The Nation October 15, 2014

Ibadan tanker fire death toll rises NEWS

Page 8

•Casualty figure now 19

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News Troops, police quit Ekiti courts P4 Sports Don’t boo Eagles, Keshi begs P24 Business Court urged to stop ATM charges P53

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VOL. 9, NO. 3002 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

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TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

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•INSIDE: $15M ARMS DEAL SHADY, SAYS APC P5 U.S. PLEDGES $40M TO FIGHT BOKO HARAM P4

Chibok girls: March on Villa ends in tears, anger

•SEE ALSO PAGES 2,3&8

•NO WAY: The protesters being blocked at the Presidential Villa’s gate in Abuja...yesterday.

I

PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

•Mother of a missing Chibok schoolgirl, Rebecca Samuel...yesterday PHOTO: AFP

Ministers, protesters clash Parents: negotiate to bring back girls

T was meant to further draw the President’s attention to the plight of the over 200 Chibok schoolgirls abducted six months ago, but yesterday’s aborted march on the Villa was a scene of verbal assaults – and tears.

The protesters, led by former Minister of Education Oby Ezekwesili, were prevented from marching

It was during your tenure, Madam Shame on you...We are simply Ezekwesili that the educational sys- requesting to meet the president tem collapsed —Minister Maina concerning our girls... —Ezekwesili From Grace Obike, Abuja

on the seat of government in Abuja by a huge security cordon, but ministers were sent to receive them.

There was a war of words.

Scientists discover cure for diabetes

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HERE is good news for diabetic patients.

They will no longer need to inject insulin thanks to a treatment involving the use of insulinproducing cells which Harvard University scientists discovered how to make.

The cure could, therefore, be imminent as the scientists have produced large volumes of laboratorygrown pancreatic cells re-

By Joseph Jibueze, Snr. Correspondent

quired for one-off transplantation in patients.

The breakthrough has been hailed and compared to the invention of antibiotics. It involved identifying how to efficiently turn both stem cell types into beta cells.

The cells, millions of which were manufactured, produced insulin, responded to Continued on page 4

It took great efforts to prevent physical combat.

Marching with the protesters were parents of some of the 219 girls in Boko Haram’s custody since April 15 and leaders of the Chibok com-

munity, which is still reeling under the debilitating effect of the abduction, whose mystery has been unresolved, despite the involvement of the international community and the deployment of tech-

nology.

The protesters began their march from the Giwa Park, close to the Police Headquarters. They were stopped near the Protea Hotel at Asokoro – home of the rich and the

powerful.

Around 60 people in red T-shirts that read “Bring Back Our Girls” were marching. More than 150 armed policemen and women prevented them from storming the Villa.

Scores of other protesters were prevented from joining the rally by other police lines at the top of the street.

Continued on page 2 •From left: Mr Bamikole Oladekun, Group Head West, Commercial Banking, First Bank, Mr Chris Erewele, Executive Director, Broadbased Communications Ltd, Mr Jide Adeola, Group Head Lagos, Commercial Banking, Mrs Cecelia Majekodunmi, Group Executive, Mrs Markie Idowu, GM, Directorate Head, Technology and Service Channels, Skye Bank and Prince Henry Ise-Okojie, MD/C.E.O Broadbased Communications Ltd at the launch of HDD equipment for installation of fibre optic cables in Lagos.

•LIFE P13 •SPORTS P23 •MONEY P26 •INVESTORS P28 •POLITICS P45 •FOREIGN P58

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

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NEWS

•Roselyn Okon (centre), a supporter of the #BringBackOurGirls campaign, speaking to escapee schoolgirl Rebecca Isaac (left) during a rally in Abuja...yesterday.

PHOTO: AFP

•From left: Commercial Brand Manager, P&G Nigeria, Boma Harrison; Brand Manager, Beauty Care, Tolu Pogoson; Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mrs Omolara Erogbogbo; Associate Director, Brand Function, P&G Nigeria, Ehinomen Enekabor and Deputy Director, Health Education, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mrs Omowunmi George at the donation of Safeguard Soap by P&G to the Ministry of Education.

Chibok girls...

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•Senior Programme Director, International Centre for Journalists (ICFJ), Washington Jerri Eddings speaking during a visit to The Nation Headquarters in Lagos...yesterday. With her is Knight International Journalism Fellow, Mr Declan PHOTO NIYI ADENIRAN Okpalaeke.

HE April 15 abduction of the Government Girls Secondary School Chibok, Borno State girls yesterday got the attention of United States President Barack Obama and President Goodluck Jonathan.

There were 219 girls taken captive by the Boko Haram sect, although yet to be confirmed reports said four of the girls might escaped. There has been no word on the others.

President Obama, according to a statement by White House National Security Adviser Susan Rice, has directed that the U.S. government should do everything it can to help the Nigerian government free the abducted girls and, more broadly, to combat Boko Haram in partnership with Nigeria, its neighbours and other allies.

“This support takes many forms but the goal is singular: to dismantle this murderous group,” the White House added.

“The United States is assisting the Nigerian government to undertake more concerted, effective and responsible actions to ensure the safe return of those kidnapped by Boko Haram, including through on-the-ground

From Victor Oluwasegun, Abuja and Bukola Amusan, Abuja

technical assistance and expanded intelligence sharing.”

Rice added: “The United States has made clear our commitment to supporting Nigeria’s efforts to bring the girls home safely. Since then, we have aided in the investigations, including by deploying personnel on the ground, facilitated strategic communications and provided assistance to the families.

“These efforts are part of our broader support to Nigeria’s pursuit of a holistic counterterrorism strategy, which includes the rule of law and strengthened security institutions.

“The United States will continue to work toward the release of all the girls who remain in captivity,” Rice said, adding, “even as we celebrate the freedom of the few who have managed to escape Boko Haram’s clutches. “And we will stand with girls everywhere who seek to achieve their full potential through education and to claim the universal rights and fundamental freedoms that are their birthright.”

President Jonathan said in Abuja

March on Villa ends in tears, anger •From left: Nollywood Actress Omoni Oboli, General Manager, West Africa, Reckilt Benckiser, Mr. Rahul Murgai, Marketing Director, West Africa Beckil Benckiser, Mr. Silivrili Oguzhan, Representative, Glabal Hygiene Council, Mrs. Nneoma Idika during the media parley to unveil Dettol’s “Give Life a hand” campaign in commermoration of Global Handwashing Day in Lagos... yesterday PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

• From left: CEO, MTN Nigeria , Mr Mike Ikpoki, Permanent Secretary, Office of Sports, Lagos State, Mr Oluseyi Whenu, and Assistant Director, Starco Insurance,MrTunji Nosiru during theclosing ceremony of the MTN Lagos Street Soccer Season PHOTO: MUYIWA HASSAN 7 at Campos Mini Stadium, Lagos... at the weekend.

•Continued from page 1 Ministers Hajia Zainab Maina (Women Affairs), Sarah Ochepke (Water Resources), Lawrentia Mallam (Environment) and Ekon Eyakenyi (Lands, Housing and Urban Development) came on the scene “to represent President Goodluck Jonathan”.

Hajia Maina slammed Dr. Ezekwesili for, according to her, superintending the collapse of the education system when she served the Obasanjo administration as education minister as a result of which the Chibok girls, as secondary school pupils, cannot speak English.

She told the protesters that rather than seeking to m arch on the Villa, they should seek information from the National Orientation Agency (NOA) on the government’s plans to rescue the girls.

Mrs. Ezekwesili and protesters yelled “Shame on you!” Some of the Chibok elders had to be restrained from physically attacking Mrs Maina.

Mrs. Maina to Mrs. Ezekwesili: “Madam, you were once a minister.

Even though you wrote a letter to the President; he is the President and he can ask us to come and address you.

That is why we are here to address all of you. So, you are the one who will tell us why you are out here.

“You wanted to meet with Mr. President to find out why up till now the girls are not rescued and we are here to assure you that, as a responsible government, there is no government in the world that will sit comfortably while girls who are the mothers of the nation are abducted.

“It is not as if the government is sitting by and watching; the government is doing all it can to make sure that the girls are brought back alive. So, please, let us treat each other with all sense of responsibility and respect. We are all mothers. As much as it hurts you, it also hurts us. We all know that the government is doing something. There are some technicalities that border on security; we all know that our military personnel are all out there in the bush, doing all they can.

“Nigeria is a very large country; we are not like Cameroon; some people are talking about Cameroon.

“I was expecting that you people will stand here and speak maturely and respect yourselves. I am respecting you.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

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NEWS

•A man seals mouth with a branded sticker reading "Bring Back Our Girls Now" to campaign for the release of the kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls in Abuja...yesterday. PHOTO: AFP

•US singer-songwriter Alicia Keys (centre) shouting slogans as she joined protesters with the "Bring Back Our Girls" campaign during a demonstration in front of the Nigerian Consulate in New York ...yesterday. PHOTO: AFP

.. Obama, Jonathan rekindle hope yesterday that there were no “ neat or easy answers” to bringing back the girls, but he said, nonetheless, it will take his priority attention.

Jonathan spoke at a one-day National Conference on Environmental Security, Awareness and Enforcement in Nigeria, organised by the Uche Ekwunife- headed House Committee on Environment.

He was represented by Minister of the Environment Mrs. Lawrencia Laraba-Mallam.

He said: “As an elected official, I want to solve the problem of the Chibok girls. It’s priority on my todo list as President. I refuse to pass it on to somebody else. It is my responsibility to solve the problem. Our security interests will not permit us to withhold legitimate actions that will bring back the girls. Our institutions won’t allow it either. And neither should our conscience. I seize this opportunity to call on the opposition to quit politicisation of the abducted saga and join me to solve the problem together,” Jonathan warned that getting the girls back may not be as easy as many think. “I agree with the Bring back When Mrs. Ezekwesili asked Mrs Maina to listen to a petition by one of the Chibok girls who escaped and that she would be addressing her in Hausa because she cannot speak English due to the poor state of the Nigerian educational system, Mrs Maina replied: “It was during your tenure, Madam Ezekwesili that the educational system collapsed.”

Mrs. Ezekwesili yelled: “Shame on you”. The rest of the group joined in and some elders had to be restrained from attacking the minister.

Mrs. Ezekwesili said: “We wrote and requested to meet with Mr. President so that we can listen to him and to inform him of the incredible urgency concerning the rescue of the Chibok girls and to hear from him what is exactly going on concerning the rescue of these girls.

“We are not sure why we are not being allowed to proceed to our meeting and so we will need to get answers to that. We are simply requesting to meet the president concerning our Chibok girls whose only crime was attempting to acquire education.

“Just imagine how the whole world that is standing with us will see pictures of how you are stopping us from seeing Mr. President. We are speaking for the voiceless girls that cannot speak at all.”

“I want the president to try and bring back my friends,” said Rebecca Ishaku, who escaped from the clutches of the Boko Haram militants

our Girls campaigners, especially, for piling up pressure on us on the issue.

But let me be blunt; there are no neat or easy answers to bringing back the girls. I wish there were. But I can tell you that that the wrong answer is to pretend like this problem will go away if we maintain an unsustainable staus quo and silence,” he said.

While acknowledging the efforts of the Armed Forces in the fight against terrorism, he said the country was “indeed in a major war against Boko Haram and their Al-Queda affiliates”.

“We also face a range of other challenges that will define the way Nigerians live out the rest of the 21st century.

“We need to update and equip our security forces. We have made and are still making necessary investments in this regard. So far, we have fought the war with abiding confidence in the rule of law, due process, checks and balances and accountability, and we are beginning to see progress. This is my responsibility as President.”

Jonathan expressed the need for the insurgents to ensure unconditional release of the girls and urged the “in-

‘

surgents and their collaborators to lay down their arms and embrace peace as no threat can defeat a united and determined Nigeria”.

He, however, knocked the National Assembly over the lawmakers’ failure to pass the Petroleum Industry Bill ( PIB).

He said “the Committee chairman in her speech, lamented the activities of the oil companies who abuse our environment. I want to assure this gathering that there is no contradiction between sound environment and strong economy.

“With less than nine months to the lapse of this seventh National Assembly, a more worthy goal to pursue will be the immediate passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill and to put appropriate sanctions in place through legislation so that those that pollute will know there are consequences that follow.

“I do not pretend, for a second, that the PIB will resolve all the environmental issues as they affect oil exploration but I have no stomach for those that are no allowing us to begin serious action from somewhere. Sticking up your head in the sand might make

I am speaking to the female police women that are blocking us; what will you do if these girls were your daughters. You can take down your arms; we are an orderly group and we will not try to break through your rank until you allow us

‘

after they attacked a remote northeastern school in April.

“I can’t even imagine what’s happening to them,” she added.

Facing the security men, Mrs. Ezekwesili said:”I am speaking to the female police women that are blocking us; what will you do if these girls were your daughters. You can take down your arms; we are an orderly group and we will not try to break through your rank until you allow us. To be honest, all these security is not needed because we are a peaceful group. You should be at the Unity Fountain where some people are employed there to attack us. You should be at the fountain to bring order.

“We know that you are doing your jobs, but I want you to remember that inhumanity to one is inhumanity to all.”

you feel safer, but it is not going to protect you from impeding storm. Ultimately, we shall be judged as a people and as a society and as a country on where we go from here.”

Also yesterday, the Federal Government said former President Olusegun Obasanjo is entitled to his opinion on the girls.

Obasanjo last week said many of the girls may never be reunited with their families.

He said the insurgents might have separated the girls, pointing out that even though he had a way of communicating with the insurgents, the government had not given him permission to intervene.

But the coordinator of the National Information Centre, Mr Mike Omeri, told reporters in Abuja yesterday that “ Obasanjo is a respected man and a former president, but I must say that he is entitled to his opinion, comments and views.”

“The Government of Nigeria remains undistracted, focused and committed to rescuing the girls safe and alive” Omeri said in the last 180 days, over 2,000 persons, including military and

‘

I want you to think, if your daughter is abducted over six months, how will you feel? We know that the President is doing his best, but we want him to negotiate. When his uncle was abducted, we all know how hard he worked until he brought his uncle back

A parent told the ministers: “I want you to think, if your daughter is abducted over six months, how will you feel? We know that the President is doing his best, but we want him to negotiate. When his uncle was abducted, we all know how hard he worked until he brought his uncle back.

“I know that the military is doing their best, but I don’t trust them because the military is divided into two.

I just came in from Chibok yesterday and there is nothing happening, most of the military men have turned this war into business and they don’t want our girls back. Are you trying to tell me that Cameroon is stronger than Nigeria?

“Some people are with the President because they are looking for their daily bread. I am praying for Mr.

‘

President. I am praying that he does his job.”

Chairman, Abuja Chibok community, Mr. Hosea Tsambido, said: “Sometimes, I try to hide my face when I see my people because I no longer know what to say to them. I continue to assure them that things will soon be fine, but right now, I no longer know what to say. I am begging you to please tell Mr. President to show us that he is really a leader.

“Please, tell him to negotiate, even if they request to release only five of the girls. At least, from them we will be able to ask them about their sisters and know how they are faring.”

A leader of the organisation of Chibok parents, Hosiah Lawan, struggled to hold back tears as he addressed the crowd, some of who

security personnel as well as innocent civilians and foreigners, have lost their lives to the activities of insurgents “The efforts at inciting the populace against the government and her agencies is, to say the least, very unfortunate. It is necessary to caution those involved that there is a clear difference between credible civil agitation and subversive preoccupation” he said The Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, who also spoke at the briefing, reiterated the government’s commitment towards rescuing the girls, saying part of the mission is the effort so far to degrade the capability of the insurgents.

He said: “People are counting days; we are not counting days. People are saying that the girls are abused; it is better to have an abused child than a dead child. Many great people were abused as children but today they are great people.”

Okupe noted that it is the effort of the government that has led to the surrendering of weapons by the Boko Haram group, which the Federal Government believes will eventually lead to the safe recovery of the girls. were also crying. He said the government reassurances of an imminent rescue had originally given him hope.

“That hope is now fading fast,” he said.

“Every day I’m crying,” Rebecca Samuel, whose daughter is still with the islamists, told Reuters, her face in her hands. “I believe the government can do it. They can get them back.

The march is the culmination of a series of events in the past week, including a candlelit vigil, to keep the fate of the girls in the public eye, as media coverage and online interest wanes.

The daughter and niece of Enoch Mark, an elder in Chibok from where the girls were abducted, are among those missing.

“At one point we contemplated holding funeral rites for the girls as our tradition provides,” he told AFP. “Parents have run the gamut of emotions in the last six months, from initial hope to despair and back again,” he added.

“But the discovery of a girl last month... who was kidnapped by Boko Haram in January gave us renewed hope that our girls would be found. If this girl could regain freedom after nine months in captivity, all hope is not lost that our daughters would one day be free. This has rekindled our hope and strengthened our patience. We are ready to wait six years on hoping to have our daughters back with us.”

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

Troops, police quit Ekiti courts

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•From left: Chief of Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh; Minister of Defence Alhaji Aliyu Gusau and Deputy Commandant National Defence College Maj.-Gen. Adeniyi Oyebade at the Armed Forces Remembrance Day ministerial briefing in Abuja…yesterday

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Boko Haram has killed over 10,000, says NSA

HE National Security Adviser( NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki has said that Boko Haram has killed over 10,000 people and kidnapped hundreds, including more than 200 Chibok schoolgirls.

He also said military action might not be the only solution to Boko Haram insurgency.

But, as part of the long-term plan against insurgency, the NSA said the Federal Government was planning to tinker with the national school curriculum.

Col. Dasuki made these disclosures in a paper at a session with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations in New York.

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

His presentation was on “Still on carrot and stick approach to countering terrorism”, as part of the non-military aspect of Nigeria’s Countering Violent Extremism (CVE).

He said: “The current threat we face is mainly from a radicalized and fundamentalist Islamic group, the Jama’atul ahlul Sunnah Lidda’awati Wal Jihad, popularly known as the Boko Haram sect which emerged in Borno State, Northeastern Nigeria in 2000.

“The group was founded by the late Mohammed Ali who moved to Kanamma, a small settlement in Yobe State, close

to the border with Niger Republic in 2003 at a base dubbed ‘Afghanistan’.

“The movement then known as the ‘The Nigerian Taliban’ targeted the Police and other security agencies sourcing for weapons, creating fear and a sense of insecurity in the locals.

This group was initially contained by the security forces but later metamorphosed into the Boko Haram Sect under the leadership of a very charismatic young man known as Mohammed Yusuf.”

“Today, Boko Haram, is seeking to impose an extreme violent Salafist Sharia legal system in the North while holding strong abhorrence for Western ideas. Under the lead-

ership of Abubakar Shekau, the profile of the sect continued to assume martyrdom status.

“In the past few years, the group has targeted both Muslims and Christians, killing more than 10,000 civilians, including women and children.

The group has kidnapped hundreds of people, including the more than 200 young girls taken from their school in Chibok as they sat for their final year exams.”

The NSA said military option cannot be the only solution to Boko Haram crisis.

He added: “It is my belief that any response to terrorism must be long term, holistic and Continued on page 57

OURTS reopened yesterday in Ekiti, after about two weeks of forced closure.

“The security cordon thrown around the High Court in Ado-Ekiti in the last few days was relaxed in the afternoon,” the Chief Registrar, Mr Obafemi Fasanmi, said.

But workers stayed off work. The premises of the courts remained deserted.

Although the gates were opened when reporters visited the place about 1 pm, only a few security workers employed by the authorities of the courts were seen discussing among themselves while official security presence had thinned considerably. Movements into and out of the premises of the courts were also unrestricted.

H

IS inauguration was over 48 hours away by yesterday, but Ekiti State Governor-elect Ayo Fayose seemed yesterday to have grabbed the rein of power.

He cancelled the 7p.m. to 6a.m. curfew imposed after the killing of a drivers’ union chief and announced that the Kayode Fayemi administration had taken more than N84billion loans - a claim which an official, who pleaded for anonymity described as “laughable”.

Fayose said: “the outgoing government took N31 billion in the first instance and paid about N10 billion and they took another N22 billion loan and the state is having N552 million monthly deficit. This is apart from the workers salaries.”

On the curfew that was imposed on September 26, nearly three weeks ago, he said: “It is unfortunate that people have been put under needless pressure and I have discussed with the police and the army on the need to let people move around freely. As from this evening (7 o’clock pm), all indigenes are free to move. No one will arrest you, except those who engage in illegal businesses. The curfew has from now on ended every-

Prof Melton said the stem cell-derived beta cells are presently undergoing trials in animal models, including non-human primates, where they are still producing insulin after several months,.

The team at Harvard used embryonic stem cells to produce human insulin-producing cells equivalent in almost every way to normally functioning cells.

The Telegraph quoted Professor of Regenerative Medicine, University College London Chris Mason as saying the discovery was “potentially a major medical breakthrough”.

“If this scalable technology is proven to work in both the clinic and in the manufacturing facility, the impact on the

treatment of diabetes will be a medical game-changer on a par with antibiotics and bacterial infections,” he said.

Head of Institute of Integrative Biology at the University of Liverpool, Prof Anthony Hollander, added: “This is very exciting fundamental research that solves a major roadblock in the development of a stem cell treatment for diabetes.

“The study provides a very elegant and convincing method for generating functional insulin-producing cells in large numbers.”

Prof Mark Dunne of Manchester University said: “Overall this is an important advance for the field of diabetes and people with Type Continued on page 57

Continued on page 57

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

where in the state.”

The governor-elect, who featured on a live phone-in programme on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), said N84 billion debt, according to findings by a high powered committee, would be amortised in bits until year 2020.

Fayose likened purported efforts of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the e-11, an Ekiti socio-political group to stall his inauguration to “the last kick of a dying horse”.

He said: “The worst problem in Ekiti is joblessness and jobs would be created for our people through many avenues”.

Reacting to a suit he said APC filed at a Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday, intended to stop his inauguration tomorrow, Fayose said “God’s will would prevail, no matter the circumstances”.

His words: “Everything will work for good for me and the people of Ekiti State. God has a way of using the enemy’s oppostion to offer you opportunities. If enemies have not opposed me, I possibly would not have gained Continued on page 57

U.S. to give $40m to battle Boko Haram

Scientists discover cure for diabetes This means the cells could be produced on an industrial scale and used on patients without possible immune rejection, while the capsule could be replaced if it stopped working.

A report on the work is published in the October 10 edition of the journal Cell.

Online reports quoted Prof Melton as saying: “It was gratifying to know that we could do something that we always thought was possible, but many people felt it wouldn’t work. We are now just one pre-clinical step away from the finish line.”

Asked about his children’s reaction he said: “I think like all kids, they always assumed that if I said I’d do this, I’d do it.”

Some policemen were sitting or standing beside their patrol vans in about four locations around the premises.

The man who identified himself as head of the internal security, however, declined to offer his name, noting that it was only the Chief Registrar (CR) who could give more information regarding developments at the courts.

His words: “The CR is the right person to give you updates. Tomorrow you can hear something from him. It is inappropriate to interact with you regarding the situation. I would be going outside my bounds. If you come tomorrow you will

•It’s laughable, says official

PHOTO: NAN

Continued from page 1

Ado-Ekiti

Fayose: Fayemi obtained N84b loans

•Federal Road Safety Corps, Surulere unit command, during a safety campaign for ember months in Lagos…yesterday.

glucose, worked on mice for many months and will soon be used to treat humans.

The discovery is the result of 23 years of research by Harvard Professor Doug Melton, whose study of type 1 diabetes was prompted by his son having the condition as a six-month-old. His daughter received the same diagnoses.

The cells could be used to treat all patients rather than each person needing their own genetically matched treatment.

The cells tested on mice were placed in a porous capsule to protect them from attacks by the body’s immune system, while allowing the insulin to diffuse out.

From Sulaiman Salawudeen,

•U.S. President Barack Obama

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HE United States will commit $40 million to the battle against Boko Haram, the White House said yesterday.

The money will be made available to the coalition of countries which have united with Nigeria to fight the sect.

Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Nigeria’s northern neigbours and Beni n Republic have committed themselves to raising troops to fight insurgency.

“The State and Defence Departments are launching a $40 million Global SecurityContingency Fund for Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria to counter Boko Haram,” the statement published on the White House official website said.

According to the document, the programme will provide “technical expertise, training, and equipment to the four countries to develop institutional and tactical capabilities to enhance their respective efforts to counter Boko Haram.”

The document notes that since the beginning of this year, the group has abducted hundreds of people and killed 3,000 in Nigeria alone.

ADVERT HOTLINES 08023006969, 08052592524

THE NATION OCTOBER 15, 2014

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NEWS

APC: everything about cash-for-arms deal in South Africa is shady

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has slammed the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) led Federal Government, for its insult and disingenuous explanation aimed at deceiving Nigerians on the US$9.3 million cash-forarms deal that went awry in South Africa.

The party said everything about the deal was shady.

In a statement in Abuja yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the deal violates the foreign currency laws of Nigeria and South Africa, violates Nigeria’s Money Laundering law as well as the Public Procurement Act and makes a mess of the Federal Government’s cashless policy.

Besides, it said, the circumstances surrounding the transaction were umbrageous, including the fact

By Olamilekan Andu

that the funds involved, though in cash, were neither declared before departure in Nigeria nor declared on arrival in South Africa.

APC said: “Based on these shady circumstances, one can safely conclude that the arms to be procured, if at all, were not meant for any Boko Haram fight, as claimed by the government, but perhaps a ploy to stockpile arms for the private militia of the PDP ahead of next year’s general elections.

“As we said in our earlier statements on this issue, the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) cannot and does not procure arms for the armed services. These services procure their own weapons. Therefore, it baffles that the Office of the NSA issued the end-user certificate for the transactions. This is a shady deal.”

The party said to buttress its assertion that the deal was shady, there are questions the Federal Government has bluntly refused to answer in connection with the ill-fated deal, including why a private plane was used for a supposedly official deal when there are over 10 aircraft in the presidential fleet.

It noted that Nigerians are also eager to know why the money for the purchase of the arms was not transferred to the country’s Embassy in South Africa for transfer to the contractor, if indeed a contractor was used, as claimed by the minister of Foreign Affairs, or the money transferred directly to the contractor, and why the Nigerian government chose to deal with an arms contractor with questionable registration in South Africa.

“If indeed the transaction

was clean and official, which representatives of the Office of the NSA and the chief of Defence staff were on the dollar-ferrying plane? Who indeed were the arms meant for? And perhaps the most important information of all: Who and who were on the plane?”

APC queried.

The party said Nigerians are more interested in who was on the plane rather than who was not on it, hence the government should stop hiding behind “national security” and come out to identify those on the plane.

The party said irrespective of the feverish moves by the Federal Government, using less-than-sincere officials, to spin the whole shady deal and make it look clean and official, the truth is that even terrorists could not have been engaged in a shadier and more crooked deal to obtain weapons.

Alleged N430m fraud: Ogunbambo’s lawyer dumps case •EFCC to bring defendant from hiding

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LAGOS High Court, Igbosere, yesterday granted leave to a lawyer, Raphael Oluyede, to discontinue his representation of suspected fraudster, Seun Ogunbambo.

The accused is facing an alleged N430 million loan scam before Justice Olabisi Akinlade. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed the charges against him.

Charged with his firm, Adeline Investment Limited, the defendant, who has been declared wanted in an alleged subsidy fraud case before another judge, was alleged to have collected a loan facility worth over N430 million from Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc between February and September 2009.

When the matter came up yesterday, Oluyede notified the court of his intention to withdraw from the case on the grounds that he did not know Ogunbambo’s where-

By Precious Igbonwelundu

abouts.

In a Motion on Notice brought pursuant to Section 234 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State, 2011, Oluyede prayed the court to allow him withdraw his representation for Ogunbambo.

In support of his application was a 15-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Bola Akintude, where the lawyer stated that efforts to get in touch with the defendant were abbortive.

He averred that the last time the matter came up, the court was informed that Ogunbambo sustained an injury which affected his spinal cord and presented a medical certificate to the court.

Oluyede said since then, they had not been able to reach him because of his injury and the nature of his treatment.

N220b SMEs fund: Youths get slots

By Daniel Essiet and Toba Agboola

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•From right: Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga; Vice-PresidentNamadi Sambo; DirectorGeneral /CEO, Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), Dr. Gloria Nwakaegho Elemo and Chairman, FIIRO Governing Board, Dr. Alex Obi, during the opening ceremony of FIIRO Investment and Technology Week 2014

APC Reps thwart attempt to reverse INEC’s power to deploy troops

LL Progressives Congress (APC) members in the House of Representatives yesterday thwarted an attempt to reverse the House decision granting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the power to deploy troops during elections.

The opposition members stood resolutely against the motion for the reversal.

The lawmakers, in the latest proposed amendments to the 2010 Electoral Act, voted in support of Clause 29(1), which empowers INEC to request the deployment of troops, only when it considers same necessary during elections.

The amendment reads: “Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law and for purposes of securing the vote, the commission (INEC) shall be responsible for requesting the deployment of relevant security personnel necessary for elections or registration of voters and shall assign them in the manner determined by the commission in consultation with the relevant security agencies.

“Provided that the commission shall only request

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•Lawmakers begin voting on proposed amendments to 1999 constitution From Victor Oluwasegun, Abuja

the deployment of the Nigerian Armed Forces only for the purpose of securing the distribution and delivery of election materials and protection of election officials.”

But House Deputy Leader Leo Ogor sought to compel the House to reverse itself on the power granted to INEC as the sole authority to request deployment of military during elections.

The motion, titled: “Rescission Pursuant to Order 9, Rule 57 (6) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives on the Decision taken in the Committee of the Whole to Retain Clause 28 (1) (b) in the Proposed Amendment to Section 29(1) of the Principal Act (Electoral Act, 2010).”

Ogor said the provisions of Section 217 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) states that there shall be the Armed Forces for the federation, which functions by virtue of

Section 217 (2c).

The lawmaker said this includes suppressing insurrection and acting in aid of civil authorities to restore order when called upon to do so by the President, but subject to such conditions as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly.

He noted that the provisions of Section 218 (1) of the Constitution give the President the powers, as the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, for the operational use of the Armed Forces.

But House Minority Leader Femi Gbajabiamila, citing Order 8(50 and 51) and 9(57, sub (6), argued that the motion by Ogor was baseless because it had been passed previously by members.

According to him, Ogor’s motion did not meet the conditions needed for a decision of the House to be rescinded.

Speaker Aminu Tambuwal ruled Gbajabiamila out of order, saying the order he cited

was inapplicable and that Ogor should proceed with his argument because he met the conditions needed to move his motion.

When the issue was put to vote, it was negated with the opposition coming from members of the APC. Also, members will today, in the Committee of the Whole, begin a clause-byclause voting on 71 harmonised proposed amendments to the 1999 Constitution.

Tambuwal announced the decision of the House at plenary yesterday after Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha and Chairman of the House committee on the Ad Hoc Committee on the Review of the Constitution, presented the report of the conference committee on the bill for an act to further alter the provisions of the 1999 constitution (as amended).

The Speaker advised state caucus leaders in the House to mobilise their members for the voting on the amendments.

He said the lawmakers should begin to lobby their counterpart in state Assemblies to approve the National Assembly’s proposed amendments to the 1999 constitution.

HE Federal Government has announced automatic consideration for 120 youths trained by the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi, Lagos (FIRRO) for the N220 billion bailout for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

President Goodluck Jonathan announced this yesterday in Lagos in his address at the FIIRO investment and Technology Week.

Represented by Vice–President Namadi Sambo, the President urged FIIRO management to present the list of the youths for consideration for start-up loans under the facility.

According to him, the government was ready to give the next generation of entrepreneurs the finance and support to start their own business.

Jonathan said this would enable Nigeria to get ahead in its economic growth.

The President expressed delight that FIIRO was taking youth unemployment seriously, adding that through its programme, the institute was empowering the youth, who want to work hard and get on in life.

He said the Federal Government would back entrepreneurs with businesses that can drive the nation’s economic growth and equip the country for the current highly competitive era.

Jonathan said the growth of SMEs was important to any national that aspires for self-sufficiency.

The President hoped that financial institutions and funding agencies, such as Bank of Industry (BoI), Bank of Agriculture(BoI), NERFUND and the Subsidy Reinvestment Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) would work with FIIRO to give prospective investors necessary loan facilities.

‘300m suffer, die yearly from fungal disease’

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VER 300 million people suffer and die yearly from fungal infection, the Global Action Fund for Fungal Infections (GAFFI), an international organisation set up last year to highlight what doctors believe is a growing worldwide catastrophe, has said.

GAFFI, in its report, called for policy makers and health agencies to “wake up to the plight of the more than 300 million people who suffer and die every year from fungal disease”.

It described fungal disease as the ‘Trojan Horse’ that threatens the world, putting its death toll at more than 150 people every hour.

It added that the situation could yet be halted with local access to diagnostics, antifungal medicines and better medical training.

“Fungal infections kill at least 1,350,000 patients with or following AIDS, cancer, TB and asthma, as well as causing untold misery and

From James Azania, Lokoja

blindness to tens of millions more worldwide. Yet, like a Trojan horse its symptoms are mostly hidden, and occur as a consequence of other health problems,” it said.

GAFFI, in a short online film, https://vimeo.com/ 107046272), produced to mark its first year anniversary, highlighted the devastating impact of fungal infection on a sizeable number of Nigerians, including children.

It stated that many Nigerians with fungal infections suffer debilitating symptoms.

“In Nigeria, fungal infections affect around 11.8 per cent of the population every year. Life-threatening infections after transplantation and leukaemia are major problems and while a few patients survive, thanks to appropriate drugs and treatment, many suffer debilitating symptoms and longterm problems,” it said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

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NEWS

•From left: Emir of Gombe Alhaji Abubakar ShehuAbubakar; former Head of State Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar (rtd) and Gombe State Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo during Gen. Abubakar’s condolence visit to the emir on his father’s death.

PHOTO: NAN

UPN suspends Fasehun as chair

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HE Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) has defended the indefinite suspension of its Chairman and founder of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Dr. Frederick Fasehun.

It accused Fasehun of running the party as his property.

UPN, which suspended Fasehun at the end of its fourth National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja, also distanced itself from the suit filed by Fasehun against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, on the controversial additional 30,000 polling units allocated to the North ahead of the 2015 general elections.

In a communique read to reporters yesterday in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Adedeji Salau, the party elevated its former Deputy National Chairman, Dr. Manzo Abubakar, to Acting Chairman.

Salau said: “In his address, Fasehun posited that contrary to the speculation making the round, he did not sue INEC on behalf of UPN but on his right as a Nigerian citizen.

“The chairman tried to defend his unsuccessful attempt to postpone the September 19 meeting, which he described as illegal, but which most members of the NEC agreed that had become part of our record as the third NEC meeting of the party.”

He added: “He is running the party as his private property. That is what he is doing, and we have catalogued his offenses in that regard. He is on suspension and his coming back to the party depends on the NEC. What we are against is his dictatorship.

“The NEC members viewed the September 19 meeting as the mother of this fourth meeting, which was presided over by the National Chairman since the holding of the fourth meeting was as a result of the resolution passed at the thirrd NEC meeting...”

Buhari: APC will solve Nigeria’s problems

•Aspirant to declare presidential bid today •Meets APC governors for support

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ORMER Head of State and All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirant, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, has said the party will solve the nation’s problems when it wins the presidential election next year.

The former Head of State will today declare his intension to contest for the party’s ticket in the 2015 election.

Buhari addressed a crowd of party members yesterday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on his presidential plan.

The huge crowd thronged the Government House to welcome him to the state, when he met with Governor Chibuike Amaechi and party leaders for their votes in the party’s primaries next month.

The General has been on the tour of APC states to solicit their supports to clinch the party’s ticket.

Gen. Buhari said: “I was in Imo State last Saturday; then Lagos, Abeokuta, Ibadan,

From Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

Ogbomoso and Ilorin before going back to Abuja. Now, I am in Rivers State.

“The APC is in its strategic part of our development as a party. We are about to go to the primary elections, where all those who are interested in the elective offices, from counsellor to the Presidency, will submit themselves during the primaries. I happen to be one of those who are interested to be given the ticket by our great party.

“I intend to make that declaration tomorrow (today), in Abuja, God willing. That is why I have been going round to see the governors and the leaders of our great party across the country, to ask for understanding and support.”

The former Head of State said the reasons for the merger of three major opposition parties to form the APC were to end the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) misrule and

impunity.

He said APC is committed to the nation’s transformation by creating jobs for youths and secure their feature.

Gen. Buhari promised to crush insurgency and kidnapping in the Northeast and the Niger Delta when he takes over power from the PDP next year.

The former Head of State solicited the support of the people to make the change a reality.

He hailed Amaechi for his leadership style, adding that his massive transformation projects had changed the state.

Gen. Buhari noted that Amaechi had written his name in the annals of history of Nigeria.

He said: “We have come a long way from the All Peoples Party (APP), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and now APC. The APC is a merger of relevant opposition parties that have representations in the

Houses of Assembly and Representatives who came together to take power from the PDP. “We have the intension to stabilise the system because we have no other country but Nigeria. So, the APC is decently in a hurry to secure and manage the country efficiently. These are the two fundamental things that must be done urgently for this nation because without security nothing works.

“Look at the killings and maiming in the Northeast and kidnappings here in the Southsouth, I want Nigeria delivered and, God willing, APC will ensure that Nigerians can go to bed with both eyes closed and wake up and go out confidently to pursue their legitimate businesses.

“We will make sure we set up industries and develop agriculture. We will help solid minerals to make sure most youths here have good jobs so that whether you finished your school or not, the gov-

ernment will get a job for you, so that you can live a respectable life.

“I will like to assure you that APC will come together to salvage this country from misgovernance and impunity. We want your understanding and cooperation. Every Nigerian is very important to us, wherever he or she is. We are concerned about his personal and job security. I assure you that we will do our best.

“I most sincerely congratulate your governor. Port Harcourt is one of the places I served when I was in uniform.

When we drove round, I saw the quality infrastructure he put on ground. He has secured a place in history for himself that no matter what happened, from now till the end of time, people will know and say what Amaechi has done for Rivers State and Nigeria.

“I hope to come back in a couple of months to see you in a larger place and audience to unravel the APC manifesto for the next year’s election.”

Nigeria to acquire aircraft for border patrol •Why Nigeria requires global support against Boko Haram, by Mark •‘28 Nigerian prisoners in Czech prisons’

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HE Federal Government has said it will buy three sophisticated aircraft from Czech Republic for the military for border patrol.

Interior Minister Abba Moro spoke yesterday in Abuja at a security meeting with the Czech Republic Ambassador to Nigeria, Pavel Mikes, and his team on how to end terrorism in Nigeria.

The minister said the reopening of the Nigerian embassy in Prague by President Goodluck Jonathan underscored the determination of the President to widen the scope of investment and international cooperation between the two countries.

He said: “Let me state here that Nigeria has been grappling with the problem of insurgency in the Northeast. I’m happy to note that as a result

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

of my visit to the Republic of Czech and the willingness of the Czech to cooperate with Nigeria in terms of fighting terrorism, we have proposed to purchase from the Czech Republic three aircraft for border control and management.

“There is need for us to work together in fighting terrorism, which is a global issue manifesting in Nigeria. Let me state that the government of Nigeria is determined to win the war against terrorism and we are not leaving any stone unturned to ensure victory.”

Moro stressed that with the approval by relevant authorities, the aircraft would be bought soon to complement the effort of the Nigeria Immi-

gration Service (NIS) in combating organised cross-border crimes and ensure border security.

The minister said the aircraft had been seen and inspected, adding that they are new.

He also said when he visited to Czech Republic, last year, he ensured the release of a Nigerian who was incarcerated in a Prague prison.

According to him, this demonstrates the determination of the two countries to work together for mutual interests.

Moro said as at last year, 28 Nigerians were in various prisons in Czech Republic while none of their prisoners was in Nigeria.

Mikes said the cooperation between both countries was beyond insurgency, adding that Czech Republic would cooperate with Nigeria for border control and training.

He said: “We want to help Nigeria to fight insurgency (Boko Haram) and we are here without demands.”

Senate President David Mark yesterday in Geneva, Switzerland, solicited the support of the global community to end Boko Haram insurgents in Nigeria.

Mark noted that terrorist groups, such as Boko Haram, have the capacity to wipe out nations, if urgent and collective efforts were not taken to contain them.

A statement in Abuja by his Chief Press Secretary Paul Mumeh, said Mark told a gathering of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) conference in Geneva that Nigeria was taking necessary steps to ensure that the activities of the terrorist group were brought to an end but required global sup-

port.

Addressing the 131st session of IPU, titled: Achieving Gender Equality, Ending Violence Against Women, Mark said all must work together to end all forms of violence, especially against women and children “because they are the greatest casualties of meaningless mayhem on the Nigerian state”.

Mark, who spoke through the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Affairs, Abdulazeez Usman, said: “Nigeria welcomes the efforts of international partners and friends who have stood by us in this trying time.”

He said Nigeria hailed the international community, especially on the London Conference, held last June on ending sexual violence against women.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

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NEWS Lagos Assembly berates PDP

Jonathan greets Alaafin at 76

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, on his 76th birthday.

Jonathan hailed the monarch’s contributions to peace, harmony and progress in Oyo State and Nigeria.

“On behalf of my family, the government and people, I write to convey warm felicitations to Your Highness on the occasion of your 76th birthday anniversary.

“You have not only continued to use your exalted throne to promote peace, harmony and progress in your kingdom and Oyo State, you have also continued to provide support for our administration. For this, I thank Your Highness.”

Ajimobi warns detractors

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YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has warned the opposition against unnecessary politicisation of his administration’s policies and programmes.

He gave the warning yesterday at his investiture as the Great Grand Patron of the Association of Primary School Head Teachers of Nigeria (AOPSHON) and the turning of the sod of AOPSHON Castle, in Ibadan.

The governor, in apparent reference to the petrol tanker fire at the popular Molete Under Bridge, said the casualty figure would not have been high if the people heeded the warning to stop street trading.

He said it was unfortunate that the traders allowed themselves to be deceived into returning to Molete from the Scout Camp Market where they had been relocated free of charge, aside the N20 million interestfree loan given to them.

“Whatever policy or programme fashioned out by our administration is in the people’s interest. Unfortunately, our detractors will politicise everything even at the detriment of the people.

“It is time the opposition stopped all this politics of deceit if they actually have the interest of the people at heart as they have been claiming.”

By Oziegbe Okoeki

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•Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (second right); his Kano State counterpart, Rabiu Kwankwaso (second left); former Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola (right) and the senator representing Kano South, Kabiru Gaya, when Kwankwaso visited the Government House, Osogbo.

Gunmen abduct Deputy VC in Ogun

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UNMEN have abducted the Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC) of the Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ogun State,Prof. Olusoga Olusanya.

Olusanya was said to have been abducted on Monday while returning from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB).

The DVC was at FUNAAB as an external invigilator for the postgraduate examina-

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From Ernest Nwokolo and Jeremiah Oke, Abeokuta

tions.

The abductors have not contacted his family. It was gathered that Olusanya was waylaid at the OdogboluIjebu-Ode stretch of the Sagamu-Ore Expressway.

His driver, who was abducted with him, was dropped at Odogbolu. He is said to be in police custody.

The news of the abduction

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The Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Dr. Akinsola Akinsanya, described the abduction as shocking, worrisome and frightening.

He said the spate of abduction had shown the level of insecurity in the country.

Akinsanya called on the government to take security more serious.

Police spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi said investigations had begun.

Fayemi has done well, says Akinrinade

ORMER Minister Gen. Alani Akinrinade has urged Ekiti people to thank Governor Kayode Fayemi for spending state resources on transformation, rather than for personal use.

The former minister spoke at the inauguration of the College of Technical and Commercial Agriculture, Isan Ekiti and Fountpar Food Processing Company in Ayedun Ekiti.

He said the people should be thankful that Fayemi had

•Govt unveils Olayinka’s stature their interests at heart.

Gen Akinrinade said the people may not appreciate the projects now but the efforts of the Fayemi-led administration would become a reference.

“With the help of enlightened people, development all over the world in agriculture and industry and in economic development, from your governors, Segun Oni and Kayode Fayemi, we have seen the practical as-

Osun condemns PDP’s sack claim

HE Osun State government has condemned the Peoples Democratic Party’s “attitude of feeding the people with lies”.

Speaking with reporters in Osogbo, the state capital, yesterday, the Attorney-General and the Commissioner for Justice, Wale Afolabi, said the PDP’s claim that an Akure Court of Appeal sacked All Progressives Congress (APC) state and federal lawmakers in Osun State was to mislead the public.

Afolabi said: “The brouhaha sponsored by the PDP in its deliberate misrepresentation of facts and distortion of the decision of the Court of Appeal in the suit concerning Independent National Electoral Commission & Mr. Rufus Oluwatoyin Akeju v.

Peoples Democratic Party called for a sober reflection.

“My office has obtained a certified true copy of the court judgment. Though freedom of expression permits opinions over court decisions, the right does not give room for delib-

forced the university senate to postpone its emergency meeting, which was scheduled for yesterday.

Vice Chancellor Prof Oluyemisi Obilade, who resumed work at 10:40am, prayed with some workers.

When questioned by our reporter, she said: “All I want now is the unconditional release of my DVC.” Prof. Obilade appealed to the abductors to release the victim.

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

erate manipulation of facts.

“We have obtained a certified true copy of the ruling delivered on October 10, carefully read and digested the threepage ruling and are appalled to note that no sentence or paragraph of the ruling decided any issue pertaining to the 2011 election of any member of the House of Assembly or National Assembly.

“In no part of the ruling did the Court of Appeal nullify any election but rather held that the notice of appeal filed

by INEC was incompetent and thereby struck it out.

“There is no way any court can nullify an election based on mere application to strike out a notice of appeal challenging an interlocutory injunction while the substantive suit is still pending at the Federal High Court.

“In 2011, the Osogbo Federal High Court granted the PDP an interlocutory injunction restraining Akeju from

supervising the conduct of the 2011 elections.

“The same court refused the prayer that INEC be restrained from conducting the election.

“However, INEC immediately appealed and obtained a stay of execution of that ruling.

“Curiously, the PDP equally sought for a stay of proceedings at the Federal High Court and same was granted. The subject matter of the appeal before the Court of Appeal was whether the Federal High Court was right to have restrained Akeju from supervising the election and no more.

“The substantive suit is still pending before the Federal High Court while appeals by other parties on the same interlocutory injunction are still pending at the Court of Appeal .”

The commissioner said even if the Court of Appeal had agreed that the Federal High Court was right in restraining Akeju from conducting the 2011 elections, that cannot invalidate or nullify the elections.

pect of what we have been preaching in theory.

“Mr. Governor, I thank you for the many other things I am seeing in Ekiti.

It shows the courageous and always-ready-to-serve Ekiti spirit. I know your governor has done a lot in four years and this morning I asked him if these were products of four years. I am surprised.

“I am sure Ekiti people will also recognise that they have a governor who worked for them and not for his pocket,” he said.

The governor said the cassava factory was a testimony to the state’s development through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement to create wealth and banish poverty.

Fayemi said his government was committed to the sector because agriculture is

the mainstay of the state’s economy.

The governor added that the project would move the state closer to actualising the vision of having many Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs).

He said the Federal Government would establish a rice processing factory in the state to boost rice production.

The statue of the late former Deputy Governor, Mrs Funmi Olayinka, was unveiled at the Funmi Olayinka Civic Centre.

The civic centre, which is still under construction, was initiated as one of the legacy projects of the outgoing administration.

Unveiling the statue, the deceased’s first daughter, Mrs. Yeside Agboola, thanked the government for the honour given to her mother.

HE Lagos State House of Assembly has berated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for faulting the judgment that acquitted the Speaker, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, of money laundering.

In a statement by its spokesperson, Segun Olulade, the Assembly said the party was chasing shadows after several years of “baseless trials on a fictitious petition orchestrated to destabilise the Lagos Assembly and indeed the government”.

The Epe Constituency II representative, who chairs the Committee on Information, Strategy, Security and Publicity, said Lagos PDP was pursuing a ‘missionless cause’.

He added that the statement

by PDP on Ikuforiji “shows that the party lacks focus, integrity and pursues no cause for its blind followers”.

Olulade said: “By the pronouncement from PDP, it is clear that the party is the evil instrument that orchestrated Ikuforiji’s trial, and this is nothing but a wicked attempt to destabilise the government.

“As a frustrated party, the PDP fails to realise that the judgment was victory for democracy and the three tiers of government.”

Amosun to split Sagamu into three LCDAs From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

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GUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has said Sagamu Local Government Council would be divided into two or three in the planned creation of Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state.

Amosun said splitting Sagamu was necessitated by the land mass, size and population.

The governor spoke yesterday at Ita Oba, Sagamu, in continuation of his assessment tour of local governments.

He said the Sabo-EmurenOde Lemo road would be built once the rain stops.

Amosun said the people yet to receive compensation for their demolished structures would be paid as about 90 per cent of the compensation had been paid.

He said worship centres, schools, town halls and other monumental places demolished would also be rebuilt.

Labour Party (LP) leaders and over 900 of their supporters joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).

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THE NATION WENESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

NEWS Let Fayose be, Mu’azu urges APC From Faith Yahaya, Abuja

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HE National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Adamu Mu’azu, has asked the All Progressives Congress (APC) to allow the Ekiti State governor-elect, Ayo Fayose, enjoy a peaceful tenure.

Mu’azu made this plea in Abuja yesterday at the PDP national secretariat when members of the Former Governors’ Forum visited him.

“I assure you that our party is for free and fair election. We believe in it and we must have the spirit of sportsmanship.

Where we win, we should be congratulated, where we lose, we should accept defeat.

