The Nation October 15, 2012

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Four killed in Ogun robbery

Presidency wants N91m for landscaping in 2013 •National Assembly to get N150b

NEWS

NEWS

Page 7

•Four-man gang storms house

Page 6

www.thenationonlineng.net

VOL. 7, NO. 2279 MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2012

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

ONDO 2012

N150.00

•Another opinion poll gives it to ACN candidate •AND •Akeredolu to Akoko, Ilaje: vote wisely MORE ON •CPC petitions Jega over voter register PAGES 4&5

More dams coming to fight floods •Uncertainity over 10% tariff on rice From Yusuf Alli, Abuja and Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa

T

HE grim reality of the massive flooding witnessed in the country was further exposed at the weekend.

It emerged that Nigeria is on the verge of a major food crisis, with rice and yam – especially production falling far below expectation.

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday in his home state – Bayelsa – which is virtually under water, said the Federal Government would build more dams to prevent flooding.

He also hinted of the plan to import seedlings for farmers who have been affected by the floods.

Dr. Jonathan spoke after inspecting the affected areas.

He said: “So, what government can do is to make sure that we build more dams in the Benue system.

At present, we are building the Kasambila Dam that will be completed in 2014 and even that one , my commitment is to fast track it to make sure we discuss with the contractor, even if Continued on page 6

•An aerial view of submerged communities and farms in Delta State during President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit to the flooded areas...at the weekend.

PHOTO: NAN

Unknown gunmen kill 24 Gang of 10 in dawn reprisal

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•Kaduna State Governor Patrick Yakowa

T was all tears yesterday in a Kaduna State community where unknown gunmen killed 24.

The motive for the attack on Dongo Dawa village in Gwari Local Government Area remained unclear last night.

Some reports said the gunmen were on a reprisal mission after being dislodged from the village; others said they were armed robbers.

A resident reported that the gunmen were disguised in police uniforms as they stormed a mosque just

‘

Military ‘not involved’

This morning, they went to the house of the man they suspected to be responsible for identifying them. They killed him and two of his children and cut the hand of his wife From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

before sunrise, shooting worshippers.

Kaduna Police chief Olufemi Adenaike confirmed the casualty figure.

Mr Adenaike said four suspected gunmen were arrested by the vigilance group in the area.

’

He said: “On 14/10/2012 at about 0530hrs, a suspected gang of armed bandits, numbering about 10, stormed Dogon Dawa village, killing 24 persons. Information had it that a few of the victims were returning from their morning prayers while the rest were attacked in their

various homes.”

He said: “The command swung into action by mobilising a unit of the Police Mobile Force (PMF) personnel and conventional operatives to the scene, where all the exits were properly manned by the police and army as hunt for the perpetrators is in top gear. Meanwhile investigation has commenced and security presence maintained” Adenaike added: “Some members of the vigilance group from Dogon Continued on page 6

•SPORT P23 •CEO P28 •JOBS P37 •POLITICS P43 •MOTORING P45

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2012

2

NEWS

Bankers They used to be the most enviable professionals. But, going by police’s records, that may have changed, with bankers topping the list of most wanted ‘criminals’, reports JUDE ISIGUZO

F •Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha (left) and Minister of State for Education, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike during the minister’s visit to Imo State to kick-start the Federal Government’s programme to enrol out-of-school children in the South... at the weekend.

•Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio (left), Marketing Manager - Lager , Nigerian Breweries Plc, Tony Agenmonmen and Media and Public Affairs Manager, NBL Plc, Mr. Edem Vindah during the courtesy visit of Gulder Ultimate Search 9 contestants to the Akwa Ibom State Government House

•Managing Director/CEO, UAC of Nigeria Plc. Mr. Larry Ephraim Ettah (left), Chairman, Senator Udo Udoma and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Nigeria, Ryuichi Shoji, during the reception in honour of Udoma as the Honourary Consul of Japan at Lagos, Nigeria, organised by Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, at the Eko Hotel and Suite, Victoria Island, Lagos... at the weekend PHOTO: NAN

•Dr. Wale Babalakin (right), Dr .Abiodun Layonu (left) and Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan, Prof.

PHOTO: NAN Oluyemisi Bamgbose; Chairman of the occasion, at a public lecture in Ibadan....yesterday

RESH graduates did everything to secure employment as bankers. It was a matter of pride being addressed as a banker.

But all that seems to be becoming history. According to the police, bankers are now on top of the list of wanted persons for fraud and other criminal acts.

The police say the once revered sector has been infested by “hardened criminals” whose trick is to employ scientific methods of defrauding their employers and fleecing billions of naira from customers’ accounts.

The sharp practices, the police say, has been heightened by the recent cut in salaries and rationalisation, the after-effect of the restructuring in the industry.

The reorganisation of banks brought about the merger of weaker banks with financially stronger ones.

The police attributed the hi-tech stealing in the industry to greedy drive to sustain a lifestyle of extravagant spending synonymous with some employees before the recession and mass retrenchment.

Relying on the report of investigations, the police alleged that bankers perfect criminal acts over time as many of those involved in sharp practices do not use their correct home addresses while applying for jobs.

Their employers, the police claim, do not take the pains to verify the details contained in the application forms.

According to the statistics obtained

by The Nation from the Police Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Milliverton Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, there are more bankers on the list of the most wanted criminals.

Sources at the SFU told The Nation that no fewer than 50 bank officials have been declared wanted by the police this year for various fraudulent dealings.

The report clearly shows that the wanted bankers worked with established fraud syndicates outside their industry, who they assist in stealing depositors’ funds.

In a particular case in Okene, Kogi State, seven officials of a branch of a second generation bank were declared wanted by the SFU for allegedly collaborating to defraud the bank of over N100 million.

SFU spokesperson Mrs. Ngozi Isintume, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), traced the successes recorded in bank frauds to the failure of bank chiefs to apply stringent measures while screening applicants.

She also pointed at lack of proper documentation of employees and the inability of the affected institutions to cross-check information provided by their employers before absolving them.

Akinwumi Omoniyi was declared wanted by the SFU for alleged fraudulent conversion of over N23 million, belonging to customers of the bank where he worked.

He allegedly stole the money as the bank’s relationship officer.

Investigations reveal that the deposits made through him were not reflected in the statement of account and that he was also involved in fraudulent booking of overdraft facilities in two different accounts and fraudulent withdrawals from another.

The police gave his last known ad-

dress as 115, Opebi Road, Lagos and 16, Paul Ikediashi Street, Asaba, Delta State.

According to the report, the 33-yearold wanted banker is from Ilesa, Osun State.

Another suspect, Simon Tyoor Nyikyaa, a Tiv, from Benue State, is wanted by the police for alleged fraudrelated offences and stealing from Edgwaters Hotel and Resort, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The 39-year-old, who was the managing director of the hospitality outfit between 2000 and 2012, was accused of fraudulently opening an account to which he directed hotel customers to pay.

He was also accused of forging documents with which he diverted over N4 million to his personal account.

Nyikyaa’s last known addresses are: Beside Union Bank, Gboko Road, Aliade Town, Magic Entertainment Cinema and LGEA Primary School, Markurdi Road, Aliade, Benue.

Sixty-year-old Alhaji Mohammed Rotimi Lawal is wanted for allegedly obtaining by false pretence and issuance of a dud cheque in Lagos on June 7, 2011.

It was learnt that Lawal, a former executive chairman of HAS Resources Ltd, obtained 66,000 litres of diesel, valued at N10, 528,000 by fraudulent pretence and issuance of a dud cheque.

He went underground after committing the offence and all efforts by the police to apprehend him have not yielded result.

Lawal has relocated from his last known address which he gave as KM 19, Lekki/Epe Expressway, Lekki Peninsula, Lagos.

Innocent Ketevi, a steward and a Togolese has also been declared wanted by the police for alleged stealing of N2 million from his employer.

When security operatives visited his last known address at No 12, Orege Str, Ajegunle, Lagos, Ketevi was said to have relocated to his home country.

Patrick Ohekaro, a telecom dealer from Isoko, Delta State has also been declared wanted for alleged conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence and forgery.

It was gathered that the suspect took an overdraft facility of N50 million from a first generation bank in August last year.

There was an agreement that the facility which had a 365-day tenor would be refunded in tranches every 30 days.

The suspect allegedly secured the facility with cloned and forged documents.

He has refused to pay the overdue facility and when the case was reported, Ohekaro spurned police invitation for interrogation before he was declared wanted.

Police operatives stormed his last known residence at Isoko North Local Government Area, Delta State but nobody identified him as their kinsman.

A sport consultant and the President of National Association of Nigerian Footballers (NANF), Harrison Jalla, is one of those on the police most wanted list.

Jalla, an Urhobo from Delta State, is wanted for obtaining money under false pretence, issuance of dud cheques and stealing in Lagos sometime in 2008.

He was alleged to have fraudulently obtained N3 million from the complainants under the pretence of using the money to facilitate their trip to Europe for trials and also to secure for-

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2012

3

NEWS

top police ‘most wanted’ list

•Okudili

•Onowu

•Omoniyi

•Nyikyaa

eign football clubs for 15 local footballers.

When he was arrested and detained at the SFU early in the year, The Nation reported it and he threatened to sue the reporter for libel. His name is on the wanted list.

He failed to honour police invitation after he was granted bail.

The police have been on his trail.

When detectives visited his No 1, Azamor Street, Ijanikin home, on Lagos-Badagry Expressway and his last known residential address at No 66, Campbell Street, Lagos Island, Lagos, he couldn’t be tracked down as he is believed to have gone into hiding.

Adebayo Joseph Olafusi, an accountant, is wanted for forgery, fraudulent conversion and stealing at Gbagada, Lagos since November last year.

The suspect allegedly forged the signature of his employer on the company’s cancelled cheques leaflets of Union Bank of Nig Plc. and Zenith Bank Plc to the tune of N20, 225,000.

Efforts to get him arrested have failed. Operatives could not find him in his last known address at No 1, Adebayo Joseph Close, Obadore, Igando, Lagos.

Chibuzor Onowu, 33, and Kingsley Okudili, 29, were declared wanted by the Lagos State Police Command for their alleged involvement in the abduction and killing of a businessman, Odidi Nweze on September 4, two days after his return from a business trip to the United States (U.S.). The suspects, who have recolated outside the

country after the incident and arrest of their gang members, were declared wanted on October 2, 2012 by the Lagos Command Commissiner of Police Umar Manko.

Mrs. Isintume, who confirmed that more bankers have been arrested for fraud-related offences, blamed the trend on the failure of their employers to have proper documentation of employees; a development, she said, has made it difficult to track the suspects.

She said: “Most of the people we declare wanted are bankers and they plan the operation over a long period of time.

“Within the period, they would have relocated their families from the residential addresses they supplied the banks when they were em-

ployed.

“Most of them, who already have mindset to defraud the bank even before they are employed, gave the banks fake home addresses.

“Somebody, who is from Ekiti, would say he/she is from Ondo State. So, it is always difficult to find them. The moment a matter is reported and investigation commences, we send invitations to the suspects.

“After two months, if we do not see them, we send a reminder, after which the person would be declared wanted if he/she refuses to show up.

“It is with the address that the person gave to the complainant which in most times are the banks that we will go to and most times when investigators get there, they discover

•Jalla

that the address is non-exixtent.

“We declare anybody who is reported to have committed fraud and refuse to come and answer for it wanted. There is no time lapse. If the person is seen 10 years after he/she was declared wanted, he/she would be arrested.”

The SFU spokesperson said it has not been easy tracking the bank officials declared wanted for defrauding their employer because the banks never went the extra mile to cross-check the addresses supplied by the suspects.

She advised employers, especially banks, to take the pains of scrutinising their employees.

Mrs. Isintume suggested that a verification team should be raised to visit then home addresses as claimed in the application forms.

Okonjo-Iweala to House: $80 benchmark won’t work

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INANCE Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has told the House of Representatives to perish the thought of an $80 oil benchmark for Budget 2013 .

Backing her is Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who also announced the apex bank’s intention to halt dollar sales to bureau de change operators.

The officials spoke in Tokyo, capital of Japan on the sideline of the World Bank/International Monetary Fund (IMF) meetings.

Oil benchmark in next year’s budget is pegged at $75 per. But the House, after examining the 20013 – 2015 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), said should be $80.

Speaker Aminu Tambuwal told President Goodluck Jonathan who presented the budget plans last Wednesday that $80 would reduce the deficit and domestic by 66 per cent.

But yesterday, the Finance Minster said: “If we go the unhelpful way of $80/barrel, the credit ratings will go the wrong directions.”

Her stand is that $80/barrel will make borrowing more expensive, and slow down foreign direct investment as both local and international investors will become more cautious.

In her view, the $80 benchmark will impact on macro-economic stability and instead of gaining $5 per barrel, the nation, in fact, will lose $20. She insisted that “benchmark prices are not things you just sit down in a room and concoct”.

“They are based on some fundamental economic analysis, and we actually have a model which we have been using to try and project Nigeria’s benchmark price over the past few years.

“It is not as if we just sit in a room and put forward a price (benchmark).

So it has an approach, because if you do it in an arbitrary manner, that means at any point in time, you don’t

From Ayodele Aminu and Bukola Afolabi in Tokyo

have a basis to defend why it is this number and not that.”

The Minister said, although the legislators hinge the increase on the need to reduce deficit, and want to spend more, enough room has been provided for, since the benchmark was initially planned to be $72 per barrel.

“To allow this, we have allowed that little bit of a buffer and to accommodate their concerns. By adding another $5 will be taking the economy in the wrong direction,” Mrs Okonjo-Iweala added.

Sanusi noted that increasing the oil benchmark does not necessarily translate to increased government revenue, but the amount that the government will spend.

Rather than seek to raise the oil benchmark, the CBN Governor said the National Assembly should work towards making the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) perform its role at an optimal level, check bunkering and renegotiate the joint venture agreements, among others.

In his view, there is no need raising the benchmark. The Government, Sanusi said, only needs to plug loopholes in the economy, as raising the benchmark will only reduce the amount available for savings.

Sanusi warned against raising the oil benchmark because of price volatility, recalling when crude prices fell from $147 to less than $40/barrel. He said the situation could still repeat itself since oil is a commodity, hence the need for fiscal prudence.

The Minister and the governor said raising the benchmark does not translate automatically to more revenue for Abuja because the cash is

•Mrs Okonjo-Iweala

shared with the states, whose portion, according to them, ends up bloating liquidity in the system.

They also lamented the inability of the government to access the concessionary 40-year, $1.2 billion loan approved by the World Bank at zero interest rate and a moratorium of 10 years to fix Nigeria’s infrastructure, such as power, water, education and agriculture, among others.

The World Bank, Mrs OkonjoIweala said, plans to withdraw the facility to give to other needy nations such as India and some African countries. The government may be forced to borrow from the domestic market at up to 15 per cent, should this happen.

Sanusi also lamented that about 70 per cent of foreign exchange sales to bureau de change (BDCs) operators, used for domestic transactions.

He said the apex bank would stop

selling forex directly to BDCs and that all travellers going overseas must now buy chase their Travelers’ Cheques (TCs), use cards, or do fund transfers.

The need to check the dollarisation of the economy, Sanusi explained, was part of the reasons for the planned introduction of the N5,000, which has been suspended by the President.

Commenting on the outcome of the World Bank/IMF meetings, the Minister said the global economic weakness, the problems in the Euro zone and rising unemployment figures in the United States and the need for America to take measures to check the fiscal challenges were reasons for the consensus on the need for African countries to build a buffer to cushion the effects of the crisis.

“What does this tell us and what are they telling us to do? What the bank and the Fund did in their presentation was that they took groups of countries and said this is how you should act if you are in this or that group. And what they said for African countries and other countries that are growing fairly well now is that we should use this period to build buffers; that is those things we must put in place, those things that would protect us, in case the downturn continues. One, build buffers, two, continue the good policies that you put in place and focus on creating jobs. There is a big message here about jobs.

“On the fiscal side, we believe and we have seen analysis that the budget that the President just presented indeed provides the fiscal basis for stability, going forward. That means the benchmark price of oil that we have proposed gives us enough room to spend without going to borrow, that the focus of con-

centrating infrastructure on the budget, on agriculture, on security on opening up those bottlenecks that constrain the economy. I think for macro stability, we must not do anything that will distort the fiscal measure that we are trying to put in place. That is the message we are getting, that we are right and we should continue,” she said.

The Coordinating Minister for the Economy, said Nigeria’s Excess Crude Account would be built up to $10 billion by early next year.

Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala was briefing reporters on the Nigerian economy at the Annual Meeting of the World Bank and the IMF. She said: “I strongly feel and I have shared with the governors, with Mr. President and the vicepresident who fully supports that the Excess Crude Account must be built up to $10 billion.

“We should strive to do that in the next few months and we keep that as buffer.’’

According to her, if the account is built up to $10 billion and it is not touched for a while, it will serve as buffer.”

She noted that there was the need to increase the nation’s external reserve, considering the population of the country.

“Our reserves are not huge; we are just building back-up; it’s not my place, it is the monetary policy that manages it, but I have discussed with the CBN governor that we need to build up our reserve to $50 billion, if we can.

“That will be the desires of the fiscal authorities. So, I don’t consider us with the size of the economy and population we have.

“Look at Algeria, their reserve is nearly $200 billion, for a country much smaller than Nigeria,’’ she said.

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2012

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NEWS ONDO 2012

Opinion poll gives it to Akeredolu

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HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate in Saturday’s governorship election, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akredolu, will win the poll, an opinion poll predicted at the weekend.

The poll, conducted by Total Loyalty team, rates the ACN candidate ahead of the others in the 18 local governments in the state.

In a statement, Total Loyalty President, Oluwatoyin Balogun, said the poll revealed “the people’s hunger for a change.”

Another poll by Nigeria Gallop Poll Watch, in association with Track Pool Limited, United Kingdom, last week rated Akeredolu to win with 40.28 per cent ahead of the Labour Party candidate, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko (24.84 per cent) and Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Olusola Oke (22.84 per cent).

A breakdown of the result of the Total Loyalty Team in the 18 local governments is as follows: Akoko North West Local Govt75% ACN, 10% P.D.P, 15% L.P Akoko South West LG-70% ACN, 5% PDP, 25% L.P

Akoko South East LG-80% ACN, 5%PDP, 15%L.P Akoko North East LG65%ACN, 15%PDP, 20%L.p Akure North LG90%ACN, 5%P.D P, 5% L.P Akure South LG 50% ACN, 15%PDP, 35% L.P Ese Odo LG-40% ACN, 50%PDP, 10%L.P Idanre LG 30%ACN, 25%PDP, 45% L.P Ifedore LG 35%ACN, 15%PDP, 50% LP. Ilaje LG-35ACN, 50%PDP, 15%LP. Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo LG35%ACN, 25%PDP, 40%LP. Irele LG-40%ACN, 50%PDP, 10%LP. Odigbo L.P 40%, ACN15%, PDP 45%LP. Okitipupa LG 40%ACN, 45%PDP, 15%L.P Ondo East LG 35%, ACN 29%, PDP, 45%L.P Ondo West LG 30%ACN, 15%PDP, 55%L.P Ose LG 80%ACN, 15%PDP, 5%L.P Owo LG 80%ACN, 15%PDP, 5%L.P

‘Disregard Bakare’s prediction on Mimiko’

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IGHTS activist Morakinyo Ogele has asked the electorate to disregard a statement credited to Lagos preacher Tunde Bakare that Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko will win Saturday’s poll.

He said the preacher has a history of wrong predictions. He cited instances where Bakare’s predictions failed to come to pass.

Ogele, a lawyer, said: “His prediction that Mimiko will win the election is negative to what is going on in Ondo State. His colleagues should warn him to desist from playing God. “Tracing the history of his predictions, none has come to pass.

In 1999, during the presidential election, he pre-

By Precious Igbonwelundu

dicted that Chief Olusegun Obasanjo would lose, but at the end of the election, Obasanjo won.

“Again, before the inauguration of Obasanjo as the president, he predicted that he would die, but Obasanjo is still living.

“When we were protesting the removal of fuel subsidy in January, he predicted that the Jonathan administration would collapse within two weeks, but to date the administration is still in power.

“We appeal to the police to caution him and probably charge him with giving a false information.

“Bakare should not heat up the polity. He should be cautioned by Nigerians.

Enough of his false predictions.”

•ACN supporters at Ilaje...at the weekend

Akeredolu to Ilaje, Akoko: vote wisely

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HE standard bearer of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Saturday’s poll, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), has promised to alleviate the plight of the oil-producing communities in Ilaje and Ijaw.

He urged them to vote wisely by voting for him on Saturday, assuring that an ACN administration would not disappoint them.

Akeredolu and his running mate, Dr. Paul Akintelure, were in Igbokoda, the headquarters of the Ilaje nation on Saturday.

Alighting from a chopper, he was besieged by a crowd of party supporters who had waited for his campaign train since noon. The ACN candidate

•Oba Akinruntan flanked by Akeredolu (left) and Dr. Akintelire at the weekend PHOTOS: NIYI ADENIRAN

By Emmanuel Oladesu Deputy Political Editor

was accompanied by Dr. Jibayo Adeyeye, Wale Akinterinwa, Segun Olulade and Wale Akintimehin. They were welcomed to the campaign grounds by the leaders of the party in the area, Chief Wale Omojuwa, Nimbe Tause, Adebambo Odowo, Olu Mekuleyi and Lucky Ayedatiwa Ilaje is the home of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Chief Olusola Oke. The ACN rally coincided with the PDP rally in Akure, which was attended by President Goodluck Jonathan and party leaders.

At the rally, ACN supporters complained that their members in the coastal areas were not mobilised by the party chairman in the local government, urging the standard bearer to repeat the rally in the riverine communities because the party has a reservoir of goodwill in the locality.

After addressing the Igbokoda rally, Akeredolu visited the palace of the Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba Frederick Akinruntan, to pay homage and explain his mission in the community to the traditional ruler, his chiefs and the people.

The paramount ruler wished him success. He urged politicians to show tolerance and promote peace.

Tause, who welcomed the ACN leaders to the campaign, assured Akeredolu of bloc votes. He said: “Iroko is already afraid. He is planning to rig the election. We will not allow him.”

Odowo also said the Labour Party (LP) was jittery. He said: “Five Yoruba states are already cooperating under the umbrella of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the Southwest.

Ondo cannot be different. Ilaje cannot vote for Papa Deceiving Party. Umbrella is necessary for the rain, but it cannot withstand a storm. We will sweep them away with our brooms.”

Ayedatiwa said Ilaje looked

forward to 2013 as a year of change and joy. He appealed to those in the LP and PDP to join the ark of salvation.

Akintimehin said: “Akeredolu has conducted an analysis here in Ilaje. He knows the plight of the Ilaje. He will not misrule us. Let us go to our units and convince those still in the LP and PDP to vote for the ACN.” Mekuleyi said Governor Olusegun Mimiko has misused the oil money derived from Ilaje, adding that normalcy will be restored by the ACN government. He said:” Where is our oil money? ACN will develop Ilaje and our roads will be built.

What we need to do is to vote for ACN and police our votes.”

Akeredolu urged the Ilaje to vote wisely. He lamented the under-development of the oilproducing communities, stressing that they had laboured under the Labour Party in vain. He enjoined them to avoid violence whenever they are provoked by suspected LP thugs, assuring that victory is at hand.

At Oka-Akoko, the crowd rejoiced on sighting Akeredolu, who was ushered to the podium by the governorship aspirants who had stepped down for him, including Prof. Ajayi Boroffice, Dr. Jayeola Ajatta and Dr. Segun Abraham. Before addressing the rally, the ACN candidate visited the palace of the Olubaka of Oka, Oba Adebori Adeleye. Community chiefs and elders prayed for him after he explained his mission.

He promised to turn around the state by fighting the infrastructure battle.

At the rally were Mr. Gboyega Adefarati, Mrs. Ogedengbe, Mrs. Ronke Ojo, Ambassador Yusuf, Tope Babaleye, a lawyer, Boye Ologbese, and Bola Ilori.

Akinterinwa, who introduced the leaders, hailed the dedication of Prof. Boroffice to the party’s cause.

He reminded the people about the position of Mimiko on how the governorship slot should be filled, saying since he has advocated one term, he

should spend a term in office.

Abraham also said the governor does not deserve the vote of the Akoko, having insisted that former governors Adebayo Adefarati and Olusegun Agagu should not have a second term.

He added: “Aketi has come with a good news for Akokoland. Come out on October 20 to chase Mimiko out of power with your votes.”

Ajatta said: “I am happy because of this crowd. Akeredolu has come with good tidings.

Vote for him so that Ondo State can have a responsible government as they have it in Edo, Lagos, Ekiti, Oyo, Ogun and Osun states.”

Ilori, an indigene of Ondo Kingdom, said: “I am from Ondo Kingdom. If those of us from Ondo say we are tired of Mimiko, what should Akoko people do? I saw Akoko roads and felt ashamed of Mimiko. I apologise to you all. Akeredolu will put smiles on your faces.”

Mrs. Ojo said: “Women are the largest voters. Let us vote for Akeredolu and defend our votes. He is the messiah.”

Boroffice told his kinsmen that he is still in the Senate, contrary to the lies being peddled

by LP that his position has been declared vacant. He said: “I am still in the Senate, but Mimiko will not be in Alagbaka again.

Do not forget our deal. I have a prize for the unit, ward and local government that gives the highest votes to Akeredolu and I know that Akoko Southwest will get the prize.”

Akintelure said: “ I have come to relay a message from God to you at Oka. Aketi will perform wonders in Akokoland. Reject Mimiko in Akoko as we have done in Ikaleland. Mimiko said it would be business as usual. We reject that for Akokoland”.

Akeredolu said: “This crowd is not my doing. It is not because I am good. It is the handiwork of God. Let us thank God, sing praises unto the Lord and rejoice in Him. Where we are going, we are already there.

ACN will rule Ondo State.”

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2012

5

NEWS NATIONAL HONOURS 2012 ONDO 2012

Deji of Akure calls for free, fair poll •Urges politicians to be tolerant

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HE Deji of Akure, Oba Adegboye Adesida (Afunbiowo 11), has urged politicians to show patriotism, tolerance, decorum and decency before, during and after the election. He cautioned against unruly behaviour capable of eroding peace in the state.

The paramount ruler stressed the need for a free, fair and peaceful election, adding that one man one vote would not result in quarrel. He enjoined voters to shun thuggery, arson and violence, saying law en-

By Emmanuel Oladesu Deputy Political Editor

forcement agencies should provide security during the poll.

The banker-turned-monarch spoke through his second-in-command and Prime Minister of Akureland, Olisa James Olusoga. He acknowledged that there is panic in some quarters over the election. The traditional ruler said he and his chiefs are not relenting in their admonition to the stakeholders to abide by the rules of the game.

Mimiko promises seaport •Says it ‘ll serve Southwest

O •President Goodluck Jonathan (right) and PDP candidate, Olusola Oke, at a rally in Akure...at the weekend

‘Ondo governor has admitted failure’

•Plots to clothe thugs in ACN’s T-shirts, says party

•Mimiko

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HE standard bearer of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Saturday’s governorship poll, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), has said Governor Olusegun Mimiko has admitted failure with his statements on issues during last Friday’s debate.

In a statement by Mr. Idowu Ajanaku, the Director of Media, Publicity and Strategy of the Akeredolu Campaign Organisation (ACO), Akeredolu said the

Mimiko administration has disorganised the health sector by creating a dichotomy in staff welfare package, building a glorified maternity in Akure called the Mother and Child, while he has neglected other health facilities.

He said Governor Mimiko has abandoned sport projects such as the Akure old and new stadia, Ile-Oluji Stadium, adding that it is pathetic that Sunshine Stars Football Club of Akure is playing its matches in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State and this has alienated the club from its supporters, resulting in the loss of revenue through the money government could have made from gate-takings.

He said infrastructures such as road and water are

begging for attention.

He added: “Mimiko is building a fountain in Akure where there is no potable water. He is powering street lights in Akure with generators while complaining of the inability to revive the moribund industries because of lack of electricity. He has not inaugurated a one Km road in his three and a half years in office.

“Akeredolu is a man of proven integrity who can be trusted by the people. He is ready to replicate the infrastructural development in Lagos, which has become a benchmark in Sub- Sahara Africa.”

ACO said it has uncovered a plot by the Labour Party (LP) to print the logo of the

ACN on T-shirts to be distributed to LP thugs to cause mayhem.

It alleges that this is part of the plot by LP to portray ACN as a violent party and pave the way for security agents to unleash terror on ACN by arresting its members.

The T-shirts, it was learnt, have been made, awaiting distribution in Okitipupa, Ondo town, Idanre, Owo, Okeluse, Oka, Ikare, among others.

“We are using this opportunity to call on the Inspector-General of Police and Ondo Commissioner of Police to note that ACN has nothing to do with the T–shirts being made to give us a bad name. We urge the public to report any violence to the police,” Ajanaku said.

CPC petitions Jega over voters’ register

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HE Ondo State Chairman of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Mr. Olalekan Obolo, at the weekend petitioned the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, over increase in the number of registered electorate in the voters’ register.

The chairman, who said he has rejected the supplementary register, added that it was a way of manipulating this Saturday’s governorship election.

Obolo noted that the recent voters’ register presented to the political parties by INEC ahead of the October 20 poll indicated that 17,955 names have been added to the 1,636,250 names, which were in the original register.

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

The petition reads: “I write in respect of a curious anomaly observed in the Ondo State voters’ register wherein a supplementary register now puts the total number of registered voters at 1,654,205 as against 1,636,250, which was reflected in the original register.

“This indicates an increase of 17,955 and reflects a deliberate attempt to change the rules of the game in the middle of the match and thus, manipulate the electoral process.

“We recall that at various interactive sessions, you have reiterated your commitment and that of INEC to free and fair elections through transparent and credible processes.

The case of the

supplementary voters’ register appearing all of a sudden clearly undermines this commitment and is bound to cast a dark cloud on the election process in Ondo State.

“We reject this supplementary register and the additional figures

therein. We call on you to intervene and ensure that this curious, indefensible and seemingly suspicious addition be expunged in order to preserve your integrity and that of your commission, which some officials are about to undermine.”

NDO State Governor Olusegun Mimiko has promised to establish a seaport at Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje Local Government, during his second term.

He said when built, it would serve the Southwest and create jobs for thousands of people.

Mimiko, who was in Ilaje at the weekend in continuation of his campaign tour, said his administration had brought in foreign technical partners, some of who had been shortlisted to partner the government to establish the seaport.

Mimiko, who is contesting the October 20 poll on the platform of the Labour Party (LP), said the seaport would turn around the economy of the riverine communities and that of Ondo State for good.

He said the areas are blessed with mineral re-

sources, adding that his administration would leverage on the resources to drive the state’s economy.

The governor said he used his first term to put in place indexes that would fast track the development of not only the southern district of the state, which he noted would bring about massive industrial development, but the entire state.

He added that what remained was for him to be given the opportunity to continue in office so that he could complete what his administration had put in place.

Mimiko said his government had in the last three and a half years brought social transformation to Ilaje and its environs through the provision of developmental projects, which he noted had changed the area for good.

PDP expels ex-envoy, four others

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HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ondo State chapter, at the weekend expelled a former Nigerian ambassador to Greece, Chief Olu Agbi and four others.

They are, Chief Segun Adegoke, Dr. Akin Olowookere, Demola Adegoroye and Kunle Agunbiade.

According to a statement issued by the party’s Director of Publicity, Ayo Fadaka, the former chieftains were alleged to have engaged in anti-party activities.

The statement reads: “Their summary expulsion is predicated on the gross indiscipline and absolute disloyalty that have characterised their attitude and conduct in the last one year.

“The people have been manipulated by Dr. Olusegun

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

Mimiko to help him cause the balkanisation of the party. They are already members of the Labour Party and only masquerade as our members to cause confusion.

“Any purported action they claim to undertake on behalf of the party is of no effect as they have ceased to be members of our party forthwith.

“We assure the public that there is no division in our ranks as these people are striving to portray. They are only acting the roles that have been carved out for them by Mimiko who is their sponsor.

“We thank the people of this state and members of the party for the warm reception they accorded President Goodluck Jonathan when he visited last Saturday.”

Ondo in trying period, says ACN chieftain

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N Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) chieftain, Mr. Kayode Tinubu, has described the last three and a half years as a trying period for the people of Ondo State, adding that Saturday’s election would decide the future of the state.

He lamented the dearth of infrastructural facilities across the three senatorial zones and accused the Mimiko administration of wasting the resources of the

By Emmanuel Oladesu Deputy Political Editor

state.

Tinubu described the governor as a chameleon who masqueraded as the messiah during the period the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ruled the state.

He recalled that the progressives in the Southwest supported him during the time his mandate was stolen.

The politician said it is ironic that the governor’s spin doctors have continued to relay to the public the audiovisual of the 2007 endorsement of his candidature by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole in 2012, when the ACN family, including the Edo governor, is rooting for the candidature of Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN).

Tinubu said: “The last three and a half years have been a trying period for the people

of Ondo State because their hopes and expectations have been dashed. We have traversed the length and breadth of the state and found its infrastructure in ruins. Ondo is the richest in the Southwest, but Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State has performed better than the Ondo governor.

The question is: where is the oil money? There must be a clean break from the past.”

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THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2012

NEWS Presidency wants N91m for landscaping in 2013 •National Assembly to get N150b From Onyedi Ojiabor, Sanni Onogu and Nduka Chiejina, Abuja

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•Group Managing Director (GMD) UBA Plc, Mr. Phillips Oduoza(3rd right) and officials of Proparco, during a meeting between UBA and Proparco, held on the sideline of the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group, in Tokyo, Japan at the weekend. From left are Regioal Manager, North & South-East Asia, Proparco, Pierre-Alain Pacaud; Deputy Head, Banking & Capital Markets; Sophie Le Roy; Deputy Chief Executive officer and Marie-Helene Loison, Chief Investment Officer; Director General, Proparco Claude Periou. On the right is Sola Yomi-Ajayi, Division Head, International Banking, UBA Plc.

‘Govt to build more dams to combat flooding’ Continued from page 1

we will pay more money.

“By the time we build two or three more dams in the Benue section and the Niger river , we may still get more water coming in, but it will not be to this level because the dams hold the water and release it gradually.”

The President described the flooding as global, having affected the entire world from Asia to Europe and Africa.

Dr. Jonathan also addressed flood victims at the Sports Complex Camp in Yenagoa, said: “The main interest is that when the flood goes down, how will they survive? We are working very hard because all their crops are gone; whole forest is flooded and in most cases even their planting seedlings, plantain suckers, cassava cuttings etc have been destroyed.”

He said the government was working on modalities to provide plants of short time growth that could withstand flood to farmers, saying: “We are looking at different options

of importing these items to give them, also looking at how we can get varieties of plants that will mature in a very short time, something like maize that can mature in three months. We are also looking at the ones that will mature in 50 days, rice that will endure some levels of flooding and so on.

“These are the areas the Ministry of Agriculture is working on.”

President Jonathan recalled the 1969 flood that he witnessed in the lower part of the Niger Delta.

In his view “the current flood is even faster in going down”.

“This one is even faster. I believe before the middle of November, most of the communities will be out of the flood,” the President said.

There are indications that the flood may affect rice production and other food items.

It was also learnt that some forces are making moves to ask the government to review the 10 per cent duty on imported rice, which it has included in the 2013 budget.

The massive floods have

washed away many farmlands where staple foods, such as rice, maize, yam, are being grown.

Farmlands in Benue, Kogi, Niger, Kwara, Adamawa, Kano, Kebbi, Plateau and Edo have been washed away.

According to a source in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, the government is already taking stock of the situation, especially on its implications on rice production.

The source said: “We have got some reports on how farmlands, especially rice fields, were destroyed by floods in some of these states.

We are taking more stock, the government is on top of the situation.

“For instance, 4,700 inhabitants of communities in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, namely Bele, Emi, Faigi, Tswatako, Patako, Tada, Shonga, Edogi Dukun, Yemagi, among others, were rendered homeless due to heavy rains.

“Similarly, over 3,200 hectares of rice plantation under the authority of Tada-Shonga

Irrigation Scheme in Edu Local Government Area, also in Kwara, have been washed away by flood.

“Some rice producing areas, like Warawa, Doguwa, Wudil, Gabasawa, Ajingi and Gaya local governments in Kano, are affected.

“The flood disasters in rice farmlands came at a time Minister of Agriculture Dr. Akinwumi Adesina is driving a massive local policy on rice production.”

It was learnt that some pressure groups and experts have been “making representations to the government to reconsider increase in tariffs on rice in the absence of adequate local production which could lead to skyrocketing of rice prices, The source added: “It is true that some people are agitating for the review of the proposed tariff structure with a view to maintaining sanity in rice prices for the average consumer of this staple product.

