The Nation October 14, 2014

Newspaper of the Year

Alamieyeseigha’s son dies in Dubai

•Body found on street

NEWS

Page 4

News Ibadan fire death toll hits 17 Sports Minister laments poor Eagles Business Ex-Mint boss fights extradition

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Fayose: Test for Executive as NJC orders courts to sit CJ directs action From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

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HE battle line appeared drawn yesterday between the Executive and the Judiciary, following the insistence of the National Judicial Council( NJC) that courts in Ekiti State must hold sittings.

The NJC directed the Chief Judge, Justice A.S. Daramola, to make a formal announcement to reopen the courts. He did.

The Council also asked the CJ to see whether law enforcement agents will protect the judges in Ekiti State or not.

According to a source, members of the NJC were unhappy that the police had not complied with their advice to protect judges.

They said the slight on the Judiciary must be resisted to prevent anarchy in Ekiti State or any part of the country.

The source said: “Members considered a brief on Ekiti, especially the continuous closure of the courts. They said there was no justification for the siege since the case against the Governor-elect, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, was not the only matter in Ekiti courts.

“The NJC directed the Ekiti CJ to make a formal announcement of the reopening of the courts to see whether the law enforcement agents will respect the Judiciary or not.”

Another source said the NJC took the decision to preserve the integrity of the Judiciary as an arm of the government.

“It is now left to the Executive, which controls the police and security agencies, to respect the sanctity of the Judiciary,” the source said, adding: “Whatever happens Continued on page 4

•LUCKY MAN: Oyo State Commissioner of Police Mr Kola Sodipo (right) hands over the key of one of the recovered vehicles to the owner, Pastor Remi Olasunkanmi (left), at a news conference in Ibadan…yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN •SEE P AGE 8 PA

40 cars recovered as Oyo police arrest 20

Four Chibok girls escape •Community ‘not aware’

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OUR of the more than 200 schoolgirls kidnapped by the militant Islamist sect Boko Haram have esWHEN WILL THE c a p e d , CHIBOK GIRLS r a i s i n g KIDNAPPED ON hopes for APRIL 15 BE FREED? t h e

?

young ones still held captive, according to a report.

The Nation could not independently confirm the report from the military last night.

The story was published by New York Post online.

The Chibok community also said it was not aware of the escape by the girls.

The free girls, all between Continued on page 4

•From left: Group Deputy Managing Director, Access Bank Plc, Mr Obinna Nwosu, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Mr Herbert Wigwe, Chairman Mr Gbenga Oyebode and Company Secretary Mr SundayEkwochi during the bank’s Extraordinary General Meeting held at Lagoon Restaurant, Victoria Island, Lagos...yesterday PHOTO: NIYI ADENIRAN

•’TWO PDP GOVERNORS FOR APC SOON’ P6 •2015: JONATHAN’S CASE FOR HEARING P4

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014

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Dubai...Like • From left: Mrs Yemisi Ransome Kuti, Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, Femi Anikulapo-Kuti, Prof. Sophie Oluwole, Emeka Edward Keazor and Mrs. Yeni Anikulapo-Kuti during the Felabration 2014 Tittled "The Amalgamation of the People of the Niger Area" in Lagos... yesterday.

PHOTO ; SOLOMON ADEOLA

Dubai is a beautiful city in the United Arab Emirate (UAE). It is a place many Nigerians have visited and many are still planning to visit.

But for some Nigerians, such as ace broadcaster Aisha Falode and former Bayelsa State Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, who have lost sons in the city, it evokes bad memories

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• GMD/CEO, UBA Plc, Mr. Phillips Oduoza; Regional Manager, Anglophone West Africa, MoneyGram, Mrs. Kemi Okusanya(right); Deputy Director, Banking and Payments System Department, CBN, Mr. Iyari Omebere(left) at the launch of Nigeria's first outbound money transfer service by UBA through MoneyGram, held at UBA House in Marina, Lagos... yesterday.

•Wife of Lagos State, Abimbola Fashola presenting Award of "Pillar of Education in Africa" to Senator Oluremi Tinubu in Lagos... With them is the organiser of event, Mr Oludaisi Adetarami.

• Chairman, Nigerian Media Merit Awards (NMMA)) Panel of Assessors , Prof Ralph Akinfeleye (fourth left) presenting the results of the NMMA 2014 to Chairman, Board of Trustees, Vincent Maduka in Lagos...at the weekend. With them are from left: Ms. Duro Onabolu, Dr. Victoria Ezeokoli-Taylor, Mrs Taiwo Ajai-Lycett , Chairman, Ideas Communications, Mr. S. Yemi Akeju and Mr. Dele Adetiba.

T has been some eight months since she lost her son in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Ace broadcaster and sports journalist Aisha Falode has also returned to work doing what she knows best. But the pain of losing her son Toba in Dubai is one that will not go away permanently.

There is no doubt that the death at the weekend of the son of former Bayelsa State Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha will bring back the memories of Toba’s death to Mrs Falode.

Toba was brutishly killed on February 15. Initial reports indicated that Tyler as Toba was also known was involved in a car accident. Unconvinced, Mrs Falode and her lawyer Festus Keyamo went to Dubai where they discovered the truth was not told about Toba’s death. Their findings revealed that the 19-year-old aspiring rapper was pushed to his death from the multi-storeyed Manchester Tower in Dubai.

It was discovered that a Saudi billionaire’s son, Faisal Aldakmary Al-Nasser, pushed Toba to his death from the high rise after an argument. Mrs. Falode has got the National Assembly to help her in the mission to get justice.

In a piece, Mrs Falode cursed her son’s killer. She wrote: “Death came so close to me I can still feel its hot breath down my spine. Yet I see how helpless it has become for it cannot strike the same victim twice.

Death is so uncanny, it takes a soul but it knows that the soul goes back to the Maker in peace, yet he is lucky because the person who wore its cloak, the person who struck the blow, the person who took breath which does not belong to him, becomes its victim. ‘’I say this today, my son’s killer/ s you have become the victim. Death has deceived you and is now sneering at you. You are in your own hell, a living hell, hades of which will be immersed in you for the rest of your life. ‘’Toba Falode aka Tyler Fray would have been alive today, breathing, laughing, writing songs about life and oppression, songs about people like you, evil people who think they can oppress, suppress and kill just because they can, but he is not for he rests in the bosom of the Almighty his creator.

* Mrs Falode and her late son You Killer had no right taking his life because you did not give it. ‘’The Avenger of Death is forever lurking behind you and one day, very soon and sooner than you can imagine, you will pay for your crime and your sins. ‘’Killer, the sister’s heart you wrenched by taking her brother and confidant, the family you brought despair and misery on, the friends you left crippled with excruciating pain and I though drenched in sorrow by your inhumane callousness, know in my heart that the Avenger is upon you. ‘’You have challenged the Almighty God by taking a life He created by breaking His commandment that thou shall not kill.

Then like a wicked unrepentant soul, you walk the streets as if nothing happened?

Believing in your ignorance that the one who created ears cannot hear and the one who created eyes cannot see. ‘’How did you kill him? why did you kill him? Oh, lest I forget you, the witness, an accessory to murder.

Only God knows what pushes you to soil your hands with innocent blood by remaining silent and protecting a killer from a most foul and heinous crime while the image of Tyler’s dead body haunts you at night, you said you wish you could have done more at the time of his death. Yes you can. Speak up and free yourself from the insanity creeping up on you and the long stretch of dark miserable years ahead, how did Tyler Fray die?’’ ‘’Hear the sound of the footstep of the long arms of the law looming over you like the sun covers the earth. ‘’The Avenger is upon you like the waves of the Ocean smashing against the rock there is no escape for God is a just God. I know Toba is in heaven and that gives me peace. ... What kind of peace can a killer give his mother?”

In an interview, she gave further insight on the matter. Her words: “I got a call from one of the security men in the apartment at about 3.05am Nigerian time on a Saturday morning which was February 15. I remember the time vividly because I had just gone to use the bathroom and I was going to lie down when the phone rang; it was by the side of my bed. I picked it up and I saw

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014

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NEWS

e Falode, like Alamieyeseigha ‘

How did he die? I need to know how he died. When the family members went to bring his body home, the police gave them what they called a preliminary report of their investigation.

And the preliminary report was that my son was sitting on the railing of the balcony of his apartment and that he was swinging back and forth it was a Dubai number. I panicked because I knew this couldn’t be good at this time of the night. But it was not my son’s number, so I picked it and I could hear a lot of commotion at the background and the voice said, ‘Madam this is your son’s friend ah…ah’ and the line went off. I tried to call the line back

frantically and he was not picking.

At a time, I could no longer get the number. I had been with my son in Dubai during the New Year. I know he had friends and that if anyone would know what happened, it would be his friends and I had the boy’s number. So I called the boy.

‘

He answered me.

“I asked him what happened to Tyler and he just told me casually that ‘I’m sorry, he passed on.’ He said he fell from the balcony, argh!

So, I said where is he now? Being alone at home, I needed to be focused on this news that I was

hearing. I asked where he is now and he said I am here with him and I said where is here and he said in his apartment, waiting for the ambulance. I said who else is there with you and he said I am with him by myself. I said you know what?

When the ambulance comes, tell them not to move him. I’m going to start calling pastors to start praying for my son right now. My son cannot die. And you, start praying for your friend. He said ‘that is what I am doing ma’. I called his phone, at a point when I was trying frantically to reach anyone. I was calling my son’s line and it was switched off. But at a point it was now ringing and I said his phone is ringing, he said ‘Yes ma, it is me.

His battery had run down and I just plugged it so I can get some numbers to call from it’. I kept calling back and said ‘Okay, maybe he fell on the balcony and not that he fell down from the balcony. If he fell from the balcony, how are you telling me you are here with him in the apartment?’ These are questions need to be answered when the time comes.

“How did he die? I need to know how he died. When the family members went to bring his body home, the police gave them what they called a preliminary report of their investigation. And the preliminary report was that my son was sitting on the railing of the balcony of his apartment and that he was swinging back and forth.

“He was with this British girl whom they referred to as his girlfriend on the balcony and that

the British girl had warned him to come down and left him there when he wouldn’t listen and went back into the apartment and she came back later to find that my son wasn’t there anymore and that was when she came back to announce that he had fallen, therefore when my son fell, he was alone on the balcony and they put the cause of death as a fall from a great height and the impact; and that because he had alcohol in his system, it could have contributed to the fall. And that since the other five people in the apartment gave the same account of events, they didn’t think there was any need to do any further investigation. So they put the cause of death as fall from a great height.

But as a mother who knows this apartment so well, I started thinking, that something was not right there; there is no way you can even sit on that railing, let alone swing back and forth, so I told the family members that went to take his body back they should demand from the police, the full investigative report that will tell us exactly what the witnesses said. The interrogation, the medical report and the forensic report, we needed everything. They said we cannot ask for it as individual and we have to ask from the embassy. We wrote through the embassy before they left Dubai and the only day they replied was just last week.”

Now, Alamieyeseigha is also asking questions about what happened. Will he get the right answers? Time will tell.

Synagogue’s hate statement on The Nation’s reporter When a building belonging to the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) collapsed last month, The Nation’s Precious Igbonwelundu was one of the first set of reporters to get to the site. For days after the collapse, she was at the site to get on-the-spot reports. This did not go down with the church. In a statement by the church but credited to a so-called freelance journalist John Haward, Igbowelundu was identified as the arrowhead of the media opposition against the church. A group photogragh in which the reporter appeared at the site was used to illustrate the hate statement, as if to draw attention of the church’s members to her for possible attack. Below is the hate statement strictly in context:

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T. B. Joshua has been predicting a lot of accurate prophecies regarding world events, politics, to mention but a few, from the SCOAN Nigeria and broadcasted on Emmanuel.TV that has all come to pass. This has raised questions such “If they can run around prophesying about world events elsewhere, how dare they fail to see that their own buildings were collapsing right in front of them?” referring to TB Joshua.

The fact is TB Joshua on the Sunday 31st August 2014 said a “Big shot” would be attacked in Nigeria which would spark up political crises. “Big shot” to me is a prominent person and we all know TB Joshua is prominent person in Nigeria and all over the world, though some may disagree. We also know that for him not to cause panic he does not mention certain Countries or names in his prophecies, however, what he might have prophesied about has come to pass, that is, cornering the collapsed building and matter arising.

Some individuals and some Engineers have suggested that the addition of extra floors on top of the existing building for foreign followers of the church overloaded the structure, causing the fatal collapse. The fact is that, the building was designed to be a 10 storey building and NOT 3 floors as some reporters have published.

“NEMA” claimed they were NOT allowing them access onto the site to carry out evacuation and that the church argued with them for hours before allowing them to offer help.

NEMA actually arrived on the site after 3 hours of the tragic incident and wanted to start climbing the collapsed building to start evacuation so the SCOAN staff refused them explaining that “we know where people may be in the

building at the time it collapsed, so now that you are here with your equipment, let’s make holes in the beams. 1. it would allow air to go in and 2. People trapped inside can crawl out from the hole” It took over 1 hour for NEMA to agree that there is sense in what they were saying” At this point the staff and NEMA started drilling holes in the beams. A structural engineer on site said “it’s unusual for such a building to collapse like this” so I asked why did you say so? His reply was “the strength of the concrete is above standard and the correct size irons were used” Please note many others have told me the same.

To confirm that the pillars and the decking was above standard in strength, Lagos State Material Testing Laboratory team were there to test the quality and the strength of several pillars the decking and found them all to be satisfactory. They also tested the soil which was also found to be satisfactory. One could tell their anger when they could NOT find anything to incriminate TB Joshua with. They move into the main Church auditorium to test over 120 other pillars which they also found to be satisfactory.

What one finds very distressing and intriguing is the fact that many of TB Joshua’s critics intentionally overlooked the appearance of the strange jet that hovered over the building on 4 occasions before it collapsed. In their analysis of this tragedy and rather than call for investigation as to what this fighter jet was doing around the building four times and how it got there and who was manning it, they are busy clamoring for the arrest of TB Joshua. The Nigerian Air Force, need to explain where their missing Jet was that morning. It was after the SCOAN televised the CCTV footage of the inci-

dent, the Nigerian Air Force came out to say their Jet had disappeared that Friday morning.

This clearly makes them number one suspect therefore must be made to answer some questions.

Nigerian Press The role of a journalist is to disseminate information correctly and not to peddle falsehood. A lady journalist by the name Precious from the “Nations News Paper” was at the scene for 6 days instigating other press men to publish stories against SCOAN and have succeeded in doing so. Her mission is to embarrass Prophet TB Joshua, discourage people from coming to see him, end his ministry and silence him forever but all will come to naught. NO ONE FIGHTS GODS ANOINTED AND WINS; NO ONE. “It is very sad that inaccurate reports are coming from some quarters that SCOAN are not cooperating with the rescue teams and other agencies in collating information and providing assistance on the incident. In my interview with SCOAN personnel categorically state that the church has provided assistance when and where required and continues to do so – good Christians are good citizens.”

The church views this tragedy as part of an attack on The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations and in particular, Prophet T.B. Joshua. In due course, God will reveal the perpetrators of this unfortunate tragedy, they said.

Nigerian Air Force The Alpha jet belonging NAF went missing on Friday 12th Sept, 2014 while on an operation against insurgents in Adamawa State in

•The picture with Igbonwelundu arrowed

north-eastern Nigeria, the day of the incident at SCOAN. Why, was it NOT reported the same day?

Amosu told journalists after briefing Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan on the missing jet on Monday 15th Sept, 2014, 3 days after the incident in Abuja that the two crew members might still be alive since an ejection was contemplated.

“One of our Alpha Jets went on routine operation in the north-east. On its return, the pilots lost contact with the control towers and that made us to immediately initiate a search.

It was when the CCTV footage of the incident was released on Sunday, 14th, Sept, 2014, NAF decided to make a report to cover their tracks.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014

•President Goodluck Jonathan (middle); Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb Aminu Wali (fourth right); Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (right) and Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Secretaries of Defence of Lake Chad Basin Authority member-countries after a meeting with President Jonathan in Abuja…yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Boko Haram: Multinational troops for Borno

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IGERIA’s northern neigbours – Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic – are to reinforce their support for the battle against Boko Haram.

The four countries will from November 1 deploy troops to form a multi-national Joint Task Force to tackle the deadly sect. The base of the force, which will be headed by a chief of staff, will be in Baga, Borno State.

They will be operating under the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) member - countries, to be joined

by Benin Republic, Nigeria’s western neighbour.

The force is expected to take off on November 20.

The decision was reached yesterday at the LCBC security meeting in Abuja, which also adopted the draft resolution to the United Nations

From Vincent Ikuomola and Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

Security Council (UNSC) and the African Union (AU) on terrorism.

UN resolution 1556 (2004) considers terrorism as the greatest threat to international peace and security and agreed on the need for an appropriate legal framework for military operations against Boko Haram insurgents.

The multi-national task force will take off after the Heads of state and government of the LCBC member states and Benin Republic must have ratified the resolution.

Foreign Affairs Minister Amb. Aminu Wali told reporters at the end of the meeting, which was attended by foreign and Defence ministers of LCBC member-coun-

tries and Benin Republic, that the adopted draft resolution would be sent to the heads of state and government of the LCBC member states and Benin Republic.

He said the meeting “requested the Republic of Niger to introduce the draft resolution to the peace and security council of the AU. Republic of Chad and Nigeria should introduce the resolution to the UNSC. Wali said the meeting urged member-states’ Permanent Representatives in New York and their ambassadors in Addis Ababa to hold consultations with a view to ensuring the adoption of the resolution by UNSC and AU. Wali spoke of the need to tackle Boko Haram, saying the meeting “must define the nature and scope of this struggle, which we must win or else, it will define us”.

Lake Chad Basin Commission Executive Secretary Sanusi Abdullahi said the multinational Joint Task Force is to “give us a tool for the fight against all forms of terrorism in the Lake Chad Basin and in the member-countries or at least in the member countries that have signed this declaration at the extraordinary summit.”

Abdullahi, who responded to questions on location of the military base, said Nigeria’s minister of defence was expected to explain to his colleagues in the member-countries how secure the place is.

Niger and Chad have deployed their batallions at locations within their countries.

Nigerian troops are in Baga. Cameroon is preparing to deploy its contingent of a battalion within its border in Continued on page 58

Alamieyeseigha’s son’s body found on Dubai street

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MAJOR calamity has hit former Bayelsa State Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.

His son Oyemifa was found dead at the weekend on a Dubai, United Arab Emirates Street.

The police claimed that Oyemifa committed suicide – a claim his family rejected.

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

It was gathered that Oyemifa, second but last child in the family and a student, may have been killed.

The police found his identity card on him, traced Oyemifa’s home and discovered that he came from “a big family”.

It was gathered that short-

ly after knowing the background of the deceased, the policemen left but later returned to tell the family members in Alamieyeseigha ‘s house in Dubai that Oyemifa committed suicide.

The policemen were said to have based their claims on an autopsy they said was conducted on the body.

The news was broken to the former governor in Yenagoa on Sunday.

Alamieyeseigha was said to have rejected the claims that his son, who was in his mid 20s, killed himself.

He was said to have left for Dubai yesterday alongside Continued on page 58

Four Chibok girls escape Continued from page 1

ages 16 and 18, escaped with the help of a teenage boy prisoner, who managed to get them out of the camp, according to Stephen Davis, a British-Australian negotiator who had tried to bargain with the extremist Islamic group for the schoolgirls’ freedom.

The girls, guided by the setting sun, walked west for three weeks, finally arriving in a Nigerian village, starving and traumatised.

“They were amazing — to first escape and then walk for weeks,” Davis told The Times of London. “They are Continued on page 58

Fayose: Test for Executive as NJC orders courts to sit Continued from page 1

next will determine the next line of action of the NJC. Just know that we are not at war with the Executive, but we want the independence of the Judiciary preserved.”

The Chief Registrar of the Ekiti State High Court directed compliance with the directive of the NJC.

The Chief Registrar, Mr. Obafemi Fasanmi, in a statement in Ado-Ekiti said: “The Chief Judge of Ekiti State Justice Ayodele Daramola, has directed that all courts in Ekiti State should be open to the general public.”

The Ekiti Chief Judge closed all courts in the state Continued on page 58

CORRECTIONS •Bank of Industry’s managing director is Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa and not Rasheed Aderinoye as erroneously indicated in our story: “BOI has given out N692b loans” in yesterday’s edition.

•In our story titled “With love from Somalia” published on September 19, we wrote: “Daughter of the late Chief Erhabor Obaseki Emokpae, Ewemade got married to Olubode, son of Prof. Simi Banjoko. It should have been: “Daughter of the late Chief Erhabor Emokpae, Ewemade, got married to Olubode, son of Prof Simbo Adenuga Banjoko.

2015: Court to accelerate hearing of suit on Jonathan’s eligibility

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USTICE Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja has agreed to an accelerated hearing of a suit seeking to bar President Goodluck Jonathan from participating in next year’s presidential election.

Ruling yesterday on the ex parte application argued by the plaintiffs’ lawyer, Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN), the judge held that the case will be heard weekly.

Owonikoko had urged the court to fix the hearing for “the earliest possible date” - in line with the Supreme Court’s practice direction, which directs a quick determination of election-related cases.

Although Justice Mohammed adjourned the matter till November 12, said the order of accelerated hearing will take effect after the mandatory 30 days within which the respondents are to respond to the suit.

In the alternative, said the order of accelerated hearing could take effect earlier if

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

the respondents were able to respond earlier.

The respondents are the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Adoke (SAN).

They were not represented at yesterday’s proceedings.

The suit was filed by Adejumo Mansouru Ajagbe (who claimed to be a member of the PDP in Lagos State with membership card No: 9424103 and voter card: 90f5b23963295789969) and Olatoye Wahab (who claimed to be a member of the APC in Osun State with membership card no: 13951303, voter card: 18767722.)

The plaintiffs primarily seek to restrain INEC and the AGF from allowing Jonathan participate in the 2015 election on the grounds that by the Constitution, the President, having contested the presidential election twice, won and taken the

oath of office and allegiance twice in respect of the same office, he could no longer present himself for election to that office the third time.

They relied on the provisions of sections 132(1), 135(2)(a) and (b), 137(1)(b), 142(1) and (2) and the Supreme Court’s decision in the case of Marwa and Nyako (2012) 6 NWLR (Part 1296) 199 at 306.

The plaintiffs argued that by the provision of the Constitution, the President and Vice President, who were elected in the same election and sworn into office on the same date and at the same ceremony are, in law, taken to have been elected for one single term of four years notwithstanding the death or even impeachment of the President.

“That being so, the reference to ‘two previous elections’ in Section 137(1)(b) of the Constitution includes two previous oath of allegiance and oath of office as President. It is, therefore, safe to conclude that a Vice

President, who had taken the oath of allegiance and oath of office for two previous terms as President is, in law, deemed to have been elected into the office of President at two previous elections, thereby standing disqualified to contest another election into that office.”

•A declaration that by the provisions of Section 135(1)(2) and (2a) of the Constitution, any person holding the office of the President cannot continue to act in that capacity for a period exceeding eight years from the date he/she first took or is deemed to have first taken the oath of allegiance and oath of office, with the exception of the provision of Section 135(3) of the Constitution.

•A declaration that a general election cannot be due to be held when the incumbent President will only have spent a cumulative period of six years in office so that his re-election will be for no more than two addi-

tional years having regard to the time expressly specified for holding of general election to the office of President under Section 132 (2) of the Constitution and the maximum term allowed any person under Section 135 of the Constitution.

•A declaration that for the purpose of counting the maximum eight year term limit for a person elected into the office of the President under sections 1(2), 135,136 and 137(1)(b) of the Constitution, the election and period served by a deceased elected President (who did not exhaust his term on account of death) and the remainder served to complete the unexhausted term by the Vice President (successor) is attributable to the successor for determining the two previous election limit and the maximum term of eight years to which the successor is entitled as President under the Constitution.

•A declaration that the 1st defendant (AGF) cannot

•Adoke

lawfully advise the 2nd defendant (INEC) to accept as candidate for election to the office of the President, an aspirant who is caught by two previous elections limit and the eight-year term limit in the 2015 elections or any subsequent presidential Continued on page 58

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THE NATION TUESDAY OCTOBER 14, 2014

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APC: attack on Edo lawmakers worsens impunity under Jonathan T HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned what it called the “apparently-orchestrated attack” on Edo State legislative quarters last Saturday.

The party said the attack raised the level of impunity under the Goodluck Jonathan administration to a level not even contemplated in the days of military rule.

In a statement yesterday in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party noted that based on the ease with which thugs invaded a facility that should be well secured and the ample time they had to damage over 30 cars and injure lawmakers and their families, “there is no question that the attack was carried out with the collusion of the lawless Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the increasingly-partisan police.

“Governor Adams Oshiomhole said the government got intelligence report on the attack and informed the State Police Commissioner. Instead of sending in reinforcement to prevent the attack, the few

By Olamilekan Andu

policemen attached to the quarters were withdrawn before the attack. This is another indication of a police force that is being bankrolled by taxpayers becoming shamelessly partisan and engaging in selective implementation of its constitutional role of protecting the life and property of the citizenry,” it said.

APC stressed that the atmosphere for the attack was created by a President, whose body language encourages impunity; a president, who has converted the police and the army to his party’s militia; a President who presides over a government that is incapable of maintaining law and order, let alone protecting the citizens.

The party said whether it was in Rivers State, where the police allegedly harassed the opposition, including the governor; Ekiti State, where the police stood by while thugs, led by a governor-elect Ayodele Fayose,

were beating up judges and sacking courts; the same Ekiti, where the PDP-led Federal Government used the police and other security agents to prevent courts from re-opening, as ordered by the National Judicial Council (NJC); or in Edo State, where the police protected renegade lawmakers at the expense of the majority, the Jonathan administration has given a free rein to impunity as never before in the history of Nigeria.

It added: “The inspectorgeneral of police (IGP) takes orders only from the President. Therefore, where the President decides to turn the police into his personal militia for vindictive and vendetta attacks, the IGP is not only required to comply, he is also expected to pass the same orders down the hierarchy. This is what is happening across the country.

“The danger, however, is that when a society descends into anarchy, the same police will not escape the consequences, and will also not be able to handle the out-

come of their collusion, as professionalism would have deserted them and discipline compromised. By becoming partisan, the police force is destroying itself.”

APC said the attack on the Edo State legislative quarters on Saturday would have been prevented, if the PDP thugs, who molested Governor Oshiomhole and top officials of his administration - when they went to the airport to receive President Jonathan a few days earlier had been censured for their barbaric action.

“By failing to sanction them, the powers that behave simply given a seal of approval to their actions and empowered them to do more, hence they became emboldened to attack the legislative quarters,” the party said.

It reminded President Jonathan that attacks as the one in Edo, which the conniving police apparently allowed to happen, form part of the reasons some foreign governments, concerned about the way the Nigerian

security agencies have used the weapons supplied to them to violate the human rights of citizens, have refused to sell arms to Nigeria.

APC said: “Which human rights violation could be more egregious than the police-sanctioned attacks on defenceless citizens in Edo State on Saturday?”

The party urged the international community to pay a close attention to the impunity in Nigeria, especially ahead of next year’s general elections.

“It can only be imagined what role the police and other security agencies, which have been heavily compromised, will play during the elections. It is, therefore, imperative for the international observers, who will be coming for the elections, to take this into consideration in their report on the processes before, during and after the elections,” it said.

APC warned those engaging in impunity today, just because they are in power, to realise that they would not be in power forever.

The party added that one day they would account for their misdeeds.

NERC: we’re ready for transition electricity market From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

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HE Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) yesterday said it was ready to start the Transition Electricity Market (TEM).

Its chairman, Dr. Sam Amadi, spoke in Abuja at the inauguration of the dispute resolution panel.

Amadi said the commission had completed the last of the formal conditions precedent (CP) and would recommend to the Minister of Power to declare the beginning of the TEM. The commission, the chairman said, would soon notify the minister to make the declaration.

He said: “Now that we have completed the last of the formal conditions precedent and we are effectively handling the formal conditions precedent, NERC is poised to recommend to the minister to declare the commencement of the Transition Electricity Market at a named date.

“In the days ahead, we will notify the Minister of Power to make such a declaration. We are confident that the Nigerian electricity market is ready to successfully enter the transitional stage.”

Addressing reporters, Amadi said TEM “simply means people are trading by their contract”.

The chairman said the commission had met the condition precedent for the commencement of TEM, as prescribed by the market rules.

He recalled that in 2011, NERC established an industry-wide Transition Steering Group (TSG) to manage the efforts of stakeholders in the electricity industry to achieve the condiHE Lagos coroner intions precedent to the comvestigating the colmencement of TEM. lapse of a guest house Amadi explained that the at the Synagogue Church of Electric Power Sector Reform All Nations (SCOAN) in Act, 2005 requires that the Ikotun has appealed to the market would enter into a tran- South African government to sitional stage before the begin- allow relatives of the vicning of full competitive elec- tims to come to Nigeria for tricity market Deoxyribonucleic Acid He said the significance of (DNA) tests. the market is that participants Magistrate Oyetade would begin full trading by Komolafe spoke yesterday at contract. the Lagos High Court in At such a stage of the mar- Ikeja at the inaugural sitting ket, said Amadi, institutional of the inquest into the cause and normative structures of a of the incident. competitive and efficient elecThe magistrate noted that tricity market would be estab- the DNA examination, lished. which is a major aspect of the He explained that for the stage inquest, would not be done of the market to succeed, cer- if relatives were not availtain formal and informal con- able to identify the deceased. ditions precedent (CPs) need to He said the relatives be met. would donate blood for the Amadi said: “The formal CPs tests to enable the patholoinclude the approval of grid gists identify the bodies and codes and market rules, the es- release them for burial. tablishment of an independent One hundred and fifteen regulator, a market operator bodies, mainly South Afriand a system operator with cans, were recovered from functional capabilities and the the debris of the building. establishment of a market disKomolafe said the investipute resolution mechanism.”

•Former Education Minister Dr. Oby Ezekwesili (left) receiving a certificate of participation as a lead jogger from the Founder, Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN), Mrs Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu, as part of activities marking the Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Ibadan, Oyo State...at the weekend

‘Obasanjo hasn’t endorsed any candidate’ From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

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BUSINESSMAN, Otunba Oyewole Fasawe, has said former President Olusegun Obasanjo has not endorsed any presidential candidate for next year’s election.

Fasawe, who is a staunch ally of the former president, said Obasanjo was preoccupied with how to ensure free and fair polls next year.

In a statement yesterday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, the businessman explained Obasanjo’s position on next year’s elections.

The statement said Fasawe was speaking on behalf of the former president.

He said the statement became necessary because of visits by some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Abeokuta home of the former President.

There had been various versions of what transpired between Obasanjo and the political leaders.

One report alleged that Obasanjo warned APC against fielding a particular candidate, but the candidate disproved the claim, saying he had reconciled with Obasanjo.

Fasawe said he was speaking on behalf of the former President.

The statement said: “Former President Olusegun Obasanjo is not commending or condemning any candidate standing in the forthcoming elections in Nigeria, contrary to insinuations from certain quarters. Rather, the elder statesman is believed to be working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure a secure and rancour-free atmosphere for free and fair elections devoid of blood-letting and wanton destruction of life and property.

“Baba sees the gladiators in all the parties as his political children and associates; hence he would not endorse one over the other, no matter the pressure from any quarter.

“Baba has not endorsed anyone and has not condemned anyone.

A statesman of his stature and pedigree can only pray and work towards peace and progress in Nigeria, Africa and the world...”

Synagogue: Coroner seeks South Africa’s support for DNA tests

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•Court to visit site Thursday •‘Disabled’ persons protest in court

By Adebisi Onanuga and Precious Igbonwelundu

gation should not be misconstrued for prosecution, adding that the parties should give accurate facts on the incident to prevent a recurrence.

He said: “I empathise with the families of the victims but I want to seize this opportunity to state the importance of the DNA to this inquest. Relatives of the victims should avail themselves and donate blood to enable the pathologists identify the bodies.

“The medical team and pathologists are working because the court has directed them to carry out the activities and report back.

“It is important for the South African Embassy to ensure that relatives of the victims come forward for the pathologist to get the needed samples to compare with the bodies. Those bodies have to

be properly identified, and when that is done and the process completed, the bodies will be released to the South African government; they can take them home, if they want them taken home.

“We all have to work together. We should not allow anything to cause a misunderstanding. Nigeria and South Africa are one; at least, we are blacks.

“Please, let us work together to make this process a success.”

Komolafe said the court was not a prosecuting court, adding that it would not indict anybody.

He averred that the court would not be rigid in its rules except where it becomes necessary.

But where a witness, who is listed to appear before the coroner failed to do so, Komolafe said the court might be compelled to issue a summons against such a person.

Counsel to the church Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) asked the court for more time to enable the defence upload documents and other evidence at the court registry.

Fagbemi said the defence also needed time to prepare its witnesses for the inquest.

The officer in charge of Legal Matters, Lagos State Police Command, Chukwu Agwu, backed Fagbemi’s request.

Agwu told the coroner that he got the summons to appear before the court at the close of business last Friday.

The police officer said he would need time to get documents ready and prepare some deputy commissioners for the inquest.

The court adjourned for 15 minutes for the counsel to agree on a date for the next sitting.

When the court resumed, the coroner fixed Thursday for a visit to the “locus” (site

of the collapsed building).

Komolafe urged those who failed to appear at the inaugural sitting to appear before the court at the next adjournment.

The magistrate listed such parties as the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Office of the Lagos State Surveyor General and Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA), among others.

He directed the counsel to upload the documents and evidence they intend to file and for responses to be made before October 24.

There was drama on the court premises yesterday when scores of physically challenged persons, who said they were beneficiaries of the church’s goodwill, staged a peaceful protest.

Some of them were on wheel chairs.

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014

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NEWS Court okays secret trial of Ozekhome’s abductors

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FEDERAL High Court in Abuja has agreed to a secret trial of the three men accused of kidnapping frontline lawyer Mike Ozekhome (SAN), a former Delta State commissioner Prof Hope Eghagha, among others.

The three are: Kelvin Oniarah Eziegbe, Frank Auekor and Michael Omonigho.

Justice Adeniyi Ademola granted yesterday the prosecution’s prayer for a secret trial to protect the witnesses, some of who are security operatives.

By the judge’s ruling, only the suspects, their lawyers, the prosecutor and accredited journalists would be allowed to witness the trial.

The judge also refused the suspects’ request for bail. But he granted an order for accelerated hearing.

He adjourned the trial till November 13.

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

The three are facing a 14count of terrorism, murder, hostage-taking and other offences punishable under the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2011.

The accused allegedly collected a N40 million ransom from Ozekhome before he was freed.

The lawyer was kidnapped in August, last year.

Eghagha, who was also kidnapped in September 30, 2012 when he was travelling from Warri to Asaba, was said to have paid N7 million before he was released.

They were also accused of killing five police officers: Paul Sunday Ajaka (ASP), Sunday Ewanshiha (Inspector), Michael Akpada (Inspector), Bakary Kong (Inspector) and Innocent Odo (Sergeant) and two prison officials - Lawrence Edore and Oyibo Okoye - on official duties.

Alleged scam: Prosecution closes case in ex-NIMASA chief’s trial

By Joseph Jibueze

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HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) closed its case yesterday in the trial of a former Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Director-General, Mr Temisan Omatseye.

He was tried before Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court in Lagos on an amended 27-count charges of contract scam.

Omatseye was accused of contract splitting involving about N1.5 billion, which violates Section 58(4) (d) of the Public Procurement Act 2007 and Section 14(a) of the money laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Prosecution lawyer Godwin Obla (SAN) told the court he had no more witnesses to call. Three witnesses testified for the EFCC. Defendant’s lawyer Olusina Sofola (SAN) said his client intended to make a “no-case” submission.

Obla noted that the prosecution also had a right to respond to the application within 14 days.

Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia ruled that she would hear the “no-case” application and EFCC’s response to it same day.

Omatseye was re-arraigned on January 21, last year. EFCC opened its case on February 4, calling its first witness, an Investigating Police Officer (IPO), Mr Ibrahim Ahmed.

On May 30, last year, Obla called his second witness, a former NIMASA Acting Director of Procurement, Mr Mohammed Shehu.

The third witness was a Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) worker, Mr Aminu Aliyu.Shehu said NIMASA’s board was responsible for award of contracts until a tenders’ board was set up.

Priority for Abuja airport runway

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has ordered a revisit and top priority status for the construction of the second runway of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Aviation, Captain Shehu Usman Iyal, addressed reporters in Abuja on the development.

The presidential aide said many giant strides had been recorded in the Aviation sector in the past six

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

years.

He said: “The President has approved and directed the second runway project to be immediately revisited. It is being revisited. I am proud to inform you that I am part of the members of the committee for the second runway. It is going to be treated as a priority. There will be a second runway in Abuja for safety, security and efficiency.”

•Ogun State Govenor Ibikunle Amosun (left); his wife, Olufunso; House of Assembly Speaker Suraj Ishola Adekunbi and Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, at the launch of the Trade Route Incident Mapping System (TRIMS) for traders, at the M.K.O. Abiola International Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta...yesterday

Buhari: Bad leadership responsible for Nigeria’s insecurity •More PDP governors to join APC, says Kwankwaso • ‘We’ve on primaries’

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ORMER Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, has said his quest to govern Nigeria is borne out of the desire for a secured and efficiently managed nation.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirant addressed reporters yesterday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, after consulting with Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed.

Gen. Buhari said: “I contested three times and I lost three times. I ended up in Supreme Court three times. We thank God because the constitution does not limit how many times you can contest.

Whichever stage, once you are 18 and above, they did not put age limit as well.

“I ruled this country before under a different system.

From 1999 till now, I am sure you know what has been happening. I believe that what Nigeria needs now is to be secured and efficiently managed. This is the APC stand. I will like to use this opportunity through my party, through the system to seek a secured and efficiently managed Nigeria as the country is not being well managed.”

On APC’s primaries, he said: “This is up to the party and the people. We want a fair playing field for everybody. Let Nigerians be given

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin Nduka Chiejina and Tony Akowe, Abuja

the impression and let them believe that they matter, that all the efforts to salvage them are for them and for the country. But if there is a consensus agreement and it is not forced on the people, all well and good.

“It will save time and resources. But if people insist on making sure that the people they want to lead should present themselves and let the people decide, it is all well and good. The system allows it.”

Gen. Buhari said he read in the papers the withdrawal of Senator Bukola Saraki from the presidential race.

He said: “I read it in the papers and I went to see him. I didn’t beg him to leave it for me. But it is his decision. He has been a governor here in this state twice. He knows the politics of the country. He is known throughout the country. His father worked extremely hard and virtually established a dynasty voluntarily supported by the people of this state.”

Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, on Sunday, said two of the G7 governors, who are still in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), would soon join APC. He added that more gover-

nors in the ruling party would also defect to the APC The governor was in Kwara State on consultations for the presidential ticket of the APC in next year’s election.

In a statement, Kwankwaso said APC members are practical people with extensive grassroots reach.

The governor said they would rejuvenate the national economy, tackle corruption and ensure national growth.

He said: “Our economy can never be good in a situation of crises. Our economy can never be good in the face of corruption. Those who are trying to convince us that the economy is good don’t know what they are saying. Yes, their economy is good but the masses’ economy is bad.

That is the situation today.

That is what the APC wants to correct.”

On APC consensus candidate for the presidential election, Kwankwaso noted that in line with the party’s constitution, it would explore the possibility of a consensus candidate within the ambit of democratic culture.

Ahmed said the choice of the APC presidential candidate for the 2015 elections would not only be devoid of acrimony but would strengthen the fortunes of the

party.

The governor said Nigeria had bad leadership, despite its abundant human and natural resources endowment.

But he was optimistic that an APC administration at the federal level would ensure the effective leadership Nigeria deserves.

“The APC is the fastestgrowing party in Nigeria and the only truly national party, which came into being as a result of the congruence of ideas on how to ensure that Nigeria moves again along the side of improving and growing nations,” Ahmed added.

Former Vice-President and APC presidential aspirant, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, said yesterday he was not prepared for a consensus option in choosing the party’s candidate for the 2015 elections.

Atiku addressed reporters in Abuja on a planned policy review summit to be held in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

The APC chieftain said the party’s leadership decided to go for the primaries.

He said: “We have met as a caucus, as the Board of Trustees (BoT), as the National Executive Council (NEC). But we have decided to go the primaries.”

Police begin search for ex-NBA chief Wali

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HE Rivers Police Command has said it has begun the search for the abducted former President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Mr Okey Wali.

The command’s spokesman, Ahmad Muhammad, a deputy superintendent of police (DSP), told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, that Wali was abducted last Saturday.

The spokesman said information showed that Wali was trailed by his abductors and taken away.

He said: “As soon as the police got the information on the abduction of the ex-NBA

•Ex-NBA chief’s kidnap sparks calls for state police •Lawyers, others condemn abduction •‘It’s bad for Nigeria’s image’ From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba, Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt , Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja, Adebisi Onanuga and Oziegbe Okoeki

president, we swung into action. His vehicle was recovered on the Ozuoba water front.”

Muhammad said the police were on the trail of the kidnappers, to rescue Wali safely and arrest his abductors.

His whereabouts remained unknown last night, three days after his abduction.

Wali’s kidnappers had not

contacted his family yesterday for ransom.

Muhammad said the police command was working on the information from the public to enable it trace the abductors of the former NBA president and rescue him.

A Port Harcourt group, the Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (IHRHL), through its Executive Director, Anyakwee Nsirimovu, urged “...the Rivers State Police Command and its leadership to spend less time at turning themselves into political

messengers, used to intensify tension and stoke violence among political contestants, devoid of issue-based ideas and dialogue”.

Wali’s kidnap has ignited the demand for state police.

A former Attorney-General of Edo State Chief Charles Uwensuyi-Edosomwan (SAN) said the prevailing criminality in the land called for the creation of state police.

In a statement yesterday, titled: A Call for the Release of Okey Wali, the former commissioner said: “I call on Mr Presi-

dent to accelerate action on the resolution of the National Constitutional Conference that recommended state and community policing...”

Lawyers in Aba, Abia State, have condemned Wali’s abduction.

NBA Aba branch Chairman Chidozie Ogunji said: “To us, it is an assault on the rule of law, Judiciary and a continuation of the recklessness and the security challenges that we are witnessing in Port Harcourt.”

An activist Prof. Charles Chinekezi said: “It is the

height of irresponsibility.

How can a thing like that continue to happen? The security agencies have dropped all their darts. That is why people like Okey Wali could be picked up, just like that.

We are discussing the same nonsense that happened to Mike Ozekhome the other time.”

Lagos State House of Assembly Deputy Whip Rotimi Abiru said the incident was bad for the nation’s image.

He said the incident was a reflection of the insecurity situation in the country, which had worsened with the Federal Government showing no effort to halt it.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014

NEWS I want to be Speaker, says Adeola-Akande

Don for Dauda Adegbenro lecture

By Nneka Nwaneri

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HE Dauda Adegbenro Inaugural Lecture will hold tomorrow at the OGTV Multipurpose Hall, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Dauda Adegbenro, a member of the Western Region House of Assembly, died on September 28, 1975.

His son, Niyi, who visited The Nation corporate office in Lagos, yesterday, gave the title of the lecture as “Is Nigeria Demeocratising? Reflecting on the Past, Interrogating the Present, Remembering an Unsung Democrat”.

The lecture will be delivered by a former Dean of the Faculty of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Prof Ademola Popoola.

The event will be chaired by former Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief Bisi Akande.

There will be a launch of the biography of the late Adegbenro. The lecture will be streamed live on local TV stations.

The younger Adegbenro lamented that the country was not doing enough to ensure that the labours of heroes past were not in vain.

He said as part of activities, the Dauda Adegbenro Foundation would reward the best political reporter and winners from essay competitions will also be rewarded.

I’m a drug dealer, woman tells court

By Joseph Jibueze

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HE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) yesterday arraigned a 32-year-old woman, Ifeoma Eze, at the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly dealing in a banned narcotic.

She pleaded guilty to the charge, saying she went into the business as a means of survival.

NDLEA’s lawyer Ernest Agwu said the accused was arrested on July 21 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

He said about 6.200 grams of the narcotic was recovered from her during clearance of passengers to China.

According to the prosecutor, the substance was concealed in a large envelope and tucked in Eze’s luggage.

Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke ordered that she be remanded at the Kirikiri women prison until October 24, when she would be sentenced after a review of the evidence.

Eze admitted the one-count charge of trafficking about 6.200 grams of Cannabis Sativa, also known as Indian hemp.

From Faith Yahaya, Abuja

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•From right: Board member, Dauda Adegbenro Foundation, Sina Adegbenro, Niyi and Bayo Alabidun during their visit ...yesterday.

PHOTO NIYI ADENIRAN

Ibadan tanker fire death toll rises to 17 •Policeman, boy die •Akinjide’s worker’s son on danger list

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HE death toll from the Ibadan petrol tanker fire increased to 17 yesterday, with the death of a police officer and a young school boy, who died at the emergency unit of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

Master Segun Aderemi died on Sunday night; the policeman yesterday morning.

Police spokesperson Mrs Olabisi Clet-Ilobanofor said the officer died gallantly because he was not on duty when he saw the fire and went to rescue people.

Visitors and relatives

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

were barred from the Special Burns Unit.

One of the victims, Ayomide Bassey (21), the son of a domestic worker of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, is said to be on the danger list.

Bassey was said to be coming from work and was at the bus-stop when the incident occurred.

His father, Rotimi, described the experience as painful and harrowing.

The hospital manage-

L

at the bus-stop, called on the government for assistance.

It was all tears for Mrs. Tawa Balogun (25) whose husband, Teslim (35), was among the victims in critical condition at the hospital.

Her husband, according to her, was on a motorcycle when the fire started.

Another victim, Mrs Felicia Olaniyi (50), was waiting for a cab at the bus-stop.

Her daughter, Ganiyat Taiwo, appealed to the government to assisting them financially.

‘Nigerians must embark on self-discovery’

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IGERIANS have been urged to discover themselves, if they are to succeed in addressing the nation’s problems.

This was the view of the panel of discussants at the sixth series of the Fela Debates in Lagos yesterday, as part of the annual week-long Felebration.

Felebration celebrates the life and time of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.

The panel concluded that the culture of impunity, social inequality and injustice, which characterise the society today, had their roots in colonialism and neo-colonialism.

Former Education Minister Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili said what was required to realise Nigeria’s potential was to provide equal opportunities and the development of the country’s human capital.

The example of the United States of America, she said, had shown that the diversity was not the problem.

By Raymond Mordi

“It used to be said that small is beautiful, but evidence suggests that big is better, when it comes to nations,” she said.

Dr. Ezekwesili, who moderated the discussion, said unemployment, poverty, social inequality and injustice, affect everyone, irrespective of ethnicity.

This year’s debate, with the theme: “The Amalgamation of the Peoples of the Niger Area”, featured two speakers- Prof Sophie Oluwole, a retired professor of African Philosophy and Emeka Keazor, a lawyer and historian.

The third speaker, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, could not attend.

Prof. Oluwole, 78, said the progression of Third World countries to First World was rooted in culture and tradition.

She added that it was best to educate a child in the mother tongue so that the child can

Lagos empowers 14,000 AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) launched yesterday the second phase of the Economic Empowerment Programme, aimed at empowering an additional 14,000 residents.

Addressing participants at the programme held at the Alimosho Local Government, Fashola said the one month programme would enable participants learn various trades, such as bead making, tailoring, sewing, textile design, catering, tie and dye and

ment, according to a source, is ensuring that the victims are getting the best care and attention.

At the hospital yesterday, the victims’ families called on Governor Abiola Ajimobi to come to their aid.

One of the victims, Kafilat Olatunji (50), was waiting for a bus when the fire started.

Her sister, Olatunde Latifat, who lives at IdiArere, Ibadan, wept as she appealed to the government to assist the victims.

Mr. Mbagu Ndubuisi, father of one of the victims, Amaka (18), who was also

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

events planning, among others.

Fashola, who was represented by Deputy Governor Mrs. Adejoke OrelopeAdefulire urged the beneficiaries to ensure they attend classes daily.

The governor warned that anyone who missed a day would have his or her name removed from the programme.

“If you are not ready for this programme, you better stay at home and don’t come.

It is compulsory, and the fact that you are not paying for it does not mean you should take it for granted.

“By the second week of this programme, you should be able to replicate what you are being taught,” he said.

According to Fashola, the participants would get training kits in line with their chosen vocations.

Some beneficiaries hailed the government for the initiative, saying the programme had recorded positive impacts on their lives.

identify with his or her immediate environment.

She said: “Our educational system produces literate but ignorant people; people who do not know where they are coming from and where they are going. If you make me the minister of Education today, I will change the syllabus.”

Keazor, who is the consultant-historian to the official Federal Government documentary on the amalgamation, “We are Nigerians”, said the disconnect caused by colonialism was partly re-

sponsible for the nation’s problems.

He said those who took over from the British in 1960 were products of ‘mis-education’ of the colonialists and they were not able to embark on a re-orientation.

Keazor said it was better to work on children, rather than adults who are already products of ‘mis-education’ of the white man.

His words: “I’ve stopped working with our generation; we are lost. I now work with children.”

HE Majority leader of the House of Representatives, Mulikat Adeola-Akande, has said she wants to become Speaker next year.

She lost the slot to Aminu Tambuwal in a keen contest at the inception of the House in 2011.

Adeola-Akande, who was at the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to obtain nomination form for the 2015 election, boasted that the PDP would defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Southwest.

She said: “As you know, the electoral process has started and PDP is selling its form and for me to be here, that means I am interested in contesting for a seat in the House of Representatives.

“I definitely want to be the Speaker if given the opportunity and if it is zoned to the Southwest.

“The PDP suffered a major setback in the last election in the Southwest, but now the efforts we are making are apparent.

“As you can see, we won in Ekiti State and that means all the members will be coming from PDP this time.

“In Oyo State, even if we don’t have a governor, we have five members from there and the number will double now.

“We don’t have any in Ogun State also but a lot of members who defected are coming back.

“We have Ondo State, where Governor Olusegun Mimiko has joined the PDP. “So automatically, all the seven members from Ondo will become PDP. “I think the so-called losses are now gains for us.”

Adeola-Akande, who is serving her second term, said she does not see anything wrong in having her people supporting her third term bid.

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014

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NEWS

22 robbery suspects arrested in Oyo •40 cars recovered

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HE police in Oyo State have arrested 22 robbery suspects.

Police Commissioner Kola Sodipo, at a briefing, said the police recovered 40 vehicles.

He said: “On July 22, a pastor reported at Sanyo police station, Ibadan that on July 21 at 11:45pm, four robbery suspects with cutlass and guns stole his laptop, IPad, phones, N140,000, Toyota Corolla and Mercedes Benz car.

“Nine suspects were arrested. They include Ayodele Ademola, Oluwatobi Afolabi, Olufemi Morakinyo and Azeez Rafiu.

“On September 30, detectives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Oyo, arrested others.

“They are Enoch Adebisi, Sunday Awoniyi, Akintomide Samson, who were their perceived receivers.

“Olorunfemi Thompson and Olamide Tosin allegedly altered the registration numbers of the stolen vehicles.

“The pastor’s Toyota Corolla was recovered from them along with 21 other vehicles.”

Sodipo added: “On Septem-

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

ber 29, some robbery suspects robbed a man, Tajudeen, of his car at Olodo area of Ibadan.

“On their way, they ran into a shop and the car got stuck.

Youths in the area apprehended one of the suspects, Tofunmi Sadiq, with a black toy pistol.

“This led to the arrest of other gang members in Lagos with six cars. They are: Funso Jeffery, Sunday Okoroji and Joe Uchedundu.

“On October 1, three suspects- Fred Okunu, Ayo Akinola and Taiwo Fashinawere arrested with five vehicles around Alakia.

“On October 6, Amaechi Obi and Sola Adebola were arrested at Salvation Army, Ibadan with Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) cables.

“Two days later, we also arrested a student of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ayo Ahmadu, at Apata junction with 69 mobile phones.

“The suspects will be charged to court after we conclude our investigations.”

•Some of the recovered cars

•Some suspects with stolen animals.