“That is why in Osun State, we are not making noise, not for any other reason, we have been defeated and we have accepted defeat. The governorelect, my friend and brother, Rauf Aregbesola, I wish him well.

“So, this should be the way it is done and I hope and pray the opposition will find it in its wisdom, ways and means of letting our own candidate have peace in Ekiti.”

The PDP chairman, while justifying the significance of the Governors Forum, said: “President Goodluck Jonathan, Vice President Namadi Sambo are former governors, which means we are God’s chosen.

“In this Forum, we have interacted as brothers. It is a group that we can’t deny one another and we assist one another, this group is interested in Nigeria’s unity.”

Mu’azu promised to visit the APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.

Speaking on behalf of the forum, Senator Jim Nwobodo (Anambra), described the forum as a symbol of unity.

Nwobodo said: “There is no party in this country that can do without this body in the form of advice.

“We are prepared to give you advice on how to go about this business.”

Present at the visit were Abubakar Audu (Kogi); Achike Udenwa (Imo); Lucky Igbenedion (Edo) ; Ahmed Makarfi (Kaduna) ; Olusegun Osoba (Ogun); Okwesilieze Nwodo (old Enugu) and Bukar Ibrahim (Yobe).

Two more die in Ibadan tanker fire From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

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WO more victims of the tanker fire incident in Ibadan, including an eight-year-old girl, died yesterday, bringing the casualty figure to 19.

The deaths were recorded at the University College Hospital (UCH) yesterday morning.

This brings the number of deaths to four among those rushed to the hospital on Saturday.

A loaded petrol tanker fell under Molete Bridge at the weekend, sparking off a fire. Eleven of the victims rescued from the inferno were rushed to the hospital for treatment.

The hospital’s head of Information Unit, Ayodeji Bobade, said the remaining seven victims were being given the best services available.

“We have seven patients left. We are managing them with the best we have even though the degree of burn sustained is high.”

We avoid Kashamu, associates tell court

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WO associates of a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Prince Buruji Kashamu told a High Court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, that they avoid him because former President Olusegun Obasanjo described him as a criminal.

Haruna Rasheed (a businessman) and Omotayo Alade-Fawole (a lawyer) spoke while testifying as the plaintiff’s witnesses in the N20billion libel suit brought against Obasanjo

by Kashamu.

Both men said they have stopped associating with Kashamu, who chairs the PDP Mobilisation and Organisation Committee in the Southwest, since they read about the allegation in a letter by Obasanjo to President Goodluck Jonathan.

The letter was published in both the print and electronic media on December

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

12, last year.

They both adopted their statements on oath as their evidence in the case before Justice Valentine Ashi. They were led in evidence by Kashamu’s lawyer, Alex Izinyon (SAN).

Rasheed, in his statement, said he broke the over 10 years’ friendship and business relationship with Kashamu after the letter was published and was not retracted by the author.

He stated that before the publication, he carried out “bulk printing services for the plaintiff’s several companies over the years”.

Alade-Fawole said he stopped being Kasahmu’s protocol officer for the same reason.

The witness said he used to carry out corporate legal services for Kashamu, who he claimed to have known

about four years ago through a friend.

During cross-examination by Obasanjo’s lawyer, Gboyega Oyewole, both men denied knowledge of the existence of any drugrelated charges against Kahsamu in the United States.

Oyewole asked the witnesses if they were aware that Kashamu was arrested for drug-related crimes in 1998, detained for five years, and is still being wanted for the crime in the United States.

He also asked if they were aware that the plaintiff had attempted to quash his indictment for the crimes in the US to no avail.

The witnesses also denied knowledge of such information.

Kashamu had, on February 6, sued Obasanjo, asking the court to award N20billion as aggravated

and exemplary damages, and another N100million against the former president for “maliciously and recklessly” publishing a letter titled, “Before it is too late,” to President Jonathan.

The plaintiff had alleged that the words used by Obasanjo to describe him in the letter portrayed him “as a criminal wanted for drugs related offences in the United States and the United Kingdom”.

Justice Ashi adjourned hearing till November 17 for the plaintiff to call his last witness. Obasanjo is also expected to invite his only witness, Bode Mustapha, a former PDP national auditor.

Oyewole had informed the court during an earlier sitting that the former president will not attend court, but will have his evidence presented by Mustapha.

•Tambuwal (left) greeting Fashola (SAN) at the event. With them is the founder, The Leadership, Sam Nda-Isaiah (right).

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First Lady: don’t lose hope on Chibok girls From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

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HE First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, urged Nigerians yesterday not to lose hope on the Chibok girls.

She said the Federal Government was working to ensure their safe release.

Mrs. Jonathan spoke in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, where she opened the state secretariat of Women for Change and Development Initiative and distributed empowerment materials to women from 33 council areas and 17 non-governmental organisations.

The First Lady said the initiative was committed to achieving improvement in the economic well-being of the nation’s urban and rural women as well as the lessprivileged in the society.

She called for prayers for the girls and urged parents to focus on child training and good moral.

According to her, security should not be left to the government alone.

“One way we have tried to impart on the lives of women is by championing the representation of women, especially the 35 per cent affirmation action in respect of women representation in governance. “It will interest you to know that the Women for Change and Development Initiative has collaborated with many organisations and spirited individuals in the discharge of its role in line with the transformation agenda of the administration.

Mrs. Jonathan, who arrived about 1.15pm at the main bowl of the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan, canvassed women participation in the general election.

2015: Defining moment for Nigeria, says Fashola

AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola came hard on the President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration and members of the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN).

He said their idea of transformation defied dictionary meaning. The governor said a government that spends an average of 65 per cent of its annual national budget on recurrent expenditure in the last four years cannot be adjudged to be transforming the country.

Fashola cautioned the government against leading the country on the roads to Rwanda and Detroit in the United States of America, where insecurity, joblessness, poverty, corruption, division and lack of moral values prevail.

He said for Nigeria to start its journey of true reconstruction, reconciliation and rehabilitation as espoused by the Gowon administration after the civil war, we must collectively rework our value system.

The governor spoke at the 2014 Leadership annual conference and awards ceremony organised by The Leadership yesterday in Abuja.

Fashola, in his paper, titled: “Rebuilding the Nation: Lessons from Other Lands”, emphasised that the

From Blessing Olaifa, Assistant Editor and Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

desired change which Nigerians yearn for was only possible through their votes.

He told the gathering among whom were former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal, Governors Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), and Senator Bukola Saraki that the 2015 general elections would be the defining moment for the country.

A change, he maintained, should begin with the coming elections, if Nigerians are truly desirous of change in the socio-political and economic outlook of the country.

Fashola said Nigerian politicians were behaving like Detroit politicians who preferred kicking the can around with excuses rather than confronting and addressing the problems facing the state.

“Detroit, the home of Ford automobile in the 1950s employed 250,000 people, but today it is bankrupt with about $20 billion debt, and hardly able to employ 20,000 people.

‘We cannot keep this calm for another four years. The consequences will be grave, it will be global and it will be reverberating’ “We must turn Nigeria around. We cannot keep this calm for another four years.

The consequences will be grave, it will be global and it will be reverberating.

“Nigerians must renew their own values and we must find our own solution from within us, and to be specific, that change must come from within our democratic process.”

The governor said Nigerians have not experienced the promise of this country because our values and moral codes have gone in different directions.

Fashola said the Federal Government has failed to entrench true transformation as it has professed, describing the Transformation Agenda as mere “slogan”.

The governor said: “If truly there was a desire to make a change for the better which is what transformation means; it should be obvious as a statement of intention from the budget.

“Our budget spends more on recurrent payment of salaries, travel, and generally running of government. I ask is this what transformation is about?

“The signs that there were not going to be any transformation in Nigeria were obvious to me since 2011; as mere slogan perhaps yes, but as a call to purposeful action the jury is out.

“If we want change, the elections in 2015 are a good place to start. For me, these elections must not be so much about what the opposition brings as some people have argued.

“I know that what the opposition does might or might not be helpful, if you and I are happy with what we have now and some ambassadors said that they are, then nothing that the opposition does will change how it feels.

“Conversely, if we are unhappy with what we have, the logical thing to do is to attempt to change it with our votes and to change the next one too if we do not find

what we want until we find what we all want. That is when the people would truly have attained power,” the governor asserted.

He said the promise of Nigeria must be fulfilled whether the present crop of politicians like it or not, noting that moral and ethical rebirth are the surest way to get the nation back on track.

Chairman of the occasion Sir Amuka Pemu lamented that the civil service mass purge during the tenure of Gen. Murtala Muhammed marked the beginning of the problems confronting the nation today.

He pointed out that lack of job security in the service turned the civil service into self service with the attendant abuse of public service and diminished integrity.

Amuka, who canvassed simple decency and respect for the rule of law, added that with insecurity across the country and the fact that the Chibok girls were still in captivity, it was difficult for the country to celebrate its 54th anniversary and centenary.

The Group Managing Director of The Leadership, Azu Ishekwene, said despite the seeming fear and despair across the nation, The Leadership sees hope in the future of the country.

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NEWS ‘Indigenes want Health minister to succeed me’

‘I won’t disrespect Obi’ From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

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BONYI State Governor Martin Elechi said yesterday that the indigenes want the Health Minister, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, to succeed him, because of his sterling qualities.

Addressing State House correspondents in Abuja, he said Chukwu has not shown interest in the position, “but people are urging him to vie.”

Said he: “First, let me put the facts straight. The minister of health has no ambition to become the governor or occupy any political office. But Ebonyi people have assessed him and we think he is a good material. So, we appeal to him to answer the call of his people.

“I knew him for many years as the chief medical director in our teaching hospital. He is a seriousminded person. As the minister of health, the country is his witness. He is focused and determined to do things right and I think we need people like that.

People who do things right.

“We have not endorsed him, we are saying he should show interest. It is at the congress that we shall choose whoever we want. It is not against the dictates of the National Working Committee (NWC).

“There is no conscription in our own case. When you appeal to somebody to show interest, you know many people are shy and they don’t want to come out, but the people who are to be served are the people who determine their own destiny. It is up to them to choose who they like. It is not an imposition of any kind.”

Church holds crusade

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HE 2014 Restoration Crusade of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC), Miracle Centre, holds on Friday at 80, AlagboleAkute Road, opposite the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Alagbole, Ogun State.

At the all-night crusade with the theme: “The All Sufficient God”, the host shepherd, Senior Evangelist J. I. Owolabi and other clergymen will preach.

Owolabi said the crusade is to restore hope in Nigerians that “God is still sufficient for us despite the difficulties we are passing through.”

•Ogun State Governor Senator Ibikunle Amosun addressing a crowd in Sagamu in continuation of his assessment tour of the 20 local governments... yesterday.

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‘Pastor’ nabbed for ‘theft’ in Ebonyi

HE Ebonyi State Police Command paraded yesterday in Abakaliki, Mr. Samuel Obura, a 35-yearold self-acclaimed pastor of the Assembly of Redeemed Christian Church, Ikwo, for alleged theft.

Police spokesman Chris Anyanwu told reporters that the ‘pastor’, who hails from Ohalaekwu Amagu in Ikwo Local Government, is a thief and a receiver of stolen goods.

“When the police conducted a search at the suspect’s home in Ikwo, 13 motorcycles were recovered,” he said.

The police also arrested two

From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

suspects, Samuel Edet, 25 and Moses Alibo, 25, who specialised in stealing mobilet (women’s machines) in Ebonyi and taking them to Cross River State.

“The suspects come from Cross River State to Ebonyi to steal motorcycles at night and take them back to Cross River State to sell them.

“The police advise the public to be vigilant,” Anyanwu said.

He said the suspects would be arraigned after investiga-

tions. Three vandals of electricity installations were also nabbed at locations in the state.

One of the suspects, Ifeanyichukwu Okoye, from Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, was caught vandalising a transformer feeder pillar, D-fuse high tension, three down-drop cables and one upriser cable at Nduogbu Ndieze Iboko in Izzi Local Government.

Sunday Mathias of Isiekeukwu-Orlu, Imo State and Nwabueze Oriele of Akunakuna village in Ikwo Local Government were caught by

Appeal Court reserves judgment in Chime libel suit

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HE Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal yesterday reserved judgment in an appeal filed

by Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime, challenging a Lagos High Court’s judgment in a libel suit.

Chime sued his 2007 opponent, Okechukwu Ezea and The Guardian before Justice Kazeem Alogba in a N1.5 billion libel suit.

The governor accused Ezea of addressing a news conference on or about August 11, 2007, attended by reporters in Abuja, where he allegedly accused him (Chime) of wanting to kill him.

Chime said his personal and leadership reputations were damaged, adding that he suffered distress and embarrassment.

He demanded N1billion as

By Precious Igbonwelundu

damages from Ezea and N500million from The Guardian, being damages for alleged libel contained on Page 7 of the newspaper dated August 14, 2007.

Justice Alogba dismissed the suit and awarded N100, 000 in favour of the defendants.

Aggrieved, Chime through his counsel, Dr. Gbolahan Elias (SAN), approached the appellate court to set aside the lower court’s decision.

When the matter came up yesterday, the appeal panel led by Justice Rita Pemu reserved judgment after counsel adopted their briefs of arguments.

Chime’s lawyer, Fred Onuobia, prayed the court to set aside the judgment of the lower court, saying the judge

erred in law when he held that the appellant failed to prove that Ezea (first respondent) uttered the defamatory statements complained of at the news conference.

He argued that the lower court in its judgment jettisoned and attached no weight to the Vanguard publication on the grounds that Vanguard unlike The Guardian Newspapers Ltd was not sued as the printer and publisher of the defamatory statements.

Onuobia submitted that the lower court erred when it held that the words published in The Guardian were incapable of defaming the appellant.

Counsel to the respondents, Dr. Joseph Nwobike (SAN), urged the court to dismiss the appeal and uphold the judgment of the lower court.

Nwobike argued that the

Church holds programme

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HE annual 40-day programme of the Fountain of Salvation Ministry began on September 22 and will end on October 31.

It holds from 6pm to 8pm.

Venue is 43, Akinpelumi Street, near Love-all bus stop, Ikosi-Ketu, Lagos. The programme is tagged "Jesus for Life".

The chief hosts, Apostle Ephraim and Rev. (Mrs.) Rose Sharon Uwams, said there would be salvation, deliverance, success, breakthrough, among others.

Guest speakers include Bishop Bernard Ojemeni, Pastor Jameson Abiawuwe and Pastor Douglas Missang.

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TAKEHOLDERS and members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Orumba North and South local governments, endorsed yesterday former Deputy Governor Dr. Okey Udeh, for Anambra South, in the coming elections.

Udeh represented Orumba North and South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, before becoming ex-Governor Chris Ngige’s deputy in 2003.

Those in attendance at the stakeholders’ meeting were the former majority leader in the House of Assembly, Princess Nikky Ugochukwu, APGA Women Leader Lady Chinyere Ibenta and former deputy speaker in the House of Assembly, Mr. Mike Ugwa.

Others included one- time governorship candidate, Chief Hygers Igwebuike and Orumba South Local Government Chairman, Mr.

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

John Onyeakpa.

The motion for the adoption of Udeh was moved by Azubuike Nwankwo (Ajalli Ward 1) and seconded by Ogbonna Obiora from Oko Ward 2 in Orumba North Council.

Residents of the local governments listed the achievements of Udeh as installation of a comprehensive rural electrification network in 10 communities, installation of solar street lights at Umunze, building of Universal Basic Education (UBE) schools at Ogbunka and Umuomaku in Orumba South Local Government and sponsoring of Nigeria’s maritime cabotage law, 2003.

They said of the local governments in Anambra South, only the two councils have not produced a senator.

lower court was right when it held that the appellant failed to prove that the first respondent actually uttered the words complained of at the news conference.

He submitted that the appellant did not adduce evidence at the lower court to support/ substantiate his allegation.

Nwobike said the lower court found as fact that the words complained of, even if interpretable to be defamatory, did not actually lower the appellant’s estimation in the minds of right thinking society or disparage him in his office or political standing.

He urged the court on the strength of the arguments canvassed to resolve the issues in favour of the first respondent and dismiss the appeal.

Kalu mourns with Alamieyeseigha

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ORMER Abia State Governor Orji Kalu expressed shock yesterday about the death of Oyamuyefa, son of the first civilian governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.

He died on Sunday in Dubai.

Kalu in a condolence message by his special adviser, Prince Kunle Oyewumi, said: “I was pained when I heard the news of the untimely death of Oyamuyefa. It is devastating, considering the age of the deceased. The young boy, who had a bright future, died in his prime, but who are we to question God? My prayer and thoughts are with the deceased’s loved ones and family at this sad moment.”

The ex-governor urged Alamieyeseigha to take faith, as God has a reason for every action.

Kalu prayed God to give the Alamieyeseigha family the fortitude to bear the sad loss and grant the departed a peaceful rest.

Don’t allow politicians use you, says Okorocha

Ex-deputy governor endorsed for Senate

•Owolabi

vigilance groups while attempting to vandalise a transformer at Onyikwa, NdufuAlike in Ikwo Local Government.

Spokesman for the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) Mr. Lazarus Onyearugbulem described the situation as unfortunate.

He advised consumers to be vigilant.

Said he: “EEDC is collaborating with the police to prosecute the vandals. This is the 30th recorded case of vandalism in Ebonyi since we took over the distribution of electricity.”

HE lawmaker representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency, Anambra State and a chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Afam Ogene, has said he will not disrespect former Governor Peter Obi, despite his defection to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He was reacting to a story purporting that Obi had lost his political clout, following his defection.

The legislator said his statement on Obi’s defection was misinterpreted.

According to him, what he said was that the former governor’s defection would not affect the fortunes of APGA because it would remain strong.

In a statement last week in Awka on Obi’s defection, Ogene said: “Our party has undergone shocking moments in its history. Remember, its founding chairman, Chief Chekwas Okorie, left amid a strenuous legal tango, which lasted about eight years, but APGA survived.

“Then our leader and symbol of our struggle as Ndigbo, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, died.

Our people and party survived the tempest, which followed. We will survive the current storm.”

•Okorocha

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MO State Governor Rochas Okorocha has urged the Joint National Association of Persons with Disability (JONAPD) to avoid being used by politicians for selfish interests.

He spoke when the group visited him at the Government House, Ow-

erri.

Okorocha said his administration came on board not for the cabals but for the masses, including the physically- challenged.

He noted that the Rochas Foundation was established to accommodate the group.

“I am here to serve you without expecting rewards.”

The governor, who regretted the politicisation of the association by the previous executives, enjoined members to be careful in choosing their leaders, to avoid people, who would use them for their selfish ambitions.

Okorocha, who expressed joy that a new chapter of love had been re-established between the government and the association, promised to build a befitting headquarters for the disabled and carry them along.

JONAPD’s Caretaker Chairman Mr. Christian Amaechi hailed the leadership qualities of the governor and his achievements.

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NEWS Pirates kill soldier in Bayelsa

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IRATES have killed a soldier attached to the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield, in Bayelsa State.

It was gathered that the incident, in which other soldiers were injured, occurred on the Orukiri waterways in Nembe, Nembe Local Government Area.

The soldiers were said to be on patrol when they ran into the pirates, who were operating on a speedboat.

The soldiers attempted to flag it down for a routine check.

Instead of stopping, the hoodlums reportedly opened

fire on the team.

It was learnt that the soldiers engaged the pirates in a gun battle and one soldier, identified as Rabiu, was hit by a bullet.

The driver of the patrol boat, a civilian, and some others also sustained injuries.

Rabiu later died at the Brass Terminal operated by the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), where he and the others were rushed to for treatment.

But the Media Coordinator of JTF, Lt.-Col. Mustapha Anka, :said the patrol team successfully repelled the pirates.

NIS recruitment tragedy: Victims protest in Edo

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OME victims of the March 15 recruitment conducted by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) protested yesterday in the streets of Benin City over unfulfilled promises made by President Goodluck Jonathan following the incident.

About 19 persons died and several others were injured following a stampede during the recruitment in parts of the country.

Inscriptions on the placards carried by the protesters read: “Don’t forget the immigration victims”, “Fulfill your promise”, “Allow the souls of the departed NIS victims to rest in peace”, “We are traumatised” and “Immigration victims still without jobs’.”

Leader of the protesters, Comrade Edmund Osumah, said the rally was organised to remind the government that it is seven months after the re-

Navy, JTF arrest 18 suspected oil thieves in Niger Delta

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

From Osagie Otabor and Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

cruitment tragedy occurred.

He appealed to the President to remove any bottleneck hindering the fulfillment of the promise he made.

The activist said the committee set-up by the president had submitted its reports, alleging that the names of those not directly involved in the exercise might have been smuggled in.

“It is seven months since Mr. President made a promise to give employment to the affected victims. We have not heard anything from the Presidency.

“They are here to cry out to the world. They are living in pains and traumatised. We are appealing that whatever bottleneck, hindering the promise should be removed and the promise fulfilled.”

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HE Nigerian Navy and Joint Task Force (JTF), Operations Pulo Shield, have arrested 18 suspected oil thieves and confiscated two barges with large quantities of stolen crude oil and illegally refined Automated Gas Oil (AGO) during different operations in the Niger Delta.

Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta, Navy Captain Musa Gemu, told reporters in Sapele yesterday that nine suspects were arrested in an operation.

Gemu added that a self-propelled barge, named MV Jochebed, conveying about 200,000 litres of stolen crude oil was also confiscated from the suspects.

He said about 870 illegal oil refineries had been destroyed within his area of operations since he assumed office.

The naval commander said the barge was arrested in the northern part of Chevron in Warri South-West Local Government Area last Sunday.

The arrest, he added, was one of the series made in ensuring that his command

•Stolen oil, barges confiscated From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri and Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

“stop illegal bunkering or eradicate it completely.”

His words: “In recent times, we have stopped going for destruction of illegal oil refineries within my area of responsibility. That is to tell you that we have destroyed all.

“In my area of operation, we have destroyed up to about 870 illegal oil refineries within this short period of my tenure in office. You can see MV Jochebed is the latest in our series of arrest and we will continue to do that, as directed by the Chief of Naval Staff that there shall be zero tolerance for illegal bunkering.

He regretted that the arrested suspects acted like a cartel, adding: “They will not tell you who their sponsors are.”

The men of JTF, Operations Pulo Shield, also apprehended nine suspected oil thieves and destroyed 31 illegal refineries in creeks of the Niger Delta region.

Also arrested was a tugboat, christened “MV Tobester”, which was reportedly laden with suspected illegally refined Automated Gas Oil (AGO) along Tonmogbene area in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.

The JTF, in a statement yesterday by its Media Coordinator, Lt. Col. Mustapha Anka, , said the tugboat’s captain, Mr. Akinfemiwa Bojo and the engineer, Mr. Solomon Ogunlona, were also arrested.

He said the suspects had been handed over to Sector 2 of the JTF for preliminary investigation before being handed to relevant prosecuting agency.

Anka said the vessel was anchored at the premises of the Nigeria Port Authority (NPA).

The statement indicated that the JTF troops discovered an illegal oil bunkering hose connected to a pipeline belonging to the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and two Cotonou boats filled with suspected stolen crude oil.

He said the items were de-

stroyed immediately in line with the mandate of the task force.

Anka also said: “Thirteen illegal oil distillation camps were also destroyed around Gbarum Market in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, where oil thieves operate with plastic tanks filled with suspected illegally acquired crude oil.

“The sites and the equipment were destroyed along with the trucks and products. Other items discovered include 32 plastic tankers with capacity for 200 litres each, filled with substance suspected to be stolen crude oil siphoned from an oil well head. “ The JTF spokesman said in the Sector 2 area, JTF troops patrolling along Igbemotoru area destroyed 18 illegal crude oil refineries, where oil thieves operated with seven Cotonou boats filled with stolen diesel and 13 illegal storing facilities.

He said the camps and the products were destroyed.

Seven suspects were also arrested along Nonwa Tai Road, operating a truck containing 160 drums of stolen oil.

Jonathan, Mark pay tributes to Akpata From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor, Augustine Ehikioya, Sanni Onogu, Abuja

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan and Senate President David Mark have led other eminent Nigerians in paying tributes to elder statesman, Chief Tayo Akpata.

They also commiserated with Governor Adams Oshiomhole as well as the people of Edo State on the death of the Benin chief.

Jonathan also paid condolences to Akpata’s widow, Mrs. Olabisi Akpata, his children, grandchildren and other relatives.

The President, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, urged them to take solace in the memory of Akpata’s long, successful and fulfilled •Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed (right) addressing General Muhammadu Buhari (second right) and his delegation life in the service of his family, community, state and country. during a visit to Government House, Ilorin. With them from left are: former Speaker, House of Representatives Aminu Bello Masari, ex-Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva and Senator Adi Salikha.

He said that the nation would miss the administrator, who he added made notable contributions to national development through his outstanding work in the country’s public and private sectors, including Trustee and Executive Secretary of the defunct Petroleum Trust Fund.

Mark described the late Akpata as a nationalist, who lived for AYELSA State Governa viable and united Nigeria. ment, Senate Leader The Senate President, in a condolence message to the Akpata Victor Ndoma-Egba, family, said the deceased was a fulfilled Nigerian, who devoted his life to the service of humanity. the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) •Investigation urged its spokesman, Mr. Eric Omare, and former Abia State Goverlamented the alleged brutal nor, Dr. Orji Kalu, have exkilling, describing the incident From Mike Odiegwu, pressed shock over the death as unfortunate.

Yenagoa of Oyamuyifa Alamieyeseigha It described the killing as a RESSURE continued to said he might resign on Fri- in Dubai, United Arab Emir- fidence reposed in the security loss to the Alamieyesegha’s agents. family, the Ijaw nation and the mount yesterday on day, to take up the challenge. ates (UAE).

The government prayed to nation.

The 32-year-old son of Among the groups who the Secretary to Akwa The council noted with disIbom State Government, Mr. have thrown their weight be- former Governor Chief Diepr- God to grant the father and Udom Emmanuel, to join the hind the yet-to-be declared eye Alameiseigha was found members of the Alamieyesei- may the increasing cases of gha’s family the strength and questionable death of Nigerigovernorship race to succeed ambition include Itai Afe dead at the weekend.

The government, in a state- fortitude to bear the loss. ans abroad without the foreign •Alamieyeseigha Governor Godswill Akpabio Annang, Ati Annang, Afigh Ndoma-Egba also called for countries giving a proper acin next year’s election.

Iwaad Ekid and youth groups. ment by the Chief Press Secre“I was deeply pained when I The development came The people of Ekid nation tary to the Governor, Mr. Dan- “a thorough investigation” count of the cause.

He said: “After more than heard the news of the untimeless than a week to the expi- have also concluded plans to iel Iworiso-Markson, described into the killing.

The Senate leader, in a state- three days after the death of Mr. ly death of Oyamuyefa. It is ration of the date given to host a political rally to drum Oyamuyifa’s death as a devasment by his Media Adviser, Oyamuyefa Alamieyiesegha, devastating, considering the political appointees and pub- support for Emmanuel, ac- tating blow.

It said the deceased would be Ignatius Uzuegbunam, said: the cause of his death is still age of the deceased. lic officers interested in run- cording to the Chairman of “The young boy, who had a ning for elections in 2015 by the Central Planning Com- missed by his immediate fam- “This is one incident no parent unclear. prays for. Our thoughts and “Therefore, the IYC call on bright future, died in his prime. the Peoples Democratic mittee and Chairman of Eket ily and the state.

The statement called on the prayers are with the Alamieye- the Federal Government to But who are we to question Party (PDP).

Local Government Council, security operatives in Dubai to seigha’s family at this time of ensure that there is proper in- God? My prayer and thoughts Over 150 political groups Aniekan Akpan. vestigation of the cause of are with the deceased’s loved and associations with spread Traditional rulers, the poli- unravel the mystery surround- grief.”

He noted that the incident death of the young ones and family at this sad in the state’s three senatorial ticians, the Christian Asso- ing the death, following the districts have continued to ciation of Nigeria (CAN), the conflicting reports over the “should be thoroughly inves- Alamieyesiegha and takes steps moment”. tigated by the UAE authori- to protect Nigerians abroad.

The former governor urged mount pressure on the former organised labour, women manner in which he died.

It added that the investiga- ties,” with a view to finding Kalu, in a condolence mes- Chief Alamieyeseigha to take Zenith Bank Executive Direc- groups and youth organizasage by his Special Adviser, faith as God has a reason for tor to contest the election. tions, among others, have tion would afford the nation an what actually happened.

The IYC, in a statement by Prince Kunle Oyewumi, said: every action. opportunity to justify the conSources close to the SSG pledged their supports.

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2015: Pressure mounts on Akwa Ibom’s SSG to run

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Bayelsa, Ndoma-Egba, others mourn Alamieyeseigha’s son

Life

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The Midweek Magazine E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Text only: 08023058761

US varsity honours Nigerian scholar – Page 15

‘Why Igbo artists abhor realism’

– Page 16

•Prof Bakare

‘My father disowned me because I chose to study theatre’

They call me princess – Page 50

Prof Rasaki Ojo Bakare’s name is synonymous with dance and drama in the arts’ circles and the academia. Little wonder his nick name, Dancerasaki, has become a household identity. Bakare, who will turn 50 on November 8, is the Dean, Faculty of Humanity and Social Sciences, Federal University of Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State; Artistic Director, Abuja Carnival, and first professor of dance and theatre aesthetics. He has worked on over 300 theatre productions aside consulting for many states and cultural organisations. He shares with Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME, how his apprenticeship with Jimoh Aliu Cultural Troupe and the late doyen of theatre, Hubert, Ogunde, shaped his career, his fear for teaching and other issues.

– SEE STORY ON PAGE 15

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The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Gender has no place in my book, says Ibirogba

•President Obama

•Prof Wole Soyinka

•The late Chief Obafemi Awolowo

•The late Nelson Mandela

Lagos Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Lateef Ibirogba has written a book cataloguing 150 personalities, who have impacted the world. It was motivated by one man’s probe into the world’s metamorphosis – from creation till date. What began as an idea in 2011 became a reality this year when Giants of History was published. Why the venture and what were the challenges? In this interview with EVELYN OSAGIE, the author speaks on his voyage, politics, journalism and more.

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ROM journalism to advertising and now a Commissioner for Information and Strategy, how has it been?

It has been wonderful. I was in journalism between 1983/84 till 1990 when I left to contest election. I went back to advertising and worked for about five years before setting up my own advertising firm.

Journalism, advertising and politics involve affecting lives. Each experience has helped me as I progressed to the next. All are related. Whether as a graduate of Mass Communication, Ogun State Polytechnic and Communication Arts at the University of Ibadan (UI), Oyo State, or as a reporter at the then Daily Times, Punch and others, or as a commissioner, one is always busy. But one must fight to create time. Journalism has taught me that whoever must make an impact and touch lives must create time out of the busy schedule. My day extends till 12am.

I don’t sleep earlier than 12 am every day.

And whether I sleep at 12am or 3am, I must wake up before 4am: do some reading, even if it’s just one page; do some writing, even if it’s just one line; then prepare for the morning prayers. One thing has been very prominent from whern I was younger – honesty. It is the virtue my family gave me, and something I treasure. I don’t respect anybody who has lost it. I was brought up to say it as it is, may be that is why I found myself in journalism.

Were there times, whether as a journalist or commissioner, you faced a closed wall in trying to be honest?

Yes, here were such times, even in politics.

People would often gang up against you; they would try to paint as bad person, weaving up sentiments against you. But no matter what they do to you, they know you for what you are, and at the end of the day, they’d come back to you.

As a politician, has the way politicians play politics helped the country’s progress?

It has helped to its progress and would continue to progress the country. The only problem is the elite.

How do you mean?

Anything that would affect our lives and determine our future cannot be a “dirty game” as the elite would want us to believe.

It must be something we all should be interested in. But, many of us, particularly the elite, are sitting on the fence. They would sit and in two minutes dismiss eight years of

INTERVIEW Governor Babatunde Fashola’s administration, and 16 years of Nigerian politics. Politics is what it is today because we leave it to just anybody to play. If we are all in it, everybody will find his space, and our politics would be better. When we leave politics for people who don’t have the right type of training, it becomes a problem. We have seen good and bad leadership and the impact of both that’s why all of us must show interest and be partakers instead of sitting on the fence. Would we leave our investments in the hands of those who do not have its growth at heart?

We all have a stake in this country that’s why all of us must be involved. Our politics is what it is now because the elite are sitting on the fence; and I invite them to come together, use their trainings, experiences, opportunities and contacts to develop this nation and politics”.

Is your book Giants of History, merely about outstanding men and women of history?

The book is about the making of our world, which is its sub-title. It chronicles how the world has evolved since creation. Although man is not contesting with God, but since creation, man has not stopped creating, and the world has evolved. Were it to be left as it was created, perhaps, nobody in our generation would want to live on this planet because the scripture tell us that it was a vast land that two people were left to navigate and there was nothing for them to transport themselves with. Although the world has not expanded than it was at creation, man has affected that space and developed it more. Thus, it has become more interesting and useful to us. My book is tracing what man has done to change his world from creation to its present state, chronicling what has man’s effort to make it a better place.

Based on your observation, how would you describe man’s efforts towards a better world?

Man’s effort has brought about great changes to the world: some positive, others negative. Through man’s discoveries we now understand the world better. From the idea of using a donkey for easy transportation to the creation of vehicles to aeroplanes and all other innovations in science, trade,

the arts and all fields of knowledge, the world has become better and easy to live in.

But it is not that man was merely experimenting for fun. They have given us a better understanding and conceptualisation of it and has also turned it into a village such that we are no longer far apart.

We are now closely knitted such that whatever happens to the Europeans now affects us. Take, for instance, climate change in America is no longer seen as an American problem alone; we now know that the melting of the ice in the Artic or Antarctic in no time will affect us in Nigeria because the oceans are all connected.

We now have the capacity to discover more places, peoples, races, planets, etc. Even though Christopher Columbus didn’t have prior knowledge that America exists, it took his seafaring expedition to discover it. Before then it was Europe, Africa that were thought of as the world. And at that time, the African, take for instance, the Yoruba race, thought that he world begins from Ile Ife, “o da ye, ibi oju mon ti n mo wa”. It was believed that when the Ooni, the then Oba, wakes up, that’s when the day breaks, whereas, when it is morning here, it’s night somewhere else. There are some places that are six hours ahead of us, while Hong Kong is a day apart.

What inspired you to take on the venture?

I got inspiration from my training of journalism. Journalism trains one not to feel complacent or satisfied about whatever one has or sees. It is about exploring the question “what or what if…?” That curiosity of “what if” is really what brought me to this.

I’ve always looked at the world as being very beautiful. I, then, began to imagine what could be working on the minds of innovators. I wondered why would those men and women took those risks. For example, why did man decide to risk going into space. But when the implication of Apollo 11’s going into space came, it changed and enhanced man’s understanding of the universe. I came to the conclusion that idea rules the world.

The difference between the developed, the developing and underdeveloped world, is their capacity to develop ideas. Without ideas, perhaps we won’t have the opportunity of flying today. This goes to show that with ideas, we can still move, improve and shape this world further.

When did you decide to take on this ven-

•Ibirogba

ture?

It was at the point when I imagined the implication of having a generation as that of my son’s who have lost touch with history. This was spurred by my discovery that my boy, who was then an undergraduate, didn’t have the type of consciousness we had about the late advocate Moshood Kashimawo Abiola and the June 12 annulment: he didn’t see the incident from our perspective, may be because he had not read much about it. Despite all that the country experienced during the period, Abiola is gradually becoming a passing phase like all other issues in history. This, unfortunately, is the problem and limitation of Africa – we don’t document historical events for the upcoming generations. It dawned on me that something has to be done about it. That was when I decided to take on the venture that became my book.

Does the book have an aspect on Nigerian history?

Of course. Africa is where we are because we don’t tell the stories of ourselves. Although I had played with the idea before then, it was in 2011 that it dawned on me that if we don’t do it, no one will? From then on I started gathering the materials. As the idea formed in my head, I would scribble it down. I started by having several rough drafts as I gathered more information and it •Continued on Page 15

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

15

The Midweek Magazine ‘My father disowned me because I chose to study theatre’ •Continued from Page 13

“I

Career growth The decision to be an all round artiste shaped my career as an artiste. I have so far combined robust theatre practice with scholarship.

And if I have remained only as a director, I would have done 10 per cent of what I have been doing in the past few decades. As at now, I am running five different productions simultaneously.

I have taught in over 10 universities, and one of the itinerant varsity lecturers. As we speak, varsities still come to me for employment because people recognise the versatility in me. I am a utility artiste- teacher and trainer.

My scholarship, practice and business have benefitted from my versatility. I have handled five editions of the Abuja Carnival.

You cannot pigeon-hole me because it will not be possible. The closest you can go to describe my art is opera. Sometimes, this is why some artistes find it difficult to work with me. I design my light, costume, and all other items. However, it is a function of my training especially at the defunct Yoruba travelling theatre of the 70s.

Turning point I read theatre at the University of Calabar. Two months later, I

‘Gender has no place in my book’ •Continued from Page 14

INTERVIEW

At the beginning THINK I am naturally gifted and the Yoruba travelling theatre was also a fertile ground for me. My father disowned me for six years because I wanted to study theatre. I had to enrol with Jimoh Aliu as an apprentice when my father was not ready to pay my school fees. I later left Aliu to join Hubert Ogunde.

I went into the university to study theatre as a matured practicing artiste and I knew what I wanted. Again, it was a place where I could raise money to sponsor myself at school without waiting on my parents. I earned one naira per day then.

I was the first head of dance unit at the Ondo State Ministry of Culture and Tourism as an NCE holder.

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

won a dance competition in Bulgaria and that was the turning point in my life because it was then that my father accepted me back home. That was in 1986.

I founded Friendship Theatre while in school and we rehearsed The Lion and the Jewel for presentations in other schools.

Becoming a theatre teacher I never wanted to be a teacher because lecturers then were poor.

But I knew I could make money from practice, compere, ewi and radio presentation. I also knew that I could make the salary of a lecturer in a week. Yet, I was scared of becoming a teacher.

In fact, I was afraid of my head of department Prof Kalu Uka that I couldn’t refuse the teaching offer he gave me. However, I can only thank him today for the opportunity. I remained where God wanted me. I am not doing another man’s job.

I construct everything about me on my strength. I have never celebrated anything in my life. I accepted this celebration because it was an opportunity to give my testimony in life.

Stint with National Troupe of Nigeria In 2000, I wanted to work with Prof Ahmed Yerima at the National Troupe. But, God was quietly telling me not to go. He also took me there to see what was going on there in terms of politics. If I had remained at the National Troupe, would I have done much to be a

I never wanted to be a teacher because lecturers then were poor. But, I knew I could make money from practice, compere, ewi and radio presentation. I also knew that I could make the salary of a lecturer in a week. Yet, I was scared of becoming a teacher.

•Prof Bakare

professor? I thank God for taking me to National Troupe and taking me out.

Marrying theory and practice I have been able to achieve this because I interact with the artistes daily and I understood the issues in the theatre beyond what people read in the books. The practical experience I gathered on the field broadens the students’ horizon.

The Jimoh Aliu and Hubert Ogunde training methods are classical and realistic. You may want to call their methods as crude, no, they are realistic. I would not have been what I am today if I had not gone through Yoruba travelling theatre. Among my many plays are This Land Must sacrifice, Drums of war, Rogbodiyan, Once upon a tower, The gods and the scavengers, Voyage, Sekere and The Parable of many seeds, Adanma, The fate of Ejima and Etutu.

Turning 50 I am exceedingly grateful to God turning 50. I have no regret whatsoever. I am deeply grateful to God, but I feel like I am 25 years. I want to be active at 80 in theatre. I would have loved to be a soldier or footballer if theatre did not work out for me.

Projection for the future For the next 10 years, things will continue to be in the doldrums but later something positively radical will happen in the country thereby affecting theatre and arts. That’s when a good turnaround for theatre will be.

expanded. And the process took me almost three years to complete.

And as it took shape, I realised I couldn’t do it alone without a panel of a sort to help access who should merit being listed. I then constituted a committee that was more like an editorial team. For each personality picked, we would often interrogate what makes his/her work outstanding to deserve being listed. It was an in-depth editorial conferencing in which you had to defend whoever was listed. As it was getting shape, it was being scrutinised by more people. We also consulted with authorities in each relevant field. And their contributions came in handy. For instance, if the personality on the list were to be a scientific scholar, we would talk to authorities in his/ her field.

What were some of the criteria used in choosing them?

Our consideration was not based on gender but on what each had done. Of what importance is it to and how has it affected the world?

In bringing what they’ve done side-by-side with others, what makes it outstanding? Getting 150 personalities in the world was initially a big problem. We later had more than the number and ended up stopping at 150 as a round figure. And that also gave us a problem. For example, when we got to the late Graham Bell, the man credited for inventing the telephone, we got to know that he brought in his paper for consideration an hour before somebody else. If not that we want to limit the number, the other person whose work came in later has also done a great thing, but we just then mentioned him as helping in the process of the other.

In the process, we also discovered that Africans, using religion, gender, ethnicity and other flimsy factors, have been knocking themselves down for a long time. We discovered heroic things that people like Moremi did, but we couldn’t list her, because Africans have deified her. We are too religious, yet, not believing in God. Although Africans are not second fiddle to any race, that, unfortunately, is why the world does not have much information about Africa’s outstanding personalities

Author laments agonies of workers

M

OTIVATIONAL speaker and self-help author Reuben Onwubiko has said that the decision to become poor or wealthy lies with an indi-

vidual.

Onwubiko, who spoke at the launch of his book, 7 streams: God’s Original Wealth Creation Plan, at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos, described the book as his contribution to opening people’s eyes to the fact that, to be rich or poor is a choice. He observed that as individuals “we should choose the one we want and work towards it because even in the Holy Bible, it is stated that there will be poor people among us, so choose where to belong.” He said number 7 is a unique and perfect number, which was why he chose 7 Biblical ways of making it in life.

Onwubiko said: “There is this thing that keeps me awake at night and there is this thing that brings tears to my eyes regularly and some of these things are when I see a man or woman who works regularly hard, leaving home early, coming back late, but before the end of the month that person is broke, looking for how to make up. In Nigerian calendar, there is a portion of the calendar called ‘quench hungry’ tied to the time when money is not enough. An-

By Esther Chibueze

LITERATURE other thing that really touches my heart is when I see someone who has spent twenty years, thirty something years of work and he is going into retirement, his blood pressure is high. And because what they call pension is probably not there and if it’s there, it could not be compared to their income”. He lamented the agonies of people over money issue, but noted that the book was published to help people like that and put a smile on their faces.

In his book, he unveiled biblical secrets to multiple income streams. He also talked about ways of hearing from God, classes of income by tax collectors, spiritual guidelines for wealth and income application, key steps to developing a plan, aspects of discipline for financial success, deadly sins that ruin, divine bases for 7 streams. Other issues include heavenly virtues for successful living, steps to income generation, healthy living ways to manage your old age, excuses people make for not planning, pillars of wisdom, qualities of a good income portfolio, Onwubiko is also the author of books such as Your earning power booster, Hearing from God and Why God wants you to be rich.

•Prof Onwueme

T

HE University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire in the United States (US) will on Saturday, October 18, host the celebration of Archival Collection in honour of Prof Tess Onwueme, its eminent professor of Global Letters.

In a statement by the Office of the Chancellor of the university, the event is in recognition of “her exceptional achievements and contributions to World Literature/Drama, the University of

whose deeds have impacted world’s developments. Were the late Obafemi Awolowo or Nnamdi Azikiwe to be Americans, the way they would have “package” them would be great. But who will celebrate our own if we don’t? We need to come to the realisation that ideas are the only things that can make us grow and improve and document history. What we are making use of now were passed on to us by one generation, what are we then passing to the coming ones?

Were there times of conflict over a particular personality you chose?

Yes. There were arguments for days before Adolph Hitler could make the list until we decided to look at it from the perspective of History, which is a record of what had happened either good or bad.

Also, Lucient Laurent, who scored the first goal in FIFA World Cup, became an issue then, because the man didn’t play more than two games. But it still stands to his credit that, if it is history, then he was the first one to score in the FIFA-organised World Cup. Another example is the first woman ever recorded as having fought in the army who impersonated a man because at that time in America they would not allow a woman to be enlisted in the army and served for one and a half years before being discovered. That became an issue for us. We, however, listed her because history acknowledged her.

Also, I had to defend my reason for Hillary Clinton being on the list. Hillary made the list because even as the wife of the President, she contested and won the election into the Senate, as if to say that “I also have an idea that would take America to a great height. The idea is that we shouldn’t be complacent.

Which figure dates further backs than others?

Pythagoras. The youngest in the lot is that outstanding footballer from Barcelona, Lionel Messi.

Are you a Barcelona CFC fan?

Laughs. Yes. I used to be a Man U fan until Man U became a whipping boy. I have since moved to Barcelona. I love the club because of Messi and Lemar.

Hope that did not influence your choice?

No.

US varsity honours Nigerian scholar

Wisconsin system, the Africana, and the world at large.

“To mark this historic event, international scholars, writers and speakers are expected to dialogue and participate in the celebration of the remarkable Archival Collection of the literary icon now being acquired by the University of Wisconsin, in addition to showcasing a production from Onwueme’s award-winning plays during the event.

“As you are aware, Dr. Onwueme is the recipient of several prestigious national and international awards, including the Fonlon-Nichols Award, the Phyllis Wheatley/Nwapa Award for outstanding black writers, the Martin Luther King, Jr./Caeser Chavez Distinguished Writers Award, the African Distinguished Writers Award, and the Association of Nigerian Authors Award (ANA). The Archival Collection, including the author’s original manuscripts, creative life-work and other materials related to her scholarly and professional career are being donated to the University of WisconsinEau Claire Foundation. In turn, these materials will then be given to the Special Collections & Archives Department of the University of Wisconsin Library and become a permanent resource for scholars, students, and teaching faculty across the world.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

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The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

•Ainu sculptor, Toru Kaizawa with Ikwuemesi in Hokkaido, 2009

R

ENOWNED Nigerian artist and scholar Prof Chuu Krydz Ikwuemesi has said colonisation and neo-colonisation have taken a terrible toll on Igbo art traditions, thus, causing them to struggle between death and survival. He noted that unlike in Ainu in Hokkaido, Japan, colonisation in Igbo land was quick and dogged in displacing Igbo autochthonous religion through the instrumentality of Christianity.

“Although a number of Christian missionaries lived and worked in Hokkaido, Christians in Hokkaido today remain very few and far between,” he said.

He explained that in Igbo world, Christianity has taken a great toll and has had positive and negative influences on art. He said for Ainu, Christianity has very little or no impact on their lives and art. He, however, noted that although the art of both peoples suffered from non-recognition by their colonisers in their different historical and political developments, post-colonial Igbo art seems to have attained more recognition as art internationally than has Ainu art.

“While the international recognition of Igbo art is due in part to the flourish of African Studies Centres and some major exhibits of African art in the Western world, especially from the 1980s onwards, the poor perception of Ainu art persists as a result of the attitude of Japanese curators and art historians as well as the inability of Ainu artists themselves to see theirs as art,” he said.

Ikwuemesi, who spoke on Art and Culture among the Igbo of Nigeria and the Ainu of Japan in the Postcolonial Period: a critical survey as guest lecturer at the fifth OYASAF lecture in Lagos, observed that arts and promotion of culture are alive and well in Japan, adding that the ‘type of crowd you find at a major shopping mall in Lagos is what you find in a museum in Japan.’

“Everything there carries art- from food utensils to clothes etc. Unfortunately in Nigeria, the reverse is the case and we are doing great harm to ourselves. The ignorance and arrogance of our politicians are also serious undoing too,” he added.

According to him, Igbo and Ainu arts continue to survive in various degrees and in spite of modernisation and technological advancement of both societies, their arts derive much from nature as is common with ethnic art. He said plants, humans, animals, rivers, rains and other things remain possible elements in Igbo and Ainu art, but that to different degrees, both art traditions abhorred realism or figural representation.

“For Igbo art, representation was not totally ruled out, but realism and resemblance were not highly encouraged for fear of witch-

•Goddess of Elm by Nuburi Toko

‘Why Igbo artists abhor realism’ Ever wondered why some Igbo artists do not embrace realism in their works? Is it a taboo rooted in religion or witchcraft? Prof Chuu Krydz Ikwuemesi’s critical survey on Igbo and Ainu (Japan) art provides the answer, reports Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME. LECTURE craft. Thus both human and animal figures featured alongside organic and other forms but in often abstracted modes. This is not exactly the case in Ainu art where pure abstract forms and symbols are favoured also for the same reason of witchcraft and other taboos rooted in religion,” he said.

Ikwuemesi, who had his sabbatical at the Osaka National Museum of Ethnology, Japan in 2008, identified religion as one major factor that had considerable influence on the arts of both people. He noted that unlike Ainu, in Igbo art, gods and totems can be the subject matter and can be depicted formally or alluded to aesthetically and iconographical; as well as celebrated thematically. But

NICO to host SONTA 2015

T

HE National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) has accepted to host the 2015 annual international conference of the Society of Nigerian Theatre Artists (SONTA).

This is coming on the heels of the request

by SONTA, the assemblage of academics in Theatre Arts, that the institute host its conference next year, SONTA 2015.

A statement by NICO Executive Secretary, Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, said the institute was ready to host the 28th edition of SONTA’s Annual International Conference and has constituted a Local Organising Committee (LOC) under the chairmanship of Abayomi Oyelola, who is the Director, Administration and Human Resources of NICO, with the Executive Secretary serving as the Convener.

According to Ayakoroma, the hosting of SONTA 2015 presents a veritable platform to further bring the potentials of the Institute to the fore, and proffers a platform that will draw reputable Thespians from across the globe where NICO staffers can key into the programme as they will be expected to serve in different sub-committees finance, accommodation, entertainment, transport, plenary session amongst others.