“But, as a responsive government, it needs to take stock of the situation before determining whether it should change

its policy on rice as announced in 2013 Budget.”

Another source in the National Emergency Management Agency said: “We have reports on farmlands that were washed away. Most of the 19 states affected by floods had their farms hit too.

“In Plateau, about 100 villages and 4,000 hectares of farmlands were destroyed in some local governments like Kanam, Wase, Shendam, Lantang North, Lantang South, Mikang, and Qu’an Pan, Jos East and Jos North.

“In Benue State, thousands of farmlands were also submerged, with nothing to harvest at the end of the day.

“But I think the Minister of the Environment, Hajiya Hadiza Mailafia, recently confirmed the magnanimity of the disasters on farmlands.

“She said the consequences of the floods are that there are huge losses of farmlands; there are likely threats to food security; we are likely going to have challenges that have to do with the health of the people in some areas.”

HE Presidency has requested for N91 million for landscaping and other related matters in the State House, according to a breakdown of the 2013 budget.

President Goodluck Jonathan last week presented the estimates to the National Assembly for consideration.

Of the N91 million, N25,925,045 is for landscaping of the new residence of the Vice President, N20,110,300 for landscaping/service of veterinary and N45m for landscaping, drainage and access road of the State House Medical Centre (SHMC).

The Presidency is also asking for over half a billion (N550,949,502) to construct a new visitor’s car park, a zoo and a slaughter slab in Abuja.

The Auditor General of the Federation is asking for N180 million to acquire one Toyota Camry and 18 Toyota Hilux vans.

A new Toyota Hilux costs about N4,320,000 and 18 of these will translate to N77,760,000.

The Auditor General plans to spend N5.3 million to buy 50 fire extinguishers at N106,000 each; N7 million on 10 explosive detectors and N23 million on monitoring and evaluation of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) projects.

The Presidency is also asking for N475 million to build a visitor’s car park at the state house (opposite the pilot gate).

There are plans to build a N60,600,300 zoo and a N15,349,202 slaughter slab at Aguda House, the official home of the Vice President.

Continued on page 58

Unknown gunmen kill 24 in attack on Kaduna community Continued from page 1

Dawa village went to Kuyello village, arrested four persons suspected to be members of a notorious gang terrorising their areas and took them to Dogon Dawa village for questioning.”

An Army officer said: “It is a clear case of armed robbery.”

Lt. Col. Sani Usman added: “The last time I spoke with my (contact) in the area, he said it was 20 people dead.”

A traditional ruler in the village told NAN in a telephone interview that a large number of gunmen held the village captive, opened fire on worshippers who were returning from a mosque after the early morning prayers.

He said the gunmen were believed to have moved from Zamfara State to the area.

The Nation gathered that the gunmen, who operated in the area before being chased out, regrouped and returned to the village on a reprisal, having lost some of their men.

Sources said that the gunmen might have escaped from a prison in one of the negbouring states. They have been operating along the Kaduna/Birnin Gwari

Defence Headquarters: military not involved

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HE Defence Headquarters yesterday attributed the killings to reprisals by some armed robbers.

It also denied that the military was involved in the killings, contrary to what had been reported by some international media.

The Defence Headquarters made the clarification in a statement last night by it’s Director of Information, Col. M.M. Yerima.

The statement said: “The attention of the Defence Headquarters has been drawn to the unsubstantiated claims by CNN and Aljazeera alleging that the Nigerian Military carried out an early morning attack on Muslim worshippers in a mosque at Dogo Dawa, a village near Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State, where twenty people were allegedly killed by unknown gunmen.

highway before the community set up the vigilance group to fish out the criminals.

A highly dependable source said “sometimes ago, there were series of armed robbery operation in the area especially along the Kaduna/ Birnin Gwari highway.

Some women were even raped in the process.

“So the community set up a vigilance group to find out who were responsible and

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

“This is contrary to reports by other local and international media organizations, who reported that the attack was carried out by unknown gunmen.

“Investigation revealed that the killing was a reprisal by a gang of armed robbers who lost some of their members after a recent raid of their hide out through the combined effort of the villagers and the vigilance group in that community.

“The Defence Headquarters wishes to state categorically in the interest of the larger society that no member of the Nigerian Armed Forces was involved in the said attack which occurred in the early hours of Sunday the 14th October 2012.

“We wish to reassure the general public of our readiness to offer assistance to the Nigerian Police Force and other Security Agencies whose primary responsibility is

put an end to it. They have being doing a good job as they were able to identify some of those responsible for the robberies and other criminal activities in the area.

“A former hakimi (district head) in Dogo Dawa was in charge of the committee that was responsible for sanitising the area and that was why, in the last three months, there was no robbery in the area. People were

the maintenance of law and order in the society. “ We are committed to the defence and protection of our country’s hard earned democracy and more importantly, the Nigerian Armed Forces belong to the Nigerian people and cannot be an instrument of lawlessness and destruction of the very people it has sworn to protect, as alleged by the reports.

“We urge members of the public to go about their legitimate businesses without any fear of molestation from any quarter, and to also report any breach of peace and security in the society to law enforcement agencies.

“Please disseminate this information for the awareness of the general public.Thank you for your usual cooperation and please accept the warmest regards of the Chief of Defence Staff.”

able to identify the criminals and they were being eliminated silently one after the other.

“The criminals must have fled the village. This morning, they went to the house of the man they suspected to be responsible for identifying them. They killed him and two of his children and cut the hand of his wife. They also killed 17 other people in the village.

“I learnt that those people

they killed were just coming from the early morning prayers. I can confirm to you that it was not a robbery operation, but it was the criminals themselves that came for a reprisal attack because the people have been identifying them”.

Another source said that the criminals sent a message to the community that they were coming back on a revenge mission having lost some of their members.

The Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Restore Order (ORO),yesterday on Sunday confirmed an early morning blast on Bama Road in Maiduguri, the beleaguered, Bornor State capital.

JTF spokesman, Lt.-Col. Sagir Musa, said in Maiduguri that the blast did not record any casualty.

“It is true that we had a blast along Bama Road in the early hours of Sunday. The truth is that there was no casualty.”

Lt.-Col. Musa explained that the bomb was planted on the road in anticipation of the JTF patrol vans.

“They were probably targeting our patrol vans or other civilians. But, fortunately, the bomb went off without hitting any target.”

He said to residents of the state to be vigilant and report suspicious objects to the JTF promptly.

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

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2012

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NEWS

How Osun Speaker’s wife was rescued by palm wine tapper

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ACTS emerged yesterday on how Alhaja Muibat Salaam, wife of Osun State House of Assembly Speaker Najeem Salaam, regained her freedom four days after she was abducted.

Mrs. Salaam, who was abducted last Tuesday in Ejigbo by gunmen, returned to Osogbo, the state capital, around 1am yesterday in the company of the state Director of the State Security Service (SSS), the Police Commissioner and the Speaker’s Chief Detail Officer.

It was learnt that Mrs. Salaam was smuggled out of the state in a trailer and was rescued at Ogunmakin, a village off the LagosIbadan Expressway.

A family source said: “A palm wine tapper on top of a palm tree noticed the kidnappers, who were between 28 and 40 years old, with a lone woman in the back cabin of the trailer. He alerted a vigilance group and they accosted the kidnappers. An argument ensued and resulted in a gun battle between the kidnappers and members of the vigilance group.

“Two of the kidnappers

Osun engages American expert on innovations From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

•Husband ‘grateful’ •Kudos for vigilance group From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo and Oziegbe Okoeki

were killed. Three were apprehended, but the rest escaped. Alhaja was rescued unhurt. A towing vehicle operator in the village phoned a member of the Oyo State House of Assembly and notified him of the development.

“The lawmaker contacted Oyo State Assembly Speaker Monsurat Sunmonu, who contacted Najeem. Alhaja said her kidnappers offered her bread and Lacasera, but she refused to take anything all through.”

It was learnt that three traditional rulers - the Timi of Ede, Oba Munirudeen Lawal; the Olufon of Ifon, Oba Abdulmaroof Adekunle Magbagbeola and the Elerin of Erin-Osun, Oba Yusuf Omoloye Oyagbodun II – were with Salaam at his home in Osogbo around 2:30pm on Saturday, when his Oyo State counterpart phoned him that his wife had been found.

A family source debunked reports that the

kidnappers demanded N200 million ransom.

Salaam thanked members of the Ogun State vigilance group and security agencies for rescuing his wife.

In a statement by his media aide, Mr. Goke Butika, the Speaker said he was impressed by the people’s support to his family throughout the ordeal.

He thanked Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola; his deputy, Mrs. Titi LaoyeTomori; members of the State Executive Council; traditional and religious leaders; Assembly members and the media.

Salaam said his wife’s abduction reinforced the threat of insecurity in the country and urged the relevant authorities to act decisively.

The Osun State chapter of the Alliance for Collaborating Political Party (ACPP) has hailed the vigilance group that rescued Mrs. Salaam.

In a statement by its Chairman Waheed Lawal and Secretary Rufus Oyatoro yesterday, ACPP urged security agencies to

sit up.

ACPP comprises nine political parties – the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP); National Conscience Party (NCP), Labour Party (LP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), All Democratic Congress (ADC), Justice Party (JP), Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), Progressive Action Congress (PAC) and the National Unity Party (NUP).

Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji has congratulated his Osun State counterpart on the rescue of his wife.

In a statement by his media aide, Mr. Rotimi Adebayo, Ikuforiji said: “On this joyous occasion of the successful rescue of the darling wife of the Osun State House of Assembly Speaker from the hands of kidnappers, I, on behalf of my family, Lagos State legislators and the management and staff of the Lagos Assembly, rejoice with Aregbesola, Salaam and the good people of Osun State.

“We give glory to the Almighty God for preserving Mrs. Salaam’s precious life

•Mrs Salaam

throughout the harrowing experience. That the Almighty Creator equally saved her during the gun duel between the kidnappers and members of the vigilante group confirms that all thanks and adoration must be given to the Almighty Allah.

“Credit must be given to members of the Ogun State vigilance group, who displayed immense courage and patriotism to thwart the dastardly plot of the criminals.

“Their act of bravery underscores the urgent need for our nation to embrace State Police, which is capable of checking the lapses that presently exists across our great country, due to the fact that a centrally controlled police force, as we have it today, cannot solve the myriads of security challenges that face us as a nation anymore.”

Teachers, a hurdle to educational progress, says Fayemi

Alaafin turns 74

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

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KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi yesterday said teachers are the only hurdle to educational advancement in the state.

He said no amount of computers or renovation of schools would cause the desired change, except teachers are “worked upon”.

Dr. Fayemi spoke at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral, Ado-Ekiti, during a thanksgiving service marking his second anniversary in office.

Displaying a sketch of the result of the last West African School Certificate Examination (WASCE), in which only 16 per cent of candidates from the state had five credits, the governor said: “If a teacher taught 50 students and they all failed,

•Fayemi (second right); his wife, Bisi (right); Deputy Governor Funmilayo Olayinka (second left); her husband, Arch. Lanre Olayinka (left) and the Bishop of Ekiti Catholic Diocese, Most Rev. Felix Ajakaye...yesterday.

it is a question on the competence of the teacher.

“We have six government schools, which are the only exceptions, going by the last result. Last year, when 99 per cent passed in Holy Child School, just 20 per cent passed in Christ’s School. This year, 99.99 percent passed in Holy Child School, only six per cent passed in Christ’s School

The Osun State Government has appointed a Nigerian Aeronautic Engineer based in America, Prof. John Ayinde Fabunmi, Head of the Building Knowledge-Based Society on Innovation, Infrastructure and Quality of Lives at the University of Osun (UNIOSUN).

At a reception in his honour at the Government House, Osogbo, at the weekend, Fabunmi said knowledge and innovations have helped man in surmounting social, economic, infrastructural, geographical and institutional barriers.

Fabunmi, who is board member of the American Heritage Defense Corporation (AHDC), said: “No nation develops without the critical ingredient, which is knowledge. It is the best asset a people possess and this asset is the ability to come up with new ideas to solve problems confronting human beings on daily basis.

“I have no doubt in my mind that what the Governor wants us to do can certainly be achieved. I will bring my experience of over three decades to bear on the endowment, with a view to redefining and broadening knowledge-based culture in the school and the state as a whole.

“I believe, with this project, that I am not working for a few people, but for the benefit and enhancement of the lives of the over three million people of this state.”

while Christ Girls School had 0 per cent.

“The teachers who teach in government schools are the same as those at the other schools. The only difference is that those who teach in government schools are civil servants posted from the ministries.

“No amount of computers or renovation of schools

would do the work. If we do not address the aspect of teachers, we are going nowhere. We appeal to our elders to consider this situation with us. The teachers should exhibit some self restraint and respect.”

The governor’s speech was a response to an earlier appeal by the Bishop Emeritus of Ekiti Catholic Diocese, the

Most Rev. Olatunji Fagun.

The bishop had urged the government to train teachers before testing them as an alternative to the Teachers Development Needs Assessment (TDNA) test.

He hailed Fayemi for repairing/building roads and schools across the state and the social security scheme for the elderly.

THE Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, will today celebrate his 74th Birthday anniversary at his palace in Oyo town.

Atiba Local Government Transition Committee Chairman Prince Akeem Adeyemi Adeniyi announced this during the Atiba Local Government Youth Forum at Oke-Olola Primary School, where he donated cash to youths.

He said the Alaafin would inaugurate some of the projects executed by the transition committee.

The projects include 10 boreholes, three 500KVA transformers, three roads and the Alowolodu Housing Scheme.

The Alaafin’s birthday will be celebrated with various activities that will begining today.

Four killed in Ogun weekend robbery

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OBBERS at the weekend attacked the Ogun State home of a board member of the Environmental Rights Action (ERA), Mr. Bode Oluwafemi, killing his brother-in-law, Kolade Kehinde and three others.

The 12-man gang stormed Oluwafemi’s home on Anglican Road, Sango Otta, at about 1.45am on Saturday morning and shot the security dog dead.

Oluwafemi, former subeditor at The Guardian and director with Friends of the Earth Nigeria (FoEN), escaped unhurt.

By Precious Igbonwelundu

The robbers, who were said to be armed with sophisticated weapons, killed Kehinde, a vigilance group member and two yet-to-be identified persons.

They also shot Oluwafemi’s security guard, Mr. Tunde Olajesu.

Oluwafemi’s colleague, Mr. Tunji Buhari, said: “It all started on October 12 at about 1.45am, when about 12 heavily armed men stormed Oluwafemi’s house.

“First, they shot the security man, Olajesu, to prevent him from alerting us.

He was fortunate, as the bullet hit his hand and not his body as they intended.

“Wisely, he pretended that he was dead, so, they left him in a pool of his blood assuming that he was dead. They stormed Oluwafemi’s building, a duplex, and shot Oluwafemi’s brother-in-law, Kolade Kehinde, who lived on the ground floor.

“When the robbers hit the door repeatedly, Oluwafemi appealed to them that he would open the door peacefully, which he attempted to do, but was forced to run back and lock himself in the toilet when the gang rained bullets

into the house.

“They forcibly entered the house and dragged them out from their hiding place. They demanded money, which was given to them. Not satisfied, they ransacked the entire house and made away with laptops, a camera, four phones, gold jewellery, children cloths, shoes and even food stuff.

“While they were doing this, they fired bullets, riddling the walls, property and ceiling with marks.”

Kehinde, the only son of his mother, came to Lagos from Ekiti State to look for

a job.

Buhari said frantic calls to people to alert the police yielded no result.

He said: “When we lifted a body we found in the gutter, he was clutching his prayer beads in his hands.

He was praying when he was killed and thrown into the gutter.

“We took him to a nearby mortuary before reporting at the police station. It was later that we discovered that the gang mistakenly killed two of their members.”

Speaking of efforts to get help during the robbery, a source said: “Ogun State Po-

lice spokesman Mr. Muyiwa Adejobi picked his call when I called him at about 2am. He promised to send his men, but he did not. If he had, I am sure some of the robbers would have been apprehended. In fact, till the robbers were done, no police presence was felt.

“It was Oluwafemi and some people that went to the station to report the incident.

About four policemen followed them back to the house. It was a classic case of medicine after death.”

As at press time, Adejobi could not be reached on phone.

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2012

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NEWS

Okunnu: Achebe’s wrong

Call Okupe to order, says HURIWA

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NON-GOVERNMENTAL organisation, Human Rights Writers’ Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has criticised the confrontational stance of the Presidential Assistant on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, concerning the National Assembly.

The group urged President Goodluck Jonathan to caution his aides against engaging in an unnecessary media war with the legislative.

It said there are more decent ways of aides going about their duties without necessarily sounding condescending and disrespectful.

In a statement by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko and the National Media Officer, Miss Zainab Yusuf, HURIWA said: We sincerely wish that President Jonathan calls his media and public affairs team to order and instruct them to go about their jobs with decorum.”

Aviation unions hail Fed Govt

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HE Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) have hailed the Federal Government on the zero per cent tariff announced by President Jonathan on aircraft and spare parts importation during his budget pres-

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

entation to the National Assembly.

Benjamin Okewu said it has given airline operators the opportunity to bring in aircraft at reduced rates.

NUATE President Mohammed Safiyanu said the zero tariff would bring about reduction in air fares.

Ministers for workshop From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

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TTORNEY-GENERAL of the Federation and Minister of Justice Muhammed Bello Adoke (SAN) and Minister of Petroleum Resources, Dizeani Alison-Maduekwe are to meet on disputes emanating from the exploration and production of oil and gas in Nigeria.

The deliberation is expected to take centre stage at a threeday workshop organised by the International Institute for Petroleum, Energy, Law and Policy (IIPELP) in Abuja.

A statement by the founder of the institute, Niyi AyoolaDaniels, said the workshop would discuss legal aspects to settle disputes in the sector.

By Eric Ikhilae

•Achebe

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FORMER Federal Commissioner of Works and Housing, Femi Okunnu(SAN), has said the new book, There was a country, by Prof Chinua Achebe is replete with inaccurate facts and claims.

Okunnu, who served from 1967 to 1974, denied claims by the author that the Federal Government starved the Igbo.

He also denied that the government committed genocide in its execution of the country’s civil war.

The senior advocate, who said he led the Federal Government’s delegation to some peace talks outside the country between the government and Biafran representatives, said it was the late Emeka Ojukwu, who used starvation and other inhuman means as war weapon.

The former commissioner,

in an interview with The Nation, said as a member of the cabinet during the war and a key participant in the peace talks, he could state that the Federal Government never had a policy of subjecting the Igbo to any inhuman treatment.

He said although he was not against Achebe writing a book on the civil war,such book must be based on facts.

Okunnu said although he has not read the book most of the information contained in the excerpts do not reflect the truth about what happened.

The former commissioner said Achebe’s posture portrays him as an individual who does not susbscribe to the idea of a Nigerian nation “Well, I have read only the newspaper reports and excerpts from the book and I am amazed at the extent of intellectual dishonesty displayed

by Prof Achebe in alleging that the Federal Government under Gen Yakubu Gowon had a policy of denying our fellow Nigerians, who were trapped in Biafra, relief materials.

“There is no policy whatsoever by the government, in which I was a member.

“Right from the outset, the declaration of war on May 27, 1967 until the cessation of hostilities in January 1970, to the best of my knowledge, whatever Chief Obafemi Awolowo might have said or said to have said, as reported by Prof Achebe, was not the Federal Government’s position. It was not the government’s policy at all.

Okunnu described as immaterial the issue of Obafemi Awolowo’s ambition, but disagreed with the author that he (Awolowo) wanted to capture political power for his Yoruba people, as claimed in the book.

“Well, as an ambitious politician, he was. As a man who wanted power, of course he did seek power and he acquired power in the Western Region.

“He was a powerful politician. That he was seeking power for his Yoruba people, we’ll leave that. I think that is rather cheap. Because at the end of the day, Chief Awolowo sought support from the minority groups in the North, notably in the Middle Belt and in Borno area.

“Awolowo built his power not only from the West, but also in the Rivers and Calabar part of Nigeria and the Middle Belt and Borno.

Presidency, UNDP meet with editors

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HE Presidency and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will hold a one-day workshop with editors tomorrow in Lagos.

The parley, under the auspices of the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity and the UNDP Democratic Governance for Development Project II, is “The Editor and

the Constitution Amendment Process”.

A statement by Bolaji Adebiyi, Special Assistant to the President on Media, and Toyin Adewale-Gabriel, Communication and Reporting Advisor of the DGD Project II said: “The dialogue is to mobilise the Nigerian editor to reawaken the media to its responsibility of promoting public awareness.”

•Ukpabi flanked by I.T Consultant Light up Nigeria Award Martins Ahmiegbe (left) and Legal PHOTO: ADEJO DAVID Adviser Paul Alhigasm at a briefing in Lagos

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

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Firm to power PHRC for 20 years

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NIGERIAN firm, Genesis Electricity Limited (GEL) has signed a pact with General Electric (GE) to supply PortHarcourt Refinery Company Limited (PHRC) electricity uninterruptedly for 20 years.

Following the pact, which was coordinated by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), GE will provide the gas turbine technology for the project in which First Bank Nigeria Plc is also a partner.

GEL’s Chief Executive Officer Akinwole Omoboriowo II, who spoke in Abuja, said without the turbine skill and technology, GEL would encounter some challenges in

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HE Chairman, Committee of Pro-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, Dr. Bolanle Babalakin (SAN), has called for the review of the nation’s legal system in the interest of justice and fair play.

He also proffered solutions to problems affecting the smooth dispensation of justice, such as prison congestion and slow prosecution of offenders.

Babalakin spoke at the Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan annual Public Lecture entitled: ‘Aspects of the Nige-

By Damilola Owoyele

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, Governors Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo) have been nominated for the annual Light-Up Awards.

The National Co-ordinator of Project Light-Up Nigeria, Frank Aja Ukpabi, said the award is to encourage these leaders to strive to achieve more in electrifying their states and Nigeria .

Ukpabi said steady electricity supply would reduce poverty, and that well-lit up streets at night contributed to deter criminals.

He said the award was based on transparency because they visited the states and local governments requesting for evidence of full execution of electrification projects.

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan rian legal system: Customary law (as tradition) in a modern society at the weekend.

He said the nation had experienced a sane legal structure which had been bastardised by politicians.

“Administration of law was premised on developing a brilliant system. In a brilliant system, most people awaiting trial would not get it because the IPO would look at the case and let the alleged person go

because there is actually no case.

“The next level of review would also take a step to determine whether or not the accused is a potential criminal. Because such a system is not operational you have situations where people are kept for two or three years for offences for which they could have been given one year.

“This is sad and painful. If the court should award one year where the person pronounced guilty had spent

three years the court is saying indirectly that this man is entitled to compensation as he had stayed longer than necessary,” he said.

Babalakin said there are the remote and the immediate causes of crime prevalence.

"The remote is the failure of the economy. If you have good economy and system running the prisons would not be congested because there will be no intent to commit crime," Babalakin said

Fed Govt secures $7.8b investments in agric

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

the project implementation.

He said: “Today, GE USA and NNPC are giving us the opportunity to light up the Port Harcourt Refinery Company Limited. It is the largest refinery in sub-Saharan Africa.

“The agreement we are signing today with GE, is deploying one of the most tested technology- gas turbine technology that we are going to use, to provide uninterrupted power supply to PHRC for 20 years.

“For us, it is a great and wonderful step in our journey of lightening up Africa.”

Jonathan, Fashola, for awards

Babalakin calls for urgent review of legal system

House leader: we’ll scrutinise budget HE Leader of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Mulikat Adeola Akande, has said the National Assembly would exercise its oversight function on the budget proposal.

She said lawmakers are no rubber stamps as being insinuated in some quarters.

The House Leader spoke at the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, after the closing of the week long Youth Skill Acquisition Training yesterday.

She said the next year budget proposal presented to the National Assembly by the President would be properly scrutinised by the lawmakers, who would ensure that it would alleviate the problems of the masses.

She said: “We are neither robots nor a rubber stamp.”

“So to say he wanted power for his own people alone is neither here nor there.

Reacting to the author’s claim Nigerian leaders have not learnt from the civil war experience, Okunnu said Achebe was among those who have learnt nothing from the war.

“He himself has not learnt.

If he has learnt, he should be a Nigerian not an Igbo man. He has not learnt. And many people have not learnt.

“That is why I am advocating the spirit of oneness. That irrespective of ethnic background, we should see ourselves as one.

“One country, one people.

He (Achebe) is still an Igbo man. I am not a Yoruba man, I am a Nigerian. He should be a Nigerian. It is only by that identity, of being a Nigerian that Nigeria will grow in prosperity,” he said

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HE Federal Government’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) has secured private sector investments worth $7.8 billion, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina has said.

The minister said the World Bank, International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD), Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, among others, also committed resources to support the transformation plan.

Adesina spoke at the opening of the National Agricultural Show in Nasarawa State,

From Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

adding that plans are on-going to setup area-based flood insurance schemes for farmers to compensate them for floods and drought in their communities.

He said: “The Agricultural Transformation Agenda in Nigeria is well on course. We have been able to attract $7.8 billion of private sector investment commitments into the agriculture sector in the past one year.

“The world is noticing. The World Bank is providing $500 million. The Bill and Melinda

Gates Foundation have selected Nigeria as a priority country for its investment in agriculture. The International Fund for Agriculture Development has put up $80 million.

The USAID has committed $60 million. And the DFID, Ford Foundation and Rockefeller Foundation have committed for technical support facilities.”

Speaking on farmers affected by flood, the minister said government is to develop policies that will protect farmers from the impact of climate change.

“The flood is a wake-up

call, with changing weather patterns; we must now develop policies for protecting farmers from the impact of climate change, especially droughts and floods.”

He said as part of the flood recovery food production initiative, the ministry is distributing 1,000 pumps to farmers to used for flood recession food production in the dry season.

Adesina, who assured that there won’t be food crisis in the country, said government would embark on a flood recession food production intervention to support farmers .

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2012

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CITYBEATS

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

Govt targets 25% production of local food consumption

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WENTY-FIVE per cent of the food items consumed by Lagosians are to be produced locally, the state government said at the weekend.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperative, Prince Gbolahan Lawal, made the disclosure at a press conference held to commemorate the Year 2012 World Food Day. He restated government’s commitment to reduce food importation and encourage the youths to engage in farming.

According to him, the government has a plan to establish a co-operative college where farmers can sharpen their skills and provide necessary supports that would help them achieve their collective objective.

By Miriam Ndikanwu

“Soon, Lagos would produce 25 per cent of the food consumed by over 20 million residents in the state.

We have engaged 120 youths in rice production and additional 250 people would be engaged in the various agricultural programmes to boost food production in the state,” he said.

The commissioner added that to ensure food security in the state, more people would be engaged in capacity building, adding that plans are afoot to make full utilisation of lands recently acquired by the state for farming in neighbouring states.

Gbolahan said irrigation equipment have been provided for cultivation of the

land acquired in Osogbo, Osun State, where he said the government will focus on the cultivation of vegetables.

The commissioner listed some of the challenges facing the farmers to include lack of adequate skills, poor transportation system and erratic power supply. He blamed the low food production in the country on these challenges.

He listed the provision of a 20,000 ton per annum rice mill at Imota, 10,000 broiler house and 2,000 birds per day processing centre, establishment of modern farm service centre and inauguration of Eko refrigerated meat vans amongst others, as some of the government intervention in agriculture.

Lagos inaugurates Fela’s museum today

By Segun Balogun

•Late Fela

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IVING up to its promise to upgrade Fela’s Shrine into an international museum, the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism and Intergovernmental Relations, in collaboration with members of the Ransome-Kuti’s family, have concluded plans to inaugurate the monument today.

The government had earlier in the year promised that the late musician’s residence at 7, Gbemisola Street, off Allen Aveue, Ikeja, will be rehabilitated and upgraded into an international museum.

According to a press statement from the ministry of tourism, the inauguration of the Museum will coincide with the opening of ‘Felabration,’ a yearly festival held in commemoration of the late Afro-beat legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.

Reiterating the present administration’s determination to immortalise de-

serving Nigerians, the ministry assured that the essence and content of the ‘Kalakuta Republic’ remains intact, after the rehabilitation.

Stressing that the Museum will serve as a storehouse and database for the late icon’s lifetime, the statement said the provision of a terrace for drinks would be an added attraction.

The ministry urged all lovers of the late Afro-beat king to attend the inauguration and the celebration of ‘Felabration’ as a way of immortalising Fela – the philosopher and social critic.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo explains suspension of officers

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AGOS Chapter Chairman of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Oliver Akubueze, has explained the Igbo socio-political group’s suspension of four members of the executive committee.

Akubueze, who spoke with The Nation at the weekend, said the officials were suspended during a key stakeholders’ meeting of the group, over alleged gross misconduct.

Those suspended are: the

By Jude Isiguzo

association’s Deputy President Collins Ozor; its legal adviser Fabian Onwughalu; Secretary-General Chief Thompson Ohia and the Publicity Secretary Chief Louis Okafor.

Present at the forum where the decision was taken were: representatives and leaders of market associations, local government chairmen, youths and women wing of the state

chapter of the socio-political group. They all passed a vote of no confidence on the suspended officers over alleged acts “capable of causing the disintegration of Ndigbo Lagos State and going to the press to discuss a matter already being handled by Ohaneze.”

Akubueze said the”sponsored” allegations of gross misconduct against him got him summoned to the meeting of a larger Igbo body where he was cleared.

Court jails destitute for stealing lab coat, phone

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WENTY-FOURYEAR-OLD Inni Udesi, a self acclaimed destitute, is to spend the next three months as an inmate at the Ikoyi Prisons, Lagos.

He was jailed after pleading guilty to charges of stealing and impersonation brought against him by police prosecutor, Inspector Ezekiel Ayorinde, before an Itire Magistrate’s Court, Lagos.

Presiding Magistrate D.T. Olatokun sentenced him to three-month imprisonment with hard labour for each count. The sentences are to run concurrently.

Udessi admitted he stole a laboratory coat and stethoscope forgotten by a female student, who hurriedly left a restaurant on September 7 within the premises of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

Three days after he stole the coat, Udessi, at about 7:50am, resurfaced in Ward

By Precious Igbonwelundu

E1 of the hospital in the stolen lab coat and was conducting ward rounds on patients.

Ayorinde told the court that the accused collected the phone of a patient, Peter Oshingbogun, who complained about the treatment he was getting. He left the ward under the guise of calling the relevant doctor.

Ayorinde said: ‘‘He pretended to be calling the doctor and walked towards the door and escaped before the patient raised an alarm, Udesis was apprehended and taken to the hospital’s security post. ‘‘In the course of interrogation, he initially claimed he was a doctor at the hospital and when he was asked to provide his identity card, he could not. ‘‘The police was invited to arrest him and at the station, he confessed to stealing the laboratory coat from a fe-

male student.”

Udessi, who was charged under Sections 285(a)(b) and 78(b), told the court he stole the coat and stethoscope because he wanted to feel like a doctor and the phone to survive.

He said: “There is nothing I have not tried to do but none worked out. I have worked as a bus conductor for two months, I could not continue because the drivers always said I do not know how to do the job. ‘‘I usually sleep at the UNILAG recreation centre and in the morning, I go about looking for what to eat.’’

Olatokun said: ‘‘Having pleaded guilty to the three counts, the accused is hereby convicted as charged and sentenced to three months in prison for each of the three counts. ‘‘The sentence is to run concurrently and should start counting from the date of arraignment,’’ she said.

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NEWS One dead, three injured in Ebonyi ‘illegal’ mining

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MAN, said to be an illegal miner, Anele Nwite, at the weekend died in a mining pit in Ameka, Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

Three others were injured and are receiving treatment in a hospital.

The pit reportedly caved in when the “illegal miners” were scooping for salt.

It was learnt that Nwite’s head, hand and leg were severed by a large stone which fell on him.

•Council chair denies knowledge From Ogbonnaya Obinna, Abakaliki

Another miner, Ebube Agu, was injured and taken to Ugodinma Hospital Onueke in the same local government area, where he is said to be responding to treatment.

The other two were taken to an undisclosed hospital for treatment and are said to be in critical condition.

The deceased was report-

edly buried immediately his body was retrieved.

The Chairman of Ezza South Local Government Area, Lazarus Ogbee, denied knowledge of the incident.

He said: “I have not received such a report on my table. The Development Centre Coordinator and the councillor representing the ward have not brought it to my notice. I am just hearing it from you.”

The area where the incident occurred is on lease to Royal Salt Company Limited.

Efforts to get the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Dr Ifeanyi Ike, and his Cement and Mineral Development counterpart, Sunday Ugwuocha, to react to the incident, were abortive.

They were said to be attending the State Executive Council (Exco) meeting.

Amaechi explains drive for growth

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IVERS State Governor Chibuike Amaechi at the weekend restated his determination to develop the state.

He spoke with reporters at the Shell Club in Port Harcourt, the state capital, during a dinner organised in his honour to mark the end of the Shell Golf Club tournament.

Amaechi said the state was on the verge of social and economic collapse, due to insecurity and other social vices, when he assumed office.

He said: “I believed that too many things were wrong with the state and there was the need to address those things.

There was lack of power, total insecurity and Shell had disappeared completely from Rivers State. The few companies that remained were locked in the residential areas.

“While some governors were negotiating with the criminals, I said ‘No’, we will fight the criminals. They were raping, killing and there were cases of stray bullets on the roads.”

Amaechi said his boldness to confront the insecurity at that time brought calm and peace to the state. He said if his administration had not addressed the core areas of education and security, the state would have collapsed.

On how he regained his mandate after his party primaries, the governor attributed his victory at the Supreme Court to “divine grace”.

He said it made him determined to leave the state better than he met it.

Amaechi attributed the lack of a democratic process in choosing leaders in Nigeria to the near loss of his mandate.

He thanked the Managing Director of Shell, Mr. Mutiu Somonu, his wife and members of the Shell Club for the honour and the tournament.

Amaechi urged Shell to be responsive to its host communities.

Bakassi: Group warns of impending war

T • Anambra State Governor Peter Obi (middle); former American Ambassador to Nigeria Water Carrington (left) and his wife, Arese, during the United States (US)-Nigeria Infrastructure Conference in the US.

Imo flood victims allege bias in management of intervention fund

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ICTIMS of the recent flood disaster in Imo state have expressed doubt over the management of the Federal Government’s intervention fund by the state government, which they said have employed political sentiments in the composition of the management committee.

They also accused the state government of diverting relief materials meant for the displaced people to loyalists of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).

Speaking with The Nation, the member representing Ohaji-Egbema/Oguta Federal Constituency, Gerald Irona, noted with displeasure that the state government has been playing politics with the misfortune that befell the people of the state, adding that “they have perfected plans to divert the intervention funds as a patronage to their party loyal-

Committee on Anambra flood visits camps The Anglican Bishop of Mbamili Diocese, Rev. Henry Okeke, has said Governor Peter Obi’s intervention has restored the hope and confidence of flood victims in the state.

The cleric spoke when he led members of the state’s Flood Disaster Coordination Committee to visit some resettlement camps in Onitsha.

He said the victims had become more hopeful because the Obi administration have been giving them succour.

Rev. Okeke noted that Obi’s prompt response to the flood disaster and his administration’s effective mobilisation and education of the people saved many lives.

According to him, the people in the various camps are well provided and cared for.

At the New Bethel Primary School camp in Onitsha, the cleric denied a report of rape and robbery in some camps.

He said there was effective internal and external security for the victims at the camps.

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

ists”.

Irona, who faulted the membership of the committee setup by the government to manage the fundthat APGA members in

communities that were not affected by the flood were given relief materials while victims who are not APGA members were denied any form of relief.

He said: “The involvement

of the Community Government Council headed by APGA Chieftains who were hurriedly selected to manage the intervention fund instead of the traditional rulers, is a pointer that the whole affair will be highly politicized. In Oguta for instance, one Ogbonna Alozie was selected to head the CGC and to manage the resources and he has been printing and selling forms to people who were not even affected by the flood”.

The lawmaker queried the inclusion of the community of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) among the affected areas, stating that it further exposes the fact that the fund will not get to the genuine victims at last, “Egbuoma community was not among the flooded areas but because the SSG, Prof. Anthony Anwukah, comes from there it was included.

Orji wins Champion Icon of Democracy Award

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BIA State Governor Theodore Orji has been awarded Champion Newspapers 2012 Icon of Democracy Award.

A statement by its Editorin-Chief and Managing Director Mrs. Nwadiuto Iheakanwa, said the governor will be conferred with the award on October 25 at Nike Lake Resort, Enugu State.

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Bamanga Tukur, will be the chairman at the award ceremony, while a former Information Minister, Dr. Walter Ofonagoro, will deliver the keynote address.