Traders target 1m votes for Amosun From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

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RADERS in Ogun State pledged yesterday to garner a million votes for Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

The traders, who converged on the MKO Abiola Stadium, Kuto-Abeokuta, at the launch of the Trade Route Incident Mapping System (TRIMS), said the governor deserved a second term.

Market leaders at the ceremony include Mercy Owolana (Iyaloja of Remoland), Sadiat Elewuuju (Iyaloja of Ijebuland), Mrs Yemisi Abass(Iyaloja of Yewaland) and that of Egbaland, Chief Ishat Iyaniwura.

The Babaloja of Yewaland, Prince Adewale Adesina, said: “Delivering a million votes for Amosun is achievable in 2015 because of our numerical strength.

“There are over 250 markets in Yewaland alone - Ogun West Senatorial District. If we combine this figure with those from other parts, we can meet our target.”

Amosun praised the traders for organising themselves. He approved a N50million loan facility for them.

He said the money would have been up to N200million, if opposition politicians had not scuttled efforts to obtain the fund from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The governor promised to inaugurate a marketing board and an agricultural and micro - credit agency to make trading beneficial for everybody.

Rainstorm destroys police headquarters

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RAINSTORM has affected parts of the Eleweran headquarters of the Ogun State Police Command, destroying documents and offices worth several millions of naira.

The worst-hit were the Department of Operations, Criminal Investigation Unit, pay office and 20 other buildings at the Eleweran barracks.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikemefuna Okoye, who toured the affected areas, described the incident as “unfortunate

•Sodipo displaying some of the stolen items...yesterday

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

and painful”, particularly the havoc done to the houses in the barracks.

Okoye, who urged the officers to be calm, said efforts were being made to replace some of the damaged property.

Governor Ibikunle Amosun, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa, promised to send the State Emergency Agency to assess the damage and arrange for compensation.

PHOTOS: FEMI ILESANMI

Ekiti Assembly holds valedictory service for governor

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KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi has hailed the House of Assembly for supporting him in the development of the state.

Fayemi, who was honoured yesterday at a valedictory service by the Assembly, said the over 70 laws passed in the last four years supported his programmes and policies.

The event was witnessed by principal officers and members of the Assembly.

Fayemi, who attributed his achievement to the manifesto of the All Progressives Congress (APC) which the Assembly upheld, said: “There is no other Assembly in the country that came anywhere close to the number of bills passed by the Ekiti Assembly in the last four years.

“The vision of this administration was to eradicate poverty; my mission was to return the state to the path of

‘Fayemi served gallantly’

By Seun Akioye

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SOCIO-POLITICAL group, the Ekiti Diaspora Europe, has described Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi as a “great son of Africa”, who served the people gallantly.

In a statement yesterday in Frankfurt, Germany, the President, Femi Awoniyi, said Fayemi’s achievements will become the yardstick with which future governors will be measured.

“We hail the governor for serving the people gallantly. His achievements will remain indelible and will become the yardstick with which the performance of future governors will be measured,” Awoniyi said.

The group said Fayemi has secured his place in history as the architect of modern Ekiti, noting that through his various projects and programmes, he has laid a solid foundation for the self-sustaining economic development of the state.

“We call for the swift and impartial trial of all the cases connected to the 21 June governorship election so that they do not affect governance and hence development of the state.

“We believe that the governor-elect, Ayo Fayose, has a duty to ensure the sustenance of the peace that has prevailed in the state since October 2010.”

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

glory, this has been largely achieved.

“I want to assure you that I

remain irrevocably committed to the democratic values our people have received in the last four years.”

The Speaker, Dr Adewale Omirin, praised the governor

for developing the state and leaving a legacy of honour, service and integrity.

Omirin said Fayemi created a friendly relationship between the two arms of government, which culminated in the all-round rapid development of the state.

He promised that the Assembly would ensure that the vision of the outgoing administration is transferred to successive administration.

Speaking on behalf of the three senatorial districts, Gbenga Odebunmi (Central), Bunmi Oriniowo (North) and Yomi Daramola (South) said the governor emerged at a critical time in the state’s history and repositioned the once troubled state for excellence.

Daramola said the impact made by the outgoing administration was indelible as there was no community which did not benefit from the various projects.

Alao-Akala didn’t tear ballot paper, says PDP chieftain

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CHIEFTAIN of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, Adebisi Olopoenia, has refuted the reports that former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala tore ballot papers during the party’s Southwest congress at the weekend.

Olopoenia spoke to reporters yesterday in Ibadan, the state capital.

“Otunba Alao-Akala did not tear any ballot paper. He expressed his dissatisfaction and merely protested against fraudulent manipulation of the list.

“This is to save Oyo PDP from the cabal which wants to impose its candidate and hijack everything for its selfish and political ambition.

“Before the congress, there was a unity list from Oyo State which party leaders signed. We discovered later that the name

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

of the nominee allotted to the former governor was replaced with another name.

“Do you expect him as a former governor to sit down and allow illegality to be perfected right before him? What happened was that he stopped the process of illegality and fraud.

Let anyone who said he tore the ballot paper produce the papers” The PDP chieftain said it was the candidate of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, that was used to replace Alao-Akala’s slot.

Olopoenia praised the party’s Southwest leadership, including Buruji Kasamu, Ekiti State governor elect Ayodele Fayose and others, who ensured that ‘evil plans’ did not manifest.

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014

9

CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 08078425391

How we disarmed two policemen, by suspects

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30-YEAR-OLD armed robbery suspect, Bernard Bongy, yesterday told the police how his nine-man gang disarmed two policemen and took their AK 47 rifles at the Eletu Ogabi, Victoria Island, Lagos home of Albert Omisore last Thursday.

The suspect, who hails from Benin Republic, was paraded with his accomplices by the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, Kayode Aderanti, at the command’s headquarters in Ikeja.

The other suspects are: Obinna Eyinma, 35; Emeka Uche a.k.a Small, 27; Chukwuma Akabueze, 37; David Joshua, 22; Ifeanyi Okafor, 35; Kichito Ofone Nwachukwu, 30; Moses Ogbu, 36, and Amino Bobbo, who claimed to be a receiver.

The exhibits recovered from them include two AK47 rifles with serial numbers 56-2523999 and 070129990, which they took from the policemen, and one Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) marked AAA690BH. Police also recovered the SUV’s engraved head lamp, windshield, side mirrors, registration number engraved on its trafficator light among others.

Following his instruction that fateful day, Aderanti said the Officer in Charge, Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS), Superintendent of Police (SP)

By Ebele Boniface

Abba Kyari, swung into action and arrested the suspects.

Through diligent investigation and deployment of advanced technology, according to him, the squad arrested the first suspect and gang leader, Obinna Eyinma, at the Jakande Beach, Ajah, where he confessed to his involvement in stealing the SUV and other valuables.

“He later led SARS operatives to their hideout at Obalende and Kuramo Beach where the other suspects were arrested. They confessed to series of armed robbery/carsnatching operations at Ajah, Lekki and Victoria Island, including the robbery in the Ogombo area of Lagos on September 12 where two AK47 rifles were snatched from 49 riot policemen,” said Aderanti.

The robbers, he added, also led the operatives to a bush in the Ogombo area where the two Ak47 rifles buried in the swamp were recovered.

The police chief said the operatives caught the fleeing ninth member of the gang, Moses Ogbu in the Ishashi area of the state on October 12 with Omisore’s SUV. In his confession, Bernard said: “I am from Benin Republic. I was formerly working with an insurance company in Nigeria as a driver alongside 19 others.

My vehicle had a 50-litre capacity tank, but whenever I

Police to parade dogs, owner •For attacking four-year-old boy

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HE dogs which attacked a four-year-old boy in Lagos last Thursday will soon be paraded alongside their owner, the police said yesterday.

Commissioner of Police Kayode Aderanti said the dogs and their owner, Stanley Wesley, were already being detained and facing interrogation.

He explained that after investigations, the dogs and their owner will be charged to court, adding that operatives are trying to look at the relevant laws guarding domestic pets.

The victim, Omonigho Abraham, who is currently being treated at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital

•Omonigho

By Jude Isiguzo

(LASUTH), Ikeja, was attacked by the dogs inside his Adegboyega Street, Akeem Estate, Igando, Lagos home.

It was reported that the dogs, Jack and Gadaffi, dragged him in the compound for over an hour while policemen and

•The suspects, the SUV and other recovered items ... yesterday

wanted to tell my office how much fuel I bought, I would tell them 85 litres. When they found out, all of us were sacked.

When I became desperate and jobless, I met one Alhaji Idris who lured me into carsnatching business. In my first operation, I got N100,000. I later learnt Gbelegu system (breaking and entering). It was this work that took me to Victoria Island where we operated in one house.

“We were five that day. We held the security men who asked us to gain entry through sympathisers watched helplessly at the entrance of the house for fear of being attacked.

His elder brother, Osemudiamen said the dogs chased Omonigho, Bobby and himself while riding bicycle inside the compound.

Osemudiamen said Bobby and himself quickly ran upstairs and locked the door, but added that when Omonigho got to the door, they opened it for him but one of the dogs followed him into their flat. He said Bobby and himself jumped down from upstairs, but Omonigho could not and was attacked.

It was gathered that it was the screaming by the boys that attracted passersby who thronged the compound but could do anything.

However, the command’s spokesperson, Kenneth Nwosu said the boy was rescued from the dogs by policemen.

Aderanti described the incident as unfortunate, adding that those who have domestic pets should learn how to keep them to avoid such occurrences.

I'm a drug dealer, woman tells court

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HE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) yesterday arraigned a 32-year-old woman, Ifeoma Eze, at the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly dealing in a banned narcotic.

She pleaded guilty to the charge, saying she went into the business as a means of survival.

NDLEA's lawyer Mr Ernest Agwu said the accused person was arrested on July 21 at the Murtala Murtala Airport.

He said that about 6.200 grams of the narcotic was recovered from her during an outward clearance of passengers to China.

According to the prosecutor, the substance was concealed in a large envelop and carefully tucked

By Joseph Jibueze

in Eze's luggage.

The alleged offence contravenes Section 11 (c) of the NDLEA Act Cap N30, Laws of the Federation, 2004.

Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke ordered that she be remanded at the Kirikiri female prison until October 24 when she will be sentenced after a review of the evidence.

Eze admitted the one-count charge of trafficking about 6.200 grams of Cannabis Sativa, also known as Indian hemp.

Justice Aneke adjourned till Octover 24 for a review of facts and sentencing.

the sitting room. Upon entering, we met a woman who started shouting.

She later led us to the inner apartment where we met two policemen sleeping. We disarmed them and beat them up; they eventually ran away, but we collected their rifles.”

Obinna said: “I knew Bernard when I was sleeping under Obalende Bridge four months ago. The buyer of the SUV promised to pay N1.5million.

I only

participated in armed robbery thrice. I am an ex-convict.”

David, who claimed to be a Muslim, said he would have left the gang earlier but couldn’t because he needed money to solve personal problems.

Aminu, who said he was merely a buyer, said: “I first bought gold from the gang at N42,999 and the second at N450,000. I knew that they were robbers, but the goods they sold to me were very cheap; that was the attraction.

I didn’t follow them to rob.”

The command’s spokesman, Kenneth Nwosu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), urged residents to be security-conscious and avail the police of credible information.

He assured that such information would be treated with utmost confidentiality, adding that the command is committed to ensuring that crime is reduced to the minimum in the state.

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014

10

NEWS

I'm frustrated by attacks on Riyom, says senator

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HE Senator representing Plateau North, Gyang Shom Pwajok, has said he is saddened by renewed attacks on his constituency.

Over 30 residents of the council have been killed by gunmen in the last two weeks.

Pwajok wept yesterday while speaking to the Canadian High Commissioner in Nigeria, Perry John Calderwood, who was in the state to find out the progress of the peace-building project initiated by the Canadian government.

The lawmaker said: "The security challenges in my constituency are frustrating. I am deeply pained and demoralised by these ceaseless attacks on my constituency. The more efforts I make to build peace the more attacks we get in return. I am in pain and becoming frustrated.

"In last week's attack, the family home of my predecessor, the late Senator Dantong, was burnt down. Datong was

•Fulani seek dialogue with Berom •STF's claim faulty From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

killed while trying to make peace in the zone.

"Since I assumed office, all I have expended my energy on is how to build peace, reconciliation, rehabilitation and reconstruction. My regret is that even my attempt to build peace is being misunderstood; my good intentions are being politicised.

"Whenever I think I have succeeded in building peace, fresh attacks occur and I will have to start all over again. I have plans to provide shelter for displaced people, but can't do that when the attackers are still after them.

"Governments have spent hundreds of billions of naira to maintain peace and order in my zone, but these seem to be a waste of time and resources because series of attacks do not give room for government intervention to yield

‘We need sustainable Assembly’

results.

"Security agencies that are supposed to restore peace are not helping. The bad elements there have frustrated peace efforts. It has dawned on me that the conflict merchants are at work because the kind of weapons the attackers use are not weapons the local people in my constituency can afford.

So, who is supplying these weapons?

"The quantum of destruction of life and property in these crises outweighs that of the civil war and there seems to be no end to it. People are displaced but the attackers will not allow government to provide shelter for them."

Pwajok thanked the Canadian government for its concern.

The high commissioner later met with the Fulani and Berom at Crest Hotel in Jos. The Fulani, led by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Fulani Affairs, Alhaji Umar

Salim, urged their host, the Berom (who make up Riyom Council), to work with them to end the crisis.

Salim said: "The Fulani are as worried as the Berom over the recent attacks. We never had the luxury of celebrating the last Sallah as a result of the renewed attacks. The conflict has taken a dangerous dimension with these series of attacks in the last one week.

This has made all peace efforts useless and hopeless.

"But this is not the time to sit down and lament. I appeal to Berom leaders to rise up to the challenge, because we can't afford to allow the conflict to linger. People are being killed; cows are being killed; property are being destroyed.

"Let our Berom neighbours give us Fulani the benefit of doubt and allow us to discuss together. It is not the best to assume that we are part of the attackers. Please, let the Ber-

om and the Fulani return to the dialogue table and stop these conflicts. We must come together to seek a way out now."

Berom leaders said they were not opposed to dialogue.

Da Jonah Madugu said: "We have been in dialogue with the Fulani before now, but the attacks came to us a shock, considering efforts to build peace among us.

"We are more frustrated with the comments of the Special Task Force. The government troops claimed the renewed attacks followed cattle rustling and killing of cows. We take exception to this claim.

"Even the Fulani condemned the STF's claims because it does not add up. How can you compare human life to that of cattle?"

The Berom urged the Federal Government to more troops in Riyom local government.

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

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ENATOR Zaynab Abdulkadir Kure (Niger South) yesterday picked up the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) nomination form, signifying her desire for reelection.

Accompanied by her supporters across the eight local government areas of the zone, the two-term legislator picked her form at the Niger State PDP Secretariat in Minna, the state capital.

She said the country needed a sustainable legislature of tested hands.

The chairperson of the Senate’s Maritime Transport Committee said she was seeking re-election to strengthen democracy and ensure sustainable legislature.

She told reporters that unlike the executive arm, the legislative arm needed old hands, who had acquired the knowledge of law making over the years, to be retained.

The senator said: “The more a legislator is returned to the national or state Assembly the more he/she gains experience in the act of legislation and will be able to represent the people adequately.”

She said her first term was a learning process and the second was to stabilise her in law making.

The senator pledged to use the third term to concretise the training she acquired during her first and second terms.

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From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

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CHOOLS in Niger State resumed yesterday after over three months.

In some schools, the temperature of pupils was tested before they were allowed into classrooms.

In schools without Infra Red Thermal Detectors (IRTDs), pupils were made to wash their hands before entering the classrooms.

Commissioner for Education Danladi Abdulhamid said the government approved N173 million for the promotion of hygiene in schools.

Aspirant donates cars, bikes to APC From Ahmed Rufa'I, Dutse

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governorship aspirant in Jigawa State, Alhaji Badaru Abubakar, has donated 27 cars and 287 motorcycles to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Presenting them to the party's state Chairman, Alhaji Ado Sani, in Dutse, the state capital, Abubakar said they would ease the movement of members to party programmes.

The cars would be given to the 27 local government chairmen and the motorcycles to the 287 ward chairmen.

Abubakar pledged to support whoever emerges the party's flagbearer, if he is not chosen.

Sani thanked him for the gesture and urged the beneficiaries to maintain the cars and motorcycles.

Abuja natives reject Landswap From Grace Obike, Abuja

•All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirant Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (left) and Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (right) commiserating with Afenifere chieftain Senator Ayo Fasanmi on the death of his wife, Felicia, at Fasanmi’s home in Osogbo...yesterday.

Aliyu says no to ‘stomach infrastructure’

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IGER State Governor Mu’azu Aliyu has warned that the politics of “stomach infrastructure” should not be encouraged.

Aliyu, who chairs the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), spoke yesterday at the unveiling of the Rev. Fr. J.D. O’connel Educational Foundation and book presentation in Minna, the state capital.

He said governance should not be about sharing money to the people, but using public funds to provide infrastructure and other needs of the majority of the people.

The governor said: “Governance is not about sharing money to the people. It is about meeting the needs of the people

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

through the provision of basic infrastructure.”

He said his disapproval of “stomach infrastructure” informed his administration’s investment in education, road construction and provision of health facilities, which he said has benefited the people.

Aliyu said education was the corner stone for the realisation of the state’s Vision 3:2020, adding that the policy has led to Niger being rated above many others by internationally-recognised bodies.

He said: “We will continue to create space and give the underprivileged access to education.”

Urging parents to educate their children, the governor said: “It is by so doing that the children will be better people and be in a position to contribute to the development of the country.”

Hailing Fr. O’connell for promoting education and religious tolerance, he said: “We thank you for the sacrifices you have made. May God continue to reward you accordingly.”

Over N17 million was contributed to the foundation by the state government, top government officials and old students of Fatima Secondary school, now Government Secondary School, Minna.

Fr. O’connell was the oldest headteacher in the state before he retired a few years back.

APC presidential ticket: I’m not backing any candidate, says Saraki ENATOR Bukola Saraki yesterday said he was not backing any All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirant.

He said he was only out to ensure that the process of picking the presidential candidate unites the party.

Saraki, who spoke with our correspondent on the phone in Abuja, debunked reports that he had stepped down for another aspirant.

He said: “I am not backing any candidate. I have not decided who I am backing or not. When the time comes, we will know as a party which direction to go. At the appro-

Niger schools resume

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

priate time, I will make an announcement. What I am presently concerned about is the process. I believe the process should be such that will unite the party and give us the opportunity to provide the needed change in the country.”

The former Kwara State governor said his statement on Sunday was explicit on the need for a rancour-free primary.

He said: “I don’t know where they got the report from that I am supporting a candidate. I did not say that

in my statement.”

In the statement, he said he was suspending his presidential ambition in the interest of the nation and the APC. It reads: “I am stepping down my ambition because Nigeria’s political outlook for 2015 is very complicated and this is the time for every patriotic politician to situate his personal ambition in the context of the country’s overall interest. ”I don’t think our party can afford too much internal rancour going into next year’s election. I, therefore, think some of us need to make the sacrifice and be part of the

solution, rather than part of the problem of the party. I have always maintained that I did not leave the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the opposition because of any personal interest. Anyone who understands Nigeria’s politics would know that it takes courage and self-sacrifice to do that.

“Therefore, whether it is on the issue of the party or other issues that I have been pushing in my position as a senator, I have been driven primarily by my desire to see a better and more purposely governed country.”

He said it was imperative to close ranks in the APC and avoid rancorous primaries to defeat the PDP, adding: “Party primaries in any healthy democracy would always leave several contenders disappointed and, sometimes bitter, as there would be only one winner. “The party would then invest so much energy and time afterwards managing and reconciling various interests. APC can only live up to the aspirations of Nigerians for change if it is not derailed by too much acrimony from its primaries, which are coming so close to the general elections.”

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HE Original Inhabitants Development Association of Abuja (OIDA), an umbrella body of the Federal Capital Territory’s (FCT’s) original inhabitants, has rejected FCT Minister Bala Mohammed’s land swap policy.

They said certain policies and mega projects of the FCT administration, such as Landswap, Centenary City project, were aimed at short-changing them.

OIDA urged political sycophants to stop playing politics with Abuja natives.

The group was reacting to last week’s call by some people on Mohammed not to leave the FCT to pursue his political ambition in Bauchi because of “his positive impact” in the FCT. In a statement yesterday by its Media Adviser, Sumner Shagari Sambo, OIDA said: “ “Certain policies and mega projects of the present FCT administration, such as Landswap, Centenary City project and many others are all aimed at short-changing Abuja natives and we see no reason why some unknown groups will claim that our people have benefited from such elitist policies that do not even benefit ordinary Nigerians resident in Abuja.

“More comical is the fact that such groups making the calls are led by the immediate beneficiaries of the rejected Landswap scheme in their capacity as consultants or socalled community liason officers. What else are they expected to do, if not to praise their benefactors to high heavens?”

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014

11

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Sovereign Wealth Funds are managed conservatively.

They don’t borrow money the way banks do, so you can’t compare this business to banking business. This business does not expose itself to that kind of risk. It is not the same thing as private equity •Managing Director/CEO, NSI A, Uche Orji

Dangote firm sues Zambian minister

‘Lagos market key to West Africa’

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D

ANGOTE Industries in Zambia is suing the country’s labour minister, Fackson Shamenda, for defamation after he claimed that a senior company official tried to bribe him, court documents showed yesterday.

The firm, a subsidiary of Nigeria’s Dangote Group owned by Aliko Dangote ranked by Forbes magazine as the richest man in Africa , is claiming unspecified damages for slander and libel as well as special damages in the sum of $17,728, according to documents filed in the High Court.

On September 15, the Post Newspaper in the Zambia carried a story with the headline “Dangote offers Shamenda a bribe” in which the minister claimed that a Nigerian human resources manager from the company offered him a bribe which he rejected.

“He told me that it was a tradition in their culture to give someone a token of appreciation.

“May I take this opportunity to warn Dangote and all other investors in the country to avoid enticing government officials with bribes - it hinders progress,” Shamenda was quoted as saying.

Dangote Industries is setting up a multimillion dollar cement plant in Ndola, about 360 kilometres north of the capital Lusaka.

Community pickets oil installation From Clarice Azuyatalm, Port Harcourt

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EOPLE of Egi in Ogba/ Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State yesterday picketed Total Oil Nigeria Exploration and Production oil installations spread in different villages that make up the community to protest against what they termed injustice.

Some of the messages on their placards read: “ From today, Total know it now: No community, no production; Egi contract staff of Total must be called back immediately; Conversion-MD of Total, do it now” and “We say no to the neglect given to our paramount rulers; Total will pay dearly for the neglect.”

The people made up of men, women and youths said their grievances with the oil firm had to do with the sack of 45 Egi youths by the company because they joined other workers from different ethnic groups to protest against their non-conversion to permanent staff and lack of good welfare package.

Speaking through the Chairman, Council of Chiefs, High Chief Shadrach Orikeoha, the people said: “Total has desecrated our land and they have violated the agreement reached with them and the land.”

Orioke also recalled that in 2012, Egi people and Total signed an MoU and it was agreed that an account to be jointly operated by the two parties should be opened and billions of naira would be deposited there for the development of Egi land.

• Okoyomon (second right) with EFCC officials in court...yesterday

N750m contract scam: Ex-Mint boss kicks against extradition

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FORMER Managing Director of Nigeria Security Minting and Printing Company (NSPMC),Emmanuel Ehidiamhen Okoyomon yesterday opposed application for his extraction to the United Kingdom (U.K.) by the office of Attorney-General of the Federation.

The application, which was filed before Justice E.S Chukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, could not go on because of the preliminary objection raised by the exMint boss.

But the judge ordered that the accused person be remanded in Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) custody.

Okoyomon’s extradition is being sought by the UK government over his alleged role in the bribery scandal involving officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria

From Yusuf Alli and Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

(CBN), the Nigeria Security Minting and Printing Company (NSPMC) and Securency International Pty of Australia between 2006 and 2008.

According to a statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, the court has adjourned the case to October 16 for the hearing of the extradition application and preliminary objection.

The statement read: “When the case was called for mention today, the defence counsel, Alex Iziyon (SAN) told the court that he had filed a preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear and decide the matter”.

Iziyon argued that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter saying, “there

is no extradition treaty between Nigeria and the UK”.

“We want to be shown where this is in the law. What we have is only protocol not extradition treaty,” he added.

Responding, the prosecuting counsel, M.S Hassan told the court that he had not been served with the application.

He urged the court to remand the accused in prison custody, pending the hearing and determination of the application.

The statement added: “Justice Chukwu, after listening to the submission of both counsel, ordered the defence to get the prosecution duly served with all necessary processes while EFCC should take custody of the accused till the next adjourned date.

The case has been adjourned to Thursday, October 16, for hearing.

The late President Umaru

Yar‘Adua had in company with the then CBN Governor, Prof.

Charles Soludo launched the new N5, N10 and N50 polymer notes on September 30, 2009 at the Presidential Villa.

The circulation of the new bank notes coincided with Nigeria’s 49th Independence Anniversary day celebration.

But there were allegations of shady deal between some CBN officials and Securency International Pty of Australian.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) had already probed the alleged N750million bribe offered

by Securency to win the contract.

Although the contract for the printing of N5, N10, N50 notes were awarded in 2009, the bribery scandal involving Securency was perpetrated in 2006.

Communities accuse Shell of ‘divide and rule’ over Bonga spill C

OMMUNITIES in Bayelsa and Delta States affected by the December 2011 Bonga oil spill have accused Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo) of divide and rule over compensation to the affected communities.

The communities in a statement signed yesterday by King Obiriki Ojukosin and Chief Austine Ofoeyeno, said Shell’s invitation of some members of the communities other than their representatives to a meeting was intended to cause confusion and disaffection among the communities.

According to the communities, the purported meeting was also meant to scuttle the compensation claims for

From: Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

the affected communities.

Besides, the communities noted that the said meeting would have undermined the interventions of the National Assembly as well as the Federal Government’s agency involved.

The statement reads: “That the said Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) chairmen were not adequately briefed about Shell’s intention and they were misled to attend the meeting; therefore the said GMoU chairmen, communities, satellite villages and fisherpersons in Bayelsa and Delta States affected by the

said Bonga oil spill hereby disclaim and distance ourselves from whatsoever meaning that Shell may attribute and/or ascribe to the presence of the GMoU chairmen in the said meeting.

“That all shoreline communities, satellite villages, and fisher persons in Bayelsa and Delta States have a valid attorney already handling all matters associated with the Shell Bonga oil spill of 20th December 2011 for our interest.

“That in line with Shell’s usual disrespect to constituted authorities and laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Shell ignored House of Representatives Committee

on Environment letter ref.

NASS/7HR/Ct.31/23/130 of 3rd October 2014 to inaugurate Multi-Stakeholders Committee to amicably resolve all contending issues and thereafter compromised National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and also usurp their authority by organising the said meeting with a view to scuttle the efforts of the National Assembly and other Federal Government agencies as well as our said Attorney for the purpose of destroying and subjugating our legitimate claims.

“That we hereby direct Shell to forthwith deal with and/or channel all transactions with us in respect of the said Bonga oil spill through our Attorney.”

AGOS House of Assem bly Speaker, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, has said the Lagos market remains the take off point for any producer seeking to serve consumers across West Africa.

According to him, the economy of the state is the fifth largest in Africa and second only to the rest of Nigeria in the whole of the sub-region. He commended companies that choose Lagos as their operational base for making the right investment decision.

Ikuforiji spoke while receiving officials of nutritional products firm, Nutricima Limited, who paid him a courtesy visit ahead of the formal launch of Olympic Milk brand’s new identity and product range.

Ikuforiji would be guest of honour at the October 15 event at The Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Its Managing Director, Suneel Vasudevan, who led the team to the Speaker, said the company was established to meet the needs for high quality nutritional products in Nigeria as established by research findings.

Receiving the team, Ikuforiji said the decision of the company and its principal shareholder PZ Cussons to invest in manufacturing in Ikorodu, a suburb of the city, was a wise one as the market is key to unlocking the subregional market.

According to him, the state hosts all the major demographic groups across the sub-region.

“It gladdens my heart to see that after all the years despite Nigeria’s peculiar challenges, you are not only still here, but giving birth to other companies. They say when the going gets tough, the tough gets going, Nutricima and PZ have shown by their longevity of operations in Nigeria that they are committed to contributing to the economic development of the country and Lagos in particular being the fifth largest economy on the continent,” he said.

Vasudevan said the rebranded Olympic Milk is a healthy choice milk product for all age groups and the new variants from milk will be unveiled tomorrow.

He said with the launch of the new product, Nutricima will be restaging its brand as a major player in the food and beverage sector of the Nigerian economy, thus giving Nigerians a unique healthy and nutritious choice that resonates vitality.

Nutricma is owned by Milk Ventures (U.K.) Limited, a 50:50 joint venture between PZ Cussons, Manchester and Glanbia food ingredients in Ireland. It runs a modern manufacturing facility in Ikorodu, Lagos for its productions. They include three milk brands, Nunu, Coast and Olympic, as well as other nutritious products.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014

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THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014

14 USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS ON ANY EMERGENCY

Council endorses the useful phone numbers submitted by the security agents for easy access in case of any emergency on the metropolitan roads. Accordingly, the general public may easily Contact KAROTA for: Breakdown of Vehicle(s), Traffic Congestion, Accidents, and Illegal/Wrong Parking to kindly Call KAROTA through the following numbers on – 08091626747. Similarly, the State Police Command could be contacted on – 08032419754, 08123821575. In addition, the State Fire Service can be contacted on – 07051246833, 08191778888.

170TH KANO STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING PREPARED BY COUNCIL AFFAIRS DIRECTORATE, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT, GOVERNMENT HOUSE, KANO. Precisely three (3) and half years ago, no one would have believed that Kano State would wear its current looks within a single tenure of an elected State Chief Executive. Indeed it has happened and is still happening. The executions of the sizable number of beautiful projects have completely transformed the landscape of Kano City into astonishing scenery.

The tenacity with which His Excellency Governor Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE carried out the implementation of his social-economic development plans impresses everyone, his audacity and courage are attributes of leadership so rare these days that you wonder That such leaders can be found nowadays.

This has been attested to the implementation of laudable programmes and projects such as the first (1st) flyover along Kofar Nassarawa to Ibrahim Taiwo Road which was constructed and is almost 90% completed, the second (2nd) bridge along Murtala Muhammad Way, which is perhaps the longest in the West Africa Sub – Region are all indelible remarks that will continue to stand as edifice that would last and remain a remarkable feat in the history of Kano State and a lesson for others in power to learn from.

In continuation of the implementation of the various policies, programmes and projects by the present administration, the State Executive Council held its one hundred and seventieth (170th) Meeting on Friday 10th October, 2014 (16th Zhul Hajj, 1435 AH) where it approved a total of sixteen (16) memorandum out of the thirty seven (37) submitted by ten (10) MDAs, with a total financial outlay of Five Hundred and Three Million, One Hundred and Sixty One Thousand, Eight Hundred and Seventy Five Naira, Forty Three Kobo (N503,161,875.43) as per the following breakdown:INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT Kano State has witnessed such an unprecedented infrastructural Development within the Second coming of His Excellency Gov Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as Governor of Kano of the State. For instance, gigantic projects were executed by the present administration such as; i.

Constructing of the first two (3) flyovers in the State. ii.

Wuju – Wuju Road Project. (Channelization of Jakara River with dual carriage way on top) iii.

Roads expansion/construction across length and breadth of Kano City and the State as a whole. iv.

Re – construction of City Gates. v.

Construction of three (3) new Cities (Amana, Kwankwasiyya and Bandirawo). vi.

Construction of under pass road network at Kabuga and Gadon Kaya. vii.

Generation of 35 MW from Tiga and Challawa Gorge Dams. Etc,etc Sofar, this added to the massive change in the face of Kano where ever you go, you are likely to come across a project you may not have known about.

In continuation with these laudable projects, the Council endorsed and approved the following projects; a) Report of the Committee on Tiga and Challawa Hydro Electricity Projects:You are aware of the continued Government efforts toward the establishment of the first State Hydro Electric Power Plants at Tiga and Challawa Gorge Dams that would sustain and provide energy to the Street and Traffic Lights, industries and some areas within the metropolis.

In this respect, the Committee on the Implementation of the State Hydro Electricity Power Generation submitted a report for its second (2nd) factory acceptance tests on the Off – shore electro – mechanical components of Tiga and Challawa Gorge Dams Hydro Electricity projects. The Committee notified the Council that, the equipments will soon arrive from India.

Furthermore, Council acknowledged the report with appreciation and directed for the immediate Power evacuation concurrently with the construction works in order to meet the commissioning date of 31st December, 2014. b) Request for Funds for the Proposed Redesign of Kofar Gadon Kaya City Gate:The memorandum notified the Council on the on – going under pass road construction at Gadon Kaya along BUK Road masterminded by the present administration in its effort to decongest traffic control, necessitate the redesign of the existing City Gate to meet the current situation.

In line with this, the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport prepared drawings and Bills of quantities in the sum of N15,948,522.45 for the redesign and restoration of the city gate.

Accordingly, Council considered and approved the release of the stated sum for the commitment. c) Request for Funds for the Redesign/Reconstruction of Kofar Famfo City Gate:Following the redesign of some City Gates such as Kofar Na’isa, Sabuwar Kofa, Kofar Dan’ Agundi and Kofar Nassarawa pave way for the reconstruction of the Kofar Famfo along BUK Road with the aim of beautifying and decongesting the city. The Ministry of Works submitted an assessment to undertake the project in the sum of N15,301,576.00.

Accordingly, Council considered and approved the stated sum for the execution of project. d) Request for Funds for the Repairs of Eroded Embankment of Main Canal and Re – Excavation of main Drain at Watari Irrigation Scheme:As a result of the heavy rainfall experienced this year, the river passing across the main irrigation canal have eroded which if not repaired may cause total failure of the siphon, cutting off supply of irrigation water to all sectors.

In this regard, the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with KNARDA submitted a request to Council for the repairs and re – excavation of the main drain at Watari Irrigation Scheme in the sum of N8,166,000.00 to be executed by KNARDA on direct labour basis.

Accordingly, Council considered and approved as requested.

e) Request for Funds for the Provision of Ring Type Drainage with Interlock Surface atLungun Sarkin Ruwa and Mekara in Kutama Town, Gwarzo Local Government:In an effort of the present administration to address the

Rabi’u Musa Kwankawaso

lingering over flooding problems during rainy season, the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport submitted a recommendation for the provision of Ring Type Drainage with Interlocking Surface and an open block wall drain to discharge water to the near river. A scope of work was proposed to comprise provision of 750MM diameter ring drainage with chamber (30MM) backfilling with good laterite, provision of interlocking tiles and provision of block wall drainage at the estimated cost of N8,748,946.88.

Council considered and approved as requested. f) Request for Funds for the Maintenance/Protection of Zaria Road High Way Landscaping:Considering the importance of Urban Beautification as part of the cardinal objective of the present administration, the Ministry of Environment has concluded arrangements to take over the maintenance and protection of the established Zaria Road High Way Landscaping with a view to securing it from destruction by both humans, animals and ensure constant watering for the survival of the plants.

In view of the above, a total sum of N15,689,500.00 is required for the fencing, planting and other necessary logistics.

Accordingly, Council considered and approved the release of the trimmed sum of N7,844,750.00 to facilitate the smooth conduct of the project. g) Request for Funds for Landscaping and Beautification of the Three (3) Mini Parks at the State Road, Kano:The Ministry of Environment submitted a request for the landscaping, beautification and maintenance of three (3) selected parks along State Road at the estimated cost of N4,273,000.00.

Accordingly, Council considered and approved the release of the trimmed sum of N2,123,500.00 for the commitment. h) Request for Funds for the Supply of Radio Communication Equipment and Uniform Materials for Fire Service:In fulfillment to update and upgrade all Government Sectors Fire Service included, the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport submitted a request to Council for the supply of radio communication equipment and uniforms for the Fire Service Department which will improve and enhance their operational capability in line with the desired modern technology.

Accordingly, Council considered and approved as follows; i.

Two (2) Set of Uniforms i.e. (beret, belt, shoes, buttons, socks and cap badge) to its 962 persons and ceremonial dresses pick up, sword and cross belt at the sum of N19,900,250.00. ii.

Purchase of communication facilities (gadgets) at the sum of N6,135,000.00.

EMPOWERMENT SECTOR It is pertinent to remind the general public on the effort of the present administration on the establishment of various skill acquisition institutions targeted at provision of viable skills acquisition opportunities for our teeming unemployed /unskilled youths. About twenty (24) such institutions have been established among which many are related to issues connected to agricultural production where twenty (24) empowerment institutes were established since the inception of this administration. Amongst them are as follows; i.

The Poultry Institute at Tukwui. ii.

The Fisheries iii.

Livestock Institute at Bagauda onRabbit production/processing, Ram/Buck fattening, Bull fattening training for thirty (30) days. iv.

The Animal Traction Institute, Gwarzo. v.

Modern Bee keeping training was introduced and more than 1000 youths have so far been trained. vi.

Fifty (50) State sponsored students were selected for the National Power Training institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) where these institutes and training centers are designed to make the graduates self – employed. vii.

Entrepreneurship Institute Dawakin Tofa which train on skills of Lafiya Jari (Drug sellers), Traders Union, Modern Barbing, Meat Sellers etc. viii. Hospitality and Tourism Institute. ix.

Kano Driving Institute, Karfi. x.

Kano Development Journalism Institute. xi.

Kano Corporate Security Institute, Gabasawa. xii.

Kano Informatics Institute, Kura. xiii. Kano Sports Academy Karfi. xiv. Kano Poultry institute xv.

Kano reformatory institute xvi. Kano School of Basic Midwifery Gezawa xvii. Kano School of nursing Madobi xviii. College of Advanced and remedial Studies Tudun Wada xix. Kano irrigation institute xx.

Kano School of Health Technology Bebeji xxi. Northwest university xxii. Sponsorship of 501, 502, 503, 504 and 505 State Students for Postgraduate Studies Abroad. xxiii. Recruitmentof 1000, 1002, 1003, 1004, 1005, 1006, 1007, 1008, 1009, 1010, 1011, 1012

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THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014 batches fresh indigenous graduates into the State Civil Service. xxiv. Distribution of 100no. Tricycles to Members of the State Meat Haulers Association. xxv. And many other empowerment schemes.

and Emergency Unit of Murtala Muhammad Specialists Hospital.

Accordingly, Council considered and approved for the release of the sum of N1,668,315.60 for the procurement of 10 each of the said facilities.

In addition to the above, the following memorandum on empowerment were presented and approved as follows;

b) Request for Funds for Payment of Teaching by Radio Programme During the Extended School Holiday due to Threat of Ebola Virus:Inviewofthe tremendous effort of the present administration towards ensuring the development of education in the State and overseas coupled with the massive construction and renovation of classrooms and wall fencing/toilets across the 44 Local Government Areas. The State Government having noted the outbreak of ebola virus in the country set up preventive measures in both public and private schools.

a) Request for Sponsorship/Relocation of Nineteen (19) State Post Graduate Students from Sultan Zainal Abidin University, Malaysia to Prist University, India:In an effort to further ensure that, the State Sponsored Postgraduate Students have attained Qualitative Education abroad motivated the Ministry of Higher Education in collaboration with the State Scholarship Board to recommend for the relocation of nineteen (19) Students from Sultan Zainal Abidin University (UNISZA), Malaysia to Prist University, India.

Council noted, considered and approved for the release of the sum of $250,800.00 equivalent toN42,636,000.00 as Tuition, Accommodation, Medical insurance fees, as well as students upkeep, Visa Fee and Flight Ticket Fees. b) Request for Funds for Visa Renewal in Respect of Forty (40) Students Admitted at the 6 October University, Egypt:It could be recalled that, the present administration has sponsored State Indigenous students to study MBBS, Pharmacy and Applied Medical Sciences at various Universities within the nation and overseas where a total of 300 male and female secondary school leavers are studying Medicine and Pharmacy at different Universities in Sudan, Egypt, Malaysia, Turkey and India while about fifty (50) Students are studying for bachelor’s degrees in Nursing and Midwifery at Mansoura University and the remaining forty (40) Students are studying at 6 October University, Egypt under 2013/2014 Academic session.

In this respect, the State Scholarship Board submitted a request for visa renewal for the forty (40) students of the 6 October University.

Accordingly, Council noted, considered and approved the release of the sum of $12,000.00 equivalent to N2,040,000.00 for the Visa renewal of the forty (40) State Sponsored Students for MBBS, Pharmacy and Applied Medical Sciences at 6 October University, Egypt. c) Request for Financial Assistance to One Maryam Kishiya Garba, a 501 Beneficiary to Pursue her PhD Degree Programme under the Scholarship of University of Newcastle, UK:The effect of the performance made by one of the beneficiaries of the 501 State sponsored Students abroad Maryam Kishiya Garba who completed her Msc Programme at the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom and passed out with Distinction where based on this remarkable performance, the University offered her Scholarship for a 3 – yearPhD Programme.

Accordingly, Council noted with delight, considered and approved for the release of the sum of N368,427.00 as Government’s assistance to cater for Visa processing and return ticket to undergo the PhD Programme. d) Memorandum on Kano Film Academy, Bagauda:The continued effort of the present administration towards sanitizing the rigorous production of Audio visual films in the State and youth empowerment prompted the establishment of the Kano Film Academy, Bagauda where preparations for the take-off of the Academy has reached completion stage.

Consequently, Council considered and approved for the release of the sum of N161,500,000.00 for the supply, installation and test running of mandatory equipment essential for the take-off of the Academy.

In this respect, the 3rd Term Holidays was extended by the Federal Ministry of Education as a result of the Ebola Virus epidemic threat across the Nation where in the State, His Excellency the Governor directed the State Ministry of Education to device a means of helping the students both in public/private schools staying at home specifically students in SSII and SSIII who would soon sit for external examinations of WAEC, NECO, NABTEB, NBAIS and Qualifying in early 2015 with the aid of “Radio Lessons” tagged “ Teaching

by Radio for Senior Secondary Students” (Darussan Dalibai) at the Kano State Radio Corporation.

Accordingly, Council considered and approved for the release of the sum of N10,000,000.00 as payment of the Teaching by Radio Programme during the extended schools Holiday due to the threat of Ebola Virus. c) Request for Funds to Undertake Renovation Work/Procurement of Security Gadgets and Ebola Control Materials:The Management of the Kano Zoological and Wildlife Management Agency having noted the continued threat of Ebola Virus Nationwide requested the sum of N5,381,087.50 as funds to undertake renovation work/procurement of Security Gadgets as well as Ebola Control materials against the safety of lives of the Animals, Staff and Visitors at the Zoo. Accordingly, Council considered and approved for the release of the stated sum of N5,381,087.50 for the above undertaken.

UPDATE ON ACTIVITIES OF THE 170TH EXCO SITTING SUPPLY AND LAYING OF DUCTILE IRON PIPES FROM JUNE 2011 – OCTOBER 2014 In its continuous effort to ensure the provision of adequate potable drinking water, the State Executive Council noted the purchase and supply of 1000mm Ductile Iron pipes covering a distance of 23.1km from Tamburawa Water Treatment Plant to Hadejia Road via Easter bypass at a total cost of N2,963,865,445.25 while the laying of the pipes is awarded at a total cost of N211,125,000.00. The pipes have already started arriving Kano and the laying will commence on the 13th October, 2014.

This is in addition to the earlier supply and laying of the Ductile Iron Pipes of various diameters ranging from 400mm – 1000mm purchased by the Government at the total cost of N11,143,840,307.67 with a total distance covered as per the table below:

e).

Request for Funds for the Provision of 200KVA Perkins Electricity Generation Sets (Sound Proof) to all the Tailoring Garment Clusters Across the 44 Local Government Areas:It an effort to continuously empower our youth with gainful employment and eradicate poverty the state Government came up with a revolutionary idea of establishing Garment industries two (2) in each of the 44 local Government of the state. To achieve this KASCO stores littered across the state were converted to this clusters at a total cost of over 2.2 billion Naira. Additional 2.5 billion Naira was spent to import machineries and other equipment for the full take-off of the clusters. Already all the machines have arrived and being installed.

In the same vein, the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport in conjunction with the Committee on Tailoring Garment Centers submitted a request to Council for the provision of 200KVA generators to each of the 44 Local Government Garment Centers at an estimated cost of N380,897,000.00.

Council considered and approved the release of the trimmed sum of N190,448,500.00 for the commitment.

CONFISCATION OF ILLEGAL AND FAKE DRUGS AT GEZAWA LOCAL GOVERNMENT

HEALTH SECTOR The Health sector is among the priority concerns of the present administration since the inception of its second coming. Multitude of refurbishing/renovation project at various Healthcare delivery facilities have been approved for execution for example;

Council noted the confiscation of fake and illegal drugs worth over N114,000,000.00 by the State Consumer Protection Council.

To this end, Council mandated His Excellency the DeputyGovernor to organize for the immediate destruction of the fake drugs.

i. ii.

COURTESY VISIT AND PRESENTATION OF AWARD TO THE GOVERNOR BY THE IGALA COMMUNITY RESIDING IN KANO

iii. iv. v. vi. vii. viii. ix.

x. xi.

General repairs at Hasiya Bayero pediatric Hospital.

Refurbishing of Accident and Emergency ward at Murtala Muhammad Special Hospital.

Construction of relation(s) shed at the Maternity Ward Murtala Muhd Special Hospital.

General renovation of the Kano State Dental Center.

Relocation of the Kano State Drugs and Medical Consumables Agency (KSDMCA) to Madobi Local Government Area.

Repairs/renovation of four (4) senior staff and two (2) intermediate staff quarters and reconstruction of wall fence at Tudun Wada Dankadai General Hospital.

Establishment of the Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board (SBHCMB), School of Nursing Madobi and Midwifery at Gezawa etc.

General renovation of Gezawa General Hospital.

Logistics management for the utilization/distribution of the Commodities Supplied to Kano State under the N1.4 billion worth of the DFID - PATH2 health commodities support (Drugs, Consumables and Medical equipment) under the on-going laudable programme of the State to support Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

General Renovation of Gwarzo, Bichi, Rano, and Danbatta General Hospitals.

General Renovation of Psychiatric Hospital at Gwaron Dutse.

Council witnessed the courtesy visit to the Governor by the Igala Community residing in the State. During the visit, they presented an award of Excellence to the Governor for the laudable policies and programmes executed in the State.

ORGANIZED SALLAH FESTIVITIES TO THE LESS PRIVILEGED CHILDREN IN THE STATE Council noted the activities organized by the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in Collaboration with the Special Adviser to the Governor on Child Development where about 150 children were taken to Minjibir Resort/Children’s Park.

The occasion was witnessed by His Excellency the DeputyGovernor who presented prizes to several children who participated in various competitions during the event.

In addition to above, Council deliberated and approved the following; a) Request for Funds for the Purchase of Advanced Modern Wheel Chairs, Patient Stretcher with Trolley to the Accident and Emergency Unit of Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital:Having noted the dilapidated condition of the supportive equipments such as Wheel Chairs, Patient Trolley/stretchers located across the General Hospitals in the State, the Ministry of Health submitted a request to Council for the purchase and supply of advanced modern twenty (20) Wheel Chair, twenty (20) Patient Stretcher with Trolley to the Accident

SIGNED: HON. COMMISSIONER, INFORMATION, INTERNAL AFFAIRS, YOUTH, SPORTS & CULTURE, KANO STATE

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THE NATION

BUSINESS MARITIME

e-mail: maritime@thenationonlineng.net

N20b Calabar port contract: Firms T may sue NPA, BPP

HE crisis generated by the award of the N20 billion Calabar chan nel contract by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to Calabar Channel Management Limited (CCM), a joint venture of NPA and a firm owned by a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senator is not over, it was learnt.

Some of the firms that bidded for the job, it was gathered, have contracted their lawyers to challenge the “intrigues and scandals” that led to the cancellation of the procurement process of the contract by the NPA and its subsequent award in defiance of due process.

The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), it was learnt, may be summoned to court over the contract.

Sources close to some of the firms said they were considering their lawyers because they considered the method adopted by the NPA as unlawful, adding that they may institute a legal action against the two government agencies.

Calabar Channel Management (CCM) Limited, the firms alleged, was not subjected to a pre-qualification test to ascertain its competence as required by the law before being awarded the contract.

A senior official of one of the affected firms who craved anonymity said: “The law stipulates that a procurement of such magnitude must pass through the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) for a certificate of “No Objection” which is issued after grievances raised by the contending parties have been addressed. But,

Stories by Oluwakemi Dauda Maritime Correspondent

through a letter in the last week of August, NPA notified bidders of government’s decision to nullify the reprocurement process for the channel in ‘public interest’.

“We learnt that NPA was actually compelled by the Ministry of Transport to discontinue with the re-procurement process to avoid jeopardising the lawmaker’s chances of clinching the job and that is why we are considering the idea of taking the matter to court in the interest of the nation.

“It was gathered that the senator had about three years ago, latched on the failed 2010 procurement exercise to out-plot all those vying for the job. Apparently convinced that his firm stood no chance in a competitive bid, he decided to exploit his relationship with the President to bring his dream to fruition.

“He came up with the idea of a joint venture between his company and the NPA. Armed with this, he approached the president to seek his assistance in making this a reality.

“The president was said to have been favourably disposed to this but asked him to first explore the possibility of getting a company with dredging capabilities to partner with.

“Help finally came in form of a

Presidential Approval, which resulted in the formation of CCM. However, to make it seem as though the Transport Ministry initiated the move, the minister had to write the president asking for approval to form a consortium for the dredging of the channel which immediately received the President’s nod.”

Officials of the aggrieved firms also said NPA’s equity participation in CCM is only 53 per cent while the senator’s firm has 47 per cent. This, according to them, is unlike other arrangements in which NPA has interest and where the profit sharing formula is 60 per cent for NPA and 40 per cent for the private firm.

“We the aggrieved bidders are insisting that the right thing still needs to be done in respect of the Calabar Port or we will head to court to resolve the matter.

“Only the six bidders that were prequalified for the 2010 exercise deserve to be considered for the job. This is more so as the dredging of the Calabar channel has served as a conduit pipe in the last 20 years,” they said.

Contacted, a member of the NPA’s board who does not want his name in print said the joint venture deal was sealed without reference to the NPA board and this, he said, explains why its chairman and the current PDP Board of Trustee chairman, Chief Tony Anineh was against the award

•Traffic gridlock on Apapa Road.

of the contract to CCM. The board, he said, was infuriated by the deal that its chairman countered in a petition he sent to the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar.

“In the protest letter, Chief Anineh on behalf of the board warned of the dire consequences of awarding such a huge contract to a company, which to us, “has no reference to past jobs done”.

“Anenih also detailed the irregularities that characterised the creation of CCM including 16 flaws which the Ministry of Justice pointed out in respect of the joint venture agreement and which still appeared in the final document,” the board member said.

Findings revealed that the public outcry that greeted the creation of CCM and the inclusion of Calabar Port and Ibaka Deep- Sea Port has forced CCM to remove Ibaka Port from the joint venture agreement.

The document communicating CCM’s resolution on Ibaka Deep-sea Port to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) was signed by one Odutan Olumide Abayomi and the senator.

It reads: “At the extra-ordinary General Meeting of the above -mentioned company duly convened and held at its registered office on the12th of July 2013, the following resolutions were proposed and duly passed as follows:

PHOTO: OLUWAKEMI DAUDA

Indorama, Chevron, others get N25.8b import duty waivers

T

HE Federal Government of Nigeria granted N25.81 billion in waivers and exemptions to Indorama Eleme Petro Chemicals Limited, United States (U.S.) oil major, Chevron and other organisations between January and May this year.

Other beneficiaries of the largesse included government agencies, non-profit institutions and private businesses.

A report by the Budget Office of the Federation showed that organisations operating in agri-

culture, oil and gas, power and education sectors were the major beneficiaries.

In all, a total of 64 different organisations were granted waivers with several of them claiming supply of machinery, equipment and spare parts, plants, equipment and core drilling rigs.

Indorama Eleme Fertiliser and Chemicals Limited was the highest beneficiary of the waivers with N10.5 billion. A breakdown of the amount showed that the sum of N6.96 billion was waived for Indorama for

the importation of machinery, equipment and spare parts, while the balance of N3.54 billion was waived on fertiliser equipment, catalysts and chemical pile.