The management of NICO is optimistic that with preparations towards the hosting of SONTA 2015 already in place, the outcome of the conference will serve as a benchmark for the body for subsequent conferences.

The Society of Nigerian Theatre Artists

for Ainu, he said, the role and place of gods may not be as direct because Ainu carvers have to give thanks to ‘kamuy’ before they begin a work, even at the very point of felling a tree intended for carving.

Present at the lecture were Prince Yemisi Shyllon, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, Kolade Oshinowo, Olu Amoda, Deola Balogun, …..

NAPTIP office rebranded

By Nneka Nwaneri

T

•Dr. Ayakoroma

By Ozolua Uhakheme

CULTURE (SONTA), an umbrella body of theatre arts lecturers in higher institutions in Nigeria, was established in 1982, with the mission of research, promotion of academics and robust practices in theatre, culture, media arts and film.

FACILITY

HE head office of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and Other related Matters (NAPTIP) has been inaugurated by the Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to Nigeria and Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS), Michel Arion.

Arion, who was represented by First Secretary, Alan Munday, handed over a wide range of IT equipment comprising internet servers, 50 desktop computers and network printers among other facilities.

The inauguration of the facility followed support from the European Union (EU), within the framework of the EU-funded project ‘Promoting Better Management of Migration in Nigeria by Combating and Reducing Irregular Migration that occurs, inter alia, through Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and Smuggling of Migrants (SOM)’ project. This project is being implemented by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

Arion said NAPTIP is the European Union’s key when it comes to turning words into action to fight trafficking of Human beings and smuggling of migrants. This, he added, will make life more comfortable for the youngest victims of trafficking. The equipment, he said will help increase its staff performance.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 15, 2014

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NEWS

I’m not prepared for consensus candidate, says Atiku

F

ORMER Vice-President and All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirant Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has said he is not prepared for a consensus in choosing the party’s candidate for next year’s elections.

He also said unless the nation’s leadership breaks what he called the mafias in the energy sector, the nation may not get the two vital areas to function well.

Addressing reporters in Abuja ahead of a policy review summit to be held in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, the APC chieftain said the party’s leadership had met at various fora and decided to go for the primaries.

Atiku said: “When we came in (in 1999), I told my boss, the then President (Olusegun Obasanjo) that there were two mafias in this country: the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) mafias, and that unless you break those mafias, you would never get those two institutions to work.

“Unfortunately, up till now, we have not been able to break those mafias. So, one thing you must do is to be prepared to dismantle the mafia in NEPA, now Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) which, up till now, has not allowed us to have sufficient power supply and the mafia in the NNPC.” The former vice-president noted that “running government is business today”.

He added: “If you don’t know how to run a business, please, don’t try to run a government. Some people think that a government can do everything but government does not have the money to do everything.

“The jobs that are being created in developed economies are being created by the private sector and not by the government. But we continue to make the mistake that a government can create the jobs we want.”

The former vice-president said the nation had “recorded very impressive gross domestic product (GDP) growth and very impressive macroeconomic stability over the years, starting from our administration”.

According to him, the impressive

From Nduka Chiejina and Tony Akowe, Abuja

growth had not trickled down to the ordinary man.

Atiku said: “This is because the way government is so structured is such that the wealth will continue to remain in the hands of a few people in the top echelon of the population. In order words, we have been stunted and our job creation record has been very bad. So, it is only when the job creation effort is good that the growth in GDP can be translated because, at the moment, we have the highest rate of unemployment, which is not good.

“One of the ways I have proposed to go about this is to say the major creators of jobs, I would like to work with each of them and give them a tax rebate. But they must create, say, half a million jobs for me.

“But people have said I would lose a lot of tax from that. But my response is that those young men and women who will be employed are also going to pay tax. So, from giving a tax rebate, I am also going to recover a larger taxable base.

“We need to be careful. Running a government is like running a business nowadays. If you do not know how to run a business, please don’t venture into running a government; don’t think government can do everything. Government does not have the money to do everything. Jobs that are being created in developed economies are being developed by the private sector. But we continue to make the mistake in this country that the government can create all the jobs we need.”

On consensus, the aspirant said: “We have met as a caucus, as a Board of Trustees (BOT), as a National Executive Council (NEC), but we have decided to go the primaries.”

On job creation, Atiku said: “You don’t have to reduce the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to create jobs. MDAs are good but they are mostly governmentfunded. Right now, our revenue is on the decline. Before, we were exporting 2.3 million barrels of oil per day. But today, we are exporting 1.8 million per day and the price is falling.

•Atiku (middle) receiving his expression of interest form from All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun (left). With them is former Education Minister, Prof Babalola Borishade

‘APC is envisaged by the founding fathers to develop the capacity to provide this nation with a leadership that will be committed to the welfare of the people, whose choice will be determined by the common good and the popular will of all Nigerians...’

“I can bet you: if you are relying on MDAs to create employment, the government will be faced with ‘how do we close this or streamline this?’

But if you encourage the private sector to bring foreign investors, they will come and create jobs 10 times more than what the MDAs can create.

“Stop looking at employment creation solely as a government responsibility; it is government’s responsibility to see that jobs are created and those jobs can be created if the private sector is stimulated with unrestricted direct funding and make it easy for investors to come on board.

“I didn’t privatise the refineries, neither did I privatise the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL). What is the problem if I

call Aliko Dangote and say, ‘Aliko, I am going to give you a 10 per cent tax rebate but can you give me a million jobs?’

“If he says he can, fine. I will have one million jobs created and out of those one million jobs, of course, they will pay tax. So, why do you say that I don’t have the will? I want to challenge anybody to give me the opportunity to see whether I have the will or not.”

On the summit, Atiku said: “As you know, over the years, anytime I tried to run for the Presidency, I always made sure that I prepared myself to be President. It is up to Nigerians to elect whoever they want to elect. But the point is that he should not be found wanting and he should not learn on the job. He must be on the job well prepared.

“Again, this is another opportunity that God and Nigerians have given me to make another attempt.

Therefore, I am aware that the gentlemen of the press constitute an important partner in our effort to establish the APC as an enduring alternative political platform with a sustainable legitimacy.

“The APC is envisaged by the founding fathers to develop the capacity to provide this nation with a leadership that will be committed to the welfare of the people, whose choice will be determined by the common good and the popular will of all Nigerians. My declaration on September 24 to present myself for nomination as an aspirant of the APC for the 2015 election was our first major outing.

“It was a deliberate policy to make the event an interactive session with the youths. We made it clear to the leadership of the party that it was not going to be a rally or a campaign because it was not yet time for that.

“We thank the over 30 youth groups that participated in the event. It was clear from their contributions that it is their future that is at stake. Their submissions with respect to their pains, needs and wants constitute a major input in our draft policy.

“The purpose of this press conference is to announce that we will be hosting a policy review summit on October 27 at the Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta.

“The summit will host a panel of experts who will fine-tune the elements needed for the Atiku 2015 policy document. The draft policy to be reviewed was drawn up within the context of the manifesto of the APC. Nothing was done outside the manifesto.

“The main thrust is the exclusive bid to modify the way the machinery of government works by providing the political base, vision and capacity to lead this great nation with a great population, plan and streamline the MDAs with a view to removing overlaps and operational redundancy, systematically devolving and delegating operational responsibilities to states and local government and private sector organisations, addressing habits and practices that hinder policy implementations.”

Why we can’t tackle corruption, by NLC chief Ajearo

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IGERIA Labour Congress (NLC) Deputy President Joe Ajearo has explained why the union has not been able to tackle corruption in the country.

He said the NLC lacked the right “mechanism” to fight the menace.

Ajaero noted that although it was necessary for the umbrella labour union to engage in such action, but it had not partnered appropriate agencies, especially the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on the matter.

The labour chieftain spoke yesterday in Abuja.

He stressed the need for the union to adopt a credible and efficient recruitment of members.

Ajaero said: “We have not really institutionalised a mechanism to insist on probing a person found to have corruptly enriched himself.

Labour can think in that line. For us to do that, we don’t have the police or the EFCC. It may end at the level of agitation.

•Labour chief faults recruitment process From Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

“You know also that this has a legal limitation because the law says nobody is guilty until proven innocent. That is a limitation. We can quantify, morally, that this person is guilty. But if there is no clear case of corruption, we are limited.”

The union leader acknowledged that he was recruited from students’ unionism to union politics.

He hailed other former students’ union leaders, like Comrade Salisu Mohammed, John Oda, among others, were recruited into the NLC. Ajaero alleged some of today’s unionists lacked the requisite ideology, unlike those in the early years of unionism.

According to him, present members of the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) cannot be absorbed into the union.

He said: “Today, you wonder the

recruitment process. But if you are to replicate it, will you say you want to recruit the kinds of NANS you see today, compared to the former ones, who engaged General Ibrahim Babangida? When everyone left, it was only NANS that engaged him and the military.

“Even the place you want to recruit from, what is left of it? So, whatever is happening in the society has the tendency to reflect on other parts of it - labour, academics and others.

“The value system of graduate in Nigeria has been bastardised. You cannot do anyhow in those days.

In these days, even when they know you are corrupt, they will celebrate and give you a traditional title.”

Ajearo regretted the dwindling educational and value system in the country.

The union leader noted that workers, except former NLC President and Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomole, refused to show interest in political positions.

He cited situations where political office aspirants took oaths from god fathers before they could be sponsored for elections.

Ajaero said: “If you have an agreement with your godfather, like ‘I will give you N100 million and you will pay back N150 million’, when you win an election and enter office, it is another level of looting for you to meet up.”

The NLC chief noted that ordinary workers cannot fund their quest for political positions because election processes had been commercialised. “...The people will need good governance. When those godfathers mortgage you, at the end of

the day, you start bringing returns, if you are elected a governor (for instance),” he added.

Ajearo promised to make a difference if elected the NLC at the next delegates’ conference.

On why the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) appeared inactive, compared to the tenure of former labour presidents, he said the commitment to labour administrations varies.

According to him, someone who was actively involved in labour from his early age cannot be compared with others who engaged in labour activities on a part-time basis.

“There is another problem, which is societal. Before now, you could not serve as a unionist without being ideological. You must have it. Those ideologies guided your principle. You could not seek positions to cheapen yourself but to defend the workers,” Ajearo said.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

19

COMMENTARY LETTER

EDITORIALS

Nigerian youths and the future

Internal refugees

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•Boko Haram-inspired Northern Nigeria’s crisis highlights the United Nations’ focus on an increasing world trend

N a thought-provoking wake-up call, the United Nations (UN) highlighted the unprecedented scale of internal displacement in the country in the context of worsening global statistics on domestic refugees. The UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, observed: “Never before in United Nations history have we had so many refugees, displaced people and asylum-seekers. Never before has the United Nations been asked to reach so many with emergency food assistance and other lifesaving support.”

It was fitting that Ban Ki-moon focused on this reality at the yearly meeting of the organisation’s High Commissioner for Refugees’ Governing Executive Committee in Geneva; and it is instructive to note that his speech not only mirrored the escalating problem, but also illustrated his concern, which was underscored by the fact that he is the first UN secretary-general to address the committee in a decade.

“Some of the challenges are on the front pages,” he said, adding, “These include people fleeing from war and civil strife from the Central African Republic to northern Nigeria; from the Horn of Africa to the Sahel.” It is a serious cause for alarm that Ban Ki-moon said more than two million people in Africa had been forced to leave their homes this year.

Indeed, it is unsurprising that he mentioned northern Nigeria. Such inclusion should have been expected, given the fiveyear-old violent campaign by Islamist terrorists in the region, operating under the name Boko Haram. It is no news that as a result of frighteningly regular bombings, raids and kidnappings carried out by the terrorists,Adamawa, Borno and Yobe

states have become unlivable for a large number of people. Out of 33 million internal refugees across the world, about 3.3 million Nigerians are internally displaced because of the insurgency, according to the 2014 Report of the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre and the Norwegian Refugee Council. Perhaps even more disheartening is the continuation of the murderous activities that encourage displacement.

However, it is noteworthy that the tragedy of forced homelessness in the country, which is what such dislodgement represents, has other angles beyond the actions of terrorists. The different faces of internal displacement can be seen in victims of flood, those who suffer because of settler/indigene clashes or as a result of conflicts between cattle rearers and landowners, to mention just a few of the various situations that create internal refugees in the country.

What is to be done? Ban Ki-moon’s perspective on the solution is enlightening. He said: “This requires greater resources and more political leadership. It also requires unprecedented cooperation by the international community.” In addition, he emphasised a need to place human rights at the centre of people’s thinking and collective efforts in the field.

There is no doubt about the usefulness of Ban Ki-moon’s approach, particularly in relation to the Nigerian experience. The question of political leadership and state capacity, for instance, is at the heart of the country’s anti-terror war; and it cannot be overemphasised that the restoration of peace in the affected region would go a long way in addressing the increasing dis-

placement of the affected.

Furthermore, in the case of natural disasters, like flood, for example, there is a need for greater empathy not only by those in political offices, but by wellresourced private entities as well. It is socially helpful to encourage the thinking: Be your brother’s keeper. The UN chief suggested that countries with displaced populations ought to reflect their needs in national development plans, which is a wise idea. Also important is the promotion of human rights through a sustained awareness campaign, which would help in tackling unreasonable discrimination and tendencies that breed disunity.

For Nigeria, Ban Ki-moon’s expressed unease should prompt a local response by the political authorities, the private sector and the larger community. The country should not just give more thought to the problem of internal displacement and the issues that fuel it. Action must be taken to check those things that make a place uninhabitable for people who might otherwise wish to live there.

‘For Nigeria, Ban Ki-moon’s expressed unease should prompt a local response by the political authorities, the private sector and the larger community ... Action must be taken to check those things that make a place uninhabitable for people who might otherwise wish to live there’

Civilian JTF to the rescue

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•These heroes have shown that the war against terror and guerillas could only be successfully fought in partnership with the people

INCE the story of the battle to rid the Nigerian territory of terrorists changed for the better, we do not seem to have put enough value on the contribution of the civilians who constituted themselves into a Joint Task Force to defend their fatherland. The hunters and young men mainly in Borno State picked up the gauntlet and threw all they had into resisting the merchants of death who have been peddling death in the state –prowling, boasting and hoisting flags. In the process, our military men were said to have fled the scene, leaving the people, young and old, at the mercy of the insurgents. But, the Civilian JTF, to the detriment of their own lives rose to the occasion and faced tanks with crude weapons and sticks.

At a point when the terrorists were

‘These young men and ordinary citizens are true heroes. Many of them barely could eke out a living.

Hardly had any members of their families benefitted anything of the Nigerians state.

They rose up and, imbued with patriotism, chose to defend their ancestral homes, ready to die in the process if necessary ... These men must not be forgotten’

within kilometres of Maiduguri and threatened the Shehu of Bornu’s palace, these heroes massed around the palace and formed a bulwark - untrained and unassisted by the military. They were also useful in the battle to reclaim Konduga from the terrorists. We easily recall how the military and the police were sacked from Gwoza and morale fell in the armed forces; how military commanders lost control of their men and how some fled or strayed into neighbouring Cameroon.

It took the bravery of these largely untrained but dedicated Nigerians to save the territory and repel attacks. Most times at great costs to them and their communities.

These young men and ordinary citizens are true heroes. Many of them barely could eke out a living. Hardly had any members of their families benefitted anything of the Nigerians state. They rose up and, imbued with patriotism, chose to defend their ancestral homes, ready to die in the process if necessary.

The example of the Civilian JTF has shown what the ordinary Nigerian could do if challenged by the state. These men must not be forgotten. They have been used to stem a tide and should not be dropped like rotten apple as soon as the danger has gone away. The reported plan to get them trained and, where applicable, drafted into the formal structures of the military, is commendable. Those who may not be found fit for the rigour and discipline needed for recruitment into the armed forces should be retooled for a useful future.

The contribution of the Civilian JTF has

shown that there must be partnership between the military and the civilian population if progress is ever to be made in the defence of Nigeria’s territorial integrity. The local people know the territory and the enemies better than the military men who had been drafted from all parts of the country. Besides, their feeling for the land could not be compared to the artificially activated love of the men of the armed forces. The recent trial of officers and men of the army for mutiny and sabotage underscores the point that patriotism in its natural form is superior to those learnt and taught in the classrooms.

However, it must be pointed out that they should not be turned to cannon fodders in this war. It has been shown that these terrorists are heavily armed and well financed. It would be unfair to recruit thousands of the civilians in the area merely to confront Armoured Personnel carriers, with sticks. They would, at this point, be more useful in providing intelligence than in being turned into a fighting force.

Beyond investing in the future of these young heroes, children and widows of those who fell should be adopted by governments at the various levels to demonstrate that there is reward for whoever chooses to partner with the Nigerian state. It is also a unique opportunity for the armed forces to interact with the people, take interest in the education of some orphans by adopting and enrolling them in military schools.

These rare Nigerians deserve the gratitude of Nigeria and Nigerians.

A

S 2015 general election draw close, we have seen an influx of different campaign groups across the country. Top on the list is Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, with the mission to re-elect Goodluck Jonathan as President of Nigeria come 2015.

Other political parties have also been playing their jingles on television and radio stations appealing to Nigerians to vote their parties in the forth coming general elections.

When I watch the way youths attend and participate in political rallies, I am bewildered at the level of our ignorance. When are we going to learn our lessons as youths in this country?

I was a student of History and International Relations at Imo State University, Owerri in 2011 when Jonathan was campaigning to be elected as president. What moved me among his campaign promises was his agenda for the youths: eradication of all forms of restiveness through youth empowerment schemes, creation of millions of jobs for the millions of unemployed youths.

He promised breadth of fresh air if elected. I was convinced at that time that he will deliver his campaign promises if elected considering the circumstances surrounding his emergence.

Nigerian youths came out en masse and voted for him. He won with a clear margin. I will leave the question of Jonathan’s performance on the lips of every Nigerian youth that voted for him in 2011. Suffice to say however that three years down the line, I have since graduated and done my one year mandatory National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) programme, yet, I have no job. I am just one out of millions of graduates without jobs.

I always ask myself: what is the motivation behind the number of youths that storm venues of political rallies? Good governance or money factor? From my research, I discovered that 80% of those youths in such rallies are unemployed, that is why they can be able to go to such rallies as early as 6 a.m in support of desperate politicians that care only about office.

Why will I support a politician that can’t give me a job or guarantee my security in my own country? Why will I identify with a politician that glorifies corruption and celebrates with the convicted? Do I have a future with such politician(s) as president?

One of my friends once told me that if PDP decides to adopt a moron as presidential candidate in the coming election, he will gladly vote the person as long as it is PDP. His reason was that PDP knows how to share money unlike other political parties. To my friend, there is nothing like good governance!

Of course, politicians know that the youths are vulnerable. That’s why they won’t create policies or institutions that will provide sustainable jobs for the teeming unemployed youths. Rather they reserve the few available jobs for their children.

Enugu State government declared September 25, work-free day in support of President Jonathan’s reelection bid. Seventy percent of the people in attendance were youths. Some came from neighbouring states as early as 5 a.m. After the rally money was shared as usual.

The earlier Nigerian youths start changing their mindsets about the way they see these politicians, the better it will be for our nation. The earlier we realize we can make a change in this country, the better for us.

We make up the largest population segment and that’s the greatest advantage. Stomach infrastructures like bag of rice, bag of garri, and cash will not last forever.

A responsible government will create policies and structures that will last for generations.

Youths should think twice and vote wisely as the power to decide who leads us in 2015 is in our hands.

February 2015 is the time.

• Joe Onwukeme Enugu

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

• Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Adekunle Ade-Adeleye •Editor, Online Lekan Otufodunrin •Managing Editor Northern Operation Yusuf Alli •Managing Editor Waheed Odusile

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

20

CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: The late Satyagraha and social crusader, Tai Solarin, in one of his anecdotal portrayals posited that, “the hand of an elderly man cannot enter the gourd and the child cannot carry it. It therefore behooves both of them to get out the content of the gourd and to carry it forward through co-operation”.

The lack of co-operation between governments and most corporations in the execution of corporate social responsibilities have precipitated structural and developmental anarchy and entropy in Delta State and Nigeria. Although, Section 14 subsection 2(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria under Fundamental Objectives and the Directive Principles of State Policy states that, “the security and welfare of the people

S

IR: The unlawful arrest and detention of journalist Amechi Anekwe on the order of Assistant Inspector General of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu, is an attack on free speech as guaranteed by our extant laws. Mbu overreached himself by this deplorable act, and there is no better time to show him the exit door by his employers than now.

The newly promoted AIG was reported to have ordered the said arrest and detention of the African Independent Television (AIT)’s presenter Anakwe for referring to him as a “controversial” during a TV programme, “Matters Arising”.

The journalist who was “invited” to the Force Headquarters, Abuja, was said to have been goaded into detention upon arrival by no less a person than “lion” Mbu himself whose performance in recent times has continued to draw wild condemnation and criticism by the general public.

Mbu has admitted ordering the arrest but maintained the journalist was not tortured while being detained unlawfully. By this feeble defence, Mbu seems to be making case for the police power of arrest. But he missed the point. No one is questioning the power of the police to make lawful arrest; far from it. What Nigerians are criti-

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Warri roads and corporate social (ir)responsibility shall be the primary purpose of Government”, the blatant lackadaisical attitude of most companies in the discharge of their corporate social responsibilities remains grotesquely recondite.

Glaringly cases are the gullies, static flood water and sandy dunes opposite Sterling Bank, Zenith Bank

by Odibo Estate, Donasulu Company, Stanbic Bank, Heritage/ Agape Church along the Warri/

Effurun Sapele Road, PTI Road opposite PHCN’s Office, Giwa-Amu

by Okere Ugborikoko Road, GiwaAmu by Apala Junction, Giwa-Amu

by Eta Junction, Ginuwa Road opposite Johnson & Jones Chemist, Old Walfare Road Radio Road by Igbudu Market.

There are horrendously deadly scenarios re-enacted along the Airport Road by Union Bank, Pegofor, Isoko Plant Hire Company, Oppo-

site Awenayeri Filling Station, Amju Bank, Ogborikoko Market, Fortune Bank, Greener Line Filling Staion, opposte Cambridge School, Kosini Junction, Ogunu by Angle Pack, Roundabout/ Junction opposite Angle Pack, opposite Federal Government College, opposite Rewane Villa/ Mobile Police Quarters Okere/Urhobo Junction, the express road through Ugbuwangue to the NPA gate and all its adjoin-

Call AIG Mbu to order

cising is the circumstances surrounding this particular arrest and the unlawfulness thereof. This was a similar question the Federal High Court, Anambra, was invited to consider in the recent case of Mallam el-Rufai versus Department of State Security wherein the court declared as unlawful the arrest and detention of the former FCT Minister. Security agents are not permitted under our law to exercise their power of arrest arbitrarily and Mbu must realise this!

Mbu ordinarily ought to know that the presenter was merely carrying out his journalistic duty as enshrined in Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). In case he doesn’t know, the principle of “fair comment” shields journalists from libel. It needs be stated that Nigerians are yet to overcome the unnecessary political upheaval created by Mbu in Rivers State during his stay as Commissioner Police.

He did not only hold the office of the state governor in contempt, his reign in the state witnessed total clampdown on freedom of speech and assembly, wanton destruction of lives and properties, and atmosphere of anarchy and chaos. It took the public outrage before his employers eventually redeployed him to Abuja. He became even more “controversial” as the CP, Abuja

when he attempted to proscribe the activities of #BringBackOurGirls# campaigners. But thankfully he was called to order by the more refined former IGP, Mohammed Abubakar, who appeared to know the negative image he (Mbu) was creating for the police at the time.

If Mbu felt displeased or embarrassed by the comments of the journalist, one expects him to toe the path of civility by approaching the court rather than use his position to intimidate the helpless journalist. Ironically, the top police officer who should rather be

discouraging the use of self-help is now the one applying it. He should be told in clear terms that modern policing has gone past the era of arbitrariness, intimidation and application of naked force.

Such practice is no longer acceptable anywhere in the world. If Mbu is not ready to accept international best practices, he should throw in the towel or be removed by his employers. Enough of this impunity!

•Barrister Okoro Gabriel, Ebonyi State.

ing roads.

The main express from bye-pass is an eyesore as the express road is dotted by potholes and the indiscriminate parking of petrol tankers after the Army Barrack along the major thoroughfare has been the cause of needless loss of lives and avoidable accidents.

This pothole drama is virtually epitomized in three-quarter of Effurun and Warri areas. The absence of culverts and central drainage systems in Effurun/Warri roads has further compounded the state of the roads and the bitumen surfacing are easily washed away during torrential rains.

We call on all corporate bodies, individuals to work in unison with the Uduaghan administration’s construction drive to ensure a broad outreach to the citizenry. Governor Uduaghan can do better by constructing culverts/drainage facilities in most of the roads he has done.

A simple move to macadamize and fill them will go along way.

Finally, organizing Neanderthal thanksgiving services in churches for flood short circuiting for 2013 is antediluvian, pristine and escapist.

The state government must focus on massive construction of roads, drainages and bridges working in unison with corporate bodies to forestall floods and untold hardship for motorist and pedestrians.

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• Chief Bobson Gbinije Warri, Delta State

Attention: Taraba acting governor

S

IR: It is, no doubt, getting worse and completely hard for Local Government retirees in Taraba State, whose retirement benefits have not been paid for years, to endure the artificial hardships they are going through. These are people that are supposed to be supported and treated with mercy but are left in despair and misery.

It appalling and unfortunate that the state government under the leadership of His Excellency the acting governor AlhajiGarba Umar is taciturn to the cry and plight of these gentlemen and women. Their retirement benefits are hanging in an un-

known place. It was said last year that the state acting governor had given directive and with needed funds for that purpose but nothing positive came out.

Surprisingly, money is always being deducted from the Local Government allocation through the state and local government joint accounts for such purposes. But the result is always negative. It has been heard, read and seen that everything has been captured and budgeted in that regard. For about more than two years now, the state government keeps on saying “very soon” the beneficiaries will get

their benefits but up till now nothing has been done. We implore the state government to show concern and seriousness on the well-being and welfare of these people who served their local governments in different capacities for many years.

Therefore, it is also the immediate responbility of Governor Umar (sardaunan Mambila) to intervene and bring an end to their protracted plight. With the intervention of the state acting governor, it is hoped and believed that very soon, they will get their retirement benefits paid.

Danjuma Dila, Taraba State.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

21

COMMENTS

‘Our Girls’; Naira; 2015 manifestos: Kerosene Vs Gas stoves; Fulani War: Fast from blood cow meat!

O

UR girls are still missing since April 15 even as we pray and write about them and call their names to keep them in the public eye and ensure they are a serious point Tony of focus of government’s Marinho attention.

The naira should not be devalued in the face of dwindling oil sales. Cut the excessive salaries and perks of political office holders for a start.

It will be disgraceful if no 2015 political party plans and manifestos seriously address the need to replace slow, smoky kerosene nationwide with quick, clean domestic gas and upgrade solar power to a major source of power. The experts say government should provide 1-3million gas cylinders and cookers and give them away instead of all these political gifts. The idea is reduced kerosene imports, reduced cooking time by two hours a day for all mothers, cleaner kitchens and air, fewer lung illnesses and cancellation of kerosene subsidy.

Solar power must be taken seriously in sunny Africa where the government is still planning only 20,000Mw by 2020 when the population and demand would expect about 200,000Mw. The ravages of Boko Haram know no bounds but the Fulani herdsmen and terrorist associates are close behind. Now they are killing soldiers, governments can no longer ignore them.

When an NGO raised an alarm, the Kaduna State government did not decry the deaths. Instead it created fictitious ‘motives’ for the NGO’s alarm. Governments always react to the speaker rather than to the substance. The Fulani War has historic/ military/economic components, unlike the Boko Haram War which has politico-religious-international terrorism dimensions.

There is an urgent need for a solution to the Fulani War terrorising citizens in seven states in North and South, costing 3,000 lives, livelihood and ancestral homes creating victims and refugees. If you want to know what a refugee goes through, then wake up one day, move into your garden shed

S

TILL focusing on Nigeria, there can be very little doubt that the team’s final outcome in the group games was exactly what should have been realistically expected from the team by even the most ardent and optimistic of supporters. Qualifying from the group was a beautiful feeling even amidst the largely predictable loss to Argentina in the last group game when the Eagles lost 3-2 in a thrilling match. And with regard to the dearth of quality throughout the squad, this became clearer as the tournament progressed and the demand for a wider use of squad depth was required. It was not merely cluelessness on his part that Stephen Keshi could not make some changes when everyone expected him to do so. It was not as straightforward as everyone thought because, right there on the bench, the team did not seem to have the sort of players you could bring on to really change things radically. And so the coach was, in my opinion, severely hamstrung.

Players like Shola Ameobi, with all due respect to his professional experience and commitment, went to the World Cup short of what the tournament requires. Others like Mikel Obi and Victor Moses, although went with a higher reputation but never lived up to expectations in many regards. Victor Moses seemed uninterested, and never bothered to put in any extra yards.

And in truth, the Chelsea FC of England attacker has been like that – lazy, lifeless, uninspired and uninspiring – for some time now. It is the reason he was flogged out on loan to Liverpool FC last season and also why he barely played also for Liverpool during his loan spell

or into the open with nothing for a day - little or no food and water, poor shelter, no toilet, no news, no money, no toiletries or bedding and no family. In other countries the deaths of 30-50 people a day would be a Matter of Urgent National Importance, MUNI, at National Assembly and NEC meetings and effective military manoeuvres. Under pressure perhaps, the National Conference ignored the matter.

The Fulani War requires an initiative, framework and a Truth and Resolution Commission. Farmers are traditionally peaceful but fiercely protective of lands, crops and families. There is no human being who will watch while an animal eats his crops and livelihood-unless he is dead. In the quest for peace in this Fulani War, there are questions. What is the Fulani relationship with other ethnic groups it did not militarily defeat in the past? There are over 100 other ethnic groups in the North. Is the Fulani hierarchy executing a military plot/plan to obtain by guerrilla warfare what it could not obtain by war in the historical past - the subjugation or pacification of the non- Fulani controlled areas? Is the federal government turning a blind eye to the Fulani War but always coming down on the recipient of such violence if any resistance or attempt to arm for defence occurs? Is the accusation by the Fulani of cattle theft genuine or the retaliatory seizing of cattle in compensation for the destruction?

Why are cattle moved by foot when, like all other commodities from the North like onions or tomatoes or yams, they can be fully prepared or fattened in the North and then shipped by rail and the road as methods of choice and safety?

A three day North-South trip by trailer reduces the ‘Need to Feed’ and amount of feed taken from the farmers on the foot route by millions of metric tonnes of grass by 99%. Dr Wale Okediran, former member House of Representatives, offered solutions in his book Tenants of the House which should be read by members of any Peace Commission on the Fulani War. Of course if the Fulani War is not just about cows and is more about power, the commission would have to expand its brief. This war has already caused losses of peace and tranquillity in the haven of peace, the Plateau. Additionally there will be consequences for feeding the nation, food prices, shortages and even famine. Why do we trivialise the terrori-

sation and deaths of babies, children, youth and adults, all ‘Fellow Nigerians’ deliberately targeted and without any protection?

The Fulani War needs massive media attention and government must step in with troops before more soldiers and civilians are killed. If it is only about cows, and not politics, then it is time for all Nigerians to fast and pray for an end to the Fulani War. Who wants to eat a cow that has fed in the farms of the murdered and dead? Is this not ‘Blood Cows’ like blood diamonds and blood oil? If we Nigerians stop eating cows in sympathy with the deceased as we pray for solutions, perhaps the herdsmen will stop this violence. How can anyone sit with family and eat cow meat knowing someone died to allow the cow to reach the table? Whatever the cause and conclusion, the Fulani War needs a truce. Unlike for the Boko Haram War, we cannot blame foreign backing for the Fulani War unless we agree that we are all foreigners to each other in Nigeria.

‘Why are cattle moved by foot when, like all other commodities from the North like onions or tomatoes or yams, they can be fully prepared or fattened in the North and then shipped by rail and the road as methods of choice and safety? A three day North-South trip by trailer reduces the ‘Need to Feed’ and amount of feed taken from the farmers on the foot route by millions of metric tonnes of grass by 99%’

Still on Brazil 2014 (2) with them. As for Mikel, he created more problem for his central midfield partner, Onazi Ogenyi, who, as a result had to run double shift of midfield duties in playing his own role as well as covering for the near-absence of Mikel who seemed more interested in losing the ball from opponents even when it seemed easier to give it to a team mate than trying to prove how physically strong he was. Although this weakness in Mikel’s game had been obvious even before the tournament started, and was all too glaring for all to see, the obvious lack of other players in the squad with the experience and mental knowhow (relatively speaking) required to replace even a so-obviously ineffective Mikel meant that changes by the coaches were a premium choice to have.

Of course, the culmination of that was that once Michael Babatunde got injured in the last group match against Argentina, the Eagles were faced with a big battle to plug a largely Mikel-induced Babatundesized hole. It therefore came as no surprise that the moment Onazi got injured during the last 16 match against France, things went horribly pear-shaped very quickly with the shape of the team, especially in the midfield engine room, falling apart beyond redemption. But why take players to the tournament at all if some of these players could not be counted on to come in to help change things a bit? And the answer takes us back to the fact that, at the moment, we simply do not have enough players playing at a high

‘…At the moment, we simply do not have enough players playing at a high enough level of competitive club football to supply the national team with the required players for a level such as the World Cup’

enough level of competitive club football to supply the national team with the required players for a level such as the World Cup. So, in a few, simple words, the failure of African teams - with the relative exception of Algeria – at the World Cup cannot be too far removed from individual and collective absence of tactical discipline as well as lack of quality at the highest level. Discipline here also applies to off-field issues that dogged a few of the teams at the competition.

Cameroon, Ghana and even Nigeria, to some extent, fall into this category. Cote D’ivoire also unsurprisingly got it wrong for the umpteenth time at a major tournament despite boasting arguably the finest collection of African players of the current generation plying their trade for some of the best football teams around. One does not require the services of a Sharman to know that the Elephants came short, once again, because they failed to harness their undoubted potential into an individually and collectively astute team, tactically and technically.

As for Nigeria, Keshi did not seem to have been allowed to operate with exactly a free hand in spite of what many would think. There were some whispers that Joseph Yobo for instance, as well as one or two other players, were foisted on him. Also, he seemed to be working perpetually under the menacing gaze of the NFF, the sports ministry and others – who were merely praying for him to falter in order to crucify him. Obviously, Keshi himself cannot get away without sharing in some of the blames. As the coach of the team, if one may ask, why was it that the Super Eagles did not have a plan as to what to do with set pieces other than to simply lump the ball towards the penalty area and hope that there is a lucky connection in

favour of the team? Tactically, more astute teams always seem to be able to be inventive with set pieces, and while they don’t always work to plan, at least, it keeps providing the opponent with surprises. Costa Rica, for instance, tried a particular routine on free kicks three or so times in their group game against Uruguay and eventually got a goal from it in the second half. Germans provided a routine against Ghana which looks rather comical and even nonsensical simply because it didn’t go to plan. France scored their second goal against Nigeria from what was an intelligently executed corner kick routine. In a similar vein, defending corners and free kicks, the best teams often have a clear strategy – Germany triumphed due, in some ways, to doing this well. And there is where you put the blame on the doorstep of Keshi and the coaching crew.

There is also some measure of indiscipline we took to the tournament which you cannot necessary coach or ‘un-coach’. For instance, on the field, Osaze Odemwingie, who came from the wilderness back into the team, was, without doubt, one of our better players at the tournament. But there was something wrong in his overall game altogether. The needless urge to hug the ball and showboat, especially in risky zones like in and around his team’s defensive third, was reminiscent of some of the reasons Keshi might have elected to keep him out of the team for a period in the first place. He did that a lot in the previous matches but it became more glaring in the crucial match against France, getting away with it a few times before eventually losing the ball that led to the corner kick leading to the fatal second goal. That answers why some of us felt the team was not primed to go further than they did get: if your most ex-

Dele Agekameh perienced players would act like Osaze did, then what hope do we have on the other less-experienced players?

The hope is that by the time the next World Cup comes around, Africa and in particular, Nigeria, would have imbibed enough lessons from this latest failure at the grand global stage. More realistically though, I think we should be planning more for the World Cup after that (2022) or even the one after that (2026). It took Spain a planning process that began in approximately 1992 to get to win the World Cup in 2010. Similarly, Germany could be said to have arguably started on the road to winning the 2014 World Cup around a decadeand-a-half ago, following a very wretched campaign at the European Championship in 2000. And that is merely just a phase of more concentrated preparations as the Germans have always attended tournaments with teams good enough to jostle with the best. We simply must be more realistic in our expectations and more committed to the true growth of the sport by building better stadia, committing more resources, and the whole gamut, to the game.

• Concluded) Send reactions to: 08058354382 (SMS only)

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

22

COMMENTS ‘Your vigil on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway is very interesting. I want you to travel on these rods: Oyo-Ogbomoso Road; IlorinJebba; Tegina-Makira. In fact, the entire route from Kaduna to Ilorin, you will see what is called the shame of a nation. Please help beg them, I mean the Federal Government/Federal Ministry of Works/ FERMA to please do something on these roads. Thanks. From Dr Toyin Adedokun’

•Olu Onagoruwa

For Dare Olatunji One misjudgment can start a fire, a fight, a war, a pogrom, genocide. A pilot’s misjudgment leads to a plane crash. A doctor’s misjudgment leads to the death of a patient. A civil engineer’s misjudgment leads to a collapsed building. A judge’s misjudgment leads to miscarriage of justice. Just for one misjudgment, Adam and Eve were ejected from the Garden of Eden for life. Never under estimate the impact of a misjudgment. Anonymous Sir, I am happy and fulfilled on your comment - Silk, at last, for a doughty sentry. However long truth is covered it must come up again.

More kudos to our ‘ Ezinne ‘ i.e good mother Mariam Aloma Mukhtar. From Engr Ogbodo Uchenna ,Abia-State Let us thank God that Dr Onagoruwa was finally recognised, honoured and elevated to the rank of SAN. The same cannot be said of Benjamin Adekunle aka Black Scorpion. It is as if he never fought in the Nigeria-Biafra war.

There is a complicity of silence regarding his gallant role in the 3rd Marine Commando. Now that he is dead, maybe those at the helm of affairs in the Nigerian Army will no longer feel threatened and do the right thing by honouring him. From Bimbola Re-Silk, at last, for a doughty sentry. To me, the award of SAN at last, to Dr Onagoruwa, Gabriel Olusoga delay notwithstanding, is a victory to Onagoruwas and a slight to those who had so far robbed him of same, at due date then! For those doing ‘good’, let them continue and those with ‘devilish’ specialization, have their penalty(ies) by the Almighty. Yoruba adage says ‘See all that are being watched by the Eyes’. One day injustice against the Clean Money and materials are important, but those two things alone cannot stop Ebola virus transmission. Human resources are clearly our most important need. – Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General, World Health Organization (WHO).

E are undoubtedly in the age of global capital with its arrogant selfclaim (or is it self-delusion?) as the key and only key driver of growth. The triumph of capitalism (as it were!) has elevated money and finance as indispensable factors of growth. Yet beyond ideological dogma, serious statesmen and development scholars know that it is not yet an end of history for labour and human resource as critical factor of development. The motto of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) sums it up; Labour Creates Wealth.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashidi Al Maktoum, the Vice President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and constitutional monarch of Dubai suffers no radicalism. He remains a hardnosed conservative modernizer. In his latest book, MY VISION, Challenges in the Race for Excellence, he remarks (and I agree with him) that; ”Human beings are the most precious assets of all nations and the most important factors in the progress of countries. We consider the development of human resources as a gauge for the development of our country.”

I searched in vain for some quotable quotes about human resources from Nigeria’s leaders currently jostling for political positions. In 2009 there was a dramatic 35% crash in stock prices. There was a mass frenzy to save the stock market. Trillions of naira was expended by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to rescue and recapitalize six banks in 2010! Open unemployment is as high as 50 per cent. Where are the trillions of naira to reinvent the labour market through re-industrialization, revival of industries and mass employment of the army of unemployed?

In 2014, almost 69 per cent of all candidates who sat for West Africa Examination failed to have five credits including English and Mathematics! Indeed only 31.2 percent (i.e. 528,039

W

will become past tenses. Dr G.O. Onagoruwa, I thank God for you that, you received your SAN while alive. From Lanre Oseni.

Hello Tunji, quite an age! Its long ago I read your work, so when I saw one on Dr Onagoruwa this morning, I quickly read it. As always, it’s an excellent analysis of the sad story on governance here in Nigeria. My best regards. From Tayo Fashoyin Dear Dare, your analysis on Dr Olu Onagoruwa is a lesson for everyman. The summary is embedded in the scriptural passage: 2nd Corinthians 6 vs. 14-18. When men learn that there is no free meal with the devil. Unfortunately, Dr Onagoruwa never learnt the lessons. He lost his high reputation, lost his son and his health. From Pastor Ademola Philip Adetunji It’s on record that Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Dr Onagoruwa’s closest friend like other activists warned him the danger in his romance and accept to work with Abacha government. Anyway Olu has history to contend with. From Comrade Rufus Olusesan, Lagos.

Sir, I was moved to tears seeing the erudite and inimitable Dr Olusoga Gabriel Onagoruwa receiving his belated silk rank in the chambers of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mariam Alooma Muhktar. That Onagoruwa is qualified to wear silk is never in doubt; however the vagaries and challenges of his participation in the late Abacha regime will continue to be in our historical books forever. It is quite unfortunate that Onagoruwa lost a priceless son, a hard earned reputation and his health in the process of contributing to the development of Nigeria, but history will be kind to him.

This is a victory for Dr Onagoruwa himself (being alive to receive the rank), his family for witnessing an epoch and his numerous friends, most whom will continue to contest the rightness or the otherwise of his participation in the ill-fated Abacha government. Commendation to Dr. Tunji Dare for your masterpiece on this great Nigerian. Congratulations my

comrade. From Nurudeen Badejo, Lagos For Segun Gbadegesin Your article captioned “Between Adamawa and Ekiti” refers. It is unfortunate that under the Jonathan government, impunity and corruption have gained notoriety. That Ekiti traditional chiefs have abandoned integrity for which Ekiti was once known for is highly unfortunate. In the past, Ekiti would be counted on the path of truth but now politics of stomach infrastructure has changed everything.

From Olu Oluwaseyin The NJC, should, as a matter of urgency , directed that the case against Fayose be given accelerated hearing before the October 16, if not in Ekiti State but elsewhere . From Olowolagba Kayode , Ibadan .

The era of putting the traditional rulers in the governor’s car boots has come so: they need to come together and display a compulsory solidarity beforehand: we all understand the statement of the traditional rulers.Anonymous PDP does not believe in the rule of law but its belief in the rule of anarchy. We have had several cases where the ruling party refused to obey the caurt rulings among was the case that favoured the former PDP secretary Oyinlola in which the ruling party refused to honour court order. The Inspector General of Police that is being control led by the ruling party said anybody with criminal record will not be allowed to contest, now the same man had given directive in Ekiti not to allow the rule of law to prevail. History is on the side of the oppressed. From Hamza Ozi Momoh Apapa Lagos.

Sir, good day. I read your article “That big show in Abuja” on the Nation’s newspaper of October 2, and I want to comment on the issue of the kidnapped Chibok girls. If they know their whereabouts, why haven’t they been touched to bring them back or have they lost their conscience? Because by now, some

of those girls might have gone very sick, some dead, not to talk of d sexual abuse that must be inflicted on them. If really they decided to keep quiet after knowing where they are, then it is wickedness. Thank you. From Kelechi.

You write in glowing terms about our judiciary as if it consists of gods, when we know that judges are part of the rotten political system.

The APC should know that preventing someone who defeated an incumbent in all the local governments in the state from assuming office can only be an invitation to anarchy. May be some lessons on popular uprising and social versus legal justice may just be apt for the APC and the e-11 at this period. From Tim. For Tunji Adegboyega Re: Keeping vigil on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Many things are wrong with both the FG and state governments as well as the people … The youth empowerment schemes that most state governments embarked on should have been of three shifts – 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.; 3p.m. to 11 p.m. and 11 p.m. till 7 a.m.

These youths, combined with the policemen that Nigerians hate to see on our roads would make traffic congestion vanish in the country.

Finally, the stubbornness and indiscipline of many road users would be crushed by security agents whenever there is hold-up. When such traffic hold-up begins, it is always mindboggling as you see more than 100 vehicles ahead of you. Indiscipline with impunity by some of our law breaking ‘one-way’ drivers account for 70 percent of such trauma. From Lanre Oseni.

Your vigil on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway is very interesting. I want you to travel on these rods: Oyo-Ogbomoso Road; Ilorin-Jebba; Tegina-Makira. In fact, the entire route from Kaduna to Ilorin, you will see what is called the shame of a nation. Please help beg them, I mean the Federal Government/Federal Ministry of Works/ FERMA to please do something on these roads. Thanks. From Dr Toyin Adedokun.

The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway has become an avenue where contractors and construction companies are using to milk government dry without completing it. Every now and then, the government will tell Nigerians that contract for the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway has been awarded to so, so and so construction company. So, who is fooling whom? South-south and South-east people go through hell when passing through the road on their way back home, either at festive periods or other engagements. The government should provide other means of transportation to ease commuters’ plight on the road. From Gordon Chika Nnorom, Umukabia, Abia State.

Re-inventing human resources

By Comrade Issa Aremu

out of 1,692,435 candidates) had credit pass in five subjects including English and Mathematics in the 2014 as against a 36.57 percent in 2013, and 38.81 percent in 2012. This free fall in the value of present and future human resources has not shocked the nation beyond the ordinary lamentation and excuses. The concluded National Conference of which I was a delegate had 20 sub-committees. I bear witness that the relatively insignificant marginal report on Resource Control of the sub-Committee on Devolution of Powers generated more enthusiasm and controversies than the reports on human resources like Labour, Youth dealing with mass unemployment and mass poverty!

Certainly there is more to resources than oil and gas and how to share it or control it through some self-serving group sharing formulae?

According to the Minister of Health Dr. Onyebuchi Chukwu, more than 5000 Nigeriantrained medical doctors are currently practising in the United States of America! Yet Nigeria has only 600 paediatricians to care for its over 40 million children compared with the United Kingdom’s over 5,000 for 20 million children. Why must we export doctors when we lack them at home? Why are we eager to “control” oil revenue and remain indifferent to the New York Times’ report according to which, “America Is Stealing the World’s Doctors” including many Nigerian doctors?

The formation of Nigeria’s human capital is of great importance in the coming years if Nigeria wants to be part of the leading economies in 2020. A notable strength of Nigeria is its population. With 170 million people, we are the seventh most populous on earth. 2006 Census figures show that the least populated State is Bayelsa with 1.7 million, but more in terms of human resources than Guinea-Bissau

with population of 1.7 million; also bigger than Gabon, 1.4 million; and Trinidad and Tobago, 1.3 million. Both Kano (9.4 million) and Lagos (9.5 million) are as big as United Arab Emirates of 9.4 million, which is the leisure destination of Nigerian bourgeoisie and labour aristocrats like me. Nigeria’s human resources are however in quantity not in quality needed for national development.

According to Human Development Index, Nigeria is ranked 156 among 187 countries meaning that Nigeria is considered to have low level of human development. The National Mass Education Commission, NMEC, just revealed that as many as 64 million Nigerian adults are illiterates! This is a tragedy turned shame! Countries with less endowment like Zimbabwe and Cuba had archived literacy rates of 90.70 and 99. 9 percent respectively. How come the 13th oil producing nation has slid back into mass ignorance and underdevelopment? Local government edicts and state laws must make primary education compulsory and criminalize and penalize parents that do not allow their wards to go schools in the 21st century. To appreciate human resource, we must motivate the labour which constitutes the greatest resource. We must ensure workers are paid well and on time. It should be noted that delay of salary is the same as wage theft. We must also institute a system of reward and discipline to motivate labour for development. I commend President Goodluck Jonathan for the recent national honour and recognition of the designer of Nigerian flag, Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi after years of neglect and his employment as a Special Assistant, with a salary for life! Indeed the President is further encouraged to pay his arrears since 1960 when he designed Nigerian flag. We must move from jobless to job-led growth. We must re-invent the real sector of the economy, revive labour inten-

sive industries and get the army of unemployed working. We must improve on productivity.

In 1958, late Ahmadu Bello, the premier of the then Northern Region declared that; “My motto for the new born North is “Work and worship”.

We should not consume what we do not produce. We must stop exporting what we should add value to. There are little critical success factors within our immediate reach. The most precious input factor in productivity is time and time management. We parade highest number of public holidays on earth. Some of these holidays legitimize idleness rather than promoting decent work with respect to rest. How on earth do you declare a work-free day to “mark” Democracy Day, a day arbitrarily chosen by one man in office that could even fall on a Monday?

Why would children not be in schools on a Monday in the name of democracy? Religious holidays fall on a Saturday; Sunday is already a public holiday anyway. Why then declare Monday and Tuesday as holidays? This mutual preference to stay off duty by both “Christians” and “Muslims” definitely leads to underdevelopment. Nigeria works eight hours, five days a week. But on average, other 19 countries in our preferred club of 20 most developed countries, (come the magic 2020!) work longer hours, six days a week. Out of 365 days in a year, Nigeria is at rest for some 120 days. Out of the official eight hours, we resume unofficially at 10 am, set to do some unofficial school (children) runs by noon, only to unofficially close shops at 3 pm ostensibly to beat the traffic. When we are working, we are poor anyway. Indeed we are all working poor. Is it when we are idle that we will get out of poverty? It’s all about managing human resources for development.

