolawole Showemimo and his wife Olori Toyin

•Olu of Igbore Egbaland, Oba Joseph Ogunbona and his wife Olori Aderonke

•From left: Alhaja Laide Elias, Mr Taofik Elias and former Rector, Lagos State Polytechnic, Bashorun Nurudeen

•SPEB Lagos Chairman, Alhaja Gbolahan Dawodu

•Hon Aare

PHOTOS: RAHMAN SANUSI

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

SOCIETY The family of the Akingbasa of Egbaland, Chief Adio Biodun Adeyi and that of a notable educationist and professor of Chemistry at the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun Sate, Kayode Bamiro, hosted relatives, friends and associates to the engagement of their children, Adeola Olufunmilayo and Olujide Ayobami, at the Air Force Officers’ Mess, Victoria Island, Lagos. SEYI ODEWALE was there.

HEY were a select few; not more than 200, but as few as they were, their presence penultimate Monday, was noticed both within the confines of the Officers’ Mess of the Nigerian Air Force, Victoria Island, Lagos and its environs. With their exotic cars parked at the frontage of the Mess, passersby were made to take a second look. They were dignitaries from all walks of life, ranging from the academia to government circle; they filled the compact and well decorated Dike Hall at the Mess, to the brim. Politicians too were not left out as they jostled for recognition. They came to witness the traditional marriage engagement and introduction of the daughter of a frontline politician from Ogun State and the Akingbasa of Egbaland, Chief Adio Biodun Adeyi, Adeola Funmilayo and her spouse Olujide Ayobami the son of a famous educationist, Prof Kayode Bamiro. Although the event held without the couple in attendance, as they live abroad, it did not lack the trappings of a celebrity wedding. The hall looked sparkling in beautiful yellow and white chiffon used in embellishing it. Distinguished guests of both families were splendid in their different attires, just as yellow and green dominated the hall as the

A wedding like no other colours of the day. On the heads of the guests of the bride were caps and headgears in green while the groom’s people settled for yellow. The two colours blended well to give the hall a sparkling look. The Bamiros were the early birds, arriving as early as 11am for an event scheduled for noon. This was acknowledged by the masters of ceremonies of the event, who took the centre stage to declare the ceremony open and stood as the Alaga Iduro and Alaga Ijoko. Simply put, the two terms are for those who direct wedding proceedings. They are usually women, but in some cases men, too, are involved. The Alaga Iduro is usually from the bride’s side and often directs the proceedings. The almost three and a half hour ceremony later took off with an opening prayer about noon. And by the time it got midway the hall looked incapable of containing distinguished guests, who came from both Ogun and Osun states. The two families (both from the bride and the groom) were invited to the raised platform where they sat facing each other.

•Groom’s parents, Prof and Mrs Bamiro

•Mrs Amosun

•Mr and Mrs Kola Balogun

Leading the bride’s family was Alhaja Adeyemi, referred to as the Olori Ebi. She was accompanied by Messrs Adeyi and Opaleye; Femi Odesanya, an engineer; Chief Sokalu Sowemimo, the Osi of Egbaland, Chief Oluwole Adeosun and the parents of the bride, Chief Adio Adeyi and his wife, Princess Rosemary. They were later joined by the wife of the governor of Ogun State, Mrs Olufunso Amosun, who came in midway into the ceremony. The groom’s family was led by the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof Adebisi Bamiro, who is an elder brother to the groom’s father. He was joined by Mrs Oladehun Oworu, Dr Lanre Talabi and his wife, Foluke; Mrs Laide Alalade, Mr Tope Bamiro and his wife, Tosin; Mrs Moji Abolade, Mrs Olubisi Olaniyan and Mr and Mrs Tope Alabi. Others were: Mr and Mrs Tunde Sowola, Mrs Lide Akande, Prof (Mrs) Bunmi Otunbanjo, Prof and Mrs Adesanoye, Mr and Mrs Yinka Babatunde, Mrs Sade Teriba, Mrs Yinka Kukoyi and Dr and Mrs Sola Gbadamosi.

There were also government officials from Oyo, Osun and Ogun states. Oyo contingent was led by the Deputy Speaker of the state Hon Babatunde Olaniyan; Osun by the Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Special Duties, Mr Kola Balogun and Ogun by Prince Lanre Tejuoso, the Commissioner for Special Duties. There were other dignitaries, such as the Asemotas, the Olowudes and the Sakas. Personalities, such as Segun Ogunbela; Mrs Foluke Bello, Mrs Funmi Ajayi, Mrs Busola Ogundele, Mrs Yewande Amusan, Mrs Bola Odukomaiya; Mrs Bunmi Odubanjo and Mrs Bukky Akinbamidele also graced the ceremony. Engagement items were presented by the groom’s family to the bride’s people who gladly acknowledged their quality and conformation with the Yoruba tradition. These items were again used to pray for the couple. At about 3:45pm the ceremony came to a close with a closing prayer by Pastor Oworu, after which an engagement party commenced.

•Bride’s parents, Chief and Mrs Adeyi

•Chief Adeosun

•Dr Tejuosho (left) and Mr Segun Odubela

•From left: Princess Yewande Onilere; Princess Abba Folawiyo and Mrs Jaiye Edgal PHOTOS: SOLOMON ADEOLA

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

SOCIETY

What Facebook joined together... Guests from far and near were presented at the wedding between Abiodun Oluwagbenga Fagbenro, a member of staff of The Nation and his love, former Miss Mayowa Bolanle Akerele, recently in Ota, Ogun State. ADEPEJU ELEGBEDE reports.

HE guests had started tgathering at the Benzer Hall and Resort, Sango Ota, Ogun State as early as 9am for the event slated for 10am. It was the wedding between Abiodun Oluwagbenga Fagbenro, a staff member of The Nation and his love, former Miss Mayowa Bolanle Akerele. The wedding turned into a re-union for many who had not seen each other for sometime. No wonder the back slapping, hearty laughter and warm embraces. Right from the main road leading to the hall, the exotics cars, that dotted the road and the arrays of gorgeously dressed guests suggested the class of wedding that was about to take place. The bride, Bolanle Akerele, is a human resources officer at Elseweddy Electric. First to arrive was the bride’s father, Mr Wilson Akerele and his wife, Eniola. They both looked happy. The groom’s parent s, Mr Julius Fagbenro and wife, Juliana, stood tall among the crowd. The presence of the Asinbi Oki Owa-Omiran of Esa-Oke, Oba Adeyemi Adediran, confirmed royal endorsement . The groom was accompanied by a retinue of friends. They were asked to prostrate before the bride family as Yoruba tradition dictate

after which he was ushered to his seat. The bride while making her entry had her face covered. She, along with the bridal’ train, danced to the admiration of everyone. She knelt before her parents and her parents-in-law who prayed for her. She was later asked to sit on their laps as a sign of acceptance into the family. They wished her blissful sojourn in her marital life. The father, Chief I.O. Moradeyo, congratulated the couple and wished them a blissful marital life. He urged them never to allow a third party into their affairs. The groom, Abiodun, described his wife whom he met on Facebook as a level-headed person. “Our relationship, he said, can simply be defined as heaven-ordained. We sincerely believe that God has a hand in our coming together.” The bride, Bolanle, thanked God for making the day a reality. “It is true that fate brought us together on the popular social network Facebook, where we met, related as friends and began to enjoy each other’s company, studying ourselves and eventually end up as lovers,” she said. •The couple, Abiodun and Mayowa

The Apostolic Church (TAC), Mende, Maryland, Lagos held a wedding between former Miss Oyindamola Olaleye and Bolasoji Akinsanya, writes YINKA ADERIBIGBE.

‘She is God’s best gift’ F OR Olaleye and Akinsanya families, whose children Oyindamola Oluwatosin and Bolasoji Olamilekan, began a journey into matrimony penultimate Saturday, the downpour that ushered in the day earlier that morning,was a sign that the heavens supported the union. And the bride’s father, Elder Olatunji Ayo Olaleye, put on a broad smile when he saw the crowd that thronged The Apostolic Church (TAC), Osborne Street, Mende, Maryland, Lagos, venue of the solemnisation. The Olaleyes, known for their humility and silent philanthropy, are one of the pillars of the church, and TAC members from various parts of Lagos joined other guests to pay back the family’s good gestures. That explained why the church’s auditorium and its gallery were barely enough to accommodate the crowd. The District Pastor, Pastor Isaac Opadeji, urged the couple to always promote companionship, and avoid third party if they ever want to avoid the pitfalls that could weaken their marriage and lead them on the path of divorce. Pastor Opadeji listed other virtues that both need to cultivate as they march on in the “campus of wedlock,” to include finding time for each other, listening to each other, greeting each other and finding time to copulate. The cleric, who spoke from Psalm 45: 10; and Amos 3:3, urged the couple to leave their families behind them and work on building their own. He likened matrimony to a higher institution or a campus, adding that the difference is that “in this school,

•Bride’s parents, Elder and Mrs Ayo Olaleye and Mr Arojo (right)

•The couple, Oyindamola and Bolasoji

you get your certificate before you begin to take the courses listed to be studied. He said the lecturers in this school remain your friends, your family members, your emotions, yourselves and others that you will get to meet as you move about in life on a daily basis.” Opadeji, who observed that hundreds of families are breaking up daily as a result of their failure to come to grasp with the requirements needed for a peaceful home, enjoined the groom, Bolasoji, to take on a new garb of maturity, as he begins to relate with his new identity. “Much depend on you (the husband), if you want to make a success of your wedlock. You need maturity. Nobody can teach you how to be matured, you must start learning how to be matured and in no time, you will understand your wife better, because it is in understanding her that you would be able to sidestep the potholes that await your marriage,” he said. The same message was reemphasised at the reception where the Chairman of the session Mr

Gbenga Arojo, who urged the t newly wed to work hard at keeping their marriage. “You must work on your marriage daily. Always remember that to get a five star marriage; you must put in a five star effort. To sidestep divorce, which has eaten up many marriages today, both of you must find time for each other, love each other, share your time with each other, talk with each other, and avoid third party to meddle in any grievance you might have against each other. “Always put your parents before you as mentors. Remember that you cannot afford to have a broken home. Work at cementing your differences and pray together all the time,” Arojo said. He prayed that God would continue to lead the couple aright in all their ways and assist them as they begin the divine assignment of raising a new home. Father of the bride Mr Olaleye could not hide his joy as he danced to the admiration of all associates and friends. He described the occasion as the

•Groom’s parents, Pastor and Mrs Akinsanya

happiest day in his life. “Today is the happiest day in my life. I am very happy and grateful to God for giving me life and making me see this day, when my daughter finally moves out to start her own life anew. I am grateful to God for making me give her good home training and equipping her with the tools needed by her as she begins this new journey,” he said. Her mother, Olubunmi, was too happy to say a word when asked to speak on her feelings. “I am very happy. I thank God for making this day a reality in my life,” she said.

PHOTOS: RAHMAN SANUSI

The groom, Bolasoji, described his wife as the best thing that could ever happen ito him. “You can see how I have been dancing since morning; it is in appreciation of God’s gift on my life. I appreciate Him for giving Damola to me as wife and I would forever cherish this day. I want to assure all our parents that we shall adhere to all the advice we have been given since we began this journey. They shall never have any regret over us. And the bride, Damola, echoed her beau, saying she look forward to a blissful life as Mrs Akinsanya.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

SOCIETY

Day Ila-Orangun honoured its sons It was a fulfilling date with history for three illustrious sons of Ila-Orangun, an ancient community in Osun State last weekend, when they were honoured for their immense services to the town. DADA ALADELOKUN was there.

MID pomp, which many a resident described as unprecedented, Ila-Orangun, an ancient town in Osun State, last weekend, not only honoured but celebrated three of its cherished own: Chief Bisi Akande, national chairman of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN); Alhaji Tafa Balogun, former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the first Military Administrator of Taraba State, Rear Admiral Adeyemi Afolayan. Even the heavens partook of the joy of the day. Wears and cars competed at what was tagged the “maiden workshop and merit award ceremony,” put together by the Ila-Orangun Action Committee (IAC), a group of prominent indigenes committed to the development of the town. The event held on the premises of the palace of the town’s monarch and Royal Father of the Day, the Orangun of Ila, Oba Abdul-Wahab Kayode Oyedotun, Bibiire 1. Prominent politicians, High Court and Court of Appeal Justices, captains of industry, serving and retired police chiefs, associates and well-wishers of the three “prophets,” including other prominent indigenes of the town, had a swell moment. Among the personalities at the event were: a Professor of Surgery, Kayode Adesunkanmi; ACN Southwest Director of Publicity, Ayo Afolabi; ACN chairman in Osun State, Prince Adegboyega Falodun; Dr (Mrs) Tope Ilori, a commissioner in Osun State, who stood in for Governor Rauf Aregbesola, Justice Bisi Ogunlade, Balogun T.O. Dada and Chief Executive of Leo Flex Oil & Gas, Olaoti Dester. Chairman of IAC, Elder Paul Ogunrinade and his colleagues radiated fulfillment. They included Mr Oyeniyi Akande who chaired the workshop session of the event; IAC secretary, Prince Yemi Adeoye; chairman, Merit Award session, S.A.Olaitan and the Ila Local Government Chairman, Otunba Olusegun Awotunde. Amid rapt attention by guests who appeared in their Sunday best, the workshop was held. It had the theme: Past, present & future of Ila-Orangun community: Developmental challenges. Prof Tunde Adeboye of the University of Ilorin was joined by the Obalotan of Ila, Chief Douglas Oyinlola and the President-General, Senior Staff Association of Communication, Transport and Corporation, Mr Lasisi Adesunkanmi, a lawyer, as resource persons. And the discussants at the session were: the Chairman Federal Roads Maintenace Agency (FERMA) Jide Adeniyi, an engineer; Dr Bashir Gbadamosi of the Osun State College of Education, Ila-Orangun and Alhaji R.B Ogunbunmi. After the session, it was time for the highpoint of the event – merit awards presentation, where the accomplished trio of Chief Akande; Alhaji Balogun and Admiral Afolayan were proclaimed Golden Ambassadors of the town. The session was dominated by what passed for a clapping carnival. Decked in all-white attire, humility-personified Afolahan, was the first to be called out to receive his award. Among other things said about

him, was his rendering of help to uncountable indigenes of the town into the Nigerian Army and the Navy besides assisting many grassroots politicians with vision for the town. Justice Ogunlade had barely asked Balogun to step out to take his turn when jubilation erupted at the venue. The sustained thunderous applause shook the hall. Chants of “Oluomo of IlaOrangun (Prime Son of Ila-Orangun),” which was newly bestowed on the retired IGP filled the air. Virtually every statement made by Prince Yemi Adeoye while delivering Balogun’s generally adjudged “intimidating”profile was greeted with deafening ovations. Evincing gripping humility with toothy smiles, Balogun, a seasoned administrator and brilliant lawyer, bowed his head and waved his hands in appreciation of the people’s gesture. With a bewitching prowess, popular Ewi exponent Ajobiewe interspersed Balogun’s citation with panegyrics, which extolled his virtues amid nods of affirmation by the crowd. The delivery of the citation took 58 minutes and nobody got bored. Balogun’s citation showed him how, as a Modern School teacher years back, paid his dues and levies to help actualise the town’s electricity and water project. Also, as the pioneer President of Ila Toppers Club, he was said to have worked with other associations to lift the town besides contributing handsomely to Ila Day Celebrations. It was praise galore when it was mentioned that the retired police officer had used his positions to get his kinsmen into the Nigerian Police and some employments in other fields as well as helping many to go on holy pilgrimages to Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem. It was celebrated that he single-handedly built the ultra-modern Ila Central Mosque; a block of six classrooms for Ansar Ud-Deen Primary School, Ila, his alma mater. In addition, Balogun was said to have used his towering influence to effect the actualisation of the following in the town: Two big boreholes being sunk by the Federal Government, presence of Glo Communication Network, Police Mobile College, including two police divisions. An “important engagement” elsewhere, as announced, did not allow Akande to receive his award. He was represented at the session by Prince Falodun. Amid cheers, the former Osun State governor was described how he used his various political positions to uplift the town, thus earning him the chieftaincy titles of Asiwaju of Ila-Orangun, Agbaakin of Oke Ila among various others in neighbouring communities. Lips and legs were busy with songs and dance when Prince Falodun received Akande’s award plaque. Both Akande and Afolahan thanked the town for the honour even as they pledged to continue to “be there” for the community on all fronts. “This will encourage others to do their best for

MARITAL BLISS

•Former Miss Toyin Kugbeha and her beau Mr Adeniyi Idowu during their wedding in Abuja

•Oba Oyedotun (right) presenting a plaque to Alhaji Balogun

•Rear Admiral Afolayan

•Justice Ogunlade

•Mr Ganiyu Jope (left) and Hon Akin Titiloye

our town,” Afolahan enthused. Balogun, again, amid standing ovation, was full of words of appreciation for the town for standing by him through his travails before his eventual retirement. “I can’t thank the good people of this town

enough; I will forever be grateful to our dear Kabiyesi and his good chiefs. Please, double your support for the Kabiyesi whose reign has been fruitful so far. I remain committed to this town and if I have the chance of coming to this life again, I will return to Ila-Orangun,” he said.

INVESTITURE

•Chairman, Lagos Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, Mr Adebisi Adeyemo flanked by the representative of a former president (Mr Femi Jegede), Mrs Gladys Olajumoke (left) and his wife Peju after his investiture at the Airport Hotel Ikeja.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

SOCIETY RECEPTION FOR SENATOR BABAJIDE OMOWORARE OF OSUN EAST SENATORIAL DISTRICT IN ABUJA

From left: Mr Adewuyi Adetogun, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, Senator Babajide Omoworare and Mr Sunday Idonije

•Senator Pius Ewherido

•Sen Ganiyu Solomon

•Senator Gbenga Obadara, Senator Sola Adeyeye and Hon Olanike Omoworare

•From left: Hon Ayo Omidiran; Hon. Adeyinka Ajayi and Hon Lasun Yusuf

Political associates, government functionaries and well wishers, on Monday graced the 55th birthday of the Chairman of Osogbo Local Government, in Osun State Alhaji Fatai Diekola.