Explaining the choice of Governor Orji for the award, which is given to those who have used their political offic-

es to impact positively on the citizens as well as restoring democratic ideals in Nigeria, Mrs. Iheakanwa said the governor has reduced insecurity in the state.

The statement added: “One of the major achievements of the administration of Chief T.A. Orji is the restoration of peace and security. No

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state or nation will make meaningful progress without peace and security.

Before now, Abia was noted for kidnapping and other social vices. But we note that this unwholesome trade has become a thing of the past. People can now go about their businesses without fear. It is a credit to the governor that the

state is now adjudged as one of the three most peaceful states in Nigeria.

“He initiated and has given vent to the actualisation of the Urban Renewal and Expansion Programme earmarked for Umuahia and Aba metropolis.

This he has done without sourcing for external funds.”

NTA launches Star TV network in Enugu

HE Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) at the weekend launched its Star TV Network in Enugu.

The occasion brought to 14 the number of states the cable network has been extended to.

The Enugu Zonal Director of NTA, Dame Nneonyeodiri Ukoha said the strategic posi-

From Chris Oji, Enugu

tion of Enugu in the politics of Nigeria informed the launch.

She said: “Enugu remains one of the very important cities in the history of Nigeria and is deserving of the attention it is today receiving with respect to the nationwide rollout of the NTA – Star TV Net-

work.”

The NTA chief explained that the NTA–Star TV Network is a strategic partnership between the NTA and the Startimes Beijing Group of China.

The partnership, she said, began in 2010 but matured in July, this year.

HE Bakassi Support Group at the weekend warned that war may break out in the Bakassi Peninsula, which the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling ceded Cameroon in 2008.

Nigeria had the opportunity to appeal the ruling until October 10, 2012, but the Federal Government said it had no fresh facts to appeal the ruling.

Members of the group, Senator Ewa Hensaw and Ambassador Nkoyo Toyo, told reporters at the National Assembly that the Nigerian authorities had not considered the security implications of the ceding of the Peninsula to Cameroon.

Henshaw said: “What is happening in the Bakkassi may turn out to be four times that of Biafra. Our interaction with the people of the Peninsula has revealed that they are talking of self determination.”

The group said “though the people in the Bakassi Peninsula have been jettisoned by the Nigerian Government, they have a right to seek self determination” as provided in the Green Tree Agreement.

It flayed the Federal Government for failing to seek a review of the International ICJ’s 2008 ruling.

Mrs. Henshaw said she was disappointed with the manner the Federal Government handled the issue and wondered if Nigeria’s foreign policy was meant “to please foreign interests or safeguard its citizens’ rights”.

Henshaw said the passing of the October 10 window for the appeal for a review of the ICJ’s ruling raises a number of questions.

They include: “The Federal Government was supposed to prepare a brief, why did it not do so? Was it a case of undermining the directive of the President and the National Assembly as well as that of the Nigerian Bar Association?

“The President called a meeting in which certain directives were given. A committee was set up and was told to prepare a brief for the re-

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

view of the ICJ ruling. Subsequently, the committee was not allowed to function. The Attorney-General and the Minister of Justice thought differently and said there was no evidence. They also said they could not get international lawyers. Long before now, we had prepared fresh evidence.”

Ambassador Toyo said though the option to file for a review had been lost, the Bakassi people still have an option of self determination under the international law.

She said: “The Green Tree Agreement still has a year to run and we have time to file.

“There are two Bakassis: one is in Nigeria and there is a Bakassi Peninsula which is now in Cameroon through the ceding of the Bakassi.

“We have asked the Bakassi people and they are interested in self determination under the international law.

“The last one week was the most difficult for me. I did not understand how government works. The AGF will have to transform his approach in line with the transformation agenda and the wishes of the people.

“People have become displaced persons in their own land and they are living in camps. There have been gory pictures of abuses of Nigerians by the Cameroonian authorities and no one has asked the people of Bakassi what their condition is. These are Nigerian citizens, who our government swore to protect.”

Police warn vehicle owners THE Lagos State Police Command has warned owners of vehicles parked at Isheri Oshun Police Station to remove them or lose them to members of the public through auction.

The vehicles are Toyota Corona markedAH 886 APP, Daewoo Nexia DZ 582 EPE, Toyota Camry DN 191 JJJ and Volkwagen Golf BF 795 RSH

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FAGGE LOCAL GOVERNMENT INVITATION FOR PRE-QUALIFICATION Applications for pre-qualification are hereby invited from reputable companies/ contractors for the following projects: 1.

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Construction of Drainage at layin Kunya Chemist (300m) Repairs of Drainage at layin in Kashin Rago Construction of Drainage 1,410m Drainage and 14 culverts at Court Road Sabon Gari.

Construction of Drainage 444m and laterite at Galadima Market Sabon Gari.

Construction of Antenatal care ward/room at Sabo Garba Clinic.

Renovation of Sabo Garba Health Clinic.

Construction of Culvert, V.I.P. 3seater latrine, security room, 86m long drainage and patient waiting shade at R/Lemo Health Clinic.

Renovation of Junior Sec. Sch. Wapa, Security room & V.I.P. latrine.

Construction of Culvert at Fagge layin Plaza.

Construction of wall fence at Kwachiri Health center (557m) Rehabilitation of Hiyatudeen Islamiyya Layin Milo.

Rehabilitation of Naharatu Islamiyya Sch. Layin Kunya Chemist.

Construction of 8No culverts at various location in Darerawa yammata Gabas.

Procurement of water pump generator (for Agric Department).

Procurement of seed and sprayers for Agric Department.

Procurement of NPI Vehicle.

Rehabilitation of L.G. Secretariat.

PRE-QUALIFICATION CRITERIA i.

Evidence of Incorporation with Cooperate Affairs Commission (CAC) ii.

Evidence of Tax clearance iii.

Evidence of Registration with Kano State ministry of works iv.

Evidence of Financial capability/Equipment manpower v.

All pre-qualification documents should be submitted to the secretary Due process Committee on or before two (2) weeks from the date of this publication.

Signed:

Secretary Due process

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2012

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COMMENTARY EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

EDITORIALS

A debate with clarity and fervor

Bottomless pit •Spending N251.2bn on TAM is sheer waste of money. Previous TAMs led us nowhere ETROLEUM Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke, last week, let Nigerians into the Jonathan administration’s response to the cycle of shortages of refined petroleum products, the latest of which has crippled commercial activities in most parts of the country.

Appearing before the Magnus Abe-led Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) Sector on Tuesday, the minister told the committee of government’s plan to spend N251.2 billion ($1.6bn) on Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) and upgrade of three refineries. According to her, the exercise, due for completion in 2014, would shore up the capacities of the three refineries to 90 percent.

Any measure to cut down on the present regime of unbridled importation of fuel would certainly seem well taken. After all, that OPEC’s sixth largest producer of crude is unable to refine enough for its domestic needs is itself inexcusable.

However, we worry that the latest measure is no different from previous measures which neither turned the fortunes of the refineries around nor improved the nation’s refining capacity - they only boosted the bank balances of middlemen contractors.

To be sure, nothing of our experience with previous TAMs lend to any optimism that things would be any different even now. Nigerians are by now well familiar with interminable TAMs to put their faith in government’s latest plan.

For instance, we saw how under the Sani Abacha administration, maintenance of the refineries became an avenue to fleece the treasury. Even the Obasanjo administration which attempted to redeem the situation was more of the same. In both

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exercises, the billions of naira spent on the TAM went down the drain.

Where is the evidence that anything has changed? We find none. Indeed, the ongoing oil subsidy fund administration saga, under which the treasury has been fleeced of nearly a trillion naira, would seem enough pointer to how the virus of corruption has metastasised.

Throwing $1.6 billion at the ailing refineries is not a good way to use public funds. Not at this time. The claim that the refineries would attain 90 percent performance post-TAM is even more suspect. We have certainly heard such claims before. If we may dare to make the point again, the earlier arguments in favour of turning the treasury taps on – for the sake of keeping them running even if they are guaranteed to relapse later – are clearly as unhelpful, unrealistic as they are wasteful; they belong in the past.

The third reason is that the costs of keeping the ailing refineries have grown in years. Whereas, in the twilight of the Obasanjo administration, it was able to realise $700 million from the sale of two of the refineries to Bluestar Consortium, it seems highly unlikely that the same refineries would fetch anything near that figure– despite the billions sunk into them since their forced reacquisition by government.

For these reasons, we consider the option of sale as compelling and urgent.

Apart from saving the treasury the annual outlay of keeping the non-functional entities, we have no doubt that the private sector will better deliver value for every dime invested for the prospective investors. It may well kick-start the process of true liberalisation– which the Fed-

eral Government – for reasons best known to it, has been too timid to push beyond its laissez faire fuel import liberalisation.

Having said that, the greatest threats to the nation’s quest for self-sufficiency in domestic refining remain the virus of corruption, bad faith and government’s astounding myopia. The interplay of the factors explains the befuddled thinking behind government’s policies and the paralysis which the sector has found itself.

They are the reasons why the government would announce plans to build new refineries when it clearly lacks the nerves to turn the sod at project sites.

They are the reasons why the refineries cannot work – and unfortunately – the same reasons why it does not make sense to throw in public money for TAM.

‘Any measure to cut down on the present regime of unbridled importation of fuel would certainly seem well taken. After all, that OPEC’s sixth largest producer of crude is unable to refine enough for its domestic needs is itself inexcusable. However, we worry that the latest measure is no different from previous measures which neither turned the fortunes of the refineries around nor improved the nation’s refining capacity – they only boosted the bank balances of middlemen contractors.

Scandalous!

•Govt must compel its debtor-agencies to pay up PHCN’s N400bn debt ROM the House of Representatives Committee on Power came the depressing news that the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) is being owed a whopping N400bn by the Nigerian Armed Forces and ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs). Chairman of the committee, Mr. Patrick Ikhariale, disclosed this during an oversight visit to Ughelli and Sapele power plants. Although Mr Ikhariale did not say the period which the debt covers, that is immaterial. It is bad enough that government agencies that should be epitomes of good corporate governance are neck deep in debts to this ridiculous amount.

In the first place, the debt increases the stock of domestic debts and this comes with ramifying implications. Secondly, this kind of situation is bad for invest-

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‘If government agencies are not paying electricity bills and are not disconnected, why disconnect ordinary Nigerians over smaller justifiable debts or even debts that were imposed on them just because PHCN staff must meet certain revenue targets? The least the government can do in this matter is to investigate if truly these agencies owe this amount and force them to pay up, or at least ensure that they pay whatever verified debts they are owing the power company’

ment because investors are in business to make profit. But when there are many ‘untouchables’ in the system that want to enjoy services without paying for them, prospective investors would think twice before making up their minds to go and do business in such an environment. The situation becomes the more precarious considering that Nigeria, despite its huge market base, is not investor-friendly, given the problems of power and other challenges.

Moreover, the fact that the PHCN is still in business in spite of these huge debts is indication that ordinary Nigerians are the ones bearing the brunt of the debts.

This probably explains why many people are given all kinds of crazy bills because the PHCN gives its men targets that they must meet revenue-wise. What the debtor agencies do not realise is that the company can do a lot with N400 billion in its coffers.

We are daily inundated with stories of how PHCN cannot pay for gas to power its plants. In some instances, especially with recent improvements in the megawatts generated, the company still cannot afford to fire the plants full blast due to gas shortages. Indeed, but for frequent interventions by the Federal Government in transactions between PHCN and the companies supplying it gas, the situation would have been worse. This is unnecessary where all customers pay for services.

Perhaps what is the more scandalous in this development is that the armed

forces and the MDAs that are owing this stupendous amount have their allocations annually. Is it that they have considered PHCN’s services as freebie and so do not budget for electricity supply?

Or, is it that they do but the money, as usual with most government monies, ends up in private pockets?

The government must be interested in a serious matter like this because it has been expressing its desire to improve the power situation. Yet, we cannot have results when some of its agencies are indebted to PHCN to the kind of amount that the House of Representatives committee has alleged. Obviously, those in power have no incentive to pay electricity bills because it is not like contract award where there is something in it for them.

This is the height of indiscipline that should not go unchallenged. If government agencies are not paying electricity bills and are not disconnected, why disconnect ordinary Nigerians over smaller justifiable debts or even debts that were imposed on them just because PHCN staff must meet certain revenue targets? The least the government can do in this matter is to investigate if truly these agencies owe this amount and force them to pay up, or at least ensure that they pay whatever verified debts they are owing the power company.

That is the only way the government itself can set a good example for others to follow. And that should be done immediately.

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HURSDAY night’s vice-presidential debate was one of the best and meatiest political conversations in many years, showing that real differences on public policy can be discussed with fervor, anger, laughter and real substance. In contrast to the dismal meeting last week between President Obama and Mitt Romney, this debate gave voters a chance to evaluate the positions of the two tickets, in part because Representative Paul Ryan’s nonanswers were accurate reflections of his campaign.

Vice President Joseph Biden Jr. would not sit still for a parade of misleading and often blatantly untruthful descriptions of the state of the economy and the Republican prescriptions for it. Though his grins and head-shakes were often distracting, he did not hesitate to interrupt and demand an end to “malarkey.” The result, expertly controlled by the moderator, Martha Raddatz of ABC News, was both entertaining and enlightening.

Mr. Ryan, as always, refused to acknowledge the improvement in the economy, at one point throwing out a canned talking point about the increase in unemployment in the depressed industrial city of Scranton, Pa., Mr. Biden’s hometown. “That’s how it’s going all around America,” he said, ignoring the steady reduction in the national jobless rate, which dipped to 7.8 percent last month.

“You don’t read the statistics,” Mr. Biden said, jumping in. “That’s not how it’s going. It’s going down.” He repeatedly pointed out that Mr. Romney had firmly opposed the federal bailout of the auto industry, which turned out to be the single biggest act of job creation in the last four years. Mr. Ryan responded weakly that Mr. Romney was a “car guy,” but offered little in the way of economic proposals beyond cutting taxes and ridiculing the Obama administration’s stimulus program.

The vice president, who was in charge of that program, actually defended it, breaking with his campaign’s usual reticence to discuss an enormously successful effort that, he pointed out, kept the economy from going over a cliff. And he showed Mr. Ryan’s hypocrisy on the subject by pointing out that the congressman had asked for stimulus money for his state of Wisconsin, just as other Republicans did even as they vilified the program.

Mr. Ryan’s performance on foreign affairs and military issues was at best disingenuous and at worst bumbling. He said he and Mr. Romney agreed with the administration’s planned 2014 pullout from Afghanistan but still thought it was a bad idea, a bizarre nonresponse that did little but confuse voters.

He never said what more a Romney administration would do about Syria than is already being done. And on Iran, he simply repeated Republican talking points about Mr. Obama’s “weakness” but did not say what Mr. Romney would do differently that would actually affect Iran’s nuclear program, apart from starting a war. He had no answer when the moderator asked how effective he thought military action be.

Mr. Biden refused to ignore the condescending remarks that Mr. Ryan and Mr. Romney have made toward the least fortunate, regularly described by the Republican ticket as “takers” who are irresponsibly dependent on government. That attitude, he noted, is reflected in the Republican tax plan that favors the rich. In one of his most effective summaries, he said that if Republicans would just “get out of the way,” there might be real action on middleclass tax cuts, jobs bills and mortgage relief.

“Stop talking about how you care about people,” he said. “Show me something.” Mr. Ryan’s predictable response: You said the stimulus would fix the entire economy and it didn’t. But he had no responsible answer for increasing growth.

Both candidates, however, demonstrated real engagement on issues that matter. It was a real change for voters starved for substance.

– New York Times

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh • Editor Gbenga Omotoso

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THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2012

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: Tuesday October 9 will remain etched in my memory for a long time to come. That day, some so-called State of Osun students from different tertiary institutions enacted a contemptible theatrical display reminiscent of the type with which the limited minds among the Oyo State NURTW assaulted innocent people in the recent past. For more than five hours, the students seized the main entrance to the State Secretariat at Abere, rendered the Osogbo Expressway impassable to thousands of road users, and prevented Governor Rauf Aregbesola, his deputy and other state functionaries from going to their offices. It was a complete case of madness without method!

I was on my way to the secretariat for an appointment when I happened on the sordid scene about 30 minutes after it started. With different cardboards screaming such eyesores as “Osun State Government is a BETREYER” (sic), the students were scattered in different directions of the road shouting and cussing. From what I gathered from about four of them, their major aim was to see the governor to express their displeasure at what they claimed to be the delay in the payment of their bursary, and to demand that the government refund the additional money they had paid as school fees when the government of Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola unjustly increased school fees in the state-owned higher institutions. Governor Aregbesola had shortly on assumption of of-

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Still on the rampaging Osun students fice announced a drastic reduction in the school fees. But these evidently narrow-minded students are asking that the fees be reverted to the old, insufferable amount of the Oyinlola era if the government would not do their bidding. It was for this specious reason that they denied thousands the right of way on that day!

This notwithstanding, the governor appealed to them to leave the highway and come to his office to state their grievances. But they re-

jected his request and insisted rather, that the meeting be held right there at the centre of the road!

If indeed these students had come to see the governor, why did they barricade the road, subject law-abiding citizens to suffering and even refused to accord any respect to the person and office of the governor?

The action of those freelance thugs masquerading as students was purely madness lacking in method.

Everything the students did that day gave them away as political thugs

sponsored to embarrass a government committed to the well-being of students. Did these students lay siege to the entrance of the secretariat after Governor Oyinlola increased their school fees? After these barbaric students momentarily came to their senses, they went into the secretariat to see the governor. But he could not come out to address them because hardly had they got in there when they started fighting one another. Of course they left in the same disor-

Uduaghan and youth empowerment IR: When you want to assess governance at any level of administration, merely take a cursory look at the quality of lives of the governed and your assessment will not be far from being accurate.

Looking down memory lane, there is no doubt that the Delta State of yesterday has changed for the better, going by the quality of life of the people. The average Delta man or woman who was unemployed can now boast of gainful employment courtesy of Governor

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Emmanuel Uduaghan’s administration in the state.

No wonder the barometer of anarchy has dipped giving rise to peace and tranquility in the once boiling heart of the Niger Delta.

Prior to his tenure, the average Deltan youth was unemployed, hence his restiveness. His past time was hunting oil company executives especially expatriate, in exchange for ransom. His grouse was that the oil companies employing the executives had taken lot resources from their land and instead

of making life better for him through provision of social amenities; his environment had been rendered improvement yielding little or nothing.

Also there was rampant disruption of oil production activities in addition to oil pipeline puncturing, in the country’s creeks, a development which sent down crude oil production to an all-time low level of 500,000 barrels per day.

All that now belonged to history as Dr. Uduaghan has restored the hope of youths in the state by creat-

Find the killers of the Uniport Four

IR: I doubt it if there can be any act of barbarism, bestiality and brutality that can match the notorious attacks and gruesome murder in their prime, of the four students of the University of Port Harcourt, by a mob.

The latest victims in the ever increasing lawlessness in the land are Messrs Biringa Chiadika Lordson, Ugonna Kelechi Obuzor, Mike Lloyd Toku and Tekena Erikena, who were mercilessly killed by irate mobs in Aluu, River State.

The gory video, published on

derly manner in which they entered the place.

It is high time we began to check the lawlessness of students in this country. If we continue to condone vicious misbehaviour in the name of democracy, such free reign of terror as evident in the destruction of facilities carried out by Ekiti State University students in the name of protest a few weeks ago; the brutal killings of four UNIPORT students on mere allegation of theft; and the recent misdemeanour by supposed students of tertiary institutions in Osun will in no distant time turn our country into a Hobbesian enclave. We can’t breed responsible, decent future leaders with character where they are not made to account for their wrongdoings. No, we can’t make omelettes without breaking eggs.

• Sogo Abioye, Ede, State of Osun.

various websites, showed how the crowd lynched the four naked men, who were eventually set ablaze after three of them went unconscious.

Mob actions, like the Aluu massacre are usually carried out on the spur of the moment. Culprits are usually thoroughly beaten, tortured and burnt in a twinkle of an eye; so fast that even the fastest reacting police squad won’t get there on time!

The alarming rate of criminality and extra-judicial killings in the nation is assuming a frightening

dimension.

Just on October 2, no fewer than 40 students were gruesomely killed by gunmen when they invaded the off-campus hostel of the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi with a hit list. Up till now, perpetrators of these heinous acts have really not been apprehended and brought to book.

Rather, the law enforcement agents keep informing the populace that they are still investigation. It is the same old story, over and over.

The federal and Rivers State governments, authorities of the Univer-

sity of Port Harcourt and indeed Nigerians, should as a matter of urgency ensure that justice is done by fishing out these wicked killers.

The task should not be left to the Police alone. The government should immediately set up a powerful panel, comprising representatives of all stakeholders to unravel the mystery surrounding the massacre.

• Adewale Kupoluyi Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta

ing employment opportunities in quantum such that their restiveness has since given way to peace with crude oil production level climbing to two million barrels per day.

This explains why the youths rallied behind the governor to secure a second term in office. In this first term in office, the governor fashioned out a blueprint that emphasized the empowerment of youths in order to encourage them to abandon the trenches, live a productive life and contribute their quota to the development of the state.

The administration still has over three years to go and at the pace it is going now, it is believed that Governor Uduaghan will go down as one ruler who has the interest and the welfare of the masses at heart. By the time he vacates office he must have put his name down in indelible ink and his administration as unparalleled in the history of Delta State. I believe that by the time he aspires for higher positions in the land, the governor has a ready constituency among the youths who will ensure his victory at the polls.

• Jonathan Emevor, Irri, Delta State,

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THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2012

COMMENTS

Combating the threat of flooding LOODING is a global phenomenon that has continued to constitute a major threat to cities and indeed nations across the world. At present, in most major cities of the world people are being displaced and in some instances killed by ravaging flood similitude of the Noah period described in the Holy Bible. With the prediction of more rains by experts, most cities of the world are currently battling with the reality of a flood ravaged year.

In Nigeria, the magnitude of flooding being presently experienced is, without doubt, beyond the scope of agencies and organisations responsible for handling national emergencies. Various parts of the country are currently grappling with the destructive consequences of flooding. In states such as Kogi, Plateau, Anambra, to mention a few, people are faced with various threats of different environmental hazards. In Kogi, for instance, the people now live in awe of dangerous reptiles such as snakes and crocodiles.

The extent of the damage caused by flooding has made the federal government to come out with a ‘Marshal Plan’ of action to bring relief to victims of the disaster as well as guiding against future occurrence. In an early morning broadcast last week, President Goodluck Jonathan assured Nigerians of his government’s readiness to tackle the danger of flooding in the country. Aside from promising to release funds to three categories of states hit by flooding in the country, President Jonathan equally set a committee consisting of eminent Nigerians with the primary objective of raising fund to provide succour for flood victims across the country.

From the foregoing, it is quite clear that flooding is no longer a situation that can be politicised. Recently when the Lagos Bar Beach experienced a surge, the opposition in the state tried, though unsuccessfully, to give the natural incidence political colorations. In its bid to find its voice, at all cost (even if it means being insensitive to the plights of victims of the ocean surge), the opposition ridiculously and callously called for the resignation of the governor state over the matter. How laughable! Now that almost half of the states in the country are in danger of flooding, do we call for the resignation of all the governors? Or better still, do we call for the resignation of the President?

Moments of natural disasters offer unique opportunity for the people, irrespective of political and religious dissections, to bond together and collectively tackle the misery created by the force of nature. When the United States of America faced, perhaps, its darkest moment in the wake of the Al-Qaeda assault, its people were united in forging a common front against global terrorism. No wonder President Obama of the Democratic Party was

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HE issues at stake in Ondo State as the governorship contest looms are quite dear to the discerming mind. It goes goes beyond the person of Dr. Olusegun or Aswaju Bola ahmed Tinubu.

Any attempt to norrow the issue down to these eminent personalities totally misses the point. The central question is: What will advance the survival of the Yoruba nation in the tottering federation called Nigeria?

International law clearly recognizes the right of nations within political states to self-determination and autonomy status.

What is a “Nation”? A nation is a group/ people with a common culture, language, destiny and social ambition. Where such a people finds itself clustered with other groups in a political state such as Nigeria, it is their right and prerogative to determine the terms of their association with such other groups. They may opt for integration and political participation into the political state by way of a federation or confederation if the circumstances are conducive.

They may alternatively, opt for regional autonomy or self governance. Such a decision belongs to the group is a recognized and right under international instruments and principles – right to development, right

‘In the modern era, there is no truly homogenous political state. Most political states are an agglomeration of different people’s and cultures. One important hallmark of developed and successful political states is that they have managed the tensions of heterogeneity intelligently and sincerely’

By Aderemi Ibirogba able to finish what former President George Bush of the Republican Party started when he finally nailed Osama Bin Laden. This is a clear demonstration of the fact that human lives are too precious to play politics with.

If not for the proactive measures which the Lagos State government has been taking with regards to the environment in the last 12 years, the flood situation in the country would have been more devastating. What we experience in Lagos anytime it rains is mere flash flooding which is natural to most coastal places. This is the outcome of the amount of work that the state government has done in sanitising the environment in recent time. Ironically, when the state government started its environmental regeneration programme, which led to strict enforcement of regulations that had been evaded for long, the same group of people that are now employing the flooding incidence to cause mischief were quite vocal in their condemnation of the programme. When the state government was converting hitherto abandoned loops into parks and gardens, they were the ones that thundered: ‘is it flowers we will eat’?

Being a natural occurrence, flooding often time defies scientific solutions. Clearly, public safety and good sense call for scientific response to flooding. However, while upgrading environmental infrastructure is important, engineering fixes alone will not suffice. According to renowned ecologists Donald Hey and Nancy Philippi, despite the massive construction of levees throughout the upper Mississippi Basin during the 20th century, annual average flood damage during that time more than doubled. Consequently, what is needed across the country is a comprehensive plan to add ecological infrastructure to complement engineering infrastructure -specifically to expand wetlands and re-activate floodplains so as to mitigate future flood risks. Re-creating wetlands and reactivating floodplains in strategic locations will result in a more robust and resilient flood protection system.

With more extreme weather and devastating floods likely in store in the months ahead, according to experts, public safety and economic security depend on enlisting nature’s defences along with our engineered ones. Instead of letting this ecological infrastructure degrade further, the federal and state authorities should work to expand and rebuild it.

Furthermore, certain negative practices easily aid flooding. Despite, the availability of civilised options for waste disposing as provided by Lagos Waste Management Authority and its other PSP partners, people still turn canals, streams and drainages into refuse dumping sites. It is so bad that while it is raining, people

come out to toss their refuse into the flowing water body.

No matter the level of government’s preparedness at tackling flooding, such practices would continue to negate its goals. As much as the government is doing its bits, NGOs, Community Development Associations, the media, members of the Civil Society and all well meaning individuals and groups in the state should partner with the state government to achieve attitudinal change towards the environment.

Perhaps, more importantly, states being affected by flooding should judiciously make use of the federal government intervention fund. They need to take a cue from Lagos State which has been investing heavily in the recovery, rehabilitation and construction of several drains such as the Macgregor, Achapo, and Orile Canals that are constantly being cleaned up. A major channel called System 5, which runs all the way from Surulere, down to Apapa, through Orile and through Ajegunle, has equally been dredged. At the last count, aside from routine maintenance that runs into thousands, major construction and drainage works completed and ongoing are in excess of 500.

On a final note, to avert future disaster, there is need for effective collaboration among emergency response institutions, across the country, to ensure to ensure swift response thereby reducing the number of causalities. To those that have incurred one loss or the other through the recent flooding in the country, one can pray that the Lord give them the fortitude to bear the loss while those living in flood prone areas should vacate those areas for now. God bless Nigeria.

• Ibirogba is Honourable Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lagos State.

‘More importantly, states being affected by flooding should judiciously make use of the federal government intervention fund. They need to take a cue from Lagos State which has been investing heavily in the recovery, rehabilitation and construction of several drains such as the Macgregor, Achapo, and Orile Canals that are constantly being cleaned up. A major channel called System 5, which runs all the way from Surulere, down to Apapa, through Orile and through Ajegunle, has equally been dredged.

Ondo elections and the Yoruba nation

By Akin Ibidapo-Obe to self-determination, control over natural resources, right of minorities etcetera.

A political state also has its rights in international law – sovereignty and territorial integrity. The right of minorities and of political states have to be carefully managed and balanced and the path to achieving such balance is through discussion and negotiation. Where the discussion and negotiation are done in good faith, there is every likelihood that the political state will survive. However, where the negotiation or discussion is not done in good faith or even disallowed as in the Nigerian federation, then the result may be a collapse of that political state through war, terrorism or other forms political agitation culminating in secession as in India/Pakistan, Pakistan/Bangladesh, Sudan/ South Sudan and Somalia.

In the modern era, there is no truly homogenous political state. Most political states are an agglomeration of different people’s and cultures. One important hallmark of developed and successful political states is that they have managed the tensions of heterogeneity intelligently and sincerely. The United Kingdom went through its own period of political tension with the its Irish “tribe”. The Irish political organ Sinn Fein opted for armed struggle over a long period until the labour governments of Prime Minister Tony Blair and Gordon Brown agreed to regional self government for the Irish and the Scots.

In Canada, the Quebec region consisting of the French speaking peoples of Canada has also achieved a measure of self-government leaving Canada in relative peace.

In Spain, the Basque region has only recently worked out a truce with the central

government and negotiation is being done to fashion out fresh terms of association.

Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands have their own language and cultural divisions but these have been ably managed by the enlightened leadership of these countries.

One common denominator in these various countries is that the nations with a nation have united themselves under a common political banner to advance their group interests and enhance their chances of stronger political bargaining and negotiation for the survival and advancement of their groups/nations.

To my mind this is the raison d’etre for the existence of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) like its Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and Action Group (AG) predecessors. Many who complain that these are regional/tribal parties need to understand the political dynamics of heterogeneous political entities. Political parties are vehicles of advancing political interests and no party needs to apologize for this. The Northern Peoples Congress (NPC), the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) and at inception, up to a point, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had a core northern agenda. Late Sarwuan Tarka saw through the subterfuge of an ubiquitous “Northern Region” and formed, in the First Republic, a separate political entity to cater for the interests of the Middle Belt but myopically his successors did not follow through on that initiative and now they are reaping the results of their self-deceit with the present crisis in the Plateau. The Eastern Region had its NCNC, its Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP) and now its All Peoples Grand Alliance (APGA). (Never mind, the inclu-

sion a few persons firm other tribes to give it a national flavour). APGA’s inability to consolidate itself is one of the reasons why an Igbo Presidency will continue to be frustrated.

For the Yoruba nation to advance its national, cultural and socio-economic interests in the Nigerian federation as presently constituted, therefore, all reasonable Yoruba sons and daughters should realize that their future, indeed their survival as a people lies in identifying with the ACN as a vehicle for ensuring the completion of the resuscitation and rescue of a Yoruba nation gasping for breath in the polluted by air political of Boko Haram, Northern irredentism, denial of equitable political participation, dwindling economic and social progress, and inept leadership.

Consequently, the issue in the Ondo State elections is beyond Mimiko and the contrived personality disputation with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Personally, I am unable to comment on any alleged achievement of Mimiko in Ondo State as I have not visited the state in recent times, but I have been to Edo State and seen the giant strides of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and I do believe that the ACN does have a template for developing the states that fall under its sway so that a Rotimi Akeredolu, astute and competent as he is, works in tandem with a larger regional agenda..

The issue is that the Yoruba need the ACN as a weapon of offence and defence against internal colonialism in Nigeria.

Ondo people should not be the chink in the Yoruba armour.

• Prof. Ibidapo-Obe is of Faculty of Law, University of Lagos.

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2012

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COMMENTS

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HOSE hurling invectives at Prof. Chinua Achebe for aspects of his latest book which in part, held late elder statesman, Chief Obafemi Awolowo responsible for economic blockade of the civil war era and its debilitating effects on the Biafran side should sheathe their swords. This is because much of those criticisms have been propelled by banal sentiments rather than an objective appraisal of the facts of the matter.

Achebe had in his 335-page book, ‘There was a country’ said when Biafra did not capitulate despite the evil machinations against it, the Nigerian government resorted to starving the people through blockade of food supplies, a plan which he said was hatched by the top echelon of the Nigerian government, especially Awolowo. He said that by the beginning of dry season in 1968, Biafran soldiers and civilians were starving. Bodies lay rotting under hot sun by the road side and the flapping wings of scavengers could be seen circling, waiting patiently nearby. The policy which seemed to say “starve them into submission’ left upwards of 50,000 people, mostly children dying of starvation every month, he further wrote.

Since the book became public knowledge, several loyalists and supporters of the late sage have taken up arms against Achebe such that the erroneous impression is being conveyed that the book is all about Awolowo’s role in the economic blockade of the civil war era.

For Femi Fani-Kayode, Achebe was indulging in historical revisionism and ethnic chauvinism for saying that Awolowo played a key role in inventing that policy. He would also want an apology for the Awolowo family and the Yoruba people. Yet, the same Fani-Kayode admitted that Awolowo publicly defended the policy and told the world that it was perfectly legitimate in war time. The same Fani-Kayode went further to support the policy by citing the blockade imposed on Germany, Japan and Italy by Allied Forces during the Second World War. One is at a loss therefore to fathom the basis for his anger except perhaps, he does not want Awolowo to share in the blame for the intended outcome of that policy- death of millions of Biafran children and soldiers. Nothing can be more dishonest than this line of argument.

Even then, the issues raised by Achebe are not entirely new as they were strenuously canvassed while Awolowo was alive and he had ample time to address them. That the issue resonated decades after that war from such a

Emeka OMEIHE 08121971199 email: EmekaOmeihe@yahoo.com

Achebe’s horde of attackers highly informed personage, illustrates vividly the feelings of those who bore the brunt of that policy. Perhaps, if those calling for Achebe’s head had taken time to study some of Awolowo’s comments on the matter, their current diatribe would have been absolutely unnecessary.

The transcript of a town hall meeting held in Abeokuta by Awolowo during the campaigns for the 1983 elections on his role in the 30month civil war, (The Nation October 12,) spoke volumes on the vexed issue. He said among others “the ending of the war itself that I’m accused of, accused of starving the Igbo, I did nothing of the sort”. But he went on to say that when he visited Calabar, Enugu and Port Harcourt after their liberation, he was shocked at the terrible sight of kwashiorkor victims and when he enquired, he found out that the food they were sending were being hijacked by soldiers and was not getting to the civilians. And “I said that was a dangerous policy we didn’t intend the food for the soldiers. So I decided to stop sending the food there. In the process, the civilians would suffer, but the soldiers suffered most” He also spoke on how he almost unilaterally changed the Nigerian currency only letting Gowon know of it a day before the change even as he expressed delight that it was the policy of starvation and currency change that Ojukwu admitted defeated him.

There are salient issues that have been brought to the fore by aspects of the transcript as they relate to the thesis of Achebe’s presentation. First, they corroborate very unambiguously, our earlier assertion that the matter is not new as Awolowo was confronted with them while he lived. Secondly, he did not deny he was privy to that policy. And as can be

W

ITHIN the hour in which you read this article, nearly 20 women will die in Africa.

Those deaths will not occur from road accidents or flooding. They will not arise from sickness or war. Instead, they will happen to women in the prime of their lives through complications of pregnancy and childbirth.

Sadly, those 444 women will lose their lives on the way to giving life; a carnage that is even more remarkable because it is avoidable.

These deaths are taking place despite the fact that every African nation made a solemn commitment to reduce maternal death when they pledged their support to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Nigeria’s maternal death rate is Africa’s highest. It is second in the world only to India’s. In fact, while Nigeria represents only two per cent of the world’s population, it accounts for over 10 per cent of the world’s maternal deaths.

UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, and its partners are working together to help African leaders deliver a future where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is

‘The challenge before us all is to work together if we are to improve the well-being of women and children and help ensure Nigeria reaches the MDGs by 2015. To that end, we at UNFPA are calling upon all stakeholders, from government leaders to health-care workers to NGOs, to make voluntary family planning available to every Nigerian. This will make a positive contribution to Nigeria’s economic development. But even more importantly, it will significantly enhance life prospects and save millions of women and children’

gleaned from the above, he admitted to have stopped sending food there after his visit so that by starving the soldiers they could easily be defeated. And it came to pass as he recounted Ojukwu admitted. He also admitted that civilians would also suffer for that action ostensibly directed at soldiers. It is also very instructive to note his emphasis on the first person. By that emphasis, he left no body in doubt that he wielded and exercised enormous powers on those policies. So what is there in Achebe’s presentation that is substantially different from what Awolowo said on the issue? Nothing except nobody wanted to take responsibility for the resultant deaths.

And where is that blasphemy for which Achebe has to render apology not only to the Awolowo family but the entire Yoruba people?