• Aremu mni is Secretary-General, Alumni Association of the National Institute, AANI

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

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BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net Stories by Taofik Salako

CAC to delist 49,000 firms over failure to file returns

Omatek chief emerges vice chair of global IT body

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HIEF Executive Officer, Omatek Ventures, Mrs. Florence Seriki has emerged new vice chairman, African region, for the World Information Technology and Services Advisory Board (WITSA).

Seriki who is also the president, Information Technology Association of Nigeria (ITAN) was elected to the office during ongoing World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT) in Guadalajara, Mexico. WCIT is a consortium of associations from the information and communications technology (ICT) industry around the world.

Founded in 1978, the group represents over 90 per cent of the world ICT market through its global membership, and has a goal of advancing the growth and development of the ICT industry. It participates in advocacy in international public policy that affects the global information infrastructure.

With her election, Seriki will join other elected members including Nizar Zakka who will represent theMiddle East and North Africa, Yannis Sirrors for Europe, Boris Komrakov for Europe, Silvia Bidart for Latin America, Takashi Igarashi for Asia Pacific and John Kyle for the Carribean to steer the ship of the global IT body for the next two years.

The ITAN president also led Nigerian IT industry operators to the Gitex Technology Show in Dubai, where Nigeria is a country partner in this year’s edition.

NLNG is one of the biggest success stories in our country. From what I am told, the company has invested $13 billion so far since inception, and has become a pacesetter in terms of revenue generation for the government.

-Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga

F

OR failing to file their statutory annual tax returns, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) said it would delist 49,000 registered companies.

It stated that a large number of registered companies in its database have not fulfilled their statutory obligations in terms of filing returns while many have refused to state the non-existence of their businesses.

Specifically, the CAC noted that at least 414,000 companies did not file their returns in 2010 out of about one million registered businesses in the country, thus necessitating the renewed action set to be taken.

The Special Adviser to the Registrar-General, CAC,

By Okwy lroegbu- Chikezie

Garba Abubakar, stated this on the sideline of a seminar organised by the Professional Practice Group of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) in Lagos.

He said most businesses registered in the country have no proper structure and have defaulted in their incorporation requirements.

According to him, investigation shows that business owners terminate their relationships with relevant professionals such as lawyers, chartered secretaries and accountants, among others, after incorporation of their businesses while most professionals are found wanting in responsibly advising their clients.

He said: “We observed that

60 per cent of the cost of starting a business goes to professionals as fees, a condition many small businesses have found not to be sustainable.

Also, most companies do not have ascertainable capital base unlike what other sectoral regulators prescribe.

“To ease the process, CAC decided to address the bottlenecks in the system with a new platform. Although we are experiencing some challenges, we hope to address them in due time.”

LCCI President, Alhaji Remi Bello, also emphasised the need for government to create a conducive environment for businesses to thrive.

According to him, structuring businesses for effective regulatory compliance is signifi-

cant because many businesses are having compliance issues with the various regulators that oversee their operations.

“We are gradually moving towards a growing formal economy where companies would have no choice but to play according to the rules.

“Businesses built and run in contravention are often not sustainable in the long run.

Policy consistency remains a valuable ingredient for a sound regulatory environment.

“We call for more consultations with the private sector in the formulation of policies and regulations. This will ensure better compliance and consistency irrespective of changes in the leadership of regulatory authorities,” Bello added.

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$117.4/barrel Cocoa -$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,396.9/troy Sugar -$163/lb MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE -N11.4 trillion JSE -Z5.112trillion NYSE -$10.84 trillion LSE -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -8% Treasury Bills -10.58%(91d) Maximum lending -30% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -1% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $45b FOREX CFA EUR £ $ ¥ SDR RIYAL

-0.2958 -206.9 -242.1 -156 -1.9179 -238 -40.472

• From left: Head, Corporate Communications, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mrs Hadeza Umar; Chief Executive Officer, Omatek Ventures Plc. and President, Information Technology Association of Nigeria (ITAN), Mrs Florence Seriki; Chairman, World Information Technology and Services Advisory Board (WITSA), Mr Santiago Gutiérrez; Provost, Nigerian Computer Society (NCS), Dr Ojinta Oji-Alala and former President, NCS, Prof Dr Chris Nwannena, at the Nigerian pavilion at the World Congress on IT in Mexico.

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African airport council urges govts to cut tax

HE President, Airport Council International (ACI) for Africa , Mr. Pascal Komla has urged airport authorities in the continent to consider significant reduction in airport tariff. He described excessive taxes paid by airlines and other airport users as a huge disincentive that could hamper the growth of air transport in the continent.

He said aside reduction in taxes, African governments must relax restrictive visa policies, which he said is fast affecting intra-African connections and the air transport sector’s growth expected to contribute significantly to the growth of aviation in Africa.

He also called for improved funding for airport

NERFUND’s interim managers lobby for tenure extension

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From Kelvin Osa Okunbor, Durban, South Africa

projects in Africa, which he said could turn around the fortunes of the continent if managers and leaders in the sector embrace global partnership to bring it to fruition.

He spoke while delivering his welcome address at the 23rd ACI Africa annual assembly and regional conference and exhibition that opened in Durban, South Africa.

He said the conference provides another platform for airport managers across Africa and the world to share information and forge a common vision for the future of African airport business.

Komla said the conference has examined the importance of service excellence

and how it impacts on effective operations at the airport by putting on the front burner what stakeholders need to do to achieve high levels of service quality at airports.

He said there is an avenue for sustainable air transport network in Africa owing largely to improved flight connectivity, which he said is a product of the liberalisation of air transport in the continent otherwise known as Yamoussoukro Decision.

The decision was reached at continental confab on air transport among African leaders in 2000.

He said there were series of challenges confronting the implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision.

Komla said the adoption of the decision by Kenya and

‘Nigerian ship owners can raise funds through IPOs’ - P28

Ethiopia assisted the two countries to create employment in the aviation sector.

He said studies conducted by experts reveal that the benefits of adopting a liberalised air transport sector in Africa far outweighed any possible disadvantage.

He said: ”We are working hard on our sector to earn protectionism, which impairs economic growth and restriction on travelling.

“We need to devote more resources on airport development, cut down high tariffs on airlines. This will increase air traffic in Africa and facilitates tourism. It will bring in investments and stimulate international trade.

“We are taking measures to solve the problem of high taxes , the problem of visa restriction, which

FIIRO to create 50,000 jobs through processing

By Toba Agboola

T

HE Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi, (FIIRO), is set to create over 50,000 jobs and draw more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the country through its Research and Development (R& D) on food and agro-allied processing technologies.

Speaking at a press conference on its forthcoming Investment and Technology week, its Director-General/ CEO, Mrs Gloria Elemo said the programme will create opportunities for setting up of over 1,500 small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

She added that the institute is organising the forum to deliver more effectively on its mandate for rapid industrialisation of the national economy and create employment opportunities to reverse the worsening rate of unemployment in the country.

The event ,which will be declared open by President Goodluck Jonathan, she said has Sustainable Job Creation through FIIRO Technologies as its theme.

Elemo said the overall aim of the programme is to showcase the Institute’s over 250 R &D outputs suitable for investment by the micro, small, medium and large scale entrepreneurs to enhance job creation and improve on the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

She said: “To this end we have put together this Investment and Technology Week as a channel to reposition FIIRO in coming into the mainstream of the industrialisation policies and initiatives of the federal government.

“Participants will be drawn from Federal and Ministries of Trade and Investments; Industry; Youth Development; Women Development; Science and Technology in all the 36 states of the Federation and FCT. “Also, potential investors from Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN); National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME); National Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI); National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA); Association of Small Business Owners Nigeria (ASBON); ECOWAS sub-region especially, Ghana, Republic of Benin, the Gambia, Cameroun and other African countries are coming.”

On the FIIRO and Bank of Industry’s (BoI) partnership, she said there is need for the organisations to reinforce their strategic partnership.

Changing fortunes of medicinal herbs - P39

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15 , 2014

26

THE NATION

BUSINESS MONEY

e-mail: money@thenationonlineng.net

NERFUND’s interim managers lobby for tenure extension I NTERIM Managers at the National Economic Reconstruction Fund (NERFUND) are alleged to be lobbying the Federal Government to renew their oneyear term which expired October 9, The Nation has learnt. They are asking for a fresh one year tenure.

NERFUND, which is under the supervision of the Ministry of Finance (MoF), is managed by an interim management team drawn from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC). The team was seconded October 9 last year to overhaul NERFUND following a N5.7 billion loss.

The NERFUND team is headed

by Muhammad Gidado Kollere of the NDIC as Managing Director/ CEO; Ihua Elenwor of the CBN is the Executive Director, Operations.

The managers are to recover outstanding loans and reconcile all accounts with correspondent banks.

They are also expected to render quarterly reports to NERFUND’s board, headed by the Permanent Secretary, MoF. An insider at NERFUND said instead of the managers to be thinking of tenure elongation, they should rather be concerned with how the firm should be wound down, following ongoing moves by the National Assembly to re-

Stories by Collins Nweze

peal the law establishing it.

They said the interim managers should also be concerned about the terminal benefits of the current staff.

The source advised the MoF to pay more attention to what is happening in NERFUND to protect it from further losses.

The source said the agency’s receivership is for one year, after which a substantive Managing Director would be appointed.

The source said there is intense lobbying for the job. “You see, these managers from the CBN and NDIC may not want to quit as their tenure expires in October. They are more professional than the past managers of the Fund. They are also likely to seek extension of their tenure,” the source said.

The source said the CBN/NDIC team has been able to restructure some of the ‘political loans’ that led the Fund into incurring losses.

“Majority of the political loans that dented the balance sheet of the FUND has been restructured, and collateral secured,” the source said.

The source also faulted the N5.7

billion loss claim by the government, saying the total amount NERFUND obtained from government since inception is not up to that amount. The Fund received N2.8 billion in 2010, and $141 million from the Africa Development Bank (AfDB) at an exchange rate of N9.9 to a dollar in 1991.

NERFUND also got another N350 million loan from the Federal Government. The source said the cumulative funds, made available to NERFUND till date, are below N4 billion. The source said there are also plans to restructure the operations of the Fund.

This may necessitate the merger of NERFUND with the Bank of Industry (BoI) to deepen credit access to small and medium enterprises (SMEs). NERFUND was established

by Decree No. 2 of 1989 to provide medium to long-term loans to participating banks (PBs) for on-lending to SMEs for the promotion and acceleration of productive activities in such enterprises.

The government took over the Fund following President Goodluck Jonathan’s approval of the recommendations of the CBN and NDIC Joint Special Examina-

tion report on its books. It claimed the capital invested in the institution by the Ministry of Finance had been eroded with the gross losses.

The Fund, it was learnt, has not been able to service loans taken for on-lending from the AfDB, the MoF and other sources. The source said the agency’s last governing board was dissolved in 1993, adding that it was being run by an Interim Management Committee headed by Permanent Secretary, MoF before the CBN/NDIC team came on board.

The source said the firm has over time canvassed for reconstitution of its corporate governance board, recapitalisation and total restructuring. There were also previous plans to merge it with other Development Finance Institutions (DFIDs), which also failed.

Conditions set for accessing NERFUND’s Micro Enterprises Credit Scheme entail that prospecting businesses must be engaged in manufacturing, mining, quarrying, agro-allied, industrial support services, equipment leasing and other ancillary services.

Besides, the enterprise should be wholly Nigerian owned and must source its raw materials for the project locally but could source plant and machinery either locally or from abroad. The projects to be financed must be financially and

•Finance Minister Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

economically viable, and should have positive impact especially in employment creation in the operating environment.

According to NERFUND statutes, the expected project could be a start-up, expansion, rehabilitation or diversification of existing business while the beneficiaries are expected to own 10 per cent equity of the proposed business. The prospective beneficiary must have a limited liability company or registered enterprise and can only access between N100, 000 and N5 million.

AfDB boss, finance leaders in emergency assistance talks

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•From right: The Executive Director of FCMB Capital Markets Limited, Tolu Osinibi; Co-Managing Directors of Azura Power Holdings Limited, Sundeep Bahanda, David Ladipo and Head, Communications/CSR of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mrs. Uchenna Mojekwu, at the foundation laying ceremony of the Azura-Edo Power plant in Edo State.

AMCON’s interventions grow banks’ profits to N529b

T

HE banking sector recovery has seen profitability back to above pre-crisis levels, with profit of all banks listed on the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) achieving a combined profit before tax (PBT) of N529 billion last year, Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Bismarck Rewane has said.

A bank is quoted if its shares can be bought or sold on the NSE. FDC Economic report obtained by The Nation, showed the lenders’ PBT were at N550 billion in 2012.

These feat, Rewane said, were possible because the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) strengthened the financial sector, especially the lenders, preventing the collapse of the banks. He said the coming of AMCON has also addressed the potential bank runs and the negative implications this would have had on the depositors.

Local banks now export services outside the country, remain market leaders in the African banking sector.

AMCON had last month, announced its operating results, with a loss of N635.88 billion last year – more than the fiscal budgets of seven states in Nigeria.

It also revealed that it has run up a cumulative negative net-worth of N3.46 trillion since inception in 2010, about 69.7 per cent of the national budget.

These numbers, Rewane said, will make any rational investor or orthodox analyst stagger and describe it as an unprecedented financial calamity.

However, Managing Director, Afrinvest West Africa Plc, Ike Chioke said a review of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN’s) last year’s balance sheet showed that the regulator is bugged down by AMCON bonds, intervention

funds and development finance loans.

He said these ‘unmarketable asset portfolios’ constitute over 40 per cent of the CBN’s balance sheet. He spoke at the launch of the Nigeria Banking Sector Report.

Chioke explained that the assets are long term investments without a discernible exit time frame other than the eventual performance of the loan portfolio.

He said: “Our review of the CBN’s balance sheet as at November 2013 raises crucial questions that require urgent attention.

“The CBN’s proactive response to the 2008/2009 banking crisis was arguably the right move although this has, in itself, magnified CBN’s level of indebtedness. Over 40 per cent of CBN’s asset portfolio is unmarketable, comprising principally of AMCON bonds, intervention funds and development finance loans.”

FRICAN Development Bank (AfDB) Group President Donald Kaberuka has told world finance leaders that cooperation is needed in building strong economies.

In a statement, Kaberuka said we “must aim to provide that leadership on gender, on education for every child, on small businesses and on finance that works for all.”

His comments were delivered to the Development Committee at the annual World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) meetings held at the weekend in Washington, DC. The committee, AfDB statement said, consisting of 25 ministers of finance representing 188 member countries of the IMF and World Bank, tackled tough topics ranging from Ebola, climate change, the lack of money for crucial infrastructure and the need for reorganisation within the World Bank Group.

On Ebola, Kaberuka told mem-

bers he believes “there is the will and the means to defeat this menace.”

World Bank President Jim Yong Kim said: “Let’s pick up the pace and do whatever it takes to stop this outbreak. When your house is on fire, you don’t put a wet towel underneath the door. You send in firefighters. It’s the same with the fight against Ebola.”

So far, the AfDB has provided $210 million to stem the spread of Ebola. Kaberuka said money is being used for budgetary support to help governments lead the fight against Ebola in their own countries, to mobilise and pay health care workers responding to the crisis and to bolster the critical mass needed to stop the disease its tracks.

Within nine days, World Bank teams fast-tracked $105 million in emergency assistance to the hardest-hit countries. That money was part of a $400-million assistance package.

Stanbic IBTC forum focuses on economic devt TANBIC IBTC Holdings PLC has announced the start of its Business Leadership Series; an annual event to help create deeper connections and build a new cadre of leadership among business leaders.

According to a statement, the series will focus on improving leadership with the underlying goal of advancing economic growth and development.

Participants at the first edition of the series which holds tomorrow in Lagos, were drawn from various sectors including regulators, investors and the business community.

International speaker, Vusi Thembekwayo, will lead the session along with Sim Shagaya, founder of online retail chain, Konga. Jointly, they will share insights from the businesses they

S

run and how they have kept these businesses on the cutting edge.

South African-born Thembekwayo has won international acclaim as a business speaker who empowers his audience with new knowledge and tools that they can immediately apply in their businesses or careers to achieve positive outcomes.

Speaking on the forthcoming event, Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, Mrs. Sola David-Borha, stated that the Stanbic IBTC Business Leadership Series is part of customer engagement tool.”We will be looking at business leadership from various angles”. Key focus will be given to leadership in the digital age and how e-Commerce is changing the face of business globally,” she stated.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

27

MONEY The competition for control of the mobile money market appears to be stalling the progress of the initiative. If this continues, it could hamper stakeholders’ target of raising the value of mobile money transactions by next year, COLLINS NWEZE writes.

T

Will banks, telcos unite to achieve mobile money target?

HE value of mobile money transactions is expected to hit N1.1 trillion by next year, a report by FBN Capital, an investment and research firm, has said.

It cited separate data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) which showed a rise in mobile money transactions to N93 billion in January-October last year from N31.5 billion the year before.

It said sustained growth at this pace would meet analysts’ aggressive forecast of N1.1 trillion next year.

FBN Capital said the rapid expansion of epayments comes with major fiscal and developmental benefits as well as new revenue streams for information technology (IT) providers, mobile operators and banks.

There is finally a momentum but the expansion is off a low base. An estimated 46 per cent of the adult population has no access to financial services. CBN data showed e-payments of N2.1 trillion in 2012, of which Automated Teller Machine (ATM) transactions accounted for N1.98 trillion or 94.7 per cent of the sum.

Analysts insist that this is not the best of times for mobile money business, despite the numerous benefits that come with it. The platform which allows mobile phones to be used to send and receive money, buy recharge cards, pay subscription fees for DStv, pay electricity bills, use of Point of Sale (PoS) terminals to pay for goods and services among others is under threat.

The telcos and banks which are expected to jointly drive the process are working at cross roads. In other countries, the process could be: operator-led model, bank-led model, collaboration model and peer-to-peer model. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) chose the bank-led model in which a bank deploys mobile payment applications or devices to customers and ensures merchants have the required PoS acceptance capability to carry out transactions.

Mobile network operators’ network merely serves as vehicle through which transactions take place. This is based on the regulatory framework for mobile payment services issued by the apex bank in 2009, which disenfranchised telcos from operating mobile money except through strategic partnerships with licensed operators.

The telcos, have consistently advised the CBN to allow them participate in the regulation of the subsector, but nothing has come out of the demand. The apex bank, which solely regulates the business, has given the telcos little or no opportunity for control. This model has deprived the business the needed technological and infrastructural backing critical to its success.

The disagreement has adversely impacted on implementation process of the mobile money platform in the country. General Manager, IBM Africa, Taiwo Otiti, said strategy being adopted by the key stakeholders is stifling the success of mobile money operation in the country.

He said: “The approach we have taken in mobile money is the challenge. We have over 30 million unbanked, compared with over 100 million mobile phone users, the guys who are unbanked, they may have mobile phones, but how would you get them into the financial system. You must be able to get into his lifestyle for you to be able to get him subscribe to mobile money scheme. But many of the stakeholders are doing that.”

Otiti said getting the mobile money scheme running requires both the payment and supply chain properly defined and implemented by the stakeholders. He said there is need for a paradigm shift, that sees all the stakeholders working together. “The telcos can’t also do without the banks, so also are the banks. It is only by collaboration will the mobile money project begin the deliver the needed results,” he said.

He said the stakeholders should not think of who owns the customer, but focus on products and services that can attract more customers into the scheme because nobody owns the customer. “Nobody owns the customer.

What is important is collaboration that ensures that end-user gets what he wants. We need to see mobile money in terms of what the customer can get and use in improving his lifestyles,” he said.

The CBN said regulation of the telecom sector is not within its control, making it diffi-

•CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele

•NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Eugene Juwah

cult for it to guide mobile money operations under the telco-led model being advocated by telecom operators.

It said the risk involved in mobile money operations are so high, that regulation has to be closely implemented. It added that it does not control what the telcos are doing, unlike in the existing bank-led model where it provides the operating guidelines.

It said mobile money operators are being encouraged to increase access to financial services through mobile phones that are either directly linked to a bank account or use of mobile wallets as intermediary virtual money accounts.

Experts insist 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. They said though there was a lot that telecoms companies could contribute in a cashless economy, their current mandate was limiting.

The thinking is 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 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.

Analysts also think that telecom companies should be allowed to speak about the capabilities of their networks, the quality of user experience and the choice of mobile payment services available on their networks.

It is now roughly two years since the first mobile money went live and approaching a year since cashless economy came into op-

eration. Meanwhile, none of the individual players can boast of having more than 10,000 active subscribers.

The CBN said over the next few years, the focus of the regulator will be to strengthen the institutional and regulatory frameworks to achieve improved financial inclusion. The application of mobile technology for financial services especially in rural areas will ensure that a large percentage of the population outside the formal banking system would have access to financial services using one of the three models of card-based, account-based and virtual account.

CBN statistics showed that only 26 million Nigerians own a bank account out of a population of 167 million population.

With telecoms subscriber base put at about 120 million by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), there are indeed limitless opportunities for the country to achieve financial inclusion by bringing the large numbers of the unbanked to the banking sector through mobile money,” he said.

The NCC said critical success factors for mobile payment in the country are the integrity and security of the end-to-end transition during a payment transaction process. It said the chain of transaction must be secured from initiation to authentication. Therefore, confidentiality and integrity of the data transition are critical factors in mobile payment.

The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has called on stakeholders in the mobile money business to seek ways of extending the service to a larger proportion of the population.

NDIC’s chief, Umaru Ibrahim who made this known during a discussion on mobile money services in Lagos, said there are over 100 million mobile phone lines in the country.

He said: “According to Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access (EFiNA) survey, the rural population is 71 per cent, while 76.2 per cent of the population remains unbanked.

‘Analysts insist that this is not the best of times for mobile money business, despite the numerous benefits that come with it. The platform, which allows mobile phones to be used to send and receive money, buy recharge cards, pay subscription fees for DStv, pay electricity bills, use of Point of Sale (PoS) terminals to pay for goods and services among others, is under threat’

Mobile phone ownership is 55.6 per cent in the rural areas.”

He explained that effective rendering of mobile banking financial services can be a key mechanism in achieving the objective of National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) based on the huge success recorded by Kenya, Uganda and South Africa in enhancing financial inclusion through mobile financial services.

Ibrahim said mobile banking subscribers will soon get deposit insurance coverage, with each subscriber guaranteed up to N200,000 or N500,000 as applicable to Microfinance Banks/Primary Mortgage Banks and Deposit Money Banks(DMBs) respectively, in the event of bank failure.

He explained that if a bank fails, the insured mobile account can be transferred to another sound bank, to further engender public confidence in the system and promote financial stability. According to him, the framework for extending deposit insurance to individual customers of mobile payment services is being finalised.

Razak Olaleye, a mobile money analyst said telcos are licensed to offer telecoms services and not banking services. According to him, the decision was made because the CBN does not regulate telcos and if the telcos are allowed to lead mobile money, it will mean putting two critical segments of Nigeria’s economy in the hands of a few companies.

This, they believe, portends great risk for the country.

World Bank said the global remittance market has grown rapidly over the past decade.

In 2010, remittances through official channels amounted to $440 billion, of which, developing countries received an estimated $325 billion. The majority of these transactions are still cash-to-cash transactions, but the share of digital transactions is steadily increasing.

Driven by the development of mobile money systems in emerging markets, experts estimate that $16 billion worth of international money transfers will be received with mobile phones in 2015.

In Nigeria, the scheme is however, confronted with many problems but the CBN said the draft National Payments System Bill, which is undergoing legislative passage, is expected to address the legal barriers to electronic payments such as the admissibility of electronic evidence in the law courts.

Managing Director, Mobile Money Africa, Mr Emmanuel Okogwale, agrees that there are still challenges. According to him, most of the companies licensed to do mobile payment are yet to have accredited agents who will reside in urban, semi-urban and rural areas. He argued that without well trained mobile money agents, the implementation would not be seamless as agents with the requisite tools and handsets are the infrastructure needed to deliver the money to the customers.

Despite the inherent challenges, banks have been launching mobile money products to support their operations. FirstBank of Nigeria launched FirstMonie, its mobile money service positioned to assist the lender’s commitment to financial inclusion.

“With the launch of this service, the stage is now set for the bank’s customers and anyone in Nigeria with a mobile phone to enjoy financial services, using their mobile phones to send money, pay bills, top up their phone airtime, do shopping, deposit and withdraw cash, without the need to visit a bank branch,” the First Bank Managing Director, Bisi Onasnaya had said.

Also, Stanbic IBTC Bank has reiterated its commitment to financial inclusion by empowering its mobile money customers. The bank said in a statement that it has partnered with Mobile Media InfoTech Limited (MMIT), a mobile software development company, to assist the youths and small business owners who do not have credit cards, to pay for goods through their mobile money wallets online.

The bank said its mobile money wallets customers will be able to shop on foreign online sites like Amazon, Android store, Playstation and other gaming sites. “They will be given the option of making cardless payments through their mobile money wallets; and with this option, any customer with a smart phone will be able to make purchases on these online sites regardless of where they reside in Nigeria,” it said in a statement.

28

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

THE NATION INVESTORS

‘Nigerian ship owners can raise funds through IPOs’

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T a time many indigenous ship owners are in dire straits and practically in desperate need of a lifeline, one avenue they can easily raise funds is through raising initial public offer (IPO), of course, on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

One man who should know better is Mr. Raymond Teminsanren Omatseye.

Omatseye, who was the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) from July 2009 to December 2010, holds the view and very strongly too that with the right economic strategies such as exploring opportunities of an IPO, indigenous ship owners can indeed turn around their fortunes from the current parlous state to a level of prosperity for all and sundry.

The former NIMASA boss, who is currently vying for the position of President, Nigeria Indigenous Ship Owners’ Association (NISA), the umbrella industry association of vessel owners, is persuaded that Nigerian ship owners have what it takes to grow the economy like their counterparts abroad if given the necessary encouragement.

Speaking in an interview with The Nation, Omatseye, who sits atop as Chairman, Polmaz Limited, a leading shipping company he started in 1993 “with N50, 000 and a dream” which currently has an annual turnover of over N1billion, said ship owners can raise enough capital at the NSE to further expand their businesses as it is done in other advance economies.

While drawing parallel with what obtains in the airline transport business, where indigenous private

Stories by Taofik Salako

businessmen are being assisted by funding from the public pool, the University of Wales, Aberystwyth and London School of Economics trained graduate stressed that: “The private sector can do the shipping business too, all we need is that there are laws that say that Nigerians should do this business, all we are asking Federal Government to do is to stop patronising these foreigners and begin to patronise we Nigerians, and once you do that, you will see what will happen. Then we will now have the confidence to go to ship yards and buy ships and the moment ships start coming in, we will start to have ship yards that repair ships. You cannot go to a mechanic workshop unless you have a car, so it is when we are ready to buy vessels, Nigerian flag vessels that we require to drydock.”

Waxing philosophical, he said: “You cannot just wake up and tell somebody to build a ship yard; you need vessels that will be repaired in that ship yard. It is purely a business decision. So PPP or no PPP, government should just leave it, the private sector can do it. All we need is to just call in some big ship owners and say instead of me doing it by myself, look at this company that has one ship, and the other one, and the other one, let’s us come together, bring all our ships under one umbrella, let’s go to stock exchange, let’s borrow money and make this a big company. That was what we had before but what the government should do is what the law says it should do. Take for example, the crude swap, why should

government be using foreign flag vessels for crude swap? Use that to carry crude out and bring petroleum products. Why can’t they even think of building up Nigerian Shipowners?”

On the idea of having a new national carrier government owned, Omatseye said it may be counterproductive after all.

“I have always said that government is not in the business of doing business. Look at what happened to National Shipping Line.

It collapsed because people who ran it did not understand what it means to run a shipping company. The same thing with National Unity Line, the same thing with Nigeria Airways. As far as I am concerned, I don’t believe in government doing business, whether you are government or not if you don’t follow the rules, you have no right to be given national carrier status. Leave it, leave the private sector to do it, give them national carrier status, they will go and raise an IPO in the stock exchange. Once you have cargo, you have cash flow, you get bank money. Government should not think that they are doing anybody favour. As far as I am concerned, I don’t need government to set up a National Carrier.”

On why he thinks he is the best man to lead NISA, he said, he is convinced that his experience in the sector can stand him in good stead.

“I intend to move the Nigerian Ship-owners’ Association (NISA) to the next level because I am very passionate about its activities and also, shipping is not a business I stumbled into, it is a generational business, it is a business that was done by my father in the 602 s and 702 s, my life

was patterned into it so I do have a good feel of the maritime industry from my younger days till I came up to maturity and also becoming a maritime administrator,” he said.

“So I believe strongly that I will be in a position – based on my own understanding and background of the maritime industry – to be able to move NISA forward. There are a lot of issues facing Nigerian ship owners most especially as it relates to inability to get work. In as much as we have a Cabotage law in place, we still see foreign flagged ships operating on our waters.”

Expatiating, he said: “I need to bring issues into perspective for the government to realise that their failure to use the Nigerian ship owners in lifting our mineral resources is to the detriment of the Nigerian economy in the sense that it does not allow cash retention in Nigeria because when you pay a foreign flagged vessel, it moves the money out of the country. Also, it affects the employment of Nigerians and also affects the ability to develop our human capacity.”

If Nigerian vessels are not patronised, it may become an uphill task to provide jobs for the growing army of seafarers in the country.

“Since the death of NNSL, Nigeria has not been able to have any shipping line that will help to move our cadets from MAN, Oron to get Certificates of Competency. This and few others are what I want to work on and also to assist NISA in finding solutions to lack of jobs for its ships because naturally, the problem of ship owners is the ability to get vessels and fund the vessels as well as getting contracts,” he noted.

Besides, he said the dearth of

• From right: Honorary Adviser to Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chairman of Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Joseph Makoju; Group Managing Director of the company Devakumar Edwin (second right) presenting certificate of participation to the President, Block Moulders Association, Alhaji Rashidi Adebowale (left) and the Regional Director, Sales and Marketing, Mr Johnson Olaniyi, during a sensitisation programme organised for members of the association at Obajana Plant, Kogi State.

F

OLLOWING the all negative outlook which the nation’s stock market presented in the past week, some market analysts apparently playing the devil’s advocate have further predicted a lull in the coming weeks.

Citing the performance of Nigerian Stock market weekly summary, in which the equity market rounded off on a negative note, losing 160bps W-o-W thus bringing the composite index to negative 2.1per cent as the market capitalisation dipped N181.8bn to close at N13.4tn, the market watchers said the performances indices speak volume of what to expect in the preceding weeks.

Recalled that activity levels measured by aggregate volume and value declined 14.4 per cent and 5.3 per cent apiece to 553.9m and

•Omatseye

skilled manpower and general level of insecurity among crew need to be addressed squarely.

“I do understand squarely the issues and the terrain and I will bring my experience to bear. I have huge international connections and my relationship with the International Maritime Organisatio (IMO) is intact with major ship owners, builders and brokers around the world.

“These are the things I will bring to the table. There is enough meat on the table for everyone to bite but the bottomline is that we need to get the opportunities because when an indigenous ship owner is able to own one or two vessels, he will be able to build on his fleets. We will look for local Cabotage to regional and continental Cabotage till we take part in the shipping business internationally.”

While commenting on the issue of the waiver clause in the Cabotage Act, Omatseye observed that: “Regulations that were created for Cabotage were basically created to fail. You have something that have to do with money and NIMASA staff are not trained to determine credit worthiness or otherwise of any organisation.

CBN that is the regulator for the financial sector has a role and procedure but how can you wake up to tell me because am putting so so amount of money into a fund – 50 per cent, 35 per cent from the bank and 15 per cent from me – but it is NIMASA that will tell the bank who to give the money to and if the person does not pay, everything will be on your head (the bank). Who will take that kind of risk?

Of course it will fail.

“We should also not forget that the CVFF (Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund) belongs to NISA members because we are the ones paying that money. It is our money but you sit down to determine who within us should take that money? You are only a custodian because the money is for NISA. It is their money. They are only giving it to you to keep for them because they do not want people to touch it. Naturally, a system must be created whereby NISA members can access that fund directly. I just thought that the regulation itself will make it fail, it was doomed to fail from the beginning.”

Experts forecast mixed fortunes for stock market N5.9bn, just as most sector indices within our coverage closed in the negative territory W-o-W with the exception of the Consumer Goods Index (0.4 per cent) due to the price appreciation in Champions Breweries (54.5 per cent) and Nigerian Breweries (2.3 per cent).

Meanwhile, the All other indices shed points led by the Banking Index (2.6 per cent) due to the selloff in Zenith Bank (6.9%), Stanbic (4.7 per cent) and UBA (4.1 per cent).

Similarly, the Oil and Gas Index lost 2.3 per cent due to the profit taking in OANDO (4.9 per cent), Total (2.5 per cent) and Forte Oil (2.0 per cent), while the Insurance Index and the NSE Industrial Index

declined 1.8 per cent and 0.6 per cent W-o-W respectively.

Top gainers for the week include Ikeja Hotel (60.2 per cent), Champion Breweries (54.5 per cent), Conoil (10.2 per cent), Learn Africa (6.7 per cent) and Live Stock (6.2 per cent), while AG Leventis (13.6 per cent), Guinness (12.6 per cent), PZ (8.8 per cent), UAC-PROP (8.5 per cent) and Mansard (8.0 per cent) led the loser’s list W-o-W. According to the analysts, the deteriorating macroeconomic outlook as regards declining oil prices and broader bearish global market sentiment has continued to spur reversals.

The analysts, however, said they

anticipate the publication of Q3:2014 earnings may curb the current run on the local bourse next week.

While reviewing the Interbank Money Market, the analysts further said Interbank rates rose on Wednesday by average 14bps to 12.3 per cent, with benchmark Call and OBB rates rising 11bps and 21bps to 11.8 per cent and 10.5 per cent respectively.

The DMO, they stressed, also offered N131.8bn in Treasury Bills, while N64.9bn was sold. The poor subscription rate can majorly be attributed to the weakening FPI demand for the domestic paper spurred by caution with the mac-

roeconomic conditions.

The inflow of NTB maturities worth N131.8bn on Thursday had mild effect on liquidity levels as this was offset by DMB’s provision for the Monday’s RDAS auction while the CBN also mopped up N27.9bn.

In a trend similar to the previous week, the CBN’s attempt to mop up liquidity seemed futile, as its OMO instruments were shunned by DMBs. Notably, the OMO auction held on Friday witnessed no subscription. We anticipate this difficulty in mopping up liquidity will be underscored by the maturing N978.3bn AMCON bonds scheduled for 31st of October 2014.

Newspaper of the Year

AN EIGHT-PAGE PULLOUT ON THE SOUTHWEST STATES

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

PAGE 29

•Molete tanker accident

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INSIDE

ATURDAY October 11, 2014 was a day not a few in Ibadan, particularly residents and traders around the Molete area of the Oyo State capital would want to remember again. It was a day of sorrow, tears and blood.

Though the day opened for many with much hope and progressed peacefully, it ended tragically at Molete about 9.15 pm when the driver of a tanker loaded with 33,000 litres of petrol lost control of the truck, when the brake failed and crashed into some other vehicles on its way before eventually failing on its side.

The petrol gushed out of the tanker, flowing like a river into the channels and gutters until it was eventually ignited by fire from a woman frying beans cake (Akara) by the road side. And in a jiffy, the fire, according to an eyewitness account, covered the entire area with flames and thick smoke like a wide blan-

Many families were thrown into mourning in Ibadan at the weekend when a big fire engulfed Molete in the Oyo State capital, killing many people and destroying millions of naira worth of properties. OSEHEYE OKWUOFU reports.

Day of sorrow in Ibadan

Three years after an early evening downpour triggered a devastating flood in Ibadan and some other communities in Oyo State, killing no fewer than 100 residents and pen that fateful night. They were Several shops and makeshift stalls busy selling and the buying on the ever government were also affected.

•When petrol tanker fire burnt destroying infrastructure, state has busy Molete area, beside the road Tajudeen Adeogun , a relation when the ill fated petrol tanker bringing fell of one of the dead, Mosunmola rebuilt some bridges great relief part of Molete, killing 17 of the damaged and discharged its content on the Akeem, was full of grief and sadroad. ness overareas. the sudden BISI death of a to motorists and residents of the affected •Ajimobi visits victims’ families A source said no fewer than 17 peo- dear sister.

OLADELE reports. affected by the fire. And for the rela- ple were roasted to death while The deceased was a hawker of

ket.

Mr Lekan Fowowe, a trader in the area was full of thanks to God that his one-storey building inherited from his late father was not destroyed by the Saturday night inferno. But that was not the case with scores of others who were seriously

Ayoba Villa: Inside Ekiti’s new government house

tives of the victims, it was sorrow, agony and pains of losing their loved ones.

The victims mostly tradoutside the who Oyowere State capital ers did not have any premonition that such a tragedy that would lead to their untimely death would hap-

Pro-life advocates march against abortion

scores of others sustained varying

degree of severeinburns.

Two comwould forget a hurry. mercial buses picking passengers at Just as it was in August a nearby bus stop were caught in the 1980 with the web, killing the Omiyale occupants, flood while about 20 vehicles and 15 motor cydisaster, the heavens opened cles (okada) were burnt to ashes.

•Continued on page 30

Danger as erosion threatens safety on Erio Ekiti road

PAGE 32-33 PAGE 34

household items on the road when she met her untimely death. A source added that Mosunmola was burnt beyond recognition and that she was among the bodies evacu-

PAGES 36

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

30

THE SOUTWEST REPORT

In Ibadan, beautification is serious business Beautiful sceneries are emerging daily in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital to replace old, filthy sites that formerly characterized the city as one of the dirtiest in the country, writes BISI OLADELE

B

EAUTIFIED roundabouts, walkways, mini parks, modern water fountains and street lights, among others are fast becoming the yardsticks redefining the once rustic city of Ibadan.

The city surrounded by seven hills, according to the renowned poet, John Pepper Clark, is the largest in sub-Saharan Africa. It boasts of over five million people, foremost institutions, research institutes and media organizations.

The key organizations, some of which have acquired the status of national monuments and the city’s central location have always marked Ibadan out in the entire country.

But filthy environment characterized by dumb sites along main roads and dirty drainages had made the same city infamous for decades.

However, the filthy sites have since given way to beautiful scen-

•Beautification of Ring Road Roundabout/Foundation

eries due to the efforts of the Governor Abiola Ajimobi administration to change the view and re-

write the city’s profile.

Today, a move around Ibadan would offer insights to the efforts

of the state government since January, 2012. Beautification has become a core aspect of the government’s urban renewal project

which is attracting more people to the city for business and other purposes. While green sites add to the allure of the environment at

could hear statements from the crowd that gathered here. They kept shouting ‘And Ajimobi had warned us off street trading o!’ The problem we have is that politicians seek to profit from the lives of the people. Our administration has genuine love at heart for our people. This is manifesting itself gradually and our people themselves can see that love,” he said.

The governor was told that the bulk of those who lost their lives were traders who refused to move to the nearby Scout Camp market which had over a thousand stalls with modern conveniences constructed by the state government and given to the traders free.

“I sympathize with the dead and their families. This will show our love for the people of the state in our desire to stop street trading. I learnt that a few days ago, another trailer

veered off the road at Mobil area and hit the MTN building. If it had been before now when street traders gathered at the Mobil area, I imagine the number of casualties we would have been talking about,” he said.

According to him, government had seen through the hazards posed by street trading, stating that it was why the state government made it a kernel of its urban renewal exercise.

“Apart from vehicles that skid off the road killing our people, high tension wires also get cut and kill our people selling their wares by the road sides. Our people should not listen to evil politicians who mislead them. They should support us to fight the menace of street trading. We love our people genuinely by asking them to leave the road and we will not allow evil politicians to profit from this genuine love by misleading our people,” he said.

Day of sorrow in Ibadan •Continued from page 29 ated by government ambulances to the mortuary.

When asked about his relationship with the deceased, Adeogun said” I am a son to the deceased elder brother who lived at Idi-Arere area of Ibadan. Mosun hawked items like matches, Ball pen, cigarette, and mirrors. That’s what she was selling, the proceeds of which she used to manage her home and cared for her two children. The father of the two little children is a commercial driver… (he then burst into tears)”.

At the other side of the road where a mechanic workshop was situated, was the burnt body of a middle aged man that was burnt beyond recognition. The body was lying covered with a black nylon when The Nation visited the scene of horror on Sunday morning.

Investigation revealed that the deceased was found faced down the next day with nothing on him that could be used to identify him.

Many people thronged the area to catch a glimpse of the body until policemen began to chase them away and condoned off the whole area. Still, the people found the top of Molete flyover as another safe place to watch the scene of the fire outbreak. Scores of onlookers lined the flyover to have an aerial view.

A resident of the area, Mr Saheed Amidu, a technician who spoke with The Nation narrated how many people were helped to escape unhurt from the inferno by some elders in the area who used force to drive away some people who attempted to scoop fuel from the tanker.

“The number of deaths would have been over 200 or more if we did not drive people especially these Area Boys who came with Jerry cans to fetch fuel from the gutters here. Everywhere was like a river when the fuel poured out from the tanker. I don’t know what is wrong with our people. They saw what happened in other places to people who fetched petrol from burst pipeline and how they were roasted yet our people will not learn. We thank God that we used force on them if not they would have been dead by now. Some of us were shouting on them to leave the place, leave this place there could be fire, and not up to 15 minutes after everywhere was covered by thick smoke and flames. In spite of what happened, we still have opportunity to thank God that many were saved. “ He stated that most of the people who died from the fire came from far distance to trade there because they know that Molete Roundabout is a busy place and was formerly a big market before the governor asked them to move to the newly built Scout Camp market.

“But our people are very stubborn, some moved but some refused to move from here. Majority of those that died were road side traders “, he added.

The state governor, Abiola Ajimobi paid an emergency visit to the scene of the fire incident the next morning to commiserate with the families of those who were burnt to death, praying that God will grant the repose of their souls.

Governor Ajimobi, who arrived the venue at about 8 in the morning, was visibly shaken by the gory sight.

Accompanied by the state Commis-

•Molete tanker accident

sioner of Police, Mr. Kola Sodipo, he was conducted round the scene of the inferno.

Immediately the governor ordered that a crane should be brought to take away the carcass of the tanker which had crossed the road and obstructing traffic flow.

While speaking with journalists, Ajimobi commiserated with the families of the dead and enjoined them to take solace in the fact that death will come when it will.

He said that many who sought to take political advantage out of his administration’s genuine love for the people of the state, especially traders who traded on the streets, must have seen the danger of politicizing genuine government policies.

“As I came here this morning, gentlemen of the press, you yourselves

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

31

THE SOUTWEST REPORT

•Beautification of Ring Road and Construction of Bus Shelter at Beere, Ibadan

•Beautification of Governor’s Park, Ibadan

•Arc Olumide Eso (Chairman Ershaw Nig. Ltd.)

•Beautification of Median & Landscape at Methodist School INter5change, Ibadan

daytime, well-illuminated roundabouts and sites glitter in the night to beautify the city.

The major firm handling the beautification project, Ershaw Limited, has been busier than any other firm working for the Ajimobi administration since January, 2012.

It has worked on sites including the Agodi Government House Park, Parliament Road to Mokola Roundabout, Gate, LagosIbadan Expressway (old) Toll Gate where a mural design on the rock-fence embankment and the inscription, “welcome to Ibadan” as well as the uplifted approach and green ambience seemed to tell those entering the historical city of the “new development and complete renewal” of Ibadan.

The company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Arc. Olumide Eso, described the project as laudable as it elevates Ibadan from the abyss to a true city.

The permeable blocks on the State High Court embankment at Ring Road remind one of how grass used to overgrow the place few years ago while the Gangan drum icons at the some of the roundabouts along the axis speak of the state’s rich cultural heritage. Another highlight at Ring Road, which Eso said highlighted the wholesomeness of the beautification package, is the customized branded container, which he said would be allocated to former roadside traders.

One of the affected traders who said she used to sell her wares op-

posite the Mobil Filling Station around Oluyole Area of the city, Mrs Ajoke Lawal, commended the government’s effort on the branded containers, saying they would ease the pressure off the displaced traders; some of who she said had nowhere to go.

At different areas of the city such as Ojoo, Yemetu, Challenge and Bodija, among others, the construction and branding of bus stop sheds have given beauty to the city’s landscape as well as provide succour for motorists and pedestrians.

Apart from the branded bus stops, the drastic change at Gate, where the median that used to be home to sellers of different items has given way to a beautiful green area, is a mark of the good effort. Not only are the me-

dian and sidewalks wearing a new look, many residents expressed disbelief at the success of the beautification.

Eso disclosed that Oyo State was voted the “Most Improved State in Nigeria at the 2013 Environmental Summit” for its urban renewal programme.

He said this was made possible because of the government’s commitment to the programme and “the ingenuity of Ershaw’s holistic approach and design strategies of incorporating the beautification and greening of roads, interchanges and medians.”

Relating the company’s experience on the field, Eso said his company met resistance from the former occupants of most of the beautification sites, pointing out that it took a little while for them

to overcome the resistance. ”Though the Ministry of Environment handled the demolition of the sites we wanted to beautify, there was stiff resistance from the occupants when we moved to sites in some of the places. At a point, the ministry provided us with YES-O cadets who provided security.

“But soon after the beautification efforts were completed, there was a change of attitude from most of the former occupants.

Some of them commended the transformation, especially with the building of Customised Branded Containers at Ring Road, to house traders who were once by the roadside. The advantage of the containers is that they are movable, so the government can take them to anywhere it wants.”

On whether the project was well-funded, he said: “In terms of funding, the state government’s commitment to the project was 100 per cent as it funded the project in order for us to achieve the desired goal of renewing and transforming the landscape of Ibadan.”

A few of the residents who spoke to The Nation on beautification of the city commended government for the project. They said the sites give Ibadan a much better look and enhance the beauty of the environment.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

32

33

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT Even though it took 200 workmen 20 months to build, the new Ekiti State Government House sitting on the vintage and historical Ayoba Hill has become a beacon and pride for Ekiti indigenes. SEUN AKIOYE, who went on tour of the building, reports that it is a masterpiece

T

HE first official function to hold at the new and imposing Ekiti State government house located on the historical and fascinating Ayoba hill took place on Thursday 9th October 2014 and it paraded big names in Nigeria’s political landscape.

It was one of the several events marking the fourth anniversary of the administration of Governor Kayode Fayemi and it was the presentation of the Ekiti State Administration of Criminal Justice Law (2014) and the State Magistrate Courts Law (2014).

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos who was the special guest had arrived earlier in a helicopter which landed on the specially built helipad located within the compound.

His Kano State counterpart, Rabiu Kwankwaso came by road. The hall where the event was held was situated in the basement of the threestorey mansion and it can seat at least 100 guests. Originally designated as a banquet hall, it can also serve as meeting room for large events.

Fashola spoke about the importance of laws and how it governs our existence from birth till death.

He spoke about laws that regulate our conduct on earth and how even in death we are still governed by laws that determine if a corpse is to be buried or cremated; the governor called this circle “everything from our arrival to departure.” The audience comprising mainly of lawyers, members of the state executive council and the media nodded their approval of this insight.

After the ceremony, the invited guests were conducted round the building by Governor Fayemi.

The new government house is not just another government building but a multi functional modern architectural construction built with functionality and luxury in mind. It is a building that allows for the smooth running of the organs of government even when the governor is not present in his official office.

There are other fascinations about the government house; the hill on which it was built had fantastic tales of the supernatural. It was a hill replete with amazing stories of demons and spirit where humans worship the domineering spirits to wade off impending doom on the town.

The Ayoba hill was a hill where demons spoke with the voice of men.

Oke Ayoba: The myth and the reality Throughout the history of the Ekiti, Oke Ayoba has always held a supernatural fascination for its people.

For many years, it served as a dreaded shrine used by Ifa worshippers to appease various gods. Oke Ayoba gods must be worshipped and appeased at different times in the year, failure of which terrible vengeance would be visited on the people by the offended deities.

There were many myths that gave strength to the supernatural powers of the hill. It is one of the highest elevations among the many hills that surround Ado Ekiti the state capital. There were claims that only the initiated can successfully climb the hill and the uninitiated cannot survive there due to the presence of its thousand demons.

The hill is surrounded by a densely thick forest with weird trees and

dangerous animals. On the hill, shrines had been constructed to the many unknown spirits. Passing through the forest is a frightening and often terrifying prospect which yielded only to the strong and spiritually fortified.

The coming of civilization did very little to change this perception and role of one of the iconic hills in Ado Ekiti. The consequences of growth and modernization like road and housing infrastructure also seemed to have accorded the hill its due respect. The governor’s office was built at its foot and that was the closest building to it. Many Ekiti indigenes still viewed the hill as sacred and with trepidation. And there are strong adherents of the Ifa oracle who would protect the sanctity of the hill with their powers, some with their lives and they were determined to prevent the new government house from being built on the hill they regard as ‘sacred’.

The workers who came to clear the ground had ample testimonies of the powers of the secret cult. According to Kayode Jegede, the Special Assistant to the governor on Infrastructure who helped supervise the building, Ifa worshippers almost prevented work on the hill.

“When we came here to do the ground breaking, many of the workers ran away because the traditionalists had put some (fetish) sacrifice and juju on the hill to prevent the work,” he said.

But that was not the only last desperate act to stop the construction.

When it was announced that the administration of Governor Fayemi would commence the building of a befitting government house on the hill, the governor got a shocker.