•The celebrator, Alhaji Diekola (right) and Osun State ACN Party Secretary Prince Gboyega Famodun

•From left: Hon Ipoola Binuyo; Deputy Speaker, Hon Adegboyega Akintunde and Hon Abiodun Awolola

55 cheers for a humanist

HE celebrator, Alhaji Fatai Diekola, popularly known as Jagunmolu of Osogboland, savoured the glamorous occasion amid friends and associates. Clad in beautiful attires, the guests at the dinner party, which was organised by friends and political associates at Bafoo Hotel, Ilobu road, Osogbo included the Osun State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Wale Afolabi; Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Hon Salam Najeem and his deputy, Hon Sola Oladepo, among others. The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Sunday Akere, who spoke on the occasion, desecribed Alhaji Diekola as a strategist, humanist and visionary leader. Akere noted that his accommodating qualities and courage had endeared him to

many people within and outside his political family. He said up and coming politicians have a lot to learn from Alhaji Diekola. Also eulogising the celebrator, Mr Oyintiloye Olatunbosun, described Alhaji Diekola as a mentor and Godfearing leader who always stand for the truth. Alhaji Diekola thanked the guests for making the day eventful. He also thanked the people of Osun State for their support for the lofty agenda of the state government . He added that Governor Aregbesola has a lot of initiatives in stock to reposition the state. Earlier, there were special prayers by religious leaders.

•Hon Sola Oladepo

•Mr Afolabi

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

SOCIETY

80 garlands for an insurance broker On Friday, September 16, in Lagos, the exclusive hall of the prestigious Island Club, Onikan, was full with the crème de la crème of the society, who came to celebrate with one of their own and a foremost chartered insurance broker in the country, Chief Kingsley Olanrewaju Olufeko, who turned 80. SEYI ODEWALE was there

HEY all came in large numbers resplendent in splendid attires beffiting the occasion not minding the inclement weather. They were to honour one of their own and a foremost chartered insurance broker, Chief Kingsley Olanrewaju Olufeko, who turned 80. Fridays for party freaks, is usually when to start the weekend and Chief Olufeko’s birthday party was a perfect way to start a • The celebrator, Chief Olufeko assisted by his wives and children jolly good weekend, hence the turnout of members of the Centre Table of the Island Club, who came to honour their grand patron in the exclusive hall of the prestigious club that Friday. The ever-busy King George V Road, which terminates at Onikan Stadium, had a feel of what was happening on the premises of the club. Exotic cars brought by guests, over flowed to the main road from the club’s packing space, sparking a serious traffic jam in Onikan. Friends, relatives and associates took turns to hail him as a dependable ally, a caring father and a trail blazer in the insurance world. The celebrator, as result of his diligence in selling insurance in those days, got as his middle • Dr Kola Ibirogba (left) and Prof Simbo Banjoko name the sobriquet “insurance at your door step”. He was the first African at the top management level of American International Insurance Company (AIICO), where he retired as the General Manager in 1991. The event, which was anchored by the popular Radio presenter, Yaw, took off at about 2pm with the introduction of the celebrator and special guests to the high table. It was followed by the opening prayer and rendition of a special song. Olufeko’s biography and testimonies from friends, associates and relatives then followed. In his testimony, the president, Cen•From left: Mrs Yemi Adeosun, Mr Yemi Adeosun and Simbo Olufeko tre Table, Island Club, Mr Siyan Oyebadejo, extolled Olufeko’s virtues and described him as a body who values education and After correcting you he would dependable man whose role as ensured that all his children had now draw you to himself and tell the grand patron of their table is quality education. When we were you why he did what he did to inspiring. After this the celebra- young one of the things he al- you. No father can be more loving tor cut his birthday cake assisted ways told us was that: ‘Ogun ti than this.” His eldest son while giving the by his wives, children and grand- moni fun yin ni quality education’, children. It was supervised by meaning the only legacy I have vote of thanks, admonished all on Yaw, who at the spelling of Jesus for you is quality education,” she the need to examine their lives said. and move closer to their creator. ordered him to cut it. She added: “He ensured that we Although he said he was not out His second child, Olasimbo, described her father as wonderful had the best. I’m really happy to to preach, he needed to stir them and loving. According to her, that be his daughter. My father is a to see the need in getting closer to he clocked 80 is a rare feat at a socialite. He belongs to a number God. On the band stand was the Diatime when live expectancy has of clubs and social groups. He is a member of Island Club, Ikoyi mond Group led by the indefatidropped drastically. “Celebrating my father at 80 is a Club and some others. He is also gable Lady Jumoke, who dished wonderful experience; you can a traditional chief. I am very proud out melodious Juju tunes for evimagine somebody living up to of him I must confess. I could not eryone to enjoy. The celebrator, decked in a that age in this day and age, when have wished for another father. “My father is a disciplinarian colourful Aso Oke Agbada moved life expectancy has fallen to between 40 and 45. It’s an achieve- and at the same time loving and around the hall to acknowledge ment; achievement of long life, caring. Any time we erred as chil- cheers from guests and wellachievement of elite and as some- dren he would not spare the rod. wishers.

to cut the cake

• Mrs Adekunle Banjoko (left) and Alhaji Ganiat Shogeyinbo

•Mr Taiwo Adebowale (left) and Mr Akin Temple

• Mr Oye Adebowale (left) and Mr Kehinde Adebowale

PHOTO: DAYO ADEWUNMI

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

COMMENTARY

FEMI ABBAS ON

BOUT two weeks ago, (Monday, October 3, 2011), a voice echoed from the United States of America and reverberated throughout the intellectual spheres of many other countries across the continents. The voice was that of His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA). He was the guest lecturer at Harvard University where he delivered ‘The Samuel L. and Elizabeth Jodidi Annual Lecture at Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, on the invitation of the authorities of that University. The theme of the lecture was: “Islam and Peace Building in West Africa”. In the preamble to the lecture, His Eminence briefly took a look into the various indices of contemporary developments and analysed the merits and demerits of such developments vis a vis human cultural values. He started as follows: …..”Today, more than ever before, we stand on the threshold of great opportunities. Developments in various fields of human endeavor have made it easy to accumulate vast knowledge on peoples and cultures and to communicate this knowledge in ways never imagined before, with the real promise of bringing better understanding between us all. Scientific breakthroughs have also made it possible to achieve human development at an unprecedented scale and to enhance the welfare and wellbeing of each and every one of us… …But these opportunities also come with great dangers – and these dangers have already begun to manifest themselves in ways that leave us with much to worry about. Bigotry and hatred are being elevated to a new pedestal and spread with relish and impunity. Protracted conflicts, threats of war and the rise of extremism and militancy, from all sides of the socio-religious divide, have become the reality of our daily lives in many parts of the world. Regrettably, a significant portion of the world’s population still wallow in abject poverty and neglect, thereby fuelling the vicious cycles of conflict, violence and instability that we are now all too familiar with. As a military officer and diplomatic representative, I have seen the devastation of war, not only in West Africa, but in Afghanistan, Iraq and other parts of the world. I have witnessed the desperate cries of widows and orphans and the exasperation of bewildered families desperately struggling to pick up the shattered pieces of their lives. As the Sultan of Sokoto and PresidentGeneral of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs; as well as the CoChair of the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council [NIREC], I have also seen the pain and suffering which ethnic polarisation and religious misunderstanding could bring to a nation and its people; how ego and bigotry could conspire to deprive people of their rationality and good judgment and how religious leaders could set aside the teachings of their scriptures to lend a helping hand to these sectarian crises. But during all these, I have also seen how people of goodwill could make a world of difference; how the right word at the appropriate time could heal an old wound; how a little help to those in distress could rekindle hope in our common humanity and how people of virtue, courage and determination could set aside their fears and misgivings to work together to re-establish and strengthen the bases of mutual co-existence within their diverse communities….It is in the context of these challenges and opportunities that I wish to talk to you on the issues of peace and religious harmony tonight. Since many people have talked and written about Religion and Conflict in our part of the world, it is only appropriate for me to address you on Islam and Peace-Building in West Africa, and particularly in my home country, Nigeria, with the real hope that in our individual and collective efforts, we can contribute our little quota towards the realisation of the Jodidi vision of promoting “tolerance, understanding and goodwill among nations and the peace of the

Femabbas@yahoo.com 08051101861

A voice from Harvard

‘

Leaders are like a spring of water and officials are like water-wheels. If the spring is pure, the filth of the waterwheels cannot harm it. If, on the other hand, the spring is polluted, the purity of the water-wheel will have little effect [on the purity of the water •The Sultan

world…” Alluding to Sokoto Caliphate founded by Shaykh Uthman Dan Fodio in the early 19th century as a cultural and intellectual yardstick for measuring value in a meaningful society, His Eminence said: “The emergence of the Sokoto Caliphate in the early years of the nineteenth century, led by the erudite scholar, Shaykh Uthman Ibn Fodio, brought a drastic transformation of the Islamic scene in West Africa. The Sokoto Caliphate was a political as well as an intellectual revolution. Politically, it initiated an extensive process of state formation which spanned across several states in Western and Central Africa….Intellectually, the Caliphate also succeeded in putting scholars at the helm of public affairs. As true intellectuals, they had to argue their way through almost every major decision they took and had the time and foresight to record their thoughts, ideas and the justification of their actions for posterity. The Sokoto Triumvirate, namely Shaykh Uthman Ibn Fodio, Shaykh Abdullahi Ibn Fodio and Shaykh Muhammad Bello, authored over 300 books and pamphlets. Other Caliphate leaders were also prolific writers. Nana Asma’u alone wrote over 70 poems and tracts. But despite these impressive achievements, probably one of the Caliphate’s most enduring legacies had been in the area of values. Classifying value into five categories and justifying each by quoting relevant authorities, His Eminence ascertained as follows: The first category of values raised by the Sokoto Caliphate leaders was that associated with knowledge as the basis for effective leadership. Ignorance has no business with leadership and ignorant people shall have no business in governance. In the emphatic words of Shaykh Uthman Ibn Fodio: “A man without learning is like a country without inhabitants. The finest [qualities] in a leader in particular and in people in general, are the love of learning, the desire to listen to it and holding the bearer of knowledge in great respect….. If a leader is devoid of learning,

‘

he follows his whims and leads his subjects astray, like a riding beast with no halter, wandering off the path and perhaps spoiling what it passes over…. [Bayan Wujub al-Hijra] The second category of values which I wish to bring to your attention is the primacy of Justice as the basis of good governance. Shaykh Uthman Ibn Fodio, the leader of the Sokoto Caliphate, had always believed that “seeing to the welfare of the people is more effective than the use of force.” According to Shaykh Uthman, “the crown of the leader is his integrity, his strong-hold is his impartiality and his wealth is [the prosperity] of his people.” Shaykh Uthman Ibn Fodio was equally emphatic on how injustice compromises the integrity of governance and ultimately destroys the state. He said: “One of the swiftest ways of destroying a state is to give preference to one particular group over another or to show favour to one group of people rather than another and draw near those who should be kept away and keep away those who should be drawn near…. Other practices destructive to sovereignty are arrogance and conceit which take away virtues. There are six qualities which cannot be tolerated in a leader: lying, envy, breach of promise, sharpness of temper, miserliness and cowardice. Another is the seclusion of the leader from his people, because when the oppressor is sure that the oppressed person will not have access to the ruler, he becomes more oppressive… A state can endure with unbelief but it cannot endure with injustice.” [Bayan Wujub alHijra] The third category of values is that dealing with the fight against corruption especially in the management of public affairs. Shaykh Abdullahi Ibn Fodio puts the Caliphate’s position in clear and unambiguous terms: “A ruler is forbidden to touch property acquired unjustly, such as through bribes obtained for appointing a judge or any other officer. The use of such property is unanimously regarded as illegal. It corrupts the religion and opens the

door wide to abuses and oppression of the poor. For the officials may feel that since money was obtained from them as a reward for appointing them to office, they in turn must recover it from the common people….” [Diya’al-Hukkam] It is also the view of the Sokoto Caliphate leaders that those charged with authority must strive to shun corrupt practices and lead by example. In the words of Sultan Muhammad Bello: “Leaders are like a spring of water and officials are like water-wheels. If the spring is pure, the filth of the waterwheels cannot harm it. If, on the other hand, the spring is polluted, the purity of the water-wheel will have little effect [on the purity of the water].” [Usul alSiyasa] The fourth category of values relates to the dignity of labour and indeed the responsibility of government to provide the enabling environment that would allow people to make a decent living. In the words of Sultan Muhammad Bello: “……Guard yourself against poverty by lawful earning, because every poor man is afflicted by three defects: religious weakness, feeble mindedness and loss of honour. Worse than this is the contempt in which he is held by people….There are two assets which, as long as you safeguard them, you will remain alright: Your earnings for your livelihood and your religion for your hereafter…..The recommendable earning is better than supererogatory worship, the benefit of which is confined to the worshipper alone, whereas the benefit of the recommended earnings extend to others.”[Ahkam al-Makasib] The fifth and final category of values… is the uplifting of the status of women, especially through Education. The Sokoto Caliphate leaders, as erudite scholars, lived by the percepts they preached and ensured that their wives and daughters and all others associated with them were educated to the highest standards the society could offer. Many of these women, including Nana Asma’u, became leaders in their own right and played an active role in the political arena. Equally and importantly, Shaykh Uthman Ibn Fodio’s pronouncements, made in the very early part of the nineteenth century, could not be more categorical: “One of the great calamities which have afflicted Hausaland is the practice of many of its scholars in abandoning their wives, daughters and servants in a state of ignorance. They are left like animals without any effort to teach them….. This is a grave mistake and a prohibited innovation. They treat them like utensils which they put to use, but when broken, get thrown into the dustbin. What a strange behaviour! How could they leave their wives, daughters and servants in the darkness of ignorance and astray, while educating their students morning and evening. This is just for their selfish interest and for show and ostentation….” The Sultan who had delivered similar lectures in Cambridge and Oxford before did not stop there. He went further to trace and analyse the challenges of insecurity as well as causes of violence and terrorism in Nigeria and suggested some solutions to those societal vices. These will be brought up in this column next Friday in sha’a Llah. Meanwhile, the city of Abeokuta was agog with a galaxy of Nigerian stars last Saturday when the Crescent University held its third convocation ceremony. Seven top Nigerians including the VicePresident, Muhammed Namadi Sambo; former President Shehu Usman Shagari; His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto; the Emir of Kano; Governors of Sokoto and Zamfara as well as Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote were honoured with various doctoral degrees in Honoris Causa. Why were some top Ogun State’s indigenes like Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Governor Ibikunle Amosun absent from such a glorious occasion despite their invitation to the ceremony at which even the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Honourable Aminu Tambuwa was present? Find out in this column next Friday in sha’a Llah.

THE NATION

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

CRIME WATCH

ROBBERY suspect, Ayinde Olusheye Charles, 29, who claimed he started stealing at the age of 15, has confessed that he would not have become a robber if he had heeded his brother’s advice not to join bad gangs. He said he was part of robbery gang. Among their targets, the suspect said, are recharge card sellers, boutique operators, supermarkets, motorcycle riders who have new motorcycles which they can easily snatch and sell to waiting buyers in Lagos. In an interview with our correspondent, Ayinde said: “At times, I fight my brothers and friends including my parents whenever they came to advise me and because I wanted them to stop coming, I rented a room at No. 14, Aderibigbe Ikosi, Ketu Lagos in 2008 so that I can enjoy some freedom.” He noted that to feed and pay for his room, he started trading on petty wares like shoes, slippers, shirts, and jeans. “I later gained admission in Osun State Polytechnic Iree to study Accountancy. With my petty trading, I was able to pay for my education. During my industrial attachment (IT), I embarked on expansion of my trade. When I graduated with Higher National Diploma (HND), Accountancy, I still maintained the room. I later became a thug to a politician in Lagos, and the chieftains of this particular party armed me and other thugs working for them with guns and which we used to intimidate opponents. That was the time I came into contact with fellow thugs, some of whom were ex-convicts for armed robbery cases, and immediately after my youth service, I joined the gang”, he explained. He said it was one Segun who introduced him into robbery and they were operating successfully with other members of his gang until he decided to go on a particular operation alone.