Awolowo was a national figure who played crucial roles in the evolution of the Nigerian state. Thus, his place in history will continue to attract considerable interest and reviews from researchers, students and commentators. We must therefore exorcise from our psyche that stale African mentality of not permitting of an objective appraisal of the policies and programs of dead compatriots.

It would appear to me that much of the attacks are not only misguided but equally guilty of elevating sentiments over and above the substantive issues raised in the book.

That could explain why Dr. Fredrick Fasheun had the comfort of mind to call Achebe a frustrated man. A frustrated man for chronicling what he considers Awolowo’s role in that war? We may as well need an apology from Fasheun on behalf of the Achebe family and the Igbo people for deni-

grating one of their best. Fasheun must have been speaking for himself when he claimed the Igbo no longer care about such lamentations as they are more concerned on how to be relevant in mainstream Nigerian politics. He is saying that the Igbo should forget their past and they can make real progress in this country without the benefit of their travails. That conclusion is patently puerile as it cannot fly in the face of current realities in the countryrealities that have reinforced most poignantly the relevance of that past.

And as Achebe wrote “It is for the sake of the future of Nigeria, for our children and grand children that I feel it is important to tell Nigeria’s story, Biafra story, our story, my story”. It is therefore a matter of immense regret that such a veritable work is being denigrated and viewed solely from the prism of how it purportedly recorded inadequately the roles played by Awolowo during that pogrom.

If the truth must be told, the views expressed

by Achebe represent the feelings of the average Igbo man on the matter. Those talking of revisionism, must first work hard to erase this feeling from the psyche of the Igbo people.

And until they achieve this, they remain the ones to be accused of revisionism. Of course, Awolowo was not the head of state during that period. For that, there is a limit beyond which he cannot take responsibility for events of that war. But if copious explanations by Awolowo while he lived could not resolve the matter in his favour, it is a remote possibility that the antagonism of his army of supporters and sympathizers can pull any magic now.

‘And as Achebe wrote “It is for the sake of the future of Nigeria, for our children and grand children that I feel it is important to tell Nigeria’s story, Biafra story, our story, my story”. It is therefore a matter of immense regret that such a veritable work is being denigrated and viewed solely from the prism of how it purportedly recorded inadequately the roles played by Awolowo during that pogrom’

Enhancing the lives of millions Nigerians

By Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin* fulfilled.

At country level, UNFPA is pleased to note that Nigeria’s Saving One Million Lives (SOML) initiative is improving health outcomes by facilitating the delivery of life-saving medicines.

However, the National Survey of Modern Contraceptives and Essential Life-Saving Maternal and Reproductive Health Medicines in Public Health Facilities, which was conducted by the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Population Commission in December 2011 in 567 health facilities, reported that while there was increased availability of reproductive health medicines, key stocks of basic lifesaving medicines for maternal health were all in short supply.

To its credit, the Nigerian government has continued to work in collaboration with partners to support maternal and child health at all levels to achieve its goals and to advance efforts to achieve MDGs 4, 5 and 6.

But if we are to really deliver for women and girls, we need effective policies, innovative financial mechanisms, enhanced accountability, aligned and transparent budgets, and systems and programmes.

We also need dedicated people who will work towards clear and measurable targets to improve maternal health, and our efforts must be coordinated for maximum efficiency.

Most of all, we need sustained commitment, and the support of leaders like President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria, who is the co-chair of the UN Commission on LifeSaving Commodities for Women and Children.

As co-vice-chair of the commission, UNFPA wants to ensure access to the critical supplies needed to save women and children. We are helping increase financial and political commitment to the implementation of its recommendations, with strong support from leaders in the Global South, especially the government of Nigeria.

We believe we have a strong ally in this government because President Jonathan offered his generous commitment in New York in September, when he spoke about the forthcoming high-level meeting this October in Abuja to

discuss the commission’s recommendations.

Their implementation is part of UNFPA’s broader mandate as the UN’s principal global inter-governmental organization addressing issues of reproductive and maternal health, including voluntary family planning.

Achieving this vision will change the lives of millions of women and young people all over the world. Yet, support for these efforts is shrinking at a critical time, when the world population has surpassed seven billion, and with close to two billion young people entering their reproductive years.

Some 222 million women currently have an unmet need for family planning in developing countries. Fulfilling this unmet need would cost $3.6 billion annually, but current data shows that this investment would actually lower the cost of maternal and newborn health services by $5.1 billion, resulting in a net total savings of $1.5 billion.

UNFPA has also taken the lead in efforts to increase access to female condoms as part of its work to foster high-impact interventions.

Condoms, both male and female, are currently the most available technology to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, as well as unintended pregnancies among sexually active people.

But female condoms, in particular, are hard to find. Its ready availability on a global scale is a challenge that the international community, political leaders and civil society must urgently address.

The challenge before us all is to work together if we are to improve the well-being of women and children and help ensure Nigeria reaches the MDGs by 2015. To that end, we at UNFPA are calling upon all stakeholders, from government leaders to health-care workers to NGOs, to make voluntary family planning available to every Nigerian.

This will make a positive contribution to Nigeria’s economic development. But even more importantly, it will significantly enhance life prospects and save millions of women and children.

• Osotimehin is Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund.

NFF: Nigeria will target Keshi: My boys Cup of Nations’ triumph were great Pg. 24

Pg. 24

Sport Monday, October 15, 2012

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AFRICAN U-17 YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP

Eaglets clinch ticket, defeat Guinea •David Micha

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IGERIA'S Golden Eaglets on Sunday in Calabar defeated their Guinean counterparts 3-0 in a 2013 Africa Under-17 Championship game.

Success Isaac, Kelechi Iheanacho and Alhassan Ibrahim scored for the Nigerian Under-17s at the UJ Esuene Stadium.

But the first 24 minutes of the tie belonged to the Guinean 16-year-old goalkeeper, Ganaika Ibrahima, who made sure the scoreline did not look like a handball result.

Ibrahima kept out goalscoring attempts from Ifeanyi Matthew, Success Isaac and

3-0

Bernard Bulbwa.

However, in the 25th minute, Isaac opened score for Nigeria from close range after a well-threaded pass through the heart of Guinea's defence from Bulbwa.

The Nigerians continued to dominate as the Guineans put more men behind the ball with the substitution of striker Ibrahim Diallo for a defensive-minded Alhassane Sylla.

But that did not stop the Eaglets from getting a second goal just before the break through Iheanacho.

Nigeria started the second half as they finished the first. Four minutes into the restart, Wilfred Ndidi's 45-yard effort stung Ibrahima's palms as he had to gather the ball on second attempt.

The Golden Eaglets were also wasteful with their chances with Iheanacho, Bulbwa and Isaac being the main culprits.

On 6st1 minute, Iheanacho did a great work on the right channel before freeing up Ibrahim, who side-footed past the Guinean keeper for Nigeria's third goal from six yards.

Seven minutes later, Mustapha Abdullahi's effort from all of 45 yards caught Ibrahima out of position but grazed the cross bar to let Guinea off the hook.

Both teams had to play the last quarter of the game under rainy conditions with Nigeria pressing for a fourth goal they could not get.

The game ended with Guinea virtually managing a shot on goal as they take a three-goal disadvantage to Conakry for the return leg in a fortnight.

24

41

NATIONSPORT MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2012

NATION SPORT

NATION SPORT

NFF: Keshi, Eagles saved our jobs

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ICE-PRESIDENT of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Victor Umeh has commended Coach Stephen Keshi and his boys for saving their jobs in the nation's football ruling body.

In an interview in Calabar, the first vice president said that all members would have resigned enmass if the team failed to make it to the Nations Cup the second time running 'first I have to commend the team for their doggedness in ensuring that they did not only qualified, but humilated the ever boastful Liberians with such a wide margin that they would live to remember in the game of football.

The team also saved us the board members from the horrors we would have faced in resigning enmass. Because, Nigerians would not have taken any excuse whatsoever to justify that the country would not be represented at the Nations cup for the second

From Andrew Abah and Patrick Ngwaogu, Abuja time running. I don't know how to thank them, but to we are very grateful'.

In her message, the Chairperson of te Women League Board, Dilichukwu Onyedinma said the resounding victory recorded by the Super Eagles would go a long way to restore hopes on the Board, as they would concentrate attention in mapping out strategies on ways of improving the game further in the country.

Another Board member, Shehu Adamu said the match against tke Lone stars have shawn that the Board did not make mistakes in its choice of a coach. He said that the glorious days of the Super Eagles are gradually returning, that what is left for the team now is to prepare adequately for the task of winning the Africa Nations Cup in South Africa next year.

NFF: Nigeria will target Cup of Nations’ triumph

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IGERIA returned to the African Cup of Nations in emphatic fashion when the Super Eagles pounded the visiting Lone Star 6-1 at the U. J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar on Saturday.

And at the final whistle, NFF President Aminu Maigari pledged that the Federation will deploy all resources to ensure the team is well prepared to lift the Cup of Nations trophy in South Africa in fourmonths.

Following a 2-2 draw in the first leg in Monrovia last month, the Liberians could afford to dream and set about the countdown for the return leg with a touch of comedy.

Having informed the Nigeria Football Federation that they would arrive in a chartered flight on Thursday evening, they accused Nigerian aviation authorities of denying their aircraft landing right, when in fact, they had not concluded arrangement with the airline.

After they somehow managed to seal a deal with another airline on Friday, the arrival time kept changing, and eventually the contingent landed in Calabar at midnight and wanted no Nigerian near them.

They opted for a different accommodation other than the Channel View Hotel reserved for them, shunned protocol assistance and transportation and generally kept to themselves.

Before the match, superstition was

in the air as all previous matches involving Nigeria handled by South African centre referee Daniel Bennett had ended in draws.

All that counted for nothing as Scotland-based defender Efe Ambrose scored in the first minute, and then Ahmed Musa increased the tally eight minutes before half-time.

The match was, to all intents and purposes over after Victor Moses swept in a great pass, and further goals by John Mikel Obi (penalty), Ikechukwu Uche and Moses himself only underscored the gulf in class and enriched the Eagles further with Pamodzi, official marketer of NFF, paying $1000 for each goal.

An overjoyed Maigari, who was in company with Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, Minister of Sports/Chairman, National Sports Commission, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, Chairman of Senate Sports Committee, Senator Adamu Gumba, Chairman of House Sports Committee, Hon. Godfrey Gaiya and members of his Executive Committee and Management, simply said: “Words are inadequate to express my delight.

“We will do everything to ensure that the team prepares well, very well to go to South Africa and lift the trophy, which is what His Excellency, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GCFR) has charged us to do.”

We’re back to winning ways, says Mikel

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HELSEA midfielder Mikel Obi has stated that Nigeria have turned the corner and will be a force to be taken seriously at next year’s AFCON. Nigeria secured the AFCON 2013 ticket on 8-3 aggregate after white-washing Liberia 6-1 on Saturday in Calabar.

This was a year when the Eagles were in shambles after they failed to reach the failed to reach the Nations Cup finals for the first time since the 1986 tournament.

Mikel returned to Nigeria action, scoring a goal from the penalty spot and helping out with an assist.

He told MTNFootball.com there will more coming from the two-

Keshi: My boys were great

time African champions.

"I am very happy that the Eagles have returned to winning ways in grand style. I am happy that we won the game in the manner we did, it was great,” Mikel said.“It was overwhelming the support from fans, it was heart warming.

They haven’t seen anything yet from me and the Eagles. They should wait till the Nations Cup and the remaining World Cup qualifiers."

Mikel’s penalty goal was his third for his country since he made his full international debut in 2005 and he said it was for the fans.

"The goal? It’s for the fans," Mikel said.

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IGERIA coach Stephen Keshi has hailed the Super Eagle as great as great after they defeated Liberia 6-1 to qualify for the 2013 AFCON on an 8-3 aggregate.

A brace by Chelsea winger Victo r

• Keshi

Moses added to goals by Mikel Obi, Ahmed Musa, Ikechukwu Uche and Efe Ambrose turned back the Lone Star of Liberia, who had forced the star-studded Nigeria to a 2-2 draw in Monrovia last month.

And this would most certainly have exorcised the demons that haunted the country after they failed to qualify for the 2012 Nations Cup exactly a year ago.

"We had a great game. The boys were relaxed and expressed themselves. We got the most important thing which is the ticket to the Nations Cup," saluted Keshi.

Keshi also has thanked Nigerians for their support for the Eagles.

"I must thank Nigerians and most especially the people of Calabar for cheering the Eagles non-stop in this game.

There is no better way to say thank you than to qualify for the Nations Cup in style."

It was a fitting birthday gift for CSKA Moscow winger Ahmed Musa, who clocked 20 on Sunday and played in an unfamiliar left wing to telling effect.

"Scoring today and helping my country qualify is the best personal birthday gift for myself," he told MTNFootball.com "I am very happy I got the goal but it’s the team that should take the praise because.

We worked together. But most importantly

is that we have made Nigerians proud.

“I wanted the ticket as a gift but I didn't only get the ticket, we got it in grand style by scoring six goals and me getting a goal.

“I am relieved now that we have rewarded our fans with the ticket and I am looking forward to a good outing at the competition next year."

Musa told MTNFootball.com he is grateful to God he is a year older.

"I thank God for making me see another year of my life. I am praying for a more fruitful year as I will continue to thank him for all that he is doing for me," he said.

How the Super Eagles rate M

TNFOOTBALL.COM rates the performances of the Super Eagles in Saturday's decisive 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Liberia in Calabar: 6 Vincent Enyeama The Nigeria stand-in skipper was not so busy but when called to duty by Sekou Oliseh, he dived at full stretch to touch the ball to safety in the 34th minute.

He also cut out some moves by Liberians, one of which earned the Liberia skipper Gebro the marching order for diving.

6 Efe Ambrose Getting the opener as early as the first minute to unsettle Liberia was a great one from the Celtic man.

A few glitches here and there, but he managed to often stop the dangerous Oliseh from causing any serious damage. His tactical awareness meant his lack of pace did not really show at right back.

7 Elderson Echiejile The Sporting Braga left back did well to curtail the Liberians. He was solid defensively, helped to organise the back four in the absence of skipper Joseph Yobo and attacked more in the second period when victory was assured.

8 Mikel Obi A top-class performance from the Chelsea midfielder on his return to the national team after almost a year’s absence. He crowned a great individual display with a goal and an assist. He is back to stay, hopefully.

7 Godfrey Oboabona The Sunshine Stars skipper formed a good partnership with fellow NPL star Egwuekwe in the heart of the defence in the absence of Yobo. He did creditably well to ensure Yobo was not sorely missed especially defensive wise.

7 Azubuike Egwuekwe The second home-based player in the starting XI was superb in his marking and struck a good understanding with Oboabona. He made life difficult

for Oliseh in particular. It is little wonder that he has remained a fixture of Keshi’s Eagles since December.9 Ahmed Musa A man-of-the-match performance for the CSKA Moscow man playing strangely on the left side of attack.

His pace was too much for the Lone Star defenders to deal with and it was from one of the fouls agai nst him that Victor Moses delivered the free kick for Ambrose to head Nigeria in front. He did well to deliver some good crosses and the goal he scored was top-draw. He could now throw a big 20th birthday party.

6 Nosa Igiebor He did enough, threatening the Liberia goal on occasions but his finishing has to be better at this level.

8 Victor Moses Arguably his best showing in a Nigeria shirt by the Chelsea man and he was rewarded with a brace and an assist. He has gradually integrated into the Eagles and will be handful for defences at South Africa 2013 with his dribbles and sharpness in front of goal.

7 Obiora Nwankwo Again not spectacular but he did what was expected of him, combining well with Mikel in the heart of the midfield to ensure it did not collapse as was the case in Monrovia last month.

7 Emmanuel Emenike His power was too much for Liberia to handle, though he did not get on the score board, he caused his markers all sorts of problems and delivered the assist for Ahmed Musa’s goal.

7 Ikechukwu Uche He came off the bench for Emmanuel Emenike to score a goal and would have scored more. He will always be dangerous in a green-white-green shirt even though he now features in the Spanish lower

league.

4 Brown Ideye

C

two recently met in a classic encounter at Copa Lagos, Nigeria ran out convincing 9-4 winners on the day. Brazil will no doubt be looking to settle the score against Nigeria in Dubai.

Nigeria has been drawn in group B and will also face Switzerland and Japan. Switzerland were recently crowned Euro Beach Soccer league Champions, beating World Champions Russia to the crown. Reigning Asian crownholders Japanwill provide tough opposition for the Sand Eagle’s.

The Samsung Intercontinental Cup kicks off on the 30th October and presents a great opportunity for Nigeria to prove themselves against world class opponents. The Intercontinental Cup will be the ideal preparation for the Copa Lagos tournament in December. Nigeria will be up against Argentina, Lebanon and one mystery team.

From Patrick Ngwaogu, Abuja team, and also leading the team as a Coach to qualify for the Africa Nations cup.

Chukwu captained the Eagles to win the trophy in 1980 and coached the team to win a bronze medal in Tunisia 2004. Keshi won the trophy as Captain in 1994. Born in Lagos, 50 years ago, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi played for ACB Lagos (1979),NNB (1980-1984), Stade d'Abidjan (1985), Africa sports (1986), Lokeren (19861987), Anderlecht (1986-1987), RC Strasbourg (1991-1993), Molenbeek (1993-1994), CCV Hydra (1995), Sacremento Scorpions (1996), Perlis FA (1997).

He played for the Super Eagles 64 times, scoring 9 goals. The Delta State born former international have managed Togo (2004-2006), Togo (2007), Mali (2008-2010), and Nigeria (2011). As a player, Keshi won various honours which include the Africa Nations cup with the Super Eagles in 1994, WAFU Cup with New Nigerian Bank of Benin (1983, 1984), Coupe Houphoet Boigny (1985, 1986) with Stade d'Abidjan, Cote'divoire premier league with Africa sports, and Cote d'ivoire coupe (1986). He won the Belgian League title with Anderlecht in 1991 and the Belgian cup in 1988

Okenla: Eagles not yet perfect

A late seco nd-half substitute was denied a goal from point-blank range by Nathaniel Sherman. He needs more time to show what he is really capable of.

4 Ogenyi Onazi The Lazio youngster saw about 10 minutes of action. He was busy from the moment he came on and even forced the Liberia goalkeeper to make a big save. Worth another look-in.

• Victor Moses How they played: 4-3-3 Eagles starting XI: Vincent Enyeama – Efe Ambrose, Godfrey Oboabona, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Elderson Echiejile - Mikel Obi, Nosa Igiebor (Brown Ideye 77), Obiora Nwankwo (Ogenyi Onazi 82) A h m e d M u s a , Emmanuel Emenike (Ike Uche 53), Victor Moses Unused subs: Joel Obi, Umar Zango, Austin Ejide, Ejike Uzoenyi

IGERIA Premier League (NPL) side Akwa United have moved to secure the release of two of their players arrested in a murder case at the end of the past season.

The two players, who are local boys, have been in police detention after the body of a lady was found in the car they were driving in last month.

Speaking with MTNFootball.com, the team's technical director Charles Bassey said

F

OLORUNSHO Okenla said Super Eagles need more bite ahead of next January's AFCON in South Africa.

The Super Eagles on Saturday at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar routed the Lone Star of Liberia 6-1 and qualified for the biennial football fiesta in South Africa on 8-3 aggregate.

The goal feast came off the head of right back, Efe Ambrose, Ahmed Musa, Victor Moses who got a brace, John Mikel Obi and second half substitute, Ikechukwu Uche.

The first fixture o n September 8 in Monrovia ended 2-2 betwee n bot h sides.

Okenla said the encounter opened up glaring areas manager Stephen Keshi must strengthen if his side will make hay at the Nations Cup. "Congratulations to Keshi, the Eagles and Nigerians as we've crossed

safely to South Africa 2013 game.

"It's a fine game, a high goal margin compared with what we've seen in the past games.

"However, it's not yet Uhuru, not time to indulge in wide and excessive celebrations but actually time to work on the team and the time to start is right now.

"The team is still a wasteful side despite the massive win, Liberia didn't give a tough challenge.

"South Africa 2013 will be tough and if our intention is to challenge for the title then we must grab the wonderful opportunity this game thrown up at us to look at some players all over and make amends.

"Majority of the players in this encounter need to buckle up and up their game. Seriousness must be the watchword for the players irrespective of what the scoreline is, must be on top of their game and avoid complacency which is obvious in this game," said the former Nigerian player to supersport.com.

Keshi fielded only two domestic players, Godfrey Oboabona and Azubuike Egwuekwe while leaving the other two on the bench.

Efe Ambrose dedicates goal to new born baby

Akwa wade into murder case involving stars

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T

HE House of Representatives Committee on Sports has invited the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to come and explain why they have not provided the Head Coach of the Super Eagles Stephen Keshi with his accommodation and official car.

Revealing this to NationSport in Calabar, the Committee Chairman, Godfrey Ali Gaya said he was surprised that these things have not been provided for the Head Coach almost one year after he was engaged 'I want to tell say that Stephen Keshi is a patriot to the core.

These are things that were supposed to be provided to him earlier before now, but he refused the non-provision of these things to make him lose focus but work tirelessly to ensure that his re-buiding of the national team remains on course.

We would invite the NFF to come and explain why it is taking them such a long time to provide his car and accommodation, if it is where we would come in, we wouldn't hestitate to do that'. He remains optimistic that Stephen Keshi's programmes for the Super Eagles would return the team to its past glory. Keshi on saturday joined the likes of Christain Chukwu to have captained the senior national

AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS

Copa Lagos rivals prepare to lock horns in Dubai OPA LAGOS Champions Nigeria have been handed a difficult group for the Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup in Dubai. The Intercontinental Cup is regarded by some as a true reflection of which team is the best in the world. The tournament features Champions from each continent who compete in a round robin format; the winners will be able to boast that they have conquered all continents.

The ceremony was driven by Dr. Ahmed Al Sharif, General Secretary of the Dubai Sports Council, Joan Cuscó, vice-president of Beach Soccer Worldwide and FIFA Board Member, Alex Soriano, BSWW Head of Communications, and the special collaboration of former Real Madrid defender Míchel Salgado.

The Sand Eagles have been drawn in the same group as former World Champions Brazil. The

House of Reps. query NFF over Keshi's accommodation, car

they waded into the matter to see their players are soon released from police custody.

"We have waded into the case because they are our players. They were on holidays when the incident happened and going about their private business, but we just have to intervene,” the Akwa United official said.

“We are talking to the police about the case to see that they are released."

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ELTIC defender Efe Ambrose has said his first minute goal against Liberia on Saturday in an AFCON qualifier is for his baby girl.

Ambrose rose above the Lone Star defence to power home a Victor Moses free kick beyond goalkeeper Nathaniel Sherman to set the ball rolling for a big 6-1 home win and book qualification to next year’s Nations Cup in South Africa.

“I dedicate my goal to my newly born baby, my angel Isrealle," Ambrose told MTNFootball.com "I give thanks to God for the goal and victory. We deserved it and the Nigerian football fan too deserved it. We are very

happy here and fulfilled to get ticket.”

However, he saluted the courage of Liberia, who forced a 2-2 draw at home last month, and said the Eagles had to step up their game to ensure a convincing home win.

"The fact that we scored six goals does not mean the Liberians were easy. They did well but we were far better and that was why we won with such a wide margin," said the central defender.

Another big winner on the day was Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi, who capped a solid performance in the heart of the engine room with his third international goal courtesy of a 50th minute penalty.

Fans in Calabar celebrated John Obi Mikel's return to the Eagles by cheering

his every touch and held a banner with the inscription ‘Mikel Obi, The Pride of Nigera’.

Mikel did not disappoint the fans as he capped a great individual display with a goal and an assist.

Questions over Mikel’s patriotism should all but cease after this outing.

•Efe Ambrose

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THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2012

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

THE CEO

We will make sure that there is a transparent process that every Nigeria will look at and say we have done fairly.

We don’t want anybody to think that these banks were taken over and handed over to special interests. It must be a very transparent process.

- Mr Mustapha Chike-Obi, CEO, AMCON

JOBS

‘Taking bonds is mortgaging for the future’ - P. 28

It’s the artisans’world

- P. 37 Interbank rates rise on NNPC cash withdrawal

News Briefing

National Assembly to veto SEC’s budget

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THE National Assembly may veto the budget of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) unless the Presidency hearkens to the resolution of the legislators calling for the removal of the embattled Director-General of the Commission, Ms Arunma Oteh.

- Page 26

IMF approves $1.1b for low-income countries THE International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved the distribution of SDR 700 million (about US$1.1 billion) in reserves attributed to windfall gold sales profits to its members in order to boost its concessional lending capacity for low-income countries during the global crisis.

- Page 30

Firms yet to meet deadline TWO underwriting firms are yet to meet accounts’ submission deadline as stipulated by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) three months to the end of the year, The Nation has learnt.

- Page 36 DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$107/barrel Cocoa -$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,800/troy ounce Rubber -¢159.21pound MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE JSE NYSE LSE

-N7.560 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion

RATES Inflation -11.9% Treasury Bills -7.08% Maximum lending-22.42% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -2% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $35.8b FOREX CFA 0.2958 EUR 206.9 £ 242.1 $ 156 ¥ 1.9179 SDR 238 RIYAL 40.472

• From left: Hon. Shehu Usman Bawa, Deputy Chairman; Hon. Oyetunde Ojo, Chairman, House of Representatives Communications Committee and Tony Ojobo, Director, Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), during the inspection of facilities at the Lagos campus of Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), Oshodi.

PHOTO: LUCAS AJANAKU

Banks’ credit to private sector falls by N39b M

ONEY and credit statistics obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) indicated that credit to the private sector fell by N39.4billion.

Also, money supply dropped from N6.402trillion in the same period to N6.243trillion, representing 0.27 per cent, or equivalent of N154billion.

Analysts attributed the fall in money supply to the decision of the CBN to mop up money in circulation through the sale of Treasury Bills (TBs). They said the apex bank has long-term objectives to reduce liquidity in the economy and further tame inflation.

They said the decision of CBN to peg the Standing Lending Deposit (SLD) at 14 per cent will help in increasing lendind to the economy, adding that sectors which have hitherto suffered lending would be able to access funds for growth.

A former CBN’s Director of Research, Titus Okuronmu, said the increase in banks’ lending to the private sector signals a good development for the economy. He said many private sector operators were denied access to credit, following the discovery of huge toxic assets in the industry in 2009.

He said anytime the financial position of private sector operators is galvanised by way of providing them with operational funds, the economy

By Akinola Ajibade

gets better.

He advised banks to increase lending to the private sector, arguing that this is the only way to put the economy back on track.

The former apex bank chief said globally, the private sector determines where the pendulum that drives the economy swing, adding that Nigeria must not be an exception.

According to him, more investment opportunities will be created when companies have enough money to finance their operations.

“Private sector remains the engine of growth in any economy. When the sector is provided with enough funds, the operators will be able to invest, re-invest, create employment opportunities, and stimulate economic growth. If the trend continues, we hope to see a better and improved economy,” he added.

In a related development, the Managing Director, Bgl Securities Limited, Mr Sunday Adebola, said the private sector is the barometer of the economy, adding that when the private sector is well funded, the economy will be buoyant.

He said illiquidity starved the economy of certain benefits, noting that activities become dull when operators do not have enough capital to play with.

HE interbank lending rates rose by more than 80 basis points last week to an average of 11.41 per cent, compared with 10.58 per cent, as cash outflows to treasury bill sales and a withdrawal by the state-owned energy company drained liquidity.

According to Reuters report, dealers said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been selling treasury bills through open market operations (OMO) and a primary market auction (PMA) last week. “The market liquidity has dropped because of cash outflows to OMO auction, (state oil firm) the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) withdrawal and foreign exchange purchases, with cost of borrowing marginally up in the week,” one dealer said.

The NNPC sells bulk of dollars traded on the interbank foreign exchange market, and then usually recalls a portion of the proceeds to its account with the CBN to fulfill its obligations to the government.

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2012

26

BUSINESS NEWS

‘Africa’s infrastructure deficit impinges trade’ T

Flight Schedule

Scarcity of fish looms

MONDAY - FRIDAY LAGOS – ABUJA Departure Arrival 1. Aero 06.50 08.10 2. Associated 07.00 09.30 3. Air Nigeria 07.00 08.20 4. IRS 07.00 08.20 7. Arik 07.15 08.15 7. Chanchangi 07.15 9. Air Nigeria 08.15 09.35 10. Aero 08.45 10.05 11. Arik 09.15 10.15 12. Chanchangi 10.00 11.00 13. IRS 11.15 12.35 14. Aero 12.20 13.30 15. Air Nigeria 13.25 14.45 16. Chanchangi 13.30 14.30 17. Arik 13.45 14.45 18. IRS 14.00 15.20 19. Aero 14.10 15.30 20. Air Nigeria 14.50 16.10 21. Chanchangi 15.30 16.30 22. Arik 15.50 16.50 23. Aero 16.00 17.20 24. IRS 16.30 17.50 25. Arik 16.50 17.50 26. Chanchangi 17.30 18.30 27. Air Nigeria 17.35 18.55 29. Air Nigeria (T/TH) 18.30 19.50 20. Arik 18.45 19.45 31. Aero 19.20 20.40

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LAGOS – BENIN Arik 07.30 Associated 08.30 Aero 10.50 Arik 11.45 Associated 13.00 Aero 14.25 Arik 15.30 Associated 16.00

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LAGOS – CALABAR 07.30 11.20 12.50 16.00 LAGOS – JOS 10.55 11.15

LAGOS – KADUNA Aero 08.00 Chanchangi 10.00 Arik 10.00 Arik 15.10

08.30 09.10 11.50 12.45 13.40 15.20 16.30 16.40

From Ayodele Aminu, Group Business Editor in Tokyo, Japan

fix critical connecting infrastructure that continue to impede growth and development. “Even if you take up to up to 10 per cent ($46.8 billion) of that to fix infrastructure, we would leave something for our children. “We must also find innovative ways to use pension assets (across the continent’s member nations) to finance infrastructure (just as) public private partnership could be further explored in these areas… Innovation in financing instruments (like bonds) is key,” he said.

The Afrexinbank boss stressed that Africa’s joint venture projects should be in sectors such as road and rail transportation, which would make it easier to move goods, persons and services across the conti-

nent with greater ease, thereby boosting commercial activities.

“It is so difficult to travel within Africa, so we have signed a $1.9 billion loan contract with Kenya Airways to enable it expand its fleet, and (Nigeria’s) Arik Air (which seeks) to expand its fleet in Angola and Ghana.

‘No single kilometer of rail has been added by African countries since independence, except for South Africa, preparatory to the world cup it hosted in 2010. We need to change all of this,” he stressed.

Mr Ekra said the effects of the ongoing global crisis on the continent have resulted in more pressure on Afrexim Bank with more institutions now approaching it for credit lines. This, he said, is because other sources of credit for on-lending have gradually dried up owing to the financial crisis in the Euro zone.

12.15 12.45 09.10 11.00 11.10 16.20

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LAGOS – MAIDUGURI 1. IRS 11.15 13.15 2. Arik 15.50 18.00 LAGOS – ILORIN 1. Overland 07.15 2. Arik (M/T/TH/F) 17.30

T

HE huge infrastructure deficit in Africa is inhibiting intra-regional trade and economic development in the region; it was learnt at the weekend.

This was the submission of finance and economic experts from Africa at a discussion panel organised on the sidelines of the 2012 meetings of the International Monetary Fund/World Bank Group in Tokyo, Japan.

The experts said the infrastructure challenge however, provides huge investment opportunities with returns of between 10 and 25 per cent annually, depending on sector.

But beyond seeking foreign direct investment, Jean-Louis Ekra, President of the Africa ExportImport Bank (Afrexim bank), challenged African countries to find a way to jointly invest their $468 billion external reserves to

08.50 12.40 14.10 17.20

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

1. Arik 2. Arik 3. Arik

By Oluwakemi Dauda

08.00 18.00

LAGOS – ABUJA SAT/SUN Arik 7.15; 10.20; 2.20; 5.20pm – 7.30; 9.15; 10.20; 2.20; 4.50; 6.45 Aero 07.30; 09.35; 13.10; 14.50; 20.20 – 07.30; 09.35; 13.10; 14.50; 20.20 Air Nigeria 08.15; 14.30; 17.15; 18.30 – 08.15; 13.30; 14.30; 17.15; 18.30

•From left: Executive Director, South East/Treasury, Skye Bank Plc, maka Onwughalu; Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and Chief Executive Officer, Skye Bank, Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti, at Nigeria economic briefing/investment forum during the 2012 International Monetary Fund/World Bank meetings in Tokyo, Japan at the weekend.

Power: Massive load-shedding hits Lekki, Ajah, Ikoyi D

ESPITE reports that power supply has substantially improved in the country, residents of Aja, Lekki and Ikoyi axis are experiencing massive load-shedding (power rationing) as a result of challenges in distribution and transmission sections of the power value chain, it was learnt.

The areas are some of the highbrow districts in Lagos State, located within the network of Eko Electricity Distribution Company.

It was gathered that the company receives its bulk supply from two major transmission facilities – Aja and Akangba with 330/132 kv capacity each but the challenge being faced by the company has compelled it not to optimally service the customers.

The Chief Executive Officer of Eko Electricity Distribution Company, Mr Oladele Amodu, said the reason for supply challenges in the areas was a result of failure of some distribution and transmission transformers. He said some transformers along the Ajah axis were having challenges but noted that

•As Eko rakes in N18.18b in nine months

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

the management of the company had started working on them. He said the company would deploy new 500kv and 300kv transformers, while the capacities of some existing transformers would be uprated and the dysfunctional ones would be changed with new ones.

Hes identified vandalism as another major setback in the company. “Vandalism of power facilities including underground cables is a major challenge in our network. We are putting measures in place to guard against this menace to ensure steady supply to our esteemed customers,” he said.

He said the Eko network has capacity to evacuate 700 megawatts (MW) but it is limited to 500MW due to inadequate generation. He noted that with the ongoing expansion and injection of new equipment into the network, the company’s demand would

rise to 850MW by first quarter of 2013.

The Eko chief stated other things the company have done to improve service delivery to the company’s customers. He said: “In Eko we have 333,039 customers. Out of this number, 152,746 are non maximum demand (MD) customers, while 604 are maximum demand customers. Residential customers constitute 79 per cent of the customer base and the remaining 20 per cent is commercial customers. We have 166,293 metered non-MD customers.

“Currently, our demand load is 670MW, but we get average of 460MW as daily allocation. We have installed 628 distribution transformers between 2010 and third quarter of 2012 and 32 numbers of 15MVA 33/11KV transformers. We also have installed 27 projects under the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP).”

Reps angry over faultyborehole

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T was a mild drama at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NNC) newly built Emergency Call Centre when the borehole built to serve the multi-million naira building failed to work when the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Communications, Hon. Oyetunde Ojo, who led about six other members of the committee to inspect the facility in accordance with the resolution of the House.

By Lucas Ajanaku

The committee members, who were received at the facility located in Awka, Anambra State, by Mrs Rita Nwachukwu, senior manager, Projects and Adenuga Temitope, operation manager, Infrastructure Engineering, all of the NCC, had been shown facilities at the centre, which included less than 20 computers which they explained will handle the emergency calls of

people in the state in times of distress and alert the relevant agencies to take action.

The climax of the event was the inspection of the facilities outside the call centre room and the committee members were shown a mighty reservoir which contained water which had ostensibly been fetched there in anticipation of the inspection tour by the legislators.

HERE is strong indication that the country may soon experience the scarcity of imported frozen fish as traders are complaining of a sharp decline in fish importation.

They said the price of fish may soar by as much as 70 per cent as we approach the end of the year.

Some of the fish that are in high demand but not readily available in Lagos markets include Shawa, Kote Herrings, Titus and Mackerel.

Investigation by The Nation in some Lagos markets revealed that the prices of fish have increased as some of the retailers complained that they could no longer afford to buy the product from the dealers.

It was also gathered that some of the fishing companies that are based in the state are gradually winding up as a result of the low importation of fishes.

Most of the fishes, according to traders are in high demand but not readily available in the markets in Oshodi, Iyana-Ipaja, Iyana-Iba, Okoko, Agbara and some other markets within the state.

Investigation conducted at the Lagos ports also showed that there is a drastic decline in importation compared to how it used to be.

A cold room operator at Ojo area of Lagos, Mr Felix Ayinla, told The Nation last week that fish is gradually becoming a scarce commodity in most of the markets.

Ayinla said for over three months, importation of frozen fish into the Lagos ports has reduced drastically leaving dealers and retailers to jostle for the available commodity.

He said Nigerians should expect scarcity of frozen fish because importation of the commodity is at the lowest ebb and alleged that some of the fishing companies are not doing enough to place order for the commodity.