The Ifa worshippers in the state mounted a fierce opposition to the project, warning the governor of dire consequences if the project was actualized. When that failed, they offered him veiled threats and when that also failed they enlisted the support of the National Association of Ifa Worshippers in Nigeria who forwarded a strong memo to Fayemi demanding the cancellation of the project. Their last desperate act was to physically prevent work on the hill through supernatural means.

Inside the house for the future The journey to the new government house begins at ground zero by the governor’s office. It is a daunting two kilometers trip to the zenith. The house itself is sitting at 557 meters above sea level-where the air is cleaner and noise level lower. Towards the foot of the hill, about half the original forest had been carefully preserved to retain some of the original feel of the hill.

Halfway through the climb are the seven guest chalets to the right, each one built in ascending order but a steady climb of about 1,000 meters still awaits. The building itself which has been dubbed “Ayoba Villa” is a three-story edifice with two wings. When one stands in front of the building, one can see the whole of Ado Ekiti with its rusty zincs and interlocking hills.

The first floor serves as the reception. It was designed with luxury in mind yet radiates the greatest simplicity. The room was well lit with a chandelier hanging in the center.

There are two pillars which seemed to hold the entire building and behind them are two staircases which

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

Ayoba Villa: Inside Ekiti’s new Government House

•Inside the new Government House

•New Ekiti Govt Lodge

led to the other floors. There are two sitting areas facing each other with two large screen televisions. It was designed so that if you sat at the right you watch the television on the left and vice versa. Behind the column is a door which leads to a large meeting room fitted with projectors.

The first floor also has the kitchen and the main dining room which can seat at least 40 guests. Next to it is the kitchen which is small but fitted with modern cooking equipments and extremely clean; one wonders if any cooking is ever done there.

On the second floor is where the governor has his office with office facilities for his immediate staff. The governor’s office is spacious and has a waiting room; on the left wing are other waiting rooms which the governor can link from his office. On October 9th, Governor Fayemi was already at his ‘home office’ as early as 8: am putting finishing touches to preparations for what would turn out to be a very busy day.

“The idea for this office is to allow the governor to continue working at home with the same facilities as he has in the office. This will ensure that the organ of government continues to function whether the governor is at home or in the office.

As you can see today that he is already in his office very early,” Olayinka Oyebode, the Chief Press Secretary, (CPS) to the governor said as he conducted The Nation around the building.

The last floor is the living quarters for the governor and his immediate aides. The right wing is the governor’s private quarters. It has a large sitting area and a small dinning at the extreme end. On the day of the visit, the table was set for about ten guests who will have breakfast with Governor Fayemi. A kitchen staff stood near the table waiting for his guests. The kitchen was next to the dinning, it is a small place and no cooking is done there.

The Nation learnt that when dignitaries visit the Villa, this is where they meet with the governor.

A door led to another large sitting room where the governor can yet meet with select group of visitors, and then there is the governor’s

going to take it to his village. It is going to become a tourist monument for the state. I am not aware of any government house in Ekiti in 18 years of being a state. I am living in a presidential chalet for visiting presidents or guests of the governor.

“What we are building is not just a government house; it is a government house complex. It is a massive office for the governor, a banquet hall for events, a meeting place for dignitaries, and also a gallery for the state. If people do not understand, they should ask questions. In any case, is Ekiti a second class state?

We are not a second class people.

We are a proud people who want to be treated as decent people.

“No other governor will have to come here and build. With heavy rain this morning, the whole of this place (Old government house) was flooded. And this is government house. The government house leaks.

It cannot even comfortably accommodate a family of five. All that I am doing is for the future of this state.”

•Mr. Olusola Oyelade

private room. The first sitting room led to the terrace where small cocktail meetings can be held. It has a small bar and an amazing view of the city. Standing on the terrace, one can see most part of Ado Ekiti, the streets become distinct and the various landscapes are very visible.

“This is a vintage point for the governor to view the city, if there is any trouble, the security chiefs can also gather here to monitor the events and coordinate response,” Oyebode said.

There is no shortage of meeting rooms in Ayoba Villa. Oyebode explained that this is necessary so that the governor can meet with different categories of people at different times in different rooms.

The basement is an example of this, even though not part of the building plan originally, the reality of the sloppy nature of the hill forced the contractors to cut through hard rock to create the basement.

There is one big dining room which can also serve as meeting room in the basement. This was where the first official event in Ayoba Hill took place. Next to it is a small meeting room where the governor can entertain his guests before the commencement of the event. There are two other smaller meeting rooms and a theater which can sit at least an audience of15. The basement can also be accessed from the back of

•

•Fayemi

the building with a stunning view of the capital.

The Construction Building Ayoba Villa was not a mean task, from conception to the finished work; it was a grueling and intellectually tasking project. The building also cost the Ekiti state taxpayers a whopping N2.7billion. According to Olusola Oyelade, the Principal at Casa Consult and the architect who designed the building, the fact that the building was tucked on a hill presented its peculiar challenges. Oyelade is by no means a rookie when it comes to designs and architecture. An indigene of Ilokuno Ekiti in Ijero local government area of the state, he attended Christ School Ado Ekiti before getting a Degree in Architecture from the University of Lagos and AMDP at the Harvard Graduate School of Design.

Against the allegations that local contractors were not given priorities by the government, Oyelade also designed and redeveloped the Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort which has re-

•Ayoba Villa

ceived international acclaim. Currently he is managing the construction of the Civic Center in Ado Ekiti.

Working together with Jegede and Kouris Construction ltd, the contractors faced the daunting task of gaining access to the top of the hill. The place was surrounded by thick forests which had to be cleared to create a pathway for workers.

Then another problem surfaced; the steep nature of the hill meant not all vehicles would be able to climb.

“We had cases of vehicles actually rolling backwards when they tried to climb the hill,” Jegede said.

There was also the problem of the soil, Ayoba hill is predominantly rock but this was not visible until the digging began. “Every foundation here was on rock, everything we did here was done by machine nothing by hand. We used compressor to dig the foundation. Before we started we thought the hill was soil, but just beneath the soil is rock.

“Even when you are driving up

you will notice the rocks by the side.

So that makes it extra difficult. It is like building on the rock literarily,” he said.

It was a gruesome task which consumed the whole of 20 months of hard labour and over 200 skilled and unskilled men working tirelessly on the hill. The task of hurling the materials up the whole of the 2000 meters to the hill was daunting while the nature of the hill also was a major challenge; a basement which was not part of the initial design was quickly incorporated due to the sloppy nature of the hill.

Materials for the construction were sourced mainly in Ekiti while some fittings were imported, the workers too were sourced mainly from the state and the Bureau of Infrastructure supervised the construction.

The concept of the building is a gateway into Governor Fayemi’s thinking. According to Oyelade, it was the vision of the governor for a befitting government lodge that birthed the “live, work and relax

edifice.” The governor was also involved at every stage of the construction and even chose the colors.

“The concept of this place is open and formal spaces that take advantage of the beautiful views of the city and the building answers both question of function and luxury,” he said.

But despite the enormous challenges posed by the construction, the local contractors and supervisors were able to surmount and present to the Ekiti people, a modern piece of architecture that is a source of pride. “Every design and construction has its own peculiar challenges, but God has given us the ability to surmount them,” Oyelade said.

The old versus the new But the Ayoba Villa has not been without its controversies, some parties in the state have criticized the building saying it was not what Ekiti needed. Some of the criticism rang from the impossible to the downright ridiculous. Governor-elect, Ayo Fayose described the

building as a waste.

But Oyebode said there was no basis for the criticism of Ayoba Villa. “The truth is that Ekiti state never had a government house, where the governor was using is a presidential guest house which was converted to a governor’s lodge. It has only one meeting room. Every visitor to the house stays in one waiting room irrespective of who you are or your position in the society.

It is really not befitting for a state and it does not allow for the smooth running of government.”

Earlier Fayemi in an interview had defended his decision to build a “befitting” government house for Ekiti sate saying that the building is for posterity.

“I could imagine what some people in the Western Region said in 1959 when Chief Obafemi Awolowo launched WNTV, first in Africa. Is it television we are going to eat? Likewise when he built Cocoa House and Liberty stadium; imagine the foresight. This government house will be there in100 years. Fayemi is not

The Facilities Ayoba Villa was designed as a live, work and relax edifice. Accordingly, the Villa has a tennis and badminton court towards the eastern fringe. There is also the swimming pool which is small but an official said it was meant for the governor and his family. Also the basement has a gymnasium which also leads directly to the swimming pool. The building has a central cooling system and all the function halls have a central microphone. All the meeting rooms have a projector which is manned by competent hands while the furnishings are of the highest qualities.

But residents of the state capital had watched the construction and the launch of the building with increased fascination. One of them Aioli Ogundeji who spoke with The Nation said he became converted after the construction ended.

“I am one of the people who criticized this building, I watched everyday as the building began to rise and now that it is completed I agree that we need a befitting structure like this,” he said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

34

THE SOUTWEST REPORT A pro-life group within the Catholic Church has organised a programme in Lagos to speak out against the evils of abortion. CHINAKA OKORO was there.

P

EEVED by the increasing support which abortion has received from various individuals and organisations the world over, a pro-life group under the aegis of Family and Human Life Unit (FHLU) of Saints Joachim and Anne Catholic Church, Ijegun Ikotun in Igando-Ikotun Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, recently held a crusade to sensitise the public on the evil and dangers of abortion.

The group defied the downpour and marched from the church premises to Ikotun, headquarters of Igando-Ikotun Local Council Development Area, singing, dancing and distributing handbills to people.

Tagged “Anti-abortion Crusade”, the group led by Brothers Chika Nwaenyi, Andy Odogwu and others, said the incidence of abortion is becoming more alarming, even as it decried the roles parents, families, society and governments play in the perpetuation of this iniquity against the unborn under the excuse that they are not yet human beings.

They carried placards some of which read: “Use Billings Ovulation Method,” “Use of Contraception is Inhuman,” “Say no to Abortion,” “Say no to use of Condom” and “Say no to Mercy Killing,” among others.

In his sermon, Rev. Fr Victor Nwabueze said “life is becoming cheap. We are losing view of the sacredness of life. We don’t have the right to do everything with our lives as they belong to God. The Catholic Church teaches that life begins at conception and not at death.”

While saying the term abortion was too trivial a word to describe the killing of the feotus, Nwabueze said: “We have to celebrate life by allowing the feotus to live. Pro-life is about appreciating life. If you cannot appreciate life, you cannot protect it.”

He said: “The evil of abortion is

•From left Brothers Nwaenyi, the Cathechist, Odogwu and Mrs Josephine Obute leading other members on the Walk for Life

Pro-life advocates march against abortion not only committed by the girl who kills the baby in her womb but also by those who proffered the idea to kill and those who provided money for the girl to see a doctor. Those who kill the baby in the womb need our prayers as they are depraved.”

Speaking on “Catholic Church’s Position on Abortion”, the former Parish Priest of the church, Rev. Fr Gasper Olanrewaju said the Catholic Church, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the Headship of the Pope has stood firmly against any act that takes human life in any form whatsoever.

The cleric said as the world seems to celebrate the “culture of death” as opposed to the “culture of life”, the Church emphasises that “human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognised as having the right of a person-among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life.”

He added that since the first Cen-

tury, the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion; a teaching that has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion or abortion willed either as an end or a means, he said, is gravely contrary to the moral law.

Abortion and infanticide are abominable crimes, even as he sad that the inalienable right to life of every innocent human is a constitutive element of a civil society and its legislation.

Describing as lame arguments that the embryo is not yet a human being, Fr Olanrewaju posited that “since it must be treated from conception as a person, the embryo must be defended in its integrity; cared for and healed as far as possible, like any other human being.

“In Jeremiah chapter 1 verse 5 and 6, God said when Jeremiah was a microscopic spec in his mother’s womb, God knew him and consecrated him to be a prophet and so it is with every human being.”

He enjoined the Chairman of the council and all Councilors to do all

in their power to uphold and defend the innocent whose lives are snuffed off without any offence.

In his speech, the Vice-Chairman of the church’s Parish Pastoral Council (PPC), Mr. Martin Nwabuwa also condemned the culture of death which he described as “whatever is opposed to life itself such as any type of murder, capital punishment, genocide, abortion and euthanasia or willful self-destruction… These are infamies indeed. They poison human society and do more harm to those who practice them than to those who suffer from the injury.

Moreover, they are a supreme dishonor to the Creator.”

Citing the late Catholic Pontiff John Paul 11 encyclical, he said: “We are facing an enormous and dramatic clash between good and evil, death and life, the culture of death and the culture of life. We find ourselves not only face with but also necessarily in the midst of this conflict. We are all involved and we all share in it, with the inescapable responsibility of choosing to be un-

conditionally pro-life.”

Continuing, he listed four causes of the “culture of death” to include a misunderstanding of the person, a false idea of freedom which has become separated from truth, the loss of the sense of God and a misunderstanding of conscience, even as he noted that “a culture of life acknowledges that true freedom is grounded in truth.”

Mr. Nwabuwa said all Catholics and other persons have a duty and responsibility to advance a culture of life and strive to transform society to one that deeply respects and cherishes human life from the moment of conception to natural death.

He urged well-meaning individuals to recognize that opposition to intrinsic evils such as abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem-cell research and same sex unions is always necessary.

The PPC Vice-Chairman encouraged all to “pray for our country at this time that it is experiencing the scourge of insurgency and terrorism, even as he urges prayers for the conversion of the hearts and minds of those who support intrinsic evils that they may acknowledge the dignity of the human person and promote a culture of life. Pray for the conversion of the hearts and minds of those who support a culture of death in the public arena, especially those who have opted against life and the Gospel.”

‘Ayoba Villa is a beacon of enlightenment’

K

AYODE Jegede, the Special Assistant to Governor Kayode Fayemi on Infrastructure, speaks on the new government house.

What was the idea behind the building of this house at this height?

This hill has been here forever in Ado Ekiti, there was nothing on it, we heard from history that the Anglican Church tried to build on it, we don’t know what controversies came up with some traditional worshippers saying they have something there and they (Church) shouldn’t do anything there. You know the name Ekiti was derived from hill, when we were conceptualizing the government house; we thought putting it on top of a hill is symbolic of the name of the state. So putting a government house up there where it is visible to the whole citizenry is a beacon of enlightenment. People know they have something special in Ekiti. When we chose it, that opposition came again, the Ifa worshippers sent a message to us saying all the Ifa worshippers in Yoruba land worship on this hill.

What was the god they are serving on this hill?

Ifa. Even the day we wanted to break ground on this hill, the work-

ers turned and ran away because some traditionalists had come to put juju on the ground. So we went back to the governor and through his intervention we were able to start the work.

How difficult was the initial work, what challenges did you meet?

The foundation was a great challenge, but we thank God that we had a contractor that knew his onions.

Every foundation here was on rock, everything we did here was done by machine, nothing by hand. We used compressor to dig the foundation.

Before we started we thought the hill was just soil, but just beneath the soil is rock. Even when you are driving up you will notice the rocks by the side. So that makes it extra difficult.

It is like building on the rock literarily.

We are sitting at the basement, was it part of the initial design or it was borne out of necessity?

This basement came as a result of the constitution of the rock which was sloppy, so we had to cut it and create a basement to meet the other levels. What happens in construction (is) you might design something and on getting to site you find that the reality on the ground does not support your design so you adapt as you

are constructing. We had to adapt to the terrain and add a basement.

What was the initial design for this building; was it significantly different from what we have now?

No, it was not significantly different. Maybe this basement was added to it. We wanted a floor to receive people, which is the first floor; the second is the working floor for the governor and the third floor is the residence. That was the simple idea and we added this basement and other extensions to it.

There are so many meeting rooms.....

Yes, if you have ever worked in government, you will know government is run on meetings. So it is good in a government house to have where meetings can hold. The governor might be meeting a group and one commissioner is meeting another group, that is the reason. As you can see, we had a very good function here today, there is another one like this size in which you can have an exco meeting.

The governor has an office, is it wise to bring another office to the house?

The office of the governor is a very stressful job. Governor Fayemi is an extremely hardworking man who

works till 2: am almost every day.

The governor must have a conducive environment to work in office or at home. For any governor in the state, you don’t need to stay up late in the office, you might just come home and continue to work in a conducive environment and when he finishes he goes upstairs and sleep.

That makes the governor more productive and that is what we want.

There is a helipad out there and a tennis court with a swimming pool which is small..

No it is not small, it is very deep maybe not Olympic size but it is for the governor and his family. The tennis court is also for relaxation, we want every governor here to have time to relax. The helipad is to make it easy for the governor and his guest to come in and out of Ekiti. The governor would have so many meetings in Abuja that a lot of time they come by helicopter as Governor Fashola did today, so it is helpful.

How long did the construction take from start to the finish and were the materials sourced locally?

Let us say about 20 months. There are some like the fittings that were imported but the materials for the construction were sourced locally.

There are about 200 workers at eve-

•Mr Jegede

ry stage of the construction.

What is the distinguishing factor of this building, what is the attraction?

It is beautiful, everybody says it.

The location is also unique; when they put on the lights at night everybody sees it. It is much more spacious when you go to the former house we were using there is no hall that can hold events. So here, the spaces that you need for government events are accommodated here so government can continue at an easier pace. It could also be a tourist attraction when it is opened. When we were building, many people came around. There is also the view, where you can see the whole of Ado Ekiti.

If you are a serious person, this is a place where you can be very productive.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

35

THE SOUTWEST REPORT

Day of rage in Ifon-Osun T

HE people of Ifon-Osun in Orolu Local Government area of Osun State will not forget in a hurry, October 5 th , 2014, as the agrarian community was thrown into confusion when political thugs numbering about 20 descended on the campaign train of an aspirant to the House of Representatives for Osogbo/ Olorunda/Irepodun/Orolu Federal Constituency, Dr. Oluwole Yekeen Alabi, while embarking on a procession round the two local government areas of the state.

The Nation gathered that crisis erupted shortly after more than 20 socio-political groups including both Oranmiyan Foundation worldwide and the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS endorsed the political aspiration of the Chairman of Republic of Ireland chapter of Oranmiyan Foundation, Dr. Oluwole Yekeen Alabi, who is seeking to represent Osogbo, Olorunda, Irepodun and Orolu Federal Constituency in the National Assembly under the ticket of the All Progressives Congress, (APC).

The event, which was preceded by procession round the three major communities of Ilobu, Ifon, and Erin-Osun, was rounded off at Saint Michael Elementary School, in Ilobu, the headquarters of Irepodun Local Government Area, where Alabi was received by party faithful including leaders of APC across the four local government areas that formed the federal constituency.

The attack according to an eye witness, took place at Oye compound in Ward 5 area of Orolu Local Government Area and was led by two young men popularly called Laredo and Esu Gongo, who were armed with various dangerous weapons including bottles, machetes, bows and arrows, threatening that the procession

•Mrs Silifat Alabi on hospital bed at The Mercy Hospital, Ilobu

•Thugs attack campaign train of House of Reps aspirant

By Sina Fadare

should stop; otherwise blood would flow in the community.

The Nation gathered the crisis which lasted about an hour, left more than six persons injured including Mrs. Silifat Alabi, Engr.

Waheed Olateju, Mojeed Alabi and a member of the vigilance group who had joined his colleagues to provide security for the event.

The intervention of the security agents from the Ifon police station and State Security Service, Osogbo,

the State capital was said to have doused the tension as they rushed to the scene to maintain peace and later visited the injured people at designated hospitals, particularly Mercy Private Hospital, Ilobu.

Meanwhile at the occasion, Alabi a gynaecologist based in Dublin, Ireland was presented to the members of the APC by the head of Alabi family and former Chairman of Irepodun Local Government Area chapter of the defunct Social Democratic Party, SDP, and

•Mr. Funso Olateju with other members of Itesiwaju Movement shortly after the attack.

a stalwart of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Ademola Alabi.

Also giving testimonies in support of Alabi’s candidacy at the event were representatives of Awoleye Alabi Memorial Foundation, AWAMEF; Oluwole Alabi Youth Vanguard; Nigerian Medical Association, Association of Market Men and Women, Elite Club, among several others.

Speaking on behalf of the Republic of Ireland chapter of the Oranmiyan Foundation, the Treasurer of

the group who is currently the Senior Special Adviser to Governor Rauf Aregbesola on Health, Dr. Rafiu Olasunkanmi Isamotu, said the group was impressed by the sound and qualitative leadership qualities of the governor, but was at the same time irked by the poor performance of certain representatives, hence the need to put forward individuals who could assist the governor in delivering more dividends of democracy to the people of the community in particular and the state in general.

Lagos plans to boost public transportation by 2015

M

OST owners of private cars and other vehicles in Lagos State may have no need to put their automobiles on the road towards the end of next year when the state government plans to introduce a system that would encourage more public transportation to further address traffic hiccups especially in urban areas.

The twilight of 2015, will see the government boosting public transportation system by reducing the number of vehicles heading to the Lagos island axis in line with the 2013 UN Habitat recommendation that private driving needs be further discouraged to address numerous traffic challenges particularly in mega cities.

Lagos State Commissioner of Transport Kayode Opeifa, said structures are already in place to kick-start the initiative.

Opeifa spoke in Lagos recently at the launch of the 2013 Global Report on Human Settlement tagged: ‘Planning and design for sustainable urban mobility; by the United Nations-Habitat UN Habitat.

The planned move, he explained, is not to discourage operators of commercial Danfo buses plying the route but to encourage them to key into the new initiative which aside facilitating easier movement to various work places, will equally makes business transaction a lot more convenient.

PLAN is underway by the Lagos State government to address traffic congestion in the metropolis by boosting public transportation to discourage private vehicle owners from being on the road in compliance with the UN-Habitat recommendation that traffic headaches in cities can be further addressed through reduction of vehicular movement. ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA reports.

Said Opeifa: “We are bringing on a system toward the end of 2015 that will discourage driving and encourage public transport system which will automatically reduce traffic that we find on Third Mainland Bridge. We are going to introduce small buses on that road. And people will not need to drive to Victoria Island. Also towards that end, you see that we are now doing the rail, which is now spurring towards Marina, and it will reduce the congestion as people move into that area.

“We need to reduce the number of vehicles on the road, and to achieve that you have to do what will make other people not drive and leave the whole of the driving to public transport thereby improving on its capacity.

Opeifa explained further that the ministry has observed a new trend in the metropolis where companies and other organisations are now seeing the need to acquire big buses to ferry their workers to work in order to discourage them from expending their energy in long-hour drive.

“Interestingly, you will observe

there are more Coasta buses on Lagos roads, ditto for Lagbus buses,” Opeifa noted. “A lot of companies are now buying buses so as to reduce the need for their workers to drive because companies observe that their workers get to work looking very tired having been trapped in traffic for hours.

“Government is also increasing the number of LAGBuses to Lagos Island by encouraging more private partnership.

“You will notice that you don’t see Danfo and Molue and on Third Mainland Bridge, you see more of modern vehicles. It is the same people who own those Danfo and Molue that are still buying into the new initiative, so we are not getting rid of them. We have granted some of them licences and we are encouraging them to migrate by applying for loans and if the funding is right and they able to secure the loans, you will see them changing completely. We will see more of Danfo plying Agege and other long distance routes and not that will they be off the road.

“You must also note that those buying into this are private sector-

driven. And they are now working to increase their capacity and when they do that they create more jobs.

The cost of transportation will come down, and people will be ready not to drive,” Opeifa stressed.

Addressing the avalanche of complaints by users of the almost completed (Lagos)-Ikorodu expressway, ranging from narrowness of road resulting in attendant traffic snarl, as well as what some considered as its needleess beautification, Opeifa said the current challenges being faced by motorist on the road, would soon become a thing of the past when the expressway become fully operational.

“Let me say no amount of road can solve any traffic problem, “Opeifa said while addressing the Ikorodu traffic problem.

“I remember when we were doing the BRT lane (on Ikorodu road), many accused us of taking a lane out of three, but we told them we were doubling the lane because that one we did would move more people than the remaining two.

“I agree the road is narrow, but the way it was constructed is not by the number of lanes but how

efficient we want to make them to be. It is not the number of lanes that determines the ease of traffic but how efficient the lanes are. So, that road is developed to be extremely efficient.

(When completed) “We are not putting less that 100 BRT on that road; and they are moving on the dedicated lane, so people will find it unnecessary to drive.”

Opeifa continued: “Instead of you now driving from Ikorodu to Alausa, you only need to board BRT from Ikorodu to Ojota which will only spend 15 minutes and from there you pick another vehicle to Alausa. So it is better to move that way than when you have a big road and all of you are crammed in traffic. In Chicago for example, they are now turning their three lanes into two; and guess what, they are putting on the third lane-parking.

So if you can drive to a place, park and do business, it is more convenient that way than when you are now stuck on the same road with nowhere to park.

“People say they want Okada (commercial motorcycle). Okada from where to where? The focus is on non-motorised-that is your legs.

So when you trek 100 or 200 metres from the bus stop, you pick a bus, you have exercised yourself. People take Okada from Agege to VI when they are supposed to trek few kilometers from their houses, take a bus, and you know Okada is more expensive to travel in than a bus.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

36

THE SOUTWEST REPORT Lagos CDA seeks govt’s assistance

By Joseph Eshanokpe

A

GROUP Peace Community Development Association (PCDA) has been launched in Egbeda in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State. At the event, its members called on the government to assist the area.

Specifically, its Chairman, Elder Eddy Aziengbe, said the area lacks many facilities. He cited the important ones as good drainage, roads and weak electric poles.

“The worst is the havoc erosion is doing in our community. The erosion that is coming from the end of Omobola Street to Jegede Street is great, one that entered houses and flood our 10 streets, wrecking great havoc on people and properties. If we have heavy rain today, we may not be able to sit where we are now,” he lamented.

He said the launch of the group became necessary because when some members of a street went to the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (former Power Holding Company of Nigeria) to lodge a complaint, they were told to form a CDA as the firm does not attend to individuals. Ten streets make up the PCDA. They are Emmanuel Osakwe, Kola Abejide, Eze Nwobi, Jegede, Ishiba Oluwo Extension, Mosunmola Ariyo, Winful Close, Gabriel Bello, Adetokun Oyebode Drive and Segun Osundeko.

On why the group settled for Peace, the retired Army chief said it was ‘’because our community is relatively peaceful; we live like one big family in a communal setting”. He urged members to pay their dues promptly and attend meetings regularly to enable their executives champion their cause effectively.

Aziengbe also praised the chairman of Alimosho LGA, and senior members of the council for ‘’their warm and wonderful reception when we visited the council to register the group’’.

At the event, a certificate of registration was presented to the association by officials of the council led by the Head of Agriculture, L. O. Raji. He was assisted by Mrs V. O. Olowosoyo, H.O.D. WAPA; Deputy Head, Mrs M. O. Olowokere, Mrs S. T. Bakare and Mrs A. A. Oke. Raji, who praised the name of the association, said: “The peace you are experiencing here will not elude you.” He explained that a CDA is meant to assist the government in community development. He asked the CDA executives to inform the council before embarking on any project. He urged them to abide by the constitution, operate an open door policy and make accountability their watch words, adding that the people should cooperate with them.

“Don’t embark on irrelevant projects that would later be abandoned. Once you start one, ensure that it is completed,’ Raji warned, adding: “If you fail to use your certificate, we may withdraw it.”

The executives of the PCDA are Pastor Samson Makinde, vice chairman; Philip Emuzie, secretary; Saheed Tijani, assistant secretary; Herbert Onuoha, PRO; Taiwo Adesola, treasurer, John Ezenwobi, financial secretary and Alhaja Aremu Olagbeye, welfare secretary.

‘Don’t embark on irrelevant projects that would later be abandoned. Once you start one, ensure that it is completed’

•Abandoned truck blocking the tiny portion of the road.

Danger as erosion threatens safety on Erio Ekiti road A

BEND located just at the entrance of Erio-Ekiti, a distance of about 35 kilometres to Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, has become a point of fear and extreme risk and danger for many a motorist who ply the road lately.

The bend, about a fifteenth of a kilometre, has for a long time proven to be a hard nut to crack for road users whose vehicles, especially trucks have made their ways inside the deep gorges just to the right side of the road, a development which had seen to loss of many lives and attendant waste of valuables.

The problem with the road now is not that many trucks which had fallen victims to the fearful bend have for months remained un-evacuated, making easy passages difficult for other vehicles and other road users, but that half the width of a critical bend on the road has been washed away by a gully erosion consequent upon the rains.

Now, warning marks and signs could be seen for motorists and other users that danger itself is the spot and that especial care must be taken by the users while passing. Given the extent of the ravage by the erosion, with an additional menace of a truck which, owing to an earlier accident, had remained grounded at a location close to the gullied section, vehicles coming in opposite directions must stop for one another, lest a collision remained more inevitable than just likely.

According to findings, the break of each new day had always been preceded by fears among the residents of a likelihood of either an accident or a close shave, while actual occurrences of such had attracted rescue efforts not by official outfits of state or federal government which are often delayed in coming but by residents themselves who, moved by sheer sense of humanness, often draft themselves into involuntary support evacuation exercises both of good or human beings trapped in the debris of wreckage.

The Nation findings revealed that although many open and official appeals had been made by the leadership of the town and the state government to the federal government through the concerned agency about

•Affected portion of the road in Erio

The single lane highway linking Ekiti State with Osun State from Ilesa through Erio-Ekiti is on the verge of being cut off by gully erosion, threatening to severe all vehicular movement between the two States. SULAIMAN SALAWUDEEN reports that the situation is causing concern among the residents as the bad spot is also a source of incessant accidents on the road. the unsavoury experiences on the road and the necessity to complete an alternative but long abandoned road in the town, all such efforts, had fallen on deaf ears.

A resident in the town, Ayodele Oluwasegun, a teacher, maintained: “The federal Government has been entirely disregardful of legitimate calls by every well-meaning group in the state for the completion of the alternative Erio road”.

Oluwasegun spoke further: “This is the only entry into Ekiti from Ilesa in Osun state. It is clearly a federal road but the federal government has over the years abandoned the road and now, the gully erosion has come to deal further with it to make it more impassable.

“No fewer than100 accidents are recorded each year on that stretch of road arising from the very inclement terrain: it is all bend everywhere. Although there are so many trouble spots on the road between Efon and Ado, the Erio Ekiti issue is the worst.

Let President Jonathan himself take a trip down here and see what life is for motorists”, he said.

Another resident of the town, Prince Adekunle Adewumi, clarified that the gully erosion occurred because a truck which fell into the gorge on the right side of the road had remained abandoned, blocking the passage of flood.

The prince said: “The road became bad because a truck or two fell into that gorge that you are seeing there and so the flood could not pass again and had been eating into the base of the road. Very soon, the entire section will fall and no one will be able to enter Ekiti again. Now that bend has become very dangerous. While some have been plying the road and do know how it is, there are first timers who might be entirely unaware of the condition of the road, especially at that spot. Our prayer is, may no life be lost in that process.

“This is a very important road. It is preferred by long distance travelers especially truck operators because they say it is a shorter route to their destinations. What we ask for is the completion of the alternative road on another side of this town which has remained abandoned for nearly 20 years or more.

But if government cannot complete that one why not dualise this one being threatened by erosion?”

Prince said.

Alfa Kayode Onimimo, a cleric in Erio, blamed the federal government for abandoning such an important road, noting “If you (the concerned authorities) must keep shut about such a road, God is seeing all of us and will judge”.

He stated that elders in the town had met many times and had taken steps to call needed attention to the road, adding that “whatever anyone may say or do, it is left for (the federal) government to act. This is not a project an individual can undertake. We have been waiting for the coming of government for long”.

Onimimo said: “May I add that whenever this road is blocked by a truck anywhere around here, the motorists take one alternative road done then by Ayo Fayose which passes through the town. Since that time, no one has touched it for any improvement.

“Now, even that road had become so bad that it has become unmotorable as well. Very soon, no one will be able to move into or outside the town again. This is the fact which anyone can find out independently”, Onimimo said.

According to Mr. Ademola, a teacher, the best way is to complete the said alternative road, linking Efon direct to Ado, which, according to them, would “automatically eliminate the many sharp bends which menaced the road at about 25

spots right from Efon up to Ado”.

Ademola’s words: “Quick intervention is what we as residents in this area expect now. But if those who should be concerned and take decisions refuse to, a day will definitely come when a bang will occur to drag them into doing the needful.

That bang can take many forms, but it will surely occur. This will happen sooner than later. We will all see”, he said.

Ademola recalled that so many lives have been lost in the past five years as a result of accidents which were either caused by trucks or the inclement nature of the roads.

“What we are saying is an option which will be a useful option. If the federal government repairs the old one, the bends will essentially remain. So, what will secure the users of the road is to have another one which would eliminate the many sharp bends and hilly portions”, Ademola said.

Efforts of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Mr. Stanley Godwin Chinedum, the state Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), maintained he had visited the place three times since he assumed office about two months ago. According to him, the road was too important not to receive attention which is necessary to keep it functioning.

The FRSC boss said: “We made a letter to the office of Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) through their zonal office in Ibadan, for it to mount campaigns to warn motorists plying the route.

“We have also made a report on Akanasan bend just before Ado-Ekiti here. I have also gone to Federal Ministry of Woks to make complaints. My worry on the Erio road is that there is no diversion or an alternative entry into the state or out of the state.”

37

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

THE NATION INVESTORS

I

CIS sets standard for stockbrokers

N its quest to raise bar among its core professionals, the Chartered institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), the umbrella body for players in the stock market has commenced an advocacy campaign among its members.

The President of the institute, Albert Okumagba, while addressing participants at a forum tagged , ‘Brunch With The President’ in Lagos recently explained that the institute deemed it necessary at this point to organise the forum , which is the first in the series, to keep members abreast of steps being taken to reposition the institute to become the most strategic professional institute in Nigeria.

According to him, the Institute’s

ongoing aggressive transformation exercise would reposition it for global competitiveness and attract more investors’ participation in the nation’s capital market.

He explained that CIS was poised to globalise the CIS professional qualification, adding that the new leadership would pursue the passage of the bill which is at the 3rd reading stage at the National Assembly for change of its name to Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment.

“In the new dispensation, the institute is poised to bring all the practitioners in the Securities and Investment industry to its fold to ensure that the minimum training and certification is maintained for the

advancement of the industry in accordance with its statutory powers as it is practiced in other developed market.”

Okumagba pointed out that the institute is partnering with the Nigeria Commodity Exchange (NCX), formerly, Abuja Securities and Commodity Exchange plc to establish working relationship in the areas of capacity building and certification programmes that would reinforce the growth of the Nigerian Capital Market.

“We would also embark on brand projects that would situate the institute in the rightful place in the financial market and the Nigerian economy and make it a strong brand across Africa and globally.

An important component of this is to work with the National Assembly on the speedy passage of the CISI Bill.”

Echoing similar sentiments, the Chief Executive Officer of Kitari Consult Limited, Ali Megashi noted that the steps the CIS is taking to reposition the institute would also deepen financial inclusions in the market.

He urged every CIS members to ensure full participate in the clarion call to move the institute forward, noting that there was need to move the market from the current domination of equities to becoming a debt market in a near future.

The Chairman, Finance Committee of the Institute, Abubakar Lawal

said,” We should bring the institute to the national space, giving our contributions to the economy and to make this happen, we need to reposition our finance, we must be financially strong. We cannot do all by ourselves, we must have very qualified men. “We should look at the next 18 months together and by 2016, we should have surpassed everything we are considering today.”

He explained that the current administration meet a negative of N109million on resumption of of-, fice, adding that the institute needed to achieve N5billion mark to achieve its objectives.

Berger Paints repositions

• Chairman of Berger Paints, Dr. Oladimeji Alo (left) and Berger Paints immediate past Chairman, Mr. Clement Olowokande at a special dinner in honour of retiring chairman and directors of the company in Lagos.

Capital Bancorp restates commitment to enterprise risk management

F

OR the Chairman, Capital Bancorp Plc, Mr. Olutola Mobolurin, the chief reasons the company has remained committed to enterprise risk management is the desire to imbibe the best practices in corporate governance.

Addressing the company’s shareholders at the26th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos recently, Mobolurin explained that the current global recess is a clarion call to captains of industry to address all risks that can threaten the going-concern status of their companies in view of the harsh operating environment. He explained that as part of the strategy to ensure global competitiveness, the board, management and staff of Capital Bancorp had undergone intensive enterprise risk management training.

“The board on your behalf made extensive investments in fortification of our company by the implementation of an Enterprise-wide Risk Management System. This project involved a holistic training of the members of the board and all members of staff. The investment was made towards making our company risk compliant and in entrenching and improving corporate governance,” Mobolurin said.

Mobolurin who lamented the security situation in Nigeria and the impacts on corporate performance explained that it might moderate projections for all operators in the financial market. But he stated that Capital Bancorp was upbeat about the inherent opportunities in the

other lines of businesses such as Bureau De Change and leasing.

According to him, the profits realised from these business lines would boost whatever shortfall from the capital market and enhance shareholder value.

The company’s performance was moderated by the inclement operating environment and this affected payment of dividend.

But Mobolurin assured the shareholders that under the company’s new strategic direction, dividend would be paid next year. The company has expanded its operations with the introduction of e-Trading platform which is now being deployed as a major on-line trading device.

Echoing similar sentiments, the company’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Aigboje Higo expressed optimism that the company would outperform the current position next financial year.

Higo noted that the company is blessed with human resources who are highly committed towards innovation. “We have a long tradition of integrity and excellent performance. We deploy some of the latest technologies to do our business. This has made us highly competitive and we shall continue to leverage on these for global best practices,” said Higo.

The shareholders passed a vote of confidence on the board and management and urged them to sustain the new strategic direction in order to operate profitably irrespective of the vagaries in the operating environment. The re-

cent annual general meeting was the first after the company celebrated its 25th anniversary with pomp and pageantry and it came on the heels of its compliance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

THE board and management of Berger Paints Nigeria Plc have hinted of plans to restructure its leadership for better service delivery.

Making this known recently was the new chairman of the company, Dr. Oladimeji Alo. Justifying the need for the change, Alo said, it is in a bid to reposition it for leadership position in the paints and allied industry.

The chairman stated this at a special dinner organised by the company in honour of the retiring chairman and directors of the company in Lagos recently.

As part of measures to reposition the company for the future, four directors who have attained the age of 70 years since the last AGM retired from the board at the 54thAnnual General Meeting held in July.

Those affected in the musical chairs include: Mr. Clement Olowokande (immediate past Chairman), Dr. Raymond Obieri, Mr. Olawale Akinpelu, an engineer and Mr. Balram Datwani (retired non-Executive Directors).

The immediate past chairman, Mr. Olowokande had described the development as a step designed to refresh the board of directors to continue the great task of making Berger Paints a company built to last.

The new chairman, Dr. Alo, former Director-General of Financial Institution Training Centre (FITC) said the changes in Berger Paints were meant to reposition the

company in terms of boosting turnover, reducing cost, firming up processes and systems, all targeted at regaining leadership position in the industry, adding that some of the changes have begun.

He said the board would continue to need the support of the retired Directors because the wisdom they would bring to the table would continue to be valuable to the company.

In his goodwill message, Sir Sunny Nwosu, National Coordinator, Independent Shareholders Association observed that although the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) did not stipulate retirement age for directors, the retiring directors decided to retire so that fresh blood could be injected into the company.

He enjoined the new chairman to ensure that more value was added to the assets being left by the retiring Directors and also commended the Board for the choice of the new chairman who has distinguished himself in the financial sector and other sectors of the economy.

The dinner was attended by distinguished businessmen and stakeholders of the company among whom are Professor Wale Omole, former Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife and presently Chairman of the Editorial Board of the Guardian, Professor Gabriel Olawonyi, Vice-Chairman of International Chamber of Commerce and Chief Michael Ade Ojo, Chairman of Elizade Motors among many others.

• Head, Government Relations, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr Vivian Ikem (left) presenting the trophy to Mr Babatunde Ojerinde, the overall winner of this year’s Independence Day Golf Tournament, sponsored by Nigerian Breweries Plc at the IBB Golf and Country Club, Abuja.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

38

BUSINESS AFRICA

$1trillion infrastructure A financing fund coming

Micro-Station improves customer services

A

NEW global infrastructure funding launched by the World Bank Group would require that $1trillion be spent every year for the next six years up to year 2020. The move will pave way for institutional investors to help bridge the infrastructure gaps in countries such as Nigeria and other developing economies.

Under the new collaborative effort, the heads of some of the world’s largest asset management and private equity firms, pension and insurance funds, and commercial banks are joining multilateral development institutions and donor nations to work as partners in a new Global Infrastructure Facility (GIF) that has the potential to unlock billions of dollars for infrastructure in the developing world.

The World Bank Group President, Dr Jim Yong Kim said the presence of a broad range of institutional investors at the signing to launch the GIF, is reassuring, and at the same time, cancel any doubt as implied with the most recent data showing that private infrastructure investment in emerging markets and developing economies dropped from $186 billion in 2012 to $150 billion last year.

He said: “We have several trillions of dollars in assets represented today looking for long-term, sustainable and stable investments,” stressing that in leveraging those resources, “our partnership offers great promise for tackling the massive infrastructure deficit in developing economies and emerg-

From Simeon Ebulu Washington DC

ing markets, which is one of the fundamental bottlenecks to reducing poverty and boosting shared prosperity.”

As against the general belief that money is the major bottleneck, Kim said the real challenge “is not a matter of money, but a lack of bankable projects – a sufficient supply of commercially viable and sustainable infrastructure investments.”

He said developing countries, spend on the average about $1 trillion a year on infrastructure, but nevertheless maintained that current growth rates and meeting future demands would require investment of at least an estimated additional $1 trillion a year through to 2020.

He explained that the GIF is being designed to tap into expertise from within and outside of the Bank Group to deliver complex public-private infrastructure projects that no single institution could address on its own.

As he put it: “The GIF is also being created to complement existing project preparation facilities in partnership with institutions across the globe,” adding that the multilateral development banks have already made commitments to work and pull resources together, coupled with their experiences to attain the intended objective.

The GIF goal was roundly supported by the Australian Treasurer and Chair of the G20 Finance Track, Joe Hockey

and the President of the European Investment Bank, Werner Hoyer.

“We welcome the proposed collaboration of the Multilateral Development Banks and the private sector and capital market institutions on GIF as it will increase the resources available to prepare major infrastructure projects. It will also strengthen market investment in key infrastructure sectors and countries where such resources are lacking. What we need are viable, bankable and innovative projects which provide added value for investment and modernising the economy.

“We know that simply increasing the amount invested in infrastructure may not deliver on the potential to foster strong, sustainable and balanced growth. A focus on the quality of infrastructure is vital,” said World Bank Group Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Bertrand Badre.

He said the GIF would begin operations later this year in a pilot phase to “road test” new models to deliver complex public-private infrastructure in low and middle income countries.

The key focus would be on climate friendly investments as well as ventures to bolster trade, adding that work has already started on a pipeline selection process and the GIF is talking to partners and beneficiary countries about several projects with the potential to transform developing economies, boost job creation, and improve the lives of poor people.

N indigenous firm, Micro Station Limited, has restructured its customer services with the creation of a full-fledged department, devoted to the provision of effective after-sales services to its customers.

The initiative is part of the company’s resolve to continuously delight its teeming customers and enhance their personality, irrespective of their background, vocation and interests.

Speaking on the new exercise within the company, its Managing Director, Mrs. Tinuola Coutroupis, said as a major brand in the mobile devices retailing in the country, the company puts great premium on customer satisfaction.

“At Micro-Station, everything we do is built around our customers and that is why we have recently undertaken total restructuring of our customer service division to ensure that we have little or zero level of complaints in all our branches,” she said.

Coutroupis said the company now has a full-fledged department in-charge of customer service issues at the Head office, with representation in all its branches.

She said: “Customers now can simply walk to our customer service desk in any outlet and get prompt and effective solutions to their issues. We are also in partnership with several other organisations and agencies and have put in place, programmes to engage our customers and give them value even beyond after sales and our customers are already enjoying some of these benefits.

“We have also established a feedback mechanism where the Management of the company can also directly feel the pulse and

CWG’s COO bags IoD fellowship

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• From left: Mrs. Fadayomi; Mr. Obioha and 1st Vice President, IoD, Mr. Yemi Akeju during the induction in Lagos.

Broadbased Communications showcases metro fibre optic services O PEN access metropolitan fibre network operator, Broadbased Communications Ltd, has demonstrated its capacity to deliver excellent services to other mobile network operators (MNOs) and internet service providers (ISP) in the country.

Through its open access metro fiber network (OAMFN) well spread across Lagos, it said it is currently providing a high capacity data network, as well as a security network MNOs, ISPs, banks, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), e-payment switching and processing companies and other major corporate clients In a presentation to top executives of banks, financial institutions, MNOs and ISPs during the launching of its horizontal directional drilling equipment HDDE) in Lagos at the weekend in Lagos, its MD/CEO, Prince Henry Ise-Okojie, said the firm had, from inception, made commitment to offer a non compete open access shared services platform to enable MNOs and content providers provide services to end users Thus the firm’s fiber optic transportation highway for other

MNOs to connect their wireless base stations, provide high capacity fiber optic links to their corporate customers and provide fiber to the home services.

He said the current aggregate spending on fibre optic services by major corporate firms is less than five per cent of their total telecom budget adding that this is projected to increase significantly above 90 per cent in the near future.

According to him, global statistics support that the open access non compete model is the only viable business model that could survive over time, stressing that the position has already been validated by the International Finance Corporation (IFC),an arm of the World Bank and other strategic investors who have experience in this sector in other countries around the world.

He said the firm has Points of Presence (PoPs) in all the major business districts in Lagos and promised that before the end of the year, there will

be over 30 PoPs in Lagos to provide services to MNOs, ISPs and other corporate organisations.

He said: “Each PoP is connected by redundant cable paths and equipped with network equipment that automatically reroutes traffic if there is a cable cut on a particular link, ensuring excellent quality of services to our esteemed customers “We have invested heavily in HDD equipment which enables us to lay our cables underground mechanically without manually digging up the streets. There was a demonstration of how the HDD equipment works which enables us to lay fiber optic cables below roads, canals, rivers and others in some cases 22 feet (ft) below canals and 90ft river crossings. We have also invested in scanning devices to electronically scan for cables and pipes buried underground on the Streets before we start drilling and laying our fiber optic cables. We have made that level of investment because we want to make sure we secure our cables.”

opinions of our customers, including their peculiar requests and how to service them better. We have also revived our social media interactions through google+, twitter handle and Facebook pages for customers to be able to interact with us and with other customers.”

Over the years, Micro-Station has established itself in the mobile handsets, tablets, laptops, cameras and accessories business market with deep understanding of the dynamics of the market, both in the wholesale and retail arm of the market.

Its Business Development Manager, Mr. Tobi Adewunmi, said: “We have fully established ourselves with a unique retail business model that is targeted at our customers’ needs in their respective locations. We have realised that our brands have target markets and have targeted such audiences in our established locations.

“At present, we have retail outlets in Victoria Island, Ikorodu, Mushin, Oshogbo, Awolowo Way in Ikeja as well as our flagship retail store in our UltraModern Head Office Complex in the heart of the Computer Village in Otigba, Ikeja.”

He also disclosed that the company will soon open its shop at Sango-Ota, in Ogun State and with concrete plans ongoing to expand to Port-Harcourt and several other new locations in the coming months.

“Apart from being able to lodge complaints online through our dedicated customer care email address, customers can now also make their online purchases and enquiries through email or by simply visiting our website with free delivery to any location within Lagos. Only deliveries outside Lagos will attract some subsidised rates,” he said.

HE Chief Operating Officer (COO), Computer Ware house Group Plc, Mr. Phillip Obioha has been inducted a fellow of the Institute of Directors Nigeria (IoD) after his nomination was approved by the Executive Management and Governing Council of IoD. According to a statement, the induction took place alongside the annual Fellow’s Evening held in Lagos.

The IoD Nigeria is a professional group that attends to the developmental needs of directors both in public and private sectors as well as business leaders in the country. The institute seeks to promote directors, develops corporate governance, enhances the economy for business development, provides services to her members and represents the views of its members at the continental level as one of the members of Africa Corporate Governance Network. It boasts of a membership base that consists of more than 90 per cent of the directors of companies listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

The fellowship status is conferred

annually by IoD on a few deserving members who have been members of the Institute for a minimum of 10 years, with unblemished character and a minimum of 10 years directorship experience in a reputable organisation.

Commenting on the development, IoD’s Council President,, Chief (Mrs.) Eniola Fadayomi, said: “Mr. Obioha nomination is on the heels of his notable contribution to the growth of CWG Plc becoming the leading panAfrican ICT firm and the Nigerian economy, and his meritorious service to the institute.”

The award entitles Mr. Obioha to the designation F.IoD after his name for the duration of his fellowship and affords him the privilege to attend the annual fellow’s evening, an event that attracts the presence of distinguished individuals in the society.

Mr. Obioha has more than 20 years of cognitive experience in the information technology industry. He was trained as an Electrical Engineer, with specialization in digital electronics at West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia in USA.

MainOne urges submarine cables protection

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AINONE has urged the government, maritime bodies and other stakeholders with responsibilities in seabed use to clamour for the protection of submarine cables and other critical information technology (IT) infrastructure.

The firm said it is only by protecting critical telecoms infrastructure that the vexed issue of poor quality of service (QoS) could become a thing of the past.

Its Regulatory Manager, Oluwakemi Adeyanju, who spoke during the second Cable Protection and Awareness Workshop, which held at the Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos, stressed the neeed for an industry-wide collaboration to address the issue of willful vandalism of telecoms infrastructure.

Adeyanju said the annual workshop agrees with the global protection initiative organised by the International Cable Protection Committee to sensitise stakeholders on the critical role of cable protection.