‘I didn’t heed advice and became a robber’ By Jude Isiguzo and Ebele Boniface

Police sources said that the suspect told his other gang members that he was travelling and requested that they give him a gun which he used for operation. However, when he was arrested, he denied collecting any gun from the other members of his gang or going on any solo operation with another gang. He said that he had left the gang and was planning to rebuild his life when he was arrested by the police for robbery. Police operatives at the State Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), told our reporter that the suspect was arrested following a tip-off by members of the public. According to the police spokesman, Mr Samuel Jinadu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), the suspect and his gang members have been on the wanted list of the state command for a long time over their criminal activities. But one of the suspects, Segun Akande, 28, from Mopa Town, Mopa Moro Local Government Area of Kogi State and a resident at 10 Aderibigbe Street Ikosi Ketu, described Ayinde as a liar. Akande said, “I am an artist. I sing, and produce films and dramas. I was arrested by SARS operatives last Wednesday night in my house. The policemen said I was wanted for giving arms and ammunitions to Nasiru. I used to supply Ayinde guns with which he and his gang members use to rob within and outside Lagos. He only brings little money as settlement when returning the guns. It depends on the success of the gang’s operation. If it is a good target he will give us N50, 000, N20, 000, or N30, 000. It all depends on

Court remands man for vandalisation

ENIOR Magistrate Mrs A. T. Omoyele of an Ikeja Magistrate court has remanded one Mr Lekan Jamiu, 25, in prison for vandalising buses belonging to the Lagos State Bus Assets Company Service (LAGBUS). Jamiu was charged to court on one-count charge of destroying properties, thereby committing an offence punishable under the section 415 of the criminal code. The defendant on September 29,

at about 9:15pm at African Petroleum (AP) filling station along Old Abeokuta road Agege, did maliciously damage the windscreens of LAGBUS 329 XU and LAGBUS 993 AA. The damaged done was valued at N60,000, properties of LAGBUS Asset Management. He pleaded guilty to the charges read to him by the court’s registrar and was remanded in prison by the court. The case has been adjourned till October 17 for fact and sentence.

how much money he made after the operation. It was only in one of his big operation that he gave us N200, 000.00. We have given him guns more than five times. He is a professional liar. I was the one who brought the gun from Obalande and gave it to Nasiru Bello to keep. I took the guns from a four-man gang in Obalende. After any operation they give me their guns for safe-keeping but since my house is not safe for keeping guns I normally take them to Nasiru. We used to rent them out and that was how we rented the guns to this liar Ayinde and educated armed robber. “I don’t know the name of the person who used to give me the gun at Obalande but they call him Pato but the real owner of the gun is called Peter. My place is not safe for keeping gun because many bad boys visit me and if I kept the guns there they would have taken them. Ayinde is a member of our gang. We operate a four-man gang”, he explained. On how he joined the four man gang, he said, I had an okada which

I wanted to sell so that I can get money for my film production. He said he met Peter in a beer parlor where he was introduced to the gang and they exchanged phone numbers. “They promised to assist me with N500, 000. When I asked when, they gave me a bag containing guns to carry. They said with this gun I can command anybody and give orders and they would be obeyed. That was how I started following them. We have gone on robbery operations for more than five times but they are greedy people and liars. They steal half of the proceeds of the robbery before giving account. I gave Ayinde gun and he traveled to where his gang operated for more than three times. It is because we have been arrested that he is now lying. I am ashamed of him because he is crying like a woman. The third suspect, Nasiru Bello (27), from Okene, Kogi State said he is a pest control service officer who renders fumigation services .Bello who is married with three children, resides at No 8, Oregun Road, off

They promised to assist me with N500, 000. When I asked when, they gave me a bag containing guns to carry. They said with this gun I can command anybody and give orders and they would be obeyed. That was how I started following them

Lawal Street. He also claims to be the gang’s armourer but the leaking roof of his room exposed him when landlords came to repair it. Asked whether he is an armed robber, he said yes, adding that Ayinde and Peter were part of his gang. According to him, apart from participating in robbery operations, he keeps gun for the gang because his house is safe. He said it was the day they lured him into armed robbery that he became their gun keeper. His wife sells liquor popularly called ogogoro at Odo-oja, Akesan, Back of Central Mosque, Moshalashi Road, Ojota, Lagos. “That day he was drunk and when he fell asleep, they stole N15, 000 from his pocket. When he woke up, he realised that it was one of them that stole from him. He was advised to report to the police but he was afraid. Segun later took him to his house at Ketu and they later went to Oregun when he wanted to know his house. He said: “I climbed the roof and put the gun directly on top of my ceiling and went out to hustle for work. The following day I told my wife that I kept a gun in the ceiling and that she should keep her mouth shut so as not to put me in trouble. “Unfortunately, the landlord, Baba Kafayat, came with a carpenter to repair my leaking roof and in the process; the carpenter discovered a black bag and wanted to know what was in the bag. When the landlord opened the bag, he found guns in it and alerted his wife who asked who kept it there.

‘Give me custody of my child’

WOMAN, Mrs Mariam Yunusa has asked a Customary court (Grade A), sitting in Mushin, Lagos State, to grant her custody of her last child, Abibulahi Yunusa because she suspects that the child’s father, Mr Rasaki Yunusa, may be unable to take proper care of the child. The petitioner claimed that the respondent was not taking good care of the child and that the child needed to be with his two other siblings that are living with her. When the court asked the respondent where the child was presently living, he lied to the court on countless occasions. It was when the court accused him of using the child for spiritual purposes that he claimed

Stories by Abike Hassan

that the child was with his mother’s friend for the past five years due to his inability to care for the child. He urged the court not to grant custody of the last child to petitioner because he felt that she was incapable of taking good care of him and accused her of walking out of the marriage for five years till present. “We have been married sine 1997, one day my wife walked out of me and the children leaving behind three children. The last child was just eight months when she walked away. Now she wants all three living with her which I fear she can not handle,” he said. When the court asked the petitioner why she walked out the marriage, she said: “I had to leave the marriage for fear of my life. He

threatened and physically attacked me on a regular basis. I had to walk out of the marriage and the children.” “I later realised my mistake and decided to look for my children which I did by taking two of the older children to my place to live with me. The father has refused to disclose the whereabouts of my last child to me,” she said. When the court asked the children to stand up in court, the children living with the mother looked well taken care of. The child staying with the father looked malnourished and looking like a six year old. The respondent could not give a reason why the child was looking malnourished. The court later told the parties to invite their relatives to the court to hold discussions with them on the welfare of the children. The case was later adjourned to November 2nd.

Court remands men for alleged impersonnation MAGISTRATE court sitting in Ikeja has remanded two men, Macene Felix, 24, and Adetona Mayowa, 31, in prison for allegedly impersonating custom officials by wearing stolen customs uniforms and causing unrest. The defendants were arraigned on a three-count charge for unlawful possession and control of firearms, punishable under section 516 of the criminal code. Felix and Mayowa on September 6, at about 12pm, at Iogbo Eremi area of Badagry were said to have conspired to possess uniforms that they not being persons serving in any of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, had in their possessions, a pair of customs uniform that belonged to the Nigerian Customs Service. Felix and Mayowa also allegedly

•Work in progress at the Emergency Spill Way of Goronyo Dam in Sokoto State

had under their control seven unexpanded live ammunitions without license or permission issued to them under the firearms act. The defendants were further said to have caused unnecessary unrest within the area till they were questioned and apprehended by officials of the Nigeria Police Force. During questioning, the defendants could not give tangible reasons why they came into possession of the customs uniforms and unexpended firearms. They claimed to be customs officers throughout the questioning but were apprehended when they gave unsatisfactory answers. Senior Magistrate, Mrs A. T. Omoyele remanded the defendants in prison till further hearing of the case on October 31.

THE NATION

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

Experts explore response mechanism to oil spill

INDFUL of the negative impacts which unchecked oil spills have had on our environment, governments and groups the world over have come to terms with the need to prevent or mitigate their effects for a safer world. It is in the light of this that the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in collaboration with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA) hosted the fourth biennial Regional Conference and Workshop organised by the Global Initiative for West, Central and Southern Africa (GI-WACAF) on oil spill preparedness and response. The four-day conference held at the Conference Hall of Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island Lagos from October 10 to 14, 2011 with the theme: “Towards Operational Oil Spill Response in West, Central and Southern Africa.” In his opening address, the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris A. Umar said the conference was important as it will map out strategies towards ensuring the protection of the marine environment from various forms of pollution, even as he added that it will enhance co-operation between countries in the region on oil spill management. Noting that the conference was holding at a very timely period when there are serious threats to the environment, especially that of marine, the minister who was represented by Mr Ahmed Enesi said “it aimed at strengthening the oil spill preparedness and response capability of the 22 countries in the West, Central and Southern Africa sub-region to, among other things; review the progress achieved since Yaoundé 2009 and exchange experiences; identify objectives and priority actions at national and regional levels in order to strengthen oil spill response capa-

S part of efforts to boost tourism in the state, the Akwa Ibom State government has concluded plans to transform the Uyo ravine into a game reserve in 2012. The government is to also approach the control of gully erosion and flood in the entire state with renewed vigour. The Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Enobong Uwah, stated this before the 2012 Estimate Bilateral Discussion Committee at the Ministry of

By Chinaka Okoro

bility for the coming biennium and to deliver training on the implementation of the OPRC 90 Convention and the CLC 92 and Fund 92 Conventions.” Senator Umar disclosed that “the West and Central African regions are major maritime routes for transportation of oil as well as very active area in the field of oil exploration and production. These activities have posed a serious and permanent risk of oil pollution in the region. There is therefore the constant need for efforts to protect our rich marine environment and consequently organise and prepare responses to marine pollution incidents.” Continuing, he said: “Most countries in the region have developed National Contingency Plans and strengthened their national capability for oil spill response. However, to be fully effective, these plans have to be regularly tested and exercised. This workshop and conference will enable exchange and discussion to strengthen public-private partnership as well as facilitate the identification of joint action plans to address the future challenges of spill preparedness, response and co-operation in West, Central and Southern Africa.” Dr Stefan Micallef, Senior Deputy Director, Marine Environment Division of IMO said that as we are living in a global environment where maritime is essential and shipping very important in the development of effective transportation, the International Maritime Organisation recognises the importance of quick response to oil spill emergencies. He explained that the conference is important for a continent that is experiencing massive oil exploration, adding that the challenges are enormous and therefore require extreme and concerted efforts towards preventing and mitigating oil spill. In his address, the Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi said

•From left: Mr Enesi, Hajia Mailafiya and Sir Idabor in order to be conscious of the need to preserve the human environment in general and the marine environment in particular, it is important to recognise the serious threats posed to the marine environment by oil pollution incidents involving ships, offshore units, sea ports, and oil handling facilities. He advised that it is necessary to be mindful of precautionary measures in avoiding oil pollution in the first instance, and the need for strict application of existing international instruments dealing with marine safety and marine pollution prevention. He noted that the conference is mainly aimed at exchanging ideas and to exhaustively discuss the development of oil spill response measures in the region in line with the provisions of the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation (OPRC’90) Convention and its implementation. Mr Akpobolokemi stated that “the real impact of this conference will be determined by the actions that our shared sense of responsibilities among all countries will serve us well as we work to safeguard our fragile

marine environment.” Delivering a keynote address at the event, the Director-General/Chief Executive National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) Sir Peter Idabor hinted that the concerns over the vulnerability of the environment to negative impacts arising from oil spill incidents is real. He opined that as a result of such unfortunate spill incidents and the challenges the world had in responding to them should serve as a reminder that no effort and resources should be considered as sufficient in oil spill management. Sir Idabor disclosed that NOSDRA as the focal agency for oil spill management in the country has participated actively in programmes aimed at ensuring adequate preparedness to oil spills within the West, Central and Southern Africa region, even as he said that the agency, in concert with other stakeholders, contributed to the preparation of the Regional Oil Spill Contingency Plan, Environmental Sensitivity Index Mapping (ESI), Oil Spill Trajectory Modelling as well as the recently-concluded Regional Workshop on the Formulation of Dispersants Use Policy held in Accra, Ghana in June this year.

He further disclosed that in recognition of the current trend of offshore oil exploration and production, NOSDRA and other relevant stakeholders undertook a review of the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan which was activated in July this year. He expressed his optimism that other member countries would also put in place some or all of these numerous measures to ensure that common goals and objectives in the GIWACAF project are achieved. Sir Idabor called on oil firms that have not obtained the ESI maps produced by NOSDRA to procure them from the agency in order to develop their respective tactical/operational maps to aid their oil spill response strategies. Declaring the conference and workshop open, the Minister of Environment Hajia Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafiya commended the organisers for the workshop which she said came at the right time. She pledged the readiness and support of her ministry to such causes geared towards securing our fragile environment. She noted that the conference will be meaningful to the government as it emphasises on exploitation of our natural resources.

Akwa Ibom restates commitment to tourism From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

Economic Development. Uwah said his ministry has also proposed the establishment of a petroleum depot, conducted solid mineral identification and documentation as well as surveillance of exploited sites while efforts would also be made to recycle

waste in the state. The commissioner said the plans, if approved, would reposition the state for greatness, even as he called on the committee to give the proposal urgent attention. The chairman of the committee and Commissioner for Economic Development, Jerry Akpan, lauded the commissioner for his efforts to keep the state clean and urged him

•Secretary to the Lagos State government, Mrs Oluranti Adebule flanked Chairman, Board of Trustee, Lagos State University Alumni, Mr Teju Sonoiki and Vice-President, Mrs Adebosipo Oyekan-Ismaila during the LASU Alumni courtesy visit to the SSG at Alausa, Lagos PHOTO: TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO

not to relent in his efforts sustain the tempo. He promised to look at the proposal with a view to making the state a destination of choice in the Gulf of Guinea. Also, the Ministry of Special Duties led by the Commissioner, Austin Mbeh told the committee that in 2012, his ministry has proposed to develop the air routes of Akwa Ibom International Airport and complete the Ibom Tropicana Entertainment Centre. The commissioner also hinted of plans to develop the water trans-

The board, in 2012, will continue to maintain and renovate 228 secondary schools, improve school sports programmes and engage in capacity building for staff and establish a reference library

port and construct 132 KVA double circuit line from the Independent Power Plant (IPP) sub-station in Eket. The Office of the Secretary to the State Government led by the Permanent Secretary, George Akpabio, said the office would purchase motor vehicles for the smooth operation of the system, monitor and evaluate capital projects, provide capacity building for newly appointed officers and perform activities of the advisory council on prerogative of mercy. The Department of Establishment, led by the Permanent Secretary, Ekereobong Akpan, told the committee that it would seek to develop personnel data base, develop and maintain the civil service training centre, purchase and distribute computers for the centre and the department as well as print statutory records. On its part, the State Secondary Education Board (SSEB) led by the Permanent Secretary, Deaconess Arit Ibanga, said the board, in 2012, will continue to maintain and renovate 228 secondary schools, improve school sports programmes and engage in capacity building for staff and establish a reference library. The chairman of the committee, during separate presentations, commended the respective ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) for taking the event seriously, promising that the team would produce a document that will stand the test of time and help the state to key into the Federal Government’s Vision 20:2020.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

The schemes are meant to provide employment to women and unemployed youths, especially graduates; make agriculture interesting and exciting for the youths who had long abandoned agriculture to the aged in the villages

Akwa Ibom boosts agric

KWA Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio has released N2billion to empower 4,500 women in the core areas of agriculture. This it did not only to reverse the poverty profile of women in the state but also to encourage more people to embrace agriculture as a way of diversifying the state’s revenue sources. As a major oil producing state in Nigeria, the state has had its own share of the largesse from oil and gas. Yet, the shift from the boom days to these days of dwindling resources means that the people must start looking inwards, the state authorities have consisitently argued. The government has also identified areas of the state which can sufficiently produce different food and cash crops. A careful study has revealed that the state’s numerous rivers, creeks and streams can support all-season cultivation and a virile sea food production. From the rice belts of Ikono, Ini and Onna, through the timber areas of Ndon Ebom, IfiaOyong, Use Ikot Amama, through the cocoa belts of Ini, Ikono, Itu, to the oil palm found all over the state, Akwa Ibom can survive and sustain a sound economy that is agriculturally-based. In recent times, there has been a steady and resolute implementation of programmes aimed at reviving the sector.

•Akpabio

ELTA State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan has said his administration will reward peaceful communities in the state by providing more masses-oriented projects for them. Dr. Uduaghan made the promise while inspecting renovation work at the Eku Baptist Hospital in Ethiope East Local Government Area. He assured he will restore its past glory. He also said his administration was committed to ensuring that work at the hospital was completed on time and according to specification. He praised the community for providing a peaceful environment for the re-construction work to move on smoothly saying, “The government will carry out more developmental projects in any

From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

Shortly after he was sworn in for the first tenure as governor in 2007, Akpabio embarked on intensive youth empowerment drive through agriculture, said Senior Special Assistant to Governor Akpabio on Print Media and Research, Usoro I. Usoro. He said the governor’s administration has identified agriculture as an area that could make the difference, and commenced immediate action. The government has also realised that the neglect of this crucial sector has ensured that farming is still at the subsistence level with the farms now peopled by only the old in the villages. To change this situation and revitalise this sector, Akpabio came up with the idea of making agriculture more attractive and exciting to women and youths. This strategic thought led to the establishment of the Integrated Farmers Scheme (IFS) and very recently, Women in Agriculture Empowerment Scheme, in the state. The schemes are meant to provide employment to women and unemployed youths, especially graduates; make agriculture interesting and exciting for the youths who had long abandoned agriculture to the aged in the villages. They are aimed at shoring up the states economy as a cushion to the dwindling petro-resources. Moreover, they are also targeted at making the state self-sufficient in food production as a measure to ensuring food security. To underscore government interest in the success of the scheme, the selection of the participants is painstakingly undertaken to ensure that only those sufficiently self motivated to make a living in the sector are selected. It was devoid of the usual political considerations that have marred similar initiatives in the past. Interested participants who had obtained the necessary forms from their local government areas are subjected to very vigorous screening, to ensure that they meet up with the requirements merely pegged at the school certificate level. The educational requirement was to make sure that those selected can fully undertake the necessary trainings and able to apply the needed modern techniques of farming. So far, more than 3,000 youths have benefitted from the pro-

•Farm

gramme from across the state, while 4,500 women would soon join the ranks of trained self-employed farmers. The training involved all aspects of agriculture. Every participant chooses his areas of interest. The different areas include livestock production, fishery, poultry, goatkeeping, piggery, snail farming, crop production such as cassava, rice, yam, maize, pineapples; cash crop production in cocoa, palm produce, rubber, etc. Resource persons are employed from the academia, the ministry of agriculture and other experts from within and outside Akwa Ibom State. During the period of training, participants are boarded, fed and paid some allowance. They are instructed on farm management, livestock health and animal husbandry. They are also taught by financial experts on issues of investment, cost management and other money and financial management techniques. Tips on soil texture and structure, seedlings, crop types and other ideas that could lead to better crop yield as well as a free business plan are made available to each of the participants.