But other fish traders, who spoke with The Nation at Mushin and Oyingbo markets, assured that even though the commodity is scarce, that price would still be made affordable for consumers.

‘Seven million people engage in agric in Kano’ From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

BOUT seven million people are engaged in agro-allied activities in Kano State, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources Dr. Baraka Sani has said.

Sani, who spoke while declaring open the Eighth Bi-monthly progress review meeting of the Commercial Agriculture Development Project (CADP) in the state capital, said the government is determined to translate the potential to make state the food basket of Nigeria.

He said Kano has over 1.4 million hectares of cultivated land, 75,000 hectares of forest cover with over 900 hectares of inland water, making it one of the most agriculturally strategic states in the country.

She said agriculture is the economic mainstay of the state, providing employment opportunities to over 75 per cent of the population who are directly engaged in agro-related activities.

Sani said within a year of the administration’s tenure, about 20 vocational and skill acquisition institutes were established, pointing out that farmers were empowered with a commercial agriculture and credit scheme of N1 billion and the provision of 74 sets of rice milling machines at subsidised rates.

She said with the strengthening partnership with the World Bank through payment of counterpart funds, over 5,400 women have been trained in poultry farming, while about 1,500 youths have been trained under the farm mechanisation institute.

A

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2012

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THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2012

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THE CEO Dapo Kolawole, a chartered accountant, has been Ekiti State Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning for about two years. Under his watch, the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has gone up. He spoke with OLUKOREDE YISHAU on reforms, bonds, corruption, among others.

‘Taking bonds is mortgaging for the future’

•Kolawole

I

T is almost two years since you started managing Ekiti’s finances.

How has it been?

It is very challenging in the sense that the money is not just there and we have a tall ambition to rapidly organise and develop Ekiti to a state that is respected in the Southwest and in Nigeria.

What are the challenges you are facing?

One of the key challenges here is the issue of our revenue, just like any other state in Nigeria. Our own is peculiar. Ekiti is landlocked. Ekiti has no industry. Ekiti has a low internally generated revenue (IGR) base. Majority of the people are teachers. They pay only Pay As You Earn (PAYE) and the level of IGR is low. It has one of the least revenue from the Federation Account and the level of poverty, the level of underdevelopment is the same with other parts of the country. You have more issues to combat, such as erosion, flooding, urban renewal, even security. It is

‘

Really, taking bonds does not amount to mortgaging the future. We are not mortgaging the future, but mortgaging for the future. We should thank the governor for his foresight. When you say you are mortgaging, are you mortgaging for value? That is the question we need to answer more of a headache trying to balance the figures and compared to other states that are bigger and richer, I will say we thank God. What reforms have you carried out?

As a responsive government, the first reform you have to do is to make sure there is transparency and account-

‘

ability in government. We have had to ensure that the little fund that we have is judiciously spent and that has to do with ensuring credibility in the contract process. The contract value is commensurate with the amount you are going to pay and you are not paying for services not delivered and

then again you need to look inward.

One of the major focuses of the governor is governance; improving governance, improving accountability, improving processes in the system and in finance, especially. Part of our own concern in that area is trying to ensure that the payment and revenue

generation processes are improved upon. One of the first steps we took was to make sure we set up an integrative payroll application system, where our payroll is now fully computerised with biometric applications. That has enabled us to know those that are working for us. We have concluded the phase one of that activity and we are moving to phase two. By and large, it has been successful. Today, Ekiti is the only state that does direct payment. So, many states have started the integrated human resources application system but they still make payments through their ministries. They just use this system to generate salaries, but in the case of Ekiti, we pay all our workers online, real time.

One other reform we have had to carry out is in the area of revenue generation. We have started what we call e-revenue, electronic revenue system, whereby all payments into the •Continued on page 29

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2012

29

THE CEO •Continued from page 28

coffers of the government are done through the bank and we have signed off consultants, who are handling this for us. That has helped us. The average IGR when we came on board was N121 million. At a time, it moved to about N600 million. For the reform of the tax system in the country, we are on average of about N400 million now. We are also working more with development partners and the capital market to develop our infrastructure.

Have you encountered any problem working with civil servants in carrying out these reforms?

I won’t call it problem, per se. There have been issues that came up when some of these reforms came on board, particularly the bifurcation of the finance and account departments. Most issues when better handled, the civil servants are very sincere, but if these reforms come on board and they are not well-articulated, there is bound to be resistance. You cannot rule out pockets of dissents or self-interests, but when the overwhelming facts are there, then there is no problem that our people will just let go.

An average Nigerian politician is known for cutting corners. Being a chartered accountant, trained to ensure no one cuts corner, have you had any problem with the governor in terms of managing finances?

The post of the Commissioner for Finance is not a post where you want to please everybody, not even yourself. You want to please the situation; you want to please the fact. So, even when the issue affects your wife, your children or your brother, you have to face the facts. If somebody close to me brings a transaction and I don’t believe in it, I will tell him ‘this can’t fly’. Most times the governor passes transactions to the Ministry of Finance for review. I hold court with my people here and advise Mr. Governor objectively.

To a large extent, like begets like.

The governor’s values and orientation are well-known in the country. The governor is highly transparent. He listens. It does not take him time to agree once you have your facts and figures.

If you are presenting anything to him, you have to get your facts right. By and large, I have been guided by my professional calling in performing my task as commissioner.

Why is the state taking bonds?

Bond is a form of financing for longterm at a cheaper cost. This is better than financing through the banks, which has an interest rate of between 20 and 23 per cent in Nigeria today. If you go to the bond, you might be getting a rate of about 15 per cent.

Normally, it should be lower than this but the peculiar situation of Nigeria has made it difficult. Borrowing from bond is like building a house today and paying over time.

There is a benefit. The benefit is that you will have the house and pay the same amount over 10 years, instead of continuing to pay rent. It is about being creative financially. Do we need new roads now? Do we need to bring investors to Ekiti State? If we need to do all these, what does it take? Do we need to bring back Ikogosi Warm Spring? Do we need to bring back Burnt Brick Factory? So, if the funding that required to bring all these things back is let’s say N10 million and we can only pay N1 million every year, that means we will not be able to bring back Ikogosi until the next 10 years. We will not be able to bring the Burnt Brick Factory back until the next 10 years. But knowing fully that if you do all those things and you can plough your savings back to repay, other investors will come to Ekiti State. I think the decision to take is let’s do it now and that is what we have done by taking bonds.

Does that not amount to mortgaging the future of the state?

If we delay the Burnt Brick, there are 300 people that will be denied employment in the next 10 years. Some of them would have even died. The company will expand and make money beyond what we are seeing today. I don’t know how that amounts

‘Taking bonds is mortgaging for the future’

•Kolawole

•Kolawole

•Kolawole

‘

When people know that if you don’t work and you make money and the society will worship you, they tend to tilt towards fraudulent means of acquiring wealth. The law should be strict about that to mortgaging the future of the state.

Then, Ikogosi Warm Spring, which was a forest, will employ people. Income will come and it will attract more investors. Really, taking bonds does not amount to mortgaging the future.

We are not mortgaging the future, but mortgaging for the future. We should thank the governor for his foresight.

When you say you are mortgaging, are you mortgaging for value? That is the question we need to answer. You can’t run Ekiti State without borrowing because the money is not just there.

We are not borrowing to acquire vehicles; we are not borrowing to pay salaries. To those who say taking bonds amount to mortgaging the future of the state, I want to challenge them to a debate on the benefits of bond financing. Most of the major

‘

projects done in this state in the past were through borrowing. Ero Dam was built with a loan. Egbe Dam also.

We are still repaying. If these projects had not been done, how would the people have coped? It is long-term loan. If those dams have not been built with World Bank loan, are we going to have Ero Dam or Egbe Dam? IlorinOffa-Ado Road was built with a World Bank loan by the Federal Government.

If they didn’t build it, how would it have happened? The only thing you need to look at when you are borrowing is, can you carry it? Do you have the capacity? What is the purpose of the loan? And that happens even at individual to community, corporate and state levels.

What do you think of the current internal and external borrowings of

federal and state governments? Some think we are piling up debts again.

I think we have a mismatch in the sense that some of the borrowings that are taking place, are being used for things we do not really require; borrowing for recurrent expenditures and white elephant projects and borrowing without using it to stimulate the local economy. If you borrow and use it to stimulate the local economy, fine.

There is nothing wrong with borrowing. It must just be purpose-driven. It must be used to achieve the purpose it was acquired, make sure you get result and make sure it stimulates the economy such that it can create jobs.

But, if you borrow and it is financing manufacturing in other countries, then there is a big issue on our hands.

When we borrow from another coun-

try and the borrowing is tied to buy our products, employ our engineers, bring our people into your country, even if you borrow $10 billion and it is used for factories in other countries, then it is a challenge. We go to China to borrow today. We go to America to borrow. These are the same countries keeping our reserves.

They keep our reserves at 2-3 per cent, they give us loan at 5-7 per cent. Obviously, they are recycling our reserves.

How can we stimulate the economy?

What we have done in Ekiti and which, I expect a reasonable country to do, is to tell some of these multinationals, ‘I am going to patronise you but whatever I am going to buy from you must be assembled in Nigeria’. We can do it. This country can stop the importation of rice. If we don’t eat foreign rice, there is nothing that will happen. If we don’t eat anything foreign, nothing will happen. But, the challenge we have in this country today is the taste of everybody, myself inclusive. You can’ run your economy by opening your doors for every Tom, Dick and Harry to just dump things here. We buy imported tooth picks in this country. We buy imported tissue papers. All the garments, all the ankara, none is manufactured in this country. Why can’t we examine our brains and wake up.

We are the biggest economy in Africa and the moment you tell these people ‘if the factory is not here I am not buying’, they will relocate here.

They start exporting from here, but most of our leaders here are not focused. My governor pays social security to the elderly here to stimulate the economy. These people don’t buy foreign stuffs. They buy from the local market. They buy from farmers.

They buy pepper, gari and so on from the local markets.

We need to spend our money on the local economy. Some of our leaders put their money abroad and the money is working abroad. It becomes easier for that economy to have money to borrow us at higher rate.

They now insist we must employ their engineers, buy equipment from their country, which their engineers must operate. We are the loser. The economy of Nigeria is not such that should take anybody one year to build, with the right quality leadership, with the right direction. The foreign contractors we bring here, what do they do that our people can’t? This country can work.

Let’s look at the accounting profession in Nigeria, there seems to be some bad eggs…

For every profession, there are bad eggs. It is normal in every profession.

These are isolated cases that should not be allowed to dent the real professionals with character.

How can we stop corruption?

Corruption, to me, is a thing of the mind of the individual, the community and the country. Over time, if you allow it to grow, it will continue to damage the system. It is more of our societal values and orientation.

We need to look back at the days of Omoluabi as we call it in the West. An Omoluabi is somebody who will do the right thing at the right time whether people are there or not. Corruption can destroy a country. When people know that if you don’t work and you make money and the society will worship you, they tend to tilt towards fraudulent means of acquiring wealth. The law should be strict about that. That is why I like what the CBN governor is doing about electronic payment. It helps reduce corruption. I hope it succeeds.

What value do you get from making too much money? There are too many poor people around you. We need to get our values right. People just acquire wealth that they don’t need. Being corrupt as a country is what has led us to where we are today. The moment you can remove corruption things will move well. We should all think about the country and what values are we adding to the country. The level of corruption in Nigeria is more driven by misplacement of priorities.

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THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2012

MONEY LINK

IMF approves $1.1b for low-income countries T

HE International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved the distribution of SDR 700 million (about US$1.1 billion) in reserves attributed to windfall gold sales profits to its members in order to boost its concessional lending capacity for low-income countries during the global crisis.

The distribution according to a statement from the Fund, is a key element of a 2009 plan to boost concessional lending capacity to US$17 billion over the five years to 2014. The decision authorising the distribution was taken by the Executive Board in February 2012. It will however, become effective only after IMF members have provided satisfactory assurances that new amounts equivalent to at least 90 per cent of the amount distributed—i.e. SDR 630 million—would be transferred or otherwise provided to the IMF’s concessional lending vehicle, the Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust (PRGT). The 90 per cent threshold has been reached with assurances received from the countries listed below, meaning the distribution can now take place.

The IMF will continue to seek contributions from remaining members in order to maximise concessional lending capacity. In addition, as agreed on September 28, the Fund is starting a process for seeking assurances on a separate distribution of the remaining gold sales windfall profits of US$2.7 billion.

From Ayodele Aminu, Group Business Editor in Tokyo, Japan

“This is a wonderful achievement that demonstrates our members’ determination to ensure the IMF has the wherewithal to support its low-income members through this crisis,” IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde stated. “For many countries this process has involved complex legal or legislative steps, and it is a tribute to our membership that

we have arrived at the required level in just a few months.”

Because gold sales profits are part of the IMF’s general resources available for the benefit of the entire membership, they cannot be placed directly in the PRGT, which is available only to low-income member countries. Accordingly, using these resources for PRGT financing required a distribution of the resources to all IMF member countries in proportion to their quota

shares, on the expectation that members would direct the Fund to transfer these resources (or would provide broadly equivalent amounts) to the PRGT as subsidy contributions. The resources raised through the operation will count towards the 2009 package’s target of raising an additional SDR 1.5 billion (US$2.3 billion) in PRGT subsidies. The balance is being raised from other sources, including additional bilateral contributions which the IMF

Enterprise Bank CEO tasks inspectors on e-payment fraud

T

HE confidence of Nigerians on the usage of electronic payment systems is dependent on the control measures taken by banks' auditors to prevent e-fraud in the financial services sector, Managing Director, Enterprise Bank Limited, Ahmed Kuru has said.

Speaking at the quarterly meeting of the Committee of Chief Inspectors of Banks in Nigeria (CCIBN), which the bank hosted in Lagos recently, Kuru, who was represented by Nneka OnyealiIkpe, an Executive Director of the bank, disclosed that more Nigerians would embrace the e-payment system as the country migrates to a cashless economy.

However, he said that lenders should guarantee the safety customers' money.

Describing e-fraud as a crime that affects the society as a whole and impacting adversely on individuals, businesses and governments, the bank CEO maintained that recent studies showed that efraud has increased as more bank customers key into the cashless banking initiative.

He challenged the CCIBN to always be a step ahead of fraudsters to check the rate of electronic fraud in the country. He also called for collaboration among stakeholders to check the menace.

Kuru suggested that development of effective controls by banks especially in data security, maintenance of efficient joint industry database on e-fraud for knowledge sharing, collaboration with local and international

change (NSE) in the next few months.

Speaking at an interactive session with the press at the weekend, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Ado Y. Wanka, represented by the Executive Director, Lagos and West, Lanre Fagbohun, ,said that bank has overcome all its merger challenges and it set to continue to deliver quality service to its customers.

According to him, the bank has put in place measures to allow for superior customer experience as never been seen before in the banking industry. Some of these include excellent security measures to ensure that on-line banking and transactions’ safety are guaranteed and uncompromised in a bid to safeguard customer identity in support of the cashless policy of the Government.

A

Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

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

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 350m 150m 350m 138m 350m 113m

MANAGED FUNDS Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2012 “ 14-04-2012

GAINERS AS AT 12-10-12 SYMBOL

O/PRICE

ACADEMY DNMEYER REDSTAREX CHAMPION CCNN SKYEBANK UPL FIDSON LIVESTOCK EVANSMED

2.82 1.183 3.07 3.62 6.24 3.86 3.91 1.24 1.49 1.30

C/PRICE

3.10 2.01 3.30 3.80 6.55 4.05 4.10 1.30 1.56 1.36

CHANGE

0.28 0.18 0.23 0.18 0.31 0.19 0.19 0.06 0.07 0.06

O/PRICE 6.75 8.50 3.82 1.55 7.67 2.11 3.37 1.79 1.85 1.19

C/PRICE 6.12 8.01 3.62 1.47 7.30 2.01 2.26 1.71 1.77 1.14

CHANGE 0.63 0.49 0.20 0.08 0.37 0.10 0.11 0.08 0.08 0.05

Exchange Rate (N) 155.2 155.8 155.7

Date 2-7-12 27-6-12 22-6-12

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Year Start Offer

NGN USD NGN GBP NGN EUR NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) (S/N) Bureau de Change (S/N) Parallel Market

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

147.6000 239.4810 212.4997

149.7100 244.0123 207.9023

150.7100 245.6422 209.2910

-2.11 -2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

153.0000

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

July ’12

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

12%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate Inflation Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 11.8%

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

NSE CAP Index

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

LOSERS AS AT 12-11-12

SYMBOL DANGSUGAR UBN FCMB CUSTODYINS IBTC LEARNAFRCA IHS BAGCO MANSARD TRANSCORP

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m 113m

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

be honoured at the Institute’s Fellowship Investiture include, Sarah Alade and Suleiman Barau, both CBN Deputy Governors. Also to be honoured are NDIC boss, Umaru Ibrahim; Managing Director, Ecobank Transnational, Arnold Ekpe, First Bank CEO, Bisi Onosanya; Diamond Bank CEO, Alex Otti; Others are CEOs of Skye Bank, Sterling Bank Plc, Unity Bank, Union Bank, United Bank for Africa, among others.

A statement from CIBN said out of the 79 awardees to be invested at the event, 11 would receive Honorary Fellowship award while 68 Associates of the Institute will be conferred with Fellowship.

CIBN president, Segun Aina, will be the Chairman of the occasion while ‘Debola Osibogun First Vice President will be the Chief Host supported by Uju M. Ogubunka, Registrar.

DATA BANK

Tenor

OBB Rate Call Rate

T

WO Deputy Governors of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Managing Director/Chief Executive, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Commission (NDIC) and eight bank executives are among key operators who would be conferred with the Fellowship of The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) on Saturday, October 20.

Among eminent bankers to

Unity Bank restates commitment to customers S part of activities to mark the World Customer Service Week, Unity Bank Plc has again restated its commitment to its customers and meeting the yearnings of its entire stakeholders through value creation.

The bank, which is presently at a N45 billion capital base is working towards raising a tier one capital from the Nigerian Stock Ex-

ing the sales period, over and above the US$850 an ounce envisaged when the sales were originally planned, generated “windfall” profits of some SDR 2.45 billion (about US$3.8 billion). The first SDR 700 million of those windfall profits will be now distributed to the membership in proportion to their IMF quota shares.

CIBN honours CBN deputy governors, others

agencies on fraud control mechanisms among other measures will assist banks address e-payment frauds in their respective institutions.

He further charged the chief inspectors to regularly perform employee background checks, conduct fraud awareness trainings, make vacations mandatory for staff and segregate duties among staff members as these would assist banks check e-frauds in the financial services sector.

FGN BONDS

NIDF NESF

continues to seek from member countries.

The IMF sold 403.3 metric tons of gold in 2009-10 as part of a plan to ensure the longterm financing of the IMF’s day-to-day operations through the creation of an endowment using anticipated gold sales profits of some SDR 4.4 billion (US$6.8 billion).

High world gold prices dur-

Offer Price

Bid Price

ARM AGGRESSIVE 9.17 KAKAWA GUARANTEED 1.00 STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE 125.13 AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 12.0.13 LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL 0.79 BGL SAPPHIRE FUND 1.10 BGL NUBIAN FUND 0.93 NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. 1,732.33 PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND 10.45 CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST 1.39 CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST 1.87 STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY 8,652.66 THE DISCOVERY FUND 193.00 FIDELITY NIGFUND 1.67 • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

9.08 1.00 124.96 119.60 0.76 1.10 0.91 1,726.86 9.94 1.33 1.80 8,411.80 191.08 1.62

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK

Bank P/Court

Previous 04 July, 2012

Current 07, Aug, 2012

8.5000 8.0833

8.5000 8.0833

Movement

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2012

31

MONEY MARKET REPORT

Bank directors forecast upsurge in credit extension

B

ANK directors see an upsurge in loans to the economy as the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) continues to buy nonperforming loans from banks. Bank directors, acting under the aegis of Bank Directors Association of Nigeria (BDAN) identified the services of credit bureaux as critical to enhancing credit growth in the country adding that enhancing the operations of the sector will boost the economy.

Analysts attributed the low credit growth to the attractive returns still available on government paper and in the conservative lending policies of some institutions.

BDAN President, Sonny Kuku says credit bureaus are complementary to the banking reforms. “The services of credit bureaux will complement the on-going banking sector reform measures of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN),” he said.

According to him, the group devoted the 2012 edition of the annual BDAN Stakeholders Forum to examine the linkage between credit bureaus and the banking industry and will focus on “How Banks can leverage on Credit Bureau Services to accelerate Growth.”

He further said that experiences of other countries show that credit bureaus offer services which if properly harnessed, can minimize the occurrence of banking crises and facilitate the growth of the industry.

Kuku advised banks to tap into the opportunities offered by credit bureaus, adding that one of the ways to achieve this is to ensure that top decision makers in the industry are fully acquainted with these opportunities, and thus promote the use of credit bureau services.

Global financial crisis Sterling Bank Director, Yemi Idowu, said the focus of the banks now is growth, having overcome the challenges of the global financial crises, which led to the exit of many banking institutions across the world and in Nigeria.

He said the focus should not be only on how to achieve growth, but sustainable growth, and this is where the role of credit bureaus comes in. “The major factor responsible for the crisis suffered by the industry in the last four years was the incidence of non-performing loans, people not honoring their loan obligations,” he said.

Non-performing loans/AMCON While analysts insist that AMCON is a curative institution, the credit bureaux sub sector is a preventative one. Therefore it is necessary that proactive measures be taken to ensure that credit bureaux provide the needed services to the banks and other financial institutions.

To achieve this, a forum will on November 15th 2012 in Lagos, feature a keynote address by the CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

The forum will be chaired by Chief John Odeyemi, Chairman, OAU Investment Company, former Chairman, Ecobank Nigeria Plc and former Vice President, BDAN. The guest speaker at the occasion will be Taiwo Ayedun, Managing Director/Chief Executive CR Services (credit bureau) Limited.

It will also feature a review of the topic and decisions reached at the 2011 edition of the forum which focused on “The future of the Banking Industry”, with emphasis on the cash less policy.

Cashless banking For Foluke Abdulrazaq, director, UBA, it would have been 10 months since the commencement of the cashless policy by November. She said there have been some changes to the policy, which is in line with our recommendations. She pointed out that since the council advocated for regular assessment and review of the policy, the forum will be used to achieve this.

Banking sector growth The association said it contributes to the development of the banking industry through recommendations and comments on policy and topical issues in the industry. The group organises an annual stakeholders forum which brings together executive and non-executive directors of banks, officials of other financial institutions, regulatory authorities, professional bodies and executives of other leading companies in Nigeria. Among other things, the forum provides opportunity for banking professionals to network and also share thoughts on the theme of the forum.

FITC/NDIC BDAN has since been supported by Financial

products which are the foundation on which the bank products operate.

“From the customer’s mobile phone, to the mobile payments system and feedback to the mobile phone, the mobile payment transaction utilises mostly mobile resources, makes use of mobile time and is supported largely by mobile engineers, but unfortunately the CBN has restricted telecom companies from advertising in the mobile payments space,” Kuponiyi said.

•Sanusi

•Kuku

By Collins Nweze

Institutions Training Centre (FITC), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC). “In retrospect, the association has made several contributions to the development of the banking industry in the country. One of its notable contribution since the 2011 stakeholders forum is the Remuneration Framework for Non-Executive Directors of Banks,” it said in a statement. The framework was presented to the CBN governor and the Managing Director/Chief Executive, NDIC, Umar Ibrahim.

Remuneration for directors One of BDAN’s contribution since the 2011 stakeholders forum was the Remuneration Framework for Non-Executive Directors of Banks. The framework was the product of a survey conducted by the FITC for the association. The survey was commissioned by BDAN to develop a remuneration framework for nonexecutive directors (NEDs) of banks in Nigeria. To highlight the importance of the framework, the association organised a business luncheon for banks’ chairmen where it formally presented the report of the survey and the framework to the chairmen, bank directors and critical stakeholders in the industry.

Among other things BDAN acts as organ of communication for and to represent members and their various banks in any or all of their relationship with government, ministries, departments, agents, local/public authorities and trade association.

BDAN is the umbrella body of bank directors. It was established in 1997 to provide a forum for improving the knowledge and the competence of bank directors, thereby promoting honourable practice within the banking industry in Nigeria. The group also contributes to the development of the banking industry through recommendations and comments on policy and topical issues in the industry.

Bridged Banks Last week, hopes of recovering the N32 billion shareholders’ funds trapped in bridged banks dimmed as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said the goal of maintaining financial stability supersedes the narrow interest of the shareholders. The three bridged banks are former Afribank (Mainstreet Bank), Bank PHB (Keystone Bank) and Spring Bank (Enterprise Bank).

About N32 billion was the total worth of shares of the three banks as at August 5, 2011 when they were bridged.

CBN Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability, Kingsley Moghalu said the position of the CBN on the issue is that the wider goal

of financial stability overrides the narrow interest of these shareholders whose investments in the intervened banks had effectively been wiped out.

Moghalu spoke at the 2012 Continuous Education Programme for Bank Directors and Other Financial Institutions organised by the Financial Institutions Training Centre (FITC) in Lagos.

According to the CBN, its combined effort with the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) was in the wider public interest. He said the regulatory action was in line with its statutory responsibility to protect depositors and maintain financial stability.

Money laundering Account opening forms for all commercial banks was last week unified by the CBN. In a circular to all banks and Other Financial Institutions (OFIs), the apex bank said it took the step is to forestall the use of the accounts for money laundering and financial terrorism by bank customers.

The circular signed by CBN Director, Financial Policy and Regulation, Obot U.A said the absence of uniformity in account opening procedure and documentation for prospective customers has continued to hinder the effectiveness of Know Your Customer requirement in banks and OFIs. He said, the apex bank has prepared a draft copy of the proposed form, and directed banks and OFIs to make inputs to enable it approve the final copy for implementation by the lenders.

The Director said that the adverse effect of this on the fight against money laundering and combating of financial terrorism cannot be overemphasised.

Telcos Telecommunication companies last week, called on the CBN to allow them to participate in the regulation of the mobile money subsector, one of the services provided by banks in support of the cashless banking initiative.

Speaking at a seminar in Lagos on “Nigeria Transiting to A Cashless Society: Possibilities and Challenges”, Tunde Kuponiyi, Globacom’s Director, Telebanking Unit said that the current regime of mobile money regulation, which is being bank-driven, is not friendly to telecoms companies who provide the mobile payment platform. He said that though there was a lot that telecoms companies could contribute in a cashless economy, their current mandate was limiting.

Kuponiyi explained that since the mobile payments business is 90 per cent dependent on the mobile industry, it was unfair that the mobile networks are prevented from advertising their various mobile payment

‘The focus of the banks now is growth, having overcome the challenges of the global financial crises, which led to the exit of many banking institutions across the world and in Nigeria’

Sovereign Wealth Fund board President Goodluck Jonathan insisted on the need for the three tiers of government to work together for the preservation of the country’s commonwealth. He spoke against the background of disagreements that trailed the establishment of the Sovereign Wealth Fund, which was created to replace the Excess Crude Account (ECA).The president, who recognised the federal system of government, however, noted that the Sovereign Wealth Fund belongs to Nigerians. He said all tiers of government must work to preserve the commonwealth and guarantee the prosperity of the nation.

The president spoke when he inaugurated the management board of the Sovereign Wealth Fund. One billion dollar take off seed grant was okayed by the three tries of government from the the excess crude account.

The Board of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) is headed by Mahey Rasheed, a former deputy governor of the CBN. The management of the fund has been in contention between the Federal Government and the states. The governors had raised concerns about the management of the fund.

They feared that it would be manipulated by the executive arm which is the custodian of the fund. Besides, the governors had also nursed the fear of arbitrary use of the fund by the Federal Government.

Bank to bank report Staff of First Spring Franchise Services (FSFS), a human resource service provider of Enterprise Bank Limited last week, failed to honour agreement between the lender and their organisation. This affected banking operations at the bank’s head office.

According to a statement from the bank, representatives of national officers of Nigeria Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the bank and the FSFS had reached agreement on how to resolve the matter, but the workers were alleged to have failed to keep their own side of the agreement As part of activities to mark the World Customer Service Week, Unity Bank Plc restated its commitment to its customers and meeting the yearnings of its entire stakeholders through value creation.

The bank, which is presently at a N45 billion capital base is working towards raising a tier one capital from the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in the next few months.

Speaking at an interactive session with the press, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Ado Y. Wanka, represented by the Executive Director, Lagos and West, Lanre Fagbohun , said that bank has overcome all its merger challenges and it set to continue to deliver quality service to its customers.

Ecobank Nigeria Plc rewarded its customers in the ongoing Win Big Promo. Bashir Musa Bashir, a customer of the bank, won a brand new car. Other winners are Kareem Ismail Adeleke, Okpala Chineyere, Abere Stella among others. They won different prizes ranging from generators, plasma television sets and mobile phones.

The winners emerged after the customers were pooled in an electronic draw monitored

by Consumer Protection Council (CPC), National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), the media and members of staff of the bank.

The UBA Foundation will be extending grants to secondary school students that win the ongoing National Essay Competition organised by the foundation. The Foundation will give out a total of N2.5 million, laptop gifts among others. The overall winner, first and second runners up will get N1 million, N750,000.00, N500,000.00 respectively.

In a statement, the Foundation said the call for entries from eligible students for the essay competition commenced last week and will be closing November 2, 2012. The Foundation said it is giving the students opportunity of winning university educational grants.

32

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2012

33

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2012

34

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE

FMCG stocks lead equities’ rally with 301.27% return

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 12-10-12

F

AST moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies are ahead in the upswing at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) with a sectoral year-to-date return of 301.27 per cent, almost 10 times of the average overall market return of 31.63 per cent.

The NSE Consumer Goods Index advanced by 1.94 per cent last week as several FMCG stocks including Nestle Nigeria, Guinness Nigeria, Cadbury Nigeria and Nigerian Breweries dominated the top gainers’ list.

The NSE Banking Index indicated the second highest yearto-date return of 61.91 per cent after rising by 7.70 per cent last week. The NSE 30 Index, which tracks the 30 most capitalised stocks, reflected significant rally by major companies with average return of 40.14 per cent over the nine and a half months.

It rose by 3.89 per cent last week.

The NSE Lotus Islamic Index-

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

which tracks a portfolio of Shari’a-compliant stocks indicated average year-to-date return of 34.10 per cent after the ethical index had risen by 2.03 per cent last week. The NSE Insurance Index showed slight recovery with a gain of 1.59 per cent last week but its year-todate return remained negative at -1.80 per cent. The NSE Oil and Gas Index slipped by 0.34 per cent last week, worsening the average return so far this year to -26.02 per cent.

The benchmark index at NSE, the All Share Index (ASI), rose by 3.20 per cent last week to close at 27,287.85 points while aggregate market capitalization of all equities increased by N275.586 billion to close at N8.695 trillion.

Nestle Nigeria led the advancers with a gain of N10 to close at N625 per share.

Guinness Nigeria rose by N4.40

to close at N281.60. Ashaka Cement gained N2.75 to close at N19.50. Cadbury Nigeria rose by N2.44 to close at N30 while Nigerian Breweries added N2.15 to close at N142.

Altogether, 50 stocks recorded capital gains last week as against 25 stocks that suffered depreciation, indicating a ratio of two gainers to one loser.

Total turnover stood at 2.184 billion shares worth N17.495 billion in 27,786 deals. The financial services sector accounted for 1.736 billion shares valued at N12.268 billion in 16,453 deals. The consumer goods sector followed with 166.772 million shares valued at N3.570 billion in 5,443 deals.

Turnover was largely driven by activity in the shares of Access Bank Plc, Zenith Bank Plc and Fidelity Bank Plc which altogether accounted for 569.875 million shares, representing 26.09 per cent of total turnover for the week.

Unity Bank begins sale of 9 subsidiaries

U

NITY Bank Plc has started divesting from its noncore banking subsidiaries with a view to complying with the new banking regulatory regime introduced in 2010 by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Under the CBN’s Scope of Banking Activities and Ancillary Matters No 3, 2010, banks are required to fully concentrate on core banking functions. The new model requires banks to either sell all non-core banking businesses or form a holding company to hold such non-core banking businesses including activities such as insurance, asset management and capital market op-

By Taofik Salako

erations.

Most banks including Access Bank Plc, Diamond Bank Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) Plc, Skye Bank Plc, Sterling Bank, Zenith Bank, Unity Bank and Wema Bank have chosen to divest from nonbanking subsidiaries.

Unity Bank at the weekend indicated it has commenced and made appreciable progress in the divestments from non-core banking subsidiaries.

In a regulatory filing with the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), the bank indicated that it has already sold three subsidiaries in-

cluding Unity Registrars Limited, Pelican Prints Limited and Northlink Insurance.

It indicated it was about completing the deal for Caranda Management Services Limited, which sale process was just about 14 per cent to complete. Two other subsidiaries- Hexadix Properties Limited and Unity Bank Bureau De Change Limited have also started discussions with potential new investors with the processes almost 39 per cent and 27 per cent completed respectively.

Unity Bank also informed that it has identified a buyer for the purchase of Unity Investment & Capital Limited, while Newdevco Investments & Securities Company Limited and Unity Kapital Assurance Plc are currently being packaged for sale to identified buyers.

The bank stated that it intended to conclude the whole divestment process on or before December 31, 2012.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 12-10-12

35

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2012

EQUITIES WATCH

Email: taofad2000@yahoo.co.uk

Vitafoam Nigeria Plc is proving to be a contrarian stock, but on the negative side. While large sustained price recovery at the stock market tickles investors with a year-to-date return of 31.63 per cent, Vitafoam differs with similar negative return. What is holding back Nigeria's largest and consistently profitable foam-manufacturing company? TAOFIK SALAKO examines the fundamental linkage to the pricing trend

T

HE Nigerian stock market is undoubtedly on the upswing. With a year-to-date average return of 33 per cent, the general market outlook reflects the optimisms on the prospects of most stocks and particularly improving investors' appetite for Nigerian equities. Several stocks are setting new highs after new highs and gains by most equities are generally in double digits. The benchmark index at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) - the All Share Index, scaled up from 26,000 points to 27,000 points and still appears resilient as new orders drive share prices upward. Altogether, investors in equities have so far earned more than N2.16 trillion in capital gains this year. The bullish rally is particularly driven by manufacturing stocks, where fast moving consumer goods companies are jumping to historic prices.

But Vitafoam Nigeria presents a different, depressed outlook. Vitafoam's share price has seen continuous depreciation in recent years, in spite of somewhat impressive unbroken dividend yields. The company's price ceiling has continued to cave in since 2010 from a high of N7.50 per share to N6.75 in 2011. Its highest price so far this year is N5.54. It has also tended towards the downside. Lowest market consideration broke the resistance points of N4.55 and N4.65 in 2010 and 2011 respectively and stooped to N2.91 this year. In key value measure, Vitafoam underperforms the entire stock market, worse during the bad period and bad during the good period. It returned a negative full-year return of 24 per cent in 2011 as against average market return of -16.31 per cent. Today, it opens with year-to-date return of -30.43 per cent compared with average market return of 31.63 per cent.

Pricing the fundamentals?

Recent profit and loss accounts appeared to indicate slowdown in the performance of Vitafoam. The company had recorded significant growth in sales in 2011 but high operating and financing costs undermined profitability, leaving the bottom-line flat.

Audited report and accounts for the year ended September 31, 2011 showed that turnover grew by 37 per cent but operating expenses and finance costs counterbalanced top-line growth with increase of 55 per cent and 34 per cent respectively. The thin pretax profit margin of the foam-manufacturing company was stretched further downward, undermining the ability of the company to pass top-line growth into increased returns to shareholders.

Besides, two percentage points decline in average pre-tax profit per unit of sales and lower actual return to shareholders, worsening cost efficiency and liquidity position illustrated the strangulating impact of the company's high financial leverage and midline costs in 2011. While the gross profit margin improved marginally from 29.8 per cent in 2010 to 30 per cent in 2011, average

What cushions for Vitafoam?

2011

pre-tax profit per unit of sales continued on the downward, slipping through 8.0 per cent in 2009 to 7.7 per cent in 2010 and 5.7 per cent in 2011. This sustained the flat bottom-line scenario that had characterised the operations of the company in recent years.

Profit before tax stood at N824 million in 2011 compared with N823 million in 2010.

Profit after tax was also almost unchanged at N519 million in 2011 as against N514 million in 2010. Basic earnings per share thus flattened at 63 kobo, pushing the company to retain cash payout at 30 kobo per share, same rate like previous year. Net assets per share however improved from N3.05 to N3.43. Vitafoam had grown sales by 36.7 per cent from N10.62 billion in 2010 to N14.52 billion in 2011.