Chevron Nigeria Limited was the second highest beneficiary, with N4.87 billion waived for the importation of machinery, equipment and pipelines; followed by Galaxy Backbone, with N2.49 billion for tnformation and communications technology equipment.

Similarly, United Cement Company of Nigeria and NIPCO

Plc also got waivers of N1.91 billion and N1.02 billion for the importation of machinery, equipment and spare parts.

Other major beneficiaries are the Borno State government which got N984.79 million waived for agricultural machineries; the Federal Capital Territory Administration/ Globe Motors for 290 units of motor vehicles used at the recently held World Economic Forum; and Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors without borders), N568 million for medical supplies.

That the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company be altered as follows: That all the clauses i.e. 3(a) (b) (c) (d) (f) and (h) where the word Ibaka Deep Sea Port appear be removed from the Memorandum of Association of the company.

That the articles of Association of the company be altered to reflect the above; That a Memorandum and Articles of Association incorporating the said alterations be filed with the Corporate Affairs Commission ,Abuja and a certified true copy of same be obtained.

Calls made to phone of the Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs, NPA, Mr Musa Iliya, were picked but not audible enough while the text message sent to his mobile phone was not replied as at the time of going to the press.

Importers lose N2b container deposit weekly

S

HIPPING companies are depriv ing importers of over N2 billion weekly revenue, based on their refusal to refund the container deposit fee, the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has alleged.

The group raised the alarm that importers lose about N2 billion weekly to the companies.

But the spokesman of the Seaport Terminal Operators, Mr Bolaji Akinola, refuted the allegation.

He said the terminals always refund all the deposit made when the truck drivers return the containers.

“If you keep the containers in your factory for over required period, you will pay for the delay But a member of the group, Mr Segun Ogunsanu said the companies hide under various guises to defraud importers of container deposits.

He also alleged that government agencies such as the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) have been included among agencies to collect revenue through debit notes.

He said: “Freight forwarders lose N2billion weekly, as regard container deposits. Some shipping companies fraudulently use one system or the other to exonerate themselves from paying the shippers back. Initially we thought the concession will bring some form of alleviation from where we were before, the question now is: Is it not better to go back to where we were before the concession?”

The President of the group also lamented the lack of empty bays for containers which he said,was the cause of long queues of trucks along the Apapa /Oshodi expressway.

He said one of the major reasons behind the port reform of the Federal Government eight years ago, was to reduce the cost of clearing goods and eliminate corruption at the ports.

He lamented that the move has not yielded the expected results.

He said Nigeria is still grappling with high cost of doing business which according to him supposed to have reduced after the port reforms.

He said: “The high cost of doing business if care is not taken will work against the port reforms, in the eight years we have been making reforms, and corruption is the victim of these reforms, port reforms are supposed to address issues of corruption, fighting corruption does not mean to arrest people and prosecute them, the moment you reform a system, it means you are fighting corruption.”

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THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014

MARITIME

Govt set to make dry Agents, importers kick ports functional over pre-shipment inspection T T HE National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), motor vehicle importers and intending car owners have kicked against the decision of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to subject all Nigeria-bound vehicles to pre-shipment inspection and verification before coming into the country.

SON has already appointed three inspection companies: Cotecna Destination Inspection Limited, Quality Assurance Projects Limited and Medtech Scientific Limited, to carry out the assignment.

The National President of NAGAFF Chief Eugene Nweke said it was wrong for SON to impose additional levy on shippers through the new policy.

He said NAGAFF in collaboration with the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) as well as intending car owners are

Stories by Oluwakemi Dauda Maritime Correspondent

not happy over the issue and urged the Federal Government to reconsider its stand on the issue.

He said: “Where we do not agree is the arbitrary levies to be paid; you don’t just wake up one morning and impose levies. We want SON to tell us and the general public the index they used to arrive at a vehicle paying N20,000. Nigerian shippers and buyers are not idiots.

If SON is living under that illusion, then, we need to the organisation up.

“These are things that government should fund; it is an administrative issue, it is their obligation.”

He said for SON to implement the pre-shipment contract, there is need to carry out a review of age limit on vehicles imported into the country. He noted that the quality assurance of the vehicles has al-

ready been taken into consideration at the time of manufacturing.

Motor importers, car dealers and intending car owners described the introduction of the policy as a ploy tp provide “jobs for the boys” because according to them, the destination inspection service providers are currently idle.

An importer, Mr Yinka Akinlaja said SON is only seeking relevance at port after the Federal Government withdrew its services from port operations about two years ago.

A pharmacist and and intending car owner, Tunayo Adetoro berates SON for introducing the policy as at the time when the cost of clearing vehicles at ports has soared.

She said SON is looking for an avenue to find its way back to the ports, adding that payment of inspection levy on imported vehicles will add more to their cost and many Nigerians will find it difficult to own a vehicle of their choice.

HE Federal Government is set to make all the dry ports across the country functional to reduce congestion at ports and bring shipping services to the doorsteps of importers.

Government may declare all the dry ports as ports of destination and centres of exports in all its locations.

The dry ports are located in Ibadan, Kano, Isiala-Ngwa (Abia), Jos, Funtua (Katsina State) and Maiduguri.

The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Mr Hassan Bello, said the dry ports, otherwise known as Inland Container Depots and Container Freight Stations were created by the government to solve the perennial problem of port congestion.

He said the dry ports were being driven by Public Private Partnership (PPP) model, adding that before now, government had been facing the teething problems of appropriate legal framework for the dry ports project to take off.

He said the dry ports would be more effective if arrangement was made for an effective rail service.

Bello said the council had embarked on negotiation with shipping line all over the world to stabilise freight rates.

He said the appointment of a commercial regulator for the shipping industry would end the monopoly powers.

Bello said the position of the council as a commercial regulator would increase and encourage participation of more private investors and increase the mechanism for settlement of disputes.

He said the council would control the entry and exit of operators, adding that NSC had been acting in that role before it was appointed as an economic regulator.

“The Council is conscious and alert to the practice of certain operators who will like to charge arbitrarily and we will checkmate this.

‘NSC ensures stability and ensures that the transport sector meets its expectations. For 10 years, due to negotiations with the shipping lines and market forces, NSC has been able to stabilise freight rates all over the world.

“If not, the high costs would be passed on to consumers. NSC is an advocate of fair trade and we tell our members (shippers) to declare goods honestly and properly.

“Now, you cannot increase port charges or local shipping charges without discussing with the NSC.’’ Bello also admitted that there was a tendency by some shippers to short-change the government through false declaration, adding that with false declaration, so many days would be added to the cargo dwell time that would result to demurrage and congestion.

He said: “We have been intervening in areas of tariffs, benchmarking and service delivery. A law passed in 1978 must have some requirements for review. Now that port facilities are run by the private sector; large reforms in rail, road sector, it was expected there should be a commercial regulator and that is what we are now.’’

On regulation of activities in the ports, Bello said one of the constituents of port reforms was provision of a regulator so that there would be equity and a level-playing field and he thanked the Federal Government for making the NSC the economic regulator of the ports.

Bello also said the council came up with the initiative of having border information centres to reduce the difficulties faced by traders across borders.

He said through the information centres, shippers would have access to a lot of information and data to facilitate trade.

Ship owners hold summit today

•Dimka (left) and other officers with the seized goods on a truck in Owerri.

Customs seizes N9m Indian hemp

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HE Nigeria Customs Serv ice (CS), Federal Opera tions Unit (FOU) Zone “C” has seized 399.5kg wraps of Indian hemp (cannabis sativa) valued at about N9 million.

Its Area Controller, Victor Dimka said the hard drug were intercepted on the 9th Mile axis in Enugu State.

Dimka said the Indian hemp was concealed in a luxury bus along with other luggages to deceive his eagle-eyed officers on duty.

His officers, the Area Controller said, acted on information given to them and intercepted the bus bearing the cannabis sativa and other contraband goods such as foreign rubber slippers, used motorcycle and used computers.

Dimka said the drug was later handed over to the officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation.

He said the zone was now a “no go area” for smugglers, their agents and collaborators, stressing that officers and men of the NCS are now better trained, mo-

tivated and equipped with the state-of-the-art gadgets to deal with smugglers wherever they may be.

He said: “Despite efforts to reduce smuggling, smugglers have refused to listen to the voice of reason and it is quite unfortunate and disheartening that the deviants have continued with their nefarious trade.”

He said the driver of the luxury bus, who is the prime suspect, has been arrested and would be prosecuted and if found guilty would be convicted in accordance with the provisions of the law, assuring that the NCS would continue to synergise with other sister agencies in the war against smuggling.

He reiterated the determination of the NCS to win the battle against illicit trade, stressing that the drug war is not the exclusive responsibility of the NDLEA , but that of all levels of government and all well meaning Nigerians.

He regretted that the continued consumption of hard drugs by some disgruntled individuals has led to the upsurge of crimi-

nals in the society.

He expressed delight at the relationship between the NCS and the NDLEA and gave an assurance that Customs would continue to be focused on its war against smuggling and arrest more smugglers to serve as a deterrent to others still engaged in illicit trade.

Its Public Relation Officer (PRO), Onuigbo Ifeoma said Customs also recorded 98 seizures in the Southeast and Southsouth geo-political zone of the country with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N322 million.

Giving the breakdown of the seizures, she said officers of the zone also seized a container load of 112 bales of textiles material, 40 feet container comprising garments and furniture last month.

She said four trucks containing 1,932 (50kg) bags of rice was impounded on the Benin axis.

The image maker also advised intending car owners to always contact the help desk of any Customs formation to ascertain the genuineness of their Customs clearance documents .

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HIP owners and managers will meet in Singapore today, to examine the strengths of their relationship and consider the state of the global shipping industry during the first international shipowning and ship management summit.

The event will take place at the Singapore headquarters of International Communications Specialist Singtel.

The Summit, organised by Shipping Innovation (organisers of the successful London International Shipping Week) will feature thoughtprovoking presentations from industry leaders representing both the ship owning and ship management sectors.

The International Shipowning and Shipmanagement Summit will consider latest industry developments and international concerns, as well as examine relationships within the shipping chain. Leading ship owners and ship managers will be joined by influential representatives from sectors including ship broking, insurance and chartering for this one-day summit.

The summit is being held in association with Inter Manager, the international trade association for third party and in-house ship managers, and will be chaired by InterManager Past President Roberto Giorgi.

The summit is sponsored by Bibby Ship Management, Braemar Shipping Services Plc/Braemar ACM Shipbroking and Videotel and is supported by the Singaporean shipping industry including the Singapore Shipping Association whose Honorary Secretary, Esben Poulsson, will deliver the keynote address.

Director of Shipping Innovation, Sean Moloney, who will chair one of the afternoon panel discussions said: “The summit will provides ship owners and ship managers with the opportunity to hold a microscope to their industry and examine in detail the quality of their relationship and work together to address the challenges which face them. We are looking forward to some thought-provoking debates.”

THE NATION TUESDAY,OCTOBER 14, 2014

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COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

LETTER

Ebola: Between religion and science

Kerosene rot

•Abnormal profits have brought out the corruption in the system

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HE abysmal dysfunction that characterises Nigeria’s petroleum industry has been brought to the fore, once again, by the abnormal and illegal profit being reportedly made on the sale of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) by some marketers. Although the official price of the product is fixed at N50 per litre, it is reportedly being sold to Nigerians above N100 per litre. Thus, since the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC) supplies 11 million litres of DPK daily to marketers, the latter make excess profit of N550 million, which translates into N16.5 billion monthly and N148.5 billion between January and September, this year.

Understandably disturbed about this situation, the Department of Petroleum Re-

‘However, revelations by some marketers indicate that the official price of N50 per litre is unrealistic and defies economic rationality. Going by the template of the PPMC, the cost price of kerosene per litre is supposed to be N42.95, including a five per cent refundable deposit, which is reportedly never refunded. The N50 approved selling price thus accommodates a profit margin of N4.60 per litre for the marketer’

sources (DPR), has directed that all marketers sell the product at the appropriate price or face sanctions. However, revelations by some marketers indicate that the official price of N50 per litre is unrealistic and defies economic rationality. Going by the template of the PPMC, the cost price of kerosene per litre is supposed to be N42.95, including a five per cent refundable deposit, which is reportedly never refunded. The N50 approved selling price thus accommodates a profit margin of N4.60 per litre for the marketer.

However, other costs that the official price appear not to have taken into consideration include N3 per litre for transportation of the product to the depot, N3 per litre as depot charges, and another N1 per litre for transportation of the product from the tanks to the petrol stations. There are also allegations that marketers incur additional costs in bribes to petroleum industry officials that result in further cost escalation. If the marketers are in business to make profit and not to engage in charity, they can certainly not sell at the official price. What is at play, therefore, is the gross inefficiency, opacity and graft that continue to be the bane of the industry.

It is important for the government to let the public know the modality for arriving at the official price of N50 per litre for the product. Is provision made for the payment of subsidy to the marketers to bridge the difference between the actual cost and the regulated price of kerosene? If so, why is the product being sold at the current as-

tronomical price? Ironically, the DPR has threatened sanctions against retail outlets caught selling the product above the approved price. Yet, kerosene is hardly ever available at filling stations, including the ones owned by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)! What moral right has the government to sanction private retail outlets when its own filling stations cannot even make the product available to the public in the first instance?

The Managing Director of the PPMC, Mr Haruna Momoh, sounds helpless and clueless when he laments that “It is the wish of the government to make kerosene available but our research from when we came in is a totally different picture to compare with the good intention of the government.

The product is diverted to neighbouring countries and also used for production and construction”. It is the responsibility of government to find solutions to problems and turn good intentions into effective public policy. The failure of government to bring to book so far those indicted in last year’s fuel subsidy fraud illustrates its tolerance of the massive corruption in the petroleum industry partly responsible for the current astronomical price of kerosene. If the potential of the industry had been more effectively and transparently managed, gas would have replaced kerosene by now as a cheaper, safer and healthier source of energy for most Nigerians. Until that is possible, the government has a duty to make kerosene available and affordable to Nigerians.

Great feat, dubious claims •Nigeria’s triumph over Ebola in record time is a thing to cheer. Not so, the dubious claims that have followed that success

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HAT the first Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) patient in the United States, Thomas Eric Duncan, died on October 8 again reinforces Nigeria’s stunning triumph over the disease, which has been ravaging Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.

Patrick Sawyer, the Liberian, brought EVD into Nigeria on July 20. By September 27, it had been contained; and the country declared free of the virus. While it lasted, it claimed seven lives, out of 19 confirmed infections. The dead included the heroine, Dr. Stella Adadevoh. But 12 survived, including medics, Dr. Morris Ibeawuchi and Dr. Ada Igonoh, who contracted the virus, in the cause of their care for Ebola patients.

By all standards, this is a world class feat, given the not-too-impressive state, across the board, of Nigeria’s health care system.

But the feat was not happenstance. It came because someone, somewhere showed leadership; and able medical professionals rose to the occasion, even at the risk of their own lives.

Still, as success has many relations and failure is an orphan, bogus claims have been coming as to who and who were responsible for the swift containment of EVD. In no time, President Goodluck Jonathan and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have corralled the success, and are freely throwing it about on the hustings as a Jonathan Presidency achievement, with an eye on boosting the president’s election chances in 2015.

To the extent that President Jonathan is both head of the Nigerian state and government, and the containment has happened under his tenure, the glory is his — but only vicariously. However, to go full blast and claim credit, when the president, his men and his party — and indeed all Nigerians — know that the success did not

derive from any presidential initiative, is sheer fraud.

Indeed, the Jonathan presidency manifests perhaps the vilest problem of contemporary Nigeria: the penchant to rush to claim false glory. Such a ruinous mindset is responsible for Nigeria’s debilitating corruption and its wealth-without-work syndrome.

That brings the matter to Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola’s Independence Day address intervention on the matter. Mr. Fashola should know. It was his initiative and prompt intervention, when the federal authorities were still literally snoring, that saved the day.

Were roles to be reversed, and the Jonathan presidency was in charge in Lagos, and the Fashola governorship elsewhere, perhaps Lagos and the rest of Nigeria would perhaps now have become endless EVD graves — at least given the condemnable tardiness with which President Jonathan handled the Chibok girls kidnap saga.

Governor Fashola did well to have dutifully intervened — and naming names of the real Ebola heroes and heroines, not politicians willfully profiting from it: Dr. Adadevoh who lost her life to save her country and who President Jonathan did not even consider meriting a national honour for her heroism, Drs. Ibeawuchi and Igonoh, who contracted Ebola but survived the ordeal; the quad of Dr. Jide Idris, Dr. Yewande Adesina, Dr. Wale Ahmed and Dr. Kayode Oguntimehin, all Lagos State Government officials, who the governor referred to as “first responders”; Dr. Abdul-Salam Nasidi of the National Disease Control Centre, Abuja, Dr. David Brett-Mayor of the World Health Organisation, Prof. S. A. Omilabu, a virologist at

the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Peter Adewuyi, that the governor said led the tracing team for the first two weeks of the EVD breakout; and the dedicated team of nurses: Mrs Funmi Lagbokun, Mrs. Modupe Aiyedun Davies, Mrs. Basirat Adeoye, Ms. F.O. Bamgboye, Mrs. K. O. Oshisanya, Mrs. Kazeem Abioye, Mrs. Abiola Lasaki and Mrs. K. Adesina.

The governor has done well by giving these names. They are authentic national heroes, in the cause of their routine duties.

For the political leadership, Prof.

Onyebuchi Chukwu, Minister of Health, also deserves his place in the sun, for ensuring Federal-Lagos State cooperation while the battle was hot.

But the greatest accolade goes to Mr. Fashola himself. He proved that with prompt, efficient and effective leadership, Nigerians are as capable as any other people in the world.

‘Were roles to be reversed, and the Jonathan presidency was in charge in Lagos, and the Fashola governorship elsewhere, perhaps Lagos and the rest of Nigeria would perhaps now have become endless EVD graves — at least given the condemnable tardiness with which President Jonathan handled the Chibok girls kidnap saga’

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HE outbreak of Ebola offers an ample opportunity for Africans to re-examine the public health care system and disease con-

trol mechanisms, and then take urgent measures to beef up their medical infrastructure. We need to seize this opportunity and get our health care acts together. In fact the spread of Ebola presents us a chance to re-think our policies and improve our medical institutions. Africans need to take a clear stand on what should be the guide in matters concerning public health management. Is it religion or science? Is it the religious houses or the laboratories and research institutes?

In what should Africans invest limited resources when it comes to health issues? Is it in worship places, sponsorship of pilgrimages to Holy Lands?

Is it in funding religious indoctrination and proselytization?

Should Africans not channel their resources into funding science education, medical research and development, hiring and paying scientists? Should Africans not devote their limited funding to building hospitals, laboratories and clinics, and to training medical personnel?

These questions have become necessary now that African countries are struggling to contain an epidemic that is threatening to destroy their economies. The region’s medical infrastructure is in shambles. The response mechanism is weak. African countries cannot always be going cap in hand to beg for resources which they can muster if they could get their priorities right.

Yes, our main problem is the misplacement of priorities and we need to acknowledge and rectify that now. The spread of Ebola disease has exposed the fragile public health system in the region. It has revealed the inability of countries to provide a robust response when health care emergencies arise. And part of the reason for this deplorable situation is the pervasiveness of religious and superstitious beliefs and disdain for science and evidence based knowledge and education.

Today Africa has more scientists but less scientific thinking, more schools but less education, more philosophers but less critical and logical thinking, more hospitals less medicine.

Dogma and superstition tyrannize our lives.

Religion plays a key role in the health care decisions. And this should not be the case. Health care management is so tied and entangled with religion and superstitious notions like the belief in witchcraft. Many Africans still think that prayers can cure them when they get sick or that people can make others ill through witchcraft.

For many Africans in rural communities, local diviners, spiritualists and soothsayers are the first port of call when they are ill. Many sick people in Africa invest much of their time and energy visiting one faith healer after another. They go from one prayer camp to another in search of miracles and divine healing Some people have suspended their medication following some prophecy, divination or ministration from a ‘faith doctor’.

People in other regions are researching and experimenting to find cures while we Africans are praying and expecting miracles!

So when health emergencies like Ebola arise, people are confused and in a panic.

When it comes to matters concerning health care, disease control and management, evidence based tested knowledge, not superstition or ‘divine’ revelation should inform our decisions.

Science, not religion, should be the guide.

•Leo Igwe, Bayreuth, Germany

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

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THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: The recent defection of the immediate past governor of Anambra state, Chief Peter Obi has generated much hue and cry. Obi who defected to PDP was in fact considered one of the few chief priests of the party who knows the best method of appeasing the spirit of Ojukwu- the deity of the party.

So to some, the defection is not just an ordinary one, but a herald of the beginning of the end of APGA. APGA has been nurtured and sustained by the fallacy of Ndi Igbo party through which it has dominated Anambra political landscape since 2006. But the question staring on us is this : what has the so-called party fetched us ? Do Igbos have any future in Nigerian politics under the auspice of APGA? Arthur Nwankwo in his investigative masterpiece titled ‘The Igbo

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

APGA and fallacy of Party Ndi Igbo Leadership and the Future of Nigeria’ expatiated the predicament that Igbo Elite suffered by linking the themselves to the wrong party in the second Republic. This was what happened to Anambranians under the banner of APGA. APGA as political party was founded by group of Igbo politicians led by Chief Chewas Okorie in 2002 - registered in 2003 - and became popular when the Igbo leader Chief Dim Odimegwu Ojukwu used the party to further

his presidential ambition. But unable to make any impact in the election, the fame that Ojukwu infused to party began to dwindle.

It was Peter Obi that raised APGA from the brink of collapse through the miracle of his judicial roller-coaster. Peter Obi- according to Chewas Okorie - was chosen by Ojukwu to bear the party gubernatorial flag of the state in 2003 General Election. Obi’s mandate was stolen by Chris Uba foisted candidate of PDP - Dr Chris Ngige. Through the instrumental-

Governor Orji and Abia’s ugly posterior

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IR: Relative to the nominal use of English is the anatomical lexicon which parades and establishes the frontal and backward terms as anterior and posterior views respectively. Whereas anterior expresses the features of a structure or body part that can be seen physically, posterior tells or talks about the not-too conspicuous back part of an object. Every object or institution, whether knowingly or not, has a part its attention is more concentrated and that which has less viewership and patronage.

While I continue to anticipate the yet to be seen but highly publicized infrastructural achievements of Governor T.A Orji of Abia State, it remains an unanswered question and a great poser to the beloved people of Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State, a city which boast of intellects, heroes like the legendary Kanu Nwankwo,

Mao Ohuabunwa and others, that the road that leads an adventurer to this great city remains a death trap and a colossal mockery.

Arochukwu, the historic resort of the slave masters where the precolonial escapade of slavery occurred, lacks a capable route that can boast of smooth sail. It is located, like I said, posterior to Umuahia, the state capital and in the northern senatorial district of the state of which the state also has its College of Education (Technical).

The road which smears the aesthetic boast of the governor’s achievement begins its array of misery and public absurdity right after the army barracks in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State. As a visitor, I felt so ashamed of my state leading fellow students from diverse states to my state on a visit to a bereaved friend.

This beggars the answer to a painful question, has Arochukwu become a despondent city to be neglected to such extent despite its historic popularity amongst the Igbo nation? Is there no member of the state House of Assembly who can draw the attention of the governor to this great place to respond to this urgent demand?

We cannot continue to leave this city made up of rural farmers and young boys who have taken up the challenge of patching the state government-owned road with sand and used cement bags to their fate.

Governor T.A Orji, remember that the perfect feature of an umbrella is that it covers the frontal part of its owner but includes his posterior part as it still part of his body.

• Ogbonna Khaleb Power , Amaba Isuikwato, Abia State

ity of court, Obi was able to reclaim his mandate and in alliance with Ojukwu canonized APGA as party of Ndi Igbo.

The term ‘Party Ndi Igbo’ is in itself self-defeating in that it conjures up nebulous shades of political brouhaha and imbroglios that defined the First Republic.

If Igbo Presidency is still the dream of Igbo people, then we shall desist from joining regional party.

For with regional party, the project of Igbo presidency can’t be achieved.

APGA as a political party was used by Peter Obi to further his

quest for power and relevance. On realizing that the fame APGA can give circulates just around Anambra State, Obi - who is Ojukwu’s political anointed son decided to join PDP in order not to remain a ‘spectator’ in the national affairs.

It’s appalling that Anambrarians weren’t smart enough to know the true character of their so-called best governor. By this defection, Peter Obi has not just put credence to the assertion that Nigerian politicians are the same but has decidedly heralded the Nunc Dimitis for APGA and soon other party bigwigs will follow suit.

As Anambrarains are enjoying the continuity that governor Obiano’s administration is keeping to, the question everybody is asking is: Is Peter Obi still keeping to the promise he made to Ojukwu?

•Asikason Jonathan, Enugwu-Ukwu , Anambra State.

Kudos to NYSC on on-line policy IR: I have read with utmost surprise how the NYSC online registration policy has been described as extortionist. This is far from the truth. Those of us in the Diaspora see it as long overdue. At some point, we wondered why our wards have to do long travel to the NYSC headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria just to collect call-up letters, when such process can be captured online and real-time.

This is indeed a welcome development and I wish people can see it as one of the best innovations that have happened in the NYSC since inception. The only thing that is constant in life is change and the NYSC should not be left out. If I understand it very well, this online registration thing is optional for those it is convenient for. The logical thing to do is weigh options and

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go for the one that is most suitable.

The world is moving fast and lots of transactions are captured online.

I also understand that other agencies like the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) have long embraced this initiative and it has made the activities of JAMB less cumbersome. This is what the NYSC aims to achieve in my opinion.

Corps members should not be made to go through cumbersome processes for any reason whatsoever. As I write, my daughter has completed her registration online.

I expect other parents to encourage their wards to do same.

• Ebube Onyekachi, Atlanta, United States

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014

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COMMENTS instant electoral shellacking.

HE 2015 election is just another But in the Jonathan dream set of elections in Nigeria’s Yorubaland for 2015, the people Fourth and longest running must bite the bullet of electoral democratic republic, right? self-ruin. Worse: in Fayose (Ekiti) No. It is rather an acid test — and rude and Mimiko (Ondo), the easternchallenge — to the fundamental ethos most recesses of Yorubaland of the Yoruba South West. appear yoked to the Jonathan But why the South West? Why not nightmare!

Nigeria? Well, a Nigeria establishment Errant regimes, for own selfish that rewards Sani Abacha’s gargantuan Olakunle manoeuvres, often try to clone sleaze with a posthumous centenary lordbeek1@gmail.com, 08054504169 (Sms only, please) Abimbola new Yoruba leaders. Oladipo award, tolerates Olusegun Obasanjo’s Diya, as Sani Abacha’s high flying costly megalomania and suffers gladly No. 2, was busy pushing Dr. Bode Goodluck Jonathan’s glaring vacuity, needs its head urgently Olajumoke’s Imeri Group as the examined, even as it unravels and grinds to its inevitable end. regime’s anointed Yourba In contrast, the South West has a rich legacy in the Obafemi leaders, even while doing verbal Awolowo phenomenon: people-centred governance, the neighbouring Oyo State, with tested and failed former gymnastics of standing on, by, above and below June 12. But it was modernising vision, systematic development, all yoked in an governors, Rashidi Ladoja and Adebayo Alao-Akala, two relics genuine Yoruba leaders, bent on actualising Moshood Abiola’s overarching progressive template, robustly pushed by an from the failed mainstream era, passing themselves off as new presidential mandate, that stood up for Diya, when he entered the electorate that hugely reward performance but promptly messiahs.

Abacha coup trouble. punish governmental failures.

Why, Mr. Alao-Akala even reportedly tore up ballot papers Even then, Jonathan’s version of the politics of new Yoruba This golden legacy is at peril — under President Jonathan at an intra-Oyo PDP congress, a sad echo of former President leadership is nothing but sinister. PDP’s South West gubernatorial and his Peoples Development Party, PDP’s scorched earth, winObasanjo’s heroics at the election for the Owu royal stool, in choices are instructive: Ayo Fayose (Ekiti) — he of mob tactics and at-all-cost and by-whichever-means South West strategy, en Abeokuta, Ogun State. unfazed anarchist, given his role in the Ekiti courts bedlam; Iyiola route to 2015.

True, many claim — and not without merit — that sitting Omisore (Osun) — he of perpetual scowls and threats, coarse That is why Yoruba ronu (Yoruba think), the great Hubert Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s toxic tongue is the principal trigger reputation and sinister public image; and, to come, Buruji Kashamu Ogunde’s clarion call and battle cry during the Western Region of the problem. That is very sad.

(Ogun) — alleged fugitive from American laws over alleged drug political crises of the First Republic (1960-1966), must be Still, it is alarming that the penchant to scorn solid offences! Just as well Kashamu has denied any gubernatorial pressed into service yet again. performance (given the governor’s unparalleled record in ambitions!

Ekiti ronu (first published on these pages on 22 October 2013), infrastructure and the environment, in stark contrast to the This dark profile the Omoluabi Yoruba would not touch for all the made a grand intervention during the mess before the Ekiti stone age performance of his predecessors turned putative money in the world. Yet it is what the Jonathan PDP deliriously crash. Now, in Ekiti, the barbarians are at the city gate. opponents), for empty demagoguery, ala Ekiti, appears a-foot push, as dark messiahs to fetch the president Yoruba votes! Indeed, Order has turned chaos. The courts are prostrate, made so by in Oyo. the barbarians are at the city gate! the same state coercion constitutionally meant to make them Another strain of the Ekiti debacle: decry solid performance Even worse is the fierce assault on the long-settled religious inviolate. Talk of security, paraphrasing Shakespeare’s Julius but toast glaring failures and push them for additional terms, amity in the South West. Traditionally, the Yoruba have a pantheon Caesar, leading to conspiracy! It is yet another from the is playing out in Ondo State, where the Iroko, Governor Olusegun of gods, under the Almighty Olodumare, which adherents freely desperate Jonathan (un)presidential bag of tricks. With an eye Mimiko, has shipped himself, his party and every furniture in embrace. Before Jonathan’s better-forgotten presidency, Christianon 2015, the administration must embrace outlawry to cripple his government into the PDP. Muslim divide played absolutely no role in Yoruba politics and Ekiti court processes, in aid of a governor-elect with a penchant It is a gripping irony: Iroko stands for nothing but crass politicking. for outlawry. personal convenience. So, the person of nothing just cancelled In Second Republic Lagos, Action Governor, Alhaji Lateef Jakande Even the traditional order, the Ekiti royal fathers, are bawling, out Labour Party (LP), the platform of nothing, ever ready to governed with his Muslim Deputy, Alhaji Rafiu Jafojo. Back then, shrieking and screaming, beckoning on the barbarians to come whore with any character of nothing, but with enough cash to nobody noticed the religious hue of that ticket. Now, 31 years in, post-haste, and smash up their civilisation! Ekiti’s humptyflash! after, about everybody still applauds its superb service delivery. dumpty is smashed. Not even all of the king’s horses and The Ogun LP may have decried the Mimiko treachery and Ditto for Ogun: where the Christian pair of Olabisi Onabanjo and horsemen could put humpty-dumpty together again! the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) distanced itself from it.

Sesan Soluade ruled; Oyo, with the Christian pair of Bola Ige and This Jonathan prehistoric ploy may have started and shown Still, LP’s notoriety as a cash-and-carry platform — ideology Sunday Afolabi; and Ondo: with Adekunle Ajasin and Akin its ugliest manifestation yet in Ekiti. But the tell-tale of the be damned! — was firmly secured, well before the Ondo Omoboriowo, both Christians. desperate agenda is clear in other South West states. meltdown.

Now, in the South West of 2014, that paradise appears lost. En Ekiti birthed with the illogic that sterling performance But Mimiko’s reason for his grand subversion is even the route to Goodluck Jonathan’s 2015 troubled electoral vision, Lagos deserves electoral drubbing. That is Kayode Fayemi’s fate. more interesting gist. He went back to the PDP that stole his is buried under the din of the religious colour of its putative electoral But the noxious gas from that thinking is already choking vote because he wanted to help President Jonathan win reticket, not the reasoned and rigorous probing of its ability to deliver! election — this same Jonathan whose government boasts Political barbarians, led by an unscrupulous president and a ‘Political barbarians are bent on perhaps the most incompetent record in Nigerian history, with visionless party that has run down the country and brought destroying the settled political ethos of its eternal scandals; and its painful deficit in both hard thinking Nigerians sheer misery, are bent on destroying the settled political and compassion; as proven in the Chibok girls kidnap case? ethos of the South West. the South West. That must not happen’ In pristine Yorubaland, such pro-Jonathan pitch would earn That must not happen. Yoruba ronu!

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epublican ipples

F there have not been loud protestations from the 36 states capitals – minus the Abuja Leviathan – about the declining flows into their treasuries, it isn’t because the situation is not sufficiently alarming. Not only is the picture across most states of the federation one of struggles to meet recurrent bills, capital projects have since been put on hold.

Had the mad scramble for the outstanding 33 Government Houses in 2015 not dwarfed every other issue, Nigerians would probably be in the right frame of mind to appreciate what is increasingly becoming a dire financial situation facing the states and the local governments. Trust our eternally-optimistic politicians to insist that things would somehow get better – or that the good times would soon return – even if they have not lifted a finger to make that happen.

At this stage, let me state that it is still a long way from the predicted downpour. While there is no basis as yet, to compare the current situation with the crises of the 1980s which forced the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) on us, the truth of the matter is that the tell-tales of an astoundingly maladjusted economy are just as telling.

Nigerians are of course familiar with the outlandish picture of growth posted over the last decade. With enough in the foreign reserves to cover more than eight months of imports as against what obtained in the eighties when we couldn’t afford to pay our import bills, not to talk of the $1 billion in the Sovereign Wealth Fund, aside the piggy bank known as the Excess Crude Account (ECA); add that to the fact that oil price, despite predictions of massive slump, has held fairly steady – perhaps longer than any other time in recent memory; it becomes at once, tempting to see some of the fears as overstated.

But then, as yours truly has always stated, the reality on the Main Street paints an entirely different picture. While Nigerians are fast learning the difference between real growth and the stuff in economic textbooks after more than 10 years of so-called hyper-growth, the picture of badly shrunk treasuries across the states and local governments is perhaps one that have hardly been fully comprehended.

Governor Rotimi Amaechi puts the issue in clear perspective when he observed: “The problem we have is that the federal government, out of outright stealing from NNPC, is not able to pay to the states the required funds the states are entitled to; to enable them not only pay salaries but to run state affairs. We are going back to the Shagari days when they owe everybody. The only reason we have not gotten there is because the governors are very ingenious: they are doing everything to ensure they can pay salaries, but some states cannot pay. Wait, election is coming and the opposition will begin to publish their names.”

Yoruba ronu

Policy Sanya Oni sanyaoni@yahoo.co.uk 08051101841

Who says the rains are not here?

Ingenious? That is debatable. It is after all an open secret that many states are broke. Many are in fact are as good as bankrupt. Kogi State, where yours truly comes from, according to reports, is broke. I know of local governments in the state owing nine months in arrears of salaries. In Abia State, primary and secondary school teachers have not been paid for four months running. Benue has been owing teachers for as long as anyone can remember. Bayelsa, the President’s home state is said to be contemplating going for the drastic measure of staff rationalisation. Overall, the picture across the states, with very few exceptions, is the same.

At this time, I don’t want to go into the debates about the viability of the states. The issue of whether or not their tax bases are too narrow to sustain the appurtenances of governance is as debatable as it academic. Suffice however to state that while the debate may have some grains of truth, the same could also be said of the federal government, which aside, cornering far more revenue that it can ever wisely use, has neither demonstrated the capacity to protect its revenue source nor shown better imagination in the utilization of its own share of revenue.

Let’s look at the issue more closely. According to the Budget Office documents, using the 2012 figures of N4.24 trillion, the nation recorded a dip of N1.4 trillion in oil sales; in other words, compared with the 2012 earnings, it actually made N2.81 trillion –some 33.69 percent less. Some countries, faced with the same situation, would have declared emergency.

Not Nigeria! Of course, the trend has persisted – hence the rancor which has since become the feature at the Abuja monthly conclave for sharing oil money.

What do we know? Obviously, the world knows us better than we probably know ourselves. The world describes what is going on as industrial-scale theft, our federal government shops for platitudes – blaming production-shut-ins which it knows is a derivative of the former on the shrinking revenue!

So where is the difference? Are we really serious?

And what has the federal government done beyond the annual ritual of lamentation? First, it embarked on a meaningless shuttle diplomacy to persuade its ‘partners’ not to accept Nigeria’s stolen crude. You ask; what has happened to the navy’s famed capacity to protect Nigeria’s Exclusive Economic Zones? Does anyone still wonder why Nigeria continues to be the butt of jokes in foreign capitals?

I have heard quite a few theories swirling around the industrial-scale theft of oil said to be going on. One sees it as deliberate, an extension of the financial scorched policies designed to bend the states’ will as 2015 election nears. I have also heard that the federal government knows those behind the theft but that it is powerless to do anything about them.

The point is, there are simply too many theories flying around, none of which is any flattering to the federal government!

One thing however seems clear to me. It appears that this federal government does not give a damn even if the states’ bureaucracies collapse. Forget that it takes 54 percent of the pie, it would soon be time for the hierarchs of the administration to offer free tutorials to states whose takehome average is less than one percent – on frugality. That is the way it has been. And as it seems, no one can do anything about it!

I don’t want to go into the debates about the viability of the states. The issue of whether or not their tax bases are too narrow to sustain the appurtenances of governance is as debatable as it academic. Suffice however to state that while the debate may have some grains of truth, the same could also be said of the federal government, which aside, cornering far more revenue that it can ever wisely use, has neither demonstrated the capacity to protect its revenue source nor shown better imagination in the utilization of its own share of revenue.

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014

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COMMENTS

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OVERNOR Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State very well fits in as a grass root politician even before joining any known political party. Years back, while as a Teacher, Local Government Administrator, a Civil Servant and a Permanent Secretary, Wamakko was all through the years involved in everything and anything good for the people.

If politics is about mobilizing people, organizing people, working for the good of the people and improving the living standard of the people, then it is incontrovertible that Aliyu Wamakko, the Sarkin Yamman Sokoto, practices politics in its true design.

Looking at the array of Awards of Merit conferred on Wamakko by various associations, organizations and corporate bodies since his foray into public life, it is enough to classify him as an individual who has paid his dues in the sphere of being a friend to all. It was natural that the then All Peoples Party (APP) found him worthy of serving as its 1999 Gubernatorial running mate against the backdrop of his rich proximity to the people at the grass roots. As a humble gentleman, Wamakko was able to construct a formidable bridge of acceptance between himself and the people all over the State.

Party politics is about carrying the people along, and Wamakko does this with great humility, as people want to be accorded due recognition and respect. His personal residence at Gawon Nama area

‘The bottom line is, Governor Wamakko has not betrayed his people, so the people are solidly behind him, he understands what democracy is by carrying everybody along’

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As Wamakko becomes politicians’ politician

By Mohammed S. Umar in Sokoto metropolis is a Mecca of some sort, people troop their daily to interface with him for one favour or another; and he obliges all manner of visitors without grudges.

His accessibility to all has earned him the respect and admiration of the commoners who see his residence as their own, as they have unfettered access to him anytime.

It would be recalled that, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Sokoto State facing rejection at the polls in 2006 had to draft him as its Gubernatorial flag bearer as its last hope. He led the party to victory in the election. That particular event was an eloquent testimony of Wamakko’s political worth and relevance in Sokoto State.

He revived the PDP, nurtured it and made it vibrant through his unrivalled political sagacity.

All over Nigeria, the then Sokoto PDP under Wamakko’s leadership was the only chapter with 100% success story in all elections from the Local Government Councils to the National Assembly.

As a further confirmation of his political dexterity, Wamakko very well balanced himself between execution of peoplecentered projects and empowering the people economically and socially.

The popular slogan in Sokoto politics, ‘SAI ALU’ is not just a slogan but a slogan with a difference. It surfaced in 2006 when Wamakko contested against then Governor Bafarawa’s Democratic Peoples Party (DPP). Despite the incumbency factor and the intimidating machinery of government at DPP’s disposal, Wamakko’s political

ENERAL Muhammadu Buhari is an accomplished statesman, an officer and a gentleman, a patriotic citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), a committed nationalist, a man of honour and integrity, a selfless and visionary leader, a former Head of State and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, a former Chairman of Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), a former governor North Eastern State (Borno, Yobe, Taraba Adamawa, Gombe and Bauchi state) and former Minister of Petroleum Resources.

Buhari was also the General Officer Commanding 3rd Division of the Nigerian Army Jos and veteran of the Nigeria Civil War where he had held many frontline positions in the fight to keep Nigeria one.

A task which had to be done.

General Muhammad Buhari had served Nigeria faithfully, loyally, honestly, creditably and has continued to do so at a great personal cost to his life.

One can go on and to either state the achievements or virtues of this septuagenarian.

At 73, he has accumulated all the requisite qualification and experience to continue to serve his beloved country Nigeria at the highest level. Most recently, he offered to serve again in 2003, 2007 and 2011 but was not opportune to do so. Should he offer himself again 2015? That is, however, the question demanding rational answer.

The challenge of the 21st century Nigeria and the world will require a relatively more energetic, youthful leader who is loyal, faithful, honest and equally courageous and visionary to carry the baton from the General for national leadership in 2015 election under the platform of APC. Developed countries, especially USA and Britain, with strong historical, political, social and economic ties with Nigeria have turned around to elect their leaders amongst the younger generation. Take for instance, Tony Blair and David Cameron in the United Kingdom and George Bush Jr. and Barack Obama in the United States, one would easily sample the crop of leaders in vogue in this century. Even the current US Secretary of State, John Kerry and Senator McCain, both veterans of the Vietnam War, were politely asked to step aside by the electorate.

It therefore goes without saying that the presidency of Nigeria in this time and age should be a person who belongs to the generation of the lead-

worth came to bear heavily as the then PDP roundly trounced the DPP. The ‘SAI ALU’ slogan is still very much alive in Sokoto politics.

The numerous court cases that trailed Wamakko’s defeat of the DPP, the annulment of his election and the fresh election which he won fair and square all testified to his political relevance and worth in Sokoto State and how dear he is to the people.

His leaving the PDP for the All Progressives Congress (APC) was not selfserving as he and some Governors became alarmed with the trend of events in the PDP which proved unfavorable to the fortunes of the party. They left the party as there was no mechanism for making necessary amends.

His defection to the APC with all the 23 Local Government Chairmen, State Assembly Members, all Commissioners and all special Advisers was another proof that Wamakko’s political calculation is very sound. Before joining the APC, the party in Sokoto had virtually no suitable office accommodation anywhere in the State; but today the APC is everywhere in all the wards in Sokoto State.

As a mark of his political acumen the national body of the APC mandated Wamakko to steer its maiden National Convention exercise. Perhaps, the national body of the party reckoned with the success recorded by the Sokoto APC in conducting its various congresses from the Wards to the State level. The Sokoto APC congresses were held successfully without rancour, unlike in some states where the congresses where mired in controversies, but later settled.

Why Buhari should support Kwankwaso

By Mahmud Shuaibu Ringim ers of the two great nations mentioned earlier. In a digital age dominated by Google, Apple, Microsoft and driven by information technology and the social media, Nigeria will need a contemporary of the leaders of the two nations to lead.

General Muhammadu Buhari will serve his beloved country better if he chooses to be an influencing factor in policy formulation; and become a fountain of knowledge and wisdom for the leadership; to be the power behind the throne and heart-beat of the administration.

In the circumstances, a time tested leader Engineer, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso who has been grilled through the mill of Nigerian politics easily comes to mind as a successor to the General. He was a highly successful student leader in the late 70’s and has equally demonstrated such purposeful leadership quality in the National Assembly of the botched 3rd Republic as the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. He was a charismatic leader and an achiever on the governorship seat of Kano State from 1999 to 2003 and a disciplined and pragmatic Minister of Defense in 2003 - 2007. As a loyal and patriotic Nigerian, he was appointed Nigeria’s Special Envoy to Dafur during the Sudanese crises of internal revolt. He was also appointed to the Board of Niger Delta Development Commission because of his fairness and equity in the face of formidable challenges facing the Niger Delta region.

Most importantly, as the governor of Kano State from 2011 to date, he has recorded a huge success and made giant strides in giving Kano State excellent leadership which prepared it for the challenges of the 21st century in education, infrastructural development, youth and women empowerment. He placed Kano on the path of becoming knowledgedriven society in sciences and information technology. He has equally uplifted the status of Kano as one of the most attractive investment destination

The APC at the national level wanted a taste of the Wamakko spirit at the convention, hence the choice of the Sokoto State governor to lead the exercise which turned out to be another success story for the party.

Again, the APC conceded the inauguration of the North West Zone executive council of the party to Sokoto State as a mark of honour and trust to Governor Wamakko.

The Inauguration was a huge success as all the seven states within the zone were massively represented. That singular feat has gone extra miles to illustrate Wamakko’s mobilization and organizational abilities.

Today one is safe to posit that, APC is on its way to forming the next government in Sokoto State come 2015, because all the requisite signs are there with the undying Sokoto SAI ALU slogan still renting the air. The bottom line is, Governor Wamakko has not betrayed his people, so the people are solidly behind him, he understands what democracy is by carrying everybody along.

Now that the leadership Newspaper had found Governor Wamakko worthy of its prestigious award as its politician of the year, it is another loud testimony of his ever – rising profile as a politician worth his salt, a politician who knows his onions, a politician who knows politics inside out and a politicians’ politician.

It is normal to bestow honour on whom it is due, recognizing Governor Wamakko as an indefatigable politician is appropriate as this will further spur him to greater feats politically as we approach 2015. And this can only be good for both his party, the APC and Nigeria as a country. So as he takes his bow for this great honour it is our hope that other Nigerian politicians, especially those in public service will learn a thing or two from Wamakko’s life of service to humanity.

• Mohammed S. Umar is President, Sokoto Liberal Democrats Media Foundation (SOLID) Sokoto.

for both foreign and local investors in Nigeria. His approach in confronting security challenges was superb and has been able to minimize the impact of the menace of Boko Haram to the barest minimum.

Similarly he was prudent in the management of the state finances through adherence to budgetary discipline and probity.

Kano State under the credible and purposeful leadership of Kwankwaso has confronted the long standing social problem that has bedeviled the state for many years. The state has sponsored the marriage of thousands of couples who would have remain unmarried thus curtailing the spread of HIV/AIDS. He has also curtailed the sale of hard drugs in Kano and established an institution for the rehabilitation of the victims of drug abuse. His government has also enacted a law prohibiting street begging and child labour in line with United Nation charter and Millennium Development Goals (MDG).

To all intents and purposes, General Muhammad Buhari will find in Kwankwaso a true man of honour, credibility and integrity worthy of his support and APC has found a committed Nigerian who symbolizes its aspiration in its quest to giving Nigeria the leadership it deserves at this time and age to be its flag bearer at 2015 presidential election.

In comparison to other presidential candidates that might emerge, Kwankwaso stands a better chance of denying the PDP another chance of hoisting its flag on the Presidential Villa. His proven leadership credentials and the impeccable track record of honesty, hardwork, tenacity, commitment and conviction to a cause make him the much awaited leader Nigeria deserves.

• Ringim can be reached mahmudshuaibu@yahoo.com

via

email:

‘To all intents and purposes, General Muhammad Buhari will find in Kwankwaso a true man of honour, credibility and integrity worthy of his support and APC has found a committed Nigerian who symbolizes its aspiration in its quest to giving Nigeria the leadership it deserves at this time’

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014

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And unless we act very urgently, the entire country may soon be engulfed in an insurrection by the youths, whose patrimony has been criminally wasted by decades of irresponsible leadership

’

See page 39

E-mail:- law@thenationonlineng.net

For two weeks, the courts in Ekiti State have remained locked, ostensibly on the order of the Presidency to prevent the hearing of the integrity suit filed by the E-11 against the governor-elect, Ayo Fayose. The development has left observers worried over the future of the judiciary, writes ADEBISI ONANUGA

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INSIDE:

N the last two weeks, the courts in Ekiti State have been under lock and key.

The National Judicial Council (NJC), led by Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Aloma Mukhtar, met to review the development which has been widely condemned.

The NJC directed the police to re-open the courts, protect the judges, and to arrest and prosecute those who attacked the courts and beat up a judge.

But the police, which is supposed to be subservient to the NJC, ignored the directive. Rather, soldiers and the police cordoned off the High Court premises and turned back judges, lawyers and litigants, including the Chief Judge, Justice Ayodeji Daramola.

The police told the Chief Judge that the court premises were not safe for them and that they found a bomb within it.

Another account had it that the police informed the judges that the courts would not be opened until the height of the fence must have been raised to protect them better.

It was alleged that the police and the military were acting on a directive from the presidency that they must keep the courts locked up to prevent it from sitting to hear an integrity suit filed by a group, the E-11, against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governor-elect, Ayo Fayose, until October 16, his swearing-in date.

However, observers of political developments see the situation in Ekiti in the last two weeks or more as a script that was tenaciously written which is playing itself out.

They described the development as unfortunate given that the judiciary, as the third arm of government, is not being accorded its rightful place.

Analysts see the attacks on the judiciary as a signal that the country is degenerating into a ‘Banana’ republic. They also viewed police’s disregard of the directive that they re-open the courts as an affront against the rule of law.

The developments show the judiciary is far from being independent. It depends on the executive to function, because it is the executive that controls the armed forces. It portends danger for democracy. If the courts can be shut because of one man, then the consequences for the future are better not imagined.

Analysts say it could get to a time when members of the ruling party or those in power, threatened by the possible outcome of a case, would simply go to court to disrupt proceedings, beat up the judges, and withdraw the security.

Trouble started in Ekiti when the court presided by Justice Isaac Ogunyemi declared that his court had jurisdiction to entertain the suit filed by the E-11 challenging Fayose’s eligibility to contest the June 21 election, which he won.

Suspected political thugs believed to be loyal to the governor-elect threw caution to the wind as the courtroom was turned upside down.

Chanting war songs, the miscreants took the law into their own hands, smashing furnitures and windows, while the police failed to act, beyond protecting the judges from physical harm.

The police who was to maintain peace stood watching as mayhem was unleashed on the court. Not done with the court, the

Agbakoba, Ngige, others condemn kidnap of Wali, urge FG to secure his release -Page 27

courts be re-opened to complete hearing in the case before the October 16 inauguration.

However, rather than the courts been reopened, the police locked them up, including the Court of Appeal, thereby bringing judicial activities in the state to a halt.

While all of these lasted, the presidency so far kept quiet and has not offered any word nor made any attempt to reproach the military and the police for dis-respecting the NJC and for failing in their duty to protect the judges.

The incident in Ekiti courts, according to observers, pointed to the fact that the rule of law has completely collapsed in the country and that it is capable of making the common man to lose hope of getting justice.

They also believe events in Ekiti reflects a steady decline the regard held for the judiciary. Rather than being held in awe, it is now being ridden roughshod over.

Analysts say such treatment of an important arm of government is dangerous for democracy’s survival.

However, pundits are worried about the future of the rule of law and the use of federal might to subvert the Constitution when it pleases those in power.

They are also worried about the future of the judiciary in a situation where a court could be shut down because of one man, simply to prevent a case from going on by all means.

They are worried whether a truly independent judiciary can be achieved when the executive that’s supposed to provide security is not cooperating to assert the independence of the judiciary as the third arm of government.

More importantly, they are worried about whether the judiciary is still the last hope of the common man after the latest act of impunity.

Ex-judges, lawyers react

‘

The CJN, as chairman of the NJC, should ask the judges to withdraw from the courts and then we wait to see who would swear in the people who assaulted the judges

‘

What future for the judiciary? political thugs returned a few days later to the High Court, broke into the Courtrooms, ransacked offices and destroyed records.

Justice Adeyeye was beaten up and had his suit torn. Justice Daramola’s office was invaded; record books were destroyed and

For a better judiciary -Page 38

proceedings disrupted as judges, lawyers, litigants and court clerks ran for dear lives.

The development forced the Chief Judge to order a closure of the courts to safeguard the life of the judges.