The state government, after the training, makes available between a quarter and half a million naira soft-loan to each of the participants. The loan with a four-year moratorium period is usually interest-free. To ensure that the loan is not diverted, the schemes’ supervisors traverse the entire state checking land and structures, which must be owned by the participants before they benefit from the loans. Expectedly, Akwa Ibom people are excited about the development. Many even suggest that the nation should borrow the idea from Akpabio and expand it for the general good. An expert, Miss Kate Etiemana, who benefitted from Akpabio’s programme and now owns a farm at Nsukara Offot, said the scheme is capable of making a definite change in the life of the nation. She is into piggery and poultry on her two acre of land. Another participant, Effiong Umoren, whose more than four acre of land in Itu, cultivates pineapples. He lauded the government for the gesture, but lamented the ordeal participants face in the procurement of land and urged the government to consider an upward

review of the money. The effect of this wonderful scheme will become apparent in a few years. The impact will not only be noticed in the availability of food to feed the increasing population, but in the lives of the participants who have been equipped to make profits and employ other youths in the farms as farm attendants, supervisors and so on. The integrated farmer’s scheme and the women agric empowerment programme are another visionary initiative of Akpabio to gainfully engage the masses of the state in productive ventures. The governor has since assumption of office insisted that his second term would be focused on industrial growth; agric development and general empowerment of the populace. The Speaker of House of Representatioves Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal testified recently when he visited Akwa ibom State that Akpabio’s brand of leadership is unique, productive and impactful. The latest agric schemes, it must be noted, are also put in place to change the face of revenue resource base of the state.

Uduaghan restates commitment to health projects From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

community in the state that is peaceful.” The governor admonished host communities on their responsibility to ensure that any project in their domain runs smoothly without disruption, stressing that it would encourage government to execute more projects in such areas. He called on the community to co-operate and give the necessary support to the PDP family in the area and state. Governor Uduaghan said government has concluded plans to establish and equip a primary

school in the area, adding that the access road to the hospital would also be tarred by the government. He noted that his administration was not only re-constructing

the hospital but was also equipping it with modern medical facilities and medical experts in order to make it a star hospital in the state and country. “Eku Hospital was one of the

Eku Hospital was one of the best hospitals in this country in the past. We are renovating it so as to restore its past glory. The medical facilities to be used are being imported while medical specialists are already on ground in the hospital. More will be employed

best hospitals in this country in the past. We are renovating it so as to restore its past glory. The medical facilities to be used are being imported while medical specialists are already on ground in the hospital. More will be employed,” he said. The governor, who was conducted round the hospital by the project manager of the contracting firm Mr. Adedeji Banjo, urged the firm to ensure that they meet up the stipulated time for the completion of the work. Dr. Uduaghan inspected the female ward, the canteen and hospital walkways as well as the male and children’s wards that are still under renovation.

SHOPPING

THE NATION

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

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

e-mail: janicenkoli@yahoo.com 08033349992 sms only

email:- shopping@thenationonlineng.net

• Lawn lamps

The solar power

In the face of epileptic power supply, many Nigerians are going solar, which could be derived from the sun. JANICE NKOLI IFEME highlights its merits.

Alaba Market moves against piracy Page 42

South Africa: A shopper’s paradise Page 43

A gift to touch someone’s heart Page 44

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

SHOPPING

Solar, the ultimate in power supply F

OR years, the Federal Government has found it difficult to generate adequate power supply in the country. The less than 4,000Mw it generates at the moment is not enough to meet the people’s need. Because of the inadequacy, there are incessant outages, prompting calls by experts on the government to look for alternative sources of power supply. One of the areas government may have to consider is solar and wind energy. Their advantages over the country’s source of power which is hydroelectric (water based) are many and varied. Solar and wind options are renewable as they remove power supply from the realm of the alternative to a source that is inexhaustible. The wind and sun come with freshness and, therefore, generate renewable source of power. A dealer in solar street lamps, Mr Nnamdi Onyema, said with the use of solar lamps, you do not need electricity to lighten your home or office. According to him, simply position the solar panel where it can have access to the sun and it charges your lantern. “Solar energy is one of the simplest energy you could use”, he said. Lending credence to this, Mr Moses Anyanwu, said: “With all this poor power supply in the country, one has to look for alternative sources. Apart from my generator, I use solar lamps and inverters. The generator is easy to use but the noise that comes from it is much, so I prefer to use solar power in place.”

Solar street lamp The solar panel absorbs the sunshine in the daytime to generate power and store in the battery. In the evening, the solar street lamp

will work automatically until the next morning. Its installation and cost is a function of size of lamp heads and its wattage, height of the pole, voltage of battery and size of panel. The price of each ranges from N250,000 to N650,000.

Features High lighting effect (10 times efficiency of incandescent lamp) high luminous efficiency (more than 110LM/W). Long life time (more than 50, 000 hours) It is easy to install, low cost, no power grid facilities and wiring. The lamp can be on and off automatically when connected with the solar panel, battery, solar and controllers organically. Solar street lamps for DC low-voltage products are safe and reliable. But the commercial electricity has the security lighting. The three to five years working cost of the ordinary 25 years using light is equal to solar street lamp which is energy saving, environmental friendly and pollution-free.

•Solar power unit

Garden lamp Solar garden light is an environmentalfriendly product. The use of high –efficient mono-crystal (polycrystalline) silicon solar panel which combines with maintenance – free sealed –type battery and highly efficient energy-saving illumination. Sky Resources has designed intelligent low power control circuit with over-charge /discharge protection and automatic light control program. Its features include reliable performance, safety, energy saving, economic, environmental protection, long working life among others (solar panel with working life of 25 years, batteries can work for more than five years). So it is regarded as a rookie with

• Solar panel promising development. With high capacity battery under sunshine in one day, the lamp can work throughout the night. Even if there are 20 rainy days per month, the light will work well continuously. It is also very convenient for installation and maintenance.

Lawn lamp Solar lawn lamp is powered by the elec-

tricity which comes from solar energy for lighting super brightness, LED as the lighting resource, high luminous, easy to install, good performance, reliability, no need to shop trench line, non-conventional energy consumption as well as long service life. It is mainly used in the green belt of housing estate and industrial area produced by the customer’s demand or drawing.

To some, the Alaba International Market Ojo, Lagos used to harbour fake and pirated products like any other market. To arrest the situation, anti-piracy taskforces have moved into the market to sanitise it, writes TONIA ‘DIYAN.

Alaba Market moves against piracy

HE Alaba International Market, Lagos has been described as the largest electronics market in Africa where one can buy major international brands of electronics and allied products. But the market also stocks many fake and substandard goods. It has over 5,000 shops excluding attachments and sub-shops. According to reports, more than two million people transact business at this market yearly. It is managed by men of integrity, who ensure that no customer is short-changed by any seller. Security is assured and any dissatisfied customer can contact the market taskforce personnel who will readily assist such customer. Communication/radio transceiver, computers, broadcast equipment, financial services, television, videos, household appliances, refrigerators, musical, video games, generators, satellite receiver, general goods and services, security equipment, CDs, VCDs etc, can be found in the market. As large as the market is, one can easily locate any segment within it. It is properly organised with various segments, which make it easy for buyers to get any product. The various segments are; the computer segment, the electronics segment, the musical instrument segment and the accessories segment. Buyers come from as far as Ghana, Chad, Togo, Benin Republic, East Africa, Niger, etc to shop for electronics. Manufactures also ensure that their products are represented in the market. Resellers from all major Nigerian cities come to the market for their supply of electronics and allied products. There is a police station not far from the market, offering additional security for buyers and sellers to do their business in a peaceful environment. Measures have been taken by traders to curb piracy and sale of substandard goods through the anti-piracy taskforce set up with the help of the Alaba International Market Association. The association’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Anayo Zimako, said traders at the

•Electronics Section Electronics Section of the market are ready to be in the forefront of the fight against piracy to enhance intellectual property rights. In his speech, he encouraged shoppers to insist that shop numbers are printed on the receipts of goods bought, to help track their sellers. Emphasising the market as the pride of Africa, Zimako said: “We are a major player in the economy. We do the practical aspects, therefore, we should know which policy will work or not.” “Soon, opportunity to buy products, take them away and test them before paying for them will be given to shoppers. As evidence of transparency, the test-use procedure will benefit shoppers more and help maintain the market’s standard.

The procedure will enhance the opportunity of taking products away to be used before payment is made, just to ascertain the authenticity of products bought. And if such a product is not what a buyer wants, it could be returned to the market where it will be accepted whole heartedly. Calling on the federal and state governments, he urged them to seek the help of the association (Alaba International Market Association) when formulating policies on commerce. He recognised the concern of the state government, praising them for empowering the police to ensure that there is security in the market. He mentioned that the government provides a vehicle to the association for security use and to help maintain law and order in the market.

He expressed hope that the ongoing expansion of the Lagos Badagry Expressway, which connects Lagos to other parts of West Africa, would boost the market activities more after completion. Speaking with The Nation Shopping, Mr Zimako, said: “If we sell to departmental stores on credit and after they make sales, they pay us, then the test-use ideas for consumers would not be a difficult task for us to implement. “The duty of the task force is to identify, eradicate, confiscate and destroy importation and sale of fake and adulterated electronics and electrical products if found in the market as well as prosecute offenders. To this effect, companies whose products are grossly affected should join this market’s enormous task.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

SHOPPING

South Africa: A shopper’s paradise South Africa has many top class shopping malls that make it a shopper’s haven. These malls combine the thrill of shopping with different services, writes JANICE NKOLI IFEME.

• Heritage market in South Africa.

HOPPING has been dubbed by many as a therapy because it is their ultimate way of catching fun. It makes people happy; provides them an escape route from worries. Because of these, shopping has become a favourite pastime for many people across the world. What people enjoy shopping for varies. They may be searching for a great music CD, an item of clothing, a delightful perfume, electronic equipment or the perfect surfboard. Regardless of your interest, you will find something worth buying at most malls or shopping centres in South Africa. The numerous top class shopping malls in South Africa make it a shopper’s haven. These malls combine the thrill of shopping with various services, such as entertainment facilities, restrooms and banking facilities. Besides, the many food and clothing stores available, shoppers will find an ever-increasing number of shops specialising in top quality local items such as jewellery, designer clothing and art. In fact, there are so many things one can see and do at the larger shopping malls in Johannesburg, Durban, Pretoria, Cape Town, Bloemfontein and Port Elizabeth, that shoppers will find they can easily spend many hours milling around without getting bored. Shopping in South Africa is a pleasurable activity. South Africans love to shop and to sell. Large shopping centres are found across the country’s cities and towns, where everything from giant chain stores stock products. These have not forced out the smaller suburban high street shops, or the large flea markets found in major centres. When shopkeepers do not have shops, they take to the streets: hawkers and crafts people ply their wares at traffic intersections, minibus taxi ranks, on major roads and on inner city pavements, where they sell everything from sweets and fruits to elaborate sculptures and home furnishings. Even as you move from the cities into the countryside, the selling does not stop. South Africa’s rural areas are dotted with farm stalls, arts and crafts markets and more. If you are into shopping, South Africa offers so much choice that your credit card could start steaming - especially with the country’s favourable exchange rate.

Buying crafts The first choice would be local arts and crafts. Wire sculptures are a feature of the streets of all South Africa’s cities, but this art is best represented in the Eastern Cape, near the town of Cradock. Here you’ll find windmills up to two metres tall made from wire and scrap, such as food tins and old aerosol cans. These innovative artists also make aeroplanes with working propellers. At craft centres and roadside stalls across the country, you would find fantastic pots, basketware, beadwork, embroidery and carvings. If you are after community arts and crafts, visit the Eskom Due South Craft Route. The site provides a wide view of the arts and crafts in the country. It is also invaluable in providing information to off-the-beaten track places in South Africa.

Fashion and finery South Africa’s sophisticated clothing industry manufactures garments ranging from high fashion to well-made safari clothing and sportswear, all of which are well priced. Its high-fashion designers tend towards a fusion of classical European trends, with some subtle or not-so-subtle African touches - and the odd, totally off-the-wall feature. So, you could go home with something unique. There is no better place to buy the essential safari gear before you head off into the bush. In South Africa, safari is made for farmers and game rangers, who certainly would make their feelings known if it did not make the grade. And, of course, South Africa mines a big chunk of the world’s gold, diamonds and platinum, so it would be a shame not to investigate acquiring a piece designed especially for you. At the Premier Diamond Mine at Cullinan, near Pretoria, you can sit back, sip sparkling wine and gaze out over the mine where the soon-to-be-yours stone was born, while a designer sketches ideas for you.

Flea markets, factory shops If you are not into baubles and bustiers, you will still find plenty to buy. Almost every town has its little craft markets, with the larger city flea markets selling unique and often handmade clothing, crafts, jewellery, ornaments, collectables and deli foods at cut-rate prices. Bruma Market in Johannesburg is reputed to be the biggest in the southern hemisphere. It is enormous and here, you would find all manner of clothes, trinkets - whatever. There is also the Panorama Flea Market in Mulbarton, and B&B’s Hillfox and Rosebank Rooftop markets, both among the largest and oldest markets in the country.

Panorama Flea Market Rosebank in Johannesburg is also home to the African Craft Market, where entrepreneurs from all over the continent sell imported African crafts and fabrics from an innovatively designed indoor market. Rosebank Close by in Parkview there’s Art Africa, a legendary shop and popular tourist stop that’s been selling rare and wonderful African art and crafts for over a decade. Cape Town’s Greenmarket Square is a legend. Here you’ll find handmade clothing, shoes, jewellery and much more. Other craft and flea markets in Cape Town include the Khayelitsha Craft Market, Pan African Market and Waterfront Art & Craft Market. Cape Craft Market Durban in KwaZulu-Natal has the Church Square Market, Fare park market and Victoria Street Market. Then, there are the speciality centres, a cross between shopping malls and craft markets. One of these is the Oriental Plaza in Fordsburg, Johannesburg, where for decades, local Indian trades people have offered real bargains on pretty much anything from hardware to electronics to toys, although the real speciality is clothing and textiles.

Shopping Right with

Dressing to look slim

T is amazing how much people want to look fit and trim. Many people are still bombarding me with questions as to how to shed excess weight and keep trim. More importantly, they want to know what to buy and what one could wear to look slim. We could go a step further to offer some tips. The essence is to know exactly the right thing to go for when you step into the shops. With a little fashion savvy, you can learn to make your clothes work for you in showing off your best features and minimising the not-so-flattering ones. Choose clothing all in one colour to give yourself a long, lean look. Wear black. It gives a look that is especially slimming. Try to avoid shapeless clothing. No one is fooled, and loose clothes often make you appear wider or heavier. Avoid tight clothing that will emphasize your heavy areas. Choose softly tailored pieces that define but do not constrain. Steer clear of horizontal stripes, which make you appear wider, but consider vertical stripes, which make you look longer and leaner. Wear blocks of colour that draw the eye away from less-than-perfect areas. Wear a red shell or royal blue jacket, for example, to draw attention away from your legs. Wear shoulder pads and wide necklines to balance wide hips. Choose pants that have narrow or tapered legs to hide a large midsection. Flat-front pants and side or back zippers will flatter your figure, while pockets, pleats and tight pants will only draw attention to your midsection. E v e r y woman wants to look her best, but it’s a rare woman who is completely happy about her body. If you are overweight or feel uncomfortable about your weight, dressing to look slim may help you feel better about yourself. Use these helpful tips on how to dress to look slim. Things you’ll need: Clothes that fit Dark or neutral coloured clothes Long necklaces Heeled shoes Dress in one colour from head to toe. When you dress in one colour from head to toe, the eyes are more focused on the vertical column of colour than the width of the figure proportions. This will create a slimming look and is known as monochromatic dressing.Wear dark and neutral colours. Avoid wearing light and bright colours and stick to dressing in dark and neutral colours. The lighter and brighter colours appear to advance towards you and create volume.

JANICE NKOLI IFEME Avoid creating more volume to your look, so stick with the dark and neutral colours. Avoid too tight clothes. Wear clothes that fit and flatter your figure, not clothes that draw attention to the wrong places. You will be more comfortable and not so self-conscious in clothes that fit. Choose accessories that flatter your figure. Avoid large belts if your tummy is a problem area because the large belt will draw attention to your tummy. Avoid short necklaces if you have a double chin because it will draw attention to your chin. Longer necklaces will be more flattering. Look for accessories that flatter your figure and do not draw attention to problem areas. Create a layered look. Choose a jacket, sweater, or vest to layer over your blouse or shirt to create a slimmer look. Avoid a shorter jacket and opt for a jacket that is hip length or longer. If you choose to wear a jacket, be sure to wear it unbuttoned so a vertical line at the torso is created, thus resulting in a slimmer look. Wear heeled shoes. With skirts or dress pants, wear at minimum, a small-heeled shoe. The higher the heel is on a shoe, the slimmer you will look. Maintain a positive attitude. Focus on the positive qualities you have, such as your smile, eyes, legs, hair and so on. The goal is to dress to look slim, focus on the positive and cover up the negative. Continue to eat healthy and exercise regularly and learn to love your body the way it is. Wear a jacket over blouses or tops to create a more slimming effect. Keep the jacket unbuttoned to create a slimmer look. Avoid undergarments that bunch or dig into the skin, such as bra straps that are too tight and pinch rolls into the skin.

‘The essence of it is to know exactly the right thing to go for when you step into the shops. With a little fashion savvy, you can learn to make your clothes work for you in showing off your best features and minimising the not-soflattering ones’

Classic accessories

If you only wear suits and shirts, a classic wardrobe can appear to be very boring. This is where accessories come in. They can be as flashy and attention grabbing as you want. Think of the suits and shirts as blank canvases and the accessories as the paint. Women can completely change the look of a classic outfit by wearing a colourful scarf or eye catching piece of jewelry. Men can express their individuality and sense of style with a bold tie or shiny cuff links. Accessories are much easier to change and discard than an expensive tailor made garment.