Emerging outlook Vitafoam's operational performance so far this year has also been rather lackluster with continuing declines in margins and profitability. Interim report for the ninemonth period ended June 30, 2012 showed that turnover rose marginally by 2.0 per cent from N1-.41 billion in 2011 to N10.62 billion in 2012. Gross profit also inched up from N3.29 billion to N3.41 billion. Profit before tax meanwhile slipped from N887.1 million to N712.3 million. Profit after tax also reduced to N484.4 million in 2012 compared with N603.20 million in comparable period of 2011. With this, earnings per share dropped from 74 kobo to 59 kobo.

Vitafoam's net assets per share however improved from N3.57 per share in 2011 to N3.87 per share in 2012.

The company's financial leverage remained a major constraint. Short-term bank

2010

2009

2008

2007

loans jumped to N3.27 billion in 2011, building up from N2.89 billion in 2011. Consequently, finance cost increased to N347.31 million in 2012 as against N208.76 million in previous period. The quarter-on-quarter decline in performance has dampened enthusiasms for the full-year report for the year ended September 31, 2012. In spite of the impending release of the full-year reports, and almost certain dividend recommendation, the share price has remained largely flat.

Translating size into figures The fundamental performance of Vitafoam belied recent expansionary initiatives of the company. Combining both organic and inorganic growth strategies, the company has established many subsidiaries to tap into new opportunities and consolidated its dominance of the Nigerian foam industry with the acquisition of majority equity stake in its rival foam manufacturer- Vono Products Plc. Vitafoam had established Vitablom Nigeria and Vitapur Nigeria to harness new opportunities. In August 2010, it acquired majority shareholding in Vono Products and took over the board and management of the company. The new management has successfully recapitalized Vono Products, through a rights issue that Vitafoam played key role as the largest shareholder.

Chairman, Vitafoam Nigeria, Chief Samuel Bolarinde, recently outlined that the company has modified its business model to overcome prevailing operating challenges and enhance returns to shareholders. According to him, the main challenge that confronted the company was the astro-

•Chairman, Vitafoam Nigeria, Chief Samuel Bolarinde

nomical increase in the cost of its raw materials as well as other operational costs that could not be passed on to the consumer.

Vitafoam will need to show investors the tangible benefits from its expansions. Besides, the market appeared to have penalized Vitafoam beyond the intrinsic value level. The stock appears to be substantially undervalued, trading below its book value.

The third quarter report indicated net assets per share of N3.87 in 2012, 9.04 per cent above today's opening price of N3.53.

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2012

36

INSURANCE

Firms fail to meet accounts’ submission deadline T

WO underwriting firms are yet to meet accounts’submission deadline as stipulated by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) three months to the end of the year, The Nation has learnt.

Director, Supervision, NAICOM, Opara Nicholas, disclosed this during at a seminar for external auditors of insurance companies and brokers in Lagos.

He, however, declined to give the names of the defaulting companies.

He also said most of last year’s accounts submitted by companies were not properly prepared, adding that many of the accounts were queried due to irregularities.

Opara stated that the commis-

Stories by Uyoatta Eshiet

sion is committed to cleaning up the reports of companies to enable them to meet international standard.

According to him, insurance industry guidelines states that insurance and re-insurance companies shall submit to the commission three copies each of duly audited financial statements and annual returns in prescribed forms.

He noted that on the operation of the companies for 2011, returns shall be filed on or before June 30, 2012.

It said: “The following items shall accompany audited annual returns: Copy of management letter and the response of the management to the issues raised

therein, certificate of solvency issued by the external auditors in the case of non-life; certificate of solvency issued by the actuary in the case of life, two copies of actuarial valuation report, schedule of unexpired risk for general business presented in the format of form G.3, schedule of outstanding claims at the year-end according to age analysis and in the format of form G.2C. Others are schedule of outstanding premium debt at the year- end according to age analysis and in the format of form G.2P, schedule of investments hypothecated according to the funds and supported with relevant proof of existence and ownership, schedule of fixed assets purchased during the year sup-

ported with verifiable evidence, personnel returns for the year presented in the format of form G.4, and evidence of payment of filing fees and penalties for late submission, if applicable.

According to Opara,the guidelines further stated that in rendering annual returns, composite insurers shall adhere strictly to the provision of Section 19 of the Insurance Act 2003 regarding separation of accounts and reserve funds.

The guidelines said the late filing of annual returns shall in accordance with section 26(3) of the Insurance Act, 2003 attracts a fine of N5000 per day for each day of default, adding that failure to file

annual returns as prescribed by Section 26 of the Insurance Act, 2003 constitutes a ground for cancellation of an operating licence.

He noted that an insurer shall be deemed to have failed to file its annual returns if the provisions of Section 26 of the Insurance Act 2003 are not met 12 months after the end of the financial year, stressing that cash flow statements shall be prepared and presented on direct method basis.

It said each firm shall, at the time of submission of annual returns and audited financial statements, pay the following filing fees: Composite Insurers N200,000 Life or General N100,000 and Reinsurers N200,000.

NCRIB gets new chair

T

•Group Chief Executive, Oando Plc, Mr. Wale Tinubu (second right) giving a presentation on Oando O-Gas cooking cylinder to Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State (right), Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga (second left), and the Minister for Transport, Senator Idris Umar (left) during the Nigeria oil and gas trade and investment forum held recently at Onne, Rivers State.

Law Union and Rock’s premium rises to N4.2b

L

AW Union and Rock Insurance Plc has recorded an increase in premium income from N4.046 billion in 2010 to N4.20 billion in 2011, representing a modest increase of four per cent.

The chairperson of the company, Princess Adenike Adeniran, who disclosed this at the company’s 43th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos, said despite the economic challenges that most businesses had to contend with, the company was able to record the modest achievement last year.

Pricesss Adenike noted that earned premium of the company increased by eight per cent. The figure stood at N3.547 billion, up from N3.285 billion recorded in 2010. Investment income of the company stood at N228.63 million while the company paid N34.378 million as tax within the period.

Adenike further stated that within the year under review, the total assets of the underwriting firm stood at over N7 billion with a very strong growth potential to place the company among the top players in the Nigerian insurance industry.

To this end, she hinted that the company will implement all the strategic initiatives that have been mapped out to move the company towards the attainment of set its goals. Some of the strate-

• Appoints new board, management gies according to her are: total reorganisation of the company, reorientation of the staff and reduction of management overheads as well as removal of all unnecessary financial expenses.

Others are aggressive drive for collection of outstanding premium, penetration into the oil and gas market, new products developments, drive for retail market and efficient information technology systems. Furthermore she said improved welfare, prudent and profitable investment system, development of agency platforms as well as continued maintenance of robust relationship with insurance brokers and other

stakeholders, would be vigorously pursued.

Adenike assured the stakeholders that with the implementation of these strategies, the company stands to benefit extensively from the market reshaping campaign being carried out by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM).

The company has appointed new directors, managing director and chief executive officer. The directors are: Mr Remi Babalola, Olaseni Kusamotu, Victor Faleye, Olaiya Ajana, Oluwatoyin Olusanya and Funmi Ekundayo.

Mrs. Toyin Ogunseye is the new Managing Director. She has over 20 years experience.

HE Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Lagos Area Committee, has elected Mr Patrick Ikponmwosa as its new chairman. He takes over from Mr Tunde Oguntade whose tenure has expired.

At the investiture, which took place at the NCRIB National Secretariat in Lagos, the new Lagos Area Committee chairman said his tenure would leverage on the cooperation of past leaders as well as take initiatives that will clear the air on the misconceptions about who insurance brokers are and what they do, adding that he would better the lot of the insurance industry.

He said: “It is my belief that most of the misconceptions about who insurance brokers are and what they do has been caused by ineffective communication with these relevant stakeholders.‘’ Speaking on other strategies he intends to employ, Ikponmwosa said the Lagos Area Committee under his leadership would give greater attention to public awareness crusades to major and potential clients.

He also said: “We shall be more visible in schools, sports arenas, licensing offices and other spots to present insurance to the people. It is my belief that if people could identify genuine insurance practitioners, then the days are over for charlatans and fakes.”

He pledged to support and complement the national body in

R

Director of the Group, Alhaji Auwalu Muktari, as saying that this year's conference will be exciting, educative and instructive as it will include a lecture on insurance as well as inspirational discussions on leadership, attitudinal change and patriotism.

He re-emphasised the commitment of Royal Exchange to the development of youth in the country, saying that "unless we catch them young and nuture them at this stage, the country's future is most certainly fraught

the area of training and human resources. “We shall periodically undertake research to distill training needs of members and coordinate our efforts with the national body,” he said.

The Council said it would continue to support and strengthen the Area Committee system, describing it as the only sure way of getting across to most of the brokers who live in various parts of the country.

Its President, Laide Osijo, said: “The Area Committee system was informed by the realisation that most of the practitioners are domiciled at the grassroots and any attempt to reach them effectively must be done through these platforms.”

CIIN to hold seminar HE Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) is set to hold this year’s education seminar next month.

The seminar, which is scheduled for Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, is to address the imperatives for improved service delivery and ensuring that the policy holder is protected at all times.

In a statement signed by Mr Joseph Obah, CIIN’s Director of

T

Royal Exchange supports youth conference in Lagos OYAL Exchange Plc has thrown its weight behind the Fifh edition of the annual Leadership Conference for Secondary School Prefects in Lagos State.

The event, which is scheduled to hold at the new auditorium, Igbobi College, Yaba, Lagos, on Wednesday is expected to attract over 1,000 pupil from about 50 post-primary educational institutions in the state.

A statement by the Corporate Affairs Department of Royal Exchange Plc quotes the Executive

•Ikponmwosa

with uncertainty and inepititude".

Muktari urged parents and teachers to continue to pay attention to the academic and moral developments of their children and wards as this demographic segment constitutes the real foundation of nationhood.

This year's conference, which is in colloboration with Foundation for Youth Education, has as its theme "The Youth as Catalyst in the National Transformation Agenda".

Corporate Communication, the seminar is described as a veritable platform for the training and retraining of the industry’s branch office managers and other key middle level personnel.

The seminar theme: Making Insurance Count, according to the release, brings into focus the imperatives for growing insurance bigger in public perception while examining the ways and means by which branch office operations could be strengthened in order to guarantee prompt resolution of customer related issues which have remained sore spots in the Industry’s profile.

The statement also quoted the CIIN President, Dr. Wole Adetimehin, as saying that the resolution of customer-related issues should be a win-win situation with the customer and the service provider occupying positions of mutual respect.

Speakers expected at the seminar include Mr Wehinmi Jemide and Mr Wale Onaolapo of WJLLP Consulting and Sovereign Trust Insurance plc.

JOBS THE NATION

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

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2012

37

• Oil workers

It’s the artisans’ world

The global economic downturn does not affect them. One way or the other, they will always get a job to do because of their peculiar services. They abound in our neighbourhoods and have become somewhat indispensable. They are the mechanics, electricians, plumbers and the likes, reports DANIEL ESSIET. • STORY ON PAGE 38

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2012

38

JOBS

It’s the artisans’ world

D

ESPITE the global economic downturn, there is still need for skilled workers. Since their specialised skill is their selling point, they remain relevant in any economy, whether challenged or not. Their services are always required because they have what it takes to deliver the goods. Whether in the construction, manufacturing or finance sector, the skilled worker’s place is assured as long as he is up and doing.

Who is a skilled worker? He is a peson with the requisite skill to do the job for which he is employed. He may not necessarily be a graduate but can be a technician with training on a particular skill.

Paul Joseph is a machine operator, who started working with a manufacturing company as a machine attendant. He advanced to become a foreman, and today, he’s a hands-on boss. He has no degree, but his career path has proved rewarding.

Daily, there are thousands of man factory production lines, making a wide range of products - from soap to apparel, paper and associated products. The workers include factory attendants, engineering assistants, maintenance/housekeepers, production artists, receptionists, bar men, waiters, sales order processor and store keepers, among others.

In these jobs, not much of education is required. The strategy is to select a field that offers the best long-term prospects and acquire the requisite training. Lagos provides a lot of opportunities for these workers to establish small scale industries.

The chemical industry, for instance, is a big employer of skilled workers. Goods produced in the industry account for over six per cent of the total value of goods manufactured in the country. The diversity of products is reflected in the establishments in the industry. They include plastic materials, agricultural chemicals,

and drugs.

The industry manufactures adhesives, explosives, fireworks, inks, and other products. Some of the by-products serve as raw materials for the manufacturing of other products. Manufacturers of paints and allied products employ a lot of workers.

The President, Association of Micro Enterprises of Nigeria (AMEN), Prince Saviour Iche, is into cosmetics production.

He said manufacturers employ across the board. They hire purchasing, logistics and production men.

Iche has helpers, labourers and material movers, among others working for him. The organisation, he said, has been able to employ a number of jobless youths.

The Chief Executive, Exploits Entrepreneurial and Crafts Academy, Mrs Temitope Adeoti, said there is high demand for skilled workers. According to her, the economy supports a progressive and growth-oriented industry that offers opportunities for skilled workers in selfemployment to develop themselves.

One thing about the economy, she said, is its appeal for skilled trades, adding that, opportunities abound for people to learn and make progress in their careers and seek self-employment.

The President, Success Attitude Development Centre, Dr Sunny Ojeagbase, told The Nation that more people are needed to take up skilled jobs. He said many had

•Ojeagbase

•Iche

been steered away from vocational trades either by their teachers or parents, adding that trades remain one of the most difficult jobs to fill by employers. In the past, parents would not allow their kids into a skilled trade because of the belief that it’s not lucrative. But unknown to them, skilled trades have become differ-

ent. Ojeagbase said the value of trades must be promoted at various levels.

The government and industry, he said, need to work together to produce workers that the economy needs, such as machine operators, electricians and pipe fitters.

He said shortage of skilled trades’ workers is fuelling wage inflation for some professions, thereby hampering companies’ability to be profitable.

He urged the government to develop a growth plan as a way of managing labour requirements.

With the emphasis on degrees that can only fetch white-collar jobs, few people are left in skilled trades.

In such a market, Ojeagbase said skilled workers have an advantage to get available positions.

‘The value of trades must be promoted at various levels. The government and industry need to work together to produce workers that the economy needs, such as machine operators, electricians and pipe fitters’

MOVERS AND SHAKERS P&G gets External Relations executive for West, Central Africa

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• Mrs Iluyemi

ROCTER and Gamble Nigeria (P&G) has ap pointed Mrs Temitope Iluyemi, Head of External Relations for West and Central Africa.

She held the same post for 22 other countries in the P&G West African cluster before her appointment.

She assumed office last month. She will oversee all

P&G’s external relations disciplines including government relations, brand public relations, corporate communications, consumer relations and regulatory affairs for the 23 countries in West and Central Africa. She is also P&G’s Government Relations Leader for 34 countries across sub-Sahara Africa.

Mrs Iluyemi, who was born in

Lagos, obtained her first degree in Pharmacy from the University of Lagos, Nigeria in 1997.

She attained a postgraduate certification in Business Management from Management College of South Africa in 2004.

She started her career with P&G Nigeria in 1998 as an account executive.

Some of Mrs Iluyemi’s previous roles include customer,

business development manager, supply chain management both in Nigeria and South Africa.

Mrs Iluyemi is married and has two children. She enjoys travelling, reading and dancing. She is also a member of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) and is involved in various local community projects.

CAREER MANAGEMENT

Top seven job hunting tips to getting your dream career

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OOKING for work is no teaparty. And to be honest, it is not funny. Seeking for employment will surely require a lot of your time energy and resources.

Moreover, it could be very overwhelming physically emotionally and psychologically. Thus job hunting tips are really, important to those who are in serious need of employment. Here are some of the top strategies employment seekers could try.

Know yourself Begin with an honest analysis of what your real strengths are. Who are you? Your interests, skills, aptitudes, likes/dislikes, etc Then know which of your skills are transferable. This means you need to be definite about what you can offer the marketplace and how you are going to carry it out. That is being customer-centric. Reality- it is not

By Olu Oyeniran

what the job can give you, but you have to offer the employer.

Determine what you want You cannot go anywhere with your employment search if you don’t know exactly what you want.

Believe it or not, most people have already spent some years working for a company before they ask themselves if they have the right career fit. That could be frustrating.

Take time to list your key skills, experience level and relevant qualifications. Also identify the salary and benefits you wish to have and the career development opportunities you might be looking forward too. On the opposite side of your list include the name of companies you wish to work for, the actual opportunities available at the mo-

ment and the future trends for these opportunities.

Get some career guideance First and most given advice to fresh graduates, it could also be helpful to those who have been employed but seeking for a new job.

In fact, interview preparation assistance, resume writing and career advice may be useful/necessary.

Local cities and counties provide career placement services as well.

Professional career advisor can help you figure out exactly what you want to do and guide you on maximising your resources and qualifications.

Review and update your resume The main purpose of your resume is to market you to prospect em-

ployers as you find a new job. And so it must highlight your qualifications, achievements and compatibility with the job that you are applying for. If your resume only includes a summary of your accomplishments up to the date of its creation, ensure to include a short explanation of how each of them was achieved. While you can always compose resume it is still best to do it under the guidance of a professional.

Approach companies If there are companies that you really want to work for, contact them directly. Though most job seekers do not want to do this, employers usually prefer job seekers who apply this way. Search for their respective career websites and register your interest for specific employment opportunities they might have.

Prepare for interviews This may be the last but definitely not the least in importance among the job hunting tips. In fact there can be a better advice on job interview than this. Do your research on the company, the industry, the people involved, etc. Doing this can help you feel calm and focused on the interview day.

As you have already practised with a coach or a friend, you are able to think in advance great answers to commonly asked questions.

Olu Oyeniran is the Lead Consultant, EkiniConsult & Assoiciates.

Website: www.jobsearchhow.com E-mail: oluoyeniran@yahoo.com Tel 08083843230 (SMS Only).

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2012

39

LABOUR

Minimum wage:Labour threatens governors

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OVERNORS who are yet to implement the new national minimum wage of N18,000 may soon face the wrath of Labour.

In an interview with The Nation, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Deputy President Comrade Promise Adewusi, said it is engaging noncompliant states silently to make them see reason. But if they still refuse to implement, he warned, the Congress would take them up on it.

He faulted the seeming refusal of some governors to implement the new national minimum wage, two years after the National Minimum Wage Act came into being.

Lamenting the non-implementation, he said: “It is unfortunate that we can still be talking about the implementation of a mere N18,000 minimum wage almost two years after it became law. It shows the kalo kalo mentality of some of those who claim to govern us, when they spend more than five times that amount to feed their dogs monthly. They claim that the states are not equally endowed. But when it comes to the payment of governors’ or legislators’ salaries or the craze for acquiring private jets, there is no disparity.

“We have been engaging such states quietly to make them see reason unfortunately, the public will not see that now. It is only when there is a shut down that people will blame labour. Rather than face the purpose for which they claim they were elected, some of these unpatriotic governors are busy campaigning for transferring minimum wage issues from the exclusive to the concurrent legislative list to allow them the warped discretion of paying N3,000 as minimum wage and return the worker to second slavery. They ne-

Stories By Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu

glect the fact that in all countries that have ratified the ILO Convention, it applies nationally and across board as a wage below which no worker can be expected to live a decent life under the ILO decent work agenda.”

Adewusi also urged the ruling class to put in place a mechanism that could equitably redistribute the nation’s commonwealth, towards bridging the gap between the rich and the poor. He said governance ought to be about the welfare and well-being of the governed.

“But in our own circumstance, it has become a programme for the emasculation of the governed (to which workers belong) by the governing class to massage the greed of this insensitive ruling class. It is the insatiable greed of the ruling class that continues to widen the gulf between the political class and the workers, including other ordinary Nigerians. Rather than put in place mechanism that can more equitably redistribute our commonwealth, the political class prefer to impoverish and enslave the people. The only way to halt this tragedy, hold the political class accountable and make life more meaningful for the toiling masses is to make Chapter two of our constitution, the ‘fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy’ justice-able and therefore enforceable. This can be achieved by simply deleting section 6 (6) (c) of the 1999 constitution as amended, particularly now they claim to be amending the constitution.

“By the time the politicians know that they will be paying through the nose for not abiding by the tenets of that chapter, they will sit up. Other-

•Adewusi

wise, holding the ruling class accountable will remain an illusion to be pursued, but may never be attained.

Chapter two of our constitution has eloquently made the provision of such facilities the cardinal purpose of governance. But because this constitution is not of the people and like the devil, what this military-induced constitution has given with the right hand in chapter two, it takes away with the left hand through section 6 (6) (c). So delete that evil section and make chapter two justice-able, improve the independence of the judiciary and things will begin to fall in place. In the on going attempt to amend the 1999 constitution yet again without going through making a fresh constitution, the least that will be expected is the subjection of any legislative intervention to a national referendum to give it a sem-

blance of legitimacy and validity deriving from the people.”

He faulted the government on continued job loss in the country, blaming government policy.

He said the claim that workers’ excessive strikes scare foreign investors was false.

He cited the textile industry as an example, noting that it has the potential of employing thousands of Nigerians, but could not because of government’s policy.

“Government gives a bail out loan to operators of the industry and almost simultaneously removes all restrictions on the importation of foreign textiles. And because of weak infrastructural base which can not support global competition, it becomes unprofitable for operators of the industry to manufacture locally.

“They, therefore, resort to the more profitable channel of the importation of finished textile products, turning their factories into warehouses requiring not more than a handful of low level workers. Check it out, you will not see any manufacturer who relocated out of Nigeria giving strikes as excuse for the decision.”

Adewusi even said the so called incessant strikes “were not manufactured by workers but forced on workers by insensitive corporate and political governance. And that strikes scare foreign investors is a fallacy, these foreign investors are coming from backgrounds where trade unions freedom and democracy are entrenched. The real scare off for foreign investors, are issues of insecurity, collapsing or collapsed infrastructure, lack of electricity, policy inconsistency and somersault in the polity.”

Parents to protest seven-month teachers’ strike in Plateau

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ARENTS in Plateau State are set to hit the streets over the non-resolution of the seven-month-old strike embarked upon by teachers in the state over government’s inability to pay the new minimum wage of N18,000.

The teachers under the aegis of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Plateau State Council, embarked on strike in March, this year to demand the implementation of the N18,000 minimum wage.

Speaking on the strike, Chairman, Plateau State Chapter of the Parent Teachers’Association, Mr Sylvester Yakubu, said that many parents had been forced to enrol their children into private schools.

Yakubu said parents would soon take to the streets to force government to take steps to end the strike.

The PTA chair pointed out that the future of the children was “on the brink of collapse’’, particularly those in the last years of primary school and those seeking to enrol in public schools.

“Schools have resumed but nobody knows the fate of those in primary six since they did not write the common entrance examinations because of the strike. As parents, we will not fold our hands and continue to wait until the two warring parties decide to call a truce while the future of our children is in jeopardy,” he said.

Yakubu faulted suggestions that there was no need for primary six pupils to worry over admission to JSS 1 as there were plans to give them automatic admission.

“If not for the decay in our educational system, how can you place a child, who did not sit for any promotion examination and have been at home for seven months, into JSS 1. How can such pupil perform effectively if placed into JSS 1?,” he asked.

However, Plateau State Com-

Aluu: NLC seeks justice

T

HE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed shock over the spate of violence and brutal murder of students in recent times, and is calling for the overhauling of the security and judicial systems.

In a statement signed by the President, Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, NLC calls for the prosecution of the mastermind of the Aluu massacre, as the case was unlike that of Adamawa.

The Congress described the murder as cruel and barbaric. It wondered why no arrest has been made by security agencies since the crime was committed in the open, and in daylight.

He also called on the Federal Government to consider compensation to the families of the victims of the killings in Aluu and the mass murder in Mubi.

The statement reads in part: “These renewed violent attacks on students must be stopped with the perpetrators of these heinous and unspeakable murders expeditiously brought to book. Government must not allow the decimation of its youth as they certainly hold the hope of the country.

“It is apparent that the failure of our security agencies to combat crime in Nigeria has encouraged the Nigerian public to opt for jungle justice which in most cases, as in the Aluu case, leads to the murder of innocent people.

“We, therefore, call on the Inspector General of Police to order thorough investigation, arrest and prosecute all those involved in the murder of the students.

“The police and the entire security and judicial system in Nigeria need total overhauling to regain the confidence and trust of the public on crime control, arrest and prosecution. This will certainly discourage people from taking laws into their hands, which infringes on the fundamental rights of the victims to life and fair hearing.”

Union appeals to NITEL over pay

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•Protesting workers

missioner for Education, Mr Nanle Dashen, said that primary six pupils were already being admitted into JSS 1.

Dashen explained that with the nine-year basic education system, primary six pupils did not need to write common entrance examination before they could be admitted into JSS 1.

He added that the transition from primary six to JSS1 was automatic as it was a continuation of the nine-year basic education system being handled by the Universal Basic Education Board.

“With the present system, it is compulsory for the child to transits up to JSS 3.

“As he transits, all his shortfalls are noted by the teacher who will remedy them by way of curricular adjustment,“ he said.

The commissioner,

•Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang

however, expressed optimism that the issues would be resolved

soon.

“The state government has already set up an 11-man elders’ committee to resolve the issues. The committee is already discussing with all stakeholders and we shall agree on the grey areas,” he said.

Chairman, Plateau State Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Mr Gunshin Yarlings, however, disagreed with the commissioner as he vowed that primary school pupils would remain at home until teachers’ grievances were addressed.

“We are not asking for anything new; we only want to be paid the N18,000 minimum wage like any other worker in Nigeria. That is not too much to ask for,” he said.

Some of the schools have been taken over by weeds while many parents have enrolled their children in private schools.

HE Senior Staff Association of Communications, Transport and Corporations (SSACTAC) has appealed to the management of Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) to pay the 10 months’ salary arrears owed its workers.

Its General Secretary, Mr Chile Ekeke, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

The over 50 workers had on October 3 staged a peaceful protest at the NITEL head office, Abuja, over non-payment of their 10 months’ salary arrears.

Ekeke said the workers were not on strike, but were demanding the payment of their entitlements.

“We want the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) and management of NITEL to pay the money.

SSACTAC had written several letters and had appeared before the Senate Committee sitting on the issue,” he said.

The union’s scribe said that it was the duty of BPE to ensure that the workers received their salary arrears immediately.

He further said that the protest was a warning to the management to take action on the worker’s case within a week, to avoid an indefinite strike.

“The workers have given the management seven days to take a decision on the matter to avoid further crisis,” Ekeke said.

He said that the workers had submitted the necessary documents that would ensure the payment of their arrears, but without reply from BPE. Also speaking, Mr Adetunji Adesunkanmi, SSACTAC President, said that rather than generating revenue, NITEL has been operating at a loss.

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTO BER 15, 2012

40

BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL

Nestlé to challenge Unilever in emerging markets

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ESTLÉ is aiming to triple sales in Asia, Oceania and Africa to about $53-billion in constant currencies over the next decade as the world’s biggest food company by sales ramps up operations in emerging markets.

Manufacturers of consumer goods are increasingly turning to poorer but fast-growing countries to offset stagnant sales in the developed world, in many parts of which disposable income is shrinking rather than growing.

Unilever has traditionally led the sector in emerging markets, from where it derives more than half its revenues. The maker of Flora margarine and Dove shampoo is aiming to double total turnover to about 80-billion euro in a time frame most analysts put at about a decade.

Nestlé, which unveiled its targets at an investor seminar in Shanghai this week, now looks like “a very credible challenger for Unilever’s self-imposed emerging market crown,” wrote Warren Ackerman, analyst at Société Générale.

Companies slice the globe differently – Nestlé keeps Latin America in the Americas rather than its Asia, Oceania and Africa division, for ex-

ample – but the Swiss-based food group is estimated to derive roughly 40 per cent of revenues from emerging markets.

The growth targets imply a potential compound annual growth rate in organic sales of 11 per cent, calculates Eddy Hargreaves, an analyst at Canaccord Genuity. The Asia, Oceania and Africa region contributed a quarter of sales last year and he estimates this figure will rise to about 28 per cent this year.

He adds that population growth, inflation, distribution gains and innovation should drive growth closer to 14 per cent, “but management builds in provisions for unforeseen crises in the region.”

In outlining its new targets, Nestlé recognises the varied challenges that emerging markets present, including strong local players in China, aggressive competition across Asia and the availability of resources in Africa.

The strength of competition from local players is illustrated by data from Euromonitor that show just four of the Top 10 food companies in the zone are multinationals. Two, including the third-biggest, Nissin, are from Japan and four are from China and Taiwan.

Middle East telcos mull alliance in the common language and culture shared by the world's more than 350 Facebook fight million Arabic speakers, plus the

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IDDLE East telcoms firms are discussing the idea of creating a pan-Arab online platform that would earn them more revenue from their networks by challenging Facebook and other Internet behemoths of the West.

The ambitious project faces technical and financial obstacles and may never be implemented on a large scale. But proponents argue

webs of affiliated companies which Gulf operators own across the Middle East and North Africa, could make the project viable.

"A single operator, even one in multiple geographies and with tens of millions of subscribers, can't create this platform on its own," said Osman Sultan, chief executive of du, the second biggest operator in the United Arab Emirates.

•Arif Naqvi, Chairman of Aman Foundation, and Bill Gates, Co-chair of the Bill ‘&’ Melinda Gates Foundation after signing a five-year framework agreement on human development in Pakistan.

Dubai supports foreign investment promotion

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UBAI FDI, the foreign investment promotion office of the Department of Economic Development (DED), in association with the international business consultancy firm The Business Year, has released a special report on Dubai for the benefit of businesses and investors worldwide, in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Economic Sector Committee, President of Dubai Civil Aviation, and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airlines Group.

‘The Business Year: Dubai 2012’ report has a foreword by His Highness

Sheikh Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and interviews with 150 thought leaders and influence makers from the local private sector and government.

Dubai’s significance as a catalyst for global trade and investment and its unique abilities in sustaining prosperity in the new world, where emerging markets occupy the centre stage, are also explained in the first-of-its kind report on the emirate.

“Standing at the centre of trade between the Middle East and Asia linking Latin America, Africa, and beyond, Dubai is shaping and catalysing

this new world of trade and investment flows,” His Highness Sheikh Mohammed said in his foreword to the report.

Strategic view points and commentaries from local, regional and international experts, gathered from seven months of extensive research across key industry sectors, are the highlight of the report. Leading statesmen including Lee Myung-Bak, President of South Korea, and key trade figures starting with United States Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Francisco J. Sanchez provide the international perspective on Dubai.

42

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2012

MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2012

43

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

For days last week, Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi led other members of his executive council to traverse his domain, commissioning various projects and flagging off new ones, which he calls Legacy Projects, to mark his administration’s two years in the saddle. Assistant Editor DADA ALADELOKUN was there.

Joy as Fayemi showcases stewardship N

ECKS were strained with no pain to their owners, all in a bid to catch a glimpse of the important visitor. And the scorching sun of the ‘hostile’ afternoon meant nothing to the jubilant crowd. Surprisingly, umbrellas were on sabbatical. Conspicuously displayed by ecstatic youths, placards bearing their heartfelt feelings competed for space. “Our own Governor Fayemi, we appreciate your intellectual approach to governance,” one of the placards read. The euphoria was infectious.

With his fists humbly clenched under his chin in bewitching awe, the cynosure of all eyes in the minicarnival, Ekiti State Governor, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi (JFK), beamed his trademark toothy smile in heartfelt appreciation of his hosts who were obviously drunk with joy.

Exuding palpable sense of fulfillment of sorts, members of his entourage, including commissioners and some legislators, nodded their heads in acknowledgement of the overwhelming reception.

“I can’t but appreciate your love for me and your unshaking belief in our administration. But I can assure you, this is just the beginning of a largely rewarding relationship,” Fayemi declared, spurring a thunderous applause even from the traditional rulers who graced the occasion. The event was the foundation laying of a trailer park at Omuo-Oke in Ekiti East Local Government Area of the state.

It was the fifth day of the celebration of Fayemi’s second year in the saddle. The previous day, he had, amid pomp, commissioned an ultra-modern Data Centre and laid the foundation of a Civic Centre and Samsung Engineering Academy among such laudable projects at various locations in Ado, the state capital town.

An incurable stickler to promptitude, Fayemi, by his tight itinerary that day, this reporter later learnt, never anticipated spending more than five minutes at OmuoEkiti. But his hosts caught him offguard with various captivating gestures, interspersed with songs by various groups, including members of the Dr. Frederick Fasheun faction of the frontline Yoruba selfdetermination group, the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC).

The gathering was enlivened the more when, Isalu Awoyo, a legendary masquerade that comes out once in seven years was specially ‘forced’ out to entertain the serviceable governor.

With head-swelling praise-songs, Egbe Obirin Omuo-Oke, all decked in white lace materials with embroidered caps to match, took their turn. Again, it was a groundswell of prayers for Fayemi and his lieutenants. They capped it up with presentation of gifts to the governor.

Chief Joshua Adewumi spoke for the community. He hinted: “We deliberately appear in white today to express our love for our governor and his administration.” Looking straight into Fayemi’s eyes, he added amid affirmatory ovation: “You will soon know how much we love you.”

Obviously touched, Fayemi smiled in response as he rose to

• Second right: Governor Fayemi, Special Adviser to Ekiti State Governor on Legal Matters, Mr. Tolulope Dare; (left) Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Dr. Adewale Omirin, and Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Dr. Eniola Ajayi, (right) during the commissioning of the newly rehabilitated Ipoti High School, Ipoti-Ekiti.

address the people. As he read his brief speech, songs of appreciation rocked the scene from every angle.

“Omuo-Oke specifically asked for a trailer park and we are here today to lay the foundation for its delivery,” he stated amid deafening chants of “thank you sir.”

He continued: “What we are doing here today is in agreement with our 8-Point Agenda. On completion, the park will end the era of indiscriminate parking of trailers on the route.

The park will accommodate over 100 trailers and smaller vehicles; a petrol station; mechanic workshop, administration buildings; ambulance base, Fire Service Station and a police post among others. And it will create at least, 1000 jobs.”

Thereafter, with adeptness, Fayemi laid the foundation of the facility with mixed sand and blocks to the pleasant shock of onlookers. In fact, the main jocular poser left unanswered while he left for another location was whether or not the governor trained in bricklaying!”

In terms of time frame, the foundation-laying of the Life Academy Foundation, Ilu-Omoba in Gboyin Council Area had some semblance with the brief signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of the 27 million U.S Dollar Grand Tower Mall earlier on Wednesday at the Government House before the governor went on the day’s tour.

The project, billed to be executed at Ado, the state capital, by Golden Towers Plc, is expected to be com-

pleted within 24 months at no cost to the state government. It is expected to attract multinationals in the state’s investment drive, attract tourists, and employ no fewer than 500 construction staff with over 1000 post-construction employees.

Handing the Certificate of Occupancy of the location of the project to representatives of the Grand Towers Company after signing the MOU, Fayemi simply said, “you can move to site immediately.” He waited for no further comment as he embarked on the day’s trip.

In no time, the governor and his entourage were at Aisegba in Ise/ Orun Council area for the foundation-laying of its Enterprise Development Centre.

Before one could say Jack, the entourage took its business to Ijan for the commissioning of Ilupeju-Ijan Electricity Project. It is in the same council area. That it was a special day in the community was felt even by the blind. Reason: Yes, he might not see the mammoth crowd of indigenes and their neighbours who stepped out to be counted at the moment and the school pupils who dared the hellish sun to welcome their beloved governor; but his eardrums would play host to euphonious traditional lyrics churned out in honour of Fayemi and his cabinet by various dance groups.

Call it another moment for the characteristic ‘Broom Revolution’ of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), you are right. Members in

attendance waved their brooms as they chanted the praise of the governor vis-à-vis of the people-oriented agenda of the party.

Those who did not turn emergency photographers in desperate attempts to have the governor’s shots were perhaps the infinitesimal few without phone sets. Humans turned horses for others who mounted their backs; many other hanged on boughs and some wonky structures to have their turns at all costs, the inherent risks notwithstanding.

Some enthusiastic youths took their appreciation of the governor to a mathematical level when after Fayemi cut the tape to declare the project open, they shouted to high heavens: “Four plus four equal eight; not story!” Are you at sea over what that meant? One of the youths told this reporter: “He is doing another four years after this; it is settled!”

Certainly, it was bold on the faces of the state Deputy Governor, Mrs Olufunmilayo Olayinka and the governor’s wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi that the day would enjoy special mention in their memoirs. So it was for the Chairman of the ACN in the state, High Chief Jide Awe who also made the day with his governor.