A week later, the NJC directed that the

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) said it was alarmed by the continued closure of the high court and other courts in Ado-Ekiti.

Its President Augustine Alegeh (SAN) said there was no basis for the court’s blockade, which has prevented hearings in the suit cases filed by the E-11 and the Citizens Peoples Party (CPP) against the governor-elect Fayose, among others.

“NBA is alarmed at the barricading of the High Court of Justice Complex, AdoEkiti, Ekiti State by security agencies on the basis of an alleged bomb threat to the complex.

“Judicial officers, staff and litigants were not allowed access. NBA believes that any alleged bomb threat must have been effectively neutralised by the security agencies utilising their bomb disposal units”, he stated.

A former Lagos State High Court judge, Justice Ebenezer Adebajo said the Ekiti signals the beginning of anarchy in the state.

“The judges are there doing the work that is over and above the calling of ordinary human persons. Dedication, integrity, all these are being applied every day by the judges. The work means keeping off the ordinary life of human beings. It is a tensed work. The judges formed the •Continued on page 26

Food, key to national security -Page 39

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014

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LAW COVER CONT’D

What future for the judiciary?

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•Continued from page 25

bedrock of the development of democracy because they embodied the rule of law. If a judge is assaulted, the rule of law is assaulted”, he said.

Justice Adebajo urged Nigerians to resist any attempt to suppress the judiciary.

“Every right thinking Nigerian, this is above party politics, must stand up, must stand against that kind of behaviour, they must stand up against the derogation of our social norms, derogation of our social order and prevent it from going into a state of anarchy. We cannot be behind the world.

“My view from the word go is that the CJN, as chairman of the NJC, should ask the judges to withdraw from the courts and then we wait to see who would swear in the people who assaulted the judges”, he stated adding that he finds it difficult to believe that the police locked up the courts against the judges.

“I do not see it as a stand-off between the Police and the Judiciary. It can never be. The Police are subject to the judiciary. Whose instruction or directive should they be carrying out? Is it that of the out-going governor or that of the governor-elect who is yet to assume executive power or that the police have been instructed from Abuja? he asked.

Professor of law, Itsay Sagay said that developments in Ekiti just confirmed the fact that “what we have is a civilian government but we don’t have a democratic government or a democratic system.

“The rule of law does not really exist in Nigeria and we have totally not a democratic set up in which those who control physical power don’t really care about democracy and would do anything that they think would promote their continued hold on to power”, he said.

According to Prof. Sagay, ‘’some of those in government, the powerful in government, they feel that they need Fayose in government for their power over the country to be complete and they are ready to do anything to make sure that he is in power”.

A member of the Ogun State judicial Council, Abayomi Omoyinmi described the situation of courts in Ekiti as pathetic and very worrisome for the judiciary in view of intimidation from the government by the noncompliance with the order of the NJC on the reopening of the courts.

According to Omoyinmi, the judiciary independence is being eroded by the actions of the executive and real anarchy is looming in Ekiti judiciary and Nigeria if the concept of separation of power is lost in our governance”.

He argued that there is no rationale behind the use use of force against the judiciary and no right thinking government or executive should take the judiciary for granted or a ride as it is being witnessed in Ekiti presently. The different shades of opin-

•Justice Mukhtar

•IGP, Suleiman Abba

NBA demands that the High Court of Justice complex should be opened immediately to allow for resumption of work by the courts.

Security agencies should provide a safe and conducive environment for the effective administration of justice

‘

•Justice Adebajo (rtd.)

•Alegeh

•Prof. Sagey

•Omoyinmi

‘The powerful in government feel that they need Fayose in government for their power over the country to be complete and they are ready to do anything to make sure that he is in power ‘ ion notwithstanding, there have been demands to bring the perpetrators of the attacks on the Ekiti High Court and its judges to justice.

Way out Justice Adebajo (rtd.) insisted that the judges should be withdrawn for one legal

year in Ekiti and we would see how Fayose would be sworn in. Because it is only the Chief Judge of a state that can swear in the governor of a state. Nobody else can swear in the governor of a state. That is what the constitution provides”. He said if any other chief judge comes in to swear in a governor

from another jurisdiction or outside of that state, that would be challengeable in court.

“I believe the judges should be withdrawn from the court and this must be understood by all and sundry that judiciary is a sacrosanct institution. Nobody should mess up with it”, he stressed.

Prof. Sagay said all now depends on the judiciary themselves. “The judiciary is very powerful if they would stick to their principles and are determined to sustain the rule of law, eventually, they would succeed because justice would be on their side, they would be the ones who are right. So it all depends on the judiciary.

‘The judiciary should insist that all matters are going on in the court should continue to completion and not be intimidated because the judiciary itself is a separate arm of government, they have to stand and refused to be intimidated and ensure that all legal process that have been started are continued to their logical end”,he said. .

Omoyinmi stated that the judiciary must condemn the forceful act of oppression in its totality and must insist on reopening of the courts in Ekiti State without further delay.

The NBA insisted that the courts must be re-opened to enable the judiciary carry out its adjudicatory functions. Said Alegeh, “NBA demands that the High Court of Justice complex should be opened immediately to allow for resumption of work by the courts.

“The security agencies should provide a safe and conducive environment for the effective administration of justice and should not create a situation that makes it totally impossible for courts in Ado-Ekiti to carry out their constitutional roles of providing justice for all,” he said.

Oil spill suit: Court restrains British lawyer from representing residents

T

HE Bayelsa State High Court, Sagbama, has restrained a British lawyer, Mr Martyn Day, from representing 7,400 residents of Bodo Community in Rivers State in an oil spill compensation suit filed against the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited.

Justice E.G. Omokuro made the order while ruling on a motion ex-parte brought by a Nigerian lawyer, Mr Affinih Peter Egbegi.

He held: “It is further ordered that an interim injunction shall lie restraining the defendant by himself or otherwise from interfering in any way with 7,400 clients of the claimant/applicant resident in Bodo Community of Nigeria who had donated and executed an irrevocable power of attorney in favour of the claimant/applicant as their legal practitioner in December, 2008 in Bayelsa State, to represent their interest against the SPDC in respect of losses suffered as a result of 24 Trans-Niger Pipeline operational spills in 2008, pending the determination of the Motion on Notice filed in this suit.”

The judge granted the claimant leave to serve the Writ of Summons, Statement of

By Joseph Jibueze

Claims, Written Statement and other court processes on Day at his London address.

The judge also ordered that the court documents be served on the defendant through courier or any other mail delivery outfit in Nigeria.

He added that such service upon proof shall be deemed “good service”.

Justice Omokuro fixed the hearing of the Motion on Notice for October 29 and directed parties to make their appearances.

In his statement of claims, Egbegi is seeking a declaration that the power of attorney vested in him by his clients is irrevocable.

Egbegi also prays for” a declaration that the defendant, not being a legal practitioner within the meaning and provision of the Legal Practitioners Act Cap L11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, is not entitled to receive clients anywhere in Nigeria or purport to act for them in any matter at all in Nigeria.”

He wants the court to declare all actions taken by the defendant on behalf of the claimant’s 7,400 clients as null and void.

Egbegi is also seeking declaration that the defendant and his agents are liable for prosecution under the provisions of the Legal Practitioners Act and the Immigration Act. The lawyer said Day, a British citizen, has allegedly been coming in and out of Nigeria as he pleases under a visitor’s visa to meet with villagers in Bodo Community.

Egbegi alleged the defendant had been taking instructions and generally acting on their behalf in respect of oil spill compensation matters concerning oil spill incidents of 2008.

“He contends vide letter dated August 15, 2014, that he is the sole legal representative of all persons so affected as against assertion by my firm that we are entitled to represent persons who also have briefed our firm.

“We strongly believe that he is also by carrying out business in Nigeria without permit or authority from the Minister of Internal Affairs. He is in breach of section 8 of the Immigration Act,which forbids him him and his agents, servants and associates under penalty of sanction to do so.

“The Legal Practitioners Act prescribes a two-year jail term for anyone practising as a legal practitioner whose name is not on the roll of legal practitioners in Nigeria,” Egbegi said.

Day is expected to respond to the suit.

LEGAL DIARY NBA Aguata elects new officers The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Aguata branch, the Front-line Bar Penultimate week Friday elected new officers to pilot the affairs of the branch for the next two years. In a keenly contested election, the following officers were elected S. U. Anyia-chairman; Nkiru FrankMegwa Vice-Chairman; S. I. OluobaSecretary; Elo Okoye Asst. Secretary; L.I. Nwaokike PRO; Mrs J.C.Ezeanyika- Financial Secretary; Mrs Fanny I. Otaluka-Treasurer; and C. A. Ezenwaegbu Welfare officer.

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014

27

LAW & SOCIETY Lawyer petitions Adoke, Rights Commission over judicial abuse

A

•Outreach and Communications Officer, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), James Ayodele (standing) presenting a paper at a recent workshop for Information officers in justice sector institutions, organised by UNODC, with funding from European Union (EU)

‘Election funding not well-regulated’

A

HUMAN rights group, the One Voice, has called for a better regulation of election funding ahead of next year’s poll.

It said the framework to control the use of money in politics is not only weak, but makes no provision for punishing violations.

“Both the 1999 Constitution and the Section 84 (3) of the Electoral Act 2010 made it compulsory for all political parties to submit audited reports of their election expenses three months after elections, but none of them meets this deadline,” One Voice said.

The group, at a press conference jointly organised by the Human Rights Law Service (HURILAWS), also condemned the pre-mature political campaigns that contravene the Electoral Act’s provisions that such activities should begin 90 days before the election.

“Virtually all elected public officials have abandoned their duty posts to embrace political campaigns, flouting the law. When overt member drives precede statutory electioneering campaign period, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should act fast to enforce the law.

“One Voice is particularly worried about the increasing number of political rallies (by purposely established NGO’s and party loy-

By Joseph Jibueze

alists). National/state funds are beign recklessly deployed to bankroll these rallies, thereby making Nigerians to suffer on the ‘good governance index’,” it said.

The group urged INEC to shelve the use of the additional polling units which it said heated up the polity. “One Voice, therefore, is calling on INEC to discard the plan of creating 30,000 additional polling units after 2015 general elections when the dust of tensed political situation would have settled.

Thereafter, INEC can seek the approval of the incoming National Assembly.

“To go ahead to implement this plan is to further plunge the country into political turmoil, and INEC should be seen as umpire regulator and not partisan political institution,” One Voice added.alleged that the botched arms deal, as a result of which $15million was seized

by South Afircan authorities, is linked to next year’s election.

It called for vigilance by voters, saying the arms could not have been meant to fight insurgency as the budget for it had already been approved by the National Assembly, including the additional $1billion.

One Voice believes the arms deal transaction was not done through

legitimate means because the aim was to conceal it, bring in the arms secretly, and deploy them for illegitimate purposes, possibly during the election.

The group’s Media Committee Chairman Pastor Deji Adeleye, said the deal was authorised by highlyplaced persons who are powerful enough to use the government as cover when the deal went wrong.

One Voice said because of the illicit nature of the deal, the actors jettisoned the standard mode of purchasing arms, which is a government-to-government transaction, and instead used third parties not approved by both governments.

The transactions’ sinister aim, the group said, is reinforced by the fact the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was not involved in them and has refused to clarify the dealings.

“South African was not convinced it was a legitimate transaction, which is why it seized the monies.

Who authorised the Nigerians involved in the deal? Was it the President of the Chief of Defence Staff?

We believe the government is just being used as camouflage to cover the illegal transactions. It’s only those who want to military the country during the election that are behind the importation,” the group asked.

Agbakoba, Ngige, others condemn kidnap of Wali, urge FG to secure his release

A

FORMER Nigerian Bar As sociation (NBA) President Mr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN) and other senior lawyers have condemned the abduction of the association’s immediate past Okey Wali (SAN).

He was kidnapped last Saturday in Port Harcourt.

They urged the Federal Government to secure his release.

Agbakoba said he was too shocked by the kidnap. “What! Too shocked for words,” he said.

Ngige said: “The news of the kidnap of the immediate past President of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr Okey Wali, SAN by some gun men at his Port Harcourt residence last night is to say the least, the most shocking and disheartening news I have received in recent times. Okey is a peace loving and easy going gentleman who abhors violence in any shape or form.”

According to Ngige, Wali did nothing to warrant his being kidnapped gunmen, noting that while serving as the 26th President of NBA, he stood for and fought for human liberties and cessation of all forms of violence in our national life.

“Indeed the NBA under his leadership organised a the first ever Security Summit where issues bordering on the state of insecurity in Nigeria was thoroughly considered.

By John Austin Unachukwu

“The report of that summit along with its recommendations was forwarded to the Presidency for its consideration. Sadly, nothing was ever heard from the Government in that regard.

“The kidnap of Mr. Wali brings once more to the fore, the recurring issue of the state of insecurity in Nigeria and in Rivers State in particular. The Police in that State are now more interested in engaging in partisan political activities instead of protecting lives and property.

“This is another kidnap too many!

Yesterday it was Ilochi Okafor, SAN, Mike Ozekhome, SAN, Doyin Rhodes-Vivour and others. Today it is the turn of Okey Wali. Who knows whose turn it will be tomorrow? It is on this note that I join all other well wishers in calling on the abductors to release Okey from their custody forthwith and unconditionally. It is an irony that a person who has stood on the side of the downtrodden and oppressed in the country will be treated this way. But this is Nigeria, where life is now ‘nasty, short and brutish,’ a country that is now strictly speaking, a failed state!

I call on the security agencies to brace up on their responsibilities in ensuring that protection of lives and properties are maintained at the

highest level nationwide”, he said.

Former General Secretary NBA, Mr. Dele Adesina (SAN) said: “The news of the kidnap of the immediate past president of the NBA, Okey Wali SAN, yesterday night, came as a rude shock to me. One was under the mistaken belief that cases of kidnapping have become a thing of the past for which Nigerians were beginning to show signs of relief.

“The prayerful hope for security seems to have been shattered once again. The kidnap of Okey Wali SAN is certainly a great pain not only to the members of his nuclear family, but also to the NBA family nationwide. “ I appeal in the name of God to the captures, wherever they may be, to please set the captive free. I also call on the government and the security agencies to secure the release of Okey Wali (SAN) unharmed. I would like to, with all sense of responsibility, call on our government at all levels to double efforts at ensuring the security of lives and properties of the people of this country, as this is their primary responsibility”, he prayed.

Former General Secretary NBA, Mr. Lawal Rafiu Rabana (SAN) said: “ The kidnapping of our immediate past President Okey Wali (SAN) is very unfortunate and a reflection of the total breakdown of our moral

LAGOS lawyer, Mr. Emmanuel Achukwu has pe titioned the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke (SAN), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Augustine Alegeh (SAN) and the Chairman, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof.

Chidi Odinkalu urging them to end the abuse of judicial processes.

In the petition, the lawyer protested against his detention by the Special Anti-Robbery (SARS) Squad, Ikeja, and criminal proceedings initiated against him by the Special Fraud Unit of the Police on alleged instigation of a Belgian and companies in the ASCA Group.

In the petition, a copy of which was sent to the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) Investigations, Achukwu described his detention on August 31, as “ugly, embarrassing, humiliating, unconstitutional and unlawful.”

The lawyer claimed that not only has his liberty been severely curtailed, his life and those close to him have been under threat and that his position as a lawyer has been ridiculed.

According to him, SARS, on August 3, brutalised and arrested an autoelectrician together with his teenage apprentice and the lawyer’s secretary.

He said they were taken to SARS office at the Police Command, Ikeja and detained.

The three persons, the lawyer said, were then driven by men of the SARS to Lekki area of Lagos to show his house to them after which they laid siege on his house for about seven hours (3am to 10:30 am) when he left the house to go to church.

Achukwu said while driving to church with his 12-year-old son, the SARS men blocked his path with a Toyota Highlander SUV “and in a commando style operation, arrested, slapped, handcuffed and chained” his legs, adding that they drove him and his son to Lekki toll gate where they attempted to drop off his son. But upon his strident protest at this inhuman treatment, he said, the SARS men allowed him to get a taxi to take his son home.

The lawyer claimed that the beating and torture meted on the autoelectrician in an attempt to force him to identify his (lawyer) house led to the electrician being hospitalised. He said he was subsequently detained

By Adebisi Onanuga

in a cell in the SARS premises in Ikeja, where hardened criminals and armed robbery suspects were kept (and several pictures of him inside the cell were taken by one of the men from SARS who arrested him) until the morning of September 1, 2014 when officers and men of the Special Fraud Unit of the Nigeria Police Force came to pick him up.

He was again later to be detained at the Special Fraud Unit of the Nigeria Police Force between Monday, September 1, and Friday, September 5, 2014.

Achukwu stated that his problem started when a Belgian national and his business partner in the ASCA Group of Companies decided to terminate their business relationship sequel to which negotiations were then brokered by the chamber of the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN) at Anthony Village, Lagos sometime in 2007.

He claimed to have rejected an offer by the Belgian national to buy him out with USD400,000.00 payable in four installments or with USD200,000 payable once (a one-off payment).

He said he insisted on the full value of the five percent of the value of the companies which he holds consequent upon which his Belgian partner vowed to ruin him in all respects.

According to him, his partner’s Belgian Company through their representative in Nigeria on June 11, 2007 briefed their then Solicitors to write a Petition against him to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC), making very frivolous, false and malicious allegations against him.

He stated that after a very thorough investigation led by Mr. Ibrahim Lamode, then Director of Operations, EFCC, but that nothing came out of the baseless allegations as the commission refused to prefer any charges against him as it saw he had done nothing wrong. Rather, the EFCC counseled and suggested that the parties should go and resolve same amicably as what they had was a civil/commercial dispute.

On September 18, 2007, he said that another petition was sent to the NBA on behalf of some of the companies in the ASCA Group against him raising the same allegations to which he replied in 2007 within the period demanded by the association.

•Wali

values.

“The threat to freedom of movement and apparent ease with which the kidnappers operate calls for an urgent national security summit to specifically address this degrading

menace. I join other well-meaning Nigerians to call for his immediate release”.

•To be continued nextweek

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014

28

BOOK REVIEW

When a secret society ceases to be ‘secret’ T

HEODORE Ahamefule Orji is a politi cian and the Governor of Abia State of Nigeria. He is not a legal practitioner or a judicial officer. But he has been offered the privilege of adorning the cover of this book entitled Abia Governorship Law Reports; a privilege rarely offered to members of the legal profession. And this privilege was offered by no less a person than the editor-inchief, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and a former Attorney-General of Imo State, Dr. Livy Uzoukwu, OON. Another unique feature of the law reports is that all of the 12 decisions contained therein (11 judgments and one ruling) concern election petitions and a pre-election issue arising from the 2007 and 2011 Abia State gubernatorial elections which each returned T.A. Orji as the Governor, and he was a party in each of them.

He was an appellant in two of the appeals; he won them. His political party then (Peoples Progressive Alliance, PPA) was an appellant in two of the other appeals; it won the appeals. Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC which conducted the elections in dispute was an appellant in two of the appeals arising from the 2007 election tribunal judgments; it won them. The governor’s opponents in the 2007 elections, and the political party (Peoples Democratic Party, PDP) which sponsored them, were also appellants in two out of the eleven appeals reported; the two appeals were dismissed.

Their attempt to set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal delivered earlier in the principal appeal validating the 2007 election of the governor culminated in a ruling, also reported, which dismissed the application.

There are three judgments in the law reports arising from the 2011 Abia State Governorship election in which Governor Orji stood for re-election and won. This time, he was the gubernatorial candidate of the PDP, unlike in 2007 when he was the candidate of the PPA. Two of them were decisions of the Court of Appeal arising from appeals of Governor Orji’s opponents which were dismissed. The third and the latest, and the only one in the law reports delivered by the Supreme Court, is in respect of a pre-election dispute on the authentic gubernatorial candidate of the PDP initiated against the Governor by an aspirant who lost all the way from the Federal High Court to the Court of Appeal and, finally, at the Supreme Court.

It is significant to mention at this point that the governor was victorious in all the decisions published in this volume; in other words, in all the election disputes arising from the 2007 and 2011 Abia State governorship elections.

These decisions are now being presented to the public in an attractive, hard cover 576 page book, in honour of Dr. T.A. Orji, Governor of Abia State whose photographs adorn the front and back covers. Now, having served the appetiser, it is time to turn the pages and decipher the utility of the decisions reported in this volume. As noted earlier, nine of the decisions arose from the 2007 elections and the same parties were involved in all of them. Expectedly, the issues that arose in them were similar. Shorn of general principles of law expounded in them which I do not need to rehash, there are important points of law which are either recondite or of particular significance which the courts made pronouncements on.

One of them, perhaps the most interesting, was whether Governor Orji and his deputy at the time (Chris Akomas), being Chief of Staff to the Governor of Abia State and Commissioner in the Government of Abia State respectively, were “public officers” who should have resigned their appointments before contesting the election. Another equally interesting and important issue was whether Governor Orji was a member of a secret society; this arose from the allegation that he was a member of Okija secret society.

The Court of Appeal devoted considerable space in attending to these two issues in their judgments. In Orji v. Ugochukwu I, (20092012) AGLR 1, the Court held, after referring to relevant constitutional provisions, at page 79, thus: It is apparent from the wording of the foregoing provisions that the offices of the Chief of Staff being the head of the personal staff of the Governor and the Commissioner of the State being offices respectively held in the erstwhile Government of Abia State by the 1st and 2nd Appellants are political office

Name of book: Abia Governorship Law Reports Pages: 576 Author: Dr. Livy Uzoukwu, OON, SAN Reviewer: J.T.U. Nnodum, OFR, SAN holders (who)… serve at the pleasure of the Governor of Abia State and accordingly not persons in the public service of Abia State.

[Word in brackets added] In INEC v. Orji I (2009-2012) AGLR 99, the Court said further on this point at page 120: From the foregoing the only conclusion I can reach is to hold that the 1st and 2nd respondents (that is, Orji and Akomas) in this appeal are not public officers and therefore qualified to contest as Governor and Deputy Governor of Abia State. The decision of the lower tribunal on the point is set aside. The question of resignation 30days to the election will therefore not apply. [Words in brackets supplied] In regard to the membership of Okija secret society, the Court held that the election tribunal was not a proper forum for determining whether Okija shrine was a secret society which was a condition precedent to determining whether the Governor was a member of a secret society. The Court made the point clearly in Orji v. PDP (2009-2012) AGLR 175 when it said at page 274: From the cumulative deduction and parameter of the evidence before the lower tribunal, the summary is that the ascription of Okija shrine being a secret society has no foundational basis but a mirage. In the absence of establishing the shrine falling within the definition under section 318 of the Constitution there can be no imputation upon the 1st appellant being a member of a none existent such society designated as Okija secret society. The membership is solely dependent and subject upon the former which ought first be established, i.e. to say that the said Okija shrine is indeed a secret society having been prohibited and outlawed either by legal legislation or judicial pronouncement in the court of law.

The Court was more emphatic on the point when it held in P.P.A. v. Ugochukwu (20092012) AGLR 356, 401 that: . . . by its definition a secret society is a secret body. Once any of its members brings to court evidence of its activities, then that society ceases to be a secret society. The evidence of PW5 who claimed to be the secretary general of Okija secret society and the subsequent tendering and admission of Exhibit “HS” was a clear indication that the activities at Okija shrine are not secret after all.

To that extent I am of the firm view that there was no evidence before the Tribunal that Okija Shrine is a secret society.

These two issues were also treated elaborately in P.P.A v. PDP [2009-2012] AGLR 123, 168, 170.

It has been said that INEC filed two appeals from the decisions of the 2007 election tribunal. The tribunal had nullified the election of Governor Orji and his deputy on two main grounds which have just been discussed.

Naturally aggrieved, their Excellencies and their political party (PPA) lodged appeals against the decisions. INEC also felt aggrieved, and lodged its appeals. The decisions of the Court of Appeal arising from the appeals are reported as INEC v. Orji I (20092012) AGLR 99 and INEC v. Orji 2 (2009-2012) AGLR 282 respectively.

At this time of the litigation, the neutrality of INEC had been a subject of disputation in some election petitions, leading to certain decisions of courts to the effect that INEC should not appeal against decisions of election tribunals which nullified elections conducted by the electoral body. Those decisions surely emboldened the respondents in the two appeals now being discussed to challenge the competence of INEC to initiate them. They prayed the Court of Appeal to strike out the appeals. The Court refused the prayers. It is needful to set down, in brief, the reasoning of the court.

In INEC v. Orji I supra, at pages 111-112, the Court said: “I have earlier on referred to and quoted pages 3671 -3672 of the Record of Appeal. When one looks at the above quoted one cannot fault the right of the Appellants to appeal in this matter. . . . Having said much I see no reasons why INEC in view of the pronouncement of the Tribunal should not appeal”. This decision was repeated in INEC v. Orji 2 at page 293. The thrust of the decisions is that where findings of facts are made

against INEC, which are central to the issue under consideration, it would not be inappropriate for INEC to appeal against the findings, as the appeal is a constitutional right.

It is one thing to complain about the declaration or return made by INEC, but another to know how to upset it. The inability to provide the right quality of evidence to achieve this goal is the bane of many election petitions. It was the weak point in the petitions filed against the return of Governor Orji. The petitioners’ witnesses who tendered election results at the election tribunal had no personal knowledge of the contents of the documents. The respondents, therefore, contended that the documents were “documentary hearsay” which could not prove the allegations made against the conduct of the election. This argument found favour with election tribunal and the Court of Appeal.

This legal issue was given prominence in Ugochukwu v. Orji (2009-2012) AGLR 305 and PDP v. Orji (2009-2012) AGLR 331. In the former case, the Court held at pages 325-326 of the Report, thus: The Tribunal found that these witnesses were not on the field where these documents were prepared. The decision to tender them through witnesses was for the opposing party to cross-examine the documents. The witnesses equivocation under cross-examination as shown in the record clearly shows that they neither know all their agents at the polling stations nor did they know what transpired at these stations. I therefore agree with the conclusion by the Tribunal when it chose not to accord the documents any probative value . . . This is an allegation of crime that the Cross-Appellants are required to prove beyond reasonable doubt. This can only be done by calling those who falsified the results or those who were present when the falsification was carried out.

In PDP v. Orji (2009-2012) supra, the Court reiterated the point at page 354 when it said inter alia: . . . it is important to note that the statements of results tendered by the Petitioners were meant to challenge the results announced and declared by the 4th Respondent (INEC) by which the 1st and 2nd Respondents were declared winners of the said election.

The statements of results were the documents PW1 who tendered them claimed to have received from some faceless party agents who in turn received them from unidentified polling agents. It may be an understatement, to say the least, to say that the evidence relied upon fell short of what was required to establish such allegation as was raised against the INEC results.

The last case that arose from the 2007 gubernatorial election in Abia State was the futile attempt in 2009 by the Governor’s opponents to set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal which validated the election. The case is reported as Orji v. Ugochukwu 2 (20092012) AGLR 403. The application was predicated on eight grounds, two of which were alleged breach of fair hearing, and contradictory pronouncements in the judgment.

The Court had no difficulty in dismissing the application.

The three cases that arose from the 2011 Abia State gubernatorial election, and reported in this volume, are Owanta v. INEC (2009-2012) AGLR 443, Ohajuruka v. Orji (2009-2012) AGLR 503 and Emenike v. PDP (2009-2012) AGLR 537. The first case, Owanta v. INEC, is about a gubernatorial candidate of a political party known as the Democratic Front For A People’s Federation who challenged the election of Governor Orji, but it happened that he, the petitioner, was not a properly nominated candidate of his party as he did not properly nominate a deputy governorship candidate. So, the respondents challenged his locus standi to present a petition. The tribunal upheld the objection and struck out the petition. His appeal to the Court of Appeal was dismissed in a judgment which is now reported. The Court held at pages 497-498 that: . . . the non-nomination of a running mate as Deputy Governor touches on the qualification of a candidate to contest an election under the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and is also a clear breach of the provisions of section 187(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which makes it mandatory for a person wishing to run for the position of a Governor of a State to first nominate another candidate as his associate who will occupy the office of the Deputy Governor which is a condition precedent to his running for the office of Governor. It is therefore beyond any realm of doubt that

the nomination of a running mate by a Governorship candidate is a condition precedent to the valid nomination of a Governorship candidate.

The second case, Ohajuruka v. Orji, was an appeal arising from an election petition filed by the gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party in 2011 election which was dismissed by the election tribunal. The appeal was also dismissed, but the Court made a pronouncement, of striking significance, on the nature of public documents admissible in evidence.

At page 528 of the Report, the Court held: . . . what is in issue is whether a public document can be admitted in its original form without being certified as such. A community reading of sections 102, 103, 104, 105 and 106 of Evidence Act 2011 clearly shows that a public document can be obtained from a public officer having custody of such document who shall certify such a document appropriately and it is such certified copy of the document that can be tendered. An uncertified public document in its original form does not pass the test of admissibility under the Evidence Act. The third case, Emenike v. PDP, arose from a suit filed at the Federal High Court in which one Chief Ikechi Emenike sued the Governor, the political party and its acting National Chairman, and INEC claiming that he was the PDP gubernatorial candidate for the 2011 election having won a primary election conducted by the Abia State executive committee of PDP. The defence countered that the Governor became the candidate because he won the primary election conducted by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party. The issue for determination then became which of the elections was cognisable under the constitution of the party. The Federal High Court held in favour of the election conducted by the NEC; this was affirmed by the Court of Appeal, and reaffirmed by the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court underscored the basis of the decision in these terms at page 562: From the above, it occurs to me that for a complaint to come within the narrow compass of the above provision of the law and be cognisable by a court, the aspirant must show clearly and without any equivocation that the National Executive Committee of the political party conducted a primary election in which he was an aspirant and that the primary election was conducted in breach of specified provisions of the Electoral Act/Election Guidelines. It continued, thus: Put in another way, the law provides that a candidate with the highest votes cast at a primary election organised by the National Executive Committee of the 1st respondent to the knowledge of the 3rd respondent can approach the court for redress if he is excluded by the party. There is no doubt that the above decisions bring to the fore some of the knotty issues which resonate through election petitions since the advent of the current civilian rule. It is, therefore, of crucial importance that due attention is paid to them by members of the legal profession, and the reading public. It is true, as expected, that the decisions were rendered in the lawyers’ language, but they are accessible to the ordinary mind.

Newspaper of the Year

AN 8-PAGE PULLOUT ON NORTHERN STATES

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014

PAGE 29

•Women of the community protesting during the governor’s visit

Fadan Karshi: Brooding over scars of attacks S

HORTLY after the mass killing of innocent people in three villages of Maro’a Chiefdom in Southern Kaduna, the then InspectorGeneral of Police, Mohammed Dikko Abubakar, set up a committee to find a lasting solution to the constant invasion of Southern Kaduna villages by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

The meeting, which took place at the Conference Hall of the General Hassan Usman Katsina House in Kaduna, agreed on what they called a cease-fire arrangement. Many, especially Southern Kaduna youths, did not believe in the peace deal. It soon collapsed a few months after the agreement was reached, signed and celebrated.

Gunmen attacked a police station at Fadan Karshi in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing six people. The police

‘Parties must be given level playing field’ •PAGE 31

From Tony Akowe, Abuja

downplayed the attack.

On Sunday, June 22, this year, barely 24 hours to the international conference organised by the Office of the National Security Adviser which aimed at finding a lasting solution to the constant attacks by Fulani herdsmen, a couple was killed in their farm also in Fadan Karshi.

Surprisingly, less than 24 hours after the conference was declared open by the Vice-President, Mohammed Namadi Sambo, who represented President Goodluck Jonathan, two villages were attacked by the same Fulani herdsmen, killing no less than 38 people.

Between June and September, over 300 people have been killed in separate attacks in the same community of Fadan Karshi.

What started as an attack on two communities in Sanga Local Government Area, gradually spread around the local government with more villages coming under the attack of the Fulani herdsmen; leaving in their trail series of death of innocent men, women and children.

The attackers invaded Kabamu Village in Fadan Karshi District and Ankpon in Nandu District both of Numana Chiefdom at 10:00 p.m. on the night of Monday, June 22, this year.

The last attack by the gunmen in the same community claimed over 20 lives, with several others sustaining various degrees of injuries.

The attack, which took place on September 19, was said to have started at midnight. The attackers set houses ablaze. One of the survivors of the attack who identified himself as Bitrus Solomon was quoted as saying that

Kwara inaugurates committee on LCDAs •PAGE 30

many people who could not run were shot dead.

Apart from these attacks which lasted for almost one week without help coming to the victims, the community has constantly suffered series of attack since then. It was gathered that farmers in the area could not go to their farms due to fear of probable attacks.

As they could not cultivate their farm lands this year, fears are that the community may experience starvation.

However, the people have accused the Governor Mukthar Ramalan Yero of being insensitive to their plight, saying he merely condemned the attacks and does nothing to ensure that they are safe.

Rev. Yunana Oganto, President of ReachForth Nigeria and a native of the area told our correspondent that Governor Yero has not shown any sign of sensitivity about the events. He urged

Gridlock: FCTA installs security devices •PAGE 34

the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in Southern Kaduna. They believe it’s the only way to stop the carnage.

Apart from the incidents in Fadan Karshi, there had been other serious attacks in other parts of Southern Kaduna; the most fatal being in Bondon and Fadan Attakkar.

Having accused the governor of being insensible to their plight, the people turned against him when he decided to visit. Apparently, the governor’s decision not to visit may not be unconnected with the ugly incident when he paid a similar visit to Manchok where angry residents threw stones at his convoy. But his visit to Fadan Karshi may also have been a terrible mistake.

Even though he went there with a •Continued on page 30

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THE NORTH REPORT

Fadan Karshi: Brooding over scars of attacks •Continued from page 29 high-powered security team, the women in the area did not consider his visit a friendly one. Concerned about the repeated attacks on the people, the governor decided to visit them.

He was, however, conscious of the fact that when his deputy, Nuhu Bajoga visited the area after the earlier attacks in June, he was not well received and so decided to visit the area well prepared. The latest attack was alleged to have been carried out by suspected Ansaru Islamic terrorists who disguised themselves as Fulani gunmen.

Our correspondent gathered that the people, especially women, decided to embarrass the governor who was received at the Palace of the District Head of Fadan Karshi. Majority of the women protested half nude as a way of showing their displeasure to the killings of their people and the seeming lack of interest by the state government.

The National President of Ninzom Progressive Youths, Bezard Wuyah who confirmed the action of the women explained that “the women were angry that after about seven attacks on their villages, in which not less than 300 people were killed since July, the governor had not visited the place until a few weeks to the primary elections.”

Our source claimed that the governor decided to visit them because it was almost time for election. This informed the protest by the women who carried placards with inscriptions such as “election time is near, come and deceive Sanga people again”, “the blood of our husbands would haunt the guilty,” and “give us food, do not scare us with soldiers,” among others.

Wuyah further said that “the governor came with hundreds of soldiers, policemen, Roads Safety Corps, State Security Service (SSS), even with a detachment of Prison Guards. It was more of an invasion, not a condolence visit. Our mothers and sisters

A

who were expecting a sober, caring governor were furious when they noticed that the visit was meant to intimidate them.

“So, they had to bare their minds with regard to the negligence they had suffered since gunmen sacked their villages and rendered them homeless.

You will be surprised to learn that the women were organised. They were united in their grief and anger as neglected widows. They came from about seven ethnic groups.

“One of them lost her husband and four sons. They and their children are starving in refugee camps that are not fit for human habitation. Natives of Sanga are law-abiding and we are appealing to everyone to remain calm since the governor has come and seen the situation.”

On its part, the Southern Kaduna Indigenes Progressive Forum (SKIPFO) accused the governor of going to Sango to show off his might. Its Chairman, Major George Nchok Asake (rtd) said in a statement that “it is no longer news that the state governor Alhaji Mukhtar Ramalan Yero has never deemed it necessary to pay any condolence visit to the affected Southern Kaduna communities that have had their people brutally and mercilessly killed. He has also not taken any action to protect the affected communities or any other Southern Kaduna community for that matter, except those occupied by his settlers Hausa/ Fulani brothers.

“Yero visited Fadan Karshi with a very large contingent of armed personnel. That was not a show of sympathy or condolence. It was pure show of state might to intimidate and suppress any dissension in view of his hate against our people. We kick against this show of naked power and we want to assure him that we shall take our revenge at the ballot box.”

But a group of Southern Kaduna youths under the auspices of the Yero Vanguard who have sympathy for the governor told our correspondent that the action of the women was a show of shame as the governor had done everything possible to ensure that the

•Another set of women protesting during Yero’s visit

‘Governor Yero has not shown any sign of sensitivity about the events. He urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in Southern Kaduna. They believe it’s the only way to stop the carnage…The governor came with hundreds of soldiers, policemen, Road Safety Corps, State Security Service (SSS), even with a detachment of Prison Guards.

It was more of an invasion, not a condolence visit. Our mothers and sisters who were expecting a sober, caring governor were furious when they noticed that the visit was meant to intimidate them’ people are safe.

Their spokesman, Istifanus Musa accused politicians in the area of sponsoring the protest against the governor who was in Fadan Karshi to sympathise with the people.

He said: “After the first attack in the area, the governor sent his deputy and some relief materials. This time, he decided to visit the people himself. What wrong has he done to warrant such humiliation? The man has done well for the people of the state since he assumed office. Instead of being grateful to him, people are

sponsoring such demonstrations against him, however, a coalition of civil society organisations in Southern Kaduna alleged at a news conference, that the government has decided to victimise some of those who took part in the protest against the governor during his visit. They alleged that rather than assuring the people of their safety, the government decided to hold one Mrs. Christiana E. Musa responsible for organising the women for the protest. Mrs. Musa, who they claimed is a native of Sanga

Local Government Area and Head of Health Department, Jema’a Local Government Area, was allegedly issued a query by the Director of Administration, Promotion and Discipline, Kaduna State Local Government Service Commission, Sadiq A. Iyal.

In the letter, the government claimed that she participated in the protest staged against the governor, which “caused a lot of embarrassment to the governor and his entourage, saying it contravened section 17(1) (a)(1) of the Unified Local Govern-

Kwara inaugurates committee on LCDAs

GAIN, the stage is set for the creation of local government council development areas (LCDAs) in Kwara State.

Former governors of the state, the late Adamu Attah and the late Mohammed Lawal, created local councils during their administrations which were later scrapped.

To bring government closer to the people, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has inaugurated a 14-man committee on the creation of LCDAs. The committee is headed by former Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and current member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, while Alhaji A. A Yusuf is the secretary.

Inaugurating the committee in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, Ahmed said the committee had eight weeks to submit its report.

Other members of the committee are Alhaji Saidu Issa, Alhaji Khaleel Bolaji, Mr. Tunde Umar, AbdulWahab Issa, Mr. Joshua Ogunlowo and Alhaji Rasaq Umar.

Others are Prof. Halidu Abubakar, Chief Wole Oke, Chief of Staff to Governor Ahmed, Alhaji Muhammad Toyin Sanusi, Dr Abubakar Ishola and Alhaji AbdulKadir Oba Salihu.

The committee’s terms of reference are to: identify all basic parameters necessary for the creation of local council development areas, using variables peculiar to the Kwara

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

environment while borrowing relevant experiences from other states that have similar structures; consider all factors related to viability (internally-generated revenue, population and land area, among others) in suggesting an area for LCDA status; identify suitable communities as headquarters, taking due cognisance of precedence in administrative responsibility in arriving at the choice; consider other relevant factors that will ensure uniformity, equity, fairness and greater sense of belonging. Others are to: assess the possibility of converting existing districts into development area councils with little adjustment where necessary and review the reports of similar exercises carried out in the past and any other considerations the committee finds pertinent for the successful completion of the crucial assignment.

The governor said: “Since the creation of the state over four-and-a-half decades ago, the 1976 local government reforms remain a watershed in local government administration in the state in particular and the nation in general. Since then, the system has undergone several transformations resulting in the present 16 local government area structure.”However, as currently constituted, the local government structure remains largely inadequate, considering our population, land mass and other demographic features. For instance, Asa, Moro and Ifelodun local government

‘Furthermore, our people’s clamour for more local government areas remains unfulfilled due to the stringent and time-consuming constitutional process required for the creation of new local government councils... Consequently, we have received requests from across the three Senatorial Districts and the 16 local government areas for the creation of local council development areas (LCDAs)’ areas, which were created by the 1976 reforms, have maintained their structures to date, while several other local government councils have been created out of the others.

“Consequently, the said local government councils remain unnecessarily large, resulting in avoidable administrative bottlenecks. Even the 13 local governments that have transformed over the years still require to be sub-divided into more local government areas to make purposeful.

“Furthermore, our people’s clamour for more local government areas remains unfulfilled due to the stringent and time-consuming constitutional process required for the creation of new local government councils.

“Consequently, we have received requests from across the three Senatorial Districts and the 16 local government areas for the creation of local council development areas (LCDAs).”In response, therefore, I am pleased to inaugurate this 14-man committee on the creation of LCDAs in Kwara State.

The creation of new LCDAs is expected to bring government closer to the people, and assist the people in bringing their aspirations to fruition.

LCDAs will also help our people to realise their socio-economic goals and expand access to basic amenities that will accelerate development in these areas.”

Responding, Baraje said: “The assignment is taxing. But Yoruba has a

•From left: Mr. Ogunlowo; Prof. Abubakar development areas (LCDA) at Government

saying that no matter how weighty a word is, you will not cut with cutlass.

You will only use mouth to discuss it.

So, we intend to follow certain procedures. It is something that has a lot to do with the grassroots. We will go back to them and make consultations with them. “It is an activity that has to do with traditional institutions. We

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‘Parties must be given level playing field’

H

ment Service Staff Regulation(2012).”

They also alleged that she was immediately transferred to Birnin Gwari Local Government Area and left without any portfolio. They further claimed: “Mrs. Christiana E. Musa neither organised nor participated in the protest. Indeed, there is no empirical evidence linking the said Mrs. Musa with the said protest. To all intents and purposes, she was made a scapegoat by a high-handed government which has failed to appreciate the core values of democracy.

“Amidst the anguish of the victimisation of Mrs. Christiana by the government of the day, the indigenous people of Sanga were acrimoniously plunged into an illogical blame game.

The governor’s spokesman, Ahmed Maiyaki failed to respond to enquiries about the issue. He neither responded to calls nor replied electronic mail and text messages sent to him for comment on the issue.

But he was quoted by a national daily as saying that “it is totally untrue. No demonstration took place. The people of Fadan Karshi are indeed saddened by the unfortunate incident in the area.

And the governor shares in their grief.

And as a good leader, his visit was to commiserate with them. His visit is not political.”

E needs no introduction in Nigerian politics. He has, over the years, devoted his adult life to public service. He has also travelled from one part of the country to the other and is convinced that Nigeria should remain an indivisible and indissoluble entity.

Alhaji Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa, 78, is a left-wing politician and one of the effervescent apostles of the Talakawa politician, the late Mallam Aminu Kano, the founder of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP). Alhaji Musa is the only notable long-standing member of that party currently, although there are many hard-line PRP members in the remote areas of the country.

Alhaji Musa is an ardent believer in the redemptive potential of the PRP, thus his relentless struggle that the lofty ideas and goals espoused by the party must remain intact, even within the suffocating political arena of the present age.

Any wonder he told the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that the PRP has the right to exist. Many of the comrades who started the PRP with him are now chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Prominent among them is the incumbent governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido.

Interestingly, Alhaji Musa has not given up on Nigeria, despite his age and the way things are in the country.

Last year, he said the birth of the All Progressives Congress (APC), remains a good omen for the country. To him, APC is the party that can make change possible in Nigeria, considering the many failed battles to unseat the PDP from the Presidency since 2003.

Ideologically, Musa remains the same. He remains a left-wing politician in the strict tradition of it. He is always ready to join any mass protest against unpopular and oppressive policies of government. He participated in the nation-wide fuel subsidy protests at the Lugard Hall Roundabout in Kaduna in 2012 alongside Comrade Shehu Sani of the Civil Rights Congress and Barrister Taofik Ladoja of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). He was one of the comrades who gathered at the Secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Kaduna for the BringBack OurGirls Campaign in July

‘Interestingly, Alhaji Musa has not given up on Nigeria, despite his age and the way things are in the country. Last year, he said the birth of the All Progressives Congress (APC) remains a good omen for the country. To him, APC is the party that can make change possible in Nigeria, considering the many failed battles to unseat the PDP from the Presidency since 2003’ •Alhaji Musa From Blessing Olaifa, Assistant Editor

before the Kaduna Police Command stopped them.

Musa believes very strongly in the principle of transparency and accountability in public service and in particular in government.

He insists that those aspiring to lead at every level of government must live above board and must not take undue advantage of their privileged positions to lord it over the governed. He believes that every government must be ready to open up its books for public scrutiny at any time.

Since his impeachment on June 23, 1981, Alhaji Musa lives in a small bungalow at the Government Reserved Area of Kaduna metropolis. The house is devoid of the wall of Jericho-like

dentally, members of the committee are erudite administrators. They are people who have deep experiences; they still have contact with the grassroots. We intend to make use of their experiences to carry out this herculean task.We urge you journalists to co-operate with us, as this is the time we need your

1976. He contested for the 2003 Presidential election in 2003 and lost due to the influence of money in modern day politics. He contested for the governorship position of Kaduna State in 2011 under the PRP which he lost.

Alhaji Musa was the Chairman of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), and has always be in the forefront of agitations for a level playing field for political parties in Nigeria.

In a recent interview, he challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) position on the registration of political parties, insisting that his party, the PRP should not have been deregistered by INEC. He argued that aside from being a political party, the PRP remains a political movement that INEC has no constitutional right to ban or deregister.

Pomp as minister is honoured in Ilorin

T

HE weather was friendly as the sun shone brightly out of the azure sky. The event was a festive one for the people of Kwara State who rolled out the drums to welcome one of the citizens who was appointed as a minister of the Federal Republic.

Nature remained clement as if in agreement with the joyous event.

Many, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwarts, political associates, family members, loyalists, friends and well-wishers turned out

bakar, Baraje and Governor Ahmed during the inauguration of members of the committee on creation of local council ment House, Ilorin

will have to do a lot of consultations with our traditional institutions.

Thirdly, it is the request of the people, so we have to ask people to tell us what they want. It is the collation and conglomeration of the people’s wish, request, traditional institutions and grassroots people’s inputs that we are going to use. “Inci-

fence that has become the preference for the mansions of modern day politicians. From the road, you could see all the objects inside the building, including one or two grounded vehicles, including the Peoples Redemption Party rickety buses. But Alhaji Musa now cruises around on a brand new elegant Toyota Prado Jeep.

Alhaji Musa is always journalists’ delight. He will always oblige interviews when approached. His doors remain open, not just for journalists, but even the common man. Once at home, you will always see him in the company of local party members.

He was born in Kaya Kaduna State on August 21, 1936. Before his election as the first civilian governor of Old Kaduna State in 1979 at the age of 42, he held various managerial positions such as Accountant between 1960 and

assistance most; this is the time we need to work with you most. “This is a very sensitive job. It has to do with the sentiments and sensibilities of the people.

“Therefore, we need you to report us honestly, appropriately and adequately. We, therefore, solicit your support.”

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

in their numbers to be part of the reception in honour of Dr Suleiman Abubakar to celebrate his recent appointment as Minister of National Planning in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

That day, human and vehicular movements to and from Arca Santa Event Centre, along Ajase-Ipo Road venue of the reception was disrupted.

The reception was the first, since the minister, a native of the state, was appointed over a month ago by President Goodluck Jonathan.

It was a demonstration of the love, unity and team work by the members of the minister’s family and party stalwarts for the PDP. Speaker after speaker urged members of the PDP to work as a team to ensure the party’s victory in the 2015 general elections in the state.

The 2011 governorship candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Dele Belgore now a chieftain of the PDP, urged his supporters to work towards the success of the party ahead of 2015.

Belgore also advised them to resist the temptation by the opposition party to lure them into the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying it does not pay to be in opposition.

He said: “I have been in opposition in the past and had realised that it does not pay to be in the opposition.” He urged members of the party to remain united.

In a remark, Abuja-based businesswoman and a chieftain of the party in the state, Hajia Muinat Shagaya admonished residents of Kwara State to key into the mainstream politics of the ruling PDP so as to enjoy the benefits of democracy.

Shagaya, a major financier of the PDP said her experience as a businesswoman had shown that it does not pay to be in opposition against the ruling party.

She also urged them to demonstrate the spirit of sportsmanship by accepting whoever emerges as the party’s standard bearer in the 2015 governorship election.

Former Minister of Transport, Bio Ibrahim who spoke on behalf of representatives of Kwara North, described

Dr Abubakar as the current leader of the party in the state in the absence of a PDP governor, urging him “to be fair and just to us all.

In his comment, Chairman, Federal Character Commission (FCC), Prof. Shuaib Oba-Abdulraheem said the party will take over Government House, Kwara in 2015.

He said there were feelers that some top government officials are already removing their personal effects from the Government House.

Also at the event, Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on National Assembly Matters, Senator Suleiman M. Ajadi said with the minister’s appointment, the state has started heaving a sigh of relief from neglect and bondage.

Senator Ajadi, who is from Kwara South, however, said the minister should not rejoice yet until the party takes over Kwara Government House come 2015.

Addressing PDP supporters at the reception, Dr Abubakar said the PDP has a winning team that will rescue Kwara from APC in the 2015 general elections.

The Political Science lecturer at the University of Abuja said the team is unbeatable because of the pedigree of stakeholders that constituted it.

He added: “Who can defeat this team, a team made up of eight exsenators, four ex-ministers, two former deputy governors, three or four former Speakers of Kwara State House of Assembly, two ex- PDP chairmen and former commissioners?

“If we have this calibre of people, I don’t see who can defeat this family” The minister said the process of his emergence as the new Minister of National Planning had shown that “politics in Kwara is no longer a oneman show.”

He said 11 stakeholders sat down to rectify his nomination as a minister, a development which he said was sharp departure from the practice in the state in the last 45 years where only one person decides who gets what.

He also assured the party supporters that the mandate of the people in the hands of members of the opposition will be reclaimed.

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•Gridlock in Abuja

Gridlock: FCTA installs security devices T

O enhance traffic management and security of commuters in the Federal Capital Territory, the FCT Administration has begun the installation of Control Room project.

Its Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed disclosed this after meeting with some senior officials of the FCT Transportation Secretariat.

Senator Mohammed said the project, which is in line with the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan and the Transportation Master Plan of the FCT, is 65 per cent completed.

The minister reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring that the right things are done to tackle head on traffic problems in the Federal Capital City.

He revealed that the FCT Administration has upgraded 28 of the 74 traffic light installations of the old technology of incandescent light to Light Emitting Diode (LED) with solar back-up to drastically reduce traffic light problems associated with those powered by conventional electricity supply.

According to a statement issued by the Assistant Director/Chief Press Secretary to the FCT Minister, Muhammad Sule, Senator Mohammed said the 20 additional

‘The FCT Administration has upgraded 28 of the 74 traffic light installations of the old technology of incandescent light to Light Emitting Diode (LED) with solar back-up to drastically reduce traffic light problems associated with those powered by conventional electricity supply’ From Gbenga Omokhunu

intersections have been voted for traffic light installation before the end of the year; while 1,200 additional road traffic signs of various

•Traffic jam in Abuja

types and sizes have been installed.

He further said more roads have been marked in the city and they include Tafawa Balewa Way; Lome Crescent Street; F.O.Williams Street; Babangida Aliyu Street; Nouchott Street; Kashim Ibrahim Way; Sabo Ago Way; Deji Omotade Street; Wada Aliyu Street as well as Ahmadu Bello Way. Senator Mohammed noted that due to biometric data capture of

drivers earlier embarked upon by his administration, issues of identification, safety and security is better addressed nowadays.

The minister expressed the commitment of his administration to provide sufficient number of high capacity buses for scheduled bus transit services in and around the 8,000 square kilometers of the Federal Capital Territory.

He emphasised that, under its

Operators’ Licence Scheme, his administration has so far granted licenses to seven companies namely AUMTCO, FABREM, AUTOSTAR, NURTW, RTEIN, SECDA, TUC; while PAT and PRINTFIELD are yet to be licensed.