Write to us, express your views, observations and experiences. Let’s have your comments about shopping. Your comments, questions and answers will be published first Friday of every month. With your full name and occupation, send e-mail to: janicenkoli@yahoo.com SMS - 08033349992

THE NATION FRIDAY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

SHOPPING

A gift to touch someone’s heart Be it your friend, colleague or loved one, you can always select valuable gifts that would melt the heart of the receiver, especially if it comes unexpectedly. JANICE NKOLI IFEME writes. GIFT plays an important role in one’s life. It could meet a need and serve a useful purpose for the recipient while giving joy to the giver. There are wide ranges of beautiful gifts in markets and shops scattered everywhere. Gifts come in different forms and are given based on the need and occasion. They act as a reflection of one’s feelings towards the receiver. Surprise your loved ones with gifts they cannot ignore. A gift is the transfer of some items to a person, to show your love towards him or her. When you are offering or presenting a gift, you do it without expecting any favour in return. The art of exchanging gifts during important festivals and celebration is a culture in Nigeria and the rest of the world. Since the beginning of civilisation, people in one way or the other, are practicing the tradition of offering gifts. During the early age, a man who killed an animal through hunting, would offer it to his friends and neighbours as a token of his love. Both receiver and giver are more united and happy. However, with advancement in technology, the concept of gift offering has taken a different turn. By using innovative ideas, people came out with specific items for different occasions. Vendors of gift materials thought it more beneficial to relate various popular themes with particular sets of gift items. Since every society is a combination of affluent and ordinary people, gift vendors began to design gift packs to suit the varying purchasing capacities of all sections of

society. When different useful items were collected and marked as gift baskets by clever gift vendors, there was a sudden euphoria in the society. With each passing day, new gift baskets were designed with specific names having links to different concepts. Customers have welcomed the new items with enthusiasm. For occasions like Christmas, New Year, birth day, Valentines Day, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day and for many such occasions and celebrations, gift baskets are designed by selecting appropriate items which are relevant to that particular occasion. Encouraged by the tremendous positive response towards gift baskets, many more products are developed by giving enough thought. A gift merchant, popularly called Nikky Lulu observed: “If you are going to meet your friend to show your gratitude towards him for his timely help, you can straightaway buy a basket of ‘inexpensive and cheap thank you gifts. “Similarly, if you are attending an anniversary function or retirement function, carry a beautifully designed basket of ‘anniversary gifts’ or retirement gifts for men and women and impress the gathering. “Instead of going empty handed to show your sympathy towards your friend, hold a basket of “sympathy gifts” in your hand. The message of sympathy placed on the top of the gift basket shows your concern for him. Since babies are having more right for gifts than others, you can carry awesome looking basket of baby gifts and make both the baby and parents happy.

•Ceramic gifts

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

NATION SPORT

Serena to play January tourney in Brisbane S

ERENA Williams, seen here at the 2011 U.S. Open, will join Samantha Stosur, Kim Clijsters, and Maria Sharapova at the event in Brisbane, Australia in January. Williams' move puts both U.S. Open finalists in the field for the tournament in Australia. Samantha Stosur, who was already confirmed for the Brisbane International, beat Williams 6-2, 6-3 to earn her first grand slam title at Flushing Meadows in September. Williams, who counts five Australian Open titles among her 13 Grand Slam wins, will be opening her 2013 season at Brisbane. "Well, I never played in Brisbane and I've never been to Brisbane (but I've) heard great things about it," Williams said in a statement. "It's brand new (for me) so all that is going to be really

exciting and it will help me with my seeding going into the Australian Open too, so that would be good," she added. The Jan. 1-8 Brisbane International, which for several years has served as a warmup for Australian Open later in the month, has been elevated to WTA Premier level. As well as Williams and Stosur, former top-ranked Maria Sharapova, Kim Clijsters and Ana Ivanovic will play in Brisbane. Clijsters, the reigning Australian Open champion, will be returning to the WTA Tour after being sidelined by a torn abdominal muscle that prevented her defending her U.S. Open title this year. Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Haye may regret quitting early —Hatton

AVID Haye should fight on because otherwise he will regret ending his career on a losing note, according to Ricky Hatton. The British Boxing Board of Control revealed on Tuesday that Haye has no intention of renewing his boxing licence, leaving him staring at the prospect of bowing out with a defeat, having been outclassed by Wladimir Klitschko in his most recent battle. However, Vitali Klitschko's manager Bernd Boente claims Haye could return in February or March next year to fight the WBC heavyweight champion - and Hatton, who lost to Manny Pacquiao in his final ring appearance, has urged the Brit to face Vitali. "David Haye should fight on to secure his legacy," Hatton said in the Sun. "He will be the first to admit he is better than his last performance against Wladimir Klitschko. And I have a feeling in my water he might yet give it one last go. "Look at my career. I had a few ding-dongs and a few heavy defeats. I had to drag my a*** off the floor and come back again but David has not

had that gruelling a career. His last fight is how most people will remember him, just as people remember me for mine - getting knocked out by Manny Pacquiao. "For David, it was the night he came second to Klitschko and the manner of his defeat. That is why I believe Haye should fight on, to set the record straight - but I totally respect the decision he has come to. "There are boxers who wish they hadn't boxed on but David appears to be one of the sensible ones. I knew after losing to Pacman that my hunger had gone. There were too many miles on my clock because I'd been fighting for so many years. "You can't knock him for walking away because he has achieved so much. There haven't been many British heavyweights who've won the world title but Haye is one of the most exciting if not THE most exciting. "He reignited the heavyweight division - a big puncher who went for the knockouts. That style was right up my street. All the credit in the world to him for sticking to his guns over his retirement, but come on David, one more time please!"

•Haye

•Serena

Woods in for Chevron challenge

IGER Woods' final tournament of the year is the one he hosts - and only just managed to qualify for. The Chevron World Challenge, taking place December 1 - 4 at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, California, features players from the top 50 in the world, a qualification requirement that, at 49th on the rankings, Woods only just managed to meet when the cutoff point for entries came in late September. Since then, Woods has actually fallen out of the top 50, currently lying in 52nd place. Had the cutoff point come a week or two later, the former world number one would have had to rely on a tournament exemption to qualify for the event he hosts every year and has won four times in the past. The only golf he'll play between now and then is the Australian Open in early November, followed immediately by the Presidents Cup, an event he'll take part in thanks to a wild card pick from captain Fred Couples. Woods announced his Chevron participation and expressed his gratitude to the tournament committee on Tuesday at an exhibition event for fans, the 2011 Field and Putt in Hollywood. "I had (rankings) points rolling off from '09," he said at a news conference on Tuesday. "I had a very good year that year. I won, what, seven times around the world, so all those points are coming off. Unfortunately, I fell quite a bit, and I fell fast. Good news is, by playing next year, I have no points coming off, so I can start rebuilding." Rebuilding is still very much the name of the game for Woods, and has been since late

2009 when his personal problems first became public knowledge. Injury problems have plagued him as well during this time, and he's yet to win again. Woods says he is excited about his upcoming stint in Australia, and getting back into the habit of competing at the higest level. "I'm really looking forward to going down to Australia and playing because now I have that feeling of playing again, not just hitting ball after ball after ball on the range," he said. As for the Chevron, Woods will be up against a strong, mostly American field, featuring the likes of Steve Stricker, Jason Day, Matt Kuchar, Nick Watney, PGA Championship winner Keegan Bradley and FedEx Cup champion Bill Haas. Probably the closest he has come to victory was at the Chevron last year, when an inform Graeme McDowell only just edged ahead of Woods in the dying stages of the final round to take the title. Still, while he may be short of victories of late, Woods definitely isn't short of fans. Hundreds of supporters turned up at the exhibition event in Hollywood on Tuesday to catch a glimpse of the 14-time major champion and watch him put on a lighthearted putting display.

•Woods

Jonathan Neale backs Hamiltontofindform

cLAREN managing director Jonathan Neale has backed Lewis Hamilton to be "firing on all cylinders" next year. The 2008 World Champion has endured a frustrating season and is currently fifth in the drivers' championship. Team-mate Jenson Button, who won in Japan, has finished ahead of Hamilton in each of the last five races. Neale said: "We are very confident that Lewis will be firing on all cylinders again and we are just trying to give him a car to get the job done." Hamilton, 26, has won twice this season but has not been on the podium since winning in Germany back in July. Neale admitted that his driver had not been at his best in recent races but said he expected him to hit form in 2012. "I'm confident that Lewis wants to be here next year and we want Lewis to be here next year," Neale added. "I'm under no illusions, any driver wants to be in a team that can win but consistently at McLaren we have shown that we can do that. "We are disappointed not to win the World Championship this year but we have put up a good fight. "We have shown that Red Bull are beatable and we have just got to work harder.

"In Lewis's last few races he hasn't had the results that he wanted. Hamilton has been on the podium just four times in 15 races this season. That's his poorest run since he entered the sport in 2007 "We can all turn around and say 'where's Lewis?' but the reality is he is a really quick driver who gives everything. "He doesn't like to be rolling around in fourth and fifth, that's not where Lewis Hamilton's heart is and that's not where we want him either. "Lewis has some stuff to learn and can get better but the same goes for me. I am twice Lewis's age and I am far from the finished article. "We are in this to win races and that is our ambition in Korea and beyond." Sebastian Vettel won his second title in Suzuka and with four races of the campaign remaining Neale is already concentrating on the car for 2012. "Inevitably we are shifting our focus to 2012 but we want our cake and eat it," he said. "Clearly the biggest change for next year is the reinterpretation of the exhaust rules but anything we can invent for next year's car that looks exciting we will bring forward as soon as we can."

•Lewis Hamilton

Cricket star holds Blackpool golf day

ORMER England cricket ace Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff, swapped his bat for golf clubs when he teed off at the Blackpool De Vere Village Golf Club. The now retired star took up the sport seven months ago and, yesterday, showcased his new found skills to raise cash for Children’s charity The Variety Club. With a handicap of 18 – and a score of 89 – he was pleased with his performance as he played 18 holes at the East Park Drive hotel. He said: “It’s been great to practise my golf and raise

money for a fantastic charity here in Blackpool. “I played OK, some of my shots were terrible, but the green is in a really good condition even though there’s been a lot of rain. “I’d like to get better at golf, I need more time to practise but have been so busy.” The star has recently moved back from Dubai with his family to a new luxury home in Surrey. But he says he will always be a Lancashire lad at heart. The 33-year-old said: “I love coming up to Blackpool, I know the place well. It’s like coming back home for me.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

NATION SPORT No Tevez talks –Marotta JUVENTUS general director Giuseppe Marotta has denied reports that his club have started negotiations to sign unsettled Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez. The Argentina international looks set to leave City in January after allegedly refusing to appear as a substitute against Bayern Munich last month. Tevez has been linked in recent months with a move to Serie A, with Juve and Inter Milan among the clubs reportedly keen to acquire the 27-year-old's services, but Marotta on Wednesday played down any link with his club. "It's normal to talk about players when it comes to Juventus," said Marotta to Gazzetta dello Sport. "But we have not started negotiations to sign Tevez." He added: "We have a squad that meets our needs and we will evaluate week by week if we are lacking something. "We are not the ones to discover Tevez. "He is a great player and we are a great club so it's normal that there is a link, but to say that we are negotiating is a different matter." Tevez is under contract with City until June 2014.

McLeish defends strict rules

Arshavin concedes poor form A

•Marotta

NDREI ARSHAVIN admits the Arsenal fans have every right to criticise him as he bids to reclaim his place in the Gunners' starting XI, having fallen out of favour with Arsene Wenger. Samir Nasri kept Arshavin out of the Arsenal team for large parts of last season and, following Nasri's exit, his left-sided attacking berth has been filled by summer signing Gervinho.

“I was surprised they didn’t accept £40m”

ORMER Chelsea boss Ruud Gullit has urged the Stamford Bridge club to try once-more to sign Luka Modric from Tottenham come the January transferwindow. Andre Villas Boas’ men had at least three bids for the Croatian midfielder rejected by Spurs chairman Daniel Levy over the summer, with a deadline day offer of £40 million knocked back by the White Hart Lane outfit. Despite this, and Modric‘s willingness to continue to play for Harry Redknapp’s team despite the speculation, the Dutch coach feels another attempt should be made to pry the playmaker away from Spurs come the new year. “The player Chelsea still need, for me, is Modric,” Gullit told Mirror

Football. “They have great players all around the pitch but he has something Chelsea doesn’t have at the moment. He is creative and dominates the passing game in the midfield – he could be like Xavi or Iniesta are to Barcelona. “I was surprised Tottenham didn’t accept £40m because they are known to sell their best players for good offers. I think Chelsea will try to sign Modric again in January and maybe this time they will get him,” he concluded. Harry Redknapp has previously stated that Modric is pivotal in Spurs’ development as a team, and the North London side are reportedly set to offer the Eastern European a pay rise to keep his suitors at bay.

•Arshavin

The Russia international has been the subject of censure from Arsenal supporters frustrated at the club's disappointing start to the season, with four defeats in their opening seven Premier League matches. Arshavin, 30, is out of contract next summer and has been linked with a move back to Russia - but he is vowing to fight for Arsenal for as long as he remains at the club.

"[Fans] should expect more from me, of course," Arshavin told Arsenal Player. "They should expect some more tricks, goals and unbelievable passes. To be honest I am still expecting more from me as well. But believe me, I do everything I can do. "I just have to give everything I can at the moment, just on the pitch. I want to score more goals and bring my team to the title."

Nasri: We need experience to compete with the best teams

ANCHESTER CITY midfielder Samir Nasri has voiced his opinion that all the France national side needs to compete with the big teams at Euro 2012 is more experience. The French recorded a hard fought 1-1 home draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Tuesday's Euro 2012 Group D qualifier to book a ticket for next year's tournament in Poland and Ukraine, and while Nasri believes that having more knowhow would benefit his side, he is positive the side has more than enough quality to compete with other top nations. "All we need to compete with the top teams is a bit more experience and some more games together," Nasri told Goal.com. "We have plenty of quality. France are the nation with

STON VILLA manager Alex McLeish has defended the club's policy of requesting players live within a 30-mile radius to the training ground. Any new contracts or contracts extensions will have inserted a clause the player must adhere to. Former manager Gerard Houllier tried the idea, with limited success, but McLeish is hoping the new policy catches on. “We want them within an hour of the training ground,” he said. “For me it’s a no-brainer because if you’re going to travel over an hour to two hours in the morning in heavy traffic, that’s stressful. “It’s better to just get out of your bed, travel 20 minutes to the training ground and Bob’s your uncle. There are logistical issues that are going to take time and we still don’t have everybody in the system as yet. “I’ve not said they have got to do it overnight but I want them to be thinking about getting it done.” The Scot introduced the rule while at Birmingham City and Rangers and admits it take time to be fully integrated. “When you’ve got different rules before it makes it much more difficult to change them," he added. “But most of the guys are now in with the thinking. “With Luke Young it was a difficult because of his family situation. “Last season he wasn’t in the plans and he moved his family back to London, now to tell him to move his family back again, I could understand the problems with that. “It will take time to get it fully integrated.”

the second most players in the Champions League. So the other teams don't have too much over us. The only difference with the other teams is that they have played together at a big tournament before. We still have eight months until Euro 2012 starts, though, and it's up to us to make good use of that time." The 24-year-old then looked back at the controversial refereeing decision which awarded France a spot-kick in the match versus Bosnia and Herzegovina after Nasri went to the ground following a challenge from Emir Spahic. "It was 200 percent sure a foul," he said. "I asked for the ball and Marvin Martin set me up. I fought out a duel with Spahic and my leg then got stuck between his legs. I'm pleased with the way things went."

Evra on defensive lapses!

HE trip to Anfield, this Saturday, is always a fixture that the nation looks forward

to. Liverpool are always keen to defeat us, even more so now we stand alone on 19 top flight title wins. Recently, our defending has been a little bit suspect with the opposition

•Evra

creating far more chances than is traditional for a United defence. Obviously, we could point out that Sir Alex Ferguson has been unable, due to injuries, to field a settled unit. But one of those who has been playing, Patrice Evra, has ad his say on the shambles that has seen us carved apart by teams that, usually, have no right to do so, remarking, "I want us to go back to the way we were playing before the win over Chelsea." "We have to defend together, be very compact and not give our opponents too many chances." "I was disappointed after the Chelsea game because they created a lot of chances and if it had finished 4-4 no one could have said anything." "Basel was a bad performance, but we never gave up and got a point." Anfield, with the possibility of Nemanja Vidic returning, gives us the opportunity to put matters right!

Hodgson has no Jones concerns

•Nasri

WITH Steven Reid likely to miss the Wolves clash, Billy Jones could be in line for his Premiership debut and Hodgson isn't worried that he's not ready. Speaking to wba.co.uk Roy Hodgson said he had every faith that Billy was ready to step up to the Premiership stage if called upon. 'It will open the door for Billy, he is ready and we believe in him. Of all our signings this year, I believe Dawson and Jones will go on to be very big players for the club.' Jones will no doubt be hoping Reid doesn't make the game so he can get started properly and start impressing. Big things are expected from the 24 year old.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

NATION SPORT

Revealed: The secrets of English football's child-catchers A

chauffeur opens the door of a sleek, black limousine and a 15year-old boy in a club tracksuit jumps out. Two hours later he has finished training, showered and changed, and is in the back seat on the way to his parents’ home in south London. This is the power game being played by agents in 2011, muscling in on top young talent with increasingly elaborate and daring ploys to secure their signatures. Lurking: Agents are targeting players of younger and younger ages Others are more cynical, standing at the training ground gates to offer impressionable academy recruits cold, hard cash or a smart watch to flash in front of his team-mates. One leading agent today admits immoral practices are ‘rife’, a chairman compares it to ‘slavery’, a coach claims players are brainwashed to believe they are ‘the next Messi’ and one father accuses agents of being ‘shady’. JAMIE REDKNAPP INSIGHT These are the kind of problems being faced by clubs up and down the country as agents employ increasingly desperate measures to make a mint from the game.