After a thoughtful stare at the new electricity transformer just installed to empower the facility, the Onijan of Ijan, Oba Samuel Oyewole Fadahunsi, who, alongside his chiefs, graced the occasion in flow-

‘Call it another moment for the characteristic ‘Broom Revolution’ of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), you are right. Members in attendance waved their brooms as they chanted the praise of the governor vis-à-vis of the people-oriented agenda of the party. Those who did not turn emergency photographers in desperate attempts to have the governor’s shots were perhaps the infinitesimal few without phone sets. Humans turned horses for others who mounted their backs; many other hanged on boughs and some wonky structures to have their turns at all costs, the inherent risks notwithstanding’

ing robes and complementary beads, was unsparing in words of commendation for the governor for ending their days in darkness.

All Fayemi told them was that the project was in partial fulfillment of his electoral pledge to the community, stating that more would come the people’s way.

For Fayemi, having put his hands on the plough, especially as regards the day’s activities, there was no going back. Leaving Ijan, his convoy tore through the Ilupeju-Ijan-Ise Road that is actively undergoing reconstruction by his administration.

Construction workers were seen sweating it out.

Within minutes, the convoy berthed at Ijaloke Grammar School, Emure where structures recently rehabilitated by the administration were commissioned, and ditto for Obada High School, Emure Local Government area, where a modern science laboratory was opened for use.

No thanks to time constraints, the various entertainers that had gathered to do what they know best in appreciation of the governor’s gestures had little or no job to do.

They probably had not completely left the scenes with their drums when Fayemi, again, was warmly received at the African Church Comprehensive High School (ACCHS), Ikere, where the state government had breathed life into some dilapidated structures. Again, it was full pass mark for the governor by residents who sang his praises to high heavens.

With good performance by the masquerade, its guide’s day is made, so goes a proverb. That was obviously the picture in Ilawe, a major town in Ekiti South West Council area where about seven buildings in Corpus Christi School were repaired by the Fayemi-led government.

•Continued on page 40

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2012

44

POLITICS SUNDAY DARE reports three-day Broom Revolution of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ondo State as the party intensifies its campaign towards the October 20 governorship election in the state.

Ondo: Hope after ACN Broom Revolution

T • Dr Fayemi … during the commissioning of Odo-Oro Community Electricity Project.

Joy as Fayemi showcases stewardship •Continued from page 39

Traditional rulers, parents, teachers, pupils and residents abandoned their various other commitments to be part of the project commissioning by the widely acclaimed ‘Action Governor.’

“To the glory of God and service to humanity, today, I declare ….” was all it took Fayemi to suspend the fun for drummers who had dreamt of a rosy day with him on the project which they all agreed, was a major contribution to the “hungry” community by the administration.

Highly elated High Chief Gbenga Agbona, the Elemo of Ilawe, was effusive in words of gratitude to Fayemi’s administration in its genuine bid to reposition the state.

Agbona, also an alumnus of the school, said one could not praise the governor and his cabinet enough for what they had done to lift the community.

“As an alumnus of Corpus Christi, we have been trying to do one or two things in the area of revamping the school, but not much to show for our efforts. With what the governor has done in this school and two others in our town, Fayemi has proved himself to be a worthwhile custodian of people’s mandate who is there to make meaning out of people’s lives,” Agbona submitted.

The lengthy Ilawe-Igbara-OdoIbuji Road later turned the entourage’s port of call. Again, same task – commissioning. Then, it had become no longer news that residents trooped out in numbers to say “thank you, our dear governor and reliable ambassador.”

To many a lazy doll, an infirmary would play host to the governor for three days after “over-using” himself like a Trojan horse on that Wednesday. However, it was no shock to most Government House staff who had got used to the fact that he works on all cylinders when, last Thursday, Fayemi was the first to jump into a vehicle to continue the projects commissioning/flagoff in other parts of the state.

On that day, besides commissioning the rehabilitated Ipoti High School, Ipoti and the Erelu Adebayo Orphanage, Iyin in the Central Senatorial District of the state among many others, Fayemi commissioned ten major roads totaling 103 kilometres in fulfillment of the resolve of his administration to make all the communities in the state accessible with motorable roads by 2014.

The roads, all located in Ekiti Central Senatorial District, include: 14.3kilometre Erijinyan-Ilawe; 12kilometre Odo Owa-Oke Ila; 6.25kilometre Awo-Iyin; 24-kilometre Ikogosi-Efon; 11.5-kilometre AdoIlawe, and five-kilometre FajuyiBasiri-Police headquarters.

Others are 1.65-kilometre Fajuyi-

Teaching Hospital Road; 10.75kilometre Ado-Afao; twokilometre Ijigbo-Isato and 13kilometre Osun-Iloro route. Joyful noise welcomed the governor and his entourage wherever the road commissioning took place.

At the venues of the commissioning of the various roads, the refrain on Fayemi’s lips was that the construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation of the roads were informed by their deplorable condition which had given “motorists nightmarish experiences while traversing the roads”.

He revealed further that the government awarded contracts for the roads, especially those leading to Ado Ekiti, in November 2011, to mitigate the sufferings of motorists and also give the state capital a face-lift. The Fajuyi-Teaching Hospital Road, he added, was aimed at linking the on-going AdoIworoko-Ifaki Road with Fajuyi Park.

To the know-nots, he further disclosed to the pleasure of his hearers, that government was rehabilitating 16 other roads within the township to make Ado an enviable state capital in every sense.

While commissioning the AdoAfao Road amid hearty expression of relief by prospective users and resident, Fayemi expressed confidence that the rehabilitated road would undoubtedly be a great relief to motorists, especially those going towards Ikole and the northern part. His reason: It is a shorter link than the Ado-Ifaki Road.

Fayemi, who recalled that the road was constructed by one of his predecessors, Ayo Fayose, in 2005, lamented that the road did not endure and thus became a haven for hoodlums.

With its current status, he enthused that the road would enhance the economic activities of the residents along the route.

His administration’s avowed battle against thirst also led to the governor’s commissioning of five water-treatment plants at various locations across the state. The plants and reservoirs are located at Ipole Iloro, Efon, Ido Ile, Okemesi and Mary Hill, Ado. The governor explained that the water projects were to achieve the target of his administration in the area of providing potable water for at least, 80 per cent of the state population, by 2014.

He hinted that concerted efforts were being put in place to ensure that all the four dams in the state become functional as a bulk of the 2013 budget would be expended on water.

Today, it is a new dawn Odo Uro, a community in Iyin Ekiti. A nervesoothing song is being sung by the people as the governor also commissioned a rural electrification project for the community.

The scope of work done involved

about 0.1-kilometre Inter Town Connection (ITC); 1.8 township Distribution Network (TDN); a 300KVA transformer and street lighting.

To Fayemi, the project was not devoid of cogent reasons. Commissioning it, he explained that his administration realized the importance of good electricity supply to the economic and social development of rural communities, hence its prime place in the administration’s 8-Point Agenda.

Also, a healthcare centre at Ido Ile and a Skills Acquisition Centre at Iropora Ekiti which were carried out under the State Community and Social Development Agency were commissioned.

Speak ill of Fayemi today, you risk seeing the “red eye” of the Owa Ooye of Okemesi, Oba Gbadebo Adedeji. He spared no word in commendation of the governor and went further to urge him not to be discouraged by criticisms but to see them as “tonic” that would further commit him to the development of the state on all fronts.

The traditional ruler lauded Fayemi for the rapid and evenly distributed dividends of democracy which, by his reckoning, had been felt by virtually all communities in the state, saying: “What you have done within this short period is unprecedented; keep it up, our governor.”

Hon. Funminiyi Afuye, a former legislator in the state and now Commissioner for Information and Civil Orientation was part of the breathtaking tour. He mentioned some of what he termed the administration’s Legacy Projects, which include: Government House (billed for completion in 18 months); Governor’s Office (also to be completed in 18 months); Civic Centre (comprising a library, museum, art gallery and a cinema) to be completed in a year; State Pavillion, like the Eagle’s Square Abuja, where parades and other activities will take place, due to be completed in six months; Samsung Engineering Academy (to be completed within a year); Grand Tower Shopping mall and Life Academy at Ilu-Omoba (an ultra-modern technical school where graduates can go for further technical training in different fields).

Afuye hinted that the projects so far executed were made happen through the governor’s “incredible passion for hard work and goal getting” and the administration’s judicious use of the state’s meagre resources, including the N20 billion Bond secured by the state for capital projects.

Far from being an avenue for vain display of extravagance, to the Fayemi-led administration, the anniversary was committed to modestly showcasing the goodies of good governance and taking immediate steps to consolidate on such laudable achievements with one sole aim: To leave a legacy in people-oriented governance.

HE crowd surged, music blared and loud speakers shook the scenes.

Thoughtful messages were delivered with zeal and venom. In IkareAkoko where the first major rally by the party took place, the massive crowd that turned out was unprecedented but not unexpected, considering the ever-rising acceptability of the ACN in the troubled state in particular.

The heavens opened up just about the time the rally was about to start, but it could not dampen the spirits of ACN supporters who were eager to hear from their party leaders and their gubernatorial candidate for the October 20 election, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

Free-flowing messages of hope and promises of a new day spurred a wind of change that swept through the campaign arena that Tuesday.

Suddenly, it seemed like a re-enactment of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) days of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, when politics was the core of people’s existence. Reminiscent of the crowd-pulling rallies of those times, the ACN rallies from Ikare to Ondo town and finally Ore, signaled the re-birth of the political activism for which the South-west is traditionally known.

If the three Senatorial districts expected a huge turnout for the ACN rallies, it is debatable if they were ever prepared for the massive crowd of fanatic followers and the attendant carnival of songs.

The leadership of the party did not disappoint it followers. They handed out crisp political messages to their teeming party members. The rallying cry was the need to vote out the inept government of the incumbent Governor Olusegun Mimiko. The leaders not only demanded votes but justified why Mimiko needed to be kicked out with votes.

On the podium in each of the rallies podium were political heavyweights. Chief Bisi Akande, the party’s national chairman; Chief Tayo Alasoadura; the man of the moment, Akeredolu; Senator Borofice, Wale Akinterinwa, Lai Mohammed, Governor of the State of Osun, Rauf Aregbesola; the party’s national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and several front liners of the party across the country stepped out to be counted.

The widely-acclaimed ‘Political General’, Asiwaju Tinubu led the onslaught against Mimiko and his Labour Party. But first, he educated the followers about why the ACN is a better alternative. Speaker after speaker took Mimiko to the cleaners and challenged the people of Ondo to embrace the new dawn being ushered in by the ACN. The rendition of political songs preceded most comments and the crowd responded in appreciation.

Like Siamese twins, Asiwaju Tinubu and Ogbeni Aregbesola threw the crowd into political ecstasy each time they spoke, delivering ‘uppercuts’ on Mimiko, especially why Mimiko and his party must be voted out of the state Government House. The central message was that if in three and half years and with all the billions of naira received by Mimiko government, Ondo remains a glorified state with snail-pace development, then the electorate need not be told to do the right thing - vote Mimiko out on election day.

“One hospital, dilapidated roads, massive employment will cease to be your lot if you vote Mimiko out of power,” Tinubu said. He did not stop there as he exposed Janus-faced Mimiko as an ingrate, a modern-day serial political betrayer and one individual who cannot be trusted. Revelations about how Mimiko rode into power, the promises he made and broke, and the funds that secured his victory among others came in torrents.” The best way you can judge Mimiko and settle this score is to get into that voting booth and thumbprint for the party of the broom…”, added Tinubu.

Mimiko was practically on trial and the crowd listened with rapt attention. The crowd was never disappointed nor tired of such messages. The rallies also showcased the performing governors ACN-controlled states and the push to have Ondo join the Southwest integration train for accelerated development.

Ondo, it was said, was found missing in the train towards integration which is already in motion in the country. The candidate himself, Akeredolu engaged the crowd. He marshaled arguments to convince Ondo people that it was time for service and that he was a better alternative. His message of renewal, progressive change and massive employment went down well with the mammoth crowd.

It was another spectacle at Ore, the last stop for the senatorial district rallies of the party. It was, for Labour party and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a clear notice that the political battleline had been drawn.

The crowd that turned out to embrace the party was massive in every respect.

What seemed at first like a carnival turned out a political rally of note, with thought-provoking pointed political messages. Ore turned out the biggest recruiting ground for the ACN ahead of the October 20 poll.

As the Ore campaign wound down, the ACN and its followers were more than convinced that they had a good song to sing after the October 20 election in the state.

Today, as the October 20 moment of decision beckons, Ondo people appear eager to reap the fruits of people-oriented governance that ACN is known for.

• Akeredolu

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2012

45

MOTORING

FRSC promises 50% accident rates reduction

T

HE Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Lagos State Command has promised to ensure minimal accident rate especially during the period of festivals.

The Oshodi Unit Commander Samuel Ogundayo said this during the monthly zonal operators meeting at the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO) in Lagos.

Ogundayo said the zonal operators meeting is meant to look for a way forward in the management of traffic.

“The purpose of the meeting is to really explore and be able to know the way forward in the country’s traffic management,” he said.

Ogundayo stated that the sector has embarked on massive enlightenment campaign on the need for road users to take precautions while on

By Amidu Arije

the road.

He said the FRSC is set to reduce accident rates by 50 per cent by the year 2020.

“We have been preaching and we all know that decades of actions of road safety says we want to reduce accident by 50 per cent in the year 2020 and FRSC Nigeria is a member of the world road safety and in line with this, our National headquarters, last month made a programme where there was public enlightenment for one week to enlighten people - motorists, pedestrians, market women and even churches and mosques. We were there to sensitise them on the need for safety,” he noted.

The commander stated that the enlightenment campaigns is yielding

•From left: Lagos State Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Charles Akpabio; Zonal Commander, Ademola Lawal; Ogundayo, standing (behind), Ogun State Sector Commander, Abayomi Omiyale at the event.

PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAM

positive results.

“The major enlightenment embarked upon by our National head-

Stallion Motors opens centre

S

TALLION Motors Nigeria has inaugurated another ultramodern 3S facility (Sales, Service and Spare Parts) in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

Similar to some of it’s facilities in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Enugu and Kano, the centre seeks to raise the profile of vehicles marketed by the company, while guaranteeing the dealership’s commitment to prompt supply of relevant parts and provision of efficient technical support.

Stallion Motors said the facility is crucial to the growing reputation of the products in the Nigerian market.

The company has exclusive franchise for Porsche, Audi, Volkswagen, Skoda, Honda, Hyundai, Ashok Leyland, Mahindra, Foton and SsangYong.

According to the Managing Director, Stallion Motors, Mr Parvir Singh, the new 3s facility would enhance customer-dealership relations and raise the profile of its services to globally acceptable standard.

Singh said: “A representatives of global brands with reputation for excellence, we will continue to invest heavily in after sales to meet our principals’ corporate identity for quality service and customer satisfaction – one of the reasons we are keen on expanding our network to cater for all customers irrespective of their locations.”

Stallion’s 3s phenomenon gives existing and future customers convenience of complete one-stop facility, covering all aspects of vehicle ownership, and ensuring seamless access to global standard practice.

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

The firm’s Owerri Branch Manager, Mr Sachin Gupte, likened the Owerri 3s centre to similar facilities worldwide with powerful diagnostic tool and several modern features such as the information Terminal that allows diagnosis via wireless communication.

It is equipped with hi-tech facili-

ties that allow quick service for habitual customers that want to have their vehicles serviced in just 45 minutes.

Customers can also have seamless experience in the cool and comfortable lounge, browsing through complete model range of assorted brands of vehicles marketed by the company.

quarters is bringing fruitful results because in the last two months, Oshodi recorded a very minimal accident in our jurisdiction,” he said The unit commander promised that the FRSC will not relent in its efforts in the enlightenment campaign for the motorists on the need

Commissioner decries negligence

N

ASARAWA State Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Mr Daniel Ogaze, has attributed the incessant road crashes to poor maintenance culture and negligence.

Association bemoans low patronage at airport

T

HE Airport Car Hire Association of Nigeria (ACHAN), last Friday bemoaned the low patronage of passengers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) and its local terminals.

The association said the number of passengers patronising them had reduced drastically, compared to what they witnessed some months ago.

ACHAN International Terminal Chairman, Mr Sampson David, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ikeja that the low patronage was due to the decrease in numbers of flights in and out of the airports.

“In the past years, the association recorded high patronage from passengers per day; but this time, we cannot boast of such patronage. During October, we used to record high patronage compared to other periods, but it’s not so this year,’’ David said.

The spokesman of the association at the local airport, Mr Bolu Akeredolu, said they are also witnessing low patronage at the local terminals.

Akeredolu said the low patronage was as a result of the few flight frequencies at the terminals.

“Most of the flights had gone for check, while others have suspended their flight operations. This situation is affecting our operation as we no longer

get patronage,’’ he said.

He called on the Federal Government to provide an enabling environment for investors to invest in the aviation

industry.

Akeredolu said this would encourage more flight operations in the industry.

Lagos cautions bus conductors

L

AGOS State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Olusola Oworu, has urged commercial bus conductors to shun all acts of criminalities and other social vices that could continue to dent their image in the society.

Mrs Oworu made this known during the inauguration of Executives of Bus Conductor Association of Nigeria (BCAN) in Kosofe and Ikorodu Local Government Area chapters.

Represented by Ajayi Adebola, the commissioner said members of BCAN are key elements in the state’s developmental programme.

“This inauguration came up at the right time when government is coming with series of programmes that would ensure that bus conductors in the state are no longer seen as second class citizens as well as ensuring that artisans, traders and practitioners in the informal sector come together to form an umbrella body,” she said.

She said: “Out of over 400 trade associations that the state Ministry of Commerce and Industry have regis-

for safety on the roads.

“The public enlightenment programme will still continue. We go to motor parks and even secondary schools to appeal their conscience on the need for safety on the roads,” he said.

tered, your association is where the interests of its members are most paramount to its executives. And I am glad to inform you that the government is not planning to wipe out bus conductors in the state. Rather, we (the Ministry of Commerce and Industry) are happy to work with you. We will regulate your activities, provide you with useful information through your association and also, empower you through our skill acquisition programmes and vocational training.”

National President of BCAN, Isreal Adeshola, who was represented by the Lagos State acting Chairman, Olufemi Stephen, urged members to pay taxes to show gratitude for the recognition accorded their profession by the state government.

Adeshola said no minors would be allowed to register for the profession, adding that every bus conductor must ensure that they conduct themselves responsibly in the society for them to earn the respect they deserve for the sensitive job they are rendering to the public.

In a paper entitled The Effect of Road Traffic Crash on the Youths, Ogazi blamed successive administrations for failing in their responsibility to provide good road infrastructure.

“There is no road in Nigeria today that you will travel for one kilometre without a pothole,” he lamented.

He, therefore, underscored the need for the Federal Government and other stakeholders to equip the FRSC with adequate mobility to enhance surveillance on the highways.

The commissioner also urged motorists to always observe traffic rules and regulations so as to reduce the rate of accidents on the highways.

The State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, (FRSC), Mr Francis Udoma, has urged motorists and other road users against reckless driving that could result in avoidable accidents on the highways.

Udoma made the call during the 2012 FRSC Youth Day celebration in Lafia.

He criticised parents who allow their under-age children to drive on the highways and called for a change of attitude.

Udoma said the FRSC youth day is an annual event celebrated globally with the aim of educating the youths.

He explained that youths, as the most productive segment of the society, should be conscious of the type of vehicles and drivers who conveyed them while travelling on the highways.

“While the driver has the responsibility of observing traffic rules, it is the duty of the passenger to draw his attention when the vehicle is moving beyond the speed limit.”

SAFE DRIVING

The traffic time bomb under Kara/Berger bridge

S

HOULD I call it ignorance, negligence, carelessness or wickedness? Something dangerous has been happening under Kara/Berger Bridge on the Lagos - Ibadan Expressway while thousands of motorists are moving smoothly on the bridge without knowing that they were driving on a time bomb.

It is disheartening that while people are crying that the government should rehabilitate and construct more roads and bridges, some people are busy destroying the existing roads and bridges deliberately or inadvertently.

During a trip to Kara cattle market near Berger bridge, it was ob-

served that while motorists continued to experience traffic on the bridge, some people were busy making different levels of fire under the bridge thereby weakening the bridge daily. It is a matter of time, the bridge might collapse unexpectedly if an urgent step is not taken to stop this dastardly act.

Thank God the Ijora bridge by Malu road (now Mobil road) is now at rest from the fire that people were making under the bridge which has in no doubt weakened the bridge.

It will be a waste of resources for the government to be repairing or reconstructing bridges willfully

damaged by Nigerians at a time new bridges and roads are waiting to be constructed in other places.

I hereby challenge the officers of the Ministries of Works and Transport (Federal and State levels) to regularly carry out routine inspection of the roads, bridges and road furnitures to ensure they are in good shape from time to time. This suggested routine inspection will enable them detect the destructive habits of the people that usually cause damage to roads, bridges and road furnitures thereby enabling them to take appropriate action to prevent the devastating consequences. Nothing stops the officials

from taking boats to look under bridges across rivers to know their states as well.

I also use this opportunity to appeal to fellow Nigerians and non -Nigerians to always handle government infrastructures as we would handle our personal properties to avoid the wastage of the scarce resources at the disposal of the governments.

It is important now than ever before that Nigerians and governments should cultivate and nurture the right maintenance culture for the safety of lives and properties and for result – oriented fund management.

Jide Owatunmise •Registrar / Chief Executive , Professional Driving and Safety Academy

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UNIPORT four: Fresh crisis brews in Aluu

A

NOTHER crisis may erupt in OmuokiriAluu, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, where four students of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) were murdered on October 5.

UNIPORT students are believed to be planning more attacks on Omuokiri-Aluu, in spite of the closure of the university following Tuesday’s violent protest. Besides, it was learnt yesterday that some ethnic groups in Rivers State, where the victims hailed from, were gearing up to avenge the murder.

Omuokiri-Aluu is still deserted, with policemen massively deployed in the area, to prevent a likely breakdown of law and order.

Two of the lynched students hailed from Okrika in Okrika

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

Local Government Area of Rivers State, where First Lady Jonathan hails from.

The spokesman of the umbrella organisation of Aluu Clan the Ogbakor Aluu, Mr. Garshon Benson, pleaded with those planning fresh attacks to desist from doing so and give peace a chance.

Aluu clan comprises nine communities. The spokesman insists that where the murder took place was totally inhabited by students and non-indigenes. He said no Aluu son could spill the blood of fellow human beings, as the custom and tradition of the clan forbid it.

The victims: Biringa Chiadika Lordson, Year Two, Theatre Arts, U2010/1805036; Ugonna Kelechi Obuzor, Year Two, Ge-

ology, U2010/5565149; Mike Lloyd Toku, Year Two, Civil Engineering, U2010/3010094 and Tekena Erikena, a Certificate student in the Faculty of Education, were lynched in Omuokiri-Aluu, for allegedly stealing mobile phones and laptops.

Benson said: “It has come to our notice that some ethnic groups in the state, whose sons were among those murdered, are threatening to attack Aluu.

“We warn strongly that we will no longer fold our arms and watch further destruction of our communities and the infliction of pains and injuries on the good and law-abiding people of Aluu clan.

“We also call on the security agencies to take note of this threat to attack Aluu and forestall it.”

The spokesman also stated

that no Aluu person had hand in the murder of the undergraduates.

He said that on October 9, Omuokiri-Aluu was invaded

by UNIPORT students, whom he claimed were armed with dangerous weapons and burnt over 10 houses, destroyed 60 vehicles in the full glare of policemen, whom he said ought to have stopped them.

Benson said three Aluu persons (two children and an aged woman) are still missing after a head count. He urged the government and security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the arson, bring them to justice and compensate the victims.

Rivers police spokesman Ben Ugwuegbulam, said policemen had been massively deployed in Aluu and its environs, to forestall untoward incidents.

Fuel subsidy scam: Fed Govt steps up efforts, more arrests likely

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HE presidency has stepped up its war against corruption by giving anti-graft agencies free hands to operate and bring those behind the fuel subsidy scandal to book.

There were indications yesterday that more bigwigs might soon be arrested by some of the anti-graft agencies to prove a point that the government is not shielding any suspect.

It was also learnt that the government decided not to intervene in the arrest of the Chairman of Capital Oil and Gas Limited, Mr. Ifeanyi Uba, in spite of his closeness to the seat of power, as part of its drive against corruption.

Uba and seven others have been remanded in police custody for 14 days following the order of a Lagos Magistrate’s Court over their alleged involvement in the fuel subsidy scam.

The eight suspects are still being investigated by the Special Fraud Unit of the Police over their involvement in the fuel subsidy scam.

A source in government said: “President Goodluck Jonathan is determined to bring those behind fuel sub-

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

sidy scam to book. In fact, antigraft agencies and the police have been directed to probe and prosecute any suspect in connection with subsidy scam, no matter how highly-placed, “The government is not shielding any fraudulent big players involved in the scam as being insinuated. As a matter of fact, the President has

not intervened on behalf of any suspect since the investigation of the fuel subsidy scandal started.

“Those who think we are going after lowly elements can now see how serious we are.

The arrest of Uba is a game changer and I can tell you that this administration will do more in term of fishing out those fraudulent elements.”

The Economic and Financial

Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday said more suspects would soon be arraigned over the fuel subsidy scam.

Head of Media and Publicity of the commission, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said: “We are investigating more suspects and we will arraign more in court very soon.”

2013 budget: Presidency wants N91m for landscaping Continued from page 6

Under code 23030117, The Presidency is asking the National Assembly to approve N57 million for “API bulk SMS gateway for 36 states to reach 10 million people”.

Another N75 million is budgeted for “the rehabilitation of recreational facilities at the main residency”, that is, the official residence of the President.

The Presidency got N15,365,167 this year for landscaping at the Villa’s veterinary unit, but next year, the bill is expected to hit N20,110,300.

Similarly in 2012, the National Assembly approved N6,146,066 this year for the landscaping, drainage and access road to the State House Medical Centre (SHMC). In 2013, the Presidency plans to spend N45 million for the same purpose.

The Federal Government is favouring the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (N1,571,448,455) and the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD N1,465,764,961) with more budgetary allocation than it wants for the National Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (NACA) N1, 286,536,856.

The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) wants N1,787,671,151 under its monitoring and evaluation pro-

Balarabe warns North against secession

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ORMER Kaduna State Governor Balarabe Musa yesterday rejected the call for the North to secede from Nigeria, saying it will not be in its interest.

He described secession agitators as desperate people who should be ignored to avoid tension.

Also, indications confirmed last night that some of the North-East governors.

At a summit in Bauchi, the convener, Alhaji Bello Kirfi, raised volatile issues like secession. Governors of Northeast states shunned the summit.

Musa, who spoke exclusively with our correspondent,

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja said if any region is seeking disintegration, it should not be the North.

He faulted the convener of the North-East Forum for Unity and Development (NEFUD), Alhaji Bello Kirfi, for seeking secession of the North from Nigeria.

He said: “No to secession. I think he (Kirfi) is just desperate. He is a good person, he cares about Nigeria but the insecurity in the country, particularly in the Northeast where he comes from, is frightening him.

“But his position is a wrong one. It is wrong for any sec-

tion of Nigeria to seek secession now or never because of the negative state of the nation.

“People in the North seeking disintegration are merely desperate because of the state of the nation but they should think deeper.

“So, seeking disintegration should come from somewhere else, but not the North.

I appeal to the masses in the North to ignore the call because it is against their fundamental rights.

“No section of Nigeria can go it alone. This is more so even in the case of the North.

What I mean is that no section of Nigeria will benefit from

disintegration but the North will suffer more.

“You cannot keep Nigeria united without the North, the East, the West and the South.

Our leaders in the past, like Sir Ahmadu Bello, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Alhaji Tafawa Balewa, Chief Mike Opara, Malam Aminu Kano and others, fought very deeply for Nigeria to remain united and they contributed to the dignity of human and the progress of the country more than the present leaders. We should not destroy their legacies through disintegration or secession.”

He explained why secession would not be to the benefit of

gramme, to spend on privatisation transactions.

The National Assembly is to get N150 billion for the 2013 fiscal year, according to the estimate.

The government also budgeted N72.246 billion for the Universal Basic Education (UBE).

This programme is the third consecutive year that the sum of N150 billion is being set aside for the National Assembly, for its capital and recurrent expenditure.

The amount represents about three per cent of N4.92 trillion Budget.

The National Assembly has always maintained that its budgetary allocation is meant to take care of salaries and allowances of members, the National Assembly bureaucracy, the National Legislative Institute, salaries and allowances of legislative aides and others.

The 2013 budgetary estimate did not give the breakdown of the National Assembly’s allocation.

Apart from the National Assembly and UBE, other statutory tranfers include the National Judicial Council N67 billion, Niger-Delta Development Commission N57, 424 billion, Independent National Electoral Commission N32 billion and National Human Rights Commission N1.350 billion

•Musa

the North.

He said secession would worsen the 40-year educational gap between the North and the South.

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2012

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NEWS ‘Don’t allow Triumph to die’ From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

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HE National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Mohammed Garba, yesterday urged the Kano State Government not to allow the state-owned 32year-old Triumph newspaper to die.

Garba also appealed to the government to rescind its decision and reopen the newspaper to promote its activities and develop the state.

Garba spoke in Kano when he delivered a welcome address at the maiden annual lecture/Role Model Award organised by the state Correspondents’ Chapel of the union.

He urged Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to temper justice with mercy and restructure the newspaper.

According to him, Triumph has produced top journalists, like Halilu Dantiye, who is the Director of Press to Kwankwaso; former NUJ National President, Sani Zoro; himself; Mohammed Garba, as well as Garba Shehu, the spokesman for former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.

Garba urged the governor to fund the publishing firm, adding that it has employed thousands of Kano indigenes and non-indigenes.

The senior journalist noted that Kwankwaso has transformed Kano into a mega city and will enter history books as the first Kano governor to have created three new cities to reduce the hustle and bustle of the city centre.

Hajj: NAHCON conveys 72,006 pilgrims

Kwara burglary: ACN T petitions police HE Kwara State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has petitioned the police on the September 22 burglary in the Ministry of Finance.

The party demanded a thorough probe of the incident in which sensitive documents and hard currencies were reportedly stolen.

Quoting an online news portal, Sahara Reporters, ACN said the stolen documents covered government transactions from 2003 till date.

The state government has confirmed the burglary.

In the petition by the party’s chairman, Kayode Olawepo, ACN deplored the continued silence of the police on the matter, which it said was allegedly reported to them when the break-in was taking place opposite the headquarters of the police command in Ilorin.

The party threatened to approach the court to compel the police to probe the incident, if the security agencies ignore the petition.

The petition reads: “Given the sensitivity of the Ministry of Finance and the manner in which these incidents occurred, we are astonished that the Nigerian Police Force has remained mute. This is a matter of public interest and we believe it is the duty of the police to investigate crime and charge whoever is found culpable to court.

“We are not asking the police to delve into political issues; rather, as responsible members of this society, we are fortified in the belief that it is

proper that crimes are thoroughly investigated and should be investigated in a progressive society such as ours.

“We are particularly concerned that these incidents occurred right opposite the police headquarters’ command in Ilorin. Even more irksome is the fact that a complaint was reportedly made to the police as the burglary was ongoing on September 22. The police redirected the complainant to the Division C (Oja Oba) Police Station, Ilorin, thereby giving the burglars the opportunity to complete their dastardly act and escape.

“As this is a matter of public interest, we demand that the

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

•Mohammed Abubakar Inspector-General of Police

police conduct a thorough investigation and make the outcome public. Failure to do so severely erodes the people’s confidence in the police.

“In the event that there is no action taken by the police, as demanded, we reserve our right to take the matter to court and urge the court to compel the police to carry out its statutory duty to the people of the state. We trust that you will do the appropriate thing and not let things get to that point.”

SSS arrests four suspects for ‘diverting’ education HE Department of State their involvement in the matSecurity Service (DSS) materials in Niger ter. has arrested three Kuta said: “It is true that we

T

workers of the Niger State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) for allegedly diverting and selling free textbooks, instructional and learning materials for public schools to a trader in Onitsha, Anambra State.

Also arrested was a senior worker of the House of Assembly. He was said to be the link between the SUBEB workers and the Onitsha bookseller.

Agents of the Department of State Security Service (DSS) picked up the four suspects

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

following a tip-off that the Universal Basic Education (UBE) textbooks, coded for Niger State by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in Abuja, were found on book shelves in Onitsha.

The Nation learnt that DSS investigations led to the arrest of the Onitsha bookseller, who gave the names of the others.

He allegedly confessed that he was supplied the books by the SUBEB workers in Minna,

the Niger State capital.

The prime suspect also reportedly said he was connected with the SUBEB store officers by some workers of the House of Assembly.

SUBEB Chairman Alhaji Uba Hassan Kuta said an administrative investigation was instituted last Friday on the orders of the Head of Service (HOS), Alhaji Ibrahim Matane.

He told our correspondent that the affected workers were being interrogated by security agents to know the level of

are looking into the matter.

The HOS has also directed an administrative probe into the matter in accordance with the civil service rules of the state.

This will be concluded today and I will report back to him (HOS).

“We have heard that many other states have been complaining that their books were diverted to local markets. It is like a national syndicate. We hope that our investigation and that of the security agents will unravel this scam.”

BARELY six days to the closure of King Abdulazeez International Airport in Jeddah and Medina Airport, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has conveyed 72,006 of the 85,000 pilgrims for this year’s Hajj.

Also, 1,000 of the 1,500 pilgrims initially refused entry into Saudi Arabia have been permitted to perform the Hajj.

But NAHCON said there is no cause for alarm in meeting the deadline of Saudi Arabia.

The Federal Government had approved about 95, 000 pilgrims, including 10,000 for private operators for this year’s Hajj.

New GM Aminu Kano Airport From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

THE Federal Government has appointed Alhaji Ibrahim Dayyabu Suleiman as the new Regional General Manager for the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano State.

Suleiman will also supervise other airports in the region, including those of Katsina, Maiduguri and Yola.

Until his appointment, Suleiman was the General Manager, (Human Resources) and Acting Director of Administration, since September, last year, at the Federal Aviation Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) headquarters in Lagos.

Presenting Dankwambo’s brilliant scorecard in Gombe The achievements of the Ibrahim Dankwanbo administration in the last two years in Gombe State are highlighted in this analysis by M. L. ISMAIL

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HE celebration of this year’s Independence Day anniversary may have been low keyed, but it is certainly not the same in terms of score card. This is because, apart from the usual elaborate fanfare, an independence anniversary is a time for sober reflection from the leader and the people.

An anniversary period is a time when the leader reviews his activities to see if he is on course, if his activities are in line with his promises and, above all, see how positively he has impacted on the lives of the people. The people, on the other hand, see it as a period they examine the level of commitment to the responsibility of the leadership to the led in terms of delivering the goods.

In Gombe State, it is no longer news or a big deal how the Independence anniversary days are celebrated. Instead, all that the people look up to is how they have fared under their leaders. And under the leadership of Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, Gombe State has been counting its blessings since May 29, last year, till date with horde of infrastructural and human capacity development projects to show for it in their numbers.

As I write, the Gombe State Government, under the administration of Dankwambo, has awarded over 50 roads for construction across the state.

The roads, worth billions of Naira, run into several hundreds of kilometres with several completed and many others at different stages of completion.

One of the landmark projects in this direction is the hitherto abandoned 54-kilometre Kanawa–Jagali–Deba– Jauro Gotel Road with a spur to Kuri

in order to open up the international grains market there and the nearby communities.

In the light of the understanding that water is life, Governor Dankwambo has taken the jinx-breaking Gombe Regional Water Supply Scheme to a higher level by extending it further from Gombe town to Bojude and Kwami communities and the environs in Kwami Local Government Area.

Water supply in the state capital is being properly reticulated to new layouts.

But that is not all about water. An even bigger water project in mass and coverage than what we have in Gombe is springing up in Gombe South.

Tagged Gombe South Regional Water Supply Scheme due to its location, the project when completed will take care of the water needs of Balanga, Kaltungo, Shongom, Billiri and Akko local government areas.

The northern part of the state is equally adequately covered with water works under construction at Dukku and Nafada Local Government Areas to end the thirst for water by the areas and other parts of the state.

The governor, in his foresight, understands that all the places cannot be covered, despite the gigantic nature of the waterworks. To ensure that none is being left out, therefore, about 50 solar-powered boreholes are at presently being sunk at different locations across the state and they are all at various stages of completion.

On Thursday, September 27, Governor Dankwambo constituted a committee to look into the modalities for establishing a state polytechnic, which has been sited at Bajoga, the headquar-

•Dankwambo

ters of Funakaye Local Government Area, in the northern part of the state.

This development is coming on the heels of the establishment of state College of Education at Billiri, Gombe South, where work has already begun. But prior to the establishment of both tertiary institutions is the establishment of the School of Remedial Studies at Kumo, headquarters of Akko Local Government Area.