The companies under the Operators’ Licence Scheme deploy an average of 216 high capacity buses and 4,250 taxis on daily basis, Senator Mohammed said.

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ABUJA REVIEW

•From left: Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Abuja, Rev. Israel Akanji, President Goodluck Jonathan, National Deputy Chief Imam of National Mosque, Sheikh Ahmad Onilewura and Vice-President Mohammed Namadi Sambo during the Salah homage visit to President Jonathan by Muslims in FCT to mark Ed-el Karbir celebration.

PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN.

•From left: President Goodluck Jonathan in a handshake with the Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Chike Edoziem during the visit to the President by Anioma community in Delta State in Abuja.

PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN.

•From left: Head, Dentistry Division, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Adebimpe Adebiyi; Minister of State for Health, Dr. Khaliru Alhassan, Representative of the National Oral Health Champion and Senate President, Senator David Mark George Manso and Chairman, Nigerian chapter of Alliance for A Cavity- Free Future (ACCF), Dr. Olabode Ijarogbe during the official launch of ACCF Nigerian chapter in Abuja.

PHOTO ABAYOMI FAYESE

•From left: Minister of Environment, Lawrential Laraba Mallam, Minister of State for Health, Dr. Khaliru Alhassan and Minister of Niger Delta Kingsley Oruh during the Federal Executive Council meeting at the State House Abuja.

PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN.

•President Goodluck Jonathan receiving the Plaque from Team Leader Blessing Okagbare. With them are Minister of Sports, Dr. Tamuno Danagogo (left) and Chairman, National Sports Commission, Gbenga Elegbeleye right during the reception for the victorious athletes and officials at international competitions this year at the Banquet Hall, State House Abuja.

PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN.

•President, Market Women Association, Mrs. Felicia Sani (left); Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri and Secretary, Market Men Association Abuja, Mr. Peter Ohue during the Market Men and Women Association visit to NOA office in Abuja.

PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

•Assembly Pastor Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Karmo Abuja, Pastor Augustine Oluwatimilehin (left); General Evangelist, CAC Worldwide, Prophet Samuel Abiara and Pastor Johnson Oshati, during a meeting on the forthcoming CAC All Saints Congress in Abuja.

PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

•Kogi State Deputy Governor, Yomi Awoniyi (right) cutting the tape to inaugurate ‘Angie’s Place, in Lokoja the Kogi State capital. With him are his wife Halima (middle) and Managing Director, Angie’s Place, Toru Ogbeha.

PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

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Jonathan's over N332.25 million largesse for athletes

O

N Wednesday last week, another feather was added in the cap of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.

The occasion was the reception held in honour of the over 350 athletes and officials who had won various medals and laurels for Nigeria at various international and continental championships in the past seven months.

Before the programme began, President Jonathan, who is spending his fourth year in office, had been claimed to have surpassed all his predecessors, including those who spent eight years in office, in many sectors of the economy.

Apart from taking credit for making the Nigerian economy the largest growing economy in the continent and 22nd largest economy globally, Jonathan's transformation agenda is said to have achieved unprecedented reforms in many sectors including agriculture, power, education, railway and aviation.

Many critics have, however, punctured and disagreed with many of the claims.

The Sports Minister, Tamuno Danagogo did not fail to add another feather in the bowler cap of President Jonathan at the reception for the athletes and officials that day.

According to him, Jonathan's administration has witnessed the highest haul of sporting medals in the annals of Nigeria's history.

He attributed the medals harvest to the legendary love, moral and financial support and the calm and calculated approach adopted in the sports sector by President Jonathan.

Blessing Okagbare, who won gold medals in the 100m and 200m event at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, 100m gold at the African Senior Athletic Championship and 4×100m gold at the African Senior Athletics Championship this year, presented a plaque at the reception on behalf of all the athletes to President Jonathan for his unprecedented support to the sports sector.

Despite the Ebola Virus Disease threat, Jonathan, at the reception, shook hands with all the over 350 athletes besides awarding some of them with national honours a week earlier.

The female athletes, who filed out for the handshake and group photographs with the President at the reception, wore white lace and green

T

From the Villa

By Augustine Ehikioya headgear while the male athletes wore white safari suit and green bowler hat.

President Jonathan went beyond the Presidential handshakes some of the past leaders were known for by announcing total cash reward of over N332.25 million to the victorious athletes and officials.

Announcing the cash reward, President Jonathan said: "I have the honour, on behalf of the government and people of Nigeria to announce the following token donations. African Senior Wrestling Championship: We have four gold, two silver, four bronze medals, two coaches and two team officials.

For the Gold, you will get N1 million each, Silver N750, 000 each, Bronze N500, 000 each. Coaches to get N1 million each while team officials get N250, 000 each.

"For African Junior Wrestling Championship we have one gold, one silver and six bronze medals, two coaches and three team officials. The gold medalists will get N750, 000, each, Silver N500, 000, each and Bronze N250, 000 each. Coaches to get N750, 000 each and team officials will get N250, 000

each.

"For World Power Lifting Championship in Dubai, we have five gold, one silver and one bronze medals, two coaches, two Secretaries of medal officials and five team officials. The Gold medalists will get N2.5 million each, Silver N1.5 million each and bronze N1 million each. The coaches will receive N1 million each, the Secretaries of medal officials N500, 000 each and team officials N250, 000 each.

"For Commonwealth Games, we have 11 gold, 21 silver and 18 bronze medals. They were handled by 16 coaches, 27 team officials, seven further team officials and six helpers. The gold medalists will receive N2.5 million each, silver N1.5 million each and bronze N1 million each. Coaches will get N1 million each, main team officials N750, 000 each and supporting team officials N500,000 each, helpers and loaders N250,000 each.

"For the World Team Athletic Championship in the United States, we had one silver medal and one coach and three team officials handled the person. The silver medalist will get N1 million, the coach N750, 000 and team

officials N250, 000 each.

"For African Team Athletic Championship in Morocco, we have 17 gold, 12 silver, seven bronze and six medals. The team was handled by coaches, one assistant coach and five team officials. The gold medalists will get N1 million each, silver medalists will receive N750, 000 each, bronze medalists will get N500,000 each, the coaches N1 million each, assistant coaches N500, 000 each and team officials N250,000 each.

"For FIFA Under 20 team, the Falconets, we won silver and each player will get N1 million each, Head Coach will get N750,000, two assistant coaches will get N500,000 each and team officials N500,000 each and the curator, N250,000.

"For African Youth Games in Botswana, we had 42 gold, 13 silver and 19 bronze medals. 17 coaches handled them, five assistant coaches

and 30 team officials. Each gold medalist will get N1 million each, silver N750, 000 each and bronze N500, 000 each. The coaches will get N1 million each, assistant coaches N500, 000 each and team officials will get N500, 000 each.

"For those who participated at international handball competition in Sweden, we have gold by 12 players.

Two coaches and five team officials handled them. The gold medalists will receive N500, 000 each, the coaches N500, 000 each and team officials N250, 000 each.

"For our able team that went to China but were discriminated against, each of them will get a consolation prize of N500, 000 each."

He promised that the reward for the athletes would be doubled if they win medals at the forthcoming 2015 All African Games and 2016 Olympic games.

2015: Anioma people endorse Jonathan

F

OLLOWING the endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan by all organs of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as its sole candidate for the 2015 Presidential election, one of the first ethnic groups that have thrown its weight behind him is the Anioma people of Delta State.

Although in the months leading to the PDP's endorsement, some other ethnic groups, organisations and associations had expressed their support for the President.

The Anioma people met with Jonathan behind closed doors for about one hour at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday last week after the Federal Executive Council meeting.

Leader of the delegation, the Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Chika Edoziem said: "As regards the endorsement of the President, we are very much in support of Mr. President.

"We are here to confer with Mr. President on national issues such as insecurity that is affecting the country and the coming elections."

While Anioma people are the early callers to the Villa after the PDP endorsement, the State House will, no doubt, receive more of such visits as the 2015 general elections approach.

Traders, motorcyclists clash

HERE was pandemonium at the popular Dei-dei Timber Shade at Deidei community in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), when Igbo timber traders clashed with commercial motorcycle operators.

According to eyewitnesses, the death of one of the timber traders sparked the crisis.

One of the eyewitnesses, Mr. Painter Ganiu, told our correspondent that the crisis occurred when a female food vendor who was crossing to the other side of the road was hit by an okada rider.

His words: “As the woman tried to grip the okada rider to make him pay for her food, he attempted to run away, but was immediately accosted by an unidentified trader who prevented him from escaping, insisting that he must pay for the food.

“Out of desperation to escape, the okada rider immediately brought out a dagger and stabbed the trader, who screamed and fell on the ground.

Noticing that a colleague of theirs had been stabbed, other traders rushed to prvent the okada rider from escaping, even as they tried to save

From Gbenga Omokhunu

the life of their stabbed colleague by taking him to the hospital.

“But, before they could take him to the hospital, the young man died. When they noticed that the young man was dead, the traders pounced on the okada rider and started beating him mercilessly. As he was shouting, other okada riders left their bikes and attacked the traders.

“When the security personnel came to calm the situation, all the bike riders ran into the bush, while the traders ran to their sheds. I cannot really say what happened to the man that stabbed the trader, because all of them took to their heels on sighting the security personnel.”

Another eye witness, Alhassan Mohammed said the crisis extended from Dei-dei Timber Shade to Dei-dei and Tomatoes junctions, where Hausa men attacked the Igbo traders, beating and injuring any one they could lay their hands on.

•Picnickers at Wonderland in Abuja. PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

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THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014

LEGAL & SOCIETY The International Day of Girl-Child 2014 was marked last Saturday across the world, reports ADEBISI ONANUGA

UN, others seek end to violence against female children

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HE future of the girl-child was the subject of discussion at a stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos to mark this year’s International Day of Girl-Child.

The event which held at the Assemblies of God Church, Lagos District, Adenubi Close, off Toyin Street, Ikeja was organised by the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), Lagos in collaboration with International Charitable Initiative for Girl-Child and Woman Development Foundation (ICI-GWODEF) and Missionettes Department of the Assemblies of God, Lagos District.

It had the theme: “Empowering Adolscents Girls: Ending the Cycle of Violence.”

As the issue of the girl child continues to be at the fore of discussion, the Secretary General of the United Nations(UN), Mr. Bank Ki Moon urged governments to take action to end all forms of violence against girls in all parts of the world.Ki Moon, whose keynote address to the world was delivered in Nigeria by the Senior Public Information Officer, Envera Selimovic, emphasised that there was need to create a world where violence against women and girls is never tolerated and girls are empowered to reach their full potentials.

“To end this cycle of violence against adolescent girls, we must go beyond raising awareness and take action to equip girls with knowledge, skills, resources and power to determine their own path of life.

“We must provide them with safe transport, access to sources of energy and water, quality health services and supportive environments that will allow them to thrive”, he stated.

The UN Secretary General lamented that “all over the world, an alarming number of adolescent girls are assaulted, beaten, raped, mutilated and even murdered.”

“The threat of violence at the hands of family members, partners, teachers and peers grossly violates their rights, diminishes their power and suppresses their potential”.

He noted that a culture of impunity allows violence against adolescent girls to continue unabated.

He counseled leaders across the world that as they define their post2015 development framework and review progess achieved under the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, how to end gender violence and promote the empowerment of girls and women must be at the heart of global agenda.

Founder, ICI-GWODEF, Mrs. Helen Ibeji in her address, urged the Federal Government to hasten up and ensure that the Chibog girls are returned to their families safely.

“When they are finally back, government should set up mechanisms for rehabilitation of these girls into the society”, Ibeji said.

The founder of the ICI-GWODEF counseled parents, guardians, care givers to give more opportunities to their girls so that they will achieve their goals in life.

She also urged school authorities not to encourage violence in and around schools, adding that school related gender-related violence is a human rights issue and also a barrier to learning.

As they join the world to celebrate the day, Ibeji urged everybody to bear in mind that the life of the girl-child of today is the nation’s future adding, “she being an asset of inestimable value should be treated well just like other children.”

She announced that a book, “Girl- Child Education in Nigeria: The Legal Perspective” which was authored and published by the foundation has been approved by the Lagos State government during the 2014 book review for use of secondary school students.

•From left: Mrs. Egbuji; member CRIVIFON, Mrs. Pearl Nweze and Selimovic

•From left Pastor (Mrs.) Nnena Orji; Missionettes District Treasurer, Mrs. Alice Okeke and Coordinator, Mrs. Augustina Godwin

•From left Programme Officer, CRIVIFON, Mrs. Unobe Ene and Mrs. Ibeji

Lawyer seeks more females in tennis tournament

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O-ORDINATOR of the Lawyers Annual Tennis Championship, Mrs Mfon Usoro, has called on female lawyers to show interest in the championship as she promises to make the tournament bigger next year.

She spoke at the finals of this years’ championship which held at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

Mr. Tunji Abdulhammed and Titilayo Osagie won this year’s Lawyers’ Table Tennis open, known as the Mfom Usoro Cup in both male

and female categories.

Abdulhammed defeated Segun Fabunmi in the two straight sets with 11-1, 11-5 to defend his title in the men’s categories.

Abdulhammed survived the early scare in the round of 16 when he lost the first set 11-13 to Taiwo Ojediran before he finally won on 11-5, 11-5 to book a quarter final pairing with Shakeer Oshodi.

The defending champion piped Oshodi 13-11, 5-11, 11-4 to book a semi final ticket. It was a close to call

semi-final clash, but Abdulhammed finally had the upper hands and won on 11-9, 8-11, 11-8 to reach the final.

Titilayo Osagie proved to be undisputable in the women’s category as she easily thrashed her perennial rival, Sisan Eziekpe, who is nursing baby, 11-2, and 11-8, to claim the title for the fourth times in a row.

Osagie, who drawn bye in the quarter finals, defeated Adeola Folarin in two straight sets 11-2, 11-4 in the semi final.

•From left to right: Champion for male, Taofik Maya, Mrs. Mfon Usoro, female Champion Susan Eziekpe and Mr. Paul Usoro SAN at the 2014 Lawyers Table Tennis Open at the National Stadium in Lagos

At the end of the event, the sum of N100, 000 and return tickets to Austria were given to the winners in male and female categories.

The second place winners received N75, 000 while the third place winners collected N50, 000 in male and female categories respectively.

The remaining participants were rewarded with consolation prices of Butterfly Table Tennis Rackets and novels.

The four participants from Ibadan were given the sum of N50, 000 for their transport.16 male lawyers and seven female participated in this year’s tournament.

Speaking at the event, the sponsor, Mrs Usoro expressed delight at this year’s tournament.

She said the desire to reduce the spate of death among lawyers due to their busy schedule informed her passion to sponsor the competition.

Mrs Usoro promised to make the tournament bigger every year while calling female lawyers to show interest in the competition.

She said: “When I looked at the rate at which our colleagues fall sick and died of heart attack which was as a result of their busy schedule and I thought of doing something in my capacity to reduce the incident, this tournament came into being. Some young lawyers approached me six years ago to sponsor the table tennis

competition and I agreed to do so.

“Six years on, we thank God that the tournament keeps improving year after year. The tournament started with only lawyers from Lagos, precisely, NBA Ikeja branch but today we are not talking of Lagos lawyers alone but we are having participants from Ibadan.

“I want to stress that the tournament has achieved it purpose and our aim is to make it bigger every year. My wish is to see more female lawyers participating in the tournament next year. We always have in our future plan to move the tournament from Lagos State to other states of the federation.”

In his remark, the chairman NBA Lagos State, Alex Mouka, praised the sponsor of the event for keeping the tournament going for uninterrupted six years. “I want to commend the sponsor, Mrs Mfon Usoro for ensuring that we have the competition for lawyers for six years. We have one sponsor this year, which is Premium Pension. I call on the other companies to come and identify with the event. So far so good, the purpose of the event has been achieved,” Mouka said.

The male champion, Abdulhammed said: “I thank God for winning the title again. I want to win it again next year.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014

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LAW & SOCIETY Stakeholders in the justice sector usually gather every year to celebrate the new legal year. The occasion provides them with a platform to review activities in the previous year and develop an action plan for the new year, ADEBISI ONANUGA and JOSEPH JIBUEZE report.

For a better judiciary

A

FTER a long lull in judicial ac tivities, the courts are back to life. The long vacation is over.

As it is customary, the federal and state courts held religious services to begin the new legal year. Others added exciting activities such as football games involving judges and lawyers. Welcome to the 2014/2015 new legal year.

In Lagos, activities began with special prayer sessions, which held simultaneously at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina and Lagos Central Mosque, Nnamdi Azikwe, Lagos.

The Chief Judge of Lagos (CJ), Justice Oluwafunmilayo Atilade, who was sworn in on August 20, made her first official appearance at the legal service held in the church, leading other 50 High Court judges in their ceremonial read and white robes.

Also at the Cathedral were the state’s 114 magistrates, members of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), the court’s principal officers, their counterparts from the Ministry of Justice, Senior Advocates of Nigeria, among others.

Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN), explained why it may be difficult for the judiciary to enjoy full financial autonomy, saying that the complete release of the annual budget to the state judiciary is not visible.

He, however, said there was never a time the state government opposed the independence of the judiciary.

Fashola, who spoke through the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ade Ipaye at the special prayer at Lagos Central Mosque to mark the legal year said, “the idea of judiciary autonomy is a welcome development to the system, but in reality, it is not achievable due to the fact that Internally Generated Revenues (IGR) are not paid to the government in advance.

“Besides, complete implementation of court judgment on the matter will cause another legal firework because others will perceive it as preferential treatment and it will not augur well,” he said.

Speaking on the proposed industrial strike by judicial workers, the governor urged all the trade unions to always be diplomatic in fighting their cause, stressing that whatever action they might take may have negative consequence on the masses and be bad for democracy.

Stakeholders also gathered to extol the virtue of the former Chief Judge of the state, Justice Ayotunde Philips at a valedictory service organised as part of the new legal year activities.

Governor Fashola described Justice Phillips as a brilliant judge, who consistently demonstrated sterling qualities of dedication, discipline, integrity and sincerity. According to him, these qualities characterised Justice Philips’career both at the bar and on the bench.

The governor, who was represented

by Ipaye said Justice Phillips displayed uncommon virtues and innate understanding of issues of law, adding that her era was glorious in the annals of Lagos Judiciary.

“Her judgment were lucid and authoritative. There is no gainsaying the fact that My Lord belonged to the class of judges, who knew the law and would not be persuaded by merely clever and technical arguments of counsel in deciding the merits of a case.

Buttressing his comments, the governor cited the case of Adeyemi vs Abayomi, where he noted that Justice Phillips observed that it took over seven years to reach the end of the matter in the High Court and for this

delay she apologised saying, “the wheels of justice grind very slowly in this country of ours”. However, she did not throw up her hands helplessly in the face of these daunting challenges. Justice Phillips went on to proffer solutions.

He recalled that the former CJ has a landmark record of freeing over 700 inmates awaiting trial from various prisons in the state during her twoyear tenure.

Justice Atilade promised to continue on her predecessor’s path. According to her, she would fulfil the promises she made at the new legal year service that she would continue with the various reforms initiated by Justice Philips.

She said; “Today, we celebrate our own legal icon and quintessential jurist for her meritorious service to the Lagos State judiciary. She introduced various innovative ideas, which helped in reforming our justice delivery system and also imparted a lot of us positively.”

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch Chairman, Yinka Farounbi said Justice Phillips distinguished herself as a hardworking, bold and honest jurist.

“She is amiable, social, jovial and generally free and friendly with people, but that did not in anyway colour her sense of justice nor tainted the oath of office she took as a judicial officer.

“Socrates, the classical Greek Philosopher listed four qualities of a Judge to be: hearing courteously; answering wisely; considering soberly and deciding impartially. I can say confidently, convincingly with all sense of responsibility and without any fear of contradiction whatsoever that my Lord, Hon. Justice A. A. Phillips possesses all these qualities and more. My Lord left giant footprints in the judiciary of Lagos State both as a Judge and as a Chief Judge,” he noted.

NBA Lagos Branch Chairman, Alex Muoka lauded the retired CJ, praising her for establishing a quarterly barbench forum, which helped to foster relationship between judges and lawyers in the state.

Mrs Funke Adekoya (SAN), who represented Body of SANs also praised her for various legal reforms.

Clerics new legal year messages to judges The Chairman, Lagos State Pilgrims Board, Dr. Abdul Kabir Paramole, who delivered the Suratun-Nisai at the legal year service urged judges to have the fear of Allah when discharging their duties.

“Verily, Allah commands that you should render back the trusts to those whom they are due; and when you judge between men, you judge with justice,” he said, adding: “This is the only way that the common man can have hope in the judiciary.”

The Diocese of Lagos West Bishop , Anglican Communion, Rev. Olusola Odedeji, admonished judges to always exercise their powers with utmost care in order not to incur God’s wrath.

He said they are God’s representatives on earth and must be without reproach, adding that they must seek divine wisdom as Solomon did when faced with a challenging case.

“You are God’s representatives among his people. It does not matter whether the people are good or bad, God has given you a dedicated authority to guide them.

“We all as leaders of God’s people need wisdom to act, just as King Solomon had a chance to demonstrate the wisdom of God in resolving the issue between two women in the

•The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Oluwafunmilayo Atilade (second right) being congratulated by the Bishop of Lagos Arch Diocese, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. (Dr.) Adebola Ademowo (second left) on the 2014/15 legal year.

Others from left: Head Judge (Admin) Justice Opeyemi Oke and Arch Bishop, Province of Lagos, Most Rev. (Prof.)

Adebayo Akinde

•Mr. Ipaye flanked by Chief Imam, Lagos State, Sheik Alhaji Ibrahim Akinola and Sheik Abdul-Hafeez Abou

•From left:Magistrate (Mrs.) Mariam Olaniyi; the Deputy Chief Registrar, Admin, Mrs. Abiola Soladoye; Chief Magistrate A.K. Shonubi and Magistrate (Mrs.) Yinka Ojuromi

•Farounbi

•Mouka

•Adekoya

Bible.

“The request for wisdom is not a want, but a need and as leaders, we must realise that whatever we do or neglect to do, will affect the people.

So, we must mind our action and inaction,” he said, adding: “You are representatives of God among his people. You are standing in the place of God.” He urged them to always

judge with the fear of God, saying: “A request for Godly wisdom is not a want, but a need. We’re men of influence, so we’re expected in the midst of people without hypocrisy.”

39

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014

LEGAL OPINION LAW AND PUBLIC POWER

with gabriel AMALU email:gabrielamalu1@yahoo.com For comments: 08033054939 (sms only)

•From left: NBA Ikeja Chairman, Yinka Farounbi; First Vice Chairman, Gloria Nweze; Finanacial Secretary, Telma Coco-Bassey and Ex-Officio, Ismail Adesina at a press conference on Ekiti State Judiciairy

ALSCON: ‘Firm ready to meet judgment conditions’ T

HE BFI Group Corporation has said it would meet the conditions contained in a Federal High Court judgment which ended the 10-year dispute between it and the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) over the sale of Alummiun Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON).

The firm’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Reuben Jaja, said his company would meet its side of the sale agreement once the BPE complies with the judgment.

Justice Abdulkadir Abdulkafarati delivered the verdict on September 30.

“We have always been ready to take over as the core investor in ALSCON. I assure you that we have no difficulty in paying the 10 per cent of the purchase price within 15 days once the BPE executes the Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) as ordered by the court,” Jaja said.

Justice Abdulkafarati, in the judgment, ordered the BPE to among others, “fully enforce, fulfil and give effect to the meaning and intendment of the judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in appeal No: SC 12/2008 dated July 6, 2012 by signing and executing forthwith, ‘the mutually agreed Share Purchase Agreement (SPA).”

He ordered that by the SPA, BPE should sell ALSCON to the applicant (BFI Group) at a purchase the price of $410million. The judge further ordered “that the respondent (BPE) shall accept 10 per cent of the purchase price or $41m to be paid within 15 days of this enforcement order. The balance of $369m is to be paid as per the audited financial statement as at the date of this judgment, September 30, 2014.”

The judgment was on the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/901/2013

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

filed BFI Group, with BPE as the respondent. The suit was for the enforcement of the judgment of the Supreme Court dated July 6, 2012 in appeal No: SC/12/2008.

Justice Abdulkafarati emphasised the order in the Supreme Court’s judgment of July 6, 2012 “compelling and mandating the respondent to forthwith take full control of ALSCON from anybody, protect it from any further attack and prepare it for handover/transfer to the applicant, subject to the payment by the applicant of the consideration provided for in the judgment of the Supreme Court.

To further give effect to the judgment of the Supreme Court, the judge, by way of consequential reliefs, ordered that the applicant (BFI Group), it’s employees and agents have full, uninterrupted, unrestricted access to ALSCON to conduct a first-hand assessment of the business affairs of the company, including engineering, technical, financial, environmental, among others, as requested by the applicant Justice Abdulkafarati also ordered the Inspector General of Police and all other security agencies to ensure that the orders are fully enforced.

The dispute had begun in 2004, when the BPE purportedly sold ALSCON to another company - UC RUSAL - even when BFI Group emerged the preferred bidder. BFI Group went to the Federal High Court, Abuja in suit No: FHC/ ABJ/CS/583/2004 to seek an order of specific performance mandating the BPE to sell ALSCON to it in accordance with the terms of the understanding/agreement for the

sale of ALSCON dated May 20,2004.

The High Court and Court of Appeal refused to grant its prayers. It headed for the Supreme Court, which granted the prayers in the judgment dated July 6, 2012.

The Supreme Court’s judgment included among others: *An order of specific performance is hereby decreed directing the respondent to provide the mutually agreed Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) for execution of the parties to enable the plaintiff/appellant pay the agreed 10 per cent of the acceptable price of $410million (that is $41m) within 15 working days from the day of the execution of the SPA in accordance with the agreement dated 20/5/2004 and the balance 90 per cent of bid price shall be paid within 90 calender days. *an order for the defendant/ respondent to accept 10 per cent of the bid price from the plaintiff/appellant within 15 days from the day of signing the SPA. *an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendant/ respondent, it’s agents and management from inviting ant further bidding for the sale and acquisition of ALSCON in violation of the contract between the plaintiff/appellant and defendant/respondent and or from negotiating to sell, selling or transferring or handing over ALSCON to any person or persons in violation of the contract between the plaintiff/applicant and the defendant/respondent.

The apex court equally ordered the respondent shall pay N50,000 cost to the appellant.

•Dr.Dorn cKlaimz Enamhe (left) and the Executive Secretary, National Planning Commission (NPC) Ntufam Fidelis Ugbo when Croo River Youths paid visit to the Mr. Ugbo urging him to contest for the office State Governor in the forthcoming general electi

Food, key to national security

O

NE of the greatest challenges to our country’s general wellbeing, as shown by the recent ill-fated Nigerian Immigration Service’s employment fiasco, is youth unemployment. Many have appropriately described it as a time bomb. Clearly, the greatest tragic consequence of unemployment is hunger. And as the cliché goes, a hungry man is an angry man. In local parlance, we say, man must wak. So, unless something is urgently done about unemployment, especially at the youth level, our country is staring at its own Armageddon. Discussing this national emergency with a friend, who has invested in chicken farming, he lectured me on the immense potentials and challenges of that sector.

According to him, if only the Ministry for Agriculture, the Bank of Industry, the Bank of Agriculture and other key interest groups could put their thinking cap, that sector is enough to dwarf the touted 1.5 million employments that the present federal government claims to have generated. My friend gave a clinical comparison of the chicken value chain in a country like Brazil and compared it with his practical experience in Nigeria. From his analysis, while there is standardization in the production chain of chicken in developed countries, the reverse is the case in Nigeria.

He gave a practical example, that while the drum-stick eaten in restaurants across cities of Europe and America are substantially similar, you find different sizes, and of course lower quality, in the ones eaten in Nigeria.

He said that the landing cost of an imported chicken parts, is about half of the cost of the locally produced, despite the added cost of transport. He ticked off the extra costs that make local production uncompetitive, and proffered solutions to those challenges.

No doubt, I was impressed with his analysis of the challenges and potentials of an improved chicken value chain, and I told him so. In fact, I told my friend that he has a patriotic responsibility to our country seething in angst of youth unemployment and the nihilistic insurgency, to share his ideas with the Honourable Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, and possibly other key drivers of the agricultural sector. Well, that is if the Honourable Minister is not already satiated with his well advertised, but truly impressive award as Forbes African Person of the Year? But why should he, considering that President Jonathan’s administration is faced with perhaps the greatest security challenge in the history of our country, since our last unfortunate civil war.

As a matter of fact, there is little doubt that the greatest inducement to the armed challenge that our country is facing in the North Eastern states and increasingly now in the Middle Belt states is poverty. The poverty index in the affected states is abysmally higher than the equally high poverty index in other parts of the country. This critical state of affairs is daily made worse by the exponential youth unemployment, from where the armed bearing militants are easily recruited. And according to the Honourable Minister who has shown impressive excitement in the discharge of his duties, despite criticism from the press, agriculture is the key to the unemployment challenges facing our country, and I add, the Boko Haram insurgency in the North East and the menace of the Fulani herdsmen in the North Central.

The United Nations, World Bank and other multinational development agencies have confirmed inexorably the connection between poverty and insurgency. In a recent interview with this paper, the Bornu state Governor, Kashima Shetima was sport on this connection, when he said: “there is a lot of correlation between the poverty that has engulfed the North Eastern region of Nigeria and the Boko Haram insurgency. Because the World Bank described the Northeast portion of Nigeria, the Republic of Chad, the Republic of Niger, and the Darfur region of Sudan as one of the poorest places on Earth. Hence the emergence of militant organisations like the Janjaweed militia and the Boko Haram in the Northeast. And I believe once we engage the youth, once we create jobs, this madness, this nihilism will evaporate”.

Those who try to play down this connection are merely playing the ostrich. And unless we act very urgently, the entire country may soon be engulfed in an insurrection by the youths, whose patrimony has been criminally wasted by decades of irresponsible leadership. Of course, the quickest and the only realistic way to go, is agriculture. Otherwise we will continue to suffer our country’s peculiar contradictions of national economic growth, without corresponding impact on the populace. Indeed, according to Goldman Sachs, Nigeria ranks amongst the next 11 emerging markets group, even when it also acknowledges that about 100 million of its population is living on less that $1.25 a day. Also, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, 60.9 percent of Nigerians in 2010 were living in absolute poverty, up from 54.7 percent in 2004. This staggering increase in the poor, regrettably amidst ‘plenty’, may explain the unlimited supply of canon fodders to the Boko Haram madness.

Speaking to a Financial Times Publications Limited publication, Dr. Adesina put his enthusiasm in historic perspective thus: “We were not looking at Agriculture through the right lens. We were looking at Agriculture as a development activity, like a social sector, in which you manage poor people in rural areas. But Agriculture is not a social sector.

Agriculture is business. Seed is business, fertilizer is business, storage, value added, logistics and transport – it is all about business.” He added that “Agriculture is the future of Nigeria”. After listening to my friend, speak on the potentials of the chicken business and how and why the stakeholders must come together to improve the value chain, I have become an enthusiast.

•This article was first published on March 26, 2013.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014

LAW REPORT

Court dismisses plea of non-contractual relationship with supplier IN THE COURT OF APPEAL IN THE IBADAN JUDICIAL DIVISION HOLDEN AT IBADAN ON FRIDAY, THE 6TH DAY OF JUNE, 2014 BEFORE THEIR LORDSHIPS HARUNA SIMON TSAMMANI, J.C.A. MUDASHIRU NASIRU ONIYANGI, J.C.A. NONYEREM OKORONKWO, J.C.A. CA/I/52/2013 (2014) LPELR-23266(CA) BETWEEN NEW AGE BEVERAGE COMPANY LTD ……………………………………..… APPELLANT AND MRS ABIOLA ARAMIDE ………………………………………….……….…….... RESPONDENT LEAD JUDGMENT DELIVERED BY NONYEREM OKORONKWO, J.C.A.

T

HE appeal in this case, arose from the judgment of Hon. Justice F.I. Oyelaran of the Oyo State High Court delivered at Ibadan on December 6, 2012. The Appellant - New Age Beverage Company Ltd, in the course of its business, engaged one Mrs. Abiola Odeyemi to procure sugar for its use in its manufacturing business. The said Mrs. Abiola Odeyemi went to the Respondent – Mrs Abiola Aramide, procured some quantity of sugar and paid for the supply. Subsequently, the Respondent insisted on direct payment of supplies made to the Appellant by the issuance of cheques directly to the Respondent in her name and in consequence, further supplies procured from the Respondent by the same Mrs Abiola Odeyemi were paid for by cheques issued in favour of the Respondent and no longer Mrs. Abiola Odeyemi after Mrs. Abiola Odeyemi had introduced the Respondent to the Appellant. Between December 2009 and January 2010 the Appellant requested for and was supplied with 700 bags of sugar by the Respondent amounting to N5,740,000.00 (Five Million, Seven Hundred and Forty Thousand Naira only). Of the amount, the Appellant issued three cheques in payments totally N3,900,000.00 (Three Million Nine Hundred Thousand Naira only) to the Respondent

leaving an outstanding sum of N1,840,000.00 (One Million Eight Hundred and Forty Thousand Naira). When the outstanding balance was not paid as expected, the Respondent through her solicitors wrote the Appellant demanding payment for the sum outstanding. The Appellant did not respond to the letter which prompted the Respondent to sue the Appellant at the Oyo State High Court at Ibadan. In the High Court, the Appellant contended that although it had issued some cheques in favour of the Respondent, it (Appellant) has no contractual relationship or privity with the Respondent and that it had paid the aforesaid Mrs. Abiola Odeyemi the outstanding balance. The High Court Judge gave judgment in favour of the Respondent adjudging the Appellant liable to pay the sum of N1,840,000.00 as claimed. Aggrieved with the judgment the Appellant appealed to the Court of Appeal. The Appellant formulated five issues for the determination of the appeal and the Respondent also formulated three issues. In determining the appeal the Court noted that all the issues, whether raised by the Appellant or by the Respondent could be narrowed into two or three at the most viz.

1. What was the jural relationship between the appellant and the respondent? How was

the relationship created? By the parties or by operation of law?

2. On whom was the Primary Onus of proof in this case, was the onus discharged?

3. Did the respondent as plaintiff prove her case at the court below?

On the first issue, the Appellant’s counsel contended in his brief that there was no contractual relationship between the Appellant and the Respondent as will enable the Respondent maintain an action in debt against the Appellant. The Appellant contended that from the evidence, the only contract that existed (if any) was between the Respondent and Mrs. Abiola Odeyemi and not the Appellant. On this issue, the Court stated that Mrs. Abiola Odeyemi started out as an agent of the Appellant in the procuration and payment of the consignments of sugar from the Respondent. Later when the Respondent objected to continue dealing with Mrs. Abiola Odeyemi as a kind of go-between, Mrs Abiola Odeyemi then introduced the Respondent to the Appellant as the Principal for whom she was acting and thereupon dropped out of the transaction. What then are the jural relations involved in this rather uncomplicated transaction? The Court stated the common law principles of agency as encapsulated in the maxim “Qui Facit per alium, facit per se”.

“He who acts by another acts by himself because the common law allows one man to authorize another to contract for and to bind him by an authorized contact. The Court held that relationship of principal and agent arises where one party, the principal consents that the other party, the agent shall act on his behalf and the agent consents so to act. The relationship need not be contractual, need not be expressed and could be implied - see Chitty on contract vol 2 (24 ed) p2002 The Court held that the agent Mrs. Abiola Odeyemi having disclosed the principal dropped out of the transaction and her principal i.e. Appellant became directly responsible to the Respondent in respect of goods directly ordered by it and supplied by Respondent. The Court held that this is a basic rule of agency (i.e. disclosed Principal) and it applies with full force in the transaction in this case. The Court further held that there is

NGOs endorse governorship aspirant

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HE governorship ambition of a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aspirant, Dr. Michael Adegbola Dominic got a boost last week as two non-governmental organisations (NGOs) declared their support for his candidature. The two NGOs, Action Against Impunity and Corruption in Governance (AACIG) and Women Development Initiative for Freedom said the PDP in Lagos will do itself a lot of good if it fields Dominic as its standard flagbearer, adding that he stands out among other aspirants who have shown interest in the ticket in all ramifications.

President of AACIG, Austin Emmanuel, who made their position known on the forthcoming governorship election in Lagos, said he has followed Dominic’s track record as a politician and medical practitioner for over a decade and has come to the conclusion that he is a honest and unblemished politician whose sole aim of vying for the highest office in Lagos is to “establish justice and create an enabling environment for the downtrodden masses to thrive in Lagos.

“We urge Lagos and non-Lagosians who

By Adebisi Onanuga

want true change to support his ambition for the realisation of the Lagos of our dream.

Most especially, we urge the PDP to consider him as their candidate because he towers above all the other aspirants in terms of experience, maturity and pedigree”, he stated.

In her reaction, Director of Women Development Initiative, Angela DadaJohnson said her group decided to support Dominic’s ambition because they believe he will give equal representation to women if he eventually becomes the governor of the state.

“Dr. Dominic has done a lot for women through his profession. Testimonies abound of how he has given succour to lots of women, especially widows who visited his Santa Maria hospital without a kobo and he attended to their needs free of charge. Many of these people told us that they are alive today because God used this man to save their lives. This is the kind of man we want at the helm of affairs in Lagos so he can do much more” she said.

•Edited by LawPavilion LawPavilion Citation: (2014) LPELR23266(CA)

Court orders landlord, tenant to explore out of court settlement

J

•Raymond Akoko, his wife Lydia and their daughter Victory, at the graduation ceremony when Mr. Akoko bagged his Masters of Law (LL.M) Degree Class of 2014 from the University of Berkeley, California, U.S.A.

thus established a direct contractual privity between the Appellant and the Respondent entitling the Respondent to sue the Appellant in respect of such contract.

The Court further stated that the rationalization of the transaction and a basis for the decision of the learned trial judge would be on the principle derived in equity - estoppel which broad term is now statutorized in Section 169 of the Evidence Act thus:“When one person has either by virtue of an existing court judgment, deed or agreement, or by his declaration, act or omission, intentionally caused or permitted another person to believe a thing to be true and to act upon such belief, neither he nor his representatives in interest shall be allowed, in any proceeding between himself and such person or such person’s representative in interest, to deny the truth of that thing’’ The Court held that on this issue, the learned trial judge had every justification in arriving at the conclusion she reached that there was privity of contract between the Appellant and the Respondent. This issue was therefore resolved against the Appellant.

On issue No.2, the Court stated there was evidence that the Appellant ordered for bags of sugar which were supplied. There was also evidence of cheque payments made directly to the Respondent. The Court held that these alone were sufficient to draw the conclusion of a binding commercial transaction between the Respondent and the Appellant and justify the finding in debt by the trial judge against the Appellant.

On the 3rd issue raised whether the respondent proved her case in the lower court, the Court adopted the reasoning considered in relation to issue No.2 above and hasten to answer the question in the affirmative, that the Respondent by preponderance of evidence proved her case in the trial court and was entitled to the judgment as entered by the trial Judge.

On the whole the Court held that the appeal lacks merit and was accordingly dismissed.

USTICE Owolabi Dabiri of Lagos State High Court, Ikeja has directed a landlord, Mr. Banji Adesanmi and the Lagos State to settle with a tenant, Yemi Omodele.

Justice Dabiri gave the order while ruling in a suit filed by Omodele against his landlord and five other defendants.

The other defendants include Construction Management Skill Ltd, Peace Tiding Ventures Limited, Mr. Leke Oyetan, Attorney General of Lagos State and Commissioner of Finance Lagos State Omodele had appeared for himself in the suit as plaintiff while Miss. Hallima Ahmed and Olawale Ijabiken appeared for the first to fourth defendants and for fifth and sixth defendants respectively.

Omodele, in the suit NO. ID/974/2013 claiming jointly and severally against the defendants a sum of N100, 000,500.00 as damages for segregation and sealing of a building belonging to his landlord, Adesanmi, located at 2, Akinremi Street, Anifowoshe, Ikeja allegedly by agents of the government.

The plaintiff is claiming that part of the building which was sealed up on June 28, 2013 was not reopened until February 7, 2014, the day the suit filed in court since December

By Adebisi Onanuga

10, 2013 came up for hearing for the first time.

According to the plaintiff, while the part he claimed to be occupying was sealed up, the part of the building that is occupied by the landlord and his two companies joined in the suit, was not sealed by the government.

At the resumed hearing of the matter which was to hear two notices of preliminary objections filed by counsel to first to fourth defendants, the trial judge brought it to the notices of counsels that the issues raised in the suit are matters that be settled out of court.

She ordered parties in the suit to therefore seek solution to the dispute outside the court since the issue involved are landlord-tenant matter.

“I have read the papers filed in this suit.

The issues are what can be resolved. Counsels and the parties are to meet and resolve the dispute amicably. Case adjourned to November 21, 2014 for report of settlement or hearing of the two notices of preliminary objections filed”, the judge ordered.

Human Rights police officers graduate

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HE twentieth graduation ceremony of Human Rights Police Officers will hold on Thursday.

The Police men who were trained by the Crime Victims Foundation Nigeria (CRIVIFON) under an arrangement with the Police will graduate at an event to be held at the Police College, Ikeja by 10.00a.m.

CRIVIFON Executive DirectorMrs. Gloria Egbuji said Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) and the Inspector-General of Police, Sulaiman Abbah will be special guests of honour.

The Treasurer, national Union of Road Transport workers, (NURTW), Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya will chair the event, while Chief Wale Bite would be the Father of the Day.

•Mrs. Egbuji

42

TUESDAY OCTOBER 14, 2014

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun spoke with reporters in Benin-City, Edo State capital, on the preparations for the presidential primaries, Chief Tom Ikimi’s defection to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), next year’s elections and other national issues.

OSAGIE OTABOR was there.

Odigie-Oyegun: no anointed candidate in APC H

OW do you intend to produce your presidential candidate without rancour?

There will be disagreement, but we will overcome them. We have survived all the predictions. We have insisted we are going to have a level playing field. We are going to give aspirants equal opportunity. We are going to be even handed. There is no anointed candidate to the best of my knowledge. We will issue a code of conduct that the run-off to the primaries will be rancour free, in terms of personal attacks. People will say why they are the best, but it is not within the rules to say why somebody else will not get it. The aspirants are to prove that they have the leadership quality the nation deserves at this crucial time of its existence. We are trying to have as wide as electorate as possible, given the fact that conventions hold in a single venue.

Even though we would have preferred direct primaries, we thought of that because of time.

Whoever comes out will be the person the entire party will unite on.

Why is it difficult for the APC to have a consensus candidate like the PDP? We don’t believe on forced consensus. I don’t want to comment on what the PDP did. That was a forced consensus. If tomorrow all the aspirants come and say they agree to support a preferred aspirant, we will gladly accept. I know each aspirant can beat anybody the PDP will present. In this case, they said they have settled for President Jonathan. I trust completely that all of them can beat anything the PDP can offer.

We have no problem, if the aspirants pick one person. We are going to do the right and the democratic thing, which is a free and fair primaries.

Ikimi said you took the food he cooked away...

This whole thing about Ikimi is getting to a bad joke. I think we should let it be. He has said what he wants to say. I do not know that, at any stage, if any, he was such over riding influence that he cooked the food for everybody to eat. It is an over-exaggeration of his role in the party.

The ACN choose him as leader of their team and the group made him the chairman of the process after the leaders of the various parties have agreed to come together. They just needed someone to chairman the negotiating sessions.

If that means that he cooked the food, let him enjoy the accolade he is giving himself. I will not want to deprive him of that personal crowning of himself.

Will the party miss him?

No party wants to lose anybody, but the people who are not ideologically attuned to wear the APC stance, it is best for the party and let them go where they can feel at ease. Just like we lose some, we are gaining some. A few days ago, I was in Lokoja to welcome seven House of Assembly members. That is a useful addition.

That is an addition that of relevance. That is the kind of quality addition that the APC is gaining across the country.

President Jonathan has said that his party would win Edo and Rivers...

What did you want the President to say? We have a list of the places we are going to win.

That they will win Edo and Rivers is totally out of the question because we have very strong governors in those two states. Edo, of course, is APC. There will be one or two skirmishes and that is all. For the River governor to have sur-

vived all the onslaughts, including major ones by concentrated security agencies, with full Aso rock backing, it tells you he has something more than the ordinary and that he is firmly in control of the politics of River State. With all the array of special policemen sent there for a particular purpose, with the minister making trouble and the man has survived, and you say you are going to win that state from him when you cannot get more than five members of the House. Think about that.

With the exit of Shekarau, Sheriff and others, is the ANPP alliance still intact?

We lost Bafarawa and got Wammako. Is it a plus or a minus? In Kano, we lost Shekarau, but we gained Kwankwaso, a brilliant and performing visionary governor. Sheriff did not win his senatorial seat. There is a governor there who is in the APC. The exit of Sheriff coincided with who is Boko Haram and who is not. When he left, the floodgate opened on who is indeed sponsoring Boko Haram. God took him away just in time. Imagine the embarrassment we would have suffered, if he is still a member of the APC. What we gain was superior to what we lost.

Is there any plan by the APC to stop the swearing-in of Ekiti State Governor-elect Fayose?

There is no plan to stop the swearing-in. It is a plan to get the judicial system to decide whether we are a country of law and order or not.

Whether the laws of the country still mean anything or whether the impeachment has the same force as a criminal offence. Whether it is an indictment because the forms you fill when running for office asked whether you have been indicted or not. It is for the judicial system to decide. Stopping him or not is a matter of what the law says. We have gone to court to seek the interpretation of the laws. Was he a qualified person to contest to be the governor of Ekiti State? The unprecedented happenings, the humiliation of the judiciary. Thuggery in the sacred halls of the judiciary.

• Odigie-Oyegun

Has this country degenerated to that extent?

What does it portends for the nation when a judge is manhandled in those sacred chambers?

It has never happened before. That is where I expected you people to stand. To help rebuild the system. The judiciary is on trial. I am waiting for what the judges would do. How seriously would they react? Will they get cowed again by the power structure of the nation or will they stand up for themselves and say we cannot have this? It must not happen.

I was traumatised. I personally did not go to receive the national award of the CON. I can’t put myself together to receive an award, where the halls of justice of this country have been desecrated. There has been no forceful reaction by the Federal Government. The shock was too much for me to wear agbada and be shaking the hands of the Federal Government. I really urge the press to stand up and ensure that what happened is unraveled and a severe punishment is meted out or we don’t know where we are going to end next. We don’t know who would be slapped next. Maybe, the President himself. The

nation is suffering and degenerating.

Did you do anything to pacify aggrieved members of the party?

The harm was already done. Those who left had already gone. You cannot give conditions for settlement and the time you gave has not elapsed, you went to see the President. There was no sincerity. The party has recovered from that temporary glitch.

Is it true that there was a clash between you and Governor Oshiomhole over some candidates in Edo? I have enough trouble in Abuja. I am trying to get my acts together on who will be the presidential candidate. I am putting the party in the fighting shape for the elections than to bother about candidates in Edo. There is absolutely no clash between the governor and I. The primaries should be free and fair and whosoever the people want will be the candidate. The people must be given the total freedom to choose. Let those involved go round and campaign. This is all names dropping. I am not sure the governor has told anybody that he preferred any candidate. In politics, there are no secrets.

Edo Speaker, Bello-Osagie battle for House of Reps

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HE Speaker of the Edo State House of As sembly, Hon. Uyi Igbe, and the House of Representatives member, Hon. Razaq Bello-Osagie, are eyeing the Oredo federal constituency seat on the platform of the All Progressive Congress APC).

Igbe, who is completing his second term in the House of Assembly is itching to succeed BelloOsagie, who is seeking re-election.

At a ceremony marking his declaration of ambition, Igbe described Bello-Hon as a nonperformer, saying that those who have represented the constituency in the Lower Chamber have not attracted projects to the area. He said they were laying claim to the projects executed by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

He added: “I have noticed with dismay that nothing really has happened in Oredo Federal Constituency and we want to attempt to change that. I think it is time for us to do something about it, to engage the federal government.’’

But, Bello-Osagie fired back, saying that the Speaker is not conversant with his activities. He clarified that the NDDC project he facilitated

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

was the construction of a four blocks of 16 classrooms at Eyeanugie Primary School. He cautioned Igbe against engaging in a campaign of calumny.

Bello-Osagie said: “It is how much you are able to do, the skill you are able to put in the process to attract more, that makes you a better representative. People cannot use their own yardstick as a basis for measuring the performance of other people. If Hon. Uyi Igbe believes his own score card would be used in assessing me, I think that would be a misnomer. I have delivered on my promise. I do not know about him.

“The people gave me this mandate. I appreciate this mandate and the least I can do is to attract projects from Abuja to my constituency because politics is about the uplifting of our people and the development of our environment.”

The federal legislator highlighted the projects he has attracted. They include the ICT Centre, Imaguero College, the Electricity Injection Substation, the health centre at Umegbe, solar-powered street lights and boreholes in 12 wards.

Umegbe is among the 42 villages in Oredo Local Government. The village lacked access to basic social amenities, including schools, health centres, electricity and good roads.

Bello-Osagie said he decided to build the health centre in the village, following death of the community head on his way to the hospital in BeninCity.

He added: “The community has a plethora of problems; water, road and electricity. I was told of how a community head died on his way to the hospital. I had to build a health centre for them.

“Following to the need assessment, we discovered that electricity is a big problem here. We have been working on it for the past two years with the relevant MDA, which is the Federal Ministry of Power, and I am happy to report that the contract has since been awarded. Work started a couple of weeks ago.”

“The intention of the project is to improve the distribution and, of course, to enhance power in this area. What we are doing is to find out what they are doing. I go to visit projects I facilitated.

I go at night to see, if the solar power street lights are working.”

43

THE NATION TUESDAY OCTOBER 14, 2014

POLITICS Former Delta State House of Assembly Speaker Hon. Victor Ochei is a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant. He spoke with reporters in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on his ambition, zoning and preparations for primaries. Assistant Editor GBADE OGUNWALE was there:

Ochei: I’m not afraid of anointed candidate W

HAT is your position on the zoning of the governorship to Ndokia aresa, Delta North District?

Delta North is one entity and you cannot excise a part of it and say they cannot run for governor. For whatever reason, why do you want to do that?

Why would you say we are zoning to the North, but this part will not benefit from it? Are they from another part of the state? Are they third-class citizens in the senatorial zone where they come from? It doesn’t make sense and I can tell you that Governor Uduaghan will never say that .

Are you saying people are dropping his name?

I want to believe so because he hasn’t made that statement anywhere. I believe he is ruling a Delta that is united and he wouldn’t use his own hands, his own instrument of office, to divide it.

Why are you contesting for governor?

I am in the race because I want to offer service to the people of Delta State; service based on proven track record, service based on building a generation of Deltans that is yet unborn and planning for them. Service based on a pan-Delta approach where, at the end of the day, our diversities would turn out to become our strength. It would soon be obvious that no one really cares where you come from, but how much of work you have done and what you have been able to do for Delta. That’s my first consideration for wanting to run for the governor.

I bring the leadership that will foster greater unity; leadership that would bridge a generation of the old and the young. I bring the leadership that would bring us in tune with the realities of tomorrow; I bring the leadership that will make every Deltan, all Deltans proud to say, I am part and parcel of the success story of Delta. I also describe myself as wanting to build on the foundations of the forebearers of Delta State.

Would you say your experience as the Speaker has prepared you for this role?

Well, it is part of it because the legislature is a strategic arm of government and I have been privileged to have headed the legislative arm as the

Speaker, which gave me the opportunity to become both the administrative and political head at the same time. Well, it is at the risk of sounding immodest; a lot of people said I have performed well. Having done well, I have no doubt that in the executive arm, I will be excellent. I believe in putting my all in everything I do and bringing out the best of any situation that I met. So, I believe that it has prepared me. I come with an offer to ensure that at the end of the day, that the experience I have garnered through the legislative process makes the difference. If you go through the constitution,for instance, the legislature is the first arm of government; it is the laws that you make that you use to run the administration. I am seasoned in that area. Coming into the area where you come to implement the laws, there will be a synergy, which you cannot buy in terms of experience. Bringing that to bear, I believe it gives me an edge of competence and skill to perform maximally.