According to FIFA there are 450 agents licensed by the FA, but it is generally accepted that there are just as many working legitimately for law firms and the same again operating outside the system. The shadowy characters working outside the rules are the scourge of football, a source of frustration to the passionate employees of clubs who spend £1million a year or more developing a diminishing talent pool. Crystal Palace operate one of the most successful youth projects in English football, yet they face a constant battle against the predators who lurk at the end of the driveway to their Beckenham training centre. ‘Players are vulnerable at an early age and the access to youngsters disturbs me,’ admitted Palace co-chairman Steve Parish. ‘It’s like slavery or child trafficking. I’ve had agents come into my office to tell me they are taking one of my players, who has lived in south London all his life, to Benfica because the compensation is less and the rules on agents are less stringent. ‘They put families under their spell and engineer situations to get them out of the country.

These are the problems we have to face. ‘As a club we have healthy relationships with a lot of agents, but some of the things we have to deal with is incredible. At Palace we have knowledge of watches and cash being offered to players and their families and in one case we had to put a stop to a young player being driven into training by his prospective agent.’ Player trading is still big business, with £80million spent on agents’ fees across all four divisions, according to Deloitte’s annual review of football finance. The best in the business can expect to earn between £700,000-£1m a year, creaming off commissions for moving the best talent around the top clubs in Europe. Tim Sherwood, now assistant first-team coach at Tottenham, said: ‘Far too many agents claim they can open this door and that door, telling their players that they are going to be the next Messi. It’s frustrating for coaches because we then have to deal with and manage those expectations. Frustrations: Tottenham coach Tim Sherwood laments the false promises of agents ‘My first agent was Eric Hall

•Young players are often told by agents they could be 'the next Messi' and I never once let him talk to me about my football — the best people for that are the coaches. I told my agent what I wanted and he went away to get it for me if he could and that’s the way it should be.’ The competition is fierce and the stampede to reach young talent at an all-time high. It is not uncommon for the parents of academy recruits to meet up to 20 agents, inviting them into their homes to listen to their sales pitches over endless cups of tea. Adam Pearson, head of football operations at Hull City, said: ‘I’ve noticed over the past few years that agents’ methods are becoming increasingly extravagant. ‘Aside from the usual stories about inducements, a lot of agents employ “runners”, leg men to do their work by getting to the players through new social media such as Twitter and Facebook. ‘Some agents appear fixated on youth-team football, but our head of youth, Billy Russell, tries to shield them as much as possible. ‘We want our senior players to provide the guidance for them as they develop their careers.’ Chelsea and Manchester United are among those taking action at the top of the game,

protecting their players from the menace within. They will not allow an agent into an academy fixture unless they have been invited, but some of the more unscrupulous characters adopt cunning methods to convince players they can be superstars. Last month Andy Carroll’s former agent Peter Harrison admitted he had bought young players cars as a sweetener, claiming it was a ‘business decision’. Mick Brown, the stepfather of Tottenham midfielder John Bostock, said: ‘A lot of agents make a lot of promises that they cannot fulfil and they will say anything to try to convince you. Some of them are very shady, but we are very happy with the direction John has taken now.’ Chelsea’s respected academy director, Neil Bath, will not talk to a player’s agent until his credentials have been verified with club secretary Dave Barnard and the player’s parents. Base Soccer’s head of recruitment Eric Walters has been playing it straight for years, ultra-professional in his dealings with clubs and honest in his evaluation of a player’s potential when he sits down with his parents. Walters is high-end, representing Ashley Young, Bobby Zamora and Steve

Sidwell, but he is often asked to assess a promising player as part of Base’s strategy. He said: ‘When agents lie, embellish and exaggerate about one of their players it’s a surefire way to lose a client. Inducing players or offering cash to their parents often happens when an agent does not have a track record in the game — his only weapon is money. ‘That kind of practice is rife among one-man bands, but it’s not something you will encounter at an established, professional agency. ‘Part of the problem in the game is the parents of these boys read papers and watch TV believing everyone is earning £200,000 a week and that their son should be, too. Their heads can be turned. Parents will say the inducements don’t happen, but they do.’ Base, SEM, First Artist and James Grant are among the most powerful agencies in football, boasting talent rosters with some of the biggest names in the game. They have a track record in player development, but some agents convince players they will be on the fast-track to success if they sign on the dotted line. After that, it often ends in tears.

•Shady: The stepfather of John Bostock reveals he was lied to by agents

•Lurking: Agents are targeting players of younger and younger ages

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

EQUITIES

NSE delists Intercontinental as market spirals downward

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 13-10-11 2ND-TIER SECURITIES AGRICULTURE/AGRO-ALLIED Company Name PRESCO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 12 7.33 106,769 780,092.57 12 106,769 780,092.57 AIR SERVICES

Company Name AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COM PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 2 1.95 7,000 13,110.00 63 5.80 275,348 1,595,129.65 65 282,348 1,608,239.65

AUTOMOBILE & TYRE Company Name DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC R. T. BRISCOE (NIGERIA) PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1 0.50 500,000 250,000.00 18 1.70 202,679 342,198.10 19 702,679 592,198.10

ACCESS BANK PLC DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK NIGERIA PLC FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC FIDELITY BANK PLC FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA PLC GTBANK PLC STANBIC IBTC BANK PLC SKYE BANK PLC. STERLING BANK PLC UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC. UNITYBANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC ZENITH BANK PLC Sector Totals

92 51 38 21 70 633 629 25 51 17 136 3 21 434 2,221

GUINNESS NIGERIA PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC NIGERIAN BREWERIES PLC Sector Totals

77 3 191 271

BANKING 4.94 3.39 2.34 4.00 1.76 9.00 12.10 9.20 4.69 1.34 3.76 0.66 0.69 11.70

20,491,983 2,169,709 919,096 171,621 5,676,390 38,449,671 30,617,579 841,051 1,787,625 411,877 4,713,009 529,180 1,711,814 22,102,292 130,592,897

101,255,517.21 7,065,818.15 2,130,604.37 682,949.84 9,635,240.80 343,765,895.21 372,656,783.18 7,736,235.60 8,203,478.83 553,374.18 17,768,992.98 349,258.80 1,181,250.66 261,095,694.18 1,134,081,093.99

734,373 9,500 2,233,830 2,977,703

149,996,815.37 52,060.00 191,175,041.53 341,223,916.90

359,623 642,200 39,830 1,921,388 2,963,041

5,351,471.59 4,027,034.00 3,785,616.24 76,022,493.50 89,186,615.33

45,949 65,949 500 1,103,123 10,000 1,000 1,226,521

408,946.10 1,314,433.10 545.00 10,490,699.73 7,100.00 4,860.00 12,226,583.93

BREWERIES 205.00 5.76 85.01

BUILDING MATERIALS ASHAKA CEMENT PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTHERN NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC LAFARGE WAPCO PLC Sector Totals

31 19 16 21 87

14.65 6.27 96.00 40.00

CHEMICAL & PAINTS BERGER PAINTS NIGERIA PLC 10 CHEMICAL AND ALLIED PRODUCTS PLC 16 DN MEYER PLC 1 NIGERIAN-GERMAN CHEMICALS PLC 3 PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES Plc 1 PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIG PLC 1 Sector Totals 32

9.36 19.90 1.09 9.51 0.71 5.11

COMMERCIAL/SERVICES RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Sector Totals

14 14

2.23

432,055 432,055

1 1

3.25

1,000 1,000

3,090.00 3,090.00

CONGLOMERATES A. G. LEVENTIS (NIGERIA) PLC PZ CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC SCOA NIGERIA PLC TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIG Plc UAC OF NIGERIA PLC UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

1 33 1 34 84 43 196

1.90 30.55 6.11 0.73 29.80 27.00

8,000 143,081 10,000 8,635,800 900,653 3,321,822 13,019,356

14,480.00 4,196,263.69 58,100.00 6,305,034.00 26,914,125.83 89,665,558.89 127,153,562.41

CONSTRUCTION JULIUS BERGER NIGERIA PLC MULTIVERSE PLC ROADS NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

9 1 3 13

44.81 0.50 5.63

156,200 1,050,000 41,000 1,247,200

7,001,714.28 525,000.00 242,310.00 7,769,024.28

ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY CUTIX PLC Sector Totals

8 8

1.90

73,559 73,559

138,511.30 138,511.30

FOOD/BEVERAGES & TOBACCO 7-UP BOTTLING CO. PLC CADBURY NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIGERIA PLC HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NATIONAL SALT COMPANY NIGERIA PLC NESTLE NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

8 25 82 44 88 8 21 133 409

48.00 14.00 6.49 6.65 57.00 2.85 3.99 401.00

56,696 125,886 463,433 4,516,651 2,592,337 102,166 345,438 771,568 8,974,175

2,585,616.00 1,741,070.02 2,971,037.86 30,547,710.80 151,290,032.66 294,973.10 1,376,814.42 309,160,928.35 499,968,183.21

HEALTHCARE Company Name EKOCORP PLC EVANS MEDICALPLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXOSMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC UNION DIAGNOSTIC & CLINICAL SERVS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 2 5 10 16 5 1 40

Quotation(N) 5.31 0.90 1.04 27.00 2.99 1.23 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 800 4,040.00 2,384 2,113.60 400,150 416,163.50 74,766 2,008,714.72 161,601 460,614.95 137,560 164,936.20 10,000 5,000.00 787,261 3,061,582.97

HOTEL & TOURISM Company Name CAPITAL HOTEL PLC IKEJA HOTEL PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 2 7.50 1,000 7,400.00 10 2.16 487,018 1,051,958.88 12 488,018 1,059,358.88 INDUSTRIAL/DOMESTIC PRODUCTS

Company Name B. O. C. GASES NIGERIA PLC VITAFOAM NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1 6.95 12,791 89,664.91 12 5.70 126,647 728,029.70 13 139,438 817,694.61

Company Name AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INSURANCE PLC GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC GUARANTY TRUST ASSURANCE PLC INTL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. PRESTIGE ASSURANCE PLC. STACO INSURANCE PLC STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC

No of Deals 42 6 7 4 30 1 2 3 1 8

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

from N6.328 trillion to N6.279 trillion, indicating a loss of 0.77 per cent. The market remained overtly bearish with declines in other key sectoral indices including the NSE 30 Index, the NSE Banking Index, the NSE Food and Beverages Index and the NSE Insurance Index. The NSE Oil and Gas Index however, remained flat. For every three stocks that recorded price changes, two closed on the negative and the downtrend was further exacerbated by the several highly capitalised stocks on the losing streak. Julius Berger Nigeria, which this week announced the decision of its foreign core investor to reduce its shareholding, dropped by N2.35 to close at N44.81 per share. UAC of Nigeria trailed with a loss of N1.55 to close at N29.80. Flour Mills of Nigeria dropped by N1.51 to close at N57. Ashaka Cement lost 75 kobo to close at N14.65. NigerianGerman Chemical and Unilever Nigeria lost 50 kobo each to close at N9.51 and N27 respectively. Cement Company of Northern Nigeria lost 33 kobo to close at N6.27. Zenith Bank declined by 30 kobo to close at

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 13-10-11 UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

2 106

C&I LEASING PLC Sector Totals

5 5

JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Sector Totals

92 92

AFROMEDIA PLC Sector Totals

2 2

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 2,118,682 1,261,937.84 4,551,270 4,706,833.50 33,693 77,056.40 151,500 77,810.00 5,237,840 5,960,765.70 38,889 19,444.50 305,880 152,940.00 5,273 7,336.04 1,000 500.00 80,000 40,000.00

0.50

56,000 12,580,027

28,000.00 12,332,623.98

204,193 204,193

183,773.70 183,773.70

LEASING 0.90 MARITIME 0.79

4,297,797 4,297,797

0.50

43,536 43,536

3,276,446.20 3,276,446.20

MEDIA 21,768.00 21,768.00

MORTGAGE COMPANIES RESORT SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC Sector Totals

1 1

0.50

1,000 1,000

500.00

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC Sector Totals

5 1 6

0.87 0.50

140,000 10,492 150,492

121,800.00 5,246.00 127,046.00

567,009 400 567,409

1,023,735.40 1,112.00 1,024,847.40

PACKAGING NIGERIAN BAG MANUFACTURING COM PLC 53 STUDIO PRESS (NIGERIA) PLC. 1 Sector Totals 54

1.90 2.92

PETROLEUM(MARKETING) MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC CONOIL PLC ETERNA OIL & GAS PLC. FORTE OIL PLC MOBIL OIL NIGERIA PLC. OANDO PLC TOTAL NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

6 15 4 20 15 168 12 240

63.86 35.00 4.81 9.12 140.00 25.00 200.00

6,772 11,080 18,440 52,261 38,582 4,167,171 102,017 4,396,323

410,857.24 372,385.00 84,270.80 473,148.19 5,132,005.20 104,199,093.64 19,390,223.00 130,061,983.07

PRINTING & PUBLISHING ACADEMY PRESS PLC. LONGMAN NIGERIA PLC UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC Sector Totals

1 1 11 13

UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. PLC Sector Totals

15 15

2.47 4.65 3.80

1,000 1,000 139,478 141,478

2,350.00 4,420.00 524,649.52 531,419.52

188,729 188,729

2,440,079.22 2,440,079.22

REAL ESTATE 13.45

ROAD TRANSPORTATION Company Name ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded 2 0.50 4,500 2 4,500

UNITED NIGERIAN TEXTILES PLC Sector Totals

1 1

INSURANCE Quotation(N) 0.58 1.04 2.30 0.54 1.17 0.50 0.50 1.43 0.50 0.50

N11.70. Access Bank fell by 26 kobo to N4.94 while Vitafoam Nigeria lost 25 kobo to close at N5.70 per share. Meanwhile, Lafarge Wapco Cement and Nestle Nigeria recorded the highest gain of 50 kobo each to close at N40 and N401 respectively. Dangote Flour Mills gained 14 kobo to close at N6.49. Diamond Bank added 11 kobo to close at N3.39. The trio of Neimeth Nigeria, RT Briscoe and Nigerian Bag Manufacturing Company gained 5.0 kobo each to close at N1.23, N1.70 and N1.90 respectively. Goldlink Insurance gathered 2.0 kobo to 54 kobo while Japaul Oil and Maritime Services and Guaranty Trust Assurance inched up by one kobo to close at 79 kobo and N1.17 per share. Total turnover stood at 186.62 million shares valued at N2.37 billion in 3,964 deals. Banking was the most active sector, by turnover volume, with 130.59 million shares. Conglomerates sector trailed with 13.01 million shares while insurance sector ranked third with 12.58 million shares. The three most active stocks were First Bank of Nigeria with 38.44 million shares, Guaranty Trust Bank–30.61 million shares and Zenith Bank with 22.10 million shares.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE

972,833.14 972,833.14

COMPUTER & OFFICE EQUIPMENT TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

HE Nigerian Stock Ex change (NSE) yester day delisted Intercontinental Bank from the Daily Official List, the second stock to be delisted as a result of the business combinations reached by banks two weeks ago. Shareholders of Intercontinental Bank had consented to acquisition of the bank by Access Bank, which would lead to merger of the two banks. The NSE had earlier delisted Oceanic Bank International, which had also been acquired by Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI). Meanwhile, the Nigerian stock market spiraled to a new low yesterday as the rampaging bears bit off N49 billion from investors’ value, sending the year-todate loss to about 20.65 per cent. With upsurge in open sale orders, the bears had broke through the 20,000 psychological and technical defence line of the stock market on Wednesday and sustained the rout yesterday with declines in benchmark indices. The All Share Index (ASI) slumped to 19,812.33 from its opening index of 19,925.97 points, representing a drop of 0.57 per cent. Aggregate market capitalisation of all equities also nosed down

Value of Shares (N) 2,250.00 2,250.00

TEXTILES 0.93

1,223 1,223

1,186.31 1,186.31

THE FOREIGN LISTINGS Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded ECOBNK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED 11 11.80 25,217 Sector Totals 11 25,217 Overall Totals

3,961

186,615,944

Value of Shares (N) 286,466.09 286,466.09 2,370,932,970.76

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

MONEY LINK

IFRS: Banks appoint consultants to fast-track processes

EPOSIT Money Banks (DMBs) are appointing con sultants to help them tidy up loose ends to migrate from local standards to the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) by January 2012. Chairman, IFRS Interpretations Committee, at the International Accounting Standard Board (IASB), Bob Garnett disclosed this at a conference in Lagos. He explained that the banks have

By Collins Nweze

to step up their processes to ensure compliance because of adverse implications of default. He said that accounting has become less risky than it was before the introduction of IFRS. He explained that the global knowledge and expertise reduces the risks of getting things wrong. The banks are also putting other finishing touches, including cost of migration.

foreign direct investment (FDI) is attracted into the economy. Garnett said that Nigeria ranked 34th among 142 largest countries in the world. He said that Nigeria needs to pull more levers to improve its global competitiveness. He explained that aside infrastructure development, IFRS implementation can affect positively the quality of reporting in the financial system. He said that IFRS does not stop fraud and malpractices in the system, but represents a significant improvement by the firm to abide by international laws.

He said the adoption of the IFRS will further enhance transparency and facilitate the restoration of investors’ confidence in the on-going efforts to sanitise and rebuild the financial services sector. Garnett stated that the adoption of the IFRS will enhance transparency and improve reporting standards that would help prevent or reduce systemic risks. He said that investment in infrastructure is also key in ensuring that

Standard Bank reaffirms confidence in Nigeria

TANDARD Bank, holding company of Stanbic IBTC Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to continuous investment in Nigeria. Rising yestsrday from its weeklong Group Board Meeting held in Lagos, its Chairman Mr. Fred Phaswana, stated that Nigeria’s potential for growth and development is immense. “Nigeria’s economic vibrancy is impressive, reflected in the economic growth Nigeria continues to record.” Holding its global board meeting alongside its strategy deliberations in Nigeria, is a strong reflection of how vital the country is to the bank,” he said.