The school, which is an extension of Gombe State University, is designed to admit 1,500 students per session. It remediates both junior and senior secondary school pupils. It also has the capacity to train people on trades or sports, if they are not interested in further pursuing their academics after completing their remedial programmes.

The secondary and primary levels are not left out in the process of breathing quality and standard into the state’s educational system.

Thus, model schools (15 primary and 15 secondary) are being created from existing ones while many others are undergoing massive renovation, reconstruction and expansion, as the case may be. Books, worth hundreds of millions of Naira, were re-

cently procured for distribution to pupils and students across the state.

In agriculture, the Dankwambo administration has turned around the moribund and hitherto abandoned Gombe Poultry Production Unit into a major employer of labour in the journey towards regaining its lost glory. The unit is a major distributor of eggs locally and to parts of neighbouring countries.

Thirty-five new tractors have been procured, in addition to renovating the existing but grounded 35 others to bolster the state’s Tractor Hiring Unit.

Gombe State procured and distributed metric tonnes of assorted fertilisers for distribution to farmers at highly subsidised rates in the current farming season.

Recently, Gombe got 55 transformers under the present administration.

The government had distributed 50 transformers to various locations as well as embarked on the electrification of rural communities.

“But of what use would it be to build infrastructure when the people, who are to benefit from them, are not catered for?” This was Governor Dankwambo’s question when he defended the obvious need for capacity development. It did not come as a surprise, therefore, when the administration put in place some skills acquisition centres across the state.

Much earlier, 320 persons graduated from four vocational centres where they learnt seven different trades.

They were resettled with tools of their trades and given N200,000 revolving loan each to enable them start their businesses.

The centres, trades and trainees have since been scaled up to broaden participation and ultimately strengthen the economy of the state.

The Gombe State Government, under the present administration, en-

tered into an agreement with the Bank of Industry (BOI) to facilitate the disbursement of jointly funded N1 billion loan to individuals and multipurpose societies in the state. The first N500 million has been disbursed and 74 groups and individuals have benefitted.

In the area of security, the governor has successfully clamped down on the Kalare phenomenon. He disbanded the group during his inaugural address and followed it up with the arresting anyone found in the act.

But upon realising that the Kalare is beyond hooliganism and has become a means of livelihood, as it were, the Dankwambo administration set up the ‘Talba Youths Rehabilitation and Orientation Programme’ under which 1,997 youths were rehabilitated and trained into Ward, Traffic and Environmental Marshals. These youths have helped in effectively complementing the efforts of relevant bodies.

The list is endless and the independence anniversary celebration was a happy one for the people of Gombe State, who are grateful to God for delivering the state into the care Alhaji Dankwambo and for all the governor has done for them in last 16 months. “It’s a brief period of time, but it is full of harvest. Only God knows how developed Gombe would be in 2015,” said an analyst on the activities of the Gombe State Government.

“There is a lot to do. And we will continue to do our best to put smiles on the faces of the people. But we wish there is more fund available to us to enable ,us do the much we wish,” Dankwambo said at a recent public function. Suffice it to say it is a period of brilliant performance and enviable scorecard •Ismail wrote from Bolari Quarters in Gombe.

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THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2012

NEWS Sylva dissociates self from N1b Abuja property

Olu of Itori remains suspended, says Amosun

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GUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun at the weekend said the Olu of Itori, Oba Abdulfatai Akamo, remains suspended pending the government’s fight decision on the report of the panel set up to look into the allegation of “public brawl” involving Akamo and the Baale of Lapeleke, Chief Gabriel Akinremi, on October 1.

Amosun spoke with reporters in his office in Abeokuta, the state capital. He said the suspension would enable the panel perform its function.

The governor said Akamo’s fate would be decided by the government in conjunction with the state’s Council of Chiefs.

Akamo and Akinremi were said to have fought in Itori on October 1 and this prompted the state government to set up a one-man panel (Alhaji Samodu Adegbadun) to “look into the immediate and remote causes of the quarrel”.

Adegbadun was supposed to submit his report last Monday.

But the Olu Itori-in-Coun-

•Chiefs defend monarch From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

cil, the highest traditional decision making body in Itoriland, insisted that Akamo did not fight with Akinremi.

They said the story was being spread by the monarch’s detractors.

They said: “Our Oba cannot fight, let alone doing it in public. It is so ridiculous that some people could come out with that kind of story.”

They said the “purported people of Onigbedu”, who protested at the Governor’s Office and demanded Akamo’s removal, were hired.

The Balogun of Itori, Chief Tajudeen Salawu, who spoke on behalf of the chiefs, said: “Why would the people from Onigbedu want the Olu of Itori removed from office, when Itori are not complaining?

“What is the connection between Onigbedu and Itori?

Why should some people say because the Oba of Onigbedu is not giving them money so

‘If Oro wants to come out, why should it go and stay on the way to the hotels where guests lodged? Is Oro a lodger in those hotels? When Kabiyesi discovered those responsible for the development, he took the two of them to the police station. they should remove the Olu of Itori? If a tree falls in the forest, it does not kill someone at home. It can only kill someone in the forest. We, the people of Itori, are solidly behind our Oba. “The protesters, who claimed to be from Onigbedu, were Egun and Igede people from Benue State. All that is being said about our Oba engaging in a brawl is false.

“This is what really hap-

pened. Kabiyesi shares the same birthday with Nigeria.

He was born on October 1, 1960 and he celebrated his 52nd birthday on October 1.

Over 400 guests came to celebrate with him and while the guests were preparing to go to their hotels, someone alerted Kabiyesi that the Oro cult had come out without his knowledge and was blocking the way to the hotels.

“If Oro wants to come out, why should it go and stay on the way to the hotels where guests lodged? Is Oro a lodger in those hotels?

When Kabiyesi discovered those responsible for the development, he took the two of them to the police station.

“Later at the Police Station, somebody came out and said he was a Baale and was arguing with Kabiyesi and that was all. The following day, he went to town saying Kabiyesi slapped him and he slapped him back. Is it possible for Kabiyesi and the Baale to be fighting at the station and the Divisional Police Officer and his men would just be watching them?”

CHANGE OF NAME LAKSHMI

I, formerly known and addressed as Lakshmi Santosh, now wish to be known and addressed as Lakshmi Santosh Nair. All former documents remain valid and the general public should please take note.

ISHNAN

I, formerly known and addressed as Santosh Remakr Ishnan, now wish to be known and addressed as Santosh Ramakrishnan Nair. All former documents remain valid and the general public should please take note.

•Slyva

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ORMER Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Slyva yesterday dissociated himself from the ownership of two buildings valued at over N1 billion in Abuja.

Sylva said he knows nothing about the buildings in question.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was at the weekend quoted in some reports as having traced the buildings to the former governor.

In a statement by his media aide, Mr. Doife Ola, titled ‘N1 billion hoax’, Slyva said he read about the building for the first time on Saturday.

He described as improper, what he called his media trial by the EFCC.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT This is to inform the general public that the international passports belonging to Mrs. Durowoju Folake Abiodun and Mr. Durowoju Ibrahim Boluwaji, No. A1347382 (old) and A3357679A (old), A03608220 (new) respectively are missing. All efforts to recover the passports had proved abortive. If found, please return to the nearest police station or call 08033281633 or 07039398471.

Sylva has been accused of fraud and money laundering by the anti-graft agency.

The statement reads: “It is with huge interest that Sylva read a few newspaper reports at the weekend about the EFCC’s investigation into his tenure as governor of Bayelsa State.

“According to the reports, the anti-corruption agency has found two buildings in Abuja valued at over N1 billion belonging to the former governor.

“Sylva dissociates himself from the said buildings. He knows nothing about them. In fact, he is reading about the ownership of the said buildings for the first time.

“Since the EFCC is already in court with Sylva over charges of fraud and money laundering, subjecting him to a media trial is improper. It does not serve the ends of justice. It is an exercise in political persecution.

“This is not the first time Sylva is being tried in the media. In March, 2010, newspapers relying on a so-called EFCC interim report linked him to a fraud of over N100 billion in Bayelsa State. The story then was that, in 2009, he transferred over 40 million US Dollars to an offshore account. Till date, no one has come forward to provide the details of the foreign account, nor has he been charged on that score.

“Sylva is clear that under the Nigerian laws, he remains innocent of all the charges against him until all the evidence has been tested in a court of competent jurisdiction.”

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2012

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68TH KANO STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING

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oday Wednesday 10th October, 2012 (24th Dhul-Qa’adah, 1433 AH) the Kano State Executive Council held its Sixty seventh (68) sitting in continuation with sequence of previous sittings during which important policy issues and programmes that positively impact on the quality of lives of our citizenry were deliberated upon.

Importantly, in Sixty six (67) sittings the present administration approved a capital expenditure close to N216 billion of which N1,538,602,339.22 was approved for the execution of 14 projects by the Council during its most recent 66TH sitting. Today, Council sitting was presided over by His Excellency the Deputy Governor/ Hon. Commissioner Ministry for Local Governments during which 17 memoranda were submitted by 7 MDAS for deliberation by the Council.

An expenditure of N838,015,946.03 covering 11 projects was approved for execution by the Council.

1.

MINISTRY OF LAND AND PHYSICAL PLANNING Request for the release of funds to facilitate for the continuation for completion of interlock tile laying project along some selected metropolitan roads;Road construction /repairs and general beautification of urban kano is among the priority considerations of the present administration for which a number of projects have been undertaken from its inception to date. Interlock tiling of many pedestrian portion of our roads have been undertaken from among which contents of this memorandum selected thirteen (13) for updating the Council on their situation – viz S/N 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Road Ahmad Bello way Audu Bako way Airport road Alu Avenue Bompai Road Gwarzo Road Iyaka Road Lagos Street Race Course Road Sani Mashell Road Ermirs Place Road Dandali Shari’ah Commissioner Road Total

Total payment made (N) 13,747,110.00 26,768,849.90 37,266,052.43 8,861,821.50 12,137,115.00 17,356,841.25 7,202,875.00 8,268,626.25 31,108,317.19 23,921,170.10 6,925,826.25

Outstanding 2,612,715.00 10,720,938.10

1,647,443.75 783,332.81 6,483,433.15 4,168,326.75

5,090,627.06 198,670,231.92

26,416,189.56

• Notably, only Iyaka Road project is yet to be completed but is at 60% stage.

As such, only N26,416,198.56 remains outstanding payment for work already done Again, N18,914,306.25 is requested to complete Iyaka Road and N11,088,000.00 to finance full execution of two completely new project. The Ministry of Land and Physical Planning requested for the release of the sum of N56,418,495.81 to facilitate for continuation of the ongoing projects as well as the new ones, (two in number.)

Based on this, Council approved for the release of the requested sum of money to the Ministry of Land and Physical planning to enable the continuation to completion of the referred project.

1. MINISTRY OF HEALTH The Ministry of Health submitted five(5) memoranda for deliberation by the Council as fallows;a. Presentation of the comments of the Hon. Commissioner of Health on the report submitted by the Hon. Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social development on her return from a seminar on HIV/AIDS ;The seminar attended was organized by the first Lady of the federation under the Theme” prevention of the transmission of HIV/AIDS from Mother to Child”, Contents of this memorandum presented comments of the Hon. Commissioner Ministry of Health on the need to establish HIV/AIDS response mechanism where UNAIDS indicated readiness to fund the programme for better and healthy society. His comments were ; HIV/AIDS response mechanism means; • To establish an HIV/AIDS Agency • To establish HIV/AIDS Agency Administration system.

• To establish HIV/AIDS programme Development project 2 (HPDP2) and team members to be constituted and communicated to National Agency for control of Aids (NACA).

• To qualify for UNAIDs funding, the SACA must have been approved by NACA and World Bank • It is out of these approved work plans that UNAIDS can fund some of the programmes for NACA and SACAS. Council was also notified that Ministry of Health is already working toward establishing the SACA administration as well as work plan for HPDP2 which Council noted, considered and gave the go ahead . a. Request for the Location of temporary sites for college of Nursing Modobi and post basic Midwifery Gezawa;Contents of this memorandum applauded the efforts and general resolution on the establishment of relevant tertiary institutions in the state – especially the North West University Kano, informatics Institute and 20 other by the present administration. Essentially, this, regime under the able and considerate leadership of Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso approved for the establishment of college of Nursing Modobi and Post – Basic Midwifery Gezawa for which construction work has already commenced in Madobi.

Nevertheless,the Ministry of Health presented three (3) options for use as temporary sites for the two institutions pending completion of the constructions at their permanent sites. a. The Islamic Center at Madobi town can serve as the college of Nursing while the old NPI office in the town can serve as hostel accommodation. ii. The newly built but unused school at Gano town along Wudil road near a hospital can serve the dual purpose for use as classrooms and hostel accommodation. iii. the present school of Nursing and midwifery Kano can be used temporarily to provide classrooms and hostel accommodation.

Council noted, considered and approved for the actualization of recommendations (I - iii) by the Ministry of Health. a. Request for the settlement of accumulated remuneration owned the Midwives and community Health Extension Workers (CHEWS);A programme aimed at reducing the alarming maternal mortality in the country was initiated in the year 2012 by the federal Ministry of Health especially in the North East.

Contents of this memorandum maintain that under the programme Midwives and Community Health extension workers are drawn from areas with relative excess and sent to areas of need. Responsibility of paying their remunerations is to be shared among the 3 tiers of Governments on 50%:30%:20% ratio.

Kano State received two (2) respective batches of Midwives and Community Health Extension Workers. The expected 3rd batch is yet to be allocated due to the problem of non compliance with the stipulated arrangement of settling the 30% of the remuneration of those already present. Nevertheless, services delivered by this Cadre of Health Works are very essential to the State in the fight against Maternal Mortality. They report to and work hard at any Station they are posted to. Alas! Many of them left the services of the State a situation which necessitated for the Ministry of Health to alert the Council.

Council noted, Considered and directed the Ministry of Finance and the Office of Head of Service to expedite action and settle these workers their remuneration being owed by the state to enable the state benefit more from the programme. (d) Request for funds to facilitate for the Settlement of Clearing Cost and Consultancy fees to Barnsforte Global Limited:The Sum of N22,759,350.72 was approved for release to the Ministry of Health by the Council to enable the payment of Logistics to Barnsforte Global Ltd. To clear and transport the USD 1 million (N160,000,000.00) worth of Medical Supplies and Consumables donated th the state by Medshare Internation USA. The company has already secured a waiver from the Federal Ministry of Finance for clearing and transporting the donated goods to Kano State.

1. OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT Request for funds to facilitate for the payment of eligible candidates admitted for post graduate studies in Ukraine;143 post graduate students are aming the 501 sponsored to various Universities

abroad by the present administration. These 143 are going to Ukraine and the Kano state scholarship Board reported that tuition fees and accommodation cost have been dealt with in previous submissions. So, the sum of $1,215,500.00 (equivalent to N194,480,000.00) was requested for release by the Council to facilitate for the following. i. Invitation to study - $500x143 = $71,500 ii. Documentation - $800x149 = $114,400 iii. Feeding allowance - $1,029,600x143 = $1,029,600 Total = $1,215,50 x N160 = N194,480,000.00 ( current official exchange rate) .

Council noted, considered and approved for the release of the requested sum of money to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government to enable the state scholarship to facilitate for the stated purpose.

1. MINISTRY OF WORKS HOUSING AND TRANSPORT The Ministry of Works Housing and Transport submitted fifteen (7) memoranda for deliberation by the council as follows; a. Request for the release of funds to enable the settlement of an outstanding balance on work done at Africa House;Provisions at “Africa House “ the coveted name given to the Government House Kano akin to “ Aso Rock” as the presidential villa at Abuja is called should adequately portray the exalted position of Kano State. This made the Contract awarded and granted to the Contractor engaged by the Ministry of Works, Housing Transport for the for the Supply and Installation of furniture at African House (i.e the pride of the State) preparatory to the official visit of the Vice President Federal Republic of Nigeria to rise from the initial Contract Sum of N5,495,656.00 to N18,146,055.00, thereby having an Increase of N13,282918.95 Including 5% VAT. This is because the furniture Supplied for the Presidential wing of Africa had to be Charged to a more befitting type.

Council noted, Considered and approved for the release of the requested Sum of N13,282,918.95 to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to effect payment to the Concerned Contractor- Messr Bukar Makoda and Sons Limited for doing a Commendable job. (b) Request for the Procurement and allocation of three (3) additional Toyota Hilux Double Cabin Vehicles to the Ministry of Works, housing and Transport for use by the Task Force on the Installation and Renovation of Street and Traffic Light:The Task Force Committee on the Installation and Repairs of Street and traffic lights in the State is performing wonderfully on the enormous task assigned to them. The nocturnal outlook of majority of our major Streets in Kano metropolis have changed for the better along with the function of the available and continuously used newly installed Traffic Control System (Signals). Easy flowof vehicular and otherwise traffic have improved. Notably, the work of the Committee is expanded to cover the entire State which makes the endeavour to transcend the use of the only one available Toyota Hilux Vehicle. As such, the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport requested the Council for the release of funds to procure three (3) additional Toyota Hilux Vehicles for use by the Task Force Committee on the Installation and Repairs of Street Lights. This will certainly improve the already good performance of the Committee in the discharge of one of the most laudable achievements of the present administration.

Council noted, considered and approved by directing to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government to process for the procurement and allocation of the three vehicles as requested- thus N6,950,000 x 3 =N20,850,000.00 a. Request for funds to facilitate for the replacement of the old curtains existing at Africa House with modern ones;Africa House or Government House Kano is witnessing a face Lift and general refurbishment it never had since its establishment over four (4) decades ago by the August pioneer Governor Audu Bako regime. The present administration in Kano state under the leadership of Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso is determined to convert Africa House to an edifice befitting to the seat of administration comparable to the status obtained any where globally.

Considering, Council did nod not hesitate to approve for the release of the requested sun of N4,176,128.88 to the ministry of works to enable the project of replacing the old curtains existing at Africa House with modern, standard and more befitted one in fulfillment of the lendable resolve to refurbish the Government House. (d)Presentation for the need to cancel/revoke the contract work awarded to street and Traffic light committee for the provision of street light along Kabuga – Kofar Waika Road;Though performance of the street and traffic light installation and repairs committee is commendable, contents of this memorandum alerted and advised the Council to cancel/revoke the contract awarded to the committee via Council extract number SSCA/CA /EX/10/142 of 3rd July, 2012 at the sum of N136,555,492.00.

The main reason, as forwarded by the Ministry of Works is contained in a letter presented by Sky Technical and construction Company Limited which claimed that the contract for the construction of the road from Kofar Kabuga to Kofar Waika was awarded to them along with the provision of street light through on instruction from the Office of the Secretary to the State Government. Work at the site at advanced stages of execution by the Company.

Council noted, considered and directed for the withdrawal approval granted to the committee on rehabilitation of street and traffic light. (e) Request for the release of funds to facilitate for the installation of street light at IBB dualized road to Katsina road junction;General beautification of the metropolis along with the provision of required Illumination on our major streets during the night are among the most successfully executed policies/projects of the present administration.

Notably, IBB road is among the most prominent and frequently used roads yet to be provided with street light considering its dualized status since inception.

As such, the Ministry of Works requested for the release of the sum of N87,405,105.60 through contents of this memorandum, to enable the Task force Committee on Repair and reactivation of street and traffic light execute the work.

Council considered and approved for the release of the requested sum of money to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport for the execution of the stated purpose since it tallies with the resolutions of the present administration. (f) Presentation of observations made on the installation of street light at Civic Centre road ;Council was reminded of its approval granted to the Task force committee on repairs and renovation of street and traffic light for the installation of street light at Civic Center road to the tune of N38,984,350.00 via Council extract No, SSAC/ CA/EX/10/i/168 date August 13,2012.

Contents of this memorandum presented that only part of the referred road is dualized at which the installation of street light was carried out at the cost of N26,817,601.40 Leaving a saving of N12,161,759.20 .

Considering, Council acknowledged the prudent and transparent gesture of the committee and call on all Government establishment to emulate. (g) Request for approval of the cost price of each of the prototype Mass housing units to be constructed under tripartite relationship between State Pension Funds Trustees, Kano State Housing Corporation and Kano State Investment and Properties (KSIP) Company Limited;Contents of this memorandum maintained that Council Extract No.SSCA/CA/ EX/9/I/4 dated 17th September, 2012 attest for the approval granted by the Council for the referred tripartite agreement which involves the Construction of various categories of prototype housing units for sell at Kwankwasiyya, Amana and Bandirawo Cities. Notably, the project is in consonance with the laudable policy of the present administration on the provision of decent affordable housing to the people of the State as heralded by; i. Decision to sell GP houses to people residing in them ii. The decision to build 203 housing units for sell at Warawa, Makoda and Kunchi LGCAs iii. Creation of various low, medium and high density layouts for distribution at various locations in the State. Etc This way, Council noted, considered and approved for the adoption of the presented selling price of each category of housing units with a profit margin of only 8% to be shared at 60%:40% between the Pension Board Trustees and the two Agencies.

5 MINISTRY OF RURAL AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Request for Ratification and release of funds for the provision of seventy four (74) Solar Powered Boreholes as component of VIP latrines project at some Rural markets in the state;Provision for the needs of the people is the Mainstay of the present administration

and was reason enough that prompted the Council to approve for the construction of seventy four (74) ventilation improved pit (V.I.P) latrines and solar powered boreholes at some major rural markets across the state. The project was approved via extract No.SSCA/CA/EX/18/i/30 covering the construction of the VIP Latrines and Solar Power Boreholes at the respective cost of Rabi’u Musa Kwankawaso N5,500,000.00 and N4,578,953.50 or N10,078,153.00 per unit. Thus bringing the total amount of money approved for the construction of 74 units to the aggregate sum of N745,839,459.00.

Now, the Ministry of Rural and Community Development requested, through contents of this memorandum, for the Council to consider and ratify as well as approve for the release of the sum of N407,000,000.00 to facilitate for the construction of the 74 solar powered boreholes at the unit cost of N5,500,000.00.

Council approved for the ratification of the contract and approved for the release of the requested some of money to the Ministry of Rural and Community Development to facilitate for the referred purpose.

6 MINISTRY OF EDUCATION Presentation of a report from the Executive Council Committee on payment of Examination fees and request for approval for the release of funds to enable settlement of borrowed money used;Contents of this memorandum presented findings of the executive committee enacted to look into payment of Examination fees to WAEC,NECO and NATEB by the Kano State Science & Technical School Board. The committee substantially established that N17,299,297.00 was owed by the referred Board in settling the examination fees for various categories of students thus.

S/N 1 2 3 4 5 6

Examination Number of Students/cost Amount (N) WAEC 1000 students x 5,850.00 5,850.000.00 NECO 1004 students x 7,350.00 7,379,400.00 NATEB 491 students x 6,000.00 2,946,000.00 ALL Four figire table 150 x 1155 173,250.00 ALL Cost of prachcal 948,645.00 SUECHARGE 2,000.00 Total 17,299,297.00 Council noted, considered and approved for the release of the requested sum of N17,299,297.00 to the Ministry of Education to enable the Science & Technical School Board settle the amounts borrowed and balance payment to the referred examination bodies.

7 MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT The Ministry of Environment submitted two (2) memoranda for consideration by the Council as follows a. Request for the release of funds to enable sustainable Kano project execute two (2) community based projects in Tarauni and Kumbosto LGCAS;Community based originations (CBOs) usually provide concerned efforts in the execution of community based project in their immediate areas/ surroundings under the arrangement that Government provide the materials while the beneficiary community provide labour required Two (2) LGCAs pleaded for Government consideration and approval for the execution of some community based projects in their areas- thus; S/N Project i Construction of drainage and cover slabs from gyadi Gyadi Dev Association

Location Cost of Material Gyadi Gyadi N3,523,920.72 layin tukur tarauni LCCA

CBO cost N528,888.01

ii

Gaida Fuskar Yamma in Kumbotso LGCA

968,257.03

Construction of an open drainage, culvert, stabs – from Ashajaate Dev. association Total

N6,455,049.30

9,978,970.03

1,496,845.14

Council noted, considered and approved for the release of N9,978,970.08 to cover for the cos of working materials for the two projects referred . Such projects as directly people spirited/ oriented are supported by the present administration in consideration of its resolve to provide for the needs of the people especially at grass roots level. a. Request for the release of funds to undertake the execution of community based projects at Tukuntawa ‘B’ Gidan Maza in Kano Municipal LGCA;The sustainable Kano project (SKP) wishes to, in collaboration with one Yusfun Gayya self help Group undertake the execution of a community project at Tukuntawa ‘B’ Gidan Maz in Kano Municipal LGCA. The project involve the construction of drainages, four (4) culverts capping and sixty (60) slabs. Cost of materials is put at N4,365,679.05 while the labour is valued at N654,851.93.

The arrangement is for the Government to fund for materials while the beneficiary Community funds Labour. So the Ministry of Environment requested for the release of N4,365,679.05 to enable SKP undertake the referred Community based project in view of its relevance.

Council noted, considered and approved for the release of the requested sum of money to the Ministry of Environment to enable execution of the stated project

UPDATE ON ACTIVITIES AT THE 68TH EXCO SITTING 1. UPGRADING OF A VOCATIONAL CENTRE TO A SCIENCE & TECHNICAL SCHOOL STATUS IN DAMBATTA LOCAL GOVERNMENT Council noted with delight the upgrading of a vocational training center to a full Fledged Science and Technical School at Dambatta with newly admitted students.

2. 5TH BATCH OF POLIO IMMUNIZATION Council noted the successful flag off of the 5th batch of polio eradication in the State and equally expressed its gratitude and appreciation to all stakeholders who participated immensely on the conduct of the programme.

3. FLAG OFF OF THE FIRST BATCH from 501 INDIGENOUS CANDIDATES FOR POST GRADUATE STUDIES ABROAD Council today noted the successful take- off first 100 out of 501 students sponsored by Kano State Government for post graduate studies abroad, wishing them the best of luck.

4. KANO STATE GOVERNMENT JOINED THE NNPC KEROSINE SCHEME Council acknowledged with appreciation the establishment of the NNPC Kerosine Direct Scheme recently introduced. The Scheme will be a pilot programme starting with 4 metropolitan Local Government areas i.e. Municipal, Nassarawa, Gwale and Dala.

5.Appreciatively, Council noted the relief materials sent to Niger Republic as a result of flood disaster, viz, Millet -5,000 bags Sorghum- 5,000 bags Maize- 5,000 bags Atamfa- 5,000 Shadda - 5,000 Blanket - 5,000 6. CONDOLENCE OVER THE DEATH OF EXECUTIVE SECRETARY HISTORY AND CULTURE BUREAU (ALHAJI ALI BATURE) Council today commiserated and extended condolence message to the family and entire citizens of the State over the death of a renown civil servant who contributed immensely in the development of the State especially in the area of History and Culture. May his soul rest in perfect peace, and Almighty ALLAH to reward him with Jannatul- Firdaus.

Signed: Commissioner, Information, Internal Affairs, Youth, Sports & Culture

62

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2012

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2012

63

MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2012 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL 7 NO 2,279

TODAY IN THE NATION ‘It is therefore a matter of immense regret that such a veritable work is being denigrated and viewed solely from the prism of how it purportedly recorded inadequately the roles played by Awolowo during that pogrom’ EMEKA OMEIHE

C OMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

A

S the Ondo governorship polls loom, I am sad at the humour of the hour. The irony of comedy is that it accepts the malady of our civilisation more than its triumph. Comedy emerges from the imperfections around us – a stumble, a misspeak, an act of naivety, an inefficient regime, etc. They often, on a higher level, point out the darkness of great vices: murder, betrayal, lies, hypocrisy, theft.

That is why some of the great writers from Shakespeare to Soyinka have deployed humour to squeeze out laughter. After that, we scowl. When Chinua Achebe writes A Man of the People, he drapes his tale with a satiric robe so that when we laugh, we end it with a grimace. That was why playwright Bertolt Bretcht inaugurated a new form of theatre to moderate laughter and tears because, sometimes, we are carried away with the giddy sway of the laugh.

So, if you look at the Southwest today, you will realise how much laughter we have lost.

From Ogun State to Ekiti, we have gradually lost that belly laugh that often reminds us of the grotesque. We no longer have the Ibadan episodes with a man who tormented us to mock his beaded vainglory and party flourishes. Nor are we risible at the other governor with a perpetual sad-happy mien who brandished occultism as a brand of political coercion, or the Gestapo man who broke our ribs with his compulsive dalliance with the gulag. Of course, we cannot forget the delusion of grandeur from the one with the phony Awo cap. They all gave a sort of absurd humour. But the humour was not because they made our roads or empowered the feeble or fed the hungry or healed the sick, but because they celebrated a world of impotence in which their feathery bowers and ungainly steps recalled the reign of peacocks without beauty.

The humour came out of sadness, because their kingdoms were founts of oppression.

Where things go well, we see few examples of humour. “There is no humour in heaven,” quips Mark Twain, perhaps the foremost satirist in the world of letters.

Ondo’s Mimiko belches out humour because his basic crust is betrayal at every level of a people, the Southwest Yorubas, who are on a train of togetherness based not just on kinship but on the high road of collective empowerment.

It was to support the agenda of togetherness that Dante Alighieri, the Italian poet extraordinaire, noted “That every part to every part may shine/ distributing the light… from race to race, from one blood to

SAM OMATSEYE

IN TOUCH

intouchsam@yahoo.com 08054501081(sms only) •Winner, Informed Commentary 2009& 2010 (D.A.M.E)

Dancing with the people

•Fayemi

another/ beyond resistance to human wisdom.” Dante writes his epic about heaven and hell, and he lists the names of people, great and small, who will find themselves where they belong based on their deeds or misdeeds.

The verse called Divine Comedy is a sad story, emphasising Twain’s reference to humourless heaven. So whether you are governor or senator or president, stewardship is important, and when you fail, you find yourself in hell. Dante is not concerned with Biblical heaven or hell but

the judgment of history. Those who misrule go to hell. Abacha, for instance, goes to hell.

One governor who does not want a part of Dante’s poetic inquisition is Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the governor of Ekiti State, who is marking his second year in office. His road to the throne overflowed with thorns. He set out on a battle to win a mandate and turn the state into a model. When he was sworn in two years ago, I noted in this column what an uphill task lay ahead. He had a pedigree not only of a man who had dripped with promises, but who had staked out his personal integrity as an activist. As I left town that evening with a few other journalists, I wondered how he was going to make a difference. Ado Ekiti lay prostrate, dust heralded us from street to street, the houses looked forlorn but the people slobbered with hope. Under Governor Oni, they had the sort of look and life that Dante painted: “without hope, we live in desire.” To have desire for food, good education, infrastructure and jobs without visible prospects of fruition maligns the soul. Hope encourages desire, or else blind desire leads to crimes of fraud and violence that Seneca describes as the sources of all human injuries.

The next day, I spoke to him on phone and he said in his baritone: “I have no choice. We have to fight poverty and eradicate it.”

I visited at his first anniversary, and he had set the tempo. The next time I visited was during his mother’s burial and entered AdoEkiti with a friend from the United States.

We had problem navigating the city. It was dusk, and everywhere work was going on.

“This looks like a construction site,” was the

comment of my friend, and that was before we entered the entrails of the city. That was when we knew the extent of work going.

The city was a massive construction site, and I learned in a subsequent visit that it was even more elaborate than I thought, and he had spread the tentacles of development far.

I noted in this column that in a phone-in radio programme, some callers wondered why he took on many roads simultaneously. They were afraid he would not complete any. To mark his two years in office, he inaugurated 10 roads of 103 kilometres about the distance between Lagos and Ibadan. This is with the accompaniment of drainage, setbacks and greenery. Those who feared for him did so because they were not used to a furious pace of development. He also commissioned five water treatment plants, one of which I had seen.

He has complained about the frustrations of the elements. Rains have stood in the way, and he has quite some more work going on.

But his heart is in the right place.

The Ekiti people have been known for their love of education, and the challenge should be to encourage the people to see education not as an end in itself. They love their books and their PHDs, but that is not the way to go. In the United States, states with the higher levels of education like New York, California, Colorado, North Carolina have the highest levels of prosperity. The problem with us as a people is lack of productivity. That was why Fayemi has fought a few battles. One of them is the battle over teacher tests. He was resisted, but he has stuck to the principle that those who teach must know. And he is winning that battle.

Another challenge to education is standards.

A private school pupil received a scowl from his teacher the other day in Lagos when he corrected her (the teacher’s) English. That is why Fayemi’s stand is in the right place.

His Ikogosi project is in advanced stage and I visited the place with all the chalets and the warm springs and the business potential. It reminded me of the poet Dryden’s phrase, “Here’s God’s plenty.” It was when we walked down from one set of chalets that we met a group of women, dressed as if from some social event of joy, singing in gratitude for his social security programme. The governor danced with them. The intellectual governor, as some have caricatured him, was in sync with dance and song with the old women.

With such performance, he can dance. Just as Fayemi is dancing, can Mimiko boast such gyrations based on performance? That is the humour of the hour we seek.

RIPPLES

HARDBALL

Efik, South Cameroun to form republic- News

Love affair between books and controversies

T

Yes, LOST REPUBLIC OF BAKASSI

HERE is perhaps no fate worse for a book than when it is ignored. If it is savaged by critics, some may even argue it is precisely the adrenaline it needs to thrive in the market. But when it is truly and sensationally controversial, well, the author’s dream will appear fulfilled. Ultimately, however, whether controversial or at first ignored, it is always difficult to tell how a book would fare in the market in the long run. For there is usually no proof the long run would not come well after the demise of the author. It may be too early to tell what will become of the new Chinua Achebe book, There Was A Country, but at least for now, no matter how bilious some literary critics think its content is, the controversial book will not be ignored.

In Nigeria itself, it has raised a storm, with real and imitation critics polarised essentially along ethnic lines. But polarisation notwithstanding, both classes of critics will certainly not ignore the book, and to that extent, it is likely to receive some moderate to good amount of commercial attention.

Except where an author sets out deliberately to be a woeful failure, the first principle to publishing success is for the author to shock the public with either too much logic and fair amount of truth or too little logic and outright fatuousness. The jury is still out on the

Achebe book. But connoisseurs of great literature will recall instances of controversial books that became popular, thereby establishing the link between controversy and popularity. Take John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath, a social commentary on the economic plight of poor farmers in the United States in the 1930s, for instance. The Times of London had this to say of the book published in 1939: “It is one of the most arresting [novels] of its time.” Newsweek magazine described it as a “mess of silly propaganda, superficial observation, careless infidelity to the proper use of idiom, tasteless pornographic and scatological talk.” On the other hand, a New York Times reviewer suggested that “Steinbeck has written a novel from the depths of his heart with a sincerity seldom equalled. It may be an exaggeration, but it is the exaggeration of an honest and splendid writer.” But the Associated Farmers of California, displeased with the book’s depiction of California farmers, denounced it mercilessly as a “pack of lies…and communist propaganda.”

The result was that in some places the book was burnt, and it even led to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) putting surveillance on Steinbeck who was considered a communist agent on account of the book. The Grapes of Wrath later won the Pulitzer Prize,

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

sold 4.5 million in the US alone, and about 14 million worldwide. Consider also D.H. Lawrence’s Lady Chatterley’s Lover and Sons and Lovers, two novels either censored or banned because of their explicit sexual content. And who could ignore James Joyce’s Ulysses that drove many into fury because of its egregious reference to masturbation? It suffered an obscenity prosecution, was banned in some places, and was for a long time not even available in Ireland, where Joyce hailed from.

Achebe’s latest work is unlikely to witness more than the controversy that has greeted it so far. There will be no burning, banning or censoring. But for him, it will be a controversy that warms the cockles of the heart.

There are millions of books either ignored or completely forgotten today. Whether There Was A Country will be forgotten on a distant tomorrow cannot now be determined, especially considering its contribution to Nigeria’s civil war literature. In view of the fame of the author, even if the book’s accuracy is repeatedly and brutally called to question, as it is now, it is certain there will always be references made to it now and in the distant future. Achebe’s name guarantees that; as he becomes the latest quintessential example of the troubling love affair between books and controversies.

Published and printed by Vintage Press Limited. Corporate Office: 27B Fatai Atere Way, Matori, Lagos. P.M.B. 1025,Oshodi, Lagos. Telephone: Switch Board: 01-8168361.

Editor Daily:01-8962807, Marketing: 01-8155547 . Abuja Office: Plot 5, Nanka Close AMAC Commercial Complex, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja. Tel: 07028105302. Port Harcourt Office: 12/14, Njemanze Street, Mile 1, Diobu, PH. 08023595790. WEBSITE: www.thenationonlineng.net E-mail: info@thenationonlineng.net ISSN: 115-5302 Editor: GBENGA OMOTOSO