What have you done to galvanise support from stakeholders from South and Central senatorial zones?

Consultations are still on-going, because coincidentally, Delta State is on a tripod of the North, the South and the cCentral and no senatorial district can go it alone. That’s how God has made us. And for you to win, you definitely will reach out.

For you to rule Delta, you must be someone that is acceptable across the board and that’s where I come in.

Having been Speaker of Delta State, it gives me the opportunity to see Delta State as my platform There is this insinuation that the governor has already anointed a candidate...

The PDP’s rotation and zoning principles favour Delta North because Delta Central has produced a governor. Delta South produced one the incumbent governor. It is only fair and equitable that the North produces the next governor, which is an advantage, comparatively. Even though you have other persons who are from other senatorial districts

•Ochei

who are in the race, you don’t have to push anybody out. But, basically, if the party takes a position that its candidate is going to come from the North, so be it. That the governor has a candidate makes it better. It makes the battle defined that you know, okay, the governor has a candidate. But, that doesn’t foreclose that other candidates cannot run. It makes it easier for me, because I now know who I will be contesting with. It is a contest, it isn’t a selection process.

You were close to the governor.

Are you disturbed by the turn of events?

Not at all; it is a contest. I wasn’t going to run for the office of governor of Delta State because I was close to the governor. That wouldn’t be what Deltans want to vote for. Deltans want to vote for somebody who can deliver the dividends of democracy to them; somebody who can take them to the very next level and beyond. That’s what they are looking forward to. So, I am close to the governor, no doubt and we are still very close. The fact that he has an anointed candidate like you said, not because he has told me. I am not aware because he hasn’t come out

to say, he has a candidate. If he has, he has a right as a Deltan to have someone to support and it doesn’t have to be me. But, that doesn’t take away the fact that we are close and we are still friends and we respect our relationship. I will respect his choice, the same way he will respect mine. That doesn’t make us fall apart and it doesn’t mean that because the governor has a candidate, others will not be in the race.He will support his anointed and I will also have other Deltans who will support me and we go it that way.

The Asagba of Asaba set up a committee to set criteria for the selection of a candidate from the North...

I was there and the process was quite laudable. The committee was made up of credible sons and daughters of Delta North and headed by the Asagba. I subscribed to it because I submitted my documents to them and I eventually had a chat with them. The process might not be entirely fool proof, just like any other process put in place by humans. But, they did a good job, taking their time to sit down and interact with us without rancour. Everybody has the right to say they want to be governor. But, at the end of the day, only one person will become governor. That does not suggest that the process was exhaustive. But, I least we made an inroad; they were able to reduce the number through the process. But, that does not suggest that it is final because you cannot force it down anybody’s throat.

The PDP National Vice Chairman, (Southouth) is from Delta North. Is that not a minus for the aspiration of people from the zone?

It’s a plus and not a minus. The former National Vice chairman was from Delta Central before he got appointed as a minister and another one has been appointed from the North. It is good because it swells the number of appointees from the zone. He is working for the whole South-south region.

So, we are lucky to have produced him.

What are the challenges you have envisaged before joining the race?

Of course, it is not going to be easy.

As a matter of fact, I have never run any easy election in my whole politi-

cal life. I have won three elections and they were not easy. However, one significant denominator is that at the end of the day God always shows up for me and I will stand out.

What is your selling point, which may give you a competitive edge?

My unique selling point is that I have a pan-Delta approach and acceptance across board. I have been a Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly and that has given me the experience to have served the state across board. I have handled issues involving people from different parts of the state; from the north, south and central because Delta State is a mini Nigeria. I understand the complexities of Delta State. When these complexities are well managed, they become a source of massive strength to be used for the development of the people. It takes vision to turn these complexities into strength for the development of the state. Age also gives me a competitive edge. I am like a role model to many of our youths who have nothing doing. I always say that it takes young people to take the kind of development risk that is required to succeed. At a certain age, one becomes careful in taking certain risks.

I believe I am a bridge between the young and the old. I relate with the young as one of them; just as I relate with the old and understand their temperaments. Put together, it is a comparative advantage for me.

Why were you not at the meeting of aspirants convened by Chief Edwin Clark?

Chief Edwin Clark is a father to all of us, not only in Delta State, but the entire country. So, we all go to him from all parts of the globe because we seek his fatherly blessing. I have consulted with him privately and I will also go to him to pay homage. My visit to him will not be a consultation. I can see him in his county home in Kaigbodo or in his house in Abuja. I enjoy a cordial relationship with him. I am going to get his blessing as a father. The fact that I was not there when others went there does not mean that I don’t enjoy a cordial relationship with him. My relationship with him has always been cordial.

Hon. Babatunde Oduyoye was the Alliance for Democracy (AD) Whip in the House of Representatives between 1999 and 2007. He tells BISI OLADELE that he now prefers promoting good governance to struggling for political offices, even as he is being wooed by major political parties, ahead of the 2015 elections

‘We should return to ideological politics’

•Oduyoye

W

HAT is your assessment of the political situation in the country?

Things are getting better. This is because votes are beginning to count. The 2007 election was a departure from all democratic tenets. As a result of that, I decided to stay aloof. But, I can quickly affirm that under Prof. Attahiru Jega as the head of the INEC, things have improved. If you look at the elections in Edo, Ondo and recently in Ekiti, you will agree with me that votes now count.

Secondly, people are beginning to ask questions about how they are governed; they are now more interested about what is done with budgetary allocations. People are more interested in the levels of performances of those they elected.

However, it is not yet uhuru because

political parties are no more ideologically-based.

Why have you been out of politics in the last seven years?

After the 2007 election, in which I contested the Oyo South Senatorial seat, the state descended into a level that was unacceptable to me politically. Violence became the order of the day. In that election, ballot boxes were snatched and people were maimed. The character of the people who were even representing the state then was not desirable. At that point, I became disillusioned about the whole thing and that was when I decided to, like what the Cicero said, step aside for some time, reflect about the state and the nation, look inward, have more time for my family and business. Also, what was the order of the day was for people to jump from one party to the ruling party at the state and federal levels and I was not keen to do that. So, because of these aforementioned reasons, I decided to stay aloof and wait until probably when I got the call, as men of God often say.

What is your next line of action?

My next line of action are twofold. The first is to see how we can join hands to have good governance and if we are talking about having

good governance, it is about having the right kind of people in the right positions, and about disallowing the bad people to take over. You do not necessarily have to contest an election to help in entrenching good governance.

Secondly, some people in Oyo State and in Nigeria still respect people who are consistent; people who have progressive antecedents and have not derailed just because of their determination to cling to power or that they must be part of any government in power either in Oyo State or at the federal level. It is not really about power or position, but about being part of a process that will enthrone genuine democracy; a process that will allow the full tenets of democracy to be enjoyed by the citizens of not only Oyo State, but Nigeria as a whole. I don’t think I am in a competition, though politics is all about getting power and allocation of resources. I want to say that Nigerians know those who are genuinely interested in enthroning true democracy. I hope we do not have to go into stomach infrastructure now.

Why are you returning into politics?

Is it because business is no longer good or because politics is the only way out?

To God be the glory. I must thank God for my contribution to the

economy of Oyo State and I must thank God for having the opportunity to employ people and also thank God that despite the fact that many people believe if you are not in politics, you cannot survive, one is still standing.

Many of the people that we worked together keep saying I am too young at my age to retire from politics and I keep saying I have not retired, but just taking a back-seat. But, they are not contented with that explanation. By virtue of my background and what I do, I still discover that people mill around, asking for direction: where do we go, what do we do? And there is one thing that bothers me about Oyo State; that is the issue of generational question. Since 1999, former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala remained the youngest elected governor of the state and I don’t know whether there is a correlation between one’s age and performance, but I believe that one is at his best when he is at his prime.

I am passionate about sensitising young people to realise the powers they have in terms of the voting patterns and the age bracket and trying to use that to effect a change, not only in Oyo State, but also in the Southwest. As someone who worked closely with the Afenifere leaders and was one-time Publicity Secretary of the group, I get worried that the

Omoluabi philosophy is fast disappearing. And I think there should be regeneration; we should try and come up with a group that will cut across all the states in Yorubaland and will find a way to firmly re-establish the Omoluabi philosophy in the ways we do things.

Which political party will you join now?

I think if the essence of politics is about acquiring power to use to better the lot of the masses, then one needs to belong to a political party to ensure that change.

So, I am presently consulting with like minds. I am discussing with people from different parties, looking for a party that has interest in ensuring a paradigm shift on the generation shift issue we talked about. I am looking for a party that has the interest of the masses. I am doing all that with total disregard to occupying a political post, but rather joining hands with a party that will enthrone good governance and seek ways to make life better for the common man. I am consulting and I hope I will be able to join a political party, but if that becomes difficult or my mind does not agree with a political party, I will join hands in having a pressure group that cuts across Yoruba land and will find a way to ensure that things are done properly and that things are restored to normal, so that the Yoruba man can be proud of his heritage.

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THE NATION TUESDAY OCTOBER 14, 2014

POLITICS

Ondo APC enlarges coast

Elections in Cross River State used to be a hollow ritual because of the imposition of candidates. But, there is a feeling of optimism in the air because the political space is opening up, reports NICHOLAS KALU.

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

Imoke promises open contest in Cross River

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EXT year’s general elections in Cross River State promises to be a healthy contest for those seeking political offices. The political environment had for a long time been devoid of excitement because of apathy on the part of the electorate. This was largely due to the belief that whoever was going to occupy any office had long been decided by the establishment before the elections.

But, recent developments have shown the trend may change. The governor. Liyel Imoke, has said that there will be a level-playing field for aspirants.

The resignation of about 15 members of the State Executive Council to seek elective offices, observers believe, is a sign of good things to come.

Seven of them want to succeed their boss. Beside the former members of the council, no fewer than 20 other aspirants are jostling for the position.

The aspirants are from the Northern Senatorial District where the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has zoned the position to. There is a robust competition for the senatorial, the House of Representatives and the House of Assembly elections. In many constituencies, there are as many as 15 people contesting for the same position.

Political observers say this is unprecedented in the state. There is a flurry of activities in the political scene. Many aspirants are working round the clock to endear themselves to stakeholders in the party, ahead of the primaries. Many have attributed this to the position taken by the governor. The governor has repeatedly said he would not anoint anyone for any position and that the people must on their representatives in government.

A PDP chieftain, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, has described it as a welcome development. She said: “In a free democratic dispensation, I don’t see anything wrong in allowing people to come out and express their interests. For me, it is a very welcome development that the field has been opened for anybody who likes or who wishes to come out and express his or her interest. For me, it is a very healthy development. The PDP is a family. So, if many members of the family come out to express their interest without any acrimony it is great. I encourage a situation where the people actually vote for who they want.”

Another party chieftain said: “The governor said he will not anoint people for elective positions. That is why people feel it is safe to come out and have a shot at various positions. With this effort at enthroning true democratic ideals, he is ensuring a broad participation in the process of even picking a candidate for every office. The aspirants are moving from local governments to senatorial caucuses. They are not just going there, but going there and presenting their blueprints and the people have a score sheet where they are scored and assessed.

“The process is unique. It has never been like this in the state. There is a level-playing field for aspirants seeking for various elective positions. It has never been like this in the polity of Cross River. There is mass participation and it is very exciting. People are involved. We are scoring people.

They come and appear before the people and that will now help to form the opinion of the people, especially as votes would count.

“As a caucus member, we ask those who have been there to come and show us what they have done for us to vote them again. They should show us their scorecard and those who want to go there should show us what they can do. So, it is very good.”

A stakeholder, Mr. Anthony Ogar, said what is happening is a welcome development. He said: “This is what makes democracy healthy. The political space is very open for anybody who has something to offer. You can see people all over the place consulting for the first time. They are consulting widely; meeting various interest groups, because they know that their mandate would come from them.

“Look at the way people are jostling for the House of Representatives tickets from the state. In some places you have as many as 15 to 20 persons coming out to run for the position. There is nobody that is anointed. If there was an anointed one, everybody would just sit in their houses expecting that it would just come to them. But, that is not the case here.

“Aspirants now are going out to meet the people as they now know that is where they will get their power. The number of aides that have left the governor’s cabinet to seek the elective positions shows he truly has no one he is supporting. He is not saying anything to anyone. Nobody will be handpicked. They will fight to get the people’s votes. Eventually the best person would emerge. After now, people would be working hard to satisfy their constituents because they would know their re-election would be based on what they have done for their people. It is good because if this subsists elective office holders are going to be accountable to the people. They are going to struggle to satisfy the people to get their mandate again.”

One of the governor’s aides, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Imoke is against the imposition of candidates. He stressed: “He has said over and over again that we will all sit down and decide who becomes the next governor of the state. When people ask if there is an anointed one, I laugh.

Do you mean anointed by God? The only time I hear the term anointed is when I go to church. It is only God that anoints. In Cross River, we don’t contest with God. Anybody who tells you of an anointed one trust me that person does not know what he is saying.”

•Imoke

• Kekemake

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T was a carnival- like event in Okitipupa, Ondo State when three political associations in the riverine Ilaje Local Government Area joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The groups are the ‘Oodua and Groovy Boys,’ a caucus in the Labour Party(LP) and the ‘Peter’s group,’ a caucus in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Members of the groups said

they joined the APC to fortify the progressive party, in preparation for next year’s general elections.

The leader of the Oodua group, Kehinde Ewarawon, said: “The fortunes of the LP has dwindled and since 2009, when its government came to power, Ilaje people have not witnessed any development.

“We also encouraged by the antecedents and contributions of APC leaders, particularly Dr Taiwo Malumi. This is enough to ginger us to join the fold”.

The Groovy Boys’ leader, Pastor Daniel Erejuwa, lamented, that in spite of the defectors’ contributions to the electoral victory of the LP before and after the death of their leader, Late Raphael Nomiye, a member of the House of Representatives from Ilaje/Ese-Odo Constituency, the ruling party has not done anything to better the lot of the group.

He said: ”After the controversial by-election in Ilaje/Ese-Odo Constituency, which has remained inconclusive till now,we realised that the LP has been using us to win elections, and we have resolved to join the APC

where there are credible leaders, including Dr Taiwo Malumi.”

Also,the leader of Peter’s group, Peter Olugbuyi, said: ”Our choice of the APC is a collective decision to join hands with progressiveminded Ilaje leaders to move Ilajeland out of political obscurity to a place of honour, which the APC represents in the political firmament.

“The PDP lacks a focused leadership and this has negatively affected the morale of their members in Ondo State. So, we have opted for the APC”.

The APC Chairman in Ilaje Local Government, Chief Olumide Ikuopenikan, who received the defectors on behalf of the state chairman, Hon. Isaac Kekemeke, assured them of a sense of belonging in the party He also urged them to join party leaders in their bid to win the next elections. .

A party chieftain, Malumi, thanked the defectors for joining the APC. He said the party will bring change by implementing progressive programmes, if it wins the elections.

My agenda for Oyo, by aspirant

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PEOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Alhaji Kehinde Olaosebikan, has promise to change the fortune of the state, if elected in next year’s election.

He spoke with reporters after collecting the ‘Expression of Interest Form’ from the party secretariat along Oueen Elizabeth Road, Ibadan, the state capital. The PDP primaries hold on November 29.

The Public Relations Officer for the party, Mr. Kehinde Salawu , who received the aspirant, said there there will be no imposition of candidates.

He urged members of the opposition parties who want to defect to the PDP not to be discouraged by the antics of aspirants masquerading as the anonted candidates.

Salawu said: “As far as I know, our party has no anointed candidate and we will be very fair to all aspirants,, not only for the

governorship position, but for others as well. The choice of candidates would be done by the delegates and not by any external influence. Today, in Oyo State, we are proud to say that the PDP is the biggest, the most vibrant and the most democratic party.The era of godfatherism and thugery is gone forever in our party.

The party is mindful of presenting our best for all positions and that is what our leaders are resolute to achieve.”

Olaosebikan said he joined the race because of his strong desire to bring about change in governance and restore hope to the common man.

He said: “I am the person that can win the governorship election with ease for our great party, the PDP. Without any influence of money or any extravagance whatsoever, I have the strongest connection with the grassroots and the elite. I am the aspirant with the greatest appeal to the youths; the aspirant that could easily win the support of politicians, both old and young, in all the parties;

the man that can attract the greatest goodwill from professionals, individually and collectively, to the party; the aspirant without any baggage, be it social, political or even judicial.

“I am the cleanest of the entire aspirants and I have the strongest will and determination to improve the lots of the masses of Oyo State and reclaim the lost glory of the pace setter state.

Olaosebikan added: “I represent hope for the youths and the common man as my victory at the poll would bear out that they do not need to have all the money in the world or be children of monarchs, aristocrats or influential politicians to live their dreams. If I, the child of a pepper seller in Oritamerin, without any link to serious wealth or any godfather, can become the governor, they too can become whatever they want in life.”

A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Alhaji Kehinde Olaosebikan, submitting his expression of interest form to the Secretary of the party, Prince Alaba Adelabu, at the party secretariat.

Whith them is the Treasurer , Mrs. Kehinde Eboda (left).

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014

45

HEALTH THE NATION

E-mail:- health@thenationonlineng.net

Maternal and child mortality are inextricably linked. OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA, just back from the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, writes on why Nigeria may not be able to achieve the Millennium Developmental Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5 by the 2015 deadline.

Clock ticks against child, maternal health

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IGERIA, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), lost about 2,300 under-five-year olds and 145 women of childbearing age daily in 2012. Also, the Countdown 2014 report recorded 40,000 maternal deaths in 2013. About 110 deaths were due to or related to pregnancy.

This makes the country the second largest contributor to the under–five and maternal mortality rate in the world. With 489 days to the deadline of Millennium Developmental Goals (MDGs), Nigeria, from all indications, may not realise MDGs 4 and 5.

As we enter the final 489 days of the MDGs era, globally, more than half (51·8 per cent) of children still die from infectious causes, including pneumonia, diarrhoea, and malaria.

Together, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Democratic Republic of Congo and China have the highest number of child deaths. They all contribute to about half of all child and neonatal deaths globally in 2013. The results are published in the latest edition of The Lancet.

MDG 4 aims at reducing, by twothirds (between 1990 and 2015), the under-five mortality rate. Nigeria is unlikely to achieve this. Not when complications from preterm (premature) births and pneumonia

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are now the leading causes of death in children less than five years, which together are responsible globally for nearly two million deaths in 2013, according to the latest estimates published in The Lancet.

MDG 5 wants to improve maternal health, because no woman should die giving birth. Yet, every day 800 women lose their lives in pregnancy or childbirth. The vast majority of these deaths occur in developing countries, including Nigeria.

Maternal and child mortality are inextricably linked. When women are healthy and can choose when to marry, when to have children, where to have them and how many to have, their chances, and their children’s chances of survival improve drastically.

Babies whose mothers die before they are just six weeks old are more likely to die before their second birthday than those whose mothers survive.

Researchers led by Professor Robert Black, of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA, used the latest available data and modeling methods to examine what caused an estimated 6.3 million global deaths of newborn babies (neo-

nates) and children under five years in 2013. They found that complications from preterm birth were the largest single cause, responsible for 965,000 deaths in underfives, with pneumonia responsible for a further 935,000 deaths, and complications from childbirth (intrapartum complications) the next leading cause, responsible for 662, 000 deaths.

Underneath the Nigerian statistics lies the pain of human tragedy, for thousands of families who have lost their children. Even more devastating is the knowledge that, according to recent research, essential interventions reaching women and babies on time would have averted most of these deaths.

Although the joint efforts of the Federal and some state governments showed that the country is making progress in cutting down infant and under-five mortality rates, the pace still remains too slow to achieve the Millennium Development Goals of reducing child

mortality by a third by 2015.

Preventable or treatable infectious diseases such as malaria, pneumonia, diarrhoea, measles and HIV/AIDS account for more than 70 per cent of the estimated one million under-five deaths in Nigeria.

Malnutrition is the underlying cause of morbidity and mortality of a large proportion of children under-5 in Nigeria. It accounts for more than 50 per cent of deaths of children in this age bracket.

The deaths of newborn babies in Nigeria represent a quartre of the total number of deaths of children under-five. The majority of these occur within the first week of life, mainly due to complications during pregnancy and delivery reflecting the intimate link between newborn survival and the quality of maternal care. Main causes of neonatal deaths are birth asphyxia, severe infection including tetanus and premature birth.

Similarly, a woman’s chance of

dying from pregnancy and childbirth in Nigeria is one in 13. Although many of these deaths are preventable, the coverage and quality of health care services in Nigeria continue to fail women and children.

Presently, less than 20 per cent of health facilities offer emergency obstetric care and only 35 per cent of deliveries are attended by skilled birth attendants.

The Paediatric Association of Nigeria (PAN) and the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON) have canvassed the need for a close relationship between the well being of the mother and the child, and justifies the need to integrate maternal, newborn and child health interventions.

It is important to note that wide regional disparities exist in child health indicators with the NorthEast and North-West geopolitical zones of the country having the worst child survival figures.

Lagos urges support for the mentally ill

S Lagos State joins the rest of the World to mark this year’s world Mental Health Day, its government has appealed for emotional and practical support for people living with schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder often characterised by abnormal social behaviour and failure to recognise what is real. Common symptoms include false beliefs, unclear or confused thinking, auditory hallucinations, reduced social engagement and emotional expression, and inactivity.

Diagnosis is based on observed behaviour and the person’s reported experiences.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, who made this appeal during an awareness walk and road show to commemorate the day, with the theme: “Living with Schizophrenia”, said the of friends and relations in the care of an individual with schizophrenia cannot be overemphasised.

Idris said: “Friends and relations of an individual with Schizophrenia should encourage the affected individuals to seek specialist care.

Friends and relations should also stay positive and supportive, avoid critical comments, get correct information about schizophrenia, be sensitive to the feelings of relatives and friends living with the disease and encourage them to take their medication.

Idris, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. ‘Modele Osunkiyesi, said friends and relations, while providing emotional and practical support, should also watch out for early warning signs of relapse and should seek for support if they find their role challenging. ”Schizophrenia is a relatively

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustaph a

common illness; and about one out of every 100 may expect to suffer the illness at some time in their lives, the ailment usually requires long term treatment.

“Individuals with Schizophrenia may have difficulty distinguishing what is real from what is imaginary, may be unresponsive and withdrawn and have difficulty expressing normal emotions in social settings. The ailment is often diagnosed between ages 15 and 35.

Many of the obviously mentally ill destitute who wander about on the streets of Nigerian towns are suffering from long-standing Schizophrenia,” he stated.

He said many admitted to longstay mental health facilities are suffering from Schizophrenia adding that a person with the ailment may be observed talking aloud as he responds to voices he is hearing.

Idris said: “The speech may be incoherent. There may be a variety of false beliefs and unusual experiences because the individual is out of touch with reality, he may not be aware that he is ill and in need of treatment and so may resist any effort to help him. There is no single test to diagnose schizophrenia. The condition is usually diagnosed after assessment by a specialist in mental health. Effective treatments are available for the ailment.”

“The treatment available for the disease will include a combination of medication, psychological therapies and rehabilitation. Most people with the condition will make a recovery with appropriate treatment, although some may experience the occasional return of symptoms, he stated.

•Mrs. Joy Phumaphi and Professor Richard Horton, co-chairs of the independent Expert Review Group on Information and Accountability for Women’s and Children’s Health present Dr. Margaret Chan, Director-General of the WHO, with the third iERG report: Every Woman, Every Child: a post-2015 vision.

Pharmacists cautioned on PPP

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HE Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has condemned some hospitals which have reduced pharmacy to a purely commercial venture of buying and selling, under the public-private partnership (PPP) in some governments facilities.

Its president, Olumide Akintayo, said there were patients who visit public hospitals because they believe their drugs would be genuines given the fake drug syndrome ravaging the health sector.

“But it has come to the notice of the society that some public-private partnership (PPP) in some of the health facilities are buying and selling drugs with absolutely no standards.”

He said: “Some of the federal health institutions which experimented with privatisation in pharmacy facilities are still in a huge mess, even after such contracts have been terminated, because the profiteers, who utilised the goodwill of the institutions to source drugs from the pharmaceutical industry, simply sold the drugs and pocketed the ac-

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustaph a

cruing revenue.

“Many of the pharmaceutical companies refuse to do business with public health facilities up till now with serious consequences for consumers of health in such institutions.

“That is why the PSN continues to caution on the consequences of diverting a guaranteed public sector market in pharmacy facilities to private profiteers. Some of the fundamental fall-outs that will always suffice remains who takes responsibility when anything goes wrong with respect to drugs dispensed in such facilities concessioned to profiteers. The profiteer or the government,” he asked.

It is on record that Lagos State government that blazed the trail has been able to adapt its privitisation model of drugs dispensing under the PPP to the PPP guidelines prescribed by the PCN. Akintayo said: “This is why PSN continues to caution on the consequences of diverting a guaranteed public sector market in pharmacy facilities to private profiteers. We at the

PSN believe very much in the spirits of a private sector driven economy and logically support the concept of legitimate models of a PPP. Pharmacy practice is a regulated one with a myriad of regulatory agencies having substantial latitudes of influence. These agencies include PCN, NAFDAC, NDLEA, Federal and State taskforce as well as other regulatory agencies of government. “ Akintayo who spoke at activities announcing the society’s 87th annual national conference, with the theme: ‘Transforming pharmacy practice for better outcomes’, to be held at Akwa Ibom, in the first week of next month, said: “PSN therefore is making a clarion call on pharmacists, pharmaceutical companies and stakeholders to familiarises themselves with the tenets of the PPP guidelines of the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) before entering into contracts with public pharmacy practise facilities, to reduce the obnoxious practice of buying and selling of drugs with no standards in the guise of a PPP.”

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THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014

HEALTH

Drug for bleeding control after childbirth coming

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PRODUCT, oxytocin dry powder inhaler, originally developed at the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, for the control of bleeding after childbirth, is being licensed to GlaxoSmitheKline (GSK). This is part of a collaborative agreement to co-develop, register and distribute the product in regions of high maternal mortality.

A $16.6 million early phase development programme will be delivered, combining financial support and Research and Development (R&D) expertise from GSK with funding from the McCall MacBain Foundation, Grand Challenges Canada, which is funded by the Government of Canada, and Planet Wheeler Foundation.

GSK, Monash University, McCall MacBain Foundation, Grand Challenges Canada and Planet Wheeler Foundation are joining forces to develop the oxytocin dry powder inhaler.

An international group of public and private organisations is collaborating to accelerate development of an innovative heatstable and low-cost inhaled form of oxytocin to manage postpartum hemorrhage in resource-poor settings.

The alliance brings together in-

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustaph a

novative science, development capability of inhaled medicines and specialist philanthropic commitment in a collaborative effort to accelerate progress towards potential implementation of an affordable product in those countries with greatest need.

According to data by Count Down, every year nearly 300,000 women die due to pregnancy-related causes, with the risk of a woman in a developing country dying from a maternal-related cause during her lifetime around 23 times higher than a woman living in a developed country. The single biggest cause of death is excessive bleeding during or after birth,1 a condition that is effectively managed in developed countries using the gold standard therapy, oxytocin, a manufactured form of a natural hormone. However, accessibility to quality oxytocin in resourcepoor settings is limited as current products are only available in an injectable form requiring supply and storage under refrigerated conditions and trained personnel to administer the product safely.

This new collaboration aims to address these issues through the development of a heat-stable, afford-

able and easy-to-administer inhaled form of oxytocin. Formulated as a dry powder, inhaled oxytocin eliminates the need for refrigerated storage conditions, while delivering oxytocin via a powder inhaler could facilitate its administration by health workers, birth attendants and mothers themselves. Combined, this novel approach has the potential to support women in low-resource settings or who give birth outside of medical facilities.

The alliance’s funding will enable Monash to complete its commitments in an early phase development programme being conducted by collaborative teams at Monash and GSK. This comprehensive programme over the next few years

comprises preclinical and early stage clinical trials; product optimisation; development of manufacturing processes; and research into local markets.

McCall MacBain has provided a $1.5 million (US$1.35 million) matching grant to Monash University to assist in the development of a medicine aimed at greatly reducing maternal mortality in the developing world, one of the key goals of the McCall MacBain Foundation. John and Marcy McCall MacBain noted: “The cold-chain, sanitary and expertise barriers of the current oxytocin formulations will be greatly ameliorated by this development. We are proud to work with the worldleading Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, our fellow donors

and GSK to bring this new product to the urgent need of birthing mothers in the developing world.”

Grand Challenges Canada is contributing CA $1 million (US $910,000). This is Grand Challenges Canada’s second investment under a new partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada (DFATD), whose goal is to accelerate scale-up of promising global health innovations. In 2011, the inhaled oxytocin innovation was awarded a seed grant by Saving Lives at Birth, a partnership between Grand Challenges Canada, the US Agency for International Development, the UK Department for International Development, the Government of Norway and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Prosthesis for the handicapped

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HE Rotary Club of Lagos PalmGrove Estate is set to provide 75 people with artificial hands (limbs). This was announced by the club as part of the free services it will provide during the 2014 and 2015 Rotary year. About 20, 000 people are targeted by the club for different services, ranging from health; education; vocational trainings; water and environment to education/empowerment.

Interested members of public can go to the Secretariat, the Indian Community Association (ICA); 1, D’Alberto Road, Palmgrove Estate, and ask for Dr John. Or contact the Chair, Publicity and Coordinator, Ravindra Kamat on 08066818277 or send email to: info@gargishasolutions.com The club won eight awards for 2013 to 2014 Rotary year, from Rotary District 9110 and Rotary International, for exemplary service project carried out by it for the betterment and upliftment of the community. The awards are: Appreciation service award; Public Relation award; Significant club projects award; Best club award; Appreciation award; Most supportive president award; Presidential citation award and Rotary Club Central Award 2013 and 2014.

According to the out-going President, Mr V.N Jajoo, the provision of the upper arm had been on the club’s agenda but logistics

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustaph a

including the age and growth of the (potential) beneficiaries, affected arm, materials to be used for the artificial arm and other reasons hindered the accomplishment of that plan.

The new president, Rotn Ramesh Biswal, said “we have gotten a foreign expert and the right materials to work with in producing the artificial arms. 75 people is our target and thereafter, we will increase the number.”

The president said the club is set to sponsor about 100 deserving students, “we intend to focus on a blend of skill required for IT based vocations for the developing economy such as Mobile phone repairs; Telecom tower maintenance; computer aided design and drafts men; electrical equipment maintenance; electrical Motor Rewinding; Generator Maintenance (Electrical and Mechanical). We are looking to sponsor 100 deserving students for these courses.”

He said his club got those eight awards because it donated free artificial limbs to the under privileged who had lost the ability to move due to the loss of a lower limb. “The club donated artificial limbs to more than 46, 000 beneficiaries since inception; it conducted free eye care camps and cataract surgeries for our needy friends from Abeokuta and Lagos. More than 16, 000 beneficiaries regained their eye-sight during these camps.

•From left: Corporate Communications Manager, Nestle Nigeria, Dr Samuel Adenekan; Cordinator, Nestle Nutrition Institute Africa (NNIA) Anglophone Countries, Central & West Africa, Chioma Emma-Nwachukwu Brand Manager and Project WET Cordinator, Nestle Waters, Latunji Motayo.

‘Build healthcare capacity, infrastructure’

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HERE has been a call for Nigeria to build capacity and infrastructure in the health sector.

According to the Chief Medical Director, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Prof. Akin Osibogun, this will ensure qualitative healthcare service delivery.

Addressing the Advance Writing and Reporting Skills (AWARES) Class 14, Pan Atlantic University (PAU) students, who came on a facility tour of the hospital, Osibogun said the country was saved from an embarrassment when the Ebola virus broke out because of the LUTH/ Chevron Genome/ Molecular Biology Research Laboratory, where the blood sample of the late Liberian-American, Mr Patrick Sawyer, who imported the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) into Nigeria, was analysed.

He said any form of delay in di-

By Wale Adepoju

agnosing the patient would have caused “a catastrophic situation”.

He said the laboratory helped to save the situation.

The community health expert, however, said healthcare cannot be totally free in Nigeria as somebody must pay for it, adding that people should separate politics from health financing.

“If we are going to have the kind of healthcare that we have been longing for, then we have to finance it effectively,” he noted.

Osibogun said the average per capita on health in Nigeria is less than N10,000 per person while that of United States is N1.3million. “In Europe is N800,000,” he noted.

The government, he said, frowned at mass burial for victims of plane crash, especially the ill-

fated Dana plane crash, which prompted the establishment of the facility in the hospital.

He said the benefit of the DNA laboratory is huge as paternity and forensic issues can be carried out.

A professor of haematology at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Sulaimon Akanmu said the centre has been involved in three researches, adding that this will help reposition the country in science.

“This laboratory can help doctors know if a female child will have cancer at adulthood or whether a baby still in the womb will have sickle cell disease (SCD),” he said.

Akanmu said Nigeria need to contribute to knowledge by engaging research and development.

“Many opportunities have been lost because there was no conducive environment for research,” he said.

HMO introduces health plans for individuals, families

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ORE Nigerians can now access quality healthcare under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), with a Health Management Organisation (HMO), AVON Healthcare Limited, has introducing six plans for individuals, families/groups, as well as associations.

According to the Managing Director, Mrs Adesimbo Ukiri, the plans will accommodate some seemingly uncaptured sections of the society, thereby ensuring adequate coverage of the typical and prevalent ailments found in the country, while providing quality care at affordable costs.

Mrs. Ukiri said although achieving Universal Health coverage in Nigeria is not a sprint to be won overnight, ”the introduction of

Avon HMO’s Health plans for Individuals and families is a crucial step in the right direction. The Core Plan is N15, 000 per annual. There are international plans developed for Nigerians who travel abroad frequently and want assurance of seamless healthcare coverage no matter where they are in the world. The plans will supplement the company’s existing suite of health plans for companies and businesses. These plans came up because NHIS has licensed and accredited AVON as a national HMO.” She said: “Avon HMO is thus able to offer not only its own private health plans, but also the full array of NHIS plans to individuals, associations, communities and governments across all states and regions.

Avon HMO is set in raising quality assurance standards in the health in-

surance industry.

“Our focus on quality assurance is painstaking and we work very closely with provider hospitals to ensure that our enrolled members receive the best care. For instance, Avon HMO Case Managers have scheduled daily visits to hospitals to engage with enrolled members on admission, overseeing the care they receive and providing further assurances; over 75 per cent of all recorded admissions are visited in this manner. The company’s coordinators are working with provider hospitals to achieve adherence to agreed disease management protocols and drug formularies to sustain high levels of clinical and pharmacy quality to Avon HMO’s enrolled members.

“We are pleased to state that 98 per cent of our hospitals adhere to

the Drug Formulary, thus ensuring that effective drugs are given to our patients. In recognition of the crucial role Provider Hospitals play and their resultant well-deserved right to adequate and effective remuneration, Avon HMO ensures capitation payments to relevant provider hospitals are paid before the first day of the month and claims are processed and paid within a 30 to 45 days cycle of receipt,’ she stated.

She added: “The company has a robust complaints resolution procedure, as such utilising multiple channels of calls, text, email, BBM and chat through which complaints are received, resolved and confirmation of resolution obtained. The sector still has a number of challenges which may affect service de-

•Mrs Ukiri

livery. However, at Avon HMO, our processes are streamlined and the resolution time for most issues fall within a five to 15 minutes window.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014

47

THE NATION

BUSINESS AVIATION

Furore over planned airports’privatisation Opinions are sharply divided among experts and stakeholders over the Federal Government’s plan to privatise airports. Aside fears of job loss, they say, safety and security could be compromised, KELVIN OSA OKUNBOR reports.

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HOULD the Federal Government go ahead with the privatisation of all its airports in the country?

The answer to this question is brewing division among stakeholders in the aviation sector. While some say it is an ill wind that will not blow any good, others say it will enthrone efficiency, sanity and healthy competition in the indutsry.

Some experts argue that issues bordering on safety and security could be compromised if the airports are left in private hands while others say if it is well conceived and implanted, it is the right way to go.

They say airports in some countries across the globe including the United Kingdom is run by private firms that have never failed to deliver on promise.

The experts who spoke in separate interviews with The Nation include Group Captain John Ojikutu (rtd), Chief Executive Officer, Centurion Securities Limited, Engineer Sheri Kyari, Executive Director , Centre for Aviation Safety and Research, Chief Executive Officer, Belujane Konsult, Mr Chris Aligbe, Managing Director, Medview Airlines, Alhaji Muneer Bankole , and Engineer Godwin Jibodu, an aircraft engineer as well as an aviation unionists, Comrade Femi Ajagbe Adebayo.

Ojikutu believes the privatisation of airports in the country is long overdue He said it does not make economic sense for government to invest huge money in the construction of airport terminals only to give them to private firms to manage.

The aviation security expert said government, in line with the requirement of the International Civil Aviation Organisation ( ICAO), should concentrate on the core safety and security areas of airports administration and allow private firms to manage the terminal and commercial areas.

He said the option of airport concession if well implemented is the best option for the country .

The former military commandant of the Lagos Airport said if the right template is put in place for concession, it could as well serve as a model for privatisation of airports.

He said: ”Privatisation of airports has been in government policy since year 2000 and that was what gave birth to the concession model of the only private sector driven airport terminal in Lagos called the MMA 2 .

“What derailed that policy is only known to politically appointed officers who have been in the saddle of leadership in the ministry of aviation.

“If government had maintained that policy in all the airports terminals, which are generally shopping malls, it would have at least been privatised and government would only have time to focus attention on more critical issues such as safety and security infrastructure.

“There could possibly be no legal issues on the private terminal , but an induced one between those who

•Departure hall of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2), the only private sector managed airport terminal managed as a concession .

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

are spending government money to build terminals.”

Ojikutu advised the minister of aviation to focus on critical safety and security issues rather than waste further funds on airport terminals.

He said: ”My advice to you now (Minister of Aviation) is that you should focus less on constructing or remodelling airport terminals which is the business of private investors as envisaged in the Privatisation Act of 2000.

“You should allow private sector players invest in airport terminals, as one of the concessionaires has done.

“It would amount to waste of public funds building more airport terminals. “Rather, you should focus on critical safety and security infrastructure such as airport perimeter and security fence, approach lighting and navigational aids aeronautical information services, fire and rescue equipment and training of personnel including air traffic controllers, and other personnel not leaving out inspectors for the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).”

But Aligbe said outright privatisation of airports may not be the way to go, arguing that putting in place of a transparent process that would make the airports run efficiently and effectively is a better option.

He said the introduction of concession and slot allocation system is a better option.

Aligbe said: ” So concession is the way to go but it must be open. It should be advertised and carried out transparently. In other parts of the world, concession is published, everything is made open, but in our country, such things are put under wrap because some people think it has to be done outside the purview of those who know what should be done. The truth is that it normally fails.

“It is possible to concession the airports the way they are. But hey must get serious concessionaires who know what is involved. We are not going to derive more from the onset of the concession, but if you structure your concession properly, looking ahead, you will derive more. If you don’t have money to concession, you concession it to the organisation that can develop it but those who are coming for concession should ask that the agreement should be justiciable both in Nigeria and outside the country.“ Bankole agrees no less with him.

According to him, if the path of concession is toed, it will make the airports to be efficient.

He said: ” Each airport will develop its own. That is why it is the busy airports that will earn more.

But that is what is happening today, busy airports earn more money than the less busy ones. That is why we need to restructure airport management in our country. We need to concession the airports and make FAAN (Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria) a kind of holding com-

pany that oversees and manage government’s interest in all the airports and also oversee airport development because if you want to concession the airport you must have in agreement on what will be handed over to the government at the end of the concession.

“It is not what you took over that you will hand over. You must invest in developing and expanding the facility. Airports should be concessioned so that they will be allowed to make their own money.”

Jibodu said the thinking of the Federal Government is good, adding that government cannot manage the airports because of bureaucracy, lack of accountability, effective management and the non-challant attitude towards government property.

He however noted that government needs to decide between commercialisation and privatisation, hinting that government could run the airports on commercial basis by putting the right person in the right position, proper management and control finances. To make it work, he added that government should not be allowed to have more than 20 per cent equity so as not to have controlling shares.

He said: “Workers should be given five per cent and safeguard the interest of the company while 75 per cent should go to private ownership.

“The security personnel should be properly trained as recommended by the ICAO.” Kyari however disagrees with

them. He said privatisation of the airports will not be in the interest of the industry because of issues bothering on transparency and lack of a regulatory framework.

He said privatising the airports could have serious security and safety implications.

He said government should consolidate its efforts on completing all ongoing airport projects rather than pursuing privatisation that may not work.

Kyari urged the government to explore ways of making the less viable airports viable through granting incentives to domestic airlines and partnership with respective state governments.

He said: ”I do not think privatisation of airports is the way to go.

There are many challenges government should consider in the sector not airport privatisation.

“How many if these airports are viable? Why can’t government consider how to make them viable?

“Will this privatisation option not affect safety and security?”

Kyari has support from Adebayo who expressed fear of job loss if the airports were privatised.

He said: ”Government should look critically into this proposal if it would not lead to loss of jobs.

“What I think government should be thinking about is how to create jobs in the industry and not a policy that will erase jobs.”

Director-General, Bureau of Public Enterprise, Benjamin Dikki, had said last week that the privatisation of the airports will commence soon.

Dikki spoke in Abuja when he made a presentation on “Reforms and Privatisation Opportunities in Nigeria” at the 9th Abuja International Trade Fair.

He said although the Federal Government had made substantial investment in the aviation sector, a lot remained to be done, adding it is the reason the government is considering privatising the airports.

“We are planning to commence the privatisation of airports; the airports will be more efficient if the private sector is running them.

“Very soon, we will engage the Minister of Aviation and we will start a new process of privatising or concession of airports just like we have done with the seaports.

“We are likely to grant concession of maybe 15 to 20 years, according to the business model agreed on, so that, investors can make a reasonable return on the investment during the concession period,” he said.

Federal Government is said to have set up a committee to look into the exercise, which will be joined by a four-man team from ICAO.

‘ Over 40% air accidents are weather related’

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HE former Director, Weather Services, Nigeria Met eorological Agency (NIMET),Chief Thaddeus Obidike has said statistics has shown that over 40 per cent of air accidents and incidents are weather related.

Presenting a paper titled Aviation Weather Hazard and Aircraft Accident and Inciden at an aviation forum with Sustaining Safety in the Nigerian Aviation Sector organised by Aeroconsult last week in Lagos as its theme, he said: “Statistics has shown that over 40 per cent of aviation accidents and incidents are weather related. Aviation safety therefore cannot be discussed effectively without proper focus on weather information, which includes weather reports, weather forecasts, and early

warning of impending weather hazards.”

Weather, he said is known to affect every phase of flight operation, including take-off and climb out, cruising, maneuvering and landing phase but however pointed out that jet aircraft, especially those on long-distance flights cruise at altitudes in the upper layer and lower stratosphere, where to a large extent they are above the active weather zone.

Obidike arguedthat weather affects them mainly in the take-off and climb out phase and decent for approach and landing phase, adding that short distance flights usually operate in the lower and middle troposphere up to about eight km and as a result are more prone to be affected by adverse

weather systems.

The weather expert said in aviation, weather information plays a very important role in flight operation adding that based on that, the International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO) and World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) established a working relationship in this regard.

He added that while ICAO established requirement and sets standards, WMO established how to meet these requirements and sets standards for service delivery.

On weather early warning system for aviation, he explained that it involves early identification and tracking of those weather phenomena in the atmosphere that constitute aviation hazards, with

a view to giving early alert, good lead time, to ensure that precautionary measures are taken by operators to avoid accident or minimize losses.

He further explained that it also involves putting instruments and facilities in place for monitoring.

Communication, he said is an integral part of aviation early warning system adding that there must be a fast and adequate means of delivering weather information to the users or to those that will be at risk.

He added that time scale is also a very important aspect of early warning system, as some weather systems develop much more quickly than others and in some cases, the status of a weather event can change very quickly.

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014

48

THE NATION

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

BUSINESS PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.com 08062722507

property@thenationonlineng.net muyiwalucas2002@yahoo.com

By 2025, more than 60 per cent of Nigerians will live in cities. But with a persistent housing challenge, the Federal Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development says it has policies and initiatives capable of taking affordable housing delivery to the next level. However, stakeholders are of the opinion that a lot more still needs to be done, if these efforts are to yield the desired dividends. MUYIWA LUCAS writes

•One of the popular Jakande Estates in Lagos

Will FMLHUD’s efforts achieve housing delivery needs?

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HELTER, going by Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, ranks among the topmost items.

It is, therefore, understandable why the desire of man for owning his own house remains a priority in his life ambition. However, considering the harsh economic environment in the country, achieving this dream has become elusive for most Nigerians. And for a country whose 61 per cent of citizens live on less than $1 a day as at 2013, the dream of home ownership may remain a mere wishful thinking.

It is, therefore, instructive that various states and the Federal Government are making spirited efforts to solve housing problems, estimated at 17 million deficit. From the LagosHoms scheme from the stable of the Lagos State Government, to the various private initiatives, housing solution seems to be on the front burners of every stakeholder.

Last week, the Federal Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development (FMLHUD), under the leadership of Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi, the minister in charge of the ministry, reeled out efforts it has made in moving the sector forward as well as finding a solution to the hydra-headed housing problem in the country.

For instance, as part of efforts to reduce the problem, Mrs. Eyakenyi explained that the ministry has set in motion a process that has ensured the development of a roadmap for the housing and urban development sector.

This, she said, is to give effect to the National Housing policy and the National Urban development Policy, in terms of coordination and coherence as well as making it have impact and sustainable. This policy includes the restructuring of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) for the effective and efficient discharge of its mandate; supporting the implementation of the mortgage liquidity facility through the operationalization of the Nigerian

Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC), and the recapitalisation of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN).

With the recapitalisation of the FMBN, a new product targeting the provision of housing finance to an estimated 17 million Nigerians in Diaspora has been developed by the mortgage institution. This scheme will target one million Nigerians within the first year of the launch of the “Nigerians in Diaspora Mortgage Scheme” and provide $100 million (at $100 per person per year) to FMBN as monthly contributions. Another product the recapitalisation will birth is the opportunities for Nigerians to own a home on a “RentTo-Own” basis. Under this scheme, rents paid by occupants of a house will be converted to mortgage and when the amount for the house has been paid up, the occupant becomes the owner. This does not involve any initial deposit for the house.

The restructuring will also make the institution attractive to international lenders, whose credit line facilities are needed to enable the FMBN achieve greater feat in the country’s housing sector.

The Minister, who rightly noted the huge capital requirement of the sector, explained that effective national development tools are

needed to actualise the dream of adequate housing in the country. To this end, she disclosed that as suggested during a presidential retreat held in November 2012, government is now considering the use of additional sources of funding for housing delivery. This may come in the form of deploying pension funds, unclaimed dividends, and dormant accounts for this purpose. Besides, the ministry, she says, plans an adoption of various housing delivery models for mass housing development. This will include new towns development, cooperative housing, public-private partnership, public-public partnership, regeneration (including completion of abandoned houses) rental housing and sites and services schemes.

The FMLHUD is also said to be championing the African urban Agenda, in collaboration with UN-HABITAT, in view of the need to deal decisively with the rapid population growth and deteriorating living conditions of human settlements in the continent. This, it is believed, is very fundamental that by 2025, more than 60 per cent of Nigerians will live in cities. This belief is also influencing the designing and implementation of a national programme aimed at making slums become history in the country by 2020.

To make this achievable, Eyakenyi revealed that the federal government, through the ministry, has put in place a social and affordable housing

scheme. Under this scheme, estate developers are being enjoined to embrace the concept of mixed development in housing delivery and also ensure that at least, 20 per cent of the total number of housing units built in projects sites is allocated to low-cost housing ranging between N1.5 million to N5 million for one to three bedroom houses. Moreover, she explained that the ministry is also collaborating with domestic producers for the supply of building materials to estate developers at factory prices.

A boost for housing delivery also comes with more contributors now joining the NHF under a new ecollection system. This is now ensuring an efficient, more transparent and accountable system of fund collection and remittance. Also, mortgage access for informal sector workers has been put in place since December 2011 under the informal sector cooperative housing scheme.

In the last four years, Eyakenyi disclosed that the FMLHUD has built a total of 43,126 housing units nationwide and generated N8, 110,389, 817.79 as internally Generated Revenue (IGR). The IGR, which showed a tremendous improvement across the years, were generated through tender

The ministry has also developed a framework for conducting a National Housing Survey with the aim of ascertaining the authenticity of the 17 million housing deficit figure being bandied in the country instead of relying on forecasts

fee, ground rent, premium on land, title registration fee, consent fee, Certificate of Occupancy processing fee and survey fee respectively.

The minister gave a breakdown to include 710 housing units under the Prototype Housing Scheme; 7,869 housing units under the Public Private Partnership; 3,302 units through the FHA; 5,007 units from the FMBN; 17, 240 through estate development loans provided by FMBN, and 8,998 units through contractor finance initiatives.

Eyakenyi also revealed that the ministry has also developed a framework for conducting a National Housing Survey with the aim of ascertaining the authenticity of the 17 million housing deficit figure being bandied in the country instead of relying on forecasts.

Laudable as these feat are, stakeholders are concerned that Nigerians are yet to feel the full impact, at least, going by the high demand for accommodation and the high cost of rents. They fear that these policies may be all talks and no results. They therefore, canvass for reduction in the cost of building materials, even as they want an early implementation of the housing roadmap.

The Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, may have captured these concerns when he noted that “the housing sector is a sleeping giant that has just woken up.” He however, assuaged such fears insisting that the housing sector has now moved on because it is being driven by policies that are feasible.

“In the next two to three years, Nigerians will get the full benefits of what is being done now,” Maku assured.

For now, Nigerians can only wait for these policies and promises to materialise.

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014

49

PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT UNIUYO to produce concrete mix manual

By Uyoatta Eshiet, Uyo

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• Prototype of Grand Lake Estate Lekki

Imperial Homes leads syndication for new town development T HREE Primary Mortgage Banks operating in the national mortgage banks category are set to syndicate financing for the development of a new residential community to be sited in the Abraham Adesanya, LekkiAjah corridor, in Lagos State.

The community, to be known as the Grand Lake project, which consists of 554 housing units in the first phase, is expected to be completed between 18 and 24 months from date of commencement and is being developed by four reputable developers, under a unique arrangement of a developers’ plot scheme. This is expected to make significant impact on the nation’s housing market as middle class echelon and prospective homeowners would enjoy the opportunity of getting decent, affordable and functional homes.

The syndication, led by Imperial Homes Mortgage Bank, will see the development spread across 93 hectares of land. Other mortgage financial institutions in the transaction are TrustBond Mortgage Bank Plc and Abbey Mortgage Bank. The trio is in partnership with Gran Imperio Group, the lead developer, alongside Ocean Springs Estates Limited, Vestril Limited and White Oak Real Estate Limited. Under the

By Muyiwa Lucas

arrangement for the development, the financiers are open to work with and finance other developers who wish to come on board for various kinds of concepts and designs to fit into the entire Grand Lake concept.

Developers that have capacity to develop minimum of 10,000 to 20,000 square metres (sqm) would be brought in as the scheme progresses.

The ambitious scheme, designed to provide decent, affordable and functional homes for middle class group in the country, is a proposed affordable residential community development offering spectacular ambience, detailed finishing, security and recreational facilities. Striking in its design is a unique manmade lake with a relaxation centre to complement the magnificent landscape. The scheme comprises of one, two, three and four bedrooms, exquisitely finished terraced bungalows, as well as other housing types that suit the overall design of an emerging city in the Lekki-Ajah corridor. It would be delivered in phases with air conditioning, PABX system, CCTV, Stone coated roof

tiles, swimming pool, bar and lounge, astro-turf football pitch, gym, good quality finishes, fully fitted kitchen and recreational facilities. The scheme will also feature site and serviced plots for residential and commercial developments, offering three different plot sizes to suit buyers’ requirement. Also, payment has also been made flexible, as the project financiers have put in place between five to 20 years payment plan for buyers into the scheme, although a one-off payment attracts three per cent discount.

Under the serviced plots category, a square metre sells for N30, 000 per sqm, while plots in the commercial zone are pegged at N45, 000. 00. For built houses, a one bedroom bungalow sells for N7. 95 million; two bedroom would cost N10. 95 million; three bedroom is up for grab at N13.95 million, and the four bedroom bungalow sells for N17.95 million.