Chief Executive Officer, Standard Bank Group, Mr. Jacko Maree said he was proud of its Nigerian subsidiary, Stanbic IBTC Bank and very happy with its performance.” The group, he said, would like to grow even bigger in the country and would continue to capitalise on the enormous opportunities therein. Standard Bank, said Maree, inherited a very strong team when they acquired the majority shareholding of the local bank. That team has performed very well and earned utmost confidence of the group. Interestingly said Maree, Standard Bank Group has recently refined its business strategy to be more focussed

on Africa. “Going forward, we will aggressively seek and strive to have our markets benefit from opportunities domestically as well as opportunities in the BRIC economies: Brazil, Russia, India and China,” he said. Standard Bank will also vigorously strive to connect African markets to opportunities in key economies and fastgrowth markets across the world. In addition to its renewed focus on Africa, said Maree, Standard Bank’s partnership with Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, ICBC, the world’s largest bank by market capitalisation, represents evidence of its commitment to connecting Nigeria and other emerging markets with fast-growth markets across the world.

Access Bank, Global Funds partner to train 2,000 SMEs

CCESS Bank has shown its readiness to partner with Friends of the Global Fund Africa (Friends Africa) in the designing and implementing safe workplace policy. The bank has said in a statement it will commit $1 million, out of the projected $5 million, into the project that will involve training the selected Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) will be drawn from Nigeria, Ghana, Zambia and Rwanda. Head Corporate Social Responsibility, Access Bank, Omobolanle Babatunde said the bank had last year, trained 250 SMEs, about 65 per cent of whom, have started implementing a workplace policy to enhance the wellbeing of their workforce. “Together we worked on raising $5 million over a period of three months, from the African private sector, in support of the Global Fund for the fight against AIDS, TB and Malaria. Access Bank was the largest single contributor, as the Bank donated $1 million for this project

Keystone inaugurates hostel for UNIBEN

EYSTONE Bank Ltd has com missioned a 108-room stu dents hostel at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) in furtherance of its corporate social responsibility programme and desire to provide public infrastructure. The bank’s chief executive, Mr. Oti Ikomi, noted that the bank decided to build the hostel to provide useful and functional boarding facility that students will benefit from in terms of making their stay

on the campus comfortable while living within a secure environment and also motivated by the fact that giving back to the society is a worthy cause. The bank’s CEO who was accompanied by two his executive directors, Mrs. Yvonne Isichei, Retail Banking Group and Mr. Shehu Abubakar, Public Sector Group, stated that the bank was positioning itself to make a distinctive mark in the financial services sec-

tor by providing extremely pleasurable and stress-free banking services. According to him, Keystone Bank operates on an excellent information technology platform that ensures that customers have a satisfying and experiential banking encounter whether they choose to do business with the bank physically through its over 200 branches or online through its robust e-banking platform.

FGN BONDS Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount

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 28-04-2011 “ 14-04-2011

GAINERS AS AT 13-10-11 SYMBOL

O/PRICE

NEIMETH GOLDINSURE DIAMONDBNK RTBRISCOE BAGCO DANGFLOUR JAPAULOIL WAPCO GTASSURE SKYEBANK NESTLE

1.18 0.52 3.28 1.65 1.85 6.35 0.78 39.50 1.16 4.68 400.50

C/PRICE

1.23 0.54 3.39 1.70 1.90 6.49 0.79 40.00 1.17 4.69 401.00

CHANGE

0.05 0.02 0.11 0.05 0.05 0.14 0.01 0.50 0.01 0.01 0.50

LOSER AS AT 13-10-11 SYMBOL

CCNN HONYFLOUR ACCESS NIG-GERMAN JBERGER STERLNBANK UACN ASHAKACEM IKEJAHOTEL UBA FIDSON

O/PRICE

6.60 3.00 5.20 10.01 47.16 1.41 31.35 15.40 2.27 3.95 1.09

Amount

Offered ($) Demanded ($)

MANAGED FUNDS

OBB Rate Call Rate

tagged Gift from Africa campaign,” she said. She said that workplace creates good platform to address health issues as employees can influence their colleague’s perception about germane health issues. Babatunde said the 2011 programme will enable the bank train the selected SMEs and equip employees with awareness about health issues. The objective of the pragramme, she said, will increase the number of African private sector firms implementing workplace health policies. It will also help strengthen existing workplace policies and programmes in SMEs in Africa. The bank also plans to identify all key stakeholders, determine selection criteria for SMEs to be involved in the programme, develop training manuals and materials while initial contact with select private sector firms will be through their chief executive officers and human resources managers. Also, friends of Africa will monitor and evaluate the programme at set intervals to measure their impacts.

DATA BANK

Tenor

NIDF NESF

“IFRS does not stop crooks. It is simply an acceptance to adhere to international laws and best practices,” he said. Nigeria’s banks embarked on massive asset growth and capital raising sprees in the wake of a round of consolidation in 2005, which cut the number of financial institutions to 25 and subsequently 24, fiercely competitive firms from 89. But reporting standards have failed to keep pace with the explosive balance sheet growth, much of it involving higher levels of unsecured risk, and analysts say far higher levels of disclosure are needed to restore confidence.

Amount

Exchange

Sold ($)

Rate (N)

Date

450m

452.7m

450m

150.8

08-8-11

250m

313.5m

250m

150.8

03-8-11

400m

443m

400m

150.7

01-8-11

EXHANGE RATE 26-08-11 CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Currency

Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

NGN USD

147.6000

149.7100

150.7100

-2.11

NGN GBP

239.4810

244.0123

245.6422

-2.57

NGN EUR

212.4997

207.9023

209.2910

-1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

Bureau de Change 152.0000 (S/N)

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

Parallel Market

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

NSE CAP Index

NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N)

10-10-11 N6.4126tr 21,106.08

11-10-11 N6.356tr 20,012.07

% Change -0.86% -0.47%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

(S/N)

153.0000

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

Aug ’11

MPR

6.50%

8.75%

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% 9.4%

Offer Price

Bid Price

9.17 1.00 117.91 100.28 0.77 1.02 0.91 1,639.36 8.24 1.39 1.87 7,202.39 193.00

9.08 1.00 117.73 99.71 0.74 1.02 0.90 1,634.12 7.84 1.33 1.80 6,990.76 191.08

ARM AGGRESSIVE KAKAWA GUARANTEED STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND THE LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL BGL SAPPHIRE FUND BGL NUBIAN FUND NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY THE DISCOVERY FUND • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED

C/PRICE

CHANGE

6.27 2.85 4.94 9.51 44.81 1.34 29.80 14.65 2.16 3.76 1.04

0.33 0.15 0.26 0.50 2.35 0.07 1.55 0.75 0.11 0.19 0.05

• STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

Rate (Previous) 24 Aug, 2011 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 26, Aug, 2011 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK Previous

Current

04 July, 2011

07, Aug, 2011

Bank

8.5000

P/Court

8.0833

Movement

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

NEWS

Post -UME divides Senate

HE Senate was yesterday divided over whether or not to outlaw the conduct of Post- Universities Matriculation Examination (Post -UME). Many Senators described Post -UME as a flagrant abuse of the Act setting up universities. others, however, saw the exercise as the only means to sanitised admission into universities. The Senate, however, adopted a motion by Senator Heineken Lokopobiri (Bayelsa West) and 35 others entitled: “Illegal subjection of candidates to examination by universities after the test by JAMB.” The SEnate, however, adopted a resolution mandating its Committee on Education to probe the activities of universities that conduct Post UME. The committee will also asked to probe the failure of Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to conduct credible examination acceptable to universities. Lokpobiri described post -UME examination as illegal,saying it should be stopped. He said JAMB is the authorised body to conduct matriculation examination for entry into universities, polytechnics and colleges of education in the country. The Senator added that JAMB is statutorily responsible for determining matriculation requirements and conducting examinations leading undergraduate admissions and entery to National Diploma and Nigeria Certificate in Education courses. The lawmaker said all universities charge fees and subject candidates to series of tests and interviews which take several days to conclude. The exercise, he said, is a clear violation of the JAMB Act. He said universities that conduct post UME subject young children to avoidable inconveniences and risks. He said the JAMB Register, at a combined technical committee meeting on admissions to degree awarding institutions, National Diploma, Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) and National Innovation Diploma (NIDA), described the Post- UME as unnecessary. Lokpobiri said since JAMB is alive to its responsibility as provided by law, there was no reason to subject candidates to another

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor

round of illegal test. Senator Danti Baba Hammed (Kaduna North) said universities should be made to refund the money they charged for postUME He said: “Our work will not be complete until the universities refund such money. Private universities do not engage in Post- UME. This motion will add value to the society; it will also add money to the pockets of families, who care about education”. He insisted that the concept of Post UME examination is not fair to students and families. Senator Ayogu Eze (Enugu North) described post UME as “a rip off of our people and a rape of the law.” He said universities use Post UME to collect money and sell admissions. Nkechi Nwogu (Abia Central) said the motion is timely. She said: “The illegal subjection of our children and wards to an unnecessary post UME examination as captured in the motion is apt.” But Senator Gobir Ibrahim opposed the motion. Ibrahim urged the Senate to be careful in dabbling into the discussion without thorough examination. He said: “We have been talking about quality education, let us look at the genesis of the Post UME examinations. “The issue is that people have lost confidence in JAMB. Most students score 200 and above in JAMB but score zero in Post -UME. “It is something very fundamental, if it is about fees, it is simple. We can ask them to scrap the fees than to say they should not be tested. “We can also compel JAMB to ensure that the right thing is done “ Deputy Senate President Ekweremmadu, presided over the debate. He said if the people no longer have confidence in JAMB as a body, faculties and departments would one day revolt against the universities and the drift would have implications on the education system.

‘Four million Nigerians have eye problems’

HE Minister of Health, Onyebuchi Chukwu, has said four million Nigerians now have eye problems. He spoke yesterday at a news conference to mark the 2011 World Sight Day. He said one million Nigerians are blind while three million Nigerians are visually impaired, adding that over 80 per cent of the causes of blindness in Nigeria are avoidable. The minister said about 50 per cent of children who become blind before the age of five may not live to celebrate their sixth birthday. Chukwu called for the promotion of eye in the country to attain the Millennium Development Goal targets.

From Augustine Ehikioya and Anne Udeze, Abuja

He said: “Over 80 per cent of the causes of blindness in Nigeria were avoidable. Fifty per cent of avoidable blindness was attributable to cataract, followed by glaucoma (16 per cent), corneal opacity (12 per cent), trachoma (four per cent), optic At-

rophy (three per cent) and refractive error being the major cause of visual impairment. “Blindness affects more women than men; this is related to inequality of opportunity of access to specialised care, and the disproportionate exposure of women to certain binding diseases compared to men.”

Monarch hails Globacom

HE Obi of Onitsha Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe has hailed Globacom for lifting the profile of Onitsha Ofala festival. The Igwe, who spoke in his palace yesterday at the celebration of the Azu Ofala, the second day of the historic Ofala festival, said the company has introduced international dimenA community leader in Anam- sion to the age-long festival. bra State Joel Ifemelunma Okoye is dead. He was the founder/Managing Director of Ifemelunma O help government Group of companies in Enugu. reduce unemployThe member of Enugwu ment and close the Ukwu Community Developskills gap between the acament union (ECDU)provded demia and the industry in roads for the community. the country, the Dangote group has launched its Graduate Engineer Trainee (GET) scheme. The scheme, which begun FORMER Managing Director on Wednesday, is designed and Chief Executive Officer, for fresh engineering graduates from universities and Guinness Nigeria Limited, polytechnics for a one year Maxwell Francis Oteri, is dead. He died on September training programme on ba13 at his home on Ogbunike sic technology, plant operation, ICT and supervisory Street, Lekki Peninsula, skills. Lagos. He was 72.He is The training programme, survived by wife, Tsereje and initiated by Dangote Group, four children.

Community leader dies

The Igwe attributed the change in the ambience of the festival to Globacom’s sponsorship of the event. He thanked the telecommunication outfit for identifying with the people. The monarch urged his subjects to reciprocate Globacom’s gesture by being strong partners to the brand. He prayed for the growth and prosperity of the company.

Dangote launches scheme

Guinness chief dies

is to enable the trainees “become effective line managers. Addressing the trainees at the launch of the scheme, Paramjit Pebby, Chief Human Resource Officer, said the programme would help “develop future leaders of the company for effective succession planning, build business vision, values and ethics into the character and behaviour of its future l;eaders, establish and sustain leadership in the businesses of the Dangote group, as well as train and develop pupil engineers to become team leaders within 12 months.”

•Mr. Tony Ojobo, Director, Public Affairs, Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) and Mr. Dave Imoko, Director, Human Capital and Infrastructure during the 10 th anniversary of Telecommunications Revolution and Eighth Anniversary of the Consumer Parliament at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

Fed Govt advocates gender equality in education T

HE Federal Government yesterday vowed that it would continue to push for gender equality in the country. The 2011 World Teachers Day celebration is a call for equality between male and female teachers and equal access to education by boys and girls. Executive Secretary of the National Commission For Colleges of Education (NCCE), Prof Mohamad Junaid spoke at the NCCE and United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Round table meeting.He sai the country needs to promote equal

From Anne Udeze, Abuja

opportunities for women as school leaders, institutional managers and decision-makers. Junaid said more men should be recruited at early childhood as primary school educators. “Admission requirement is five Ordinary Level credits. There are some pupils that go through the NCE, but they must meet up with the admission requirement before they are admitted into the main NCE pro-

gramme,” he said. According to UNESCO, World Teachers Day shows the appreciation, awareness and understanding displayed for crucial contribution which teacher’s make to development and education. The UNESCO and Education International promoted the day as an opportunity to celebrate educators and seek international standards for the teaching profession. This year’s theme is, ‘’Teachers for Gender Equality’’.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

FORIEGN NEWS Many die as plane crashes in Papua New Guinea A PLANE carrying 32 people has crashed in Papua New Guinea, causing a number of deaths. The Accident Investigation Commission said the Airlines PNG Dash-8 was flying from Lae to Madang when it crashed 20km south of Madang around 5pm (8am GMT). “There were 32 people on board and there are some survivors and some fatalities,” spokesman Sid O’Toole told AFP news agency. Mr O’Toole said there had been “adverse weather around the area at the time”. He told Australia’s ABC News there had been reports of a fire. PNG’s state-owned National Broadcasting Commission carried unconfirmed reports that four people had died in the crash. Most of the passengers on board the twin-propeller plane were believed to be families of local students set to graduate this weekend. Emergency services and a crash investigator were at the scene of the crash, Mr O’Toole said. He said Australian transport accident officials had been asked for assistance.

Johnson-Sirleaf faces run-off in Liberian polls P ARTIAL results in Liberia’s presidential election show Nobel Peace Prize winner Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the incumbent, is likely to face a runoff vote with her nearest rival. She won 44.5% of the votes while rival, former diplomat Winston Tubman garnered 26.5% - neither candidate reaching the 50% threshold for an outright win. Ex-warlord Prince Johnson with 13.5%, making him a potential kingmaker. This is Liberia’s second presidential poll since a civil war ended in 2003. The first preliminary results were based on 195,178 valid votes so far counted, out of 1.8 million registered

voters. An unofficial tally by a media monitoring group of nearly 400,000 votes posted at polling stations suggests a similar outcome. The electoral commission has until 26 October to announce the final results. If no candidate scores an overall majority, a run-off between the two frontrunners will be held early next month. This is the first election organised by Liberia’s National Elections Commission - the previous one was run by the United Nation. But 8,000 UN

peacekeepers were deployed across Liberia, helping the election to unfold in a quiet atmosphere. President Sirleaf, who was first elected in 2005, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize last week - a decision denounced by Mr Tubman and other candidates. Mr Tubman is running under the banner of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) party, with ex-football star George Weah as his running mate. Mr Weah was beaten by Mrs Sirleaf in the 2005 poll. Prince Johnson’s forces infamously filmed the torture

and murder of dictator Samuel Doe in 1990. Mrs Sirleaf had said she would only seek a single term but explained her Uturn by saying she wanted to finish the work she had started. While Mrs Sirleaf is well regarded by the international community, some analysts say she is less popular at home. Her challengers accuse her of not doing enough to improve the lives of ordinary people, who remain among the poorest in the world. Mrs Sirleaf has also been criticised for backing former President Charles Taylor currently on trial at The Hague for alleged war crimes - when he began his rebellion in 1989.

Enquiry into Strauss-Khan sex case dropped FRENCH enquiry into attempted rape claims against exIMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn has been dropped. The prosecutor’s office said the evidence suggested sexual assault - a less serious offence than attempted rape, with a shorter statute of limitations. Writer Tristane Banon had accused Mr Strauss-Kahn of attempted rape in 2003. Her accusation emerged while Mr Strauss-Kahn was accused of rape in New York; that case was later dropped.

Prosecutors said in a statement that “it is clear that, for lack of sufficient proof, a prosecution may not be initiated over the count of attempted rape, but facts that could be described as sexual assault have meanwhile been recognised”. Under French law, the statute of limitations for attempted rape is 10 years, but three years for sexual assault. Ms Banon’s lawyer described the decision as a victory: “[Mr Strauss-Kahn] will have to be satisfied with being an unconvicted sex at-

tacker, protected by the statute of limitations, allowing him to escape criminal prosecution, but not a legitimate suspicion,” lawyer David Koubbi said. The ruling demonstrated “the facts that [Ms Banon] complained of were not ‘imaginary’ contrary to Mr Strauss-Kahn’s claims”, he added. Mr Strauss-Kahn’s lawyer has said the decision means her client has been “completely cleared”. Ms Banon has indicated she may still file a civil suit against Mr Strauss-Kahn. As part of the police in-

quiry, Mr Strauss-Kahn and Ms Banon confronted each other at a Paris police station at the end of September. Mr Strauss-Kahn was previously said to have admitted making “an advance” on Ms Banon, but denied any violence and is suing for slander. He resigned from his job as head of the International Monetary Fund after a New York hotel maid accused him of attempted rape earlier this year. He still faces a civil suit in the US by his alleged victim in New York.

