October 17, 2014 by The Nation

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States protest cash crunch as FAAC meeting ends in stalemate

•Yuguda

INANACE Commissioners left Enugu empty handed yesterday – a situation that laid bare the parlous state of the economy. The cash was not enough to share at the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting under the National Council of Finance and Economic Development (NACOFED). The meeting ended in a stalemate. The figures presented by

•Fashola: that is the country’s situation

From Nduka Chiejina, Abuja and Miriam Ekene-Okoro

the Minister of State for Finance Ambassador Bashir Yuguda were “inaccurate”. The Commissioners told the minister to “harmonise the figures or tell us if the nation’s economy is in danger”. The meeting was adjourned till next week in Abuja when

the minister is expected to bring up an acceptable revenue for sharing. A commissioner said last night: “The meeting was cancelled because the figures were very bad as a result of the continuous fall in revenue.” The states, the commissioner said, “were not ready to

give the Minister of State for Finance or the Federal Government the benefit of the doubt”. Because of the continuous drop in revenue, some state governments recently demanded that the Federal Government should stop making further payments into the Excess Crude Account (ECA).

Lamenting the situation, Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola said yesterday at the 2014 World Food Day/Agric Value Chain empowerment: “As I was coming to this event, I received a message that the monthly Federal Allocation Accounts Committee (FAAC) meeting where states know how much the country earned in the last 30 days and what Continued on page 4

•INSIDE: NGOS MUST PAY TAX, SAYS FIRS P53 SYNAGOGUE: CORONER DEMANDS MANIFEST P12

2015: PDP, Presidency jittery over Buhari’s rally •SEE ALSO PAGES 2&3

Ex-Head of State picks APC’s form

‘

We have got to this stage and all speculations will now cease. And now, in the best tradition of democracy, people can now follow their choice aspirant into the arena

From Yusuf Alli and Tony Akowe, Abuja

HERE is disquiet in the Presidency and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the crowd-pulling declaration rally of a presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), ex-Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari. The massive rally has forced the ruling party to return to the drawing board against the opposition. It wasgathered that some strategists in the Presidency and the PDP met on Wednesday and yesterday to analyse the rally, especially the massive turn-out and how some key APC leaders queued up behind Gen. Buhari. It was gathered that the presence of notable and influential political leaders from the North-West, North-East, North-Central and South-West forced the Presidency and PDP leaders into a series of meetings. In one of the sessions in WHEN WILL THE Abuja, it was learnt that CHIBOK GIRLS some parts of the Gen. BuKIDNAPPED ON hari’s speech upset the

APRIL 15 BE FREED?

Continued on page 4

•Gen. Buhari (left) receiving his form from Chief Odigie-Oyegun...yesterday.

PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

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•SOCIETY P13 •SPORTS P23 •BRAND P26 •AGRIC P38 •POLITICS P43 •FOREIGN P58

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

NEWS

•From left: Dean, Post Gradute Studies, Covenat University, Prof. Charles Ogbulogo, African General Manager Suntory, Riben and Lucozade, Mr. Chidi Okoro and Managing Director, Nokia West and Central African, Mr. Nick Imudia during the Top 50 Brand Nigeria Forum in Lagos... yestersday. PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

•Buhari acknowledging cheers from his supporters at the declaration

Buhari st

•From left: Director, Food/Codex, Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Mrs. Margaret Eshiett; Director, Public Affairs and Communications, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Mr. Clem Ugorji; Senior Advisor on Food Security and Nutrition, Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development, Dr. Victor Ajieroh, and former President, Nigerian Institute of Food, Science and Technology (NIFST), Mrs. Dolapo Coker, at the NIFST 38th Conference and Annual General Meeting in Lagos.

On Wednesday, former Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari joined the presidential race by declaring at the Eagle Square, Abuja. With his entrance, pundits say the battle for the Villa has just begun, writes TONY AKOWE, Abuja

•From left: Dean of Art, University of Lagos, Prof. Yomi Akinyeye; Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Olayide Alo and Dr. Mike Anyiam-Osigwe during the launch and campaign for the Introduction of Etics, Logic, Critical and Creative Thinking into the Primary and Secondary School Curricula held at the Julius Berger Auditorium ,UNILAG. PHOTO: OLUSEGUN RAPHEAL

•From left: Corporate Communications Manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Patrick Olowokere; Grand Prize Winner, 'Star The Winner Is' Micheal Achu; and Marketing Manager, Alchoholic Drinks, Nigerian Breweries PLC, Tokunbo Ododo in Lagos. PHOTO: BOLA OMILABU

RUMMING. Singing. And dancing. It looked like a carnival. Politicians from various parts of the country were present. From several meters away, you could feel the celebration in the air. Motorists had a field day trying to negotiate their way around the Eagle Square, Abuja. The occasion was the official declaration of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari for the presidential race. He is seeking the Presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nigeria's main opposition party. Although it was meant to be a simple event, aspirants contesting various offices in their states turned the event into a campaign ground trying to outdo one another. Many of them came in open roofed cars, doing a parade round the Square with their supporters. Some others came quietly. In particular, governorship aspirants from Katsina State, the home state of Gen. Buhari stole the show. For over two hours, security agents and organisers of the event had a hectic time trying controlling the surging crowd. The arrival of Gen. Buhari at about 12.27pm was greeted with wide celebration. The crowd rushed towards his convoy, waving frantically at his supporters who had taken over every available seat. Everybody wanted to touch the General and for about five minutes, his aides and organisers tried to get him into the state box. That done, the stage was set for the event proper. Former Bayelsa State Governor Chief Timipre Silva set the tone for the day when he said the retired General was not in the presidential race for himself,

but for the Nigerian people. He paid tribute to him for agreeing to come out of retirement to serve his fatherland. He lamented the state of the economy, which, he said, was in dire need of revamping as well as the current state of security in the country. He stressed that the security of the nation needs resuscitation and decried that for six months and still counting, over 200 school girls had been missing. He said: "Our economy is in a shamble. The Nigerian problem is well known to us. Today, we are presenting to Nigerians the solution to Nigeria's problem and that solution is Gen. Buhari. He is not in the race because of himself. He is in the race because of us, the young people of Nigeria. Happily, he has decided to come out of retirement and help us stabilise the country so that we can carry on with the task of developing the nation. He brings experience, integrity and transparency to bear on the campaign. That is why we must join hands and support him. He is a man of the people today and will be President of the people come 2015." Senator Olurunibe Mamora, who spoke on behalf of APC elders, told the gathering that the nation cannot afford to go on with the high rate of unemployment, insecurity, youth restiveness and other social vices that have characterised the PDP government since 1999. Mamora said: "There is a wind of change and it is blowing across the country. The time for change has come and nobody can stop it. In 2015, APC government will be installed." Former Benue State Governor and

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

NEWS

Governors have resolved that whoever emerges as the party candidate, all of us will work to deliver APC. You know that our dear GMB is one of the aspirants who want the ticket of the party and you know that he is a material they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have in the other party Amaechi speaking at the event

i steps out in grand style Senate Minority Leader George Akume spoke in the same vein, but said those claiming that Gen. Buhari was too old to aspire for the Presidency should know that age is never a barrier in leadership. He argued that the APC is richly endowed with numerous credible candidates. While saying that the APC has grown into a global brand, be asked politicians, especially aspirants within the party, to play the politics of ideas and not that of insulting people. Former Chairman of the ruling PDP Chief Audu Ogbe described Gen. Buhari as the nemesis of the corrupt. Ogbe said while supporters of the General believes he is the best man for the job, he stressed that they are opposed to imposition of candidate on the party. He welcomed the aspiration of other aspirants, saying: "We welcome the aspiration of Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Nda-Isaiah. We also welcome others who may want to join the race because we are a party built on solid democratic principles." He argued that Gen. Buhari's credentials speak for themselves. He dismissed claims that Gen. Buhari is a religious fanatic, saying: "If Buhari is a fanatic, many of us will have nothing to do with him. I am a Christian, so is Rotimi Amaechi, so is Adams Oshiomhole, so is John Oyegun, so is Rochas Okorocha. Those who are calling him fanatic are not more Christian than we are. We don't want to call the Pharisees, claiming holiness, claiming they are more Catholic than the Pope. Let me also tell you that the people propagating this are doing so because they want political parties to be drawn along religious lines". Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi said the 14 governors in the APC were determined to work together to actualise change. He told the gathering: "Governors have resolved that whoever emerges as the party candidate, all of us will work to deliver APC. You know that our dear GMB is one of the aspirants who want the ticket of the party and you know that he is a material they

don't have in the other party. If they say they have someone like him, they should show us somebody who is anticorruption like Gen. Buhari. APC provides an alternative for the country. We have been tested and we have never disappointed Nigerians. For us as APC, we will line up behind the party. Go back home and get your voter's card. We will punish these people with our votes; Rivers State is not in their hands. Lagos State is not in their hands; Kano State is not in their hands. They are banking on using security. We shall teach them the Osun example. We will fight with our body, with our lives because there must be change this time. We have said it again and again that there is no aspirant in APC that is not better than the aspirant in PDP. What we must do is not only to vote for the aspirant we support, we must also get voters card so that when we finish nominating our own candidate here, we will line up behind that candidate to ensure that we vote out Jonathan. That is what we will do. One thing is that this party stands for anticorruption because if we save the money they are stealing, there will be light. Mr President said to us on live television that he is the most abused president. He said by 2013, there will be so much light in Nigeria that Nigerians will be dancing on the street. Are we dancing?" Addressing the gathering, Gen. Buhari said his mission in the race was to rescue the nation from the clutches of underdevelopment and misgovernment. According to him, Nigeria has continued to be on the decline in terms of development since 1999 when the PDP took over the rein of government.

He said: "Nigeria, in my experience, has never been so divided, so polarised by an unthinking government hell bent on ruling and stealing forever whatever befalls the country. "APC will stop them in their tracks and rescue Nigeria from the stranglehold of the PDP. Since the last 16 years, PDP government has witnessed decline in all critical sectors of life in Nigeria. I humbly wish to present myself before you, before all of Nigeria and before God seeking to be elected as APC's presidential candidate. Having appreciated that the only way to relieve Nigerians of the PDP, the main opposition parties decided to pool their strengths into one party. We have worked very hard in the last 18 months to put up structures from the polling units to wards, local governments, states and the centre". He said the leadership of the party has "tried to ensure all processes in our party formation to be transparent and credible. These structures will lead to free and fair polls. There is no point in holding elections if they are not free and fair. Interference in the form of rigging, which the PDP government has practised since 2003, is the worst form of injustice - denying people their right to express their opinions. Whether they like it or not, injustice cannot endure." While lamenting the insecurity in the land occasioned by Boko Haram, he decried the fact that "there is prevalence of armed robbery, kidnappings and killings, cattle rustling, market and farmland arson, which has taken a new and a frightening dimension, disrupting economic and social life across whole communities".

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;

APC will stop them in their tracks and rescue Nigeria from the stranglehold of the PDP. Since the last 16 years, PDP government has witnessed decline in all critical sectors of life in Nigeria

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He also expressed concern about the economy, which, he said, has continued to deteriorate while the government continues to announce fantastic growth figures. He said when PDP came to power in 1999; Nigeria was generating about 4,000 M/W of electricity. "After 15 years and $20 billion spent, we are generating between 3,000 4,000 M/W. No failure is more glaring than this. We in APC are resolved to bring change to Nigeria. We plan to do things differently." A Buhari-led government, he said, plans to put priority on protection of lives and properties; pursuing economic policies for shared prosperity and immediate attention on youth employment; quality education for development, modernity and social mobility; agricultural productivity for taking millions out of poverty and ensuring food security; reviving industry to generate employment and "make things" not just to remain hawkers of other peoples' goods; developing solid minerals exploitation, which will substantially attract employment and revenue for government; restoring honour and integrity to public service by keeping the best and attracting the best; tackling corruption, which has become blatant and widespread. He said the rest of the world looks at Nigeria as the home of corruption. Nigeria, he said, is a country where stealing is not corruption. Human rights activist and a Senatorial aspirant from Kaduna State Mallam Shehu Sani told The Nation that even though all the aspirants on the platform of the party are credible, Gen. Buhari stands out among all of them. He described him as a man with grassroots support and acceptability. He argued that the advantage Gen. Buhari has over other aspirants is the fact that while others came from the PDP to join the APC, Buhari has never been a member of the ruling party. Before his formal declaration, the General warned his supporters against casting aspersions on other aspirants of the party. He said: "My supporters must not en-

gage in any kind of behaviour or conduct that will tarnish the image of any leader or promote division and rancour within the ranks of the party. Whoever does that should know that he or she is working for the enemy. At the same time, I would like to appeal to you to be good ambassadors of the opposition. As a body, the opposition is committed to the rule of law and as members of the parties in the opposition, you must learn to do the same at all times. In particular, you must learn to be vigilant, especially just before, during and immediately after elections, whether these are rigged or not so that sponsored hoodlums are not made to commit illegalities that are, in the end blamed on you. With your support, I intend to offer myself for the position of the President of the republic on the platform of our great party. I intend to make a formal announcement soon and I hope I can count on up your continuing support and sacrifice. However, I would like to point out that to be more meaningful, your support must extend beyond my person and always be available to the party and all those the party puts forward because it is the party that is the platform. You must at all times remember that the APC is a party with several qualified people for each and all the positions that will be contested, including that of the President. It is the primaries that will determine who eventually represents the party and in which capacity. If I get the party nomination, I expect you to redouble your effort and commitment until we clinch the presidency. But in the event that it happens to be one of the other aspirants who wins, I will expect you, as a good party man to extend to him your support. We are a united party and united we shall remain because our strength lies in our unity. For this and for other reasons, I must warn all my supporters, volunteers and other well wishers within the party and even out of it not to insult or be rude to any other aspirant or party leader on my behalf." The race has, indeed, begun and interesting times lie ahead.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

Kwankwaso backs consensus candidacy for APC

HEAD of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Convention, Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has said that the party should go for a consensus presidential standard bearer. Kwankwaso who presented what could be called his score card to the leadership of the National Assembly and the APC caucus yesterday, said though the party’s constitution provides for both consensus and primary election, the party should go for consensus. He added that if the party fails to produce a consensus presidential candidate, the

From Onyedi Ojiabor, and Sani Onogu, Abuja

party should go for primary, which he said is also good for it. Kwankwaso said, “I am happy that I left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). I am happy that we have a strong party that can defeat PDP. As an aspirant, I came here to brief you about our activities. Our constitution provided for consensus and provided for primary. “I am personally calling for consensus, but if that didn’t happen, primary is also good for the party. PDP has already defeated itself. All we need to Continued on page 60

States protest cash crunch •Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi being greeted by Chairman of Atiba Local Government Akeem Adeyemi, during the governor’s visit to the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi (second left) on the occasion of his 76th birthday at his Oyo palace...yesterday. With them is Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Monsurat Sunmonu.

PDP governors at war with Mu’azu over Senate tickets

OVERNORS elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and who whould be completing their second term in May, are at war with the leadership of the party over their ambition to go to the Senate. Indications emerged yesterday that the governors have been mounting pressure on the party’s national chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu to cede senatorial tickets in their various zones to them. The Nation gathered that a peace meeting between Mu’azu and the governors Wednesday night over the matter ended in a deadlock. The governors, it was gath-

From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

ered, had insisted on getting automatic tickets of their senatorial zones, a move that would see the present occupants of the seats out of contention. The governors’ position is said to be anchored on the premise that they needed to be rewarded for initiating the idea of the automatic presidential ticket granted President Goodluck Jonathan by the party’s National Executive Committee in August. Mu’azu was said to have been miffed by the governors’ position, particularly when they were said to have insisted on fielding their preferred candidates as their successors in the coming elections.

The party chair was said to have pleaded with the governors to cede the governorship tickets to the senators they wish to replace, a plea that was said to have angered the governors. A party source privy to the meeting told reporters that Mu’azu’s opinion that the party needed the experience of its ranking senators in the next dispensation, for stability of the government, also did not sit well with the governors. An enlarged meeting to include other prominent party chieftains is expected to reconvene at the weekend to find an amicable resolution to the matter. Our correspondent further gathered that shortly after the meeting with Mu’azu, a gover-

nor from one of the Southsouth states brought a senator representing his zone before President Jonathan. The governor was said to have pleaded with the President to “find something” else for the senator, since he (the governor) would be replacing him in 2015. Our source disclosed that the senator had taken exception to the governor’s statement because he was never given an inkling of the reasons for the nocturnal visit to the President. The party source, who pleaded not to be named said “The truth is that the pressure has always been there since the issue of the President’s endorsement was concluded at our last NEC

(SAN). He exhibited the acknowledgment copy where Okwute signed after he collected a copy of the judgment. The court, in a statement also said the judge, who delivered the judgment, was entitled to seven days within which to get the judgment ready for collection by any party who seeks to appeal. Citing Section 294(1) of the

Constitution and 2:7 of the Code of Conduct for Judicial officers,the court said there was no basis for Fintiri’s lawyers to allege that they were not given copies of the judgment. The court said that Justice Ademola ought to be commended for determining the suit within two months rather than being vilified.

Continued on page 60

Adamawa: Court faults Fintiri’s claim on judgment

HE Federal High Court has dismissed claim by sacked Adamawa State’s Acting Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri that it was working to frustrate his appeal. Fintiri had, in two petitions to the National Judicial Council (NJC), alleged that the court was reluctant to release to him a certified true copy of the October 8 judgment

From Yusuf Alli and Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

which voided his swearing in as Acting Governor. A senior official of the court said yesterday that a copy of the judgement has since been given to Fintiri’s lawyer identified as Theophilus Okwute, from the law firm of the sacked Acting Governor’s lead lawyer, Chief Bayo Ojo

Continued from page 1

percentage would be shared between the three tiers of government-Federal, state and local governments-from the Federation Accounts, was postponed because there was not enough fund in the Federation Account. That is the situation of the country’s economy today.” Fashola explained that no state government could function effectively without a well-structured tax system. “So, if we are to wait for the monthly federal allocation, we will not be able to provide the dividends of democracy to the residents of Lagos State. “It was through the money we realised from taxes that we used to provide the empowerment materials for the residents of the state.” Another commissioner who attended the botched meeting said: “Some states are in serious arrears of salary because of the drop in revenue. States like Benue, Edo, Cross River are having