The Managing Director, Imperial Homes Mortgage Bank, Mr. Ben Akaneme, explained that there was the need for more operatives and developers to seek internal solution to the nation’s housing problem, which he explained, was a strong

factor that influenced his bank’s participation in the syndication. “All over the world, the Mortgage Banks and the Real Estate sector contribute the highest gross domestic product (GDP) to the economy. So, the first thing we did as Mortgage Banks was to get our house in order; become National Banks, get financial capacity and then form this type of partnership,” he said.

In similar vein, the Managing Director, TrustBond Mortgage Bank, Mr. Adeniyi Akinluyi said the financiers and the developers are synergizing to make affordable housing for the middle-income earners in Nigeria a reality, assuring that there is plan to take the initiative to other parts of the country.

The Chief Executive Officer of Gran Imperio Group, Mr. Adeyeye Ogunwusi, said the synergy was unique considering that this is the first time such mortgage syndication by mortgage banks to bankroll development of affordable residential project like Grand Lake, is happening in the country. He, therefore, praised the Mortgage Bankers Association of Nigerian (MBAN) for supporting the initiative and the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC), for creating the window to have in place longer mortgages tenor.

HE Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), has commissioned the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, to formulate the ‘Nigerian Concrete Mix Design Manual’ to be used by operators in the building industry. The mix manual will guide the building industry on the quantity of sand, water and granite to be used when mixing 32.5, 42.5 or 52.5 grades of cement in order to obtain certain strength of sandcrete, concrete, mortar or blocks. It is believed that when formulated and approved, the manual will help put a stop to the problem of building collapse in the country.

The director of the research work on the Mix manual, Professor Charles Etim Uko, said the University was chosen by the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) to produce the manual in response to incessant building collapse in the country. He said the manual when ready will help the building industry adopt the proper mix method for various applications using the available grades of cement in the country.

He spoke in his capacity as the lecturer at the recent UNIUYO 41st Inaugural lecture on the topic “Bridges over troubled waters.”

Prof Uko, in his presentation noted that the engineering profession has suffered in Nigeria because of lack of encouragement to indigenous engineers. He noted that each year billions are spent but most of it goes to multinationals with the attendant capital flight and lack of opportunity for capacity development. He therefore, called on all levels of government to give serious consideration to giving serious structural engineering projects to Nigerian engineers if the country is to benefit from the massive infrastructural investments being anticipated in the coming years.

“Materials science and engineering should be given top priority by the universities and polytechnics; government should provide adequate research funds to encourage more engineers and scientists to undertake more ground breaking works,” he said.

Jubilee Life introduces zero interest rate on mortgages

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FTER emerging as national Primary Mortgage Institution (PMI), following the successful achievement of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) induced recapitalisation exercise for players in the mortgage finance sector, Jubilee Life Mortgage Bank Limited (JLMBL), has introduced a zero per cent interest rate to prospective buyers in its Shalom Royal Gardens Estate Project, which is at an advanced stage of completion. The estate comprises of 42 blocks of four numbers of three bedroom flats, which translates to 168 housing units; but the company’s target is 500 blocks.

The Shalom Royal Garden Estate scheme, located opposite the Mountain of Fire and Miracles (MFM) Prayer City, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, is accessible through Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) under the National Housing Fund (NHF) Scheme. According to the promoters of the scheme, a “budgetfriendly price” including an attractive discount for outright payment, mortgage facilities at zero per cent interest rate for buyers who complete payment within 12 months, and other special concessionary interest rates.

A breakdown of the payment

module shows that a unit of flat in the scheme sells for N15 million, but attracts a N250, 000 discount on outright payment. However, for instalmental payment, an initial deposit of 30 per cent equity contribution by the buyer is required; while payments completed in 12 instalment and spread between 0 – 12 months attracts zero per cent interest rate. Payments spread between 12 – 24 months attract a nine percent interest rate per annum; between 24 – 36 months, attracts 12 per cent interest rate per annum; 36 – 60 months comes at 14 per cent interest rate per annum; and 61– 240 months payment comes at 16 per cent interest rate per annum.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Jubilee Life Mortgage Bank Limited, Mr. Wale Osisanya, explained that developing the Shalom Royal Gardens Estate in the outskirts of Lagos is in line with its mission to strategically develop the selected area into a modern, functional and peaceful territory that will meet the people’s desire for a selection of high quality homes, designed, built, and crafted with purpose.

The estate, he further explained, is expected to foster community relationship setting, where each ho-

• Shalom Royal Gardens Estate under construction

meowner will have a wholesome relationship with neighbours.

“The homes are ideal either for the young independent executive with taste for quality living or a young family desirous of a safe home to grow up in. Also, professional people on contract, multinational firms seeking a good investment in corporate accommodation, international or local investors seeking to add to a dynamic, high performance quality portfolio with excellent return on investment, will find homes that will match their in-

tentions,” Osisanya said, listing other benefits available to prospective homeowners and institutional investors to include good title documents, high quality finishing, and secured gate community.

Apart from the 24-hour security guarantee within the estate, other infrastructures in the estate include a dedicated sporting arena or recreation centre, water supply, street lighting systems, electricity supply, adequate car park, children playground with facilities, and good road network. Other of-

ferings in Shalom Royal Gardens Estate include green landscaped areas, availability of specials facility management services on request, armed security personnel patrol, dedicated shopping complex, among others. The estate, which has reached an advanced stage of completion, has direct access to the Ikeja Central Business District (CBD). For the upwardlymobile career professional working in Victoria Island and LekkiAjah axis of Lagos, the Shalom Royal Gardens Estate is also very accessible.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014

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THE NATION

BUSINESS ENERGY

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E-mail:- energy@thenationonlineng.net

NAPE urges DPR, minister on fluid metering, accounting

XPLORATIONISTS have urged the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani AlisonMadueke, to address back allocation of Basic Sediments and Water (BSW) during crude oil production reconciliation and imposition of disproportionate volume of crude by some facility owners on indigenous operators.

Independent oil firms, especially indigenous companies that use other firms’ pipelines and facilities to convey their crude oil from point of production to the terminals, have been complaining of

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

losing volumes of oil as what they get at the terminal point is substantially lower.

The Director, DPR, Mr. George Osahon, pledged to ensure that measures would be adopted to address these issues, when he received a communiqué on behalf of the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani AlisonMadueke. The communiqué was generated from a workshop on

“Fluid Metering and Accounting in the Oil & Gas Industry” organised by the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE).

The workshop and communiqué were steps being taken by NAPE to address the unresolved issues of inaccurate metering raised by the Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI).

“You will recall that there have

been a lot of issues regarding NEITI and metering and about what we need to do, some of these issues emanate from here and we are paying a lot of attention to them,” NAPE President, Mrs. Adedoja Ojelabi said while handing over the document to the DPR chief.

Osahon said: “The document (communiqué) will come back for us to study and advise again on what we should do, how we should do it, and when we should do it. We will turn that into a plan of action of what we will do so that at least those companies that are suffering now especially those that are coutilising facilities will have a new lease of life.”

NAPE President, Adedoja Ojelabi, stated that the workshop on fluid accounting and metering was NAPE’s demonstration

of its commitment to resolving issues that impact negatively on the oil and gas industry. She added that one of the ways NAPE does this is by providing platforms like the special management workshop.

She said: “The production of the document has come out from a lot of work, meetings and the consensus reached by stakeholders. We hope that the document will be useful to the DPR, the government, the oil and gas industry and particularly Independents. We also see that industry is likely to witness more and more of such issues but we hope we can nip them in the bud before they become major irritations in the industry.”

Also present at the event was NAPE’s President-elect, Mr. Chikwendu Edoziem, who expressed optimism that the communiqué, when adopted, will bring lasting solutions to the issues of fluid metering and accounting in the oil and gas industry.

‘Non-implementation of gas policies ’ll worsen power supply’

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•From left: Director, Osahon, receiving a Communiqué on Fluid Metering & Accounting in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry on behalf of the Minister of the Petroleum Resources from Ojelabi, with Edoziem at the DPR ‘s Office in Lagos.

ROP in power generation will continue, unless the implementation of the Gas Master Plan (GMP) and other initiatives introduced by the Federal Government are fasttracked, stakeholders have said.

Speaking against the backdrop of inability to supply enough gas for the needs of the power generation companies (GENCOs), the President, International Association of Energy Economics (IAEC), Prof Adeola Akinnisiju said the government should effectively implement gas policies to help improve

Egina FPSO: Samsung debunks increase in contract cost, others

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HE contractor handling Total’s Egina field’s floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel, Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI), has denied adding variation cost of $300 million to the initial cost of the project, which was $3.2 billion, following the feud it had with Ladol, its Nigerian partner, which delayed project.

It was alleged that the cost of the floating vessel rose to $3.5 billion as result of the variation and the company is not creating employment for Nigerians, in compliance with the Nigerian Content directives, but the company’s General Manager, Frank Ejizu, said the allegations are incorrect.

He said: “I don’t think you got that variation quite correct because I’m not aware of the $300 million variation cost as you just said. Yes, we had slight delay in the project at the initial stage, which has been resolved and the delay will in no way impact on the cost of the project.

“It was just a delay between us and LADOL. It will not have any significant impact on the cost of the project. If you listened to our presentation, the fabrication project will be completed by end of 2016 while the integration work will start in January 2017.

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

“However, on the impact of this project on the local content, we are complying with the Local Content Act, which will translate into creating employment for our youths in Nigeria. It’s almost impossible to have a project without job creation.

“I think the entire engineering programme is about $16 million; I think what matters is how well managed any delay is because it is always inevitable. And also how well managed is the cost control. So I don’t think there is any significant complaint from employers because they recognise that in this kind of project there are some areas the cost may go down or may go up and all that over the period.”

Ejizu also discredited the allegation that the original design of the FPSO will be altered. He said: “No there will not be any alteration in the design of the FPSO.” He also dismissed the allegation that Samsung is not training Nigerian welders for the project. He said Samsung and its Nigerian partner, the LADOL Integrated Logistics Enterprise, owners of Lagos Deep Offshore Logistic Base (LADOL), formed a new company called SMI-MCI FZE (Samsung Heavy Industries –

Mega Construction Integration Free Zone), which will solely handle jobs that would be carried out at LADOL. The Chairman of LADOL, Oladipo Jadesimi, also said the disagreement between Samsung and LADOL has since been resolved for the interest of the economy, adding that over 1,500 jobs including welders will be created at LADOL alone.

He said: “On the so-called legal tussle, there were some unresolved issues between Samsung and Ladol, which ended in a slight disagreement and the parties went to court but I can assure you that in line with international best practices, parties didn’t allow such a huge project with significant implication for the Nigerian economy to stay too long in court and parties sorted their difference out in the overall interest of the Nigerian economy and this project.

“You can see we are on course, all outstanding issues have been resolved, the case in court has been withdrawn and we are set to go. On employment, this project at peak period will employ 1,500 people but all these people will not be employed at the same time because the project is in phases. We will employ a minimum of 1,500 people at the peak period of this

project. The fabrication for this integration project is not only being done in Ladol. So when you are asking in terms of employment, this project will create employment outside of Ladol in other fabrication yards and also there is local supply chain and I think for every single direct job, there are five indirect jobs to go with it, so that figure has to be quantified very carefully.”

On allegations of not securing the necessary approvals and the dumping of the agreement to build a construction and fabrication yard in Bayelsa State, the company said: “All the approvals have been secured and we have the support of the government and the project we have is quite very huge, so we want the government to continue to support us in the future to realise the aspiration of government in the area of industrialisation.

“We plead that government continues to create the right environment for the project to be realised.

On Bayelsa yard, Samsung Industries didn’t come here only for one or two projects. We have a very long term view inside of Nigeria and we have this country as the hub for our West Africa oil and gas activities. It is part of our plan; we want to extend our presence beyond Lagos besides that of Ladol and other partners.

By Akinola Ajibade

power generation.

Akinnisiju said the Escravos gas project could not be relied upon to provide enough gas for the power generation plants in Edo, Delta, Ondo, and Ogun states and other parts of the country.

He said: “There is frequent drop in power generation occasioned by low supply of gas to power plants. Escravos does not have the capacity to provide enough gas for power generation plants. Now that the government has sold the assets of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to the new investors, it must put in place necessary infrastructure that would enable the firms to access gas for production. Besides, the capacity of Escravos must be improved upon so that bigger volumes of gas must come from it for the power sector.”

He said Escravos inability to provide sufficient gas to Afam IV, Rivers State independent power plant, Olorunsogo Power Plant, among others, has led to drop in power generation. He added that low water level is limiting power generation from Kainji and Jebba hydro station to one unit each.

According to him, if Omotosho, Papalanto, and Sapele power plants are taking gas from Escravos, the volume of gas each will get will not be enough to generate electricity. He said the firms would find it difficult to generate enough electricity, using only Escravos.

Also, the President, Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), Mr. Emeka Ene, said gas supply and utilisation is key to driving the power sector and the economy.

Ene said efforts must be geared towards increasing gas consumption locally for economic growth.

He said the potentials of the power sector could only be galvanised through regular supply of gas, advising government to assist the companies in accessing enough gas for operations.

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014

51

ENERGY

Lagos IPPs to deliver 47Mw in 2015

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HE six Independents Power Plants (IPPs) in Lagos State will deliver a combined capacity of 47megawatts (Mw) of electricity before the first quarter of next year, the state Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Taofiq Tijani, has said.

The six power plants are Akute Independent Power Plant (12.55Mw), Lagos Island 1&2 Independent Power Plant (10Mw), Alausa Independent Power Plant (10.4 Mw), Mainland Independent Power Plant (8.8Mw) and Lekki Peninsula Integrated Power Project (6Mw).

Tijani spoke on the sidelines of the 2014 Energy Conservation Month held in Lagos. He said plans are underway to make the six plants operational before the end of first quarter of next year.

According to him, the journey into the provision of Independent Power Projects in Lagos began in 1999 when the state government entered into a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Enron Corporation of United States for the purchase of electricity evacuated from its plant near Egbin Power Plant in Ikorodu. The agreement was for power distribution to Ikeja, Oshodi, Victoria Island, Marina, Lekki and Apapa, the areas where the IPPs are located.

By Akinola Ajibade

He said the plants in Akute, Alausa and Lagos Island have started operation, adding that those in Mainland and Lekki Pennisula would come on stream soon.

He said: “Presently, the Independent Power Plants in Akute, Alausa and Lagos Island are producing more than 32 megawatts of electricity. By the time we commission the projects in Mainland and Lekki Peninsula in the next few months, we would be talking of 47 megawatts. The Alausa plant is being used to power the secretariat complex comprising the Ministries of Education, Health, Finance, Agriculture, Energy and Mineral Resources, Transportation and others, while the plant in Lagos Island serves General Hospital, Maternity Centre, High Court and Magistrate Court in the area. The plant in Akute is helping the government to pump over 130 billion gallons of water daily.

“The plants play vital roles apart from helping to improve government’s operations; they also help in reducing emission of carbon dioxide in areas where they are located.

This has resulted in a safer and cleaner environment.”

He said the plants are operated under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, adding that the

government and private investors collaborate on the projects. He said the state government is building the plants in line with the approval of the Federal Government.

“The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) permits the state government to build the plants and further supply power to its establishments across the state.

The state is not permitted to supply power to commercial and residential areas.’’ he said.

Also, the General Manager, Lagos State Electricity Board, Damilola Ogunbiyi, said the government has given the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) and the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) the right of way to open offices in the state as part of its contributions to the success of the privatisation programme. ‘’Since the state government does not have the power to generate power, we decided to use our facility for the sector’s growth. The power distribution companies (DISCOs) in the state have been given right of way to boost the privatisation programme. We are also training young people for job opportunities in the sector. Many of the people we trained have got jobs with the power distribution firms,” he added.

‘Manpower for NIPP’s substations ready by December’

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HE National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN), has assured the government and the new investors in the power stations built by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) under the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) that it will complete training of personnel that would operate the facilities

by December.

Its Director-General, Mr. Reuben Okeke, told The Nation that the institute is training the personnel that will operate the 234 distribution injection sub-stations bought by the new investors in NIPP facilities as part of their equity, adding that by end of the year, the manpower would be ready. He said NAPTIN is training distribution sub-station operators that would operate both existing and newly acquired substations, adding that they would operate the injection substations for optimum performance. He said the development became necessary to prevent hitches that arise from poor performance of workers.

He said: “Over 290 injection substations have been purchased under the National Independent Power Plants (NIPPs) to help drive the initiative. Out of these, 234 are ready for use and we need Nigerians to man or operate them. Part of the reasons we flagged off a training programme for technicians in Lagos in October this year was to train people that would operate the substations that would be commissioned soon.

“One of the companies contracted by the government to handle the issue told me that some of the injec-

By Akinola Ajibade

tion substations would be commissioned before December. That is why NAPTIN is making efforts to train the operators before December.”

He said the development will help in reducing the skills-gap in the industry, arguing that the sector cannot develop without the necessary workforce. According to him, the government has decided to adopt holistic approach to the training of workers in the sector for growth.

“All the projects in the sector are going to be manned by well trained workers. The power generation companies (GENCOs) and distribution companies (DISCOs), the NIPPs and other projects in the sector would avail themselves of the opportunities in NAPTIN. The government does not want a situation where there would be dearth of skills in the industry because it has identified poorly equipped workforce as one of the critical problems facing the sector,” he added.

Okeke said power generation and distribution companies are battling poor workforce, aside gas. He said resources such as gas, good workforce and others are critical to the growth of the industry, adding that the government is not leaving any stone unturned to provide a conducive environment for operators.

The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), has started the process of selling the plants to new investors. The plants with combined capacity of 5,000 (Mw) of electricity are expected to help improve power supply in the country.

Africa oil trading, logistics downstream confab coming

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• From left: Group General Manager NAPIMS, Jonathan Okehs; Thlama Dawha; and Robillard, during the Dawha's visit to the company in Lagos.

IGERIA will play host to the rest of the continent for the premier downstream oil and gas event, the Oil Trading and Logistics conference from October 28 to 30 at the Lagos Oriental Hotel.

The focus of the downstream oil and gas sector expo popularly called OTL Africa Downstream will be on facilitating trading, supply and distribution of petroleum products.

The Chairman, OTL Africa Downstream, Emeka Akabogu, said: “The OTL exhibition will feature more than 50 local and

Kaztec advances on Antan, Ofrima/Udele fields’ platforms

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HE Commercial Director, Kaztec Engineering Limited, a subsidiary of Chrome Group, Marc Robillard, has said the company is making tremendous progress on the construction of the platforms for production from Antan and Ofrima/ Udele fields.

Antan and Ofrima/Udele oil fields are operated by Sinopec Addax Petroleum. Antan field is in water depth of about 40 metres and located in oil mining lease (OML) 123 holding approximated recoverable reserves of 15 million barrels and expected to produce 12,000 barrels per day (bpd) at peak. Ofrima-Udele is located in oil mining lease (OML) 137 offshore Nigeria and south of Port Harcourt in Rivers State and it is expected to produce in excess of 100,000 bpd when on stream.

Robillard spoke at Kaztec’s fabrication yard at Snake Island in Lagos when the Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Joseph Thlama Dawha led management of the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), an arm of NNPC, on a visit to the yard.

Fielding questions from reporters, Mr Robillard said the fabrication yard a year and half ago was a virgin land with 85 per cent swamp and 15 per cent trees but has been developed and now being used for constructing off-

•NNPC chief impressed by level of work

By Emeka Ugwuanyi & Olawunmi Kolade

shore platforms. “We started with smaller projects but with Antan, which is a medium-sized project; it is going to bring us into an offspring of being able to go to a much bigger project.

Right now Antan is in the area of 1400 to 1500 tons of steel and we will be going to 17,000 tons of steel for the Ofrima/Udele project, which encompasses bigger platforms, process facilities and much larger jackets, so this is what we have now.

“This is a leading 100 per cent indigenous Engineering, Procurement, Installation, Construction, and Management (EPIC-M) Company. Kaztec received a delegation of leading oil and gas chiefs led by the Group Managing Director to this fabrication yard about three months but between that time and now, it has witnessed rapid improvement in terms of the massive level of work done so far,” he said.

Robillard took the NNPC delegation round the yard to see the progress made so far since visit by the former GMD. The Construction Manager, Mr. Jim Syne, explained the Antan project, Antan jacket deck and pilling works to the delegation. He pointed out a number of components,which would

give aerial support where the final jacket label will be laid. He further observed that the ongoing work, appreciable as it seems, is still about a learning process, which by next year will be a lot developed than they are now. On the performance of the welders on ground, Syne said the welders who are all Nigerians are not only good but also he is impressed with their quality and performance. He told the GMD about the appraisal levels of the welders at the yard and series of training skills and programmes they are given to help them develop on the job.

While fielding questions from reporters,Robillard further said: “We are on phase one of the project which will go on to phase two that will include an expansion of the fabrication yard and then phase three with dry dock facilities, turning mill facilities, pipe coating facilities and finally, phase four most likely having residential buildings, golf course among others at the other end of the island.”

He further said that apart from the idea of a big expansion, the project involves very long term commitment.

“The timeline on these phases will be finished by December of this year, phase two by December next year, dry docking facility another year after and

then the pipe mill and more, so by 2018, phase one, two and three will be terminated,” he said.

He also said that a 100 per cent Nigerian content will be available by the time the project ends. “We are 100 per cent committed to the Nigerian content and so in three years’ time, we would have created something between 2000 and 3000 local workers who will be Nigerians and also create indirect jobs of about 15,000 to 20,000.

“It’s not a question of Snake Island being a Nigerian content, it’s a question of ensuring we buy Nigerian content also because we will be dealing with more and more Nigerian companies,” Robillard said.

On his impression of the facilities, Dawha said that having had the privilege of visiting the yard three months ago, which was just in its initial stage, he could see progress on the fabrication.

“I am delighted that this is being done by mostly Nigerians. I am also delighted that most stakeholders are involved like the community who are part and parcel of what is happening here, which is a very important thing. And with the future plans they have for the community and the very good training programme for Nigerians, I must confess that I am very much impressed by the level of work, which is progressing rapidly,” he said.

international organisations with core operations in facilitating the trading, supply and distribution of petroleum products, in addition to over 35 industry, policy and professional leaders as speakers and session panelists.

“The Expo, now in its eighth year, is organised in collaboration with the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), and is the principal business and showcase event for those with an interest in downstream petroleum.

“The theme of the 2014 Expo, which includes a conference, exhibition and industry dinner is The Future of Petroleum Products Supply and it is poised to shape business and policy for operators across the industry value-chain. The conference and exhibition is targeted at complementing efforts of government in transforming the sector, and focuses on refining, pricing, financing, trading, shipping, products’ quality, customer service, infrastructure, logistics, local content, diversification of downstream investments and a lot more.

As part of a strategic effort to promote excellence and innovation in the downstream industry, the organisers said it will this year unveil the “OTL Downstream Innovation Challenge,” which will focus on enhancing industry value through increased efforts in Research and Development (R&D).

He said it is an innovation of significance that could multiply value in downstream petroleum business and operations in Africa will be unveiled and celebrated annually.

Over the years, OTL Africa Downstream has provided opportunities for policy development, trading, networking and business matchmaking for government, established operators and new entrants in downstream petroleum business, with this year’s edition poised to consolidate the tradition for the development of the economy, Akabogu said.

52

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014

53

SHOWBIZ Tuface Idibia to headline Road to AFRIMA 2014

By Adewoyin Adeniyi

C •Tayo

•IK with Resa

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FTER one-week of seeming familiarity among housemates, tension heightened, Sunday night, in the ongoing Big Brother Africa reality show tagged ‘Hotshots Edition’, after two housemates were evicted, leaving their cronies in tears.

Such is the reality of the show, which has staked $300, 000 prize money on the would-be winner, following normal, but constructive backstabbing that will see many facing evictions until the last man standing.

There was palpable silence as 12 housemates were asked to stand during the eviction on Sunday night. And as the first ‘hammer’ landed on Resa, a contestant from Zambia, her friend, Sipe, wept profusely.

While Resa felt unperturbed as she was asked to leave the house before joining the show host, IK, on the live stage for her interview, another female housemate, Esther, shouted: “I love you Resa.” Although the evictee, with a wry smile, told IK that she was at peace with the turnout of events, she said she would miss Sipe the most.

The second evictee, Mira, is the first to be associated with romance in the house. The Mozambican lady, who was initially thought to be shy, surprised many when she kissed Luis and Nhlanhla during the party on Friday. The scandal soon passed, as it was blamed on alcohol. Mira came to the ‘limelight’ again when her name

•Esther

Big Brother Hotshots: Nigeria’s Tayo, others for eviction …as two housemates get the boot Housemates, fans to Tayo: you lack respect for women

I

NCIDENTALLY, Tayo is among the three housemates who have been nominated for possible eviction next Sunday. The other two are Frankie from Rwanda and JJ from Zimbabwe. While many distaste Tayo for being loud and abrasive, others believe that Frankie is laid back. For JJ, he is said to often display a ‘know-it-all’ attitude.

Perhaps the housemate with the most obvious attack was Tayo whom, according to Permithias, often disrespects women.

Few days back, the Nigerian model was heard shouting and cursing Miss Nigeria, whom he described as lacking in virtues. He said the organisers of the beauty pageant did wrong by crowning her. Although he did not mention the name of the beauty queen, he said: “You people know who I am talking about,” shouting at the top of his voice, while facing the camera. His grouse: the said beauty queen had visited South Africa, his current base, on a show and he had asked for her BBM pin, a request which she declined. He said he heard, a few days later, that the lady had been telling her friends that the reason she denied him her contact was because he had a ‘Bold 5’ phone which, in her estimation, is substandard.

Consequently, Tayo had boastfully called the model

By Victor Akande

was announced as second evictee.

She lunged into Luis’ arms for the last embrace, kissing him, as the bespectacled young man cried and was comforted by Idris and Sipe.

unprintable names, using the ‘F’ word and promising a showdown with the beauty queen someday. He also talked about his ex- girlfriend, a South African lady who, according to him, said he cannot ever become rich. He described his presence in the Big Brother house as an uncommon feat and a stepping stone to his greatness.

Another incident that appeared to have angered the Nigerian housemate was the appointment of South Africa’s Samantha as the new Head of House (HOH). Tayo, who was close to winning, alongside four others who made it to the qualifying round, became the most upset of the losers. His nerves got the better of him, as he started ranting and raving to the annoyance of others, including fans who called him a sore loser.

“Tayo will be evicted with this stinking attitude. He will not go far,” said a fan.

“Tayo is flipping annoying. His random outbursts are unnecessary, and if that’s being real, I don’t know…,” said another.

However, he still has a lot of support from many, who saw beyond his ‘loudness’. “People should stop hating Tayo and Lillian for using the ‘F’ word.They are adults and it isn’t a kindergarten show,” one defended. “Tayo does not annoy me. In fact, he entertains me,” said another.

Hardly had the 24 remaining housemates retained their breathe from the eviction scare than Big Brother, the unseen lord of the game, invited them to the diary room for secret nomination for next week evictions. Called in alphabetical

OME October 15, all roads will lead to the Indoor Sport Hall of the University of Lagos, Akoka, venue of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) and launch of ‘Vote Not Fight’.

The event will feature many of Nigeria’s finest artistes, as Nigeria hosts this year’s concert.

According to the organisers, multiaward winning singer, Tuface Idibia will headline the event which will be anchored by comedian Gbenga Adeyinka 1st, an alumnus of the university.

Other Nigerian artistes scheduled to perform at the event are Skales, Neato C, Jaywon, Dammy krane, Niyola, Zeez, Eedris Abdulkareem, Tony One Week, Queen Moda and Saeon, among others.

Mike Dada, the Executive Producer of the concert, thanked the artistes whom he said had “shown passion and commitment in supporting AFRIMA events with their talents and professional services for the benefits of the image and perception of Africa.”

He further revealed that the main award ceremony would take place on the November 9, in Lagos, adding that voting continues in the 32 categories of the Awards until November l 4.

According to Dada, the event will be preceded by the AFRIMA music village show between November 4 and 7.

The theme of the four-day of festival of non-stop music and exhibition of African music summit on November 6 and 7 is: ‘Reviving the Business of Music in Africa”.

The two-day conference, he explained, will be a platform for the music industry stakeholders to engage and deliberate on how the industry can be nurtured, while also becoming a major contributor to national and continental economies.

order, each housemate must nominate two others from the Green team, the group that had lost the Extravaganza contest the previous day. The team of 13 had the two Nigerian housemates, Tayo and Lilian, as members.

•Niyola

Adeboye calls for more Christian drama ministries

By Adeola Ogunlade HE wife of the General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Folu Adeboye, has charged Christians to support Christian drama, saying it is a veritable medium for evangelism and discipleship.

Adeboye made this appeal at the World Premiere of With Wings Like an Eagle and Pastor’s Wife’s, the pilot of the RCCG Drama Department television serials last weekend. The project is in conjunction with the Redemption Television Media, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Pastor’s Wife is a satire, a mirror of what pastors and their wives are going through. It focuses on conflict in their official duties and the burdens placed on the shoulders of their wives. With Wings was written in 2011 in attendant with the annual convention of RCCG. It is a story about the intervention of God in the life of Bisoye, a serious Christian, fervent in evangelism and prison ministry which takes her to the zenith of her career. Her faith in God and salvation made a difference in the life of Akin, a boy with a hopeless life.

According to Adeboye, the need for the church to support Christian drama is important, as it can help to save lives, restore homes and shape destinies of millions of people around the world.

She said that a Christian drama ministry based on the scriptures had the capacity to reach many unreached people with the gospel message and get them convicted of their sins and make their way right with God. She noted that the drama serial, Pastor’s Wife, is a welcome development to the needs, aspirations, challenges and godly principles needed for pastors’ wives in managing their homes and the church.

Adeboye, who pledged to support the production of some episode of the Pastor’s Wife drama series, appealed to Christians to work together and be part of the vision financially and spiritually.

T

•Behind the scene of Sexy Lady video

Oritsefemi drops Sexy Lady video

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FEW days after signing a multimillion naira contract with the Abuja-based entertainment company, Avater, wave-making singer, Oritsefemi, has just released the visuals of his much-talked-about song, Sexy Lady, featuring Davido.

The video, which was shot at Elegushi Beach, Lagos, was

By Adewoyin Adeniyi

directed by Patrick Elis.

According to Oritse Femi’s manager, Yusuf “Danku” Adepitan, fans have been longing to watch the video since it was shot

by Patrick Elis, a notable music video director.

“The reason we delayed the

video is to give our best. Patrick Elis worked assiduously on the video. I am very optimistic that music buffs and Oritse Femi’s fans will love the video. The preview with major musical channels had positive comments. The video is already enjoying air play on Soundcity and Hip TV,” he said.

54

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 13-10-14

25-07-14 DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 13-10-14

Market capitalisation dips to five months low

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HE Nigerian Equity Market commenced the Monday on a negative note, as the All Share Index (ASI) slid 97bps to a five months low of 40,051.29 points. Consequently, the YTD and MTD performance of the market drifted further south to negative 3.1per cent and 2.8 per cent respectively.

The decline was driven by selloffs in bellwethers’ — Dangote Cement (0.9 per cent) and Nestle (2.7 per cent). Value traded improved by 4.4 per cent to N2.8bn while aggregate volume declined 21.1 per cent to 191.7m as investors traded

By Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

4,483.00 deals.

The All sector indices closed in negative territory, led by consumer goods index (1.2 per cent). The decline in the consumer goods index was driven by profit taking in Brewers — Guinness (1.5 per cent) and Nigerian Breweries (0.6 per cent). This was followed by the oil and gas index, shedding 0.9 per cent.

Similarly, waning appetite in the banking basket was sustained, as the index shed 82bps leaving the YTD performance at negative 7.9 per

cent.

The index was pressured by large caps — FBNH (2.3 per cent) and Zenith (1.3 per cent). The Industrial Index declined 0.4 per cent, attributable to Dangote Cement (0.9 per cent), just as market sentiment was retained at 0.5x yesterday as 16 stocks advanced against 35 declining ones.

At the close of trading yesterday, Ikeja Hotels (9.8 per cent), Skye (3.6 per cent) and Sterling (3.4 per cent) paced gains, while Seplat (5.0 per cent), PZ (5.0 per cent) and Portland Paints (4.9 per cent) led the losers.

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014

55

MONEYLINK

DMO to raise N285b in fourth quarter

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HE Debt Management Office (DMO) has issued its provisional issuance calendar for the fourth quarter which showed that the agency will raise between N195 billion and N285 billion from the sale of Federal Government bonds over the quarter.

For this month, at least its target for tomorrow’s auction is at the low end of the range at N73.6 billion.

The offering to investors is unchanged, with the reopening of the original three and 10-year debt instruments 13.05 per cent August 2016 and 14.20 per cent Mar 2024, as well of the new long bond 12.15 per cent Jul 2034s.

The DMO raised N300 billion from its auctions in third quarter, which, FBN Capital said, in a statement of pre-election caution.

“We have since learnt that the FGN posted a deficit of N325 bil-

UBA to raise additional capital

U

Stories by Collins Nweze

lion in June 2014, which was substantially lower than the budget projection (N482 billion) and the outturn the previous year (N458 billion),” the DMO stated.

The DMO has raised N765 billion (gross) year to date, while the 2014 budget projects net borrowing, predominantly domestic, at N572 billion.

The statement reads:“We conclude therefore that fiscal management has improved this year and that the DMO has been able to issue its latest calendar with greater confidence than three months previously. The total bid peaked at N294 billion in July as institutional investors rushed to buy the new long bond. The trend generally has been gently downward although demand in both Au-

•DMO D-G Abraham Nwankwo

gust and September was still close to twice the eventual sales by the DMO. “It remains the case that domestic investors have limited investment alternatives, particularly in fixed income. Our take on direction is that yields will drift in the weeks ahead, with a tendency towards softening. The offshore investor, of course, has the alternatives, and is likely to buy on any dips.”

Paga to participate in global devt programme

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OBILE payments service provider, Paga, has been selected to participate in the Girl Effect Accelerator, the world’s first global accelerator dedicated to benefiting girls in poverty.

The programme is being launched as a partnership between The Nike Foundation and Unreasonable Group.

Beginning on October 31st, just outside of San Francisco, the exclusive two-week programme will bring together 10 companies from across the world positioned to impact the lives of millions of adolescent girls living in poverty with world-class mentors, strategic financing, and access to a global network of support.

“Today, less than two cents of ev-

ery international development dollar goes to girls – the very people who could do most to end poverty.

“As long as girls remain invisible, the world misses out on a tremendous opportunity for change,” Executive Director of Global Innovation at the Nike Foundation, Shaifali Puri said.

During the programme, representatives from Paga and the other selected companies will be meeting with 20 renowned mentors including Jessica Jackley, co-founder of Kiva.org, George Kembel, founder of the Stanford d.school, Seth Godin, serial entrepreneur and author, and Paul Polak who has uplifted over 20 million people from poverty.

Paga Founder & CEO, Tayo Oviosu said “Growing up in a single parent

Name

Offer Price

AFRINVEST W. A. EQUITY FUND ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH BGL NUBIAN FUND BGL SAPPHIRE FUND CANARY GROWTH FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CORAL INCOME FUND FBN FIXED INCOME FUND FBN HERITAGE FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND

168.45 9.17 1.12 1.19 0.69 1.39 1,676.09 1,118.84 121.30 121.16 1,117.51 1.2387 1.2866 0.8694 1.0864

• UBA BALANCED FUND • UBA BOND FUND • UBA EQUITY FUND • UBA MONEY MARKET FUND

RETAIL DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM (RDAS) Transaction Dates 29/09/2014 24/09/2014 22/09/2014 ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Inflation: August

8.5%

Monetary Policy Rate

12.0%

CHANGE

Foreign Reserves Oil Price (Bonny Light/b)

C/PRICE

IKEJAHOTEL

2.66

2.92

0.26

SKYEBANK

2.77

2.87

0.10

STERLNBANK

2.32

2.40

0.08

30.50

31.47

0.97

Credit to private Sector (CPS)

HONYFLOUR

3.83

3.95

0.12

Primary Lending Rate (PLR)

FIDSON

3.40

3.50

0.10

NAHCO

5.03

5.15

0.12

RTBRISCOE

0.86

0.87

0.01

32.03

32.38

0.35

2.76

2.78

0.02

STANBIC MANSARD

LOSERS AS AT 13-10-14

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

SEPLAT

639.50

607.53

-31.97

31.92

30.33

-1.59

PORTPAINT

5.50

5.23

-0.27

LIVESTOCK

3.08

2.93

-0.15

PZ

C/PRICE

T

HE International Monetary Fund (IMF) is putting 2014 expansion at 3.3 per cent while giving a more hopeful forecast of 3.8 per cent in 2015, the African Development Bank (AfDB) has said.

It however said Ebola overshadowed the weak economic outlook.

The hemorrhagic disease, which the Group has already contributed $210 million to fight, dominated a number of panels and bilateral discussions at the World Bank meeting.

AfDB President Donald Kaberuka cautioned the world to “be careful with doomsday narratives.” He told delegates including the IMF’s Managing Director, President of the World Bank Group, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the Director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention along with the Presidents of the three hardest-hit nations that “the narrative getting out of this room must be one which says we can overcome Ebola.”

It was a message Kaberuka repeated in bilateral talks and forums including the WB/IMF Development Committee meeting, a session on the data revolution in Sub-Saharan Africa, the State of the African Region seminar and more.

He asked the international community to increase the flow of resources, worked to boost investor confidence in affected countries, urged preparation to battle the next epidemic and called for member nations to strengthen health systems in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.

DATA BANK

O/PRICE

INTBREW

CHANGE

and Paris, and a subsidiary in London providing broad-based banking services to over 10 million customers globally.

UBA offers a bouquet of banking services and products designed to meet the specific banking needs of its diverse multi-cultural and multi-lingual customer base in the three uniquely different continents.

In the last few years, UBA has been consolidating its operations across the African continent while focusing on the fast emerging growth opportunities in key sectors and economies in its countries of operations across Africa. It has emerged as a major player in key sectors of the African economy including; oil and gas, agriculture, infrastructure, telecoms, manufacturing and the power sector. Specifically UBA played a significant role in the privatisation of Nigeria’s power assets.

IMF puts 2014 global growth at 3.3%

Bid Price 167.01 9.08 1.12 1.19 0.69 1.33 1,676.09 1,118.03 120.45 120.30 1,116.70 1.2304 1.2866 0.8527 1.0864

GAINERS AS AT 13-10-14

SYMBOL

family where my mother was our superhero, I recognise only too clearly the societal pressures of tradition and discrimination that women face in trying to live up to their full potential.

Women are the bedrock of our society; and investing in them from an early age is the key to our economic progress. We are humbled and extremely excited to be chosen from so many to be part of this global initiative for change. We look forward to gaining key insights from the accelerator and working with the Unreasonable Group to better equip the next generation of African women.”

Head of Growth and Consumer Business at Paga, Daniel Oparison, who will be attending the program in California added:

NITED Bank for Africa Plc (UBA ) has started the process of raising Tier 1 Capital by way of a Rights Issue.

In a public announcement signed by its Company Secretary Mr. Bili Odum, the lender said it has shareholders approval as well as Board Resolutions authorising it to raise additional capital by various means, including a Rights Issue which will commence at a future date.

The Public Notice also stated that the Rights Issue will be on the basis of one new ordinary share for every 10 ordinary shares held as at a date to be communicated to shareholders and subject to regulatory approval.

The proceeds of the offer will boost UBA’s highly diversified businesses across Africa. (UBA) Plc, Africa’s global bank with operations in 19 African countries including Nigeria, has offices in New York,

Money Supply (M2)

Amount Sold in ($) 499.95m 349.96m 349.96m

CBN EXCHANGE RATES October 9, 2014

Currency

Buying (N)

Selling (N)

$39.4b

US Dollar

154.70

155.71

$97.9

Pounds Sterling

250.7724

252.3929

Euro

200.3394

201.634

Swiss Franc

165.7385

166.8095

Yen

1.445

1.4544

CFA

0.286

0.306

231.3531

232.8481

25.1773

25.3409

N16.42 trillion.

N17.2 trillion 16.5%

NIGERIAN INTER-BANK OFFERED RATES (NIBOR)

Tenor

Amount Offered in ($) 500m 350m 350m

08-10-14 Rate (%) Rate (%) 09-10-14

WAUA Yuan/Renminbi

Overnight (O/N)

11.00

10.917

Riyal

41.259

41.5256

1M

12.464

12.393

SDR

232.156

233.6562

3M

13.281

13.201

6M

14.205

14.110

FOREX RATES

DEAPCAP

0.87

0.83

-0.04

COSTAIN

0.90

0.86

-0.04

R-DAS ($/N)

157.29

157.29

FIDELITYBK

2.05

1.96

-0.09

Interbank ($/N)

162.75

162.75

WEMABANK

0.95

0.91

-0.04

STUDPRRESS

2.40

2.30

-0.10

Parallel ($/N)

167.50

167.50

ROYALEX

0.59

0.57

-0.02

GOVT. SECURITIES YIELD – SECONDARY MARKET

Tenor

Oct. 9, 2014

Rates

T-bills - 91

10.10

T-bills - 182

10.22

T-bills - 364

10.30

Bond - 3yrs

11.52

Bond - 5yrs

11.55

Bond - 7yrs

12.13

56

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014

NEWS Bad roads: PDP committee to invite Works minister

T

HE National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and leader of the party’s Publicity and Evaluation Committee, Mr. Olisa Metu, has said the committee would invite Works Minister Mike Onolememe to revisit federal roads in Aba. He said besides revisiting the roads, which are in a deplorable condition, there was need for the minister to intervene in federal roads in the Southeast.

Speaking with reporters in Umuahia after inspecting projects by the Governor Theodore Orji administration, Metu said although some of the federal roads are under reconstruction, more work needs to be done.

He said the quality of work they have seen is of high standard and worthy of emulation, adding that they never expected less from a PDP government, which had given the country 15 years of achievements.

Metu said: “During our tour

From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

of Abia State, we saw the diagnostics centre, dialysis centre and eye and heart centres, which people in the state and outside have been accessing.

“We also saw the new international conference centre, which is the best in the zone and number three in the country, the secretariat and the elibrary, the only one in the Southeast.

“We cannot stop talking about the e- documentation and the Joint Allocation Committee Building, as well as the Ohobo Housing Estate and other estates and the Ohiya Power Station.

“In all the things we saw, we are happy to report that our PDP governors have been doing well. We are happy with the Orji administration for its achievements.”

He said based on the things they saw, there was a media war against the government “because the things the governor has done have not been reported by the media.”

Deaconess dies at 73

T

HE death has occurred of Deaconess Christiana Olalonpe Moronfade Awodele. She died on October 8. She was 73.

Deaconess Awodele is survived by her husband and seven children, among whom are the former chairman of the Personnel Practitioners Consultative Association (PPCA), Ikeja, Lagos, Mr. Henry Awodele and the founder of Christiana Olalonpe Foundation Charity, Mrs. Dilly Seun Dokubo (a

•The late Mrs. Awodele

foundation she established in her honour).

Abia 2015: PDP inaugurates congress committee From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

T

HE Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has inaugurated an 11-man congress committee to elect ad hoc delegates for the governorship primaries slated for November 29.

Inaugurating the members at the party secretariat in Umuahia, the PDP Chairman, Senator Emma Nwaka, said the party adopted “Option A4” for the coming primaries.

He said delegates would line up behind the aspirants, stressing that the party believed the primary election would be transparent.

Nwaka said the inauguration of the congress committee is the responsibility of the state leadership, while the national leadership would appoint the committee for the primaries.

The Abia PDP chief said three ad hoc delegates would be produced to represent each of the 184 wards for the governorship primaries, while a delegate per local government would also be elected to participate in the presidential primaries.

He said the 552 ad hoc delegates would join the statutory delegates to elect the party’s standard-bearer in the governorship election, and enjoined committee members to be objective in the discharge of their assignment.

Nwaka reiterated the commitment of the party leadership to the principles of internal democracy and due process, assuring that aspirants would be given an equal opportunity.

‘Oko crisis ‘ll end soon’

T

HE crisis rocking the Federal Polytechnic, Oko in Anambra State and the host community will soon end, the Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr. Christian Odukwe, has said.

He spoke yesterday at the institution at a two-day workshop for senior administrative workers. Its theme is: “Developing skills for Peak Performance in Administration”.

The workshop was organised by the Senior Staff Association of University Teaching Hospital, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI), Federal Polytechnic, Oko branch.

Udukwe said: “We are

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

making progress in the crisis and with God, we hope that very soon, we will have a level-playing field where everybody will be happy.

“Very soon, we will have peace. This is why we are running the place with an olive branch to make the institution the best in the country. You will not make progress in an atmosphere of rancour.”

The Rector, Prof. Godwin Onu and the Chairman of SSAUTHRIAI, Mrs. Ifeoma Ezeokoli, said the purpose of the workshop is to re-orientate the senior administrative workforce on what constitutes the ingredients to excel in their duties.

•From left: Director Staff, Course 23, National Defence College, Abuja, Commodore, M.O. Kayoda; Team Leader, Course 23, NDC, Abuja, Commodore Aliyu Baba Lawal; Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and Team Coordinator, Commodore M. M. Kadiri, during a visit to the Government House, Ilorin... yesterday.

Enugu monarchs endorse Chime for Senate

M

ONARCHS in Enugu State have supported Governor Sullivan Chime’s senatorial ambition.

They cited his leadership qualities and achievements as reasons.

Chime is from Enugu West, the senatorial zone of Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, who is seeking reelection.

The traditional rulers’ position was part of a nine-point communiqué issued yesterday at the end of the quarter-

F

From Chris Oji, Enugu

ly meeting of the Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers.

It was signed by the Chairman, Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu.

The royal fathers said they noted with “delight the unparalleled, amazing and spectacular quantum leap to modernity, which urban and rural areas have experienced in the last seven years and three months under Governor Chime.”

They hailed him for “not being boastful of his achieve-

ments, for not wasting the resources of the state in advertising his achievements and for his efforts in entrenching a culture of investing the funds of the state in its development.”

“As members of the Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, we are prepared to support Governor Chime if he seeks elective office next year because of his leadership qualities,” the monarchs added.

The council hoped that the “next governor will emulate

Chime in the prudent management of the state’s resources to ensure continued development and discipline in government.”

The traditional rulers urged politicians to put the interest of the state and country above their interests for peaceful primaries and general elections.

They decried the high cost of wedding and the activities of Fulani cattle grazers, who, according to them, “destroy crops, harass farm owners and rape.”

Ex-minister joins Imo governorship race

ORMER Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory Chief Chuka Odom indicated yesterday his interest in the governorship election in Imo State.

He said his decision was based on the determination to chart a “sustainable and forward-looking initiatives, to drive growth.”

Odom said he declared his intention because the indigenes have not enjoyed the dividends of democracy.

The ex-minister, who spoke to reporters in Owerri at a news briefing, said: “The people have endured deprivation, insecurity, poor infrastructure, inadequate and poor healthcare facilities, disrespect for the rule of law, military-style

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

democracy and other problem.”

He went on: “We have got to a peak in what I call deceptive governance. The time has come to redress your regrets. It is time to put round pegs in round holes.

This daily whitewash can no longer hide our tooth decay. The time has come for a real change.”

Odom assured that if elected, his administration would not abandon the good policies and projects of the previous administration, adding: “Real change can only be achieved when we work together as a team and not when governance is turned into a one-man-show,

depriving the state of the strengths, which lie in each of us.”

Expressing optimism about his emergence as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the lawyerturned- politician noted that “all the people you are seeing today as frontrunners will soon become backbenchers. It does not matter how many people are in the race because experience has shown that underdogs win governorship elections in Imo.” He dismissed the insinuation of a consensus candidate or endorsement of any aspirant, stressing that the party had learnt from its past mistakes and would not toy with the idea of handpicking a candidate.

Okorocha gets ‘Leader par Excellence’ Award

T

HE Presbyterian Church of Nigeria has honoured Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha with the ‘Leadership par Excellence’ Award, in recognition of his purposeful governance and the humanitarian services provided through the Rochas Foundation.

Presenting the award at the Aladimma, Owerri parish of the church, the minister-in charge, Rev. Sunday Ole, said the state had witnessed development in the three years of the Rescue Mission Government.

He hailed the governor for the humanitarian services provided through the Rochas Foundation, which he said had

given hope to the children of the less privileged.

The cleric also praised the free education programme introduced by Okorocha in primary and secondary schools as well as in tertiary institutions.

He prayed that God should give him the opportunity of a greater responsibility to contribute to the development of the nation.

Delivering the governor’s citation, Dr. Obasi Oko described him as a great philanthropist, a teacher, an educationist par excellence, an orator, an apostle of peace, a detribalised Nigerian and an apostle of transformational leadership, who, given his

wealth of experience, is qualified for the highest political office in the country.

Okorocha thanked the Presbyterian Church for finding him worthy of the award and dedicated it to the masses and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), whom he said never shifted ground in ensuring a transparent election in the 2011 governorship poll.

The governor, who pledged to promote the well-being of the masses and invest in building a place of worship for God, urged Christians to pray for those in authority.

The Imo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Celina Oko, was also

•Okorocha

honoured with the award of ‘Ambassador of Christ (AC)’, for her dedicated, transparent, focused and uncompromising Christian life.

Copyright commission impounds N25m broadcast equipment

O

PERATIVES of the Nigeria Copyright Commission (NCC) in Enugu State have confiscated broadcast contrivances estimated at N25 million from pirates.

The raids were carried out in the Enugu metropolis and Abakaliki in Ebonyi State.

The NCC Enugu Zonal Manager, Mrs. Ngozi Okeke,

From Chris Oji, Enugu

told reporters that the operation took copyright inspectors to Asata, Uwani, Achara Layout and Agbani Road, in the Enugu metropolis, while they also raided Oraifite Street, Water Works Road and its environs in Abakaliki.

The contrivances confiscated included three Humax decoders, one DSTV decoder, 20

strong decoders, two CTL decoders, two GOTV decoders and three AD/Sport smart cards.

Also confiscated were one Al Jazeera smart card, one DSTV smart card, four cash receipt booklets, three cash record note books and remote controls.

Mrs. Okeke said the two-day operation was led by Macfoy

Akachukwu.

The operations, she said, involved cutting and destruction of cable wires and boosters used by the pirates in the illegal distribution of content and signals. Other items were dismantled.

Mrs. Okeke urged the public to heed the advice of the director-general to support NCC in its fight against piracy.

57

THE NATION TUESDAY OCTOBER 14, 2014

NEWS Oshiomhole praises Fed Govt on power sector reforms

E

DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has praised President Goodluck Jonathan for his determination to fast track the power sector development.

The governor, who spoke at the Azura Transaction Closure Summit in Abuja, added that the government’s commitment to the power sector was moving in the right direction.

He said as a unionist, he believes that the challenge of poverty could only be fought through sustained and concerted efforts at wealth creation, adding that the private sector leadership in this direction must be appreciated.

Oshiomhole, who hailed the initiator of the Azura project, David Ladipo, for his doggedness and foresight, said the project is adjudged to be the country’s first large-scale Independent Power Plant (IPP).

The governor said his administration is committed to partnering the private sector and genuine investors in deepening the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the economy of the state through appropriate waivers and incentives.

He assured would-be investors of investment-friendly host communities in Edo State, including “peaceful and se-

cured environment clearly ahead of others in the SouthSouth region”.

The Minister of Power, Prof.

Chinedu Nebo, described the Azura project as the most important milestone in the nation’s development of IPPs, as it has paved the way for others to learn from its experience.

On the challenge of inadequate transmission infrastructure, he assured that the project would not suffer, pledging that government would make adequate provisions for infrastructure, which will be sufficient to wheel-out all energy produced at the plant.

The minister also spoke about the power sector privatisation, describing the process as a pointer to the country’s coming of age and privatisation as being sacrosanct to the power sector reform.

The Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria is leading other banks as the Global Mandated Lead Arranger for the $750 million Azura-Edo Power Project.

It is the first foreign private investor-led power plant in the country, which is projected to add 450 megawatts to the national grid at first phase and peak at 1,500 megawatts at the project’s final completion.