NEWS

Police arrest ‘fake lawyer’ in Lagos

PERATIVES of the Lagos State Command of the Special

Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) have arrested a 30-year-old man, Daniel Gabriel Ganah, for allegedly impersonating a lawyer. Daniel told reporters his journey from impersonation to police detention. He said: “I am from Hong in Adamawa State but reside at Mararaba, Abuja. I was a worker at Fortune Chambers, based at 22 Awolowo Road, Ikeja, Lagos, where I was a Litigation Executive. I resigned and returned to Abuja. I read Law and got a Diploma from the College of

By Jude Isiguzo

Legal Studies, Yola, Adamawa State. The college is affiliated to the University of Maiduguri. “I am an applicant and survive through charge-andbail. I learnt the work when I was a Litigation Officer. I used to go to court when I was a Litigation Officer and was paid N30,000 salary. “My work as a Litigation Officer was to file matters in court, write letters for adjournments or pick a date for my principal in any case in court. “I came to the police headquarters to see a friend and the first place I entered was the State Intelligent Bureau

Day of tributes for Sam Loco

RIENDS of Nigerian ace actor, Sam “Loco” Efe, will today bring together families and admirers of the comedy icon for special tributes to him. Tagged, A Day of Tributes, Reminiscences and Music, the event will hold at the Arts Theatre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State. A statement yesterday by the spokesperson for Friends of Sam Loco, Mr Tunde Laniyan, said the event would enable the late actor’s fans to pay their tributes to “a man of immense talent and passion who electrified audiences with scintillating performances on stage, television and films for over 40 years”. The statement added that the event would give the famous actor’s friends and fans, who would not attend his funeral in Benin next week, the opportunity to honour him. Among the rpogrammes for the event are drama skits, music, dance and comedy and a lecture entitled: Sam Loco: The Lark Who Performed to Our Delight, to be delivered by Mr. Evru Longley, Managing Director, Angels Communication, Lagos. Sam Loco died on August 7. He was 72.

(SIB) office. There, I learnt that a family friend, One Lawal Terap, had a case with SARAP. They introduced me to the officer in charge of SIB. I posed as a lawyer to solicit for his release on bail. “They referred me to SARS. When I got there, a lawyer I had been going to court with as a Litigation Officer, identified me as a lawyer because he did not

know that I was a mere Litigation Officer. “When the investigation police officer suspected me, he took me before the officer in charge of SARS, Abba Kyari. After interrogating me, I confessed and he ordered my detention.” Parading the suspect, the commands’ spokesman, Samuel Jinadu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said the suspect would be charged to court.

•Suspect, Ganah...yesterday

Rajaratnam jailed 11 years for insider trading

FORMER hedgefund manager has been sentenced to 11 years in jail in New York for one of the biggest insider trading cases in American history. Raj Rajaratnam, 54, was also fined $10m (£6.4m). The Galleon Group founder made well over $50m from illegal trades, said the judge at the Manhattan federal court. Sri Lankan-born Rajaratnam was convicted of 14 counts of securities fraud and conspiracy charges in May after a two-month trial. The judge denied Rajaratnam bail and he must report to prison on 28 November. The prosecution had requested he be handed nearly 20 years in prison, but the defence asked for nine years at most. District Judge Richard Holwell disclosed that Rajaratnam has advanced diabetes and needs a kidney transplant, and that this had been taken into consideration in the sentencing. He said Rajaratnam’s “crimes and the scope of his crimes reflect a virus in our business culture that needs to be eradicated”. But the judge also praised Rajaratnam’s philanthropy for victims of the earthquake in Pakistan and the 9/11 attacks. The BBC’s Michelle Fleury, who was in court, says Rajaratnam was expressionless through the sentencing. He stood still and said little during the hearing, for which extra chairs had to be provided to seat all the spectators. Rajaratnam’s family did not attend the sentencing. His lawyers say the defendant has tried to protect his loved ones from the intense media scrutiny the trial has generated. Bear Stearns hedge-fund trader Danielle Chiesi was among those convicted in the same case More than two dozen people have been jailed in the case, with sentences ranging from a few months to 10 years.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

SPORT EXTRA SUPER EAGLES JOB

NFF undecided on Siasia T

HE Technical Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation rose from its meeting on Thursday, deciding to keep mum over the fate of the

Patrick Ngwaogu and Andrew Abah, Abuja embattled Chief Coach of the Super Eagles, Samson Siasia,

however, making two recommendations to the Executive Board of the NFF. The meeting which lasted for two hours thirty minutes, however, came out with

LONDON 2012 OLYMPICS

Minister warns Federations •Only sports with medal prospects will be fielded

HE Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC) Yusuf Suleiman on Wednesday told all the Sporting Federations that the Country would only go to the Olympic Games with those sports that are potential medal grabbers. He said that gone are the days where the country only participate in events for fun. He said that since 1957 when Nigeria started participating in the games, only 2 gold medals have been won till date. Making this revelation the Minister said "we went to the All African Games in Maputo,in some events, we did not win a single medal, and such an event may have qualified for the Olympic games,it would not be out of place if we now sit down here and have an appraisal of the all our Olympic sports, and take a decisive action which would be to the benefit of Nigeria sports. We are no longer going to games for participation, we are working towards increasing our medal hauls in the Games, and not just participating". He advised the various

Patrick Ngwaogu and Andrew Abah, Abuja Federations to make their presentations very logical with backup facts. Meanwhile, sportwriters who thronged the Media centre of the Abuja National Stadium for the event on Thursday, expressed curiosity over the absence of the Director General of the Commission Patrick Ekeji, especially when an Acting Director General in the person of Mustafa Mohammed was introduced to the gathering. Efforts made to get clarifications from the officials of the Commission proved abortive, but an unconfirmed source told NationSport that the DG was away on official assignment outside the country. Meanwhile, the minister has frowned at the recent statement that was credited to him that the sacking of Super Eagles Head Coach Samson Siasia is beyond the NFF. The Minister who expressed his displaeasure over that report, said he said

that before any decision can be taken on the Chief Coach, that a holistic approach would have to be adopted "everything about the team's poor performance would have to be looked into. This in line with the transformation agenda of the present government. I cannot say that the NFF cannot sack Siasia. They are the ones who employed him, and if at the end of the day, they found out that sacking him will be the best way out, then, they can go ahead' the Minister stressed. He appealed to the sporting press to ensure that they properly inform the public of the true position of things at every point in time. It would be recalled that some of the angry fans who invaded the Abuja National Stadium media centre immediately after the disastrous Nigeria/ Guinea match last weekend said that certain session of the media misinformed them to believe on the technical capabilities of the Super Eagles Chief Coach.

two recommendations which member preferred to keep to themselves.Accordingtoourusual source in the secretariat, the Committee made two recommendations. One is that if Samson Siasia is to be retained as Chief coach, certain privileges which he enjoyed in the past would be curtailed, and moreover, a more experienced Coach may be appointed to supervise his activities. While, if the Coach is to be sacked, certain measures would have to be put in place immediately as the qualifiers of the 2014 World cup is few months away. Samson Siasia who was receieved in audience in the meeting, where he submitted his answer to query that was issued to him last weekend. Siaone, however refused to entertain any question from sportswriters that keep vigil all through the meeting at the glasshouse secretariat of NFF.

Nigeria must apologise to Amodu –Emordi

NYIMBA manager, Okey Emordi has linked Nigeria's inability to qualify for the 2012 AFCON to the treatment meted out to erstwhile Super Eagles coach, Shuaibu Amodu. Amodu was sacked after he qualified Nigeria for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, and in his stead, Swede Lars Lagerback was brought in to take Nigeria to her worst World Cup outing. Even as the fury rages and the NFF technical committee meets on Thursday to take decision on the embattled Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia, Emordi told SuperSport.com that the football house must first appease the spirit of Amodu to make a football head way in the country.

OLYMPICS QUALIFIER

Falode’s visit boosts Falcons

OREMOST women’s football aficionado and CAF Media Committee member, Aisha Falode, on Thursday stormed the Goal Project camp of the Super Falcons, to encourage the team ahead of their all-important Olympics qualifier against the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon in Yaounde. Falode, who has not hidden her desire to help promote Women football in the country, told the players that Nigeria is Africa’s number one Women football nation

and they should forget the past and get their acts together for the qualifier in Yaounde, which she said she was sure they can win easily. “There is no country in Africa that has your record and there is no country that has your pedigree, forget the fact that you didn’t go to the All Africa Games, it was a misnomer and the entire continent missed you, but the Olympics in London next year is bigger and you must gird your loins and ensure that you beat Cameroon and beat them well right in their backyard.

“Coach Amodu qualified us both for the Nations Cup and World Cup and he was booted out of office, nemesis is catching up with us. “NFF should call back Amodu and render an unreserved apology to him because he was without sin. We can’t make progress until we give justice to those we wronged in the past,” he said. And on the fate of the incumbent Super Eagles coach, Emordi said the former Nigerian striker should not be singled out alone for the failure of Nigeria to book a place at the Nations Cup in Gabon/ Equatorial Guinea next January. “There is no how one can fault Siasia alone for the nonqualification of Nigeria for the Nations Cup. “Coaches impart knowledge to their players; it is only left to the players to execute it at the field of play. “No one is happy that we did not qualify, we drew 22, it would have been worst if we lost. “There are lots of issues we need to consider in order to move forward not necessarily sacking the coach. “Everybody must carry out self search, management, players, coaches, fans too, but above all, we must be sincere to ourselves and ensure that the right persons are put in the right places,” he said.

www.thenationonlineng.net

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM VOL. 7,

C OMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

ETWEEN 1994 and 1998, this country was at the mercy of barbarians and born zombies whose understanding of their duty was to torment and traumatise citizens. While it lasted, hundreds were forced into exile, thousands tortured, and many more, including women and children, were sent to their graves. The nation paid dearly in tattered image and lost honour in the comity of nations. It was a self-inflicted wound that has not been completely healed. The assault on freedom and on life was as varied as it was brazen and though it has now receded into the backside of history, we must be on a constant guard because the old barbarism is making a comeback and those who suffered as its victims must avoid being accomplices to its revival. During that period, numerous newspapers were banned and their publishers and editors detained by the Abacha administration, all accused of embarrassing the government. A number of them were so harassed in connection with their courageous reporting on and support for detained Nigerians, including General Olusegun Obasanjo. For those reporters and their families, the tactic adopted and the outcome realised by the police was to make living a miserable hell on earth. In the heat of the barbarism that characterised the Abacha regime in 1997, Tell magazine carried a report about the health condition of the Head of State. In a jiffy, security agents were dispatched to the editor’s house; and when he wasn’t there, they took his wife into detention. Editors of The News suffered a similar fate with journalists’ family members kept in detention when agents of the state couldn’t locate their husbands or parents. Though the courts were available for the state to seek redress, in virtually every instance, raw power was used to settle score. In fairness to him, Abacha didn’t start the harassment of journalists and innocent citizens. There was Decree 2 of 1984 for which it was criminal to criticise government and its functionaries. This is not to suggest that the rule of force (as opposed to the rule of law) is unique or indispensable to the military. Indeed, a military head of state once refused to use the apparatus of the state to fight his personal battle against critics. Back in 1975, the late General Murtala Mohammed chose the judicial system to seek redress for what he considered to be a false accusation of corruption. But that reference for the law apparently died with General Mohammed and it was during the time of his successor that the infamous Ita Oko was introduced into the psyche of Nigerians. As it turns out, the law of karma is strong and powerful and the seeds we each sow can only germinate its specific kind of fruits and those who plant the seed of brutal and oppressive dictatorship often end up as its most pathetic victims. But as sensitive and empathetic humans, we often find ourselves

SEGUN GBADEGESIN gbadegesin@thenationonlineng.net

Old barbarism alive!

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•Jonathan

•Obasanjo

in the position of pleading their case rather than abandoning them to their fate. After the imprisonment of General Obasanjo over the allegation of his involvement in a coup against the Abacha government, all prodemocracy groups and individual activists took his case as a priority. Of course, the military government had a powerful propaganda machine and a war chest which it lavishly deployed. On a particular occasion, a delegation of the Federal Military Government was led by Chief Tony Anenih and Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu to the US. I recall that during a heated discussion on the case of General Obasanjo and Chief M. K. O. Abiola at Howard Johnson Inn in Hyattsville, MD, Chief Anenih pointedly told the gathering that General Obasanjo was the architect of the decrees under which he was prosecuted and convicted. In other words, it was Karma that caught up with him, Anenih argued.

RIPPLES WE SHALL OVERCOME TERRORISM– Jonathan

with this ‘SIDDON LOOK’ SYSTEM?

NO. 1913

Assume even that there was a suspicion of forgery; does that assumption justify the conduct of the police in this case? Is Obasanjo happy about this? Is President Jonathan happy about this? Can any citizen, including those who disagree with The Nation, its publishers and editors, be happy about this new life of an old barbarism?

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

TOMORROW IN THE NATION ‘Indeed trial of these former governors should give our anti corruption agencies, our police , prosecutors and in particular our judiciary , another opportunity to establish the rule of law in our democracy by punishing corruption and showing through the courts that our brand of democracy is definitely no sanctuary for demagogues and demons of democracy ‘ DAYO SOBOWALE

What is the relevance of these recollections to my discussion today? In the life of a nation as in that of an individual, there are slices of experiences that are so gross and so horrible that one would rather wish they be erased from collective or individual memory. The various military eras belong to this category in our collective memory. The last one especially was most dreadful given the intensity of the pain. But for the most part, even when the agents of darkness succeeded in breaking the physical body, they failed to break the spirit. And to the extent that we can assess the national struggle against those brutes in uniform as a successful one, I am sure no one can deny the media a greater share of the success. I just suggested that some experiences could be so gross that one would wish they be erased from memory. That is human; but it is ill-advised because if one took such a course, the tendency is to relax and pretend that the experience isn’t replicable. But we

HARDBALL

Y pleading guilty to each of the eight counts against him, Farouk Abdulmutallab, the 24-year-old

Nigerian nicknamed the Christmas Day bomber for trying to blow up a US aeroplane over Detroit in 2009, has saved himself, his family and Nigeria the agony of prolonged trial and negative media glare. Even though his melodramatic statement about an impending calamity on the US showed how deeply his worldview and humanity have been altered by extremist indoctrination, his plea is a great relief to all who stood to reap public relations disaster from the trial. After his sentencing in January next year, Farouk will get on with his life in prison in the solitude and anonymity he had always craved. He will probably be in prison for life, but the weight of that burden has not mollified his rage against the US, which he blames for much of the woes afflicting many Muslims, particularly in Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel and Somalia. Farouk read engineering in the UK, but it is no excuse for him to get his moral compass

Abdulmutallab’s guilty plea screwed up so badly, or for him to brusquely jettison the shared values that bind humanity together as one. He blames the US for “murdering innocent lives” in some Islamic countries, but sees no contradiction in himself attempting to take nearly 300 equally innocent lives in one fell swoop by bombing a commercial airliner. He argues that jihad “is the most virtuous act a Muslim can perform.” But he has apparently been unable to grasp the folly of killing fellow Muslims through such jihads, as the bombing of the Twin Towers showed. Nor was he embarrassed by his misplaced sardonicism when he promised that against a laughing US, jihadists could be counted on to laugh last. But perhaps by far the most telling and surreal moment in his Wednesday court

know that it is, and indeed, the old barbarism, aspects of which I just narrated, is staging a comeback and the same old warriors are pretty much in the saddle. This country is facing a myriad of challenges. The economy is in the tank. Youth unemployment is sky-high. There is an embarrassing rot in the educational system. Kidnappers are on the loose. Armed robbers are kings at dawn and emperors at night. And we can’t light our skies or our bedrooms or power our engines. To fear Boko Haram is to love life and Mr. President can bear witness. But we are patiently waiting on the President and his administration as they study the various issues thoroughly and exhaustively so they don’t prescribe the wrong therapy. Surely, we can wait for four years! But one thing that apparently cannot wait, and where caution appears to be unnecessary because there is a well-worn path to tread, is an absolute intolerance for the judicial system to play its constitutional role without the agency of the old barbarism. This is the message that seems to be coming from the state. Yet the judiciary is indispensable in a democratic system that is founded on the rule of law. The Nation published a story about former President Obasanjo allegedly writing a letter to President Jonathan. Chief Obasanjo denied writing such a letter and promised that his lawyer would take up the matter. Reasonable people would infer that The Nation must be ready to defend itself in court or apologise to the former president. The Nation decided to stand by the story and meet the former President in court. The scenario just envisaged is a beautiful one, which should delight every freedomloving citizen. But how did it become a case of police invasion of The Nation’s office and the arrest of editors, lawyers and security staff? What justification can there be for the barbaric conduct of the police in this matter? Assume even that there was a suspicion of forgery; does that assumption justify the conduct of the police in this case? Is Obasanjo happy about this? Is President Jonathan happy about this? Can any citizen, including those who disagree with The Nation, its publishers and editors, be happy about this new life of an old barbarism? It is encouraging to know that most of the detained journalists have been released for good. But what this suggests is that they are found innocent and have always been so. Yet they have been traumatised in the way they were apprehended and bundled into detention. There must be a civilised approach to police investigation of allegations of crime and those who have once been victims of abuse and harassment by security agents are best placed to lead the reform effort.

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•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above appearance was his juxtaposition of Islamic and US laws, as if the fundaments of both laws were mutually exclusive, as if both could not be trusted to uphold the principles of natural justice. It is clear that those who indoctrinated Farouk during his travels did irreversible damage to his psyche, and presented a signal lesson to families everywhere to both moderate whatever lessons of life they inculcate in their members and watch out for signs of intolerance and extremism. Farouk appears eager to go to jail, content to hug this second-best martyrdom against the preferred suicidal plunge he wished to take his flight and the lives of so many innocent people on Christmas Day in 2009. He probably believes that those who think like him, who have the same amperage of hatred for Western way of life, would see in him an example of courage and a role model. This is a mistaken wish, for history is more likely to consider him more cruelly as a misguided young man who wasted his life and the latent potentials in him.

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