She said: “We need to provide a collaborative, industry-wide framework for the protection of this critical infrastructure, and jointly tackle challenges

QoS issues arising from infrastructure deficiencies. This workshop thus provides us an avenue to build ecosystems that assist enterprises in their stride for growth, and expediting the speed of broadband penetration across Nigeria and the West African sub-region.”

The workshop, which sought to promote awareness of the strategic, economic and social benefits of submarine cables, especially to all stakeholders involved in seabed use, reiterated the significance of cables as critical information infrastructures whose availability, reliability and resilience are essential to the functioning of a modern economy, security, and other essential social values systems.

MainOne, which organised the forum, hosted submarine cable companies, oil and gas companies, cable maintenance bodies, and regulatory agencies tasked with maritime safety and protection, and environment responsibilities, such as the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research, among others.

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SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP The increasing local and international demand for healing herbs is opening up a new window of opportunities for agro exporters and commercial herb farmers, even as the trade promises good revenue for the economy. DANIEL ESSIET writes.

Changing fortunes of medicinal herbs G

LOBALLY, export earnings from medicinal herbs are on an upward swing. This is due to the increasing demands of these herbs from markets in countries such as India, Europe and United States for therapeutic uses.

The change in perception on medicinal herbs comes on the heels of recent successes recorded in its usage for the treatment of arthritis and infertility.

But aside the medicinal usage, herbs are also now being used in meal preparation. For instance, herb users now grind basil for pesto, stuff rosemary in their vinegar bottles, and puttarragon sprigs on their chicken. Then they moved on to herbal wreathes, soaps, and pot pourris.

As the sharp rise in demand for herbs in the international market for medicinal herbs has placed such produce high on the list of exportable goods, a big export opportunity has opened up for some Nigerian entrepreneurs, some of whom are now taking advantage of this and smiling to the bank in the process.

One of the early persons to key into this new trade is the Chief Executive Officer, Atanda and Anjorin, a firm of agro-exporting commodity, Mr. Sunday Anjorin.

He is taking advantage of the rise in demand for medicinal herbs by local pharmaceutical companies and herbal companies abroad to explore new ways of boosting his export revenue. The main attraction is that the prices of the herbs are quoted in American dollar.

Explaining why herbs export is now a money spinner, Anjorin said a lot of foreign companies are in search of potent herbs, which

they use to produce medicinal and herbal products. Other companies, he added, use herbs to produce cosmetics, drugs and food items.

For this reason, he further explained, they purchase raw herbs from India, China, Eastern European countriesand Africa. Sometimes, the exporters make almost three times the price they would have obtained locally when they export herbs overseas.

As the medicinal herb industry has matured, however, he said the companies buying these herbs have instituted new quality control efforts that include testing for active compounds, purity, and bacterial contamination. This is because many companies have found that foreign imports do not meet their new high standards.

He explained, also that manufacturers have shown increasing inclination to obtain organic produce along with a rise in commercial farming.

While the local and international herbal industry has opened up a market for growers to produce large acreages of medicinal herbs, a naturopath, Dr. Solomon Abutoh, regretted thatNigerians are not taking advantage of the development.

He said Nigerians are losing so much money by not taking advantage of the market, making Ghanaians to make a kill from the medicinal herbal export market.

To reverse the trend, Abutoh said it was time Nigerians rose to explore the sector which could create jobs and expand the economy with a growing demand for natural products including items of medicinal value/pharmaceuticals, food supplements and cosmetics in both domestic and international

•Herbs for export

markets.

The Chief Executive Officer, Forever Healthy Products, Dr. Olajuwon Okubena, lends credence to Abutoh’s submissions. He said herbs provide raw materials for use by pharmaceutical, cosmetic, fragrance and flavour industries, agreeing that the demand is increasing as there are so many species used in traditional medicine. He said a lot of them can be grown profitably specifically for medicinal purposes.

From an agri-business viewpoint, he said there are opportunities for Nigerians to raise medicinal crops. This is because there are some potentially high-value niche-market crops that can be grown for chemical constituents.

On the whole,he said Nigeria presents a great investment and business opportunity in the herbal sector, with the prospects of the country emerging as a leader in the field if there is enough sup-

port from the government to empower emerging local players.

While most of the major medicinal herbs are marketed by foreign big business, he explained that that much of the cultivation is done by small farmers and enterprises.

Notwithstanding the economic role of big firms, he said small entrepreneurs are of special importance to the future development of the medicinal herb industry and that there are opportunities for small private enterprises, including the cultivation of medicinal herbs as part of the spectrum of crops raised by farmers. In recent times, there has been an enlightened awareness about the natural advantages that the country is endowed with.

However, one problem particularly associated with the medicinal plant industry is the irregularity of market demand.

This makes it essential for a small private entrepreneur to establish a close working relationship with a

buyer or company purchasing the product.

Unfortunately, for many medicinal plants, there is an urgent need for production of high-quality, reliably identified seed that is often not met by suppliers.

Imported seeds may be mixtures of sedlings or contaminated by weed seeds. Growers need to be especially sensitive to the issues of quality, purity, and identity, since the success of their crops depends on these factors.

Right now, reports indicate that herbal medicines and aroma therapy in Europe and Asia are the fastest growing sales categories.

The general feeling, however, is that the public’s interest in herbs has not reached its peak and healthy growth is expected in the future.

Right now, plants in greatest demand are those that can be used for treatment for AIDS, cancer, various digestive disorders, and to boost the immune system.

How young enterpreneurs are moving up Some of the biggest start-up success stories these days are those of young entrepreneurs. DANIEL ESSIET reports

S

AMSON Olatunde, Chief Executive, Business Impact Limited, was still an undergraduate when he started his business.

His inspiration came from books he read on successful young entrepreneurs. During business studies at university, he had to read several case studies of companies, many of which had been started by young individuals. He thought, if they can do it, so can he! That started him on a journey where he now runs his own company.

Though young and expected reliant on his parents, Olatunde decided to take the bull by the horn.

He wanted financial freedom and took radical steps to bring the dream to reality.

As a matter of fact, he was entitled to a monthly allowance of N4000 from his parents as an undergraduate of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye.

However, he saw much more than the monthly N4000. Having realised his passion and capacity to impart knowledge, Olatunde did not loaf. He saw the need for computer literacy around the university campus and ventured to make the most of that opportunity.

He, therefore, organised computer training classes with his

friend’s computer system and people kept coming.

That was the beginning of his cruise into business. In his fourth year, Olatunde registered his company since he was already convinced that he would not need to pursue white collar jobs after graduation.

The height of his business success on campus was his adventure into the sphere of information marketing.

His hunger for genuine internet business drove him to borrow some money from friends to attend a seminar organised by Dr Sunny Obazu Ojeagbase, founder of the Success Attitude Development Centre (SADC) .

At the seminar, information products were given to participants to sell and Olatunde swung into action with immediate effect.

He packaged the products very well and marketed them with every strategy he could deploy.

The end result was financial freedom for the young undergraduate who hit his first million at the age of 24.

Since then, Olatunde has expanded his business empire which he started with less than N10,000 to a group comprising Business Impact Media, Business Impact Es-

tates, Business Impact Academy and Business Impact Consultancy.

His sunny and humorous nature has allowed him to create a large network of business contacts in just a few years. They have helped him grew his business and opened up new avenues.

The best thing about being an entrepreneur, according to him, is feeling that one can put his talents and abilities to good use whilst pursuing projects and ideas close to his heart. He gets a lot of satisfaction knowing he is generating jobs for others and contributing to the economy. What has helped him most is the ability to convince people and the ability to form a professional team. He has faith in everything he is doing.

He has the state of mind that everything was ‘doomed to success’.

That pushes him forward and is helping him to develop new ideas and a suitable environment for growing them.

Olatunde is always strived to be number one. Always one step ahead of the competitors with information, ideas, opportunities and capabilities.

His biggest challenge so far is keeping a clear vision, steady course of action and a commitment to success, amongst the dis-

traction of everyday duties, fierce competition and financial activities.

But he has a lot of flair, energy and ambition, and also the desire to make something as good as possible. The other thing is having great people with beliefs and understanding in areas where he is weak. His advice for those considering starting a business is that they should not be afraid of starting out and they should following their gut instincts.

However, they should do this only with a background of sound knowledge and excellent skills; otherwise they will just be naive.

They should not give up at the first hurdle – challenges. For him, isn’t enough to simply want something; one has to be able to do it. This requires a lot of hard work, devotion, effort and involvement.

Olatunde believes a young entrepreneur must have a vision and objectives, together with positive thinking.”If they have an idea they should go for it.

“But one must be really passionate about the plan and be prepared for tough days and challenging situations which may take one to limits”.

For him, the entrepreneurship journey has much to teach.

This demands one thinks hard,

•Olatunde

weighs up the pros and cons, before taking the plunge. So far entrepreneurship has been a fantastic life experience for him bringing a great deal of satisfaction.

Starting up a business was an inspiring, yet time-consuming challenge that drained him of the energy he needed to develop new ideas. Since then, he has learned to reserve more time for contemplation. These years have taught him that reflecting regularly on the company’s achievements and reserving enough time for rest have brought on the best ideas and contributed to the success.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, October 15, 2014

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ECONOMIC OUTLOOK As the global economy moves the trajectory of recovery away from recession, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that the slow pace of growth, if not reversed, can result in another global financial meltdow. SIMEON EBULU, Group Business Editor, reports from Washington DC NOTWITHSTANDING the prominence the Ebola pandemic scare has enjoyed in this year’s bi-annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)/World Bank Group meetings, the economic concern posed by the what the global economic bodies called, ‘slow growth’, if allowed to continue, could result in a rebound to another meltdown.

The issue was brought to global attention at the briefing anchored by the Chairman of the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC), Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

He said although the global economy is recovering and on a growth trajectory, it was not an all round recovery.

He said: “We are clearly in recovery globally, as well as in most parts of the world, but it is an incomplete recovery. That means there are some real positives, but also some real challenges.

We have achieved something, but there’s a lot more work to be done.”

He said the US, which is the largest of the advanced economies, is doing well and is clearly in recovery, in addition to some smaller advanced economies, as well as the emerging and developing ones, pointing out that the trend demonstrates a clear indication that the reforms are taking effect, but pointed out that more work is required to be done.

But there are challenges that should be addressed, saying the Eurozone is still barely out of recession. In his words:, “it has been very weak and faltering recovery, and we face new financial challenges, in both the advanced and the emerging world.”There are some important downside risks, particularly those coming out of the growing role of the non-bank sector. CONCERN He said the IMF’s key concern is to look ahead so that we avert “the very risk of a prolonged period of subpar growth, or a new mediocre,” stating that every hand must be on deck to “avert this risk.”

He said the on-going recovery is topsy-turvy , describing it as “incomplete recovery, some pluses, some minuses,” adding that the issue revolves about how to avert a prospect of prolonged period of subpar growth. “It is a real risk,” he said, warning that “if we have slow growth sustained over a long period, we will always be vulnerable, because of its impact on growth, on jobs, on confidence. We will be vulnerable to biological pandemics, and we will be vulnerable to financial bowls which are bound to happen from time to time.”

The IMFC chair, said the focus of the IMF and the global financial and institutional and government apparatus, should be how to address the challenges of both the present and the future. Shanmugaratnam, explained that the global policy agenda, as the IMFC saw it, is how do we address the challenges of both today and tomorrow, and how to address the challenges of lifting today’s growth and having sustained growth into the future, adding that what is required is, rather to focus on the future and not the present.Hear him: We need to focus on the reforms needed, and the structural reforms in

Averting another global economic crisis

particular, that are required to address the challenges of tomorrow. And if we don’t do that, then we can’t solve the problems of today. In other words, to solve today’s growth problems, we have to lift potential growth, and that means reforms that don’t pay-off immediately, but reforms that build confidence over the medium-to-longerterm path of the global economy and our respective economies.

“In other words, bring the longterm into the short-term. If we don’t address tomorrow’s growth problems today, we will be left with today’s problems tomorrow, unsolved, and tomorrow’s problems, if left for the future, will just get larger,” he argued.

Going forward, the IMFC chair, said the global community hasn’t got much options left, if it must avoid another financial crises, than to redouble its efforts towards adopting and implementing structural reforms that will help drive growth. “So we have got to put much greater urgency on the structural reforms required to solve tomorrow’s problems towards achieving sustainable growth, and toward averting a

prolonged period of subpar growth,” Shanmug- aratnam submitted, adding that the proposition was roundly supported by officials from across the economic divides, from the developed, emerging, as well as the developing economies. As he puts it: “We had extensive discussions of this, but everyone within the Eurozone, the other advanced countries, amongst the emerging economies, was on that same page, the criticality of structural reforms at this stage of the recovery,” stressing, “we have all got a focus on it, it has been too slow. We recognise the structural reforms have been, with some exceptions, too slow, and we have to pick up the pace.”

And in doing that, the IMFC proffered solutions that in it’s opinion, will not lead to eroding the gains that have been achieved so far. Apparently conscious of strident criticisms that have greeted some previous IMF policies

and its reforms, Shanmugaratnam, assured that these new propositions, will not inflict more economic hardship.

Hear him: “There are ways of doing it,” the IMFC’s chair explained, “which do not lead to a short-term reduction in economic growth and that do not inflict more austerity. There are ways in which we can have growth- friendly fiscal policies without a major fiscal expansion, or without slippage from fiscal rules, and there are ways in which we can liberalise labour markets.”

In outlining some of the ways, he said some very important reforms are on their way, which if well implemented can “enhance job creation, as well as improve productivity and growth, adding that these would not lead to expansion of fiscal budgets. We can liberlise the service sectors to boost productivity and enhance competition, without having to expand fis-

‘We need to focus on the reforms needed, and the structural reforms in particular, that are required to address the challenges of tomorrow. And if we don’t do that, then we can’t solve the problems of today. In other words, to solve today’s growth problems, we have to lift potential growth, and that means reforms that don’t pay-off immediately, but reforms that build confidence over the medium-to-longer-term path of the global economy and our respective economies’

• Lagarde

cal resources. “So there is ample scope for structural reforms that boost growth tomorrow, but also help confidence today,” he said. FOCUS In drawing the curtain on his presentation, Shanmugaratnam, stressed that the goal of the IMFC is to churn out reforms that will enable IMF to lift potential growth and build a better tomorrow, and with a caveat, “if we don’t focus with urgency on that, we won’t solve even today’s problems, adding, “we have to bring the long-term into the short-term. That has to be our whole way of thinking about how we complete this recovery process, otherwise, we would be left with today’s problems tomorrow, and tomorrow’s problems only get larger,” he warned.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

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SHOWBIZ

Tears as Taiwo Oshadipe goes home today Censors Board approves

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EEPING accompanied by intense emotions will rent the air today, as the remains of Taiwo Oshadipe, one of the singing duo of the sensational singers, The Oshadipe Twins, will be interred at the Victoria Court Cemetery (Now Vault), Lekki Expressway, Lagos, almost two weeks after she passed on.

In a release, Olumide Akinsanya, manager to The Oshadipe Twins, said the body of the late singer and actress would be moved from the Lagos State University Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja at 8.00a.am for burial at the c e m e t e r y at10.00a.m.

Meanwhile, as part of the activities heralding her final journey, family members, friends, colleagues and fans converged, yesterday, on the Lagos

By Mercy Michael

Television (LTV) ground, Ikeja for a candlelight procession.

Amidst palpable sober mood, the procession later left the LTV ground about 5.00p.m. for MITV, Ikeja, where a prayer session and an oration service were also held, amidst uncontrolled emotions. It was all tears again as the procession

returned to LTV for the final session of the service.

The talented gospel singer died penultimate Friday, after complaining of chest pain. She had been rushed to LASUTH by her twin sister, Kehinde, where doctors pronounced her dead on arrival.

I n a n

•Oshadipe Twins

earlier interview with The Nation, Akinsanya had recalled his last moment with the deceased, saying, “The illness wasn’t serious. She was admitted at LASUTH and was discharged a week after. When she started taking her drugs, she felt better. But surprisingly, she started having chest pain again. So, she called her doctor who treated her at LASUTH. The doctor asked her to come over to his private hospital, as he wouldn’t be around at LASUTH until Friday. She went to the hospital and the doctor checked her and gave her some drugs. He also gave her another appointment for Friday at LASUTH. She took the drugs and again she felt better. But in the early hours of Friday, she started complaining of chest pain again.

This time, it was very severe; so, her twin sister, Kehinde, rushed her to LASUTH. But she was confirmed dead on arrival. So, about 8.00a.m., Kehinde called me and I had to rush to LASUTH to see her for myself. It is still very shocking to me.”

Monalisa Chinda to launch TV show lives and make positive impacts.

The actress, who recently marked her 40 th birthday, said: “You & I with Monalisa remains a most cherished gift from God and one of my greatest contributions to this world. It is highly captivating, entertaining and enriching. This suspensefilled talk show is easily the solution to most of our societal challenges.”

She further disclosed that You & I with Monalisa, which is planned to debut soon, is also targeted at upwardly mobile viewers across the broadcast and social m e d i a p l a t forms, g l o bally.

•Footage for Chinda's Talk Show

A

FTER making a name for herself in the movie industry, top Nollywood actress and producer, Monalisa Chinda, is set to launch an indigenous TV talk show tagged You and I with Monalisa, six months after she quit her selftitled magazine, Monalisa.

By Adewoyin Adeniyi

Produced to global standards, You and I with Monalisa, which is described as an unconventional, thrilling and exciting talk show, “is designed to address pressing and trending social issues in refreshing perspectives.”

Though it is a not a familiar turf for the mother of one, she expressed hopes that t h e programme w o u l d t o u c h

•Monalisa

I

By Dupe Ayinla-

well as sensational singer, Davido, as guest performers at the highly anticipated concert, which is already generating buzz.

The organisers further revealed that comedian Okey Bakassi, actor and comedian Basorge Tariah Jnr., comedian MC Abbey, and Madam Princess would also thrill at

the event.

Over the years, the likes of Tuface Idibia, D’Banj, Wizkid, Ice Prince, Basketmouth and Bovi had headlined Tyme Out with Tee A, a comedy concert series.

Tyme out with Tee A is a recipient of numerous awards in Nigeria and abroad, with a massive fan base.

I

N line with its avowed resolve to always attend to the censorship of submitted movies without delay, the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has verified and approved a total of 79 movies for the month of September.

Eleven of the movies approved are feature length films for cinema exhibition, while 68 are for home viewership.

Consequently, there has been a marginal improvement of nine films over the 70 movies approved in August.

In a release by Caesar O. Kagho, Acting Head, Corporate Affairs, NFVCB, the approved movies for home viewership place Yoruba language contents in the lead with 31 movies, English language with 20 movies, Hausa with 16 movies and Bini with two movies.

The NFVCB requires that all approved movies are to be released with their respective consumer advisories of imitable technique, strong languages, violence, drug abuse, sex and fetish rituals.

Four movies were classified “15”,

•Ms Patricia Bala

By Dupe AyinlaOlasunkanmi

five movies were classified “18”, one classified “G” and one movie was classified “PG” for the cinema exhibition. They include : Into The Storm (English), Lucky(French), Drive Hard (English), Sin City : A Dame To Kill (English), Freemason (English) , The Hundred Foot Journey (Indian), No Good Deed (English), If I Stay (English), Finding Fanny (Indian), The Maze Runner (English) and The Rover (English).

Among the movies for home viewership, 29 have “15” classification grade, 38 classified “18” for adult viewership, one “12” and one “PG” ( Parental Guidance) for both adults and children accompanied by a known adult.

The “PG” approved film is Dazzling Mirage (English), while the “12” rated movie is Never Again (English).

Among the “15” rated movies are Abin Dariya (Hausa), Abubakar Sadiq (Hausa), Adebomi (Yoruba), Amarya De Ango(Hausa), Be My Guest(English), My Faith My Virginity (English), Oyenusi (Yoruba), Ope (Yoruba), Omo Onile (Yoruba), The Perfect Plan (English), The Appointment (English) and Sarah (Hausa).

The “18” rated movies include Agbo lboji (Yoruba), God’s Will (English), Boyayyar Gaskiya (Hausa), Caught In The Act (English), Eje Tutu (Yoruba), Hassana Da Usaina (Hausa), Hand of God (English), Iran (Yoruba), Iboju (Yoruba), Ujadu (Bini), Tears Of A Mad Woman (English), Omo Olufa (Yoruba) and Owo Epo (Yoruba).

Robbers kill Nollywood actor

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OUR armed men, yesterday, attacked a bullion van in Asaba, Delta State, killing a popular film actor, Clement Onyeaka.

An eye witness said the actor, who was driving a Mercedes Benz C-class was hit in the head by a flying bullet during the attack.

The Nation gathered that the bullion van conveying cash from the Onitsha branch of a new generation commercial bank to Asaba, was reportedly attacked at a b o u t 2:30pm, along the D e l t a Broadcasting Service (DBS) road.

Delta State Public Relations Officer, DSP Tina Kalu, who confirmed the incident, •King Sunny Ade (KSA) said no policeman was killed in

Tyme out with Tee: KSA to headline Lagos concert T will undoubtedly be a grand moment on Sunday, November 16, when ace Juju musician, King Sunny Ade (KSA) will headline this year’s Tyme out with Tee A Lagos Concert.

The multi-award winning singer will also be joined by celebrated standup comedian and master of ceremonies, Ali Baba, as

79 films in September

•The late Onyeaka From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

the attack, adding that rather, the police gunned down a robber who was eventually whisked away by his colleagues.

The Nation also gathered that three policemen who were on escort duty and three members of staff of the bank were seriously wounded.

The Nation learnt that the robbers, who drove in a Toyota Camry car, may have trailed their victims from Onitsha.

The victims were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba.

However, soldiers who conveyed some of the victims used horse whip on doctors at the scene, for insisting on due process and documentation for the victims.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 15, 2014

45

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

CROSS RIVER POLITICS The Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, is eyeing the Senate for the fourth time. But, another aspirant and a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. John Owan-Enoh, has vowed to stop him. Who blinks first? Correspondent NICHOLAS KALU examines the issues that will shape the senatorial race in Cross River Central District.

Furore over Ndoma-Egba’s fourth term agenda T

HE Cross River Central Senatorial District is the hotbed of politics in Cross River State.

The indigenes are politically conscious. The voting population is also huge. That is why the senatorial race in the district is generating much interest.

Since 2003, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN) has been representing the district in the Upper Chamber. In 2011, he became the Senate Leader. For 11 years, he has endowed the seat with honour and visibility. In the National Assembly, he is perceived as an asset. He is close to President Goodluck Jonathan and Senate President David Mark.

At home, he is a political idol.

Apart from attracting projects to the state, he has also organised empowerment programmes for constituents. Thus, many people are urging him to seek re-election.

As the race gathers momentum, there are surprises. A federal legislator, Hon. John Owan-Enoh, who represents Obubra/Etung Constituency in the House of Representatives, is challenging the Senate Leader. The chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation is believed to have the support Governor Liyel Imoke.

Observers find this strange Imoke and Ndoma-Egba enjoy cordial relations. But, the Senate Leader is determined to seek election for the fourth time.

Top Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains, who are backing Ndoma-Egba, include Brig-Gen. Mark. The Senate President has praised him for stabilising the Senate and the polity through his panNigerian activities in the chamber.

Speaking in Ikom, Mark said: “I promise Victor when he is going to declare I would come here and when I come, we would campaign.

When you say the Senate is stable, there are two people who make it very stable. They are the Deputy Senate President and the Leader of the Senate. So, you have produced a son who has made a mark in this country. He has helped to stabilise a very important institution of democracy in this country.”

The town, which is the headquarters of the Central Senatorial District, was aglow with festivities as stakeholders endorsed from the six local governments that comprise the district endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan and Victor Ndoma-Egba for next year’s elections.

The youths were decked in customised attires. They danced round the town as they drummed support for his candidature. It was a carnival-like rally.

A representative of the district in the National Youth Forum (NYF), Prince Ayuk Ojong, said: “We know that all of us are in the right direction. Today, we have come to witness the endorsement of these great Nigerians.

“You are in the right direction, please be alert. The youths are endorsing the one we know; the we believe in, the voice of the people, the centenary leader, the centenary lawmaker, the one and only Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba. My broth-

•Mark

ers and sisters, this business concerns you. That is why we have taken the pains to ensure that we make a difference. Leadership remains with us because we will decide. These two leaders have come together and they are making great things happen.”

A youth leader, Prince Eka William, said: “What I have seen today is a clear demonstration of the feeling of the young people. You have decided to take your destiny in your hands. You have decided to take the driver’s seat. It is just the best thing you can do and I am sure, as you go ahead, the Lord God will bless you. Goodluck Jonathan has done very well; I don’t need to reiterate that Victor Ndoma-Egba has done so well. We are giving them another term.”

The Vice President of the NYF, Comrade Yusuf Ibrahim, said: ‘’We have endorsed them today and we are saying with all our strength and might that President Goodluck Jonathan and Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba are going back.”

The Director-General of the Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba Campaign Committee, Mr Ernest Irek, expressed gratitude to the youths for their endorsements and assured them that they will not regret their decision.

Also, youths from Obubra Local Government Area held a rally for the President and the senator. They said Dr. Jonathan should continue in the office he has an unfinished business. They described NdomaEgba as a high ranking senator endowed with the charisma and the intellectual depth to assist the President in consolidating and actualising his agenda for a greater and united Nigeria.

Addressing the crowd at Ofatura, Adun, the campaign cooordinator in Obubra Local Government Co-

• Imoke

ordinator, Mr Egbe Abeng Egbe, described the endorsement as a testrun, ahead of the official campaigns.

He said the solidarity march is an affirmation of the endorsement.

Egbe emphasised that Ndoma-Egba is the adopted candidate.

He stressed: “His contributions cuts across the nation and even beyond the shores of Nigeria, with over 39 bills sponsored and passed on the floor of the Senate, including the Freedom of Information Bill, to his credit.”

“It is only Senator Ndoma-Egba, who has remembered the people of Obubra with his people-oriented projects. No other politician has remembered us in the scheme of things after the demise of our godfather, Chief John Oyom Okpa. The people of the Southsouth want him back in the Senate.’’

The former Chairman of the Cross River State Public Account Committee, Chief Dan Ewona, said a ranking senator is better than a fresher, adding that Ndoma-Egba’s challenger lacks the depth of parliamentary experience.

He recalled that, from 1999 till date, Cross River has produced nine senators, adding that none of them became the Senate Leader. He said, apart from Second Republic Senate President Dr. Joseph Wayas, no senator from the state has been part of the National Assembly leadership in the last 30 years.

The PDP chieftain added: “The chances are that, if Ndoma-Egba goes back, he would either retain his senate leadership or aspire for something higher.”

The Obubra Chairman of Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and leader of Hausa Community in Obubra, Alhaji Ibrahim Lawal, said Muslims have also adopted him because he has impacted on their lives by sponsoring them for Pilgrimage

• Ndoma-Egba

•Owan-Enoh

to Mecca.

Also, professionals are rooting for him. At a meeting in Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area, they said there will be no vacancy in the district next year. In their view, the senator deserves support because he is not a bench warmer in the Senate, adding that hardwork and performance should be encouraged.

A stakeholder, Dr Benitrus Okim, who spoke on behalf of the professionals, outlined Ndoma-Egba’s achievements. He said the senator has sponsored the highest number of bills in the Seventh Senate. Okim added: “He has executed more than 70 projects in his constituency. He has awarded more that 500 scholarships to indigenes of the district. He has fought for the territorial integrity of the state. He has sponsored over 200 pilgrims to Jerusalem and Saudi Arabia. He has, in line with the federal government’s policy on agriculture and food supply and sustainability, provided agricultural inputs to farmers.

“He has trained and empowered about 500 indigenes on small and medium scale enterprises and provided them with start-up capital. He has vigorously fought for the interest of the state. He has shown total and unalloyed support to the party.

He has facilitated the employment of more than 500 people from the state. He earned the accolade of the governor as they stabilise the PDP in the state.”

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) also endorsed the Senate Leader. Its National Vice President, Special Duties, Comrade Victor Ufuoma, said the endorsement was in recognition of his feats in the Senate. He lauded him for his scholarship scheme, saying that it has assisted indigent students to complete their studies.

“His efforts at empowering youths and sustaining the empowerment is something we thank him for. On behalf of the students, we give him support for 2015,” he added.

Also speaking, a member of the House of Assembly, Mr Mathew Achigbe, said the Senate Leader has given the state at the federal level.

“Now, we have a voice in Nigeria.

Cross River was so relegated to the background as we did not have people at the top. Now, we have the Senate Leader. He needs to be there.

We may never get the chance again.

The best is what we want. You don’t change a winning team,” he said.

The Chairman of the occasion, Chief Wilfred Eko, said the adoption was the beginning of the reelection of the Senate Leader. “What we are doing will continue, until what we want is achieved. What we want is the return of our illustrious son to the Senate. He occupies a mighty position in the Senate.

“Before he got there, there were always problems between the Senate and the President. Since Ndoma-Egba has been there, there has been stability in the Senate,” he said.

Ndoma-Egba’s media aide said: “It is not debatable that, for now, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba is Cross River State’s most prized political asset. It is also clear that no other legislator in the state, or even the Southsouth, has the capacity, by this position has, to attract federal presence to the state.

“Do we need to trade that advantage with the vaunting ambition of an individual, who will be going to the Senate as an unranked senator? The problem is that we confuse the person of Victor Ndoma-Egba with the occupant of the office of the Senate Leader. The office of the Senate Leader is an important office.

“Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba is the Leader of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. There are reasons to support the Senate Leader back to the Senate, in view of the numerous gains accruing to the state and indeed, the party hierarchy. The party and the government still need his services.”

‘As the race gathers momentum, there are surprises. A federal legislator, Hon. John Owan-Enoh, who represents Obubra/Etung Constituency in the House of Representatives, is challenging the Senate Leader. The chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation is believed to have the support Governor Liyel Imoke. Observers find this strange Imoke and Ndoma-Egba enjoy cordial relations. But, the Senate Leader is determined to seek election for the fourth time’

THE NATION WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 15, 2014

46

POLITICS Oluseyi Makinde, an engineer, is a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Oyo State. The 46 year-old politician highlights conditions for peaceful primaries and issues that will shape next year’s general elections. Correspondent OSEHEYE OKWUOFU met him at Ibadan, the state capital.

How PDP can bounce back in Oyo, by aspirant W

HY did you abandon your lucrative business for politics?

I decided to participate in the politics about a decade ago. in 2003, I participated actively as a mobiliser and supporter of the PDP governorship candidate, Rashidi Ladoja, before he became the governor. We had a group calle the ‘Fortune Group’. In 2007, I contested for the Senate in Oyo South District under the ANPP. I was in the PDP from 2003 to 2007. When there was crisis in the PDP, I left. After the election, I returned to the PDP. In 2011, I contested for the Senate in Oyo South under the PDP. I contested twice for the senatorial seat. The issue is whether we want to have internal democracy or imposition. Having gone through those experiences, they have spurred me to participate with more vigour. There are some vices we should not permit in politics.

How can the vices be tackled?

In 2011, candidates were imposed by the party, but they were rejected by the people at the general elections. The party also knows that internal democracy is the bedrock of our democracy. We need to ensure that we practice democracy internally. If you are going to the general public to talk about democracy, then ,as a yoruba adage that says, show me the type of dress you are wearing and I will know the type you can make for me. So, we need to practice what we preach as a political party. We have a President now who believes in internal democracy, but that has been misinterpreted. We have a President that believes in election rather than selection. He has been able to demonstrate it in recent elections in the country. We saw it in Anambra, Ekiti and the Osun. That has given us the opportunity to continue with our programme because we believe several factors are working to ensure that internal democracy is enthroned in Nigeria.

Why are you running for governorship under the PDP? Almost all the political parties have more or less the same ideology, which I called Nigeria ideology. When you look at the political parties, the major issues you have to contend with are the people populating each of the parties and the PDP, since the beginning of the Fourth Republic in 1999, has been in power. It has also ruled Oyo State for eight years. It has structures in 361 wards.

The structure is solid, if we have a good solid candidate as a winning combination. Even when I went to contest in the ANPP in 2011, I have always been with PDP because it is my natural habitat and even in 2007, I left the party because of some issues.

What is the assurance that you will emerge as the candidate at the primaries?

Having the arrays of aspirants is a welcome development because everybody now sees the PDP as a viable platform.

What we have done was only to articulate the things we want to do for the people and why we want to do those things and how we want to achieve them.

We have taken politics beyond what we used to see where mediocres will come and sell some godfatherism stories to the people. The people should grill us and ask questions about all those things we said we want to do and we must provide explanation. Therefore, by that time, contenders will be separated from pretenders.

How can the PDP make progress when it is crisis ridden?

Party politics is all about human management. We always have the interest to resolve issues and we always have conflicts. If you go to other parties, 20 per cent of issues the PDP has managed in the past would have torn them apart.

Rather than seeing this as a weakness, it

• Makinde

is actually a source of strength for the party because we have been able to manage those conflicts. We have been able to appeal to the warring factions in the party to move ahead with the transformation agenda of the party at the national level. We should all play by the rule. Once we are able to do that, common people on the street will know that this is a party that is ready to sustain itself.

Many people have the feelings that you are relatively new in politics...

If 10 years is new, the only thing I will say is that a butterfly lives for only seven days because that’s his lifespan. I don’t think by any standard that 10 years is new. Even, if you are going to the university to get a degree, in 10 years, you can get a doctorate degree.

You are also a businessman. How will you draw a line between politics and business?

I am not just a businessman, I am an engineer. So, I am a professional.

In engineering, which I have also extended to my business venture, you go through a process. If we want to build a factory or a plant, you do the study to check if it’s economical and, after that, you do preliminary engineering. Then, you start procuring the equipment that you are going to use to build that facility. So, everything is structured and you know which step comes in before another step. In politics, it’s a little bit challenging to know how our people are going to behave. You will think you have a common interest, but you will find out later that the overriding interest is personal. So, to that extent, politics is challenging. But, if you are focused and you want to make something out of politics, you will understand the people, their interests, the drives, the issues. If you

‘If I lose in a free and fair contest, I will give my support to any candidate that emerges from the exercise.

I am sure nobody in the PDP will talk about stepping down. What we are saying is that we will go through the primaries. But, there are some that are still day dreaming, thinking we are still in the era of imposition. That era is gone and gone for good. So, we are preparing for a free, fair and credible primaries’

can articulate these and put them together, then, you can truly engage the people and they also can reciprocate by giving you their support. In business, I will just look at issues on a single line basis. In politics, there is the need to understand the needs of our people and their feelings and you find solutions to them.

What are the problems facing Oyo State, which you hope to solve, if you are elected as the governor?

We have identified four core areas and that is why we have the ‘operation fix it.’ It covers healthcare, education, agriculture, physical infrastructure and security. If I take education, for instance, it’s been three years of this administration and the last published WAEC result indicated that Oyo State came 24th out of 36 states and the FCT. We came behind other states in the Southwest. The government said that they spent the money and it’s only the candidates that didn’t do well. To me, it doesn’t show any sign of seriousness. They are to carry the blame because three years is enough for a serious government to tackle the rot in that sector. The same is the agricultural sector. They promised in 2011 that they will revive the farm settlements, but nothing of such happened. I want the state government to come out and show us the list of farm settlements that have been rehabilitated. How many farmers have benefited? The same goes for healthcare and physical infrastructure. They have dualised a couple of roads, but at what cost? So, those are areas I can handle, coming from a business background. We should be evaluating ourselves on a quarterly basis to see how far we have gone with solving issues. We may not solve problems in a quarter, but we have seen a government for the first 100 days and they have been able to make it. Therefore, there is room to improve on what is on ground now.

As a matter of fact, this government has under achieved.

What are your plans for primaries?

I can give you the assurance that we have carried our gospel everywhere to the leaders of our party in our zones and constituencies, the youths, women and delegates. We have been pushing hard to let them know that this particular election is very important because it represents the things that we will like to see in the future of our state.

It is time for “Omi Tun Tun”, which imeans fresh waters, fresh ideas. That is why I m the candidate to beat.

Some of our leaders have tried their best, but that best has not translated into the kind of development our people want. We try to understand where they are coming from, their needs, and we are not just going to stay at the government secretariat wearing agbada up and down. We are going to roll up our sleeves to engage with the people and find out what are the challenges that our people are facing.

If you are asked to step down for an aspirant, what will be your response?

I don’t think that will happen because we have learnt our lesson in our party and the President and the leadership of the party are keen on internal democracy. I will say to you that, if I lose in a free and fair contest, I will give my support to any candidate that emerges from the exercise. I am sure nobody in the PDP will talk about stepping down. What we are saying is that we will go through the primaries. But, there are some that are still day dreaming, thinking we are still in the era of imposition. That era is gone and gone for good. So, we are preparing for a free, fair and credible primaries.

‘APC ‘ll wax stronger in Ekiti’

By Emmanuel Oladesu

A

LL Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial aspirant in Ekiti South District Mr. Ayoleke Adu has said that the party will wax stronger, despite the change of baton. He urged party members to unite and focus on the future, which he said, is bright.

The politician spoke at Omuo Ekiti, where he declared his ambition for the Senate. Party leaders six local governments-Ekiti East, Gbonyin, Ise/ Orun, Ikere, Ekiti Southwest and Emure-witnessed the ceremony. The National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, was represented by Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi.

At the carnival-like rally, stakeholders, including the members of the Market Women Association, the Iyaloja of Omuo Ekiti, road transport workers, party representatives from the 64 wards and members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) were also on hand to cheer the aspirant. Traditional rulers from the district were also represented. from Kota, Omuo Oke and High Chiefs from Omuo representing the Olomuo in Council were also present at the occasion.

Omoseindemi hailed the banker-turned politician, describing him as a courageous person and grassrrots person bubbling patriotism and with passion for service. He said Adu will use his wealth of experience and connection to attract development to the district.

Lagos APC chieftains Afolabi Tinubu and Tayo Adeleke urged constituents to give the ticket to Adu, saying that he would not let them down in the Senate.

Adu unfolded his plans for the district, assuring that he would attract federal government projects to the area. He also promised to assist in solving the problems of unemployment and industrialisation.

The Commissioner for Special Duties, Apalara Wole-Adewumi and the House of Assembly member from Ekiti East Constituency, Hon. Ogunrinde Olaseinde, said Adu would live up to expectation.

At the event, the aspirant was endorsed by the Omuo Students Union and other groups.

•Adu

Alaafin lauds Jonathan on anti-terror war

T

HE Alaafin of Oyo and Permanent Chairman, Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, has hailed the anti-terror initiative of President Goodluck Jonathan. He also said that the President’s simplicity, decisiveness and diplomacy underscored his mastery of international politics, adding that he has given the country a voice in the comity of nations.

In a letter to the President, Oba Adeyemi commended his speech at the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly in the United States of America.

He said: “For some time, the ill winds of political permutations, manipulations and the distraction created by the disguised disapproval of your presidency by certain sections of the civil society beclouded judgments about your political sagacity and diplomatic astuteness as a leader.”

Oba Adeyemi added: “ President Jonathan called world attention to the menace of terrorism, which is not a peculiar Nigerian problem, by his reference to the beheading by the Islamic State of the two American journalists and one British aid worker. The point came out boldlythat terrorism has gone viral and what is now required are concerted efforts to arrest the ugly development.”

The monarch said the discussion on terrorism shifted to the President’s exposition on the homegrown holistic responses to terrorism as reflected in the anti-terror initiative in the Northeast and the Victim Support Fund.

‘Southwest NATA ‘ll not support any party’

T

HE Nigeria Automobile Technicians Association (NATA), Southwest chapter, has said that it has no intention to support any political party in next year’s elections.

The union warned politicians against the antics of fake union agents, who are mobilising support for candidates, ahead ot rhe polls.

Its Vice President, Chief Sulaimon Onada, said NATA has not mandated any member to negotiate with any party. He said the association will remain a non-governmental, non-political and professional association.

Onada said some people are spreading wrong information for personal interest, adding that it is capable of undermining the progress. He said ny member that is involved in such an actitivty is laible to suspension.

He added: “This unconstitutional behaviour of cheating and giving false information in the name of the association to the public with intent to mislead and defraud unsuspecting innocent members of the public particularly politicians is hereby redressed and rendered null and void adding that whatever discussions or agreement reached at such meeting or gathering remained unacceptable to the association”.

Onada said dishonest people are planning to tarnish the union’s image as they join unpatriotic elements to manipulate the electioneering process for personal gains.

Group drums support for Ambode

By Musa Odoshimokhe

A

GROUP, ‘Our Lagos, Your Lagos,’ is canvassing support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode. Its Coordinator, Mr. Aregbe Idris, described him as a man of strength and character, urging party members to vote for him at the primaries.

He said: “We require a capable governor, who will address the core issues.

He will build on the legacies of the Fashola Administration.”

Idris urged Lagosians to vote wisely in next year’s elections so that progressives programmes can be implemented by the next governor.

He said: “For 2015, we are ready to vote. We have unanimously decided to give all our best to Akin Ambode mandate whom some of our leaders in the state have deemed fit. APC is our party but it is also pertinent to factor out the people’s choice.”

The group thanked the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, for laying the foundation of modern Lagos.

47

THE NATION WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 15, 2014

POLITICS The succession battle has polarised Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders in Abia State into two camps. While some leaders are clamouring for zoning, others are agitating for a governorship candidate based on merit. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines their claims and counter-claims.

Abia 2015: Between zoning and merit C

RISIS is brewing in the Abia State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over zoning. Since Governor Theodore Orji disclosed that the chapter has zoned the governorship to Abia South, those opposed to the idea have stepped up their campaigns for a levelplaying field for aspirants. In their view, zoning underscores the determination of powerful forces in the party to exclude some aspirants, who have chances of emerging as the flag bearer at the primaries. To the antizoning crusaders, merit should be the watchword.

It is not only in Abia that the agitation for zoning or power shift has generated controversy. Although the method is designed to resolve the alleged marginalisation of zones, districts and ethnic groups, which have not produced the governor, it has also become a bone of contention in some states. Those opposing zoning have urged caution, stressing that merit should not be sacrificed on the alter of ethnic sentiments.

The agitation for zoning is laced with threats. For example, in Ebonyi State, Governor Martin Elechi is under attack by party chieftains, following his pleas to the PDP to zone the governorship to a particular area in the interest of “equity and fairness”.

In Lagos, where the slot has been zoned to the East District, aspirants from the three zones -- East, West and central -- are throwing their hats into the rings.

In Imo State, people of Owerri are threatening fire and brimstone, if the ticket is not zoned to them. They complained that they had waited long enough to take their “accidental turn.”

But, Orlu and Okigwe zones are not intimidated. They too want to produce the next governor.

Enugu State is also boiling over zoning. Indeed, zoning has pitched Governor Sullivan Chime against prominent actors. The state chapter of the PDP is in a dilemma about the likely consequences. Now, there is tension

•Orji

•Abaribe

between ‘Abuja politicians’ and ‘Enugu politicians.’

In Governor Jonah Jang’s Plateau, zoning is the major headache. The succession battle is hot in the Northcentral state. Posters of aspirants from the Southern and the Central senatorial zones adorn the streets.

Those canvassing for zoning have argued that power should shift to Plateau South. They contended that each of the three senatorial zones had produced governors, starting from Plateau South, Plateau Central and now Plateau North. They pointed out that, through the zoning arrangement, the three zones have held the position. In particular, they said since Jang is from the North, his successor should come from the South.

In Ogun and Oyo states, agitation for zoning has also divided the PDP. The people of Oke-Ogun are complaining that they have been edged out by their compatriots from Ibadan and Ogbomoso. Also, the people of Yewa

have accused those from Egba and Ijebu/Remo of marginalising them.

No politician from Egbado has become governor in the Gateway State.

However, zoning has generated more controversies in Abia. The governor is leading the agitation for zoning to Ukwa/Ngwa, South District. A group, the Abia Democratic Movement (ADM), led by Prince Sonny Aku, has hailed the move, saying that it will give the people of the area a sense of belonging and foster equity, fair play and justice. Despite the good intention behind zoning, it appears the option may be a prelude to chaos.

Already, critics have said that sectional interests may displace merit and competence in a state struggling to catch up with basic developmental needs. Besides, zoning is creating division and suspicion among the Ukwa and Ngwa people, who are in two districts.

Historically, former governors were from the old Bende Division. In what

• Otti

seems like a political conspiracy, the Ukwa/Ngwa has not produced a governor since the state was created 23 years ago. The district has nine local governments. The voting population is huge.

That may be the reason why Orji has insisted that power must shift to the area.

Curiously, in the Ukwa/Ngwa region, there are complaints against an existing imbalance. Thus, while the zone is alleging marginalisation at the state level, sub-ethnic groups and individuals in Ukwa/Ngwa are also alleging marginalisation within the enclave.

This, observers argue, may be the reason why the number one position has consistently eluded Ukwa/Ngwa.

Ukwa is made up of two local governments. Ngwa has seven local governments. But, major state and federal appointments are shared between Ukwa and “her Ngwa neighbours.” For example, Ukwa produced Senate President Adolphus Wabara. This is said to be its highest political achievement at the federal level. Obingwa, Ukwa’s neighbour,

has however, produced former Deputy Governor Enyinaya Abaribe, Mr. Acho Nwakanma, and Mr. Chris Akoma.

In Nkwa/Ngwa, there is no evidence that Osisioma has lost out. The former deputy governor, Chima Nwafor, who served under former Governor Ogbonnaya Onu, and former Governor Orji Kalu are from this area. Ugwunagbo produced the deputy governor, Emeka Ananaba.

The Labour Minister, Chief Emeka Wogu, is from Aba South. He is a former Commissioner in the Federal Revenue Mobilisation.

The people of Umunne Ato Ngwa are also alleging marginalisation, despite its strategic position. According to watchers, in a situation whereby a section of a group harbours a feeling of marginalisation while the larger group is also complaining about marginalisation within the main social unit, the idea of zoning is defeated.

The contenders -- Abaribe, Wogu, Senator Nkechi Nwaogu, Mr. Uche Oga, Alex Otti, Mr. Okey Emutchay, Mr. Friday Nwosu, Hon. Acho Nwakanma, Chief Mark Wabara, and Okezie Ikpeazu, Ananaba and former Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika -- are not campaigning based on zoning, but on track records and fine antecedents.

Many stakeholders are of the opinion that the criteria for selecting the next governor should include non-partisan considerations. They argue that Abia can only make progress, if a technocrat, as against the run-of-the-mill politician, is elected as a successor to Orji. They reason that this cannot be achieved, if the door is shut against other aspirants, including the managing Director of Diamond Bank, Alex Otti, and other professionals who are endowed with leadership qualities.

Apart from zoning, what is also generating ripples is the alleged move to impose a candidate on the party. But, Orji has denied the allegation, saying that he has no plan to anoint a candidate.

Hon. Lateef Raji is the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola. The House of Representatives aspirant in Osodi/Isolo Constituency spoke with reporters on his ambition and other partisan issues. Excerpts:

‘PDP has no prospect in Lagos’

• Raji

T

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged that the Lagos State Government is not prudent. What is your reaction?

That is a position that is not supported by any shred of reasoning or evidence. Lagosians cannot be taken on such a cheap ride. What the loans were taken for are evident everywhere you turn to in Lagos.

Lagosians applaud the Lagos State Government efforts in these areas: We have the reconstruction of LagosBadagry dual carriage ways, construction of Ijegun-Isheri-Oshun-Isolo (Jakande Estate) road works in Alimosho. We also have on-going, the reconstruction of Ishasi road, Ojo LGA, reconstruction of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Project, Reconstruction of Mushin-Isolo Road, Mushin LGA, Upgrading of Roads within Apapa LGA,

Marina Road, Bombay Crescent, Randle Road, Ibikunle Akintoye, Commercial Road and Burma Road, Shoreline Protection Works – Goshen Estate to Alpha Beach, Eti-osa LGA. It will also interest you to know that the acquisition of Asset/Liability of the LCC is essentially an infrastructure development of the 47km Lekki-Epe Expressway road, the Blue Line Rail Project from Okokomaiko to Marina, Adiyan Water Project II 70 Millenium Development Goals (MGD), completion of Ayinke House, General Hospital Ikeja. I can go on and on, but the loan is meant to develop Lagos State.

But, why did the government resort to taking loan?

When you consider the extent of the on the infrastructure deficit in the state, you would agree that there is need to approach the financial market for funds to bridge the gap. I know saying this alone would not satisfy you, but let me put it this way. Out there, the impression is that Lagos State makes so much money from its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and does not need any external loan to fund its programmes.

The essence of borrowing is to ad-

dress infrastructure deficit and the way to go about it is to approach institutions that have enough money in their pool. What Lagos has done is to look for the best alternative that offers a low pay back rate. The loan collectively matures at different times.

The PDP has also accused the government of inflating the cost of projects...

Again, that is another wild allegation that cannot be substantiated. Ordinarily, we would not respond to this, but since they have continued to exhibit this high-level ignorance, we would not stop educating them on acceptable best practices which have been the hallmark of this administration. No two projects with the same design at two different states would ever attract the same cost.

You cannot expect the cost of constructing a one-kilometre road in the Niger Delta area to attract the same cost like those in some parts of northern Nigeria. This is simply because the terrain and topography are different.

Lagos is one meter below sea level, and construction within the metropolis requires more pilings than states on higher grounds. Come to think of it, all governments in Nigeria, including the

Federal Government use a pool of the same contractors for execution of their projects. That allegation is a beer parlour talk.

Can the APC retain Lagos, in view of the bickering over succession?

The APC still remains the party of choice for Lagosians. The reason for this is simple. We set the pace in governance for the remaining 35 states and the Federal Government. Our financial stability was rated higher than the national.

Under our party, Lagos is the first and best in all indices. We contribute more to the GDP than any other state.

We brought pride and dignity to the way Nigerians are seen in the wider world. Lagosians are very proud of this status, and would not exchange this for the failure these critics in the PDP are known for.

There is no bickering in our party.

What we have is a healthy rivalry.

What you are seeing is what makes the contest for political office interesting. We are united around the broom, which is the symbol of our party.

But, do you foresee the defection of APC members to the PDP, if the

‘The APC still remains the party of choice for Lagosians. The reason for this is simple. We set the pace in governance for the remaining 35 states and the Federal Government’

right candidates do not emerge?

There is no possibility of mass defection to the PDP, due to what I said earlier. The leadership of the party is working on a system that would guarantee fair-play and a level-playing field for all aspirants. So, why would there be mass defection? It won’t happen.

You want to represent Osodi/Isolo Constituency in the House of Representatives. What is the motivation?

I contested for this position in 2011, but I was advised to step down for the incumbent to have second term.

The idea of a representative is one that is hinged on personal efforts and disposition to issues. I want to use my representation to address problems in my constituency, promote the general welfare, and ensure the development of the people and residents of Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency 1.

Would you say the House of Represntatives has lived up to expectation?

Well, there is always room for improvement. Whatever gains or deficits that have been recorded, I believe there is still room for improvement. For me, I believe there are some issues that have national implications that were not properly handled by the House of Representatives. Equally, there are some things the House has done that are beneficial to the people. There is room for improvement.

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ONSIDERING your schedule as a clergyman, when do you find the time to write?

I do most of my writings at night. As from 3 am, I am with my writing materials and begin to write as inspiration comes. When I am in the office, I have my writing materials with me and when inspiration comes, I write them down. Even when I am in a car, I have my writing materials and I do write them down when the inspiration comes. Later, I compile all that I have written and put them together into a book. I don’t have any specific day to write, but I write every other night and it has helped me over the years. Being fulfilled as a pastor and author, gives me a lot of joy. In short, the best thing that has happened to me is my calling. Some people have asked me how I cope with my work and writing, I tell them I am not struggling to do it but it flows naturally.

What books do you enjoy reading?

I read a lot of leadership books because I am a leader and have come to understand that the day you stop reading is the day you stop teaching. Reading is part of learning, so when you stop learning then you stop teaching. I find it difficult not to read a book a day. I read all manner of leadership and career-building books and those that tell me how I can do and expand various businesses.

Interestingly, I also read my own books and each time I do, I find I learn new things from them. It is also the propelling joy that makes me to want to go ahead and do more. Presently, I am reading Mike Murdoch’s book, The Leadership Tool and it has really helped me.

Critics say one of the challenges of the book industry is that Nigerians do not read.

Do you agree?

To a great extent, I do agree. Nigerians need to cultivate the reading culture. In some of my interactions with people living in the Eastern part of the country, I have discovered that people don’t read because of the level of poverty. People don’t read because they are yet to comprehend its usefulness because they feel that it has no need. What will a petty trader, who trades in vegetables or pepper read books for? This nation needs help because I am looking forward to a situation where God will touch our leaders and make them know that the masses are suffering. Poverty has made it that if some people fail to go to market each day, then there will be no food for them to eat. There are families that do not have reserve of food at home and that is why when there is any form of strike in the country, I am not happy. Whenever, there is any closure of market, it makes me sad because people would not have food to eat for that day. Whenever our leaders, destroy markets or the goods of traders who

A

PROFESSOR of Art History and Graphics at University of Benin (UNIBEN), Edo State, Prof John Ogene, has ascribed the seeming anonymity of art and the perception that it is a craft to the importance the society attaches to it.

He spoke at a lecture at the Prof Yusuf Grillo Auditorium, Yaba College of Technology (Yaba Tech), Yaba, Lagos. The theme was: No Longer Anonymous. He said art is anonymous in Nigeria because most people don’t know its importance to the society.

According to him, art is unknown, obscure, nameless and unrecognised “as a serious profession. “This attests to the fact that art as a vocation belonged to a category of unfamiliar professions. Things have not changed much today. This stereotype, apart from exasperating, is suggestive of the fact that what is “commonly” attainable is of little importance,” he siad.

He described the anonymity of art in Nigeria as a collective burden like illiteracy. “It is a factor that robs the individual and the profession of social, academic and political visibility. Consequently, it is a direct source of inferiority complex and, thus, must be shed and demolished,” he said.

Ogene observed that lack of grand institutions for art in the country contributes to its anonymity, suggesting that contemporary artists should marry art with science and technology as the world revolves around them.

“Some people argue that art is a doing thing and it is a natural gift which cannot be taught.

This may be right, but the thought is both defeatist and nihilist. It is an over simplification of what the profession demands, and gives a false sense of confidence to the creative individual that is often in early stage in life. Besides, such an assumption limits the potential of such an individual.

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

‘A man’s destiny is not dependent on godfather’ For Pastor Kingsley Innocent of Bible Believing Mission, Aba, the Abia State capital, serving God is the best thing that has ever happened to him. Pastor Innocent, also known as God of Talk-na-do, has published six books. In this interview with EVELYN OSAGIE, he speaks on his writing, his calling and more.

•Pastor Innocent

INTERVIEW make their living from there, they make life difficult for such people. Any leader who destroys any market without giving an alternative place to sell their goods is not a good leader, but a wicked individual.

For example, when our leaders introduced adult education, they didn’t make it enticing for the elderly people to go to school. If they leave their petty trading, after studying, they’ll come back home and have noth-

ing to eat alongside with their children.

Good leaders are those who will bring such great ideas and make them work, by covering all sides, including incentives. People are moved when you show them how much you care for them -when they know how much our leaders care, then they can give themselves into such policies. I believe in leadership by example; and urge people working with me to also lead by example.

For me, since every one of my staff would be bosses someday, I try my best to teach them how to treat others; and I know that if they follow my footsteps, leadership will

It’s no longer anonymous

By Udemma Chukwuma

VISUAL ART “This over simplification may be responsible for the mindset of most Nigerians who think that you “just draw” when you say you are an artist. The next thing they want to say is “my little daughter or son can also draw very well.”

Recounting an experience while handling a project with Professor Osa Egonwa of Delta State Univerty, Abraka, Delta State, in 1987, at Okada Wonderland, Ogene said he presented a quotation to the committeein charge and the Director of Consultancy (one Professor Osifo) noted that the quotation was on the high side.

Osifo asked Egonwa to reduce it, saying, after all, his brother, who had no training in art, is also an artist,” he said.

He stressed that Fine Arts students are also faced with these challenges as other students perceive their choice of course as inferior.

He said: “Recently, I received a complaint that a Fine and Applied Arts student at UNIBEN was verbally assaulted by a student of History and International Relations, who said the Visual Arts student was ‘making noise over ordinary N500, no wonder he is reading ordinary Fine Arts.

“This attitude towards the discipline exists and the status of artists is continuously being undermined. This is what could be referred to as identity crises or group anonymity.”

He noted that the teaching of art in Nigeria has been dominated by the culture of practice with minimal theory, scarcely articulating what is being done. “Although the practice of making art is as important as its articulation,

•Ogene

what we find today in most institutions is the excessive emphasis on the psychomotor domain. In other words, emphasis is laid on doing or making art- a practice largely based on perceptual and physical ability, skilled movements and non discursive communication. It is, therefore, convenient to conclude that the state of art has predominantly stagnated within this domain of learning,” he stated.

Ogene advised that those artists who wish to further their education, should be encouraged to do so, bearing in mind that not only their practice will be enhanced; their potential to articulate their practice becomes incremental. “This is important, because a journey into the inner mind of a celebrated uneducated artist will reveal a vacuum or desire for educa-

be easy and followership will be easy. Everyone should understand that it is a teamwork and that no one can achieve the work alone.

So, in your opinion, how can the reading culture be revived?

What we need to do is to annihilate poverty. It is in the hands of government, they should bring policies that will favour the poor. The reason it has favoured the Western world is because they have policies that protect the poor and they have the chances of coming up and improving themselves.

But in Nigeria, the rich are becoming richer while the poor are becoming poorer because our policies favour only the rich. Until the poor have a say in the country, poverty cannot leave them and they have the opportunity to live in this nation that it belongs to all of us, then the reading level will improve.

What inspires you to write?

My inspiration comes from the spirit of the Lord to whom I owe all gratitude. I am also inspired by my day-to-day experiences in life. I am inspired by what I see others go through and I share with people through my writings. My books are meant to help people to progress spiritually, mentally, physically, financially, materially and familywise. And they are easy to understand: you read some books at times and become more confused. I prefer to use simple correct English because I have come to understand the best way to communicate is to pass information that can be assimilated. In my books, I express my life experiences because I know who I am and I know where I am coming from and I’m not in competition with anybody. And I also touch on life’s principles.

For instance, in my latest book, I Can Fulfill My Destiny, published last month, I observed that every man has a unique destiny to fulfill; fulfillment is not dependent on any man, background, godfather, academic acquisition or financial capacity, but on God and oneself. Before, I Can Fulfill My Destiny, there was my The Morning Dew, in which I touched on the diverse stages of life, while urging people not to lose hope for the time of refreshing will come soon. In my first book, My work with the Holy Ghost, I shared my experiences with the spirit of God in the course of my work. In Practical Encounter with God, which is my second, the reader can draw lessons from a believer’s personal encounter with God that becomes sustaining factor in time of trials. There is God, My Help, What If? and Where are you coming from? I am still working on more which will be published very soon.

How I relax?

My time of relaxation is usually on Saturdays. I stay at home and spend time with my family. I also do some exercises like playing table-tennis to keep fit. tion. It is a different thing altogether for those who suffer from illiteracy.

“This can be achieved by taking cognisance of the three equal domains of learning which are cognitive, affective and psychomotor. Without these, it will be futile to articulate what we have produced and are producing in our country. Failure on our part will yield to perpetual dependence on the West in defining our cultural wealth,” he asserted.

After the lecture, Ogene presented an art exhibition for public viewing in Yusuf Grillo Art Gallery at the same venue.

The works consisted of paintings and photographs, which Ogene said he took with his mobile phone. He also gave the show the same titled with his lecture: No Longer Anonymous.

The lecture and the works from the exhibition are also documented in a glossy book, entitled: No Longer Anonymous.

According to him, the theme of his lecture and the art exhibition was inspired by Prof Solomon Wangboje’s quote. “My encounter with Professor Solomon Wangboje in 1995 remains indelible for several statements he made when I interviewed him in preparation for a conference in Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. One of them is his proverbial “now that we are no longer anonymous, let us see what we have done.” Besides impacting on me as a young lecturer, his words remain in perspective and context both as it was then, and today. Almost 20 years after, it now dawned on me that to be anonymous is to be free, and to be known is responsibility.

“Given a choice, anonymity is certainly not the kind of freedom an artist should enjoy.

The freedom of anonymity can be likened to the saying by Jean-Jacques Rousseau that Man is born free but everywhere he is in chains – and in this instance, art in Nigeria as symbolised by man, is in chains of obscurity and anonymity,” he said.

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E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

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N his new book, ‘We Are All Journalists Now – Africa in the Age of Social Media’, noted journalist, author, award winning investigative reporter, media researcher and now media adviser to former Governor of Lagos State and now foremost national opposition leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Mr Sunday Dare, examines the emergence, evolution and implications of the phenomenon of citizen journalism in Nigeria. Based on an academic research at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, Oxford University, this stimulating work published by Visual Image, Lagos, in March his year and which covers 108 pages comprising five chapters, critically interrogates the impact of the phenomenal expansion in the mediums and use of social media platforms on the state, society and in particular the media profession in Nigeria. This offering combines the rigour of scholarly research with the accessibility of lucid prose.

What has been the implication for the practice of journalism in Nigeria of the emergence of such on-line mediums as Facebook, Twitter, text messages, You Tube that provide opportunities for millions of Nigerians to become ‘Citizen Journalists’ reporting and disseminating news, images and ideas about themselves as well as issues and events around them to a mass audience? Has this development broken what can be describes as the professional authoritarianism/dictatorship of the traditional, mainstream media, which once enjoyed the monopoly of determining what constitutes news and in what form it is disseminated? What are the implications of Citizen Journalism for the democratic process and how has it empowered the weak or impacted governance? These are some of the questions that Dare seeks answers to through an exhaustive study of the operations of the path-breaking and unorthodox on-line medium, Sahara Reporters.

After examining the research questions and objectives of the study in the first chapter, the author goes in the second to undertake a racy but informative overview of the origin and trajectory of the Nigerian media from the colonial period through the various post-independence civilian and military regimes to the

W

HEN in mid-2014, a revised edition of the original 1998 novel, They Call Me Princess

by Motunlayo Sofowote was published there were more than a few people who wondered how the author, bedridden and fighting for her life, could find the strength of purpose, and indeed, the presence of mind to execute such a project. But that was only the second book published by the woman in the final year of her life.

However, as though as final statement and reminder, They Call Me Princess will now go down in history as the very last known work of art by Motunlayo Sofowote made available to the public during her lifetime. And how apt, how absolutely apt it is, this simple, quiet, unassuming statement – They Call Me Princess!

For so they did. In their hundreds and thousands, or perhaps even hundreds of thousands. Wherever she went, she was regarded and treated as royalty. But this was no surprise… You only had to spend a few minutes with the woman to feel that without a doubt, you had just come across a true and wonderful human being, something rare, something royally unique. Something beautiful.

And beautiful she was inside and out. In fact, many would agree most emphatically that her outward beauty was only further intensified by her dazzling yet welcoming beauty of her spirit which could never be diminished; not even in the most literally painful years of her life toward the end. This was made all the more obvious when in the excruciating throes of the final stage of cancer, she lost all of her trademark long-flowing silver hair and was recommended a wig to cover the resultant baldness.

To oblige her caregivers, I believe, and even more, to shield the rest of us, her loved ones, from the sad reality that her baldness so vividly highlighted, she tried on the wig for a time. However, not many days had passed before she decided that she would have no more of it. With a twinkle in her eye, she said: “I will not wear this wig anymore.

If I am beautiful, I am beautiful.”

And she was beautiful.

Yes, they called her princess. They called her friend and mother too. Her four biological children very quickly had to learn that there were a far greater number of people who, while not related by blood, had suffi-

Segun Ayobolu

sms to 07032777778 segunayobolu2@yahoo.com

Are we all journalists now? present dispensation. Examining the implications within the Nigerian context of such electronic modes as mobile phones, Face Book, blogs, Wikipedia, Twitter and You Tube, he compares the present scenario to the previous one in which newspapers, magazines, periodicals, radio and television were the sole and dominant sources of news and opinions. In the preceding era, letters to the editor, opinion pieces published at the pleasure of the editor as right of reply as well as revenue-driven advert placements and commercials were the major avenues for audience participation in the media process.

Dare defines Citizen Journalism as “the kind of journalism in which the users or audience create content online rather than wait to be fed by the traditional media outlets”. It is a process whereby an individual plays “an active role in the process of collecting, reporting, analysing and disseminating news and information”. As a result of this development, he argues, millions of citizen journalists no longer constitute a passive and receptive audience. Rather, they are defining and writing ‘the first drafts of history by themselves’. Nigerians are thus part of a global process through which millions of ordinary citizens are being empowered by revolutionary technological innovations to set and communicate the news agenda.

In chapter three, Dare X-rays the evolution of social media in Nigeria from the age of

emails and emailing lists to discussion fora through social media networks. He notes that from an internet penetration level of just 0.1 per cent in the late 1990s, internet usage in Nigeria had exploded to 16.1 per cent of the population. Quoting figures from the International Telecommunication Union, the author put internet figures in Nigeria at 43, 982, 200 or 28.9% as at 2010. Similarly mobile technology has become the seventh mass information medium after film, television, radio, print and sound recording. From this general overview of the growth of citizen journalism in Nigeria, Dare moves on in the next chapter to the main focus of the book, which is a detailed case study of the rise and consolidation of Sahara Reporters as posing the pioneering challenge to the hegemonic dominance of the mainstream, traditional media.

The book offers a detailed study of the conceptualisation, editorial structure, modus operandi, agenda, funding as well as business model of Sahara Reporters and its journey since inception. The medium was established in 2006 and modelled fully as a citizen journalism site. It describes as a unique organisation made up of ordinary citizens rather than professional journalists but who are committed “to seek truth and publish it without fear or favour”. One of its main aims is to aggressively seek to expose corruption through ordinary citizens who act as its reporters and foot soldiers. Seventy per cent of Sahara Re-

They call me princess

•A portrait of Motunlayo Adefunke Sofowote

• The late Sofowote From Bibisanmi Sofowote

TRIBUTE cient right to look to her as a mother; by virtue of her own disposition toward, and love for, them. And she loved them all. With

a true motherly love that brought many a biological mother to her in curious wonderment at the effect that this woman quite unassumingly had on their own children. It was therefore, not long before there became untold numbers of mothers who looked upon her as a model for their motherhood.

porter’s content is news, 10 per cent opinion and 20% User Generated Content.

Dare interrogates to what extent Sahara Reporters has set the agenda for political and social discourse in Nigeria and how effectively it has achieved its objective of exposing corruption and subjecting power wielders to closer scrutiny. One of its dramatic achievements was Sahara Reporter’s role in putting the Governor James Ibori corruption saga on the front burner and contributing significantly to his extradition, trial and eventual conviction in the United Kingdom. Between 2006 and 2010, Sahara Reporters produced 104 news items and investigative reports on the Ibori corruption scandal.

The last chapter in which Dare interrogates the relationship between citizen journalism and the traditional media is easily the most insightful and thought provoking. Some of the advantages of citizen journalism he points out include immediacy of reporting, speed, minimal start- up capital and its greater vigour and audacity in investigative reporting.

Indeed, Sahara Reporters claims it emerged to fill an investigative void created by the conservatism of the traditional media, which OmoyeleSowore claims had itself become a power bloc. Due to citizen journalism, the world including Nigeria can now benefit from the flow of news without boundaries or frontiers.

However, the flipside Dare notes is that citizen journalism is faced with serious professional gate keeping issues including deciding news fit or unfit to publish, little concern for ethical constraints and scant regard for objectivity, fairness and accuracy in news gathering and information dissemination. In the final analysis he argues, the relationship between citizen journalism and the traditional media can be complementary rather than antagonistic. While citizen journalism can challenge the mainstream media to be more transparent, innovative and investigative, the former can learn from the traditional media’s better gatekeeping, factual checking and more matured news presentation. He submits that collaboration between the mainstream media and citizen journalism can lead to better journalism in the interest of the public good.

It was not only mothers however, who were drawn to her and who found themselves making Motunlayo a mentor of sorts.

Women and girls, and indeed, men of all ages who had within them an appreciation of beauty and goodness were invariably drawn to her through varied encounters and scenarios. Even those who might ordinarily have a base outlook on life often found themselves wishing to be better and working on themselves as a direct result of having met her.

Motunlayo made friends of all kinds everywhere. From road-side sellers to captains of industry and heads of government, Motunlayo was truly the sort of person who could eat with beggars and dine with kings.

And she did both.

It is therefore not surprising that they called her princess. Whether she was helping others through quiet and secret philanthropic acts, or drawing public attention to causes that needed intervention through her annual charity concerts, she always was royal.

In the 67 years of her beautiful life, she left a definite mark of positivity on the world and everyone who met her. And she will continue to do so, on everyone who will yet meet her through her works and the stories of her which are bound to be preserved and spread abroad.

Motunlayo was, indeed, one of those onein-a-million, once-in-a-lifetime, HallelujahI-met-you people whose lives, however long or short, leave a firm imprint on this Earth.

As a friend, mother, teacher or princess, Motunlayo’s foremost objective was to serve her GOD, to whom she constantly sought to draw nearer, through her life, and her very essence. And now that she has left the confines of the physical, one can be confident that she is now free to fly upward, nearer His Presence, according to the natural law of Gravitation, which cannot but suck up a spirit as light, and as beautiful as Motunlayo’s toward those Realms of Eternal Beauty, where like spirits are permitted to serve their King forever.

Even now, her pure ringing laughter is to be heard, a happy child of the Light, singing songs of praise in beautiful soprano, to the warm smiles of those angelic helpers who guide her path upward, to a Garden in which she can be yet another beautiful flower of Creation. *Bibisanmi is son of the late Motunlayo

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HE book ‘A life of Excellence and Integrity’ was put together in commemoration of Mr. Tunji Olugbodi’s 50 th birthday ceremony. In a way, the book could be tagged ‘compendium’ on the celebrant as it took a careful look at him through the eyes of his various stakeholders - spouse, child, family, friends, and professional colleagues among others. The nine-chapter book gives a great insight into the life of the celebrator and what actually makes him ‘thick’.

The book starts with a concise biography of the celebrtor titles ‘Joshua Olatunji Olugbodi ‘throughtheyears’,whichissuccinctinlooking at him from birth, educational journey, career path and business adventures down to his involvement in spiritual work.

Prologue, which comes next, is a literary piece woven in verses as obtainable in any typical poem. The editor of the work, Mr. Ayodeji Ayopo, a seasoned Public Relations practitioner and business communication strategist, was more than generous in the use of association to describe and trace the life of the celebrant, Tunji Olugbodi, who clocks the golden age of 50.

Through flashback, the book uses words to create imagery of circumstances surrounding the night before his birth, resilience of the mother in waiting for the day to dawn and the support of the husband to get her to mainland for the eventual delivery. Alas Tunji Olugbodi, arrived the world! The narrative which is rendered in verses also dovetailed into his 50 years birthday.

The book then progresses into chapters through which the editor looks at the celebrant through other people’s eyes.

And so chapter one, x-rays the celebrant through a bosom friend right from when they metintheirundergraduatedays.ThoughTunji Olugbodi schooled at Ogun State University while he schooled at University of Ife, (now Obafemi Awolowo University), but they were able to bond due to the strong personality traits of the celebrant. Properly captioned, ‘A dependable friend’, the chapter captures Tunji Olugbodi as an embodiment of knowledge, cosmopolitan and someone who adheres to Christian culture in all his undertakings. The celebrant’s nature of being always ready to share whatever he has, lending helping hand and not taking relationship for granted were properlycaptured.Hisstrongprinciplesbased on Christian values, the chapter notes, has helped him in all he does.

Who knows a man better more than his spouse? The editor did a yeoman’s job by looking at Tunji Olugbodi through the eye of his wife. Indeed chapter two could not have been better titled than – ‘my husband, a dutiful husband’. Flowery and powerful words were used to describe Tunji Olugbodi . He is seen as a man of his word, confidant and a diehard believer in nothing is impossible. The chapter brings out some characteristics that makes Teejay, as he is fondling called by his wife, a man of her life. He is a focused man that pursues whatever he sets to do with doggedness; he is also a perfectionist who

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A life of excellence, integrity BOOK REVIEW

A ballad for dead bards THE vase of poetry is empty tonight.

Empty tonight without flowers to swing to the song of a sad troubadour The house of poetry floats on the sea of blood: The season is full of tragedy. Full of words that sink like nails in the body of a sea. The hill of muse crumbles like a congregate of sand in the rain of memory.

Where is Kofi?

Title: A life of excellence and integrity Author: Olatunji Olugbodi Reviewer: Ayodeji Ayopo

hates laziness and disloyalty with passion.

His relationship skill in calming her down when she is upset is acknowledged. Teejay is a man bustling with ideas, inspiration and strategies and above all his ‘can do spirit’ goes beyond description. He loves work and if work could be considered a weakness, so it is for Teejay.

Chapter three captures what the celebrant, Tunji Olugbodi, is to his child. A father to behold, cherish and love for his generosity is the celebrant to his son.

The book moves further in chapter four to give insight into the life of the celebrant through one of his staff in the office. The totality of Tunji Olugbodi to the staff is that he is a leader and not a boss. He is a leader who believes in supremacy of ideas; listens to superior augments; and sees others as colleague.

Chapter five reviews his commitments to using his God’s given resources to advance the kingdom business through his denomination – Baptist Church. The book presents him as a man who being a deacon uses his office excellently in service and exhumes the virtue of humility in his relationship with people.

Chapter six specifically lists out virtues that make Tunji Olugbodi a veritable resource in God’s hand. He is a child of God, an apt teacher and a powerful preacher, a public relations officer, a good programme planner, a renowned strategist, an impeccable innovator and a motivational speaker.

Chapter seven acknowledges that Tunji Olugbodi has always shown great promise from his teen age. His involvement in organizing ‘street Olympics’ featuring marathon races around Tejuosho, standing to fight for his younger ones, talking of visionary things about the future, demonstrating courage, fashionable and commitment in self improvement are traces which shows what is future will be. Today, he is the rally point for the whole Olugbodi’s family and he is playing the role very well. Building of business empire in marketing communication only reminds one of the promise he has shown as a child.

A heart committed to ministry, the title of chapter eight, is apt when viewed vis-à-vis what the chapter says about him. How else can

POETRY

On the night Kofi departs we mourn like children with hearts full of skeletal dreams, full of longing for unknown mothers beneath the ruins of fallen houses of fathers beneath the ashes in the city of death.

We search for his name on the heart that gulps corpses like seeds.

Kofi voyages like a wanderer in his town.

For the travellers, They are back with the tale of loss, with hands webbed with debts. The street of song is filled with charred bodies and worms-stuffed skulls.

The vase of poetry is empty tonight.

Empty tonight without flowers to womb dews:

a man be committed to ministry than being a believer in the bible, giving to the ministry and providing for spiritual needs of others? Tunji Olugbodi excels in them all.

InChapterninewhichroundsupthechapters, the editor, Ayodeji Ayopo, describes him as a mentor and exemplary role model. He has not ceased to inspire him through his disciplined life, openness, giving, professionalism and respect for other people’s opinion.

The book ends with appendix of his various press interviews with leading national dailies such as the Guardian, Thisday and The Nation.

The book really captures the life of Mr. Tunji Olugbodi from his birth to his 50th birthday anniversary, which the book is dedicated to.

His doggedness to build business from ground zero to spreading tentacles to West African countries is an example in raw courage.

However, there are few typographic errors whichshouldhavebeenavoided.Someborders on spacing between words, a good one is Tunji Olugbodi being spelt as one word many times in chapter eight and mistake of writing chapter 7 as chapter 1. Despite some of these shortcomings, the editor, Ayodeji Ayopo, did a good job in putting the book together. He has been able to add another book to volume of books on life and times of great men through which others could draw inspirations.

On the night Maya voyages on the unknown path The bird of poetry on the tree of memory.

Our ears hearken to the drum of dirge.Maya dies and the forest ceases to be. The light of life quenches before eventide.

One day we will rise again beyond monuments built for the lost dead, unseen corpses without funeral. This city will rise again.

In Lagos we mourn a poet who knows the secrets of words. Austyn, the bard whose verses are walls that shelter us from the rage of war. Now, where is Austyn?

On the night Austyn departs Words miss the passages of mouths.

Bards tremble like chicks in the rain.

In Lagos their tears swallow the depth of the lagoon.

On the night Austyn bears another name We curse death. We call the moon a traitor who mocks the darkness in the life of every man.

We march through this city, tonight with an empty vase to fetch the words of the dead bards.

Ekemini’s fetching the future BOOK REVIEW Title: Author: Reviewer: Publisher: Pagination:

F

Fetch the future Ekemini Francis Awele Okwudarue Folutech Media 79

ETCH the Future is a collection of poems that addresses the need to look after and pay attention to children early on, in order to avoid personal and societal decay. The book emphasises that if children are trained and cared for in the right way, then a lot of crime and wrong acts will be nipped in the bud in the society.

The book, Fetch the Future touches on a lot of aspects of upbringing that are essential for normal growth and development of a child.

The author, Ekemini Francis’ use of the language of poetry to convey her opinion is apt, but it is hoped that the structure of the poetry may not be lost on some children who are the primary target.

The use of pictures in the book is refresh-

ing, giving the book a twist especially for a poetry book.

The author has a first degree in Modern Languages and Translation Studies, majoring in French form the Universite D’ Abomey Calavi in Republic of Benin.

Ekemini’s passion for children is evident, hence the writing of the book and being the founder of Inspired Children Foundation (ICF).

Her involvement in child development training from her university days, came in handy in the production of this book. Lessons from these programmes such as; UNICEF, Capacity Development Training to promote Social Change etc. were applied in this work.

Fetch the Future can be said to be a basis in correcting from the root, vices that are prevalent in Nigeria and the world at large.

For example, the Poem on page XV is an admonition to parents against saying negative things to their children, as this could make children bitter towards them, but should instead nurture and grow their talents which would be more beneficial.

Also the Poem on page XVII of the book highlights the need for parents and teachers to work hand in hand, in grooming children and having an interest in their education.

The Poem on page XXXII advises against abusive words and harsh treatment which is the norm in Nigeria. Parents feel that this is

the way to go in correcting children, but when a child is corrected in love, it makes a positive and lasting impact in the life of that child. Sitting a child down and talking to him/her is better than having that child angry and which might eventually lead to him/ her developing hatred for you.

It is evident that the decay in morals and ethics starts from the home, where an individual gets his/her first interaction and communication with people. It is from the home that children are taught right from wrong, depending on the setting and foundation of that home.

In this wise, Fetch the Future calls for all hands to be on deck in the restructuring of the Nigerian society that is pitiable and riddled with vices and crime committed mostly by the youth.

Government should also take action in and play its part in reforming juvenile delinquents, and organise programmes/clubs aimed at giving children ‘big brothers and big sisters’ who will be part of their day to day lives in a mentoring way.

The author’s attempt in addressing an issue as worrisome as this is commendable and encouraging for at least focusing on the children who are the future leaders. it is believed that the author consideration for children is worth the while but there is need for all children from all social strata should be considered.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

52

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

ALL FOR TOURISM The Director-General, Nigerian Tourism D e v e l o p m e n t Corporation (NTDC) Mrs Sally Mbanefo (centrte) on the dance floor during the World Tourism Day celebration in Abuja.

PHOTO: IDIKA ARUA (NTDC), ABUJA.

My vision for National Troupe, by Adejuwon Barely one month after assuming office as the Artistic Director and Chief Executive Officer, National Troupe of Nigeria, Mr. Akinsola Mendra Adejuwon says the greatest asset at the troupe is the quality of staff, reports Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME.

T

HE newArtistic Director and Chief Executive Officer, National Troupe of Nigeria, Mr. Akinsola Mendra Adejuwon, has said given the quality of staff at the National Troupe of Nigeria, his job is a walk-over and it would be a wonderful experience. He said his new job is like that of a coach and a scout, but that the troupe he inherited is to take one or two notches up as he is conscious of the import and its responsibilities to Nigeria.

Adejuwon who spoke in Lagos at the weekend for the first time since he assumed duty on September 11, said that the National Troupe of Nigeria is planning an international festival that would provide regular platform for the troupe.

“We want to be out once a month as well as in each of he state of the federation with performances. We must also be relevant and our theme will address performance expression in a conflict environment such as military formations and barracks. We are looking at ways to synergise with relevant agencies within and outside Nigeria to keep National Troupe productive and acknowledged,” he added.

He regretted that for now, the troupe is homeless because the National Theatre is being run as a profit venture. He expressed fear over the financial capability of the troupe to pay for hall at every rehearsal and production. “If we have to pay for hall or stage during rehearsal and production, then we will be in a financial mess. However, my vision is that in a short while, we may not depend on funding from government, which is dwindling,” he said.

The new chief executive officer assured that under a rejuvenated National Troupe, there would be aggressive marketing of programmes in order to serve its public and private sector customers adequately. According to him, the troupe is also considering taking the annual creative workshop to the three regions of the country in order to expand its scope of participation.

On the visibility of the troupe within and outside the country, Adejuwon said: “We are going to be very active on the web in order to reach a wider audience beyond the shores of this country. This will also take care of

•Adejuwon

THEATRE the misinformation about the troupe and the country.”

Reacting to what would be the added value he is bringing to the National Troupe as a visual artiste, he said: “My festival background at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and working with Prof Wole Soyinka gave me the push to do better as Artistic Director of National Troupe. In fact, when I worked with Demas Nwoko at New Culture Studio, Ibadan, I learnt set and scenic designs among others. I lived with dancers and I ran a private music and performing outfit. My street credibility is great and I survived on art.” Adejuwon who hails from ekiti State takes over from Mr. Martin adaji.

He becomes the fourth Chief executive Of-

ficer of the National Troupe of Nigeria since the Troupe’s formal establishment in 1991.

Foremost Theatre Director Mr Bayo Oduneye and the Dean of the College of Humanities of Redeemers University Professor Ahmed Yerima have at various times led the Troupe as Artistic Director.

A theory cum practivcally oriented Artist; Mr adejuwon was until his appointment as Artistic Director on Thrusday september 11, 2014 a Museum Curator of the Institute of Cultural Studies of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, Osun state. He holdds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Industrial design of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and a Master of Arts Degree in African Arts Studies of the Obafemi awolow University, IleIfe. Currently the chairman of the Osun State Chapter of the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA) and member of the Nigerian filed Society, the new Chief Executive Officer of the National Troupe has designed, organised and attended several conferences, seminars and workshops and has curated, coordinated and executed a number of local and internationally acclaimed exhibitions.

A widely travelled artist whose current research activities include a study on Festivals of Yoruba land, Mr. Adejuwon has since been meeting with management, staff and stakeholders of the National Troupe. His imemdiate His immediate plans, as Artistic Director is to reposition the National Troupe and to make the Troupe a truly national and international performing arts company.

At a brief handing ceremony held at the National Theatre on Thursday, the former Artistic Director Mr. Martin Adaji congratulated Mr. Adejuwon on his appointment and thanked President Goodluck Jonathan for giving him the opportunity to serve.

‘We want to be out once a month as well as in each of he state of the federation with performances. We must also be relevant and our theme will address performance expression in a conflict environment such as military formations and barracks. We are looking at ways to synergise with relevant agencies within and outside Nigeria to keep National Troupe productive and acknowledged’

ECOBA Lagos holds ‘Ancients’ Day

T

HE Lagos State branch of Edo College Old Boys Association ECOBA) held its 2014 ‘Ancients’ Day last Saturday, at the Pearl Garden Restaurant, Victoria Island Lagos.

In his opening remark, the association Chairman Mr. Godwin Ize- Iyamu stated that ‘Ancients’ are old boys of Edo College who left the school at least 50 years ago. The event, he further said presented members the opportunity of reminiscing, interacting, counseling and mentoring the younger members of the Association.

While congratulating members of the special group, he informed them that the Annual Dinner of the Association will hold on Saturday, December 13, at Ruby’s place, Lekki The highpoint of the event was the induction of Dr. Osarieme Bazuaye into the well-regarded group. Dr. Bazuaye, a Veterinary Surgeon, who was also a Marketing Manager at Pfizer and a senior president at the former MTS, left Edo College in 1964.

Other ancients at the event included Professor Gabriel Osuide, Mr. Adams Idufueko, Prof. E.S. Akpata, Engr. B. Fadaka, Barrister Halim and AVM Joe Ehigie Edo College, one of the Model Secondary Schools in Edo State is a boarding school for boys and is a renowned citadel of learning and excellence.

•Prof. Gabriel Osuide, Dr. Osarieme Bazuaye, and Mr. Godwin Ize-Iyamu at the event.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

53

BUSINESS EXTRA Expedite action on 2015 budget, Senate urges Presidency

T

HE Senate yesterday asked the Presidency to expedite action on the preparation and presentation of the 2015 Appropriation Bill.

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the plenary session, said the National Assembly is set to receive the 2015 budget in the weeks ahead.

Ekweremadu added that the National Assembly planned to pass the bill before the end of the year to pave way for its full implementation.

Non-implementation of previous budgets has always been blamed on late presen-

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Asst.

Editor and Sani Onogu, Abuja

tation and passage of the Appropriation Bill.

The September deadline set by the Senate for the presentation of the Appropriation Bill every year has always been breached by the Presidency.

Observers believe that if the Presidency fails to present the Appropriation Bill before the end of the month or the first week of November, members of the National Assembly may be unable to pass it before the end of the year.

The Senate has about eight weeks to work before the end of the year.

• From left: Chief Technology Officer, CWG, Mr. James Agada; Doyen of Brokers, Mr. Sam Ndata; Founder and Chief Executive Officer, CWG, Mr. Austin Okere; Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar Onyema; General Manager, Listings Sales and Retention,NSE, Mrs. Taba Peterside and Chief Operating Officer, CWG, Mr. Phillip Obioha during a courtesy visit of NSE team to CWG Plc in Lagos.

Make remittances or pay fine, NERC orders DISCos

N

IGERIAN Electricity Regulatory Commis sion (NERC) has read the riot act to electricity distribution companies (DISCos), requesting them to transfer November last year’s opening cash and bank balances to the Nigeria Electricity Liability Management Company (NELCOM), remit deducted Value Added Tax (VAT) to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) or pay fine of N10,000 per hour from October 17.

It would be recalled that aside Kaduna DISCo, the private owners who took over the successor companies on November 1, last year met some balances which NERC

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

in the audit on the financial expenditures of the DISCos referred to as opening cash balance as at 1st November this year. NERC is seeking the transfer of the fund to the NELMCOM that manages the assets and liabilities of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

The Nation yesterday obtained the audit report in Abuja.

In a letter dated October 8, NERC Chairman, Dr. Sam Amadi expressed dissatisfaction with most of the expenditures and non-remittances of VAT to the FIRS.

Titled: Re: Open Book Review of Accounting/Financial Records for the Period of 1st November 2013 to 31st July 2014, it explained that the audit was conducted to ascertain compliance with the Rules for the Interim Period as amended in April this year and appropriateness of the expenditures embarked upon during the period under review.

Amadi ordered that “Abuja DISCo should immediately effect transfer of about N4,436,527,763 accrued interest of 13 per cent per annum with effect from December 1, 2013 to NELMCO being available cash/bank balances as at 31st October 2013.

Hike in tariff inevitable, says KEDCo chief

K

ANO Electricity Dis tribution Company (KEDCo) said it has recorded an Aggregate Technical, Commercial and Collection (ATC&C) losses of 49 per cent since it took over from the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) in November last year.

Worried by the need to deliver optimum service to its customers, its management said it will increase electricity tariff within its areas of jurisdiction.

Speaking during a Stakeholders’ Forum it organised in collaboration with the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in Kano yesterday, its Managing Director, Dr. Jamil Isyaku Gwamna said the company is making frantic efforts to ensure that the incurred losses are reduced to

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

six per cent in the next five years.

He said: “The rationale behind this meeting is that, you know, every DISCo has an obligation to improve service supply, and they can only do so if they reduce the losses and they are called Aggregate Technical Commercial and Collection (ATC & C) losses. When we came in, we had a target that over the next five years, we would make certain investments in order to achieve a certain level of loss reduction.

“This was part of our commitment and we went through a process established by the regulator which is NERC. They gave us the methodology of how we can establish our real loses. We were given a loss

position for Kano as 40 per cent—that is the total Aggregate Technical Commercial and Collection loses.

“But when we came in, we discovered that it was much more than that. But today, what we have established as the base-line loses for the company is close to 49 per cent. We are glad that NERC through their independent consultants has established that figure; and they have accepted that. So, this forum is to invite comments from the public because it will inevitably lead to an increase in tariff.

“So, people are going to pay more in order to get the level of service they require because the current tariff levels are definitely low and the tariff are in two components—one, the energy cost and two, the fixed charges.

Court urged to restrain CBN, Emefiele over of the low income earnHE Federal High Court ATM charges part ers. in Abuja has been

T

urged to restrain the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from further implementing its reintroduced N65 charges on cash withdrawal from others’ Automated Teller Machine (ATM).

The new CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele had on August 13 announced that a customer, who makes cash withdrawals from ATM of banks other than his/her, would be charged N65 at the fourth withdrawal within a month. The policy took effect nationwide on September 1.

Emefiele’s predecessor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi had on December 2012 abol-

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

ished the N100 charge per withdrawal on others’ ATM. A rights activist, Timi Frank argued in a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/ 659/2014 that the decision by the new CBN governor to reintroduce charges of cash withdrawal from ATM was “retrogressive and a negation of the cashless policy currently being propagated by the CBN.” Frank contended, in his statement of claim, that such charges was not only discriminatory against the poor, it was capable of discouraging saving on the

He noted that such charges were alien to developed societies as no customer is charged any fee in a country such as the United Kingdom for using other banks’ ATM. The suit, initiated via a writ of summons, filed on September18 by Frank’s lawyer, Olugbenga Adeyemi, has the CBN and Emefiele as defendants.

The plaintiff is seeking perpetual injunction restraining the defendants and their agents from engaging in further implementation and deduction of the N65 charges and an order setting aside the directive reintroducing the charges.

“Evidence of remittance should be made available to the Commission on or before the close of business on Friday, 17th of October. Please be advised that failure to comply with the commission’s resolution shall attract a fine of N10,000 for every hour until eventual payment.”

He also asked the Abuja Disco to “immediately effect transfer of N753,237,761.60 plus accrued interest at 13 per cent per annum with effect from 1st December 2013 to NELMCO/MO in respect of outstanding 80 per cent October 2013 receivables collected in November in line

with the Pre-Transaction Completion Agreement.

“Evidence of remittance should be made available to the commission on or before the close of business on Friday, 17the October, 2014.

“Please be advised that failure to comply with the Commission’s resolution shall attract a fine of N10,000 for every hour.”

In terms of un-remitted VAT, the chairman ordered that “Abuja DISCo should immediately effect remittance of N168,976,498.95 to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) being unremitted VAT collections in respect of sale of

electricity to consumers as of June 2014 and subsequent remittances of VAT collections for the period of July - September 2014.

“Subsequently, VAT collection shall henceforth be treated as first charge and remitted along with remittances of the Market Operations. Evidence of remittance should be made available to the commission on or before the close of business on Friday 17th October 2014. Please be advised that failure to comply with the commission’s resolution shall attract a fine of N10,000 for every hour until eventual payment.”

54

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

55

MONEYLINK

Heritage hasn’t paid for Enterprise, says AMCON T HE Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) yesterday said that HBCL Investment Services Limited (HISL), sponsored by Heritage Banking Company Limited to acquire Enterprise Bank Limited is yet to pay the outstanding cash for the deal. The payment deadline is today.

AMCON Head of Communications and Strategy, Kayode Lambo spoke, following reports that the payment had been completed.

Lambo, who spoke to The Nation on phone yesterday in Lagos, said the payment deadline, initially slated for October 13, is now today, following a two-day Sallah public holidays observed last week.

“We have not seen their payment.

Deadline is tomorrow (today) because of two-day public holidays,” he said.

•Deadline today

Stories by Collins Nweze

The firm has up till today to balance about N44.8 billion, representing 80 per cent of the N56 billion bid price.

While the clock ticks for Heritage to pay up, Fidelity Bank Plc, the reserved bidder is patiently waiting to step in, should the payment arrangement fail.

But Heritage Bank CEO, Ifie Sekibo assured stakeholders that the lender will beat the deadline.

He told reporters at a joint news conference organised by Heritage and HBCL Investment Services Lim-

ited (HISL) in Lagos that plans are ongoing for the post-Enterprise Bank era, outlining strategies that would transform the new entity to a mega bank.

He confirmed that the lender has already paid the 20 per cent or N11.2 billion of the N56 billion bid prices before the Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) was signed in Abuja last month.

The Heritage Bank boss confirmed that the bank had already paid the initial 20 per cent of the total bid price for Enterprise Bank pointing out that efforts were already in place to ensure the payment

Access Bank, MoneyGram partner

A

CCESS Bank in partnership with MoneyGram has launched outbound money transfer service. The bank’s Head, Personal Banking, Victor Etuokwu said the partnership has boosted the money transfer market.

He said the outbound money transfer service, marketed as Naija Sends allows Nigerians to send their naira abroad through any Access Bank branch, and the funds are received in the currency of the receiving country.

He said: “What we promise our customers is speed, service and security. This means that we would offer them this service in a manner that is expeditious, quick, with minimal, but legal documentation; the service would be prompt and done in an environment that is se-

cured. In other words, there would be no errors and there would not be fraud.

“There were some discussions around the transfer limit. If you put the limit so low, you will cut off some micro entrepreneurs. So, it is a welcome development that the regulator is sensitive to some ideas that would grow the economy.”

Head, Franchise Group, Access Bank Plc, Ola Isola encouraged Nigerians to see this as a platform to relate with their loved ones and business partners across the world.

“So, be it payment for a child in school, medical payment, business purchases across the world, this is a safe and secured platform. This is a platform that the people within the bottom of the pyramid are conversant with. The charges are competi-

Name

Offer Price

AFRINVEST W. A. EQUITY FUND ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH BGL NUBIAN FUND BGL SAPPHIRE FUND CANARY GROWTH FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CORAL INCOME FUND FBN FIXED INCOME FUND FBN HERITAGE FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND

168.45 9.17 1.12 1.19 0.69 1.39 1,676.09 1,118.84 121.30 121.16 1,117.51 1.2387 1.2866 0.8694 1.0864

• UBA BALANCED FUND • UBA BOND FUND • UBA EQUITY FUND • UBA MONEY MARKET FUND

Transaction Dates 29/09/2014 24/09/2014 22/09/2014 ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Inflation: August

8.5%

Monetary Policy Rate

12.0%

CHANGE

Foreign Reserves Oil Price (Bonny Light/b)

IKEJAHOTEL

2.92

3.21

0.29

MAYBAKER

1.75

1.92

0.17

COURTVILLE

0.52

0.55

0.03

CUSTODYINS

4.00

4.20

0.20

Credit to private Sector (CPS)

GOLDBREW

0.80

0.84

0.04

Primary Lending Rate (PLR)

MANSARD

2.78

2.91

0.13

RTBRISCOE

0.87

0.91

0.04

CUTIX

1.89

1.97

0.08

UPDCREIT

8.68

9.00

0.32

215.11

219.94

4.83

Money Supply (M2)

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

Tenor

CHANGE

1.00

0.95

-0.05

607.53

577.16

-30.37

ZENITHBANK

22.50

21.38

-1.12

CHAMPION

15.73

14.05

-0.79

SEPLAT

From Nduka Chiejina, Abuja

others to learn from its experience.

On the challenge of inadequate transmission infrastructure, the minister assured that the project will not suffer, as government will make adequate provisions in the area of infrastructure, sufficient to wheel-out all energy produced at the plant.

The minister also spoke about the power sector privatisation, describing the process as a pointer to the country’s coming of age and privatisation as being sacrosanct to the power sector reform.

The Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria is leading other banks as the Global Mandated Lead Arranger for the $750 million Azura-Edo Power Project.

The plant is, the first Independent Power Plant (IPP) foreign private investor-led power plant in the country which is projected to add 450 megawatts to the national grid at first phase and peak at 1,500 megawatts at the project’s final completion.

Amount Offered in ($) 500m 350m 350m

Amount Sold in ($) 499.95m 349.96m 349.96m

CBN EXCHANGE RATES October 14, 2014

Currency

Buying (N)

Selling (N)

$39.4b

US Dollar

155.70

155.72

$97.9

Pounds Sterling

250.7724

252.3929

Euro

200.3394

201.634

Swiss Franc

165.7385

166.8095

Yen

1.445

1.4544

CFA

0.286

0.306

231.3531

232.8481

25.1773

25.3409

N16.42 trillion.

N17.2 trillion 16.5%

NIGERIAN INTER-BANK OFFERED RATES (NIBOR)

LOSERS AS AT 14-10-14

SYMBOL

T

HE Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has reiterated the state government’s readiness in partnering with the private sector and investors to deepen the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and economy. He said the state will equally create waivers and incentives to achieve the objective.

Speaking at the Azura Transaction Closure summit in Abuja, Oshiomhole assured investors of investment-friendly host communities within the state that also includes peaceful and secured environment.

He also commended President Goodluck Jonathan’s determination to fast track the power sector development. He said the government’s commitment and direction to the power sector was moving in the right direction.

The Minister of Power, Prof.

Chinedu Nebo described the Azura project as the most important milestone in the development of Independent Power Projects (IPP) in the country as it has paved the way for

RETAIL DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM (RDAS)

C/PRICE

CONTINSURE

bination, we will be disposed having a business combination and it will have Heritage brand,” he said.

DATA BANK

O/PRICE

DANGCEM

•AMCON CEO Mustapha Chike-Obi

Edo reiterates commitment to investors’ interest

Bid Price 167.01 9.08 1.12 1.19 0.69 1.33 1,676.09 1,118.03 120.45 120.30 1,116.70 1.2304 1.2866 0.8527 1.0864

GAINERS AS AT 14-10-14

SYMBOL

tive when you compare them with the alternative platforms. But we have to always note the service because service that is not paid for is not sustainable.”

MoneyGram Regional Manager for Anglophone West Africa, Mrs. Kemi Okusanya, said the launch of “Naija Sends” has further deepened the brands reach and service in Nigeria.

In her remarks she noted “Over the last two decades MoneyGram has facilitated over 15 million transactions in Nigeria, enabling safe, convenient and reliable transfer of funds from the Nigerians in Diaspora to their loved ones. As Africa’s largest economy, with over 10 million migrants, we are glad we are able to offer this service in Nigeria today.”

of the final 80 per cent within the time frame stipulated by AMCON. He said the lender is already working on the process it believes, will finally culminate in the acquisition of Enterprise Bank Limited to further drive its time-proven potentials of creating, preserving and transferring wealth among its teeming customers.

He said: “It was tough and challenging to face the institutions that competed. We consistently provided super information to AMCON and abided by the principles. HISL acted on our behalf. If HISL succeeds in having the com-

08-10-14 Rate (%) Rate (%) 09-10-14

WAUA Yuan/Renminbi

Overnight (O/N)

11.00

10.917

Riyal

41.259

41.5256

1M

12.464

12.393

SDR

232.156

233.6562

3M

13.281

13.201

6M

14.205

14.110

P FOREX RATES

AFRIPRUD

3.25

3.09

-0.16

TRANSCORP

5.50

5.23

-0.27

R-DAS ($/N)

157.29

157.29

UBA

6.18

5.88

-0.30

Interbank ($/N)

162.75

162.75

COSTAIN

0.86

0.82

-0.04

INFINITY

1.52

1.45

-0.07

Parallel ($/N)

167.50

167.50

UNILEVER

47.99

45.85

-2.14

GOVT. SECURITIES YIELD – SECONDARY MARKET

Tenor

Oct. 9, 2014

Rates

T-bills - 91

10.10

T-bills - 182

10.22

T-bills - 364

10.30

Bond - 3yrs

11.52

Bond - 5yrs

11.55

Bond - 7yrs

12.13

56

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

57

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

NEWS Fayose: Fayemi obtained N84b loans Continued from page 4

the uppoer hand. The case filed in Lagos today (yesterday) is meant to stop a work God himself has finished. We have found out their antics and I am confident and I’m assuring you my supporters that I would be sworn into office on Thursday.

“I am currently enjoying God’s grace and kindness which I did not merit. God rarely offers people a second chance but He has given me a second chance. I will nurse no grudge or have any enemy. I will work with everybody

even within and outside the party to bring joy, happiness, comfort and relevance to everyone irrespective of party affiliation. I am now a father to all.

“This is a rare second chance and I will consult widely with everybody before taking policy decisions. You people of Ekiti State saw me that I am not a professor before you people voted for me. Don’t have to be a professor to know people need jobs and work to be able to feed themselves.”

He also explained the outgoing administraton was mounting hurdles on the way

to his inauguration. Fayose said: “I called Governor Fayemi last week and I told him that the people that will set up the canopy at Government House grounds would arrive in the course of the day (Tuesday), but Fayemi said no and that I should write through a Permanent Secretary and I said ‘no problem’.

The reception will hold at the Trade Fair Complex in AdoEkiti now.”

Fayose pleaded with civil servants to call off their industrial action and support his administration, saying: “Only a careless leader would make

Scientists discover cure for diabetes Continued from page 4

•Fayose

every promise and not deliver all. I will not promise what I won’t be able to deliver. People know me as a man of my words. Whatever I promise I deliver.”

1 diabetes.”

Prof Elaine Fuchs of Rockefeller University described the findings as “one of the most important advances to date in the stem cell field”, adding: “For decades, researchers have tried to generate human pancreatic beta cells that could be cultured and passaged long term under conditions where they produce insulin.”

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition that

Troops, police quit Ekiti courts Continued from page 4

hear very well from him.”

He added that some members of the Judiciary Staff Union (JUSUN) gathered earlier in the day at the gates of the courts to prevent anyone from resuming work but were dispersed by the Commissoner of Police (CP), Mr. Taiwo Lakanu.

His words: “We were told they came but they insisted no work should be done as they were on strike.

Explaining the presence of the policemen, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Victor Babafemi said the security operatives would continue to be around the

•From left: Director General Nigeian Civil Aviation Agency, Alhaji Mukhtar Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Aviation, Captain Shehu Iyal and the General Manager Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Nnanna Ugbanga during a Conference on the Aviation Sector in Abuja.

PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN.

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Row in House over $9.3m arms deal

HE $9.3 million arms deal, which went awry in South Africa recently, again caused a row between two principal officers of the House of Representatives yesterday.

The drama was between House Deputy Leader Leo Ogor, (PDP, Delta) and the Minority Leader Femi Gbajabiamila (APC, Lagos).

Gbajabiamila criticised Ogor for a statement ascribed to him in a newspaper.

The Minority Leader, reading from the paper, said: “Leo Ogor, as a principal officer, is free to speak on his own without quoting the whole House. This issue has brought the House to a state of disrepute.”

But Ogor attempted to cut Gbajabiamila short by raising a point of order, which Gbajabiamila ignored.

“If smuggling arms into the country is the only alternative to defeat the insurgents, we owe no apology to any-

From Victor Oluwasegun, Abuja

one,” Gbajabiamila quoted Ogor from the paper.

“I want to extricate myself from this because the word ‘we’ was used as I’m not part of this.”

The lawmaker did not stop at this.

“Over the week, there have been many editorials concerning the conduct and position of the House on the smuggling of the seized $9.3million as voiced by the Deputy Leader of the House, Hon. Leo Ogor, where he said that ‘WE’ (the House) do not owe apologies to Nigerians regarding our action to kill the motion on the matter during plenary.

“This matter raised serious concern to the extent that a constituent of mine challenged me saying that the House is a part of the problem bedeviling this country due to the comment of just one member who instead of

speaking for himself chose to use the word, ‘WE’ “Now, Hon. Ogor is a principal officer. But he does not have the right to speak for the collective interest of members except for himself. So, I take an exception to the use of the word, ‘WE’, when he should be speaking for himself”.

Ogor, evidently unhappy with Gbajabiamila’s submission repeatedly shouted point of order with the Speaker, interjecting “seat down gentlemen” seat down gentlemen!”

The Speaker intervened at this juncture saying Gbajabiamila needed not have brought the matter before the House at that point.

He said: “Hon. Femi, I’m surprised that you are bringing this matter up at this stage. Have you made any effort to reach Hon. Leo Ogor, asking him to know whether he actually said what was published?’’

Ogor who spoke next won-

dered why the Minority Leader failed to verify facts from him before chastising him.

According to him, himself and Gbajabiamila had seen severally and he ( Ogor) was never questioned on if the statements in the report were true or if he (Ogor) truly said the House owes nobody any apologies for negativing the said motion on the $9.3million controversy.

Ogor said: “My respected colleagues, I want to start my submission by expressing my deepest disappointment at my colleague, the Minority Leader for seeing such a publication and not bothering to find out from me if really I granted the said interview or said what was being published”.

But the Speaker moved to calm frayed nerves by halting further comment on the matter. He ruled that the two members should meet with him privately after plenary.

Boko Haram has killed over 10,000, says NSA Continued from page 4

robust enough to address its root causes.

“A military approach can only be part of a solution, more importantly states must begin by understanding the causes of youth anomie, disillusionment, need for adventure and search for meaning that is at the heart of a lot of radicalisation narratives, while also addressing more structural societal defects that make it difficult for some youth to access jobs, education or social security.

“While there is no defined pathway to terrorism, poverty, lack of opportunities for self

actualisation for youth, political and social marginalisation, poor understanding of religion, the pull of a charismatic leader all play a role.”

Dasuki spoke on the soft approach to insurgency by the nation in the last two years.

He said : “We have conducted extensive assessments of schools across Northern Nigeria in order to gain a better understanding of the state of education.

“We have now begun preliminary consultations with the Ministry of Education with regard to potential changes to the national curriculum and will be hosting an Education

Summit, bringing together key stakeholders and policy-makers.

“Additionally we are working on providing continuing education to internally displaced people as well as those in states where schools have been closed through community radio schools.

“We already have a fullyoperational Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Centre in Kano and are working to open centres in at least six more states.

“Additionally, we have worked with our National Primary Health Care Development Agency to add the provision of psychological servic-

es, in particular, post traumatic stress disorder therapy (PTSD) to the national mental health policy.

“Over the next year, we will partner with them to train thousands of clinicians that will be deployed nationwide in PTSD. “The SAVE Project has met with various Civil Society Organisations working in diverse fields from all over the country. An initial introductory meeting has already been held and another meeting will be held later this year as a first step towards building a collaborative CVE network of civil society and government.”

causes the pancreas to stop producing insulin - the hormone that regulates blood glucose levels.

If the amount of glucose in the blood is too high it can seriously damage the body’s organs over time.

While diabetics can keep their glucose levels under general control by injecting insulin, that does not provide the fine tuning necessary to properly control metabolism, which can lead to devastating complications such as blindness or loss of limbs.

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courts to maintain law and order and not to harass anyone.

His words: “Please note that the courts have reopened as you do know.

However, the police presence at the courts is to provide security and not to prevent people from going in and out of the court.

Don’t forget the state civil servants, including judiciary workers are on strike.”

The courts were ordered closed on September 25, following an invasion by hoodlums who harassed judges, lawyers, workers and litigants.

How Jonathan reformed aviation sector, by Iyal

HE Senior Special Assistant to the President on Aviation, Captain Shehu Usman Iyal, has reeled out the reforms brought to the aviation sector by President Goodluck Jonathan.

A Nigerian was elected the first African to head the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Stressing that there is total radar coverage in Nigeria, he said the aviation sector can now track any aircraft within Nigeria’s airspace.

According to him, remodelling and reconstruction of airports have been going on in the past six years.

He said: “There is a lot of infrastructural development in the sector. We have a lot of firefighting equipment at various airports. Training and retraining of personnel have been on the rise.”

“We are now constructing agric and agro cargo terminals at the various airports.”

The administration, he said, has also granted waiver for customs duties to airlines operating in the country.

All these, he noted increased the number of airlines flying into the country, while domestic operations have increased in the country.

On NIMET, he said: “We now have highly improved weather forecast by NIMET. Their services are not only

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

useful to the aviation industry, but it is being used by farmers among other Nigerians.”

“What I am talking here are facts and you can see them on ground.” He stated.

He praised the response of Nigeria’s aviation authorities and operators to the recent spread of the deadly Ebola virus disease to the country, as stringent precautionary screening and checks have prevented a return of the scourge after it was curtailed.

The presidential aide recalled other achievements in the aviation sector in the past six years, including Nigeria’s qualification for Category 1 certificate of the International Civil Aviation Organisation in 2010 and again last month.

He said President Jonathan had ordered a revisit of the second runway of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja to ensure its speedy completion.

He said: “The President has approved and directed the second runway project be immediately revisited. And it is being revisited and I am proud to inform you that I am part of committee for the second runway and it is going to be treated as priority.

There will be a second runway in Abuja for safety, for security, for efficiency.”

Lagos ’ll maintain public utilities

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AGOS State Government has assured Lagosians of continuous maintenance of public facilities.

The government has taken up the rehabilitation of the expansion joints on Eko Bridge at Alaka and National Theatre sections.

Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, noted that about two years ago, the State Government carried out an

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie

assessment of all the bridges in the state to ascertain the level of their safety.

He said the 33 expansion joints needed repairs, eight had been completed while work is ongoing on Eko bridge.

The contract was awarded to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc which commenced in August and is expected to be concluded by December.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

FOREIGN NEWS

Ebola death toll rises to 4,447

•Bruce Aylward

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HE death toll from the Ebola virus outbreak has risen to 4,447, with most victims in West Africa, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates.

There could be up to 10,000

new cases per week within two months if global efforts are not stepped up, WHO official Bruce Aylward warned.

But the rate of new cases of infection at some of the “epicentre” areas has slowed down, he added.

Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea have been hardest hit by the outbreak.

There have been 8,914 cases overall, including the fatal cases.

The WHO says it expects this number to top 9,000 by the end of the week.

The WHO estimates its figures by taking the numbers of confirmed cases and multiplying them - from Guinea by 1.5, from Sierra

Leone by 2 and from Liberia by 2.5 - to account for underreporting.

Mr Aylward told reporters in Geneva that the WHO was concerned to see the virus continue to spread in the capitals of the three worstaffected countries.

He said the death rate in the current Ebola outbreak was 70%, describing it as a “high mortality disease”.

The WHO says a slow down in the rate of new cases in some areas may be due to behavioural changes He said 95% of cases were still limited to areas in the “historic epicentre” of the outbreak, where the rate of new infections appeared to be slowing.

Pistorius : Victim’s family ‘rejected THLETE Oscar blood money’ Pistorius offered a

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large cash sum to the parents of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp after he killed her - but it was rejected as “blood money”, a South African court has heard.

Pistorius’s offer of $34,000 (£21,000) was revealed by prosecutor Gerrie Nel during his sentencing hearing.

Earlier, a defence witness told the court that Pistorius would be physically at risk if sent to prison.

He has been found guilty of culpable homicide, but cleared of murder.

The defence is trying to show that prison would be an

inappropriate punishment.

Pistorius’ offer of a lump sum of 375,000 rand to the Steenkamp family emerged on the second day of his sentencing hearing, during the cross-examination of defence witness Annette Vergeer.

June Steenkamp is said to have angrily rejected the offer of “blood money” Mr Nel told Ms Vergeer that Pistorius raised the funds from selling his car.

The prosecutor added that Reeva Steenkamp’s mother, June, had rejected the offer.

“She does not want blood money,” he said.

He also highlighted separate monthly payments of 6,000 rand (£340; $540) made by Pistorius to the Steenkamps - who were short of money after their daughter’s death.

Mr Nel said these funds mentioned in Ms Vergeer’s report - would be “paid back to the accused in full - every cent.”

What constitutes “blood money?” That question surfaced in court when it was revealed that Oscar Pistorius has been making monthly payments to Reeva Steenkamp’s parents.

North Korean leader reappears in ORTH Korean state public — with cane media broadcast

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images of leader Kim Jong Un on Tuesday, ending a media absence that boosted global speculation that something was amiss in the reclusive country.

With that unique haircut, and familiar wide smile, North Korea’s young dictator resurfaced Tuesday in the traditional style of his tightly controlled nation: state media reports that showed Kim Jong Un offering “field guidance,” surrounded by his usual entourage of

generals and officials.

The only clue to Kim’s almost 40-day absence from public view was the walking cane he leaned on, according to photographs Tuesday in Rodong Sinmun, the daily newspaper of North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party. A report in the Korean Central News Agency gave no date for Kim’s field trip, nor any explanation of why he had made no public outing since Sept. 3, when he attended a concert with his wife.

Kim’s absence sparked

rumors of a serious illness or possibly a coup. He missed Friday’s celebration of the anniversary of the founding of the Workers’ Party, and was a no-show at last month’s Foundation Day commemoration, further fueling speculation.

The increasingly portly Kim has disappeared before, as did his grandfather and father who started and continued the family dynasty, but this absence still sparked speculation about who actually controls North Korea.

Delhi call centre worker gang rape: Five convicted

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COURT in India has convicted five men of the November 2010 abduction and gang rape of a call centre worker.

The 30-year-old woman was attacked in the early hours after an office cab dropped her off near her home.

Her attackers abducted and raped her in a pickup truck. A female colleague walking with her managed to escape.

Violence against Indian women is deeply entrenched. The 2012 gang rape and murder of a student in Delhi caused outrage and led to a change in the law.

Delhi - where hundreds of rapes are recorded every year - is often called the “rape capital of India”,

although the reporting of cases is going up all over the country.

Pronouncing the men guilty on Tuesday, Judge Virender Bhat said they would be sentenced on Friday.

The call centre worker and her colleague were from the north-eastern state of Mizoram.

The case received a lot of publicity in India with students from north-eastern states participating in protest rallies in Delhi.

Twenty-five police teams were formed to find the rapists, sketches of suspects were released and more than 500 people were questioned. Several hundred pick-up vans were checked.

Syrian Kurds feel abandoned as Kobani battle rages

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N the crowded refugee camps, public squares and tea halls of this hardscrabble Kurdish town in Turkey, such words are a frequent refrain among thousands of Syrian Kurds who have fled the Islamic State group’s onslaught since mid-September.

No one contests that the U.S.-led coalition has conducted more than 40 airstrikes against the militants besieging Kobani, nor that Turkey has granted refuge to

more than 200,000 people who have flooded across the border to escape the militants’ offensive in Syria.

But both Turkish and Syrian Kurds say the United States and Turkey - and the international community in general - should be doing more to help save Kobani from the fanatical Islamic State militants who have massacred and beheaded their enemies across Syria and Iraq. They are angry Turkey isn’t allowing Kurdish fighters into Syria

and at the West for not arming them.

Syria’s Kurds, led by the Kurdish Democratic Party and its armed wing, popularly known as the YPG, have been battling the Islamic State group for more than a year, long before the United States.

And yet they remain essentially left to their own devices, largely shunned by both the mainstream Syrian opposition as well as the U.S.led coalition - despite their common enemy.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

NEWS

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PDP is my last bus stop, says Aliyu

IGER State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu yesterday debunked rumours that he was set to dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He said PDP is his “political bus stop”.

Aliyu was reacting to a report by in a national newspaper that he and his Jigawa State counterpart, Sule Lamido, were planning to leave the PDP for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He described the report as “spurious and a deliberate move to smear their image”.

Aliyu, in a statement by his media aide, Israel Ebije, said: “I don’t have intentions to leave PDP for any political party. I don’t think it is proper for a politician to change party as a strategy. It only ex-

•APC: we don’t need him •Mimiko: opposition’ll lose Southwest From Jide Orintunsin, Minna and Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

poses the person or group as unserious or inconsistent.

“I am not unaware of the fact that some politicians in our party want to smear us for refusing to leave the PDP. I am sorry to disappoint them.

I have never contemplated leaving my party, despite the impunity we fought.”

Niger APC Publicity Secretary Jonathan Vatsa said Aliyu has no political value and “cannot be trusted”.

Vasta said: “It is a known fact that the PDP at the national level and the Presidency never trusted Aliyu. He did not only rubbish the party when

he claimed to be leading the G7, he earlier accused President Jonathan of betraying the North without providing proof. How can you trust such a leader? We don’t need him in the APC.” Also yesterday, Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam said no PDP governor would defect to the APC. He was reacting to Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso’s statement that more PDP governors would join the APC at the 2015 general elections approach.

Speaking with State House correspondents after meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja, Suswam said the APC could not con-

tend with the PDP. He said: “It is unfortunate that the APC has continued to speculate. It looksas if they don’t have confidence that, on their own, they can make any progress. So, they keep speculating that PDP is going to join them. Not even a councillor is going to join APC.” Ondo State Governor Segun Mimiko said from the signs on the ground, the APC would not be able to retain Lagos and other Southwest states next year.

He said: “With the configuration on the ground, apart from Osun that is already won by the APC, I think it will be difficult for the APC to hold on to any state in the Southwest.”

Campaign raises funds for Buhari

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HE Bauchi State chapter of the Buhari Campaign Organisation yesterday raised over N6 million at a rally.

The money is for the purchase of the All Progressives Congress’ (APC’s) presidential nomination form for Muhammadu Buhari and his campaign bills.

State Coordinator of The Nigerian Solution Network Group Dr Danjuma Dabo described Buhari as “an honest and committed Nigerian, who has all it takes to restore Nigeria’s lost glory”.

Urging party faithful to support Buhari’s campaign financially, Dabo said the N25 million price of the party’s presidential nomination form was “too high” and out of the former head of

P

• Chairman, Amuwo Odofin Local Government, Comrade Ayodele Adewale speaking at the workers' forum held at the Council Secretariat, Festac Town, Lagos...yesterday. With him from left are:Vice Chairman, Alhaja Qudrat Dada; Council Manager, Mr. Segun Ajayi and chairman, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employers' (NULGE), Amuwo Odofin Chapter, Mr. Tope Lawal.

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Boko Haram: ‘21 councils under siege’

HE North is critical to national unity, Secretary of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) Dalung Solomon has said.

Dalung spoke on “National Conference: National Unity & the North” at the inaugural lecture of the Bauchi Generational Leadership Awareness Initiative.

The event, chaired by former Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ango Abdullahi, was held at Zaranda Hotel in

From Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi

Bauchi.

Dalung said with about 40 million of the nation’s 70 million registered voters, the North cannot be overlooked.

He said: “The North cannot be neglected when issues of national unity are being contemplated. Nigeria’s unity is at a crossroads, because the North is not at peace, hence Nigeria cannot be at peace. As I’m talking to you, over 21

Nda-Isaiah pays N2.5m interest fee

Eight pick APC forms in Benue From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

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IGHT persons in Benue State have picked the All Progressives Congress’ (APC’s) governorship nomination forms.

They are Emmanuel Jime, Senator Joseph Waku, Mike Iyordye, Akange Audu, Prof.

Steve Ugbah, Innocent Daagba, Kula Cletus Wawegh and Dr. Iorwuese Ligom.

That money could have provided food for the displaced Nigerians.

“National unity is threatened because we Nigerians have submitted ourselves to manipulation. We have designated ourselves as slaves to corrupt leaders. We have lost our integrity as a people.

“Most Nigerian leaders have selfishly refused to be honest and patriotic. They are only interested in dividing Nigerians to remain in office, stealing the country blind.”

Fintiri resumes as speaker

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PRESIDENTIAL aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah, has paid the mandatory N2.5 million fee for “expression of interest” to contest the 2015 presidential election.

This was contained in a statement yesterday by the DirectorGeneral of his campaign office, Sam4Nigeria, Maamoun Saleh.

Nda-Isaiah is the second presidential aspirant to pay the fee.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar did so a few days ago.

local governments in the Northeast are under siege by insurgents.

“About 3.3 million northerners are refugees in neighbouring countries. Some of those in Cameroon went to the extent of harvesting grains from their hosts’ farms to eat to survive.

“In fact, some Nigerians steal to survive and we have a country where 9.3 million U.S. dollars is trenched somewhere because some people want to buy arms illegally.

•Fintiri

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HE Former Adamawa State Acting Governor Ahmadu Fintiri has re-

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sumed duty as the Speaker of the House of Assembly.

At plenary yesterday, Fintiri said: “The legislature, as the defender of democracy, will exercise its constitutional duties of ridding Adamawa of bad governance once again without hesitation.

“As I happily resume my duties as the Speaker once again after a brief but actionpacked stint as the acting governor, I thank my colleagues for the overwhelming cooperation I enjoyed as your am-

bassador in the executive arm.

“I thank you for your sacrifices to ensure that our democratic intervention against bad governance succeeded in line with the popular demand of the people.”

He thanked his colleagues for passing a vote of confidence in him, adding: “As a law abiding citizen and the number one lawmaker, I have taken the events that occurred in the last couple of days in my stride and pledge to stand by the truth, no matter the blackmail and intimidation.”

Bio declares ambition tomorrow

ORMER Minister of Transport and Sports Ibrahim Isah Bio will tomorrow declare his intention to contest next year’s governorship election in Kwara State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The event holds at 10am at the party’s secretariat in Sango, Ilorin, the state capital.

In a statement, Bio’s media aide, Olukayode Thomas, said the aspirant had an ex-

cellent record of service to the people as councillor, commissioner, House of Representatives’ member and House of Assembly speaker.

Thomas said: “Bio is very close to the grassroots and a friend of the masses. The masses love him because they see him as one of them. Compared to its contemporaries, Kwara is way behind other states created in 1967 in terms of economic, social and other

areas of development. Kwara needs a leader who will make it self-sufficient, instead of going cap-in-hand every month for allocation in Abuja.

“Kwara needs a leader who will revive public schools and the healthcare system, tap into agricultural potentials and turn the state into the nation’s food basket, develop infrastructure and make the state the number one destination in Nigeria.”

state’s reach.

A Guest Speaker, Capt Bala Jibrin (rtd), faulted insinuations that Buhari was “tribalistic and religiouslybiased”.

Jibrin described Buhari as “a statesman who refused to associate with those playing tribal or religious politics and never looted the nation’s treasury even when he had every opportunity to do so”.

He said, if elected, Buhari would save the country from insecurity and corruption, and develop agriculture and other sectors.

Jibrin urged the electorate to vote for Buhari and advised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct credible polls.

Anti-Yero protest halted

OLICEMEN yesterday stopped a protest rally in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The rally was organised by groups, youths and women from Southern Kaduna to pass a vote of no confidence in Governor Ramalan Yero.

The protesters were forced to march to Kachia Police Station to lodge their complaint.

Mr Peter Danjuma, who led the protesters to the Office of Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Nyatse Maisamari, demanded to know why heavily armed soldiers were drafted to stop the rally.

The DPO said it was an “order from above” and urged them to discontinue

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From Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi

From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

the rally.

Chairman of the Coalition of Non-Government Organisations in Southern Kaduna Gideon Sayal alleged that the order to stop the rally was given by Yero.

Lamenting incessant attacks on Southern Kaduna by gunmen, Sayal said: “We can’t continue to support a government that does not show concern or take decisive steps to stop the killings of our kinsmen. We are going to vote Yero out in 2015.”

The protesters later assembled under a mango tree in Gumel and passed a vote of no confidence in Yero.

Police take over Kaduna

HERE was tension in Kaduna yesterday following rumoured plans by some lawmakers to impeach the House of Assembly Speaker, Umar Tahir.

Residents woke up to the heavy presence of the police, men of the state security outfit (Operation Yaki) and members of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) on the streets.

A source in the Assembly said the heavy presence of security operatives was to prevent a planned protest by a group from Southern Kaduna, which is angry about the incessant killings in the zone.

Plenary went on smoothly at the Assembly as the stern-looking operatives remained at the gate. Police spokesman Aminu Lawan said the security beef up was

From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

“a normal security routine and there was no cause for alarm”.

The Assembly’s spokesman, Shuaibu Makarfi, said there was no plan to impeach the speaker but he could not explain the reason for the heavy security presence.

PUBLIC NOTICE AGU:

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS EBERE JOSEPHINE AGU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS EBERE JOSEPHINE EKEOPARA. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE ELDER (DR) SAMUEL IMOKE FOUNDATION No. 1B DIAMOND HILL CALABAR, CROSS RIVER STATE The General Public is hereby notified that the above-named Foundation has applied to the corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part C of The Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

LIST OF THE TRUSTEES: 1) DR. OKPO OJAH (CHAIRMAN) 2) MR. MAYO ADEDIRAN (VICE CHAIRMAN) 3) BARR. PAUL ASU (SECRETARY/LEGAL ADVISER) 4) DR. PETER OTI (CORPORATE ADVISER) 5) DR. DAVID ENI (STRATEGIC CO-ORDINATOR) 6) DR. (BARR.) BASSEY EKPENYONG (CORPORATE CO-ORDINATOR) 7) HON. EGBALA EDOM (WELFARE/LOGISTICS) 8) MISS YETUNDE FELIX UKWU (FINANCIAL SECRETARY) 9) MR. DAVID OSAM IGWUT (TREASURER) 10) COMRADE NKAMI ESEBONU (PUBLICITY SECRETARY) AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1) To render effective health care delivery and selfless service.

2) To promote entrepreneurial skills among the youths and adults through exposures to training in skill acquisition-driven centres in the society.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Dr. Okpo Ojah (CHAIRMAN)

Comrade Nkami Esebonu (PUBLICITY SECRETARY)

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

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CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 08078425391

Lagos marks horn-free day today

•Motorists urged to comply •Assembly backs government

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O NOT be surpised if you don’t hear the sound of horns in Lagos today. The state is marking a horn-free day.

All motorists are expected to drive without using their horns. It will be commemorated every other year.

Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) said the hornfree day is a step towards sensitising residents to the harmful effects of noise pollution.

Fashola said it is important for citizens to understand that there is a better way to live than indulging in noise pollution which has been found to be harmful to their health.

He said in pursuance of the efforts to reduce environmental pollution in the state, his administration has thought up the initiative meant to sensitise residents

By Oziegbe Okoeki and Miriam Ekene-Okoro

to the dangers caused by noise pollution to their health and that of their neighbours and family.

Fashola said there is need to come down significantly because according to the global standard for measuring noise, “90 decibels are rather too high and harmful to human health”.

“It is for our own good, it is for our own health, it is for our own life. It is not because Governor Fashola said so. It is not because Lagos State government said so. It is simply because it is good for us.

Doctors have told us it is for our own ultimate good.

“What we see in a way that we now choose to live is that because we live in a very noisy environment, which we can really diminish, we tend to be very noisy our-

selves. We speak at the top of our voices, we play music at very high decibels and we do very many things at very high levels”, he said.

The governor said the campaign against noise pollution is a response to the petitions and complaints of citizens and tax payers, adding that on a daily basis government receives petition that somebody is preventing them from sleeping, either from the noise they are making or from other uncharitable activities they are carrying on without regard for the wellbeing of their neighbours.

Commissioner for Transportation Comrade Kayode Opeifa said the observance of the horn free day is expected to reduce noise pollution from the use of the horn, improve road courtesy, improve lane discipline and

draw motorists’ attention to the importance of road discipline and mutual respect for other road users.

Opeifa said it is designed to complement the efforts by the government in the provision and upgrading of traffic infrastructure across the state.

The House of Assembly at plenary yesterday threw its weight behind the horn-free day, noting that it was geared towards addressing noise pollution and ultimately ensuring a healthy society.

Raising the issue under Matters of Urgent Public Importance, Committee Chairman on Transportation, Commerce and Industry, Bisi Yusuff said “tomorrow (today) has been declared as horn-free to check the abuse of horns indiscriminately by motorists.”

He said: “Most times the

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OUTHS in IbejuLekki Local Government Area of Lagos State have debunked an allegation that they will mobilise against the All Progressive Congress (APC) in next year’s election.

APC Youth leader and Ibeju-Lekki Youth Coordinator, Mr. Saheed Balogun in a statement yesterday urged the public to disregard the report that it would work against the party in the coming election. He said those behind the rumour were neither residents nor members of the party.

Balogun commended the effort of the elected officers in the area who have initiated various developmental projects.

By Oziegbe Okoeki

M

By Basirat Braimah

University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH). After several tests on him, it was discovered that he had a Chronic Congenital Heart Disease.”

Ige, almost lifeless on his sick bed said: ”I have always lived on analgesic. The ailment became chronic last year.

I can’t walk for long; I am always weak and dizzy. My lips have turned black. I have not been able to apply for the Higher National Diploma (HND) due to the ailment”.

Dr. B. Ibrahim, a consultant cardiologist with LASUTH, in a report, said Ige, needs surgery to correct the anomaly.

But he said the facilities are not available at the hospital.

The report said the surgery would be done at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

APC supporters protest poll result

20-year-old needs N2m for heart surgery W E N T Y -y e a r - o l d Oluwaseyi Ige, with a hole in the heart, needs N2million for a corrective surgery.

The indigent parents of the undergraduate of Kwara Polytechnic, Ilorin, cannot afford the amount required for the treatment.

They pray and hope that Nigerians will give their son an opportunity to live a healthy life.

Oluwaseyi’s father, Olayinka, said: ”He was just a few months old when we noticed he had breathing problems.

But he said it was a relief when the doctor told us he was okay. He grew up normal, but he always complain of weakness. It was during Governor Babantude Fashola’s free medical health mission in 2008 that we got a referral letter to Lagos State

way our people use horns constitute a nuisance. It has caused accidents because it leads to intimidation; it is scary when big horns are used to intimidate people. Inculcating the habit will instil discipline among motorists’ and lead to good driving culture.”

Lanre Ogunyemi (Ojo II), said, “The state government is blazing the trail on the possibility of having a horn-free environment. The rate at which drivers use their horns is not only alarming but appalling.”

He said the experience he had while he was outside the country as regard the use of horn was a far cry from what is obtainable in the country, saying the initiative by the state government is laudable.

The Deputy Speaker, Kolawole Taiwo who presided at plenary, said “let us see its possibility come tomorrow (today).”

Youths debunk anti-APC allegation

•Ige

His father added: ‘’I always have sleepless nights because of my son’s ailment. We need help; we don’t even have a means of livelihood.”

The family is appealing to individuals, government and non-governmental

organisations for assistance.

An account has been opened at the Guaranty Trust Bank, with No: 2542225969110 under the name: Ige Olayinka Ezekiel.

He can be reached on these phone number: 08093820802, 08028306050

EMBERS of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Somolu yesterday stormed the Lagos State House of Assembly to protest the “gross manipulation” of the party’s congress.

They accused the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Aliyu Ademorin Kuye and Otunba Henry Ajomale of masterminding the manipulation.

The protesters, who were led by Olusegun Fehintola, chanted war songs and carried placards.

They said the congress of last April in the eight wards in Somolu Local Government Area, showed that the Kuye group, tagged: ‘Muslims and Christians in Politics,” was routed in all wards, adding that the party leadership later manipulated the result in Kuye’s favour.

According to them, the party leadership gave the Kuye group three wards, saying such decision was never agreed to in the negotiation.

Fehintola, who read out the group’s petition, titled: ‘Red Alert’ to the Speaker, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, stated that the protesters were coming to the Assembly for the second time on the same issue “as a result of the lukewarm attitude towards our earlier complaint and plight over the undemocratic handling of the last local government congress election in Somolu Local Government.”

He insisted that the manipulation would not stand, saying there was no way the party in Somolu would concede a single ward, let alone three wards to the Kuye group.

House leader Ajibayo Adeyeye, who represented the Speaker, assured the protesters that the House would take their complaints to the APC secretariat.

Court remands father for allegedly killing 10-year-old daughter

A

YABA Chief Magistrate’s Court in Lagos yesterday remanded a 33-year-old man, William Ime, in prison for allegedly killing his 10year-old daughter.

The Magistrate, Mrs Yewande Aje-Afunwa said the accused should be locked up pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), adding that the case file should be duplicated and forwarded to them promptly.

The accused, who lives at Oko Ado Village, Ajah, on Lagos-Epe Expressway, is facing a charge of murder.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police Godwin Anyanwu, told the court that Ime committed the offence on June 29 at his residence.

He said the accused had, out of provocation, hit his daughter, Janet, with his hand several times and inflicted fatal internal injuries

on her, adding that the child died from the injuries she sustained.

Anyanwu said: “He hit her several times and she was confirmed dead from internal injuries. The accused was arrested following a complaint by his family and eyewitnesses.’’

He said the offence contravened Section 221 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.The case has been adjourned till November 14.

FERMA, Lagos to fix Apapa Road

A

N engineer with the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Tayo Awodun, has said the agency is collaborating with the Lagos State government to tackle flooding on Apapa Road.

Awodun told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the flood was caused by

the reclamation that was carried out on the site for displaced residents of Ijora Badia.

He added that canals and existing drains would be expanded to cater for the resultant surge, and FERMA would work a design to solve the problem.

“The section that is bad, presently we have filled it up with boulders so that ve-

hicles can still move on pending when permanent work would be done because we can‘t work there until we get the water out.

“The government has decided to create a channel.

It plans to build a new channel to direct the water to. But meanwhile, we had to put boulders to make it motorable for road users.’’

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

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NEWS

NBA, NLC, Ndoma-Egba seek Wali’s release from abductors N

IGERIAN Bar Association (NBA) President Augustine Alegeh, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN); the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba have urged the abductors of former NBA President Okey Wali (SAN) to release him immediately and unconditionally.

Wali was abducted last weekend by gunmen in his Rumualogu community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State during a visit.

Alegeh spoke yesterday at Wali’s community when he visited his family.

His abductors have not contacted his relatives or government for ransom.

Addressing reporters in Wali’s compound, Alegeh decried the spate of insecurity in the country.

The lawyer urged Wali’s abductors to release him unconditionally and unhurt.

The NBA president was accompanied by chairmen of the association’s five branches in the state and some members of the National and Rivers Bar. Alegeh said: “I have come to the family of our 26th president, Emmanuel Okey Wali, with chairmen of branches of Rivers State and some leaders of the Bar to show solidarity with the family; to show the family that the Bar is in pains as they are in pains. The bar will stand with them at all times. We use this opportunity to appeal to anybody who is involved in the abduction of Mr. Wali to please, in God’s name, consider releasing him on compassionate grounds.

“He has served the country very well; he has always fought for the defenceless and, most importantly, he does not possess the health that would en-

From Tony Akowe,

Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sani Onogu, Abuja and Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

able him to survive manhandled conditions. So, we appeal passionately for his safety. That’s why we have come here today.

“We have always said that the principal function of a government is to provide for the welfare and security of the people. That’s the constitutional role of a government.

It is a more important than any other role that a government has to play.

“And, if we are faced with situations where kidnapping still exists in our country, it shows that there is a failure on the part of government. We have called on the government to step up its acts and take more proactive steps at addressing the security situation in the country.”

In a statement yesterday in Abuja by its the General Secretary, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson, the NLC said it was dismayed by the abduction of the former NBA President.

Dr. Eson noted that abduction was criminal and unacceptable to extort money from the families and friends of the victims.

The statement reads: “We are dismayed by the abduction of Mr Wali (SAN). We appeal to his abductors to release him unconditionally and unharmed.

“Abduction is a criminal act used to extort money from victims or their families or friends. It is also an unacceptable tool of terror which we must all resist or fight. We must not succumb to this intimidation.

“We urge the security forces, who have been fighting this scourge, to rise to the challenge of rescuing Mr Wali. They need quality intelligence and equipment to get the job done.

“Their success is also very much contingent upon a vigilant and co-operative public or local populace. We at the congress earnestly solicit their co-operation at this point in time.”

Ndoma-Egba described Wali’s kidnap as an act of brigandage.

The senator also called for “a thorough investigation” into the alleged killing of Oyamieyifa, the son of former Bayelsa State Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, at the weekend.

The Senate Leader, in a statement by his Media Adviser, Ignatius Uzuegbunam, deplored what he called “the senseless kidnapping of Wali”.

The former NBA president, he said, is neither a moneybag nor a politically-exposed person.

“The kidnap Wali is a needless act of brigandage against somebody whose commitment to peace and justice is total and well-known,” the statement said.

He called for Wali’s “release forthwith and unconditionally”.

Ndoma-Egba said Oyamieyifa’s death was “unfortunate”.

He added: “This is one incident no parent prays for. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Alamieyeseigha family at this time of unquantifiable grief.”

The Senate Leader noted that the incident “should be thoroughly investigated by the UAE authorities” to find what actually happened.

Three police officers, others get awards

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HREE police officers in the Kano State Police Command have been given the traditional title of “Hero of Humanity” by organisers of the Nigerian Unity Awards for their contributions to the security of life and property in the state.

The officers are: Shaibu Bello, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP); Mary Obasi, also a CSP and Obinna Ama Agha, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP).

The organisers of the award, led by Comrade Victor Iwuala, explained that the recipients were exemplary in their services to the

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

state and humanity.

They urged the recipients to consider the awards as rare honours and an incentive to render work harder for the state.

Other recipients of the awards are: Deacon Fred Akhigbe, the Sarkin Edo in Kano and Igwe Boniface Ibekwe, the Eze Ndigbo Kano.

Iwuala said the recipients’ commitment to selfless services to their communities was exemplary, adding that this informed the decision to honour them.

Bello, the Divisional Police

Officer (DPO) in charge of Nomans-Land Division, said: “The responsibility of nation-building is for everybody. We must shoulder it to move forward. This award has spiced up my moral to do more.”

Obasi, the DPO in charge of Sabon Gari Market Division, said: “I am just one year old in Kano and do not know what to say. But I know that this is to notify me that I have to step up efforts in rendering service to my nation.”

Agha noted that the award had spurred him to be more dogged and selfless in his service to mankind.

‘Accelerate dispensation of environmental justice’

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HE Federal Government yesterday urged the Judiciary and other agencies to ensure quick dispensation of environmental justice in the country.

The government said there was need to create awareness on the importance and effective implementation of environmental laws.

Minister of Environment Mrs. Laurentia Mallam spoke in Abuja at the second national sensitisation workshop for judges and other law enforcement officers.

The workshop was

From Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

organised by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).

Mrs Mallam said the workshop would explore best options for effective enforcement of regulations and standards and timely prosecution of environmental crimes.

The minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Rabi Jimeta, said: “The main objective of this second sensitisation workshop is to strengthen the enforcement of environmental laws, regula-

tions, standards and guidelines in Nigeria through the sensitisation and retooling of the Judiciary and other law enforcement agencies.

“It will build partnerships and synergies within and among the Judiciary and law enforcement agencies for the speedy dispensation of environmental justice in Nigeria.

“It also requires adequate sensitisation and retooling of those who will interpret and enforce the laws as well as adequate public participation in the implementation of such laws.”

TODAY IN THE NATION

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

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VOL.9 NO. 3,002

‘Why are cattle moved by foot when, like all other commodities from the North, like onions or tomatoes or yams, they can be fully prepared or fattened in the North and then shipped by rail and the road as methods of choice and safety?’

TONY MARINHO

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

ir, Still on the crisis in Taraba State

FOR the third time in almost 11 years to this month, I wish to write an open letter to you to plead for your intervention on the side of principle on an issue which is a matter of national concern. This, of course, is the serious constitutional crisis in your home state, Taraba, a crisis which has arisen as a result of the serious injuries the Governor, Mr Danbaba Danfulani Suntai, suffered when his private aircraft he was flying crashed.

That constitutional crisis has been hanging fire for over three years now and a solution to it does not seem to be in sight, thanks basically to the jostling for the ruling Peoples Democratic Party’s ticket for the state’s governorship election next year.

The first time I wrote you an open letter on these pages was on November 19, 2003. On that occasion I borrowed the title of an open letter my good friend and cerebral columnist of The Nation, Professor Adebayo Williams, had written to you in Tell newsmagazine (June 1,1998).

In that letter he expressed his deep dismay at your silence over moves by General Sani Abacha to shed his khaki for mufti as the country’s leader, a move he almost succeeded in making but for his sudden and mysterious death.

Your silence, Williams said, was eloquent but was certainly not golden as it was likely to have been interpreted as support for Abacha’s sit tight agenda which Williams believed, not without good cause, could lead to the kind of mass killings that had occurred in Rwanda.

Hence his title for his open letter to you which I stole, i.e., “The road to Kigali”, Kigali being the capital of Rwanda.

In my own letter, I alluded to William’s and said your long defence of, indeed participation in, President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration until the two of you fell apart, helped Obasanjo in no small measure to successfully carry out his strategy of using religion to further divide the North to rule Nigeria. I said then that by the time you came out late in 2003 and lambasted him for running a regime under what you described as the spell of a cult-like clique, it was too little, too late.

My second open letter to you dated September 4, last year, was to urge you to learn the lesson of your initial support for Obasanjo and speak out and act on principle so that History will not judge you as looking the other way when a cabal was doing all it could to stop Suntai from being replaced by someone as acting governor essentially because of his religion.

The Taraba crisis, I said, may not have been exactly like the crisis of President Goodluck Jonathan’s succession of a very sick President Umaru Yar’adua, but the two were similar; in both cases a clique tried its all to sustain the make-belief that a visibly very ill incumbent was well enough to govern.

In Yar’adua’s case, you stood up for principle and called on Yar’adua to resign or be declared unfit to govern. Nigerians applauded your stand even though at the time, Yar’adua was in no state of mind to resign even if he was inclined to; such was the gravity of his illness. Some of us who had called on him to resign – I, for one, did so twice on these pages when the man was

Y

OU will have to pardon Hardball for pulling this old trick on you dear reader. Writers beat about the ‘bush’ when they don’t want to face the matter or are simply squirmish about taking an issue headlong. It is also a form of ‘Afghanistanism’; heeing, hawing, circumlocution, doing detours and taking the long or even the wrong routes to your destination. Do you notice that I have not only done it on the title of this piece, I have also taken you on rigmarole in this introduction; I confess: it is deliberate.

So why is Hardball being unduly adipose and playing tricks on his reader? The issue is at once tricky and tacky and requires all the sensitivity and added sensibility of one walking a land mine. It is about our President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s standing on African leaders’ rich list. Regardless of the fact that the list is in itself is a dampener for most Nigerians for deigning to put about six heads of some banana republic states before Nigeria’s ‘big

People and Politics By

MOHAMMED HARUNA ndajika@yahoo.com

Yet another open letter to Lt-General T. Y. Danjuma

‘

...when President Jonathan gave his word in 2011 that he would serve only one term of his own but reneged on it, you did not, sir, speak out in moral outrage at the president’s change of mind •Gen Danjuma

still in possession of his faculty, first on September 10, 2008 and second on December 2, 2009 –joined in the public applause of your principled stand.

“History,” I said in concluding the said open letter to you, “must not judge you to have maintained an eloquent but not golden silence when some power-hungry cabal seem determined to set the state ablaze against the spirit, if not the letter, of our Constitution.”

It’s been over a year since that letter and matters in your home state seem to have only gotten worse not better, thanks to what many see, not merely as your silence but, indeed, as being in the forefront of those implacably opposed to Suntai being replaced by anyone other than a Christian.

I, for one, do not want to believe you hate non-Christians that much because I know many of your closest friends, associates and admirers the business mogul, Alhaji Ahmadu Chanchangi of Chanchangi Air fame, General Muhammadu Buhari, Malam Abba Kyari whom you put in charge of your billion-Naira donation to the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria , foundation last year, and Malam Adamu Adamu, Trust’s ace columnist and our resident Ayatollah at the New Nigerian and the defunct Citizen newsmagazine, to name just a few - are Muslims.

There are indeed many of your close Christian confidants who judge Buhari wrongly as a Muslim fundamentalist, in the worst sense of the word. Yet that has not stopped you from

’

supporting his presidential ambition morally or otherwise.

Initially you seemed to have supported Alhaji Garba Umar as acting governor. Sources close to you said you changed your mind when Suntai was flown back from his treatment abroad for the first time to resume office and Umar apparently not only refused to let go, but showed a desire for a complete term of his own from next year. From that point on you refused, like so many of those implacably opposed to him, notably Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, to even recognise him as acting governor and always referred to him as deputy governor.

Your latter antipathy to Umar was said to have been based on his reneging on an understanding that he was merely to complete Suntai’s second term and give way to a governor from South Taraba which has never produced one and which is mainly Christian.

Sir, I have always been against power rotation in principle but I completely agree with you that the word, even the mere understanding of a gentleman, should be his honour. If Umar gave his word or even merely understood that he was only to complete Suntai’s term, he is honour bound not to contest for the governorship next year.

Problem, however, was that when President Jonathan gave his word in 2011 that he would serve only one term of his own but reneged on it, you did not, sir, speak out in moral outrage at the president’s change of mind. That would not justify Umar’s ambition. But it would make it

HARDBALL

Abati’s spatio-temporal mutational wickedness boy’. Here is the presidency pushed to the point of denying the fact of our being downgraded.

In other words, President Jonathan is over-rated they say.

For once, Nigeria, the giant, the big brother of Africa seeks modesty, insignificance and inconspicuousness in the comity of African nations. Just when most Nigerians were ready to put the totems of Sango, Amadioha or Ogun to their lips and swear by them that Nigeria’s number one man must be number one in all things in Africa. To say Nigeria’s president is worth a paltry $100 million does not add up one bit; not after the recent rebasing of its economy, which scaled it up to the position of

difficult, if not impossible, for people not to accuse you of double standards.

And now to complicate matters even more, you are said to have single-handedly anointed a successor to Suntai against the decision of the elders of Southern Taraba, who in their own wisdom had picked one, Chief David Sabo Kente, out of a list of 13. Since then your alternative choice of Architect Darius Dickson Ishaku, the Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, has led to serious acrimony among your followers and admirers in the state.

Worse still speculations are now rife that should the constitutional step the authorities in the state have taken in setting up a medical panel to confirm Suntai’s state of mind reach the almost certain conclusion that he is not in a fit mind to govern the state, you are, to say the least, not averse to moves being made to impeach both Suntai and Umar to stop Umar from realising his ambition.

Such a move can only provide one more ammunition to those who think you are antiMuslim, if not anti-Islam, to support their strongly held opinion of you.

Sir, the central principle in all this is simple and clear. As I said in my last letter to you, even a one-eyed man can see that Suntai is not in a fit state of mind to govern his household, never mind a whole state, since his tragic plane crash.

As a result many, including newspapers like The Nation (September 19), have called on him to “step aside.”

Such calls are unfair to the man because it is as clear as daylight that he is not a man of his own mind. But then those who choose to pretend otherwise are equally not being fair to the man.

Clearly they are merely manipulating his illness to pursue their political agenda to the detriment of his health and his family’s peace of mind.

They say prophets are hardly honoured in their own land. You have been an exception to this axiom not only in Taraba but in the rest of the country. You must not, sir, in the twilight of your life allow the relatively petty politics of state soil your hard-earned reputation of someone who always spoke and stood up for principles, no matter when or where.

O

Yello! MTN

NE of the rudest corporate voice mails in this country must be that of the MTN which tells subscribers they have exhausted their vouchers. Given the vehemence and relish with which the harsh female voice announces that one’s call has been “terminated!” as a result, you’ll be forgiven the conclusion that the management of the company is only too glad to see the back of a subscriber foolish enough to have allowed his voucher to finish before reloading.

I once drew the attention of their PR chap and a friend, Austin Iyashere, to this more than a year ago. He assured me he would get the management to act on it, and knowing him for the meticulous journalist he was before moving on to PR, I am certain he did.

It’s past time MTN changed that grating and annoying voice.

•For comments, send SMS to 08059100107

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

the largest economy in the land.

Though the list has been dismissed as fake, even then, how could Angolan President Eduardo Dos Santos top the list with $20 billion?

Though Angola produces oil too, it is not in Nigeria’s league. An unknown Moroccan King comes second with $2.5 billion; Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea, an unknown destination, is said to own $600 million; embattled Uhuru Kenyatta, just few days on the job, is placed at $500 million while Paul Biya of Cameroun is ascribed to having $200 million.

How then would our own numero uno, and Africa’s president of presidents, be said to be worth only $100 million? It comes across as the

usual imperialist plot to demean Nigeria.

Yet Hardball’s own comrade (is he now a come-raid?) in ‘arms’, now the president’s spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati swears on the innocence of his boss. Hear him: “What that Internet site and those copycat media houses tried to do was to give the impression that the president is corrupt… It’s absolutely untrue.

President Jonathan has not stolen anybody’s wealth.

“He is a very honest and decent man. Those who know him know that he is not in office to amass wealth but to serve Nigerians to the best of his ability …”

What can Hardball add? There must be a straight line between wealth and stealing?

Our friend of the pen, now on the other side, has suffered spatio-temporal mutation and his temperament has changed. One only wished he was writing this; it was his favourite subject. Oh, space and time, how wicked!

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