Tayo Akpata dies at 83

From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

som of N2.2 million to set her free.

But luck ran out on them when operatives of the DSS arrested them at separate locations after they had shared the money, with each taking home N360, 000.

The suspects - Uche Ujugbeli, Friday Jonathan, Amos Ekerikevwe, Felix

Emmanuel Ekere, Kelly Otuedon, Chibuike Nnakwe and Momo Otuedon - have confessed to the crime, according to the director of DSS, Florence Ikanone, who paraded them before reporters.

Ikanone said the leader of the gang, Morris, who is still at large, sold the victim’s Mercedes ML 350 SUV, in addition to getting the largest share - N400, 000 - from the loot.

Ekere and Ujugbeli shared her phones.

“Efforts are on to arrest other members of the gang, even as those already in the command’s custody will soon be arraigned in court,” she said.

One of the suspects, 25-yearold Friday Jonathan, admitted that the gang kidnapped Mrs. Pirah and collected N2.2 million from her relatives.

Court fines Navy N.9m in Effurun •The late Akpata

dren and grandchildren.

A proud alumnus of Edo College, Benin and University of Hull, United Kingdom, the late Akpata served as the Deputy Registrar of the University of Ibadan, Oyo State.

He was a Director of Bendel Feeds and Flower Mills (BFFM) and Chairman of IBM (Nigeria) Ltd.

Delta governorship seat: Anioma leaders seek Jonathan’s backing

A

HE Department of State Security Service (SSS), Delta Command, has arrested seven men for their roles in the abduction of Mrs. Harriet Pirah , wife of Commissioner for Oil and Gas Mr. Joseph Pirah.

Mrs. Pirah was kidnapped by the hoodlums on July 24, around Angle Park in Warri to a forest near Railway Road in Agbarho.

The suspects collected a ran-

•Immediate past Interim National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande (second left) inaugurating the renovated General Hospital, Ikere…yesterday. With him from left are Deputy Governor Prof. Modupe Adelabu; Governor Kayode Fayemi, Commissioner for Environment Dr. Eniola Ajayi and Chairman, Ikere-West Local Council Development Area, Mr. Gbenga Omole.

A

FORMER Trustee and Executive Secretary of the defunct Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) and a onetime Commissioner for Education in old Bendel State, Chief Tayo Akpata (CON) is dead.

He passed on peacefully at his Ikoyi, Lagos residence around 10am yesterday, at 83.

A statement from the family confirmed the death of the elder statesman and astute administrator, who was the ‘Ima of Benin’.

Details of his funeral will be announced in due course, according to the statement.

The late Akpata is survived by his wife, Mrs. Olabisi Akpata, nee Ayorinde; chil-

T

Seven arrested for abducting Delta commissioner’s wife

DELEGATION of Anioma people of Delta State, led by the Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Chike Edozien, has requested for President Goodluck Jonathan’s backing on their quest to occupy the governor’s seat next year.

The details of a closed door meeting of the delegation with the president at the State House, Abuja last Wednesday, was not made public.

Sources told The Nation that the delegation presented three people governorship candidates to Jonathan.

They are Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Health Ndudi Elumelu, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and Victor Ochei.

The meeting did not, however, select any individual as the prefer candidate for the governorship seat.

But Prof. Edozien, in an interview with State House correspondents after the meeting with Jonathan, said: “We are here to confer with the President on national issues; issue of security affecting the country and the coming elections”.

He said the delegation pledged its support for the president, if he decides to seek re-election next year.

The monarch confirmed that the issue of the zone, which will produce the next governor of Delta State, was also discussed. .Asked who he had in mind, the monarch said: “We have many worthy sons and many people in our area that if elected will be good governors.”

Meanwhile, Ndudi, who is the younger brother of businessman and philanthropist, Mr. Tony Elumelu, has declared his intention to run for the governor.

The younger Elumelu, who declared his intention at a special service at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Onicha-Uku in AniochaNorth Local Government Area, promised to prioritise the welfare of the people, if given the opportunity to lead the state.

He donated 10 vehicles and 30 tricycles for distribution to people in the three senatorial districts as part of his empowerment programme.

A

HIGH Court in Delta State has fined the Naval Command in Effurun and some of its officers N900,000 in three related suits filed by Chief Efe Afe, owner of Kayriot Hotel and Suites, Effurun and two others.

The fine, according to Justice Roli Daibo Harriman, covered suits by initiated by Chief Afe, Mr. Tony Okosun, General Manager and Rachael Usen.

From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

The Navy, Chief of Naval Staff and Lt. Uche Akalieze of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta, Warri Naval Base were the 1st, 2nd and 3rd respondents.

Justice Harriman said: “With regard to what happened on January 30, 2014, the 3rd respondent and other officers of the respondents intimidated, harassed, threatened and destroyed the property of the applicant on Janu-

ary 30, 2014.

“The arrest and detention of the 1st and 2nd respondents - Chief Afe and his hotel manager - on January 31, 2014 is unconstitutional and violates the applicants’ fundamental human rights as contained in the 1999 Constitution.

“The respondents whether by themselves, their agents, servants, privies or howsoever called, are hereby restrained from further arrest-

ing or detaining the applicant based on the facts leading to this application.”

The court also ordered the Navy to apologise to the applicants within two weeks of the judgment.

Commanding Officer of the NNS Delta, Navy Captain Musa Gemu, said the judgment was rather in favour of the force.

But he said details could only be provided by the force’s counsel.

4, 000 PDP members defect to APC in Edo •Governor says ‘no to imposition of candidates’

F

OUR thousand members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have defected to the Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC) at a rally in IkhobhaOkha Local Government Area.

The defectors were led by a former secretary to the local government and ex-secretary of the PDP, Onaiwu Ugbogbo, eight PDP ward chairmen and over 300 executive committee members.

The new APC members said they were deceived in PDP for long, adding that “the time has come for a change that will benefit all of us and the change and comfort we have found in the APC”.

The defectors noted that the government came to their rescue when their areas were ravaged by erosion.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole, who received the defectors, assured party faithful that the APC leadership would not impose any candidate on the party.

He said candidates would emerge through transparent and credible primaries.

From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

The governor said no leader, including himself, would impose any candidate in the party’s primaries.

“Whoever you choose, we will support the persons and ensure victory for the party. I want to assure you that it will be one man, one vote”.

On the Saturday’s attack in the House of Assembly quarters, the governor said the PDP and its leaders could be likened to a snake that had been cut and which would eventually die.

S

“They got police support and went to the legislative quarters with firearms and wanted to kill our Assembly men. What is their anger? They went to collect money with a promise that they will take over the House of Assembly. They got here and they got stuck, contrary to their calculations. We have shown that we are totally in charge.

“We have got our budget for 2016 signed while other PDP governors are still struggling to get their budgets together.

Having seen that they cannot achieve what they wanted, they started making trouble. We

•Governor Oshiomhole moved our people from Ring Road and so, out of frustration, they decided to resort to killing. While they do things in the name of people, we do things in the name of God”.

The senator Afenmai need, by Ihonvbere

ECRETARY to Edo State Government Prof. Julius Ihonvbere has outlined the character of the senator that Edo North people need to represent their interests from next year.

Ihonvbere, who spoke to APC local government leaders in Etsako Central council area over his interest to represent them in the National Assembly, said Edo North needs a senator, who is committed to the welfare of the people.

His words: “Afenmai needs a senator that whoever becomes governor after our son,

would respect him. A senator, who can defend and advance the interest of Afenmai land.

“The senator we need in Edo North must be critically available and assert himself in the activities of our people on a regular basis, at all times. These are the qualities of a senator and anybody, who does not have this, is not fit to be a senator.”

Ihonvbere added: “I want you people to support me to go to Abuja to represent you because I am properly qualified; I am educated more than my opponents and I am more exposed than any of them”.

58

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014

NEWS Alamieyeseigha’s son’s body found on Dubai street Continued from page 4

his first son, Tonbra, to determine the circumstances of his son’s death.

A member of the family, who did not want to be named, said Alamieyeseigha might stop over at Aso Rock in Abuja to brief President Goodluck Jonathan about the matter.

The source said: “Actually, we got the information yesterday (Sunday). We didn’t initially believe it but we decided to call our family in Dubai to know what was happening.

“They said the information they brought to them was that his body was found on the street in Dubai. After finding the body, they checked it and

discovered his ID card.

“They located the address through the ID card. After finding the house, they discovered that the deceased was a former governor’s son.

“They later came back again with the story that they worked on the corpse and found out that he committed suicide. But Alamieyeseigha said he was going to Dubai himself to find out what really happened.

“He left for Abuja along with his first son, Tonbra.

From there, he may brief the President before going to Dubai.

“We are still doubting the claims of suicide because we don’t know how the body of a person who committed suicide would be found on the

street. It is quite unfortunate.

We believe that the story was made up. What would have made him commit suicide?”

Alamieyeseigha is unlikely to accept the suicide claims.

When contacted through a text message by our correspondent, the aggrieved former governor said: “He was killed in Dubai.”

President Goodluck Jonathan expressed shock at the death of the boy.

In a statement by Dr. Reuben Abati, Dr. Jonathan said he received with shock and immense sadness news of the death of Oyamuyefa in Dubai at the weekend.

“On behalf of his family and the Federal Government, President Jonathan extends heartfelt condolences to Oya-

muyefa’s father, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and his entire family on the untimely loss of a very dear son in the prime of his life.

“The President and the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, share their pain and grief over the death of Oyamuyefa in circumstances that are still unclear.

“President Jonathan assures Chief Alamieyeseigha and his family of the full support of the Federal Government as they strive to unravel the true circumstances of the young man’s death.

“He prays that God Almighty will receive Oyamuyefa’s soul and comfort his grieving parents and siblings.

Boko Haram: Multinational troops for Borno Continued from page 4

the Lake Chad Basin, until the legal arrangements are finalised for the operation of the force.

President Goodluck Jonathan expressed confidence that intensification of joint patrols, military operations and intelligence sharing

by Nigeria and neighbouring countries as agreed by their leaders in Niamey last week, would curtail the insurgency and other cross-border crimes.

He spoke while welcoming the Ministers of Defence and Foreign Affairs of Chad, Niger, Cameroon and Benin Re-

public, who were in Abuja to work with their Nigerian counterparts on a legal framework for the cross-border military operations.

Jonathan said: “I believe that if we cooperate more and monitor our borders closely, the movement of criminals and terrorists as well as small arms and ammunition across our shared borders will also be drastically reduced.”

With their collective experience and professionalism, he said, the visiting ministers and their Nigerian counterpart should come up with an effective action plan for the successful implementation of the decisions reached by the

leaders of Nigeria, Chad, Niger, Cameroon and Benin Republic at their meeting in Niamey on October 7.

A statement by presidential spokesman Reuben Abati said: “At that meeting, the leaders announced plans to step up the fight against Boko Haram. A communiqué issued after the meeting said that a command centre for a multinational force headed by a chief of staff will be in place by November 20.”

“The leaders also agreed to finalise the deployment of troops promised by memberstates to form the multinational force within their national borders by November

1.”

The visiting ministers at the audience with President Jonathan are: Niger’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Mohammed Bazoun, Cameroon’s Minister of External Relations Mr. Pierre Moukoko Mbonjo, Chad’s Minister of Defence Mr. Benaindo Tatola, Chad’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Muossa Faki Mahamat, Niger’s Minister of Defence Mr. K. Mahamadou, Benin’s Minister of Defence Mr. Robert Yarou, Benin’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Mr. Nassirou Bako Arifari and Cameroon’s Minister of Defence Mr. Edgar Alain Debe Ngo’o.

2015: Court to accelerate hearing of suit on Jonathan’s eligibility Continued from page 4

election.

•A declaration that in view of the provision of Section 137(1)(b) of the Constitution, no person can present himself for the purpose of being elected as

President, having participated as candidate and emerged winner at two previous presidential elections on account of which the person would have spent a period of eight years in office by the time the winner of the

2015 presidential election will be sworn into office.

•A declaration the by the provision of Section 135 of the Constitution, any person holding the office of the President and Commanderin-Chief of the Federal Re-

public of Nigeria cannot continue to act in that capacity for a period exceeding eight years from the date he/she first took or deemed to have first taken the oath of allegiance and oath of office.

Four Chibok girls escape Continued from page 4

the only ones that have escaped from a Boko Haram camp.”

Davis said the girls had been told that if they fled Boko Haram, their families would be killed.

Director of Publicity Kibaku Area Development Association Dr. Manasseh Allen, of the Chibok Community in Abuja, said last night, after making calls, that he could not confirm the escape of the girls.

Six months have passed since more than 200 girls were snatched from their boarding-school dormitory in Borno State by Boko Haram operatives.

Their abduction sparked global outrage and a huge campaign calling for their rescue, partly propelled by the hashtag #BringBack-

OurGirls.

United States First Lady Michelle Obama issued a tweet holding a sign emblazoned with the hashtag.

Davis said several attempts to negotiate their release have fallen through.

Advocates have expressed frustration that the world has moved on.

“Even before Ebola and ISIS’s intensified activities, most of the world that stood with #BringBackOurGirls had moved on,” Ibrahim Abdullahi, the lawyer who started the #BringBackOurGirls campaign, said.

“But we here in Nigeria and a few others outside haven’t moved on. We have been persistent. We have been tweeting about it every day. We’re doing a daily one-hour sit out in Abuja and weekly in Lagos.”

Fayose: Test for Executive as NJC orders courts to sit Continued from page 4

following attacks on judges and courts by thugs suspected to be sympathetic to Governor-elect Ayo Fayose.

Fayose is in court in a case by a pressure group E-11, challenging his eligibility to contest the June 21 governorship election in the state which he won.

But his supporters are believed to be working towards stopping the case from taking place before Fayose is sworn in on Thursday Two judges were atttacked on September 22 and 25.

On September 22, Justice Olusegun Ogunyemi’s court was disrupted during proceedings in the eligibili-

ty case.

The judge refused an application to set aside an order abridging the time for Fayose to file his defence.

On September 25, Justice John Adeyeye, was beaten and his suit torn The NJC directed the police to investigate the incidents and also to provide security for courts in the state to ensure impartial administration of justice after the CJ reported the attacks to the body, which conveyed an emergency meeting.

But the security agencies have since taken over the premises of the courts claiming that it was not safe for judges to operate. That was the situation uptill yesterday.

THE NATION TUESDAY OCTOBER 14, 2014

59

FOREIGN NEWS

Globally-respected African scholar, Prof.

Ali Mazrui, dies at 81

O

NE of Africa’s most respected scholars and political writers, Kenyan Professor Ali Mazrui has died in the United States, the Kenyan media are reporting. He was 81.

Prof. Ali Mazrui at the Achebe Colloquium at Brown University Kenya Daily, The Standard, quoted Mombasa Senator, Hassan Omar and Governor Hassan Joho as confirming the death and the preparations to bury him in Mombasa.

Mr. Joho, according to the paper, said the Coast region had lost a great man, a scholar, academic professor of Islamic and African studies.

“My friend Professor Ali Mazrui, your intellect amazed the world,” he reportedly said.

The paper also quoted Muhuri’s Khalif Khelif as saying the late Prof. Mazrui had been unwell.

“He had wished to be bur-

K

ied in Mombasa’s historical Fort Jesus area,” The Standard quoted Mr. Khelif as saying.

“Plans are underway to fly the body here.”

Prof Mazrui, 81, was born on February 24, 1933 in Mombasa, Kenya.

He was a foremost political writer and intellectual on African and Islamic studies and North-South relations, according to his entry on Wikipedia.

“Mr. Mazrui studied at schools in Mombasa, in Kenya. He obtained his B.A. with Distinction from Manchester University in Great Britain in 1960, his M.A. from Columbia University in New York in 1961, and his doctorate (DPhil) from Oxford University (Nuffield College) in 1966.

“Upon completing his education at Oxford University, Mazrui joined Makerere University (Kampala, Uganda), where he served as head of the Department of Political Science and Dean of the Fac-

•Professor Mazrui at a Boston University event

ulty of Social Sciences.

“He served at Makerere University until 1973, when he was forced into exile by Idi Amin.

“In 1974, he joined the faculty of the University of

sence from public view.

Foreign analysts of the regime have speculated, on the basis of very limited empirical evidence, that this may be based on a variety of causes ranging from gout, diabetes, heavy smoking on the part of the young leader, ankle injuries sustained during recent military inspection visits, and most recently (according to testimony from a German doctor who met Mr Kim) substantial problems in his endocrine system and internal organs.

Poor health is a plausible explanation for Mr Kim's decision to shun the limelight a striking departure for a leader who, in marked contrast to his publicity-shy father (the late Kim Jong-il), has appeared to revel in high-profile public appearances.

•Pistorius

S

OUTH African athlete Oscar Pistorius should not go to jail over the killing of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, his sentencing hearing has been told.

A probation officer appearing for the defence said Pistorius should serve house arrest and community service.

Prosecutor Gerrie Nel de-

scribed the suggestion as “shockingly inappropriate”.

Pistorius was found guilty of the culpable homicide of Ms Steenkamp last month - but was cleared of murder.

The decision was criticised by the victim’s family.

Pistorius faces up to 15 years in jail, although Judge Thokozile Masipa may suspend the sentence or impose a fine.

She said the athlete had acted “negligently” when he shot his girlfriend through a toilet door, but had genuinely thought her to be an intruder.

This was Oscar Pistorius’s big chance to convince Judge Thokozile Masipa that he does not deserve to spend a day in prison for killing Reeva Steenkamp.

It seemed to go reasonably well for the defence. The athlete’s first witness was

Ebola: Liberia medics defy ‘danger money’ strike call

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URSES and medical assistants fighting the Ebola outbreak in Liberia have largely ignored a call to strike over danger money and conditions.

Most health workers were working as normal on Monday, the BBC’s Jonathan Paye-Layleh in Monrovia said.

A union official said the government had coerced workers to ignore the strike - but the government said it had simply

asked them to be reasonable.

Liberia is the country hit hardest by the deadliest ever Ebola outbreak.

Health workers are among those most at risk of catching the disease. Ninety-five have died from the virus in Liberia.

The latest outbreak has killed more than 4,000 people in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Nigeria since it was identified in March.

World Health Organization

(WHO) Director-General Margaret Chan said the outbreak threatened the “very survival of societies and governments in already very poor countries”.

Liberia’s National Health Workers Association had called the strike to demand an increase in the monthly risk fee paid to those treating Ebola cases.

The union wants workers to be paid a risk fee of $700 (£434) a month. The fee is currently less than $500 a month, on top

of basic salaries of between $200 and $300.

The association also wants more protective equipment and insurance for workers, and has accused the government of not providing enough protection from the virus.

On Monday, the association’s secretary-general, George Williams, said the government had put some health workers under “duress” and persuaded them to work.

U.N. chief demands Israel scrap East Jerusalem settlement plan

I

SRAEL’S Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) and U.N. SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon shake hands before their meeting in Jerusalem October 13, 2014. Ban Ki-moon is on a twoday visit to the West Bank, Israel and Gaza.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Kimoon called on Israel yesterday to scrap plans to expand settlements in East Jerusalem, which Palestinians want as the capital of a future state, and urged both sides to return rapidly to peace talks.

Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza

Binghamton University, State University of New York as the Albert Schweitzer Professor in the Humanities and the Director of the Institute of Global Cultural Studies (IGCS).

“He is an Albert Schweitzer Professor in the Humanities and the Director of the Institute of Global Cultural Studies at Binghamton University in Binghamton, New York.”

Oscar Pistorius community service angers prosecutor, victim’s family

North Korea: Where is Kim Jong-un?

IM Jong-un, North Korea's 32-year-old leader, has been absent from public view for more than 38 days, prompting a flurry of speculation about the political stability of a regime notorious for its opaqueness and secrecy.

In particular, Mr Kim's nonattendance at two high-profile public events - the 10 October anniversary of the establishment of the Korean Worker's Party, and the 9 September Foundation Day of the North Korean State - two signature days in the political calendar when the leader would be expected to make an appearance, has been read by some as a sign of potential political turmoil behind the scenes.

Official North Korean media have cited unspecified personal "discomfort" as grounds for Mr Kim's ab-

Michigan as professor and later was appointed the Director of the Center for Afroamerican and African Studies (1978–1981).

“In 1989, he was appointed to the faculty of

PHOTO: Reuters

Strip and East Jerusalem in the 1967 Middle East War and annexed the city’s eastern half in a move not recognized internationally. Palestinians seek to establish statehood in the three territories, while Israel considers Jerusalem its eternal and indivisible capital.

Ban criticized Israel’s latest settlement growth plan after meeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem as part of a visit to the region a day after Western and Arab nations pledged $5.4 billion at a Cairo conference to help rebuild Gaza.

The densely populated coastal enclave was widely devastated in a July-August

war between Israel and Hamas Islamists who took control of Gaza after the Israelis withdrew from it in 2005.

Earlier this month, Israel announced plans to build 2,600 housing units in the “neighborhood” of Givat Hamatos on occupied land on the southeast fringes of Jerusalem, close to the Palestinian West Bank city of Bethlehem.

The move, which critics say would cut Palestinians off from Jerusalem, forming a ring of Jewish settlements around the southern flank of the city, has already been roundly denounced by the United States and the European Union.

trauma counsellor Lore Hartzenberg, who strongly implied that a “broken” Pistorius had been punished enough. Prosecutor Gerrie Nel, all snarls and scepticism, questioned her professionalism during cross-examination, but struggled to rattle her.

The next witness was an even tougher challenge for the prosecution, since social worker Joel Maringa had been assigned by the state, not the

defence, to assess what punishment was suitable. He recommended no time in prison, and three years of house arrest and community service instead.

Judge Masipa, as usual, was giving little away, but asked for more details about what “community service” might entail. If you’re looking for clues, that may be the highlight from the first day - and remember, the prosecution has yet to call its own witnesses.

60

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THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014

NATION SPORT

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CAVANI keeps Arsenal, Liverpool waiting ‘till January E

EDINSON cavani is ready to listen to offers from Arsenal and Liverpool in the January transfer window.

Both clubs have been linked with a move for the unsettled Uruguayan in recent times and reports in Spain suggest their overtures will not go unheard.

Cavani continues to struggle with playing second fiddle to Zlatan Ibrahimovic at the PSG. And despite reassurances from Laurent Blanc that a new formation this season would see the 27-year-old more involved in his preferred position, Cavani could still move on.

Indeed, it is suggested that Cavani would jump at the chance to be a first choice at a Premier League club.

Arsene Wenger is a known admirer of the former Napoli man, while Liverpool may still be in the market for a forward despite the summer signing of Mario Balotelli.

PSG are believed to value Cavani in the region of £55m and it now remains to be seen whether either Arsenal or Liverpool are prepared to fork out that much in the upcoming transfer window.

•Cavani

Mourinho doubtful on Varane deal

J

ose Mourinho has admitted that he will struggle to agree a deal to tale Real

Madrid defender Raphael Varane to Stamford Bridge, according to the Daily Star.

The Chelsea boss worked with the France international for two years at the Bernabeu having signed him from Lens in 2011, and has suggested that would be keen on a reunion in West London.

However the 51 year old, who currently has his side at the top of the Premier League table, believes that the centre back will remain with the European Champions for the foreseeable future.

Varane has made seventynine appearances in all competitions for Real, scoring four goals, and with the club has already been victorious in La Liga, the Copa del Rey, Champions League and Super Cup. He is set to win his fifteenth international cap in tomorrow afternoon’s friendly in Armenia, where the away win can be backed at 2/5.

Maicon pens new Roma deal

Valdes trial Carroll linked with R Newcastle return snub dismisssed

OMA full-back Maicon has signed a one-year contract extension with

N

EWCASTLE United will be offered a chance to re-sign striker Andy Carroll in the January transfer window, according to Evening Chronicle.

The Hammers appear to be fed up with the player’s ongoing injury problems and they are ready to offload him in the winter.

And with Newcastle reportedly interested in his services, West Ham aim to try and persuade the Magpies into submitting an official proposal.

Alan Pardew is desperate to sign a new striker in January despite the recent resurgence of Papiss Cisse and he seems ready to take a gamble with Carroll.

The 25-year-old is currently out with an ankle injury and he has yet to feature for the Hammers this season.

• Mourinho

Since leaving Newcastle for Liverpool in a record deal, Carroll has managed mere 15 goals in 83 Premier League outings.

• Caroll

V

ICTOR Valdes' agent has denied a report claiming the former

Barcelona goalkeeper had rejected a move to Liverpool after being asked to undergo a trial.

Liverpool have been credited with an interest in 32-year-old Valdes for some time, with the Spaniard a free agent after leaving Barcelona in the summer when his contract expired.

Reports over the weekend claimed that Liverpool invited Valdes over for training so they could assess his fitness after suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury in March, but that the Spain international snubbed the offer.

However, Valdes' representative, agent Gines Carvajal, insists they did not reject any offer to go trial from Liverpool and that they had no contact with Brendan Rodgers about a possible

•Valdes’

move to Anfield.

"Liverpool didn't ask us to train for four days. We haven't rejected it because it [the story] is false," Carvajal told Sport.

"Neither Brendan Rodgers nor Liverpool have ever made us this proposal, at any time."

Denis Suarez set for Barcelona return

S

•Denis Suarez

PANISH midfielder Denis Suarez could be returning to Barcelona sooner than expected, according to Catalan media outlet Sport.

The 20-year-old joined Sevilla on a two-year loan with an option to buy in the summer, but it seems the Catalans have regretted letting the player leave the club.

Namely, Suarez largely impressed at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, starting five of seven league fixtures to help los Rojiblancos climb to third in the league standings.

As a result, Sevilla are

widely expected to activate a •6 million buy-out clause, although it is important to note that Barcelona will have the last say considering that they can buy back the player for •9 million in that case.

If their transfer ban is upheld, the Catalans will probably attempt to bring Suarez back to Camp Nou next summer, and while their league rivals can reject such an arrangement, the two clubs are expected to find some sort of agreement given the excellent relations between them.

the Serie A club.

The 33-year-old Brazilian's previous deal at the Stadio Olimpico was set to expire at the end of this season.

However, the former Inter and Manchester City man put pen to paper on a new contract on Monday, which will keep him in the Italian capital until June 2016 and includes the option of a further season.

A statement published on Roma's official website read: "AS Roma is pleased to announce that Maicon Douglas Sisenando has signed a contract extension with the club.

"His new deal will run until June 30, 2016 and includes an option for a further season."

Speaking about the deal, Maicon said: "I'm proud to go on wearing these colours for many years to come.

"It's a great honour and now it's down to me to perform."

Maicon has been rejuvenated by his return to Serie A, making 28 top-flight appearances last term as Roma finished second.

•Maicon

Tonnies backs Di Matteo’s appointment

R

OBERTO Di Matteo's appointment as Schalke head coach has received the full backing of club president Clemens Tonnies.

The Italian was unveiled by general manager Horst Heldt as the replacement for Jens Keller last Tuesday.

Schalke have only picked up eight points from seven Bundesliga matches this season, while they have collected two draws in the UEFA Champions League.

• Young •DiMatteo's

Although one of those draws was at Chelsea, Keller was relieved of his duties following a 2-1 defeat to Hoffenheim, with Di Matteo announced as his successor on the same day.

Tonnies has praised the way Heldt dealt with the situation.

"He's got my full backing," Tonnies told Sport Bild. "He was looking for a fantastic coach and he got one.

"It is all down to him [Heldt] and he did a great job.

"It was looking increasingly unlikely that he [Keller] was going to stay beyond the summer anyway.

"Given the latest matches, which we were no longer able to influence positively, we said that we had to do it [replace him] now."

Di Matteo's first match in charge will come on Saturday at home to Hertha Berlin, with a meeting against former club Chelsea looming on the horizon next month.

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014

62

SPORT EXTRA

Falcons' coaches turn spies in Namibia

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•Okon

HE absence of key members of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) technical department at the Africa Women Championship here in Windhoek,Namibia has forced the coaches of Nigeria's senior women's national team to take their destinies into their hands as regards monitoring their likely opponents in the semi finals.

Chief coach of the Super Falcons,Edwin Okon led his assistants and all the players to the Independence stadium in Windhoek where teams in Group B of the championship play their matches.

After the first encounter which the Lionesses of Cameroon won by a late

From Onyewuchi Nwaachukwu in Windhoek minute lone goal,the players left the stadium with other backroom staff leaving coach Edwin Okon and two of his assistants to monitor the second game between the Black Queens of Ghana and Algeria which the North Africans also won by a dying minute goal.

Before the tournament kicked off,Algeria may have been tipped as the weeping girls of the team because of their less fancied pedigree but after watching them beat Ghana on Sunday,coach Okon and his technical crew may have to start preparing for the North Africans as possible semi finals opponents.

I’m not under pressure to score, Oshoala declares

R

IVERS Angels star,Asisat Oshoala says she won't pursue self glory at the detriment of the general ambition of the Super Falcons which is to lift the African Women Championship and qualify for next year's FIFA senior Women's World Cup as African Champions.

The forward who has been likened to legendary late Super Eagles’ star,Rashid Yekini after bursting into global limelight by emerging the Most Valuable Player and the Highest goal scorer of the Canada 2014 FIFA Women's World Cup but at this AWC here in Namibia coach Okon has primarily deployed the fleet-footed star as an offensive midfielder playing behind the strikers and sometimes operating from the wings.

Oshoala who incidentally is being coached at club level by the same Coach Okon told Nationsport after the team's training yesterday that she was not under any pressure

From Onyewuchi Nwaachukwu in Windhoek to score goals as long as the target of the team is achieved.

Said she:"No no,it didn't bother me that I did not score against Cote d'Ivoire in our first game''She started.

"As long as I do what the coach instructed me to do and the team wins eventually,i have no problem with that.If I'm in possession of the ball and any of my teammates is in a better position to score,i'll pass the ball to her.That's why the game is about team work. ''You watched the game against the Ivorians and saw how I worked with Desire Oparanozie and when the team wins,the whole of Nigeria is happy and nobody talks about whethere this person scored or no'' "If the opportunity comes for me to score,why not but the point I'm making is that i'll continue to work hard for the overall success of my team"

•Oshoala

Odoh wins pros’ event at Lakowe anniversary tourney •Tobias, others cart home prize for team event ORMER Professional anniversary was arrived at in Golfers’ Association of July this year, and was among Nigeria (PGAN) Order of other things to help from a Merit leader, Oche Andrew public relations point of view Odoh, Wednesday beat 23 other especially, with regards to the contenders to win the professionals because it is professionals’ event of the 2nd sometimes difficult for them to Anniversary and Independence get on Lakowe Golf Club. From Day Pro-Am of Lakowe Lakes a playing perspective, it is an Golf Club, Lagos. enjoyable event for the In the tourney, which amateurs to get on to play with witnessed spasm of rainfall, 23 the professionals. And being a top-placed pro players played team event, every one alongside a horde of amateur contributes to the winning players. Format was better ball scores.”

Stableford (full handicap On how the rainfall allowance) and scoring was detracted from the enjoyment lowest two of the group, of the tourney by the including that of the competitors, he expressed professional. doubts whether it did much Odoh finished third barely a insisting that the volume was no week ago at the Second Delta cause for worry even as he State Open Golf Championship, stressed that the joy and which took place at the Ibori excitement that goes with Golf and Country Club, Asaba, amateur golfers playing Delta State. In that contest, he alongside professionals was carded 299 to hole out behind palpable enough to stem any Gift Willy and Emos Korblah, worries. who finished first and second The tournament, which was in that order. expected to feature about 100 To carry the day in that players, saw a few keep away. category, Odoh carded 73 gross “Unfortunately, we lost about while the quartet of Chidiebere 10 per cent of the total number Tobias of Ikeja Golf Club, Lagos, of players that were expected, Lee Pape, Yvette Pape and but that was not a problem at Dahar Nicolas of garnered 87 all,” the golf director stated.

Stableford points to finish tops.

Campbell, a British PGA “It is really great winning qualified professional, with over again. The victory is even more 25 years experience within the special because it is an event to golf club and resort business, mark our independence. I love who described the facility as, the course, its wonderful layout “fantastic and undoubtedly the and the club’s hospitality. I wish best in West Africa,” however, to play more events here,” stated that it was “still a long Odoh told The Guardian after way to go in terms of getting the his victory. quality even to a higher level Pro Michael Ubi of Air and in terms of tournament Assault Golf Club, Port organisation. That is why I am Harcourt; John Davies, Edward here to help and get it running Townsley and Abiye Amakiri in the right direction. The firm finished second in the team running the outfit knows that event, while the third place there are a few things to team in that category was that improve upon, but the comprising of professional foundation for the club moving player Jacob Omorh, Niyi forward is very strong and Falade, Ndidi Njide and Hector positive.”

Okposo.

He said the club would retain According to Golf Director, the Pro-Am format for next Lakowe Golf Club, Campbell year’s anniversary celebration Elliot, “The idea behind having since the amateurs and a Pro-Am to mark our second professionals enjoy.

F

ABA TRADERS CUP

Osisioma canopy pillars win MTN’s cash prize

T

HE Year 2014 edition of the Aba Traders Cup football tournament came to an exciting end on Sunday October 12th 2014, as OsisiomaCanopy Pillars defeated rivals,Iheorji Model Market Association by one goal to nil, to emerge champions of the MTN Sponsored football competition.

In a tension soaked match played at the sports center of the Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, the two teams displayed good football artistry to the delight of the teeming fans who thronged the venue to cheer their teams to victory. Many had thought the match was heading for a penalty shoot-out

before Osisioma Canopy Pillars found the net in the 78th minute of the encounter, sending their supporters into a loud jubilation. Iheorji Model Market responded by making frantic effort to get an equalizer, but they were not lucky enough as all their effort in this regard, proved futile.

In the third place match which was held before the commencement of the final match, Engine Zone; Osisioma Modern Market defeated God’s Chosen Line, Ariaria, 6-4 on penalties, to emerge third place winners.

After the match, tournament sponsor and Nigeria’s leading ICT Company, MTN, ensured that the four

teams that made it to the semi-finals were handsomely rewarded.

Champions, Osisioma Canopy Pillars went home with the winner’s trophy and a cheque of N400,000(four hundred thousand naira), while first runner-up Iheoji Model Market Traders Association also went home with a trophy and a cheque of N200,000(two hundred thousand naira). Third place winners, Engine Zone Osisioma Modern Market went home with a cheque of N100,000(one hundred thousand naira), while fourth placed God’s Chosen Line, Ariaria were rewarded with a cheque of N50,000(fifty thousand naira). All players and officials of the champions, first runner up and second

runner-up teams were also decorated with medals, while the tournament’s most valuable player and highest goal scorer both went home with eye-popping prizes courtesy of MTN. The fans also had their share of MTN’s largesse, as a raffle draw was held during the half time break, with winners smiling home with fantastic prizes.

In his speech after the match, Abia State Commissioner for Sports, High Chief, David Monday Chigbu, commended MTN for its sponsorship of the tournament, while urging the company not to relent in its effort, as regards boosting sports and social interaction within the state.

•Odoh

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63

SPORT EXTRA

Keshi vows to lead Eagles to beat Sudan

Coach has other offers

A

FTER failing to win a single game out of the three played in the qualifying series for the Morocco 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, and after coming under intense scrutiny and criticism after his team put up another limp display in Khartoum, embattled Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi has once again claimed that he has offers outside of Nigeria and could leave the Super Eagles job.

The 52-year old has always claimed to have offers from outside Nigeria and reiterated that claim as he said he could leave the post as pressure continues to mount on him.

“Keshi will leave Nigeria, I’m a professional coach, and I will get a job elsewhere. But this is my country and this is a job I love to do and I want to give everything I can give, but it’s not a do or die affair, it’s something I have to do and that’s it,” he claimed.

And with Nigerians still calling for his head irrespective of the outcome of Wednesday’s return leg Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, the former Hawks of Togo coach has also claimed that he’s being sabotaged in order not to qualify Nigeria for the next Africa Cup of

•Says no shaking about threatening sack •Warns fans against booing

S

UPER Eagles’ Chief Coach Stephen Keshi has called on football lovin g Nigerians to support the team in its quest of winning the remaining three group matches that he believes would be enough to qualify for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations slated for Morocco.

Keshi said he was hinging his optimism on the fact that he has had a lengthy discussion with the players and has drummed it into their ears the reasons why the three matches should be approached with the utmost seriousness for Eagles to emerge victorious which is qualification for the 2015 AFCON in Morocco.

He also shook off the threat of being sacked when he told sports journalists that watched the Monday evening session of the Eagles’ training that the job of coaching is synonymous with hiring and sacking so he won’t be surprised if he is asked to go at the end of the AFCON qualifiers.

He, however, put a clause that he has never been asked to leave his job or being sacked in any of the teams he handled

From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja before. So if it happens with the Eagles, his country would have created the record of being the first country to ask him to quit his job with her national football team.

“My advice to the fans that will come for Wednesday match is that they shouldn’t boo this team because they won’t be happy if the Eagles is not in the Nations Cup. They won’t be happy watching other countries in the absence of their team. So they should rather support the team in the remaining three matches starting with Wednesday’s match against Sudan so that we can be in Morocco. The Super Eagles in not Keshi’s property but Nigeria’s so they should support this team to qualify for Africa Cup of Nations. Any fan that has the intention of booing the team should rather stay at home, “As regards the issue of sack if the Eagles fail to qualify in as much as I know that this team will qualify, the coaching job is known for hiring and firing. So if I am sacked, no shaking”.

•Keshi

AFTERMATH OF SUDAN LOSS

Ugbe preaches caution, patience

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Falcons mentally prepared against Zambia —coach Okon

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UPER Falcons’ Coach, Edwin Okon, has reiterated his team’s preparedness for their second Group A tie against Zambia at the ongoing Africa Women’s Championship (AWC) in Namibia.

Okon stated this at a pre-match press conference where he said his girls were mentally ready and had resolved to take one game at a time without losing concentration of the task at hand.

"We are here to take the cup back to Nigeria and we are mentality prepared to do so. We would, however, take it one game at a time and not lose focus

•Says team will not underrate Zambia on what we have come here to do" said Okon.

He further stated that the team would not take the Zambians for granted as debutants because minnows no longer existed in football.

"We will play our game against the Zambians and not get carried away by the fact that they are playing at the tournament for the first time. In the defense we will try to concentrate. We cannot rule out lack of concentration in any team. We are all human and can't concentrate100% but I have told my defenders to make sure

they are focused for the duration of the match.

"There are no pushovers for any team now. There are no 'cool chops' anymore in football, no team should be underrated" He maintained that all the 21 players who were selected for the AWC are capable to represent Nigeria when called upon to do so, and that no player was more important than the other.

Meanwhile, Moroccan Referee, Incaf El-Harkoui has been selected for the second Group A match involving the Super

Falcons of Nigeria and Zambia on Tuesday.

She would be assisted by Soud Oulha (Assistant Referee 1-Morocco), Mona Mahmoud Atallah–Egypt (Assistant referee 2 and Reserved Referee, Bolokanang Julia Lekgowe from Botswana. The Match Commissioner is Anastasia Tsichlas.

The Falcons would appear in their traditional green jersey on green hose, while Zambia will wear white jersey on white hose.

The game kicks-off 5pm local (4pm Nigerian time) at the Sam Nujoma Stadium.

Pinnick charges Falcons to seal semi final ticket

A

•Esther

Nations competition.

“A lot of people are trying to sabotage what we are doing. I mean these are the same players I used to qualify to the last Nations Cup and World Cup and even won the Nations Cup with almost 90 percent of the present team, but what is going on today, some people are ready to sell this nation for a dime,” he added.

“They don’t care the consequences that come with it, people just want to make sure that this team doesn’t go anywhere, they want to run it down. They just want to sabotage the Super Eagles and make a lot of Nigerians unhappy and they think it’s Keshi.”

The former Eagles of Mali coach went further to reiterate that some persons are working against him, but refused to mention any names.

“It’s a shame that it is so many of them, but I don’t want to mention names, but they know themselves. They don’t want this team to go anywhere; they want this team to lose outright, not to even smell the Cup of Nations.

But they are not God, I shout Jesus, they’re not God,” he concluded.

S the high –flying Super Falcons are set for their second match of the 9th African Women Championship in Namibia, after earning three maximum points in their first match against Cote d’Ivoire, President of Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick has charged the players to go for a comfortable win that will seal their place in the semi finals of the competition.

The Confederation of African Football is using the tournament in southern Africa to pick the continent’s representatives to next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Canada, with the top three teams at the end of the championship due to fly Africa’s flag at the global event.

“Our ever –brilliant and courageous ladies have started on a good note by whipping the Les Elephantes of Cote d’Ivoire.

Now, the three points against the Zambians are important in order to take us to the semi finals and closer to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada.

“The girls have the maximum support of the NFF and the ever –present support of the Government and other Nigerians and I believe they will not fail the nation.”

The Falcons, coached by Edwin Okon, lashed the Les Elephantes 4-2 at the Sam Nujoma Stadium on Saturday night and sit atop Group A on goal difference from the Brave Gladiators of Namibia.

The Gladiators turned back the Chipopolo Queens 2-0 in the tournament opening match and take on the nifty Ivorians also on Tuesday.

Victory against the Chipolopolo Queens will take the Falcons to the semi finals and with a ticket to their seventh consecutive World Cup finals almost guaranteed.

“The Falcons are good to go.

Losing the crown in 2012 was a mistake that the players themselves want to correct. The mission of the girls in Namibia is to reclaim their African title,” assured Pinnick.

ORMER Commissioner for Sport in Cross River State, Patrick Ugbe, has pleaded caution and patience from Nigerians on the loss Nigeria suffered at the hands of Sudan.

The seeming crash of the Nigerian national team - the Super Eagles - from the heights of ecstasy just under two years ago, to the depths of failure is reverberating across the nation and beyond. The latest calamity was a 0-1 defeat in the hands of relative minnows Sudan on Saturday in Khartoum.

This result has placed Nigeria’s possible qualification for the defence of the African title she won in South Africa in 2013 in serious jeopardy.

The head coach who won so much accolade for the 2013 feat, Stephen Keshi, has come under fire since the loss, which has been highlighted with stats that Nigeria has only won 1 match in its last 11 games.

Reacting to the match and the ensuing wave of emotions, Ugbe expressed disappointment in the result and what it meant for Nigerian football.

“It was very disappointing,” he said, “It was more so, given the manner of the defeat and how our boys played. There did not seem to be any desire amongst them and that is what hurt most”.

Ugbe, a governorship aspirant

•Patrick Ugbe

for Cross River State on the ticket of the PDP, and under whose supervision most of the Eagles’ home games were played in the last two years, continued “I know the team. They are like our babies in Cross River State and I know that they are better than the displays they have shown us this far”, stating further that “It is not over though. Nigerians must get behind the team and leave personal issues out of it for now.

It is important that we get a victory on Wednesday and make a late surge for qualification from the group”.

Patrick Ugbe, whose tenure had to end as he had to resign from cabinet in order to pursue his gubernatorial aspiration, but which also coincided with the last Super Eagles match hosted in Calabar, enjoined Nigerians to join hands to ensure success in qualification.

“The task of building football, and sports in general, is for all of us. We have laid down the gauntlet in Cross River by providing a home for the Super Eagles and the Under-17 teams.

This is a programme I intend to continue, as I recognise sport as one major unifying factor in national development. We need to join hands and pray that the Eagles will still qualify. No one stands to gain anything if Nigeria fails”, he concluded.

TODAY IN THE NATION

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

‘Political barbarians are bent on destroying the settled political ethos of the South West.

That must not happen’ VOL.9

OLAKUNLE ABIMBOLA

NO. 3,001

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

T

HE usually somnolent Presidential Villa in Abuja spurted into damage control last week when several Nigerian newspapers, quoting an online magazine RichestLifestyle.com, reported that Dr Goodluck Jonathan ranks sixth among the wealthiest African heads of state, with a personal net worth of U.S. $100 million.

The report thus elicited from on high what a barbarous assault on the Judicial Branch that same week had failed to elicit. It also moved an apparently incensed Dr Jonathan to lapse into an absurdity that was entirely lost on him.

If the publication was not retracted, he would file lawsuits against the first publisher of the alleged libel and all media organisations that republished it.

Where?

In the same courts, in the desecration of which he has connived, by act and omission?

The very courts he has eviscerated out of raw partisanship? It is preposterous that Dr Jonathan would effectively, even if temporarily, oust the jurisdiction of the courts out of self-interest, and then threaten to use the authority of the same courts to affirm his self interest, namely, the reputation he is asserting.

The whole thing was clearly an over-reaction that proved nothing and settled nothing.

And it is emblematic of the utter humourlessness at the top, as I will demonstrate presently.

To return to the publication that sent Aso Rock into a tizzy: In absolute terms, the amount reported as Dr Jonathan’s personal net worth might seem staggering, especially when most Nigerians live on no more than two dollars a day. But when compared with the reported net worth of the Top Five in the League of Africa’s Wealthiest Rulers, it is piddling.

President Eduardo dos Santos of Angola tops the League with a personal net worth, or “known wealth”, of $20 billion, according to NewsRescue.com, which seems to be domiciled in Nigeria. The Moroccan monarch, Mohammed V, comes a distant second, with a personal net worth of just $2.5 billion. Thereafter, the graph falls precipitously, with Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea at third place with a personal net worth of $600 million.

This last has got to be a huge undercount.

Mbasogo’s playboy son, known simply as Teodorin, blows close to that amount every year in his escapades in the most notorious fleshpots of Europe and the United States.

Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, on the saddle for just one year, comes in fourth, worth some $500 million, followed by the wily and durable Paul Biya of Cameroun at fifth, reportedly worth $200 million.

Only then does our JEG figure in the League, tied for sixth place with, of all people, the hugely concupiscent King Mswati of the landlocked, hardscrabble state of Swaziland, with Idris Deby of Chad ($50 million) and Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe ($10 million), after nearly three decades in office and in power,

RIPPLES

Guild of Sport Editors to Keshi: RESIGN

Yes, STRAIGHT RED CARD TO NKECHI...sorry, I mean Keshi

OLATUNJI DARE

AT HOME ABROAD olatunji.dare@thenationonlineng.net

When GEJ finally gave a damn ‘ terms, the In absolute amount reported as Dr Jonathan’s personal net worth might seem staggering, especially when most Nigerians live on no more than two dollars a day •Jonathan bringing up the rear. Mugabe seems to have been tucked into the mix as an afterthought.

They never miss a chance to tweak what is left of Uncle Bob’s moustache.

Personally, I am even more enraged than Dr Jonathan can possibly be, though for an entirely different reason.

He is clearly not in the league of Aliko Dangote, Mike Adenuga, Folorunsho Alakija, or even Femi Otedollar – beg your pardon again, Ote$, beg your pardon one more time, Otedola. Even after former police chief Tafa Balogun was dispossessed of sizable chunk of his gazillions, he may still well be worth close to, if not more than the amount over which they are working themselves into a froth in the Villa.

In Nigeria, it is no longer news that even middling “civil servants” and customs officers now tote up their net worth in the hundreds of millions of naira. That kind of money is no more than pocket-change to the syndicate of wheelers and dealers and smugglers who control the

’

petroleum industry.

How then can it even be newsworthy that the man who sits atop Nigeria’s re-based economy, the largest in all of Africa and 16th largest in the entire world (take that, South Africa), with a run-away annual growth rate conservatively estimated at six per cent, to say nothing of a Transformational Achievement Index in the stratosphere: how can it be newsworthy then, it is necessary to ask, that the President of such a country has a personal net worth of just N100 million, unless the purpose is to canonise him for modesty and restraint and prudence, the rarest attributes in our clime?

How can it be deemed equitable that Uhuru Kenyatta, who took charge in a Kenya with a struggling economy just a year ago, should have a personal net worth five times that of our own JEG who has been running Africa’s most prosperous economy for the better part of six years?

Dr Jonathan’s inveterate critics will put down his puny personal net worth to lack of

HARDBALL

W

HEN the high and mighty resort to begging, there must be something really big at stake. No, you don’t need to picture a beggar with a begging bowl. This is about a different class of begging, not for food or money, but for the benefit of influence, which could bring food and money.

The national secretariat of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja was turned into a beggars’ place, no insult intended, as the party welcomed Otunba Gbenga Daniel, a former governor of Ogun State, and his loyalists back into its embrace. The party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, could be said to have led the beggars, by virtue of his position, although he was not the first to introduce begging; again, no insult intended. He said: I want to join Governor Daniel to appeal to our Baba, President Olusegun Obasanjo, to forgive us. We are your children and we have been making mistakes; we have made mistakes and so we apologise. Please, Baba, we apologise; come and lead us. Even the President (Goodluck Jonathan) is waiting for you to come and lead us; you are our

ambition or imagination or enterprise – or indeed, all three – on his part. And the gullible as well as the unpatriotic, whom we shall always have amongst us, just might believe them.

It is at these – the inveterate critics and their gullible and unpatriotic followers, especially the unpatriotic —that Aso Rock should have directed its indignation when it finally chose to give a damn, a mistake it must now be regretting.

It should have stuck with its practice of not giving a damn in matters of this kind. By breaking its own code, it has merely emboldened all kind of meddlers to wade into matter and stir things up.

Instead of applauding Dr Jonathan’s forthrightness, some of these people are taunting him, saying that it is not enough to deny that he has personal assets worth $100 million. If Aso Rock disputes that figure, they say, why won’t it supply the correct one and lay the matter to rest?

That was exactly what President Mobutu Sese Seko did in the 1980s at a point in his crisis-ridden reign in Zaire, now Congo DR, when the news media were saturated with reports that he had stashed away a personal fortune of $500 million in coded offshore bank accounts.

Not so, he said at a news conference.

How much was he worth, then?

Only $25 million, he said, adding that, after 25 years of selfless service to the people – who, he once said in a moment of exasperation, had forfeited his confidence—he did not consider $25 million an unjust recompense.

At a million dollars a year, that was a great bargain for the people of Zaire. The matter never came up again.

The challenge Mobutu faced is exceedingly courteous compared with the one that some of the unpatriotic elements, aforementioned, have launched. They say if Dr Jonathan still has enough faith in the courts he has locked up to repair there for redress, they will meet him there with iron-clad proof that he is worth a great deal more than the $100 million he is kvetching about and that the reputation he is claiming rests on shaky ground.

Strong stuff, indeed.

All because Dr Jonathan decided for once to give a damn.

But all is not lost. There is an authentic Nigerian formula he can employ to get out of this unforced error.

Accused in the 1960s of pocketing £3,000 — the equivalent of a cabinet minister’s salary for a year then –in what came to be known as the Ijora Land Deal, Dr Kingsley Mbadiwe responded with the bonhomie that became him so well.

The money about which his detractors were working up so much fuss, he said, was “chicken feed in an elephantine mouth”.

Loosen up, GEJ. Take a vacation.

•For comments, send SMS to 08111813080

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Beggars’ orchestra leader, we appreciate you, we thank you for your leadership and courage.”

He was also quoted as saying: “Baba should please forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. We are your children; we have made mistakes. Please, forgive us and come and lead us to victory in the 2015 elections. Baba should not throw away the baby with the bath water.” Aha! So, this is all about next year’s elections and the apparent desperation to win, even if lords have to behave like beggars.

The President of the Senate, David Mark, added his voice, as one of the beggars; no insult, please. Mark said: “In any disagreement of this nature, the older person is always right. All of us in the PDP are appealing to you to come back to the party.”

It was Daniel who launched the beggars’ orchestra; again, no insult, please. He was the first to tender his apology to Obasanjo, pleading that he should not abandon the party, and adding that in a quarrel between a father and his son, the son could not claim

to be right.

Interestingly, to go by Obasanjo’s response, which came by way of a statement, it would appear that the beggars failed; or perhaps more precisely, they can’t get what they want, at least not until they satisfy Baba’s condition. By the way, why call them beggars? Well, what would you call people who beg, even if not directly for food or money?

Obasanjo said: “As a former President…I cannot accept that the zonal leader of my party …will be an indicted drug baron wanted in America…I have national and international standard to maintain and reputation to keep and sustain. For these reasons, I opted to remain active only at the ward level of the party till the leadership does the needful.”

Never mind Obasanjo’s grandstanding, which he is perfectly entitled to, even though it rings hollow, and it is so unimpressive.

The question is: What will the beggars do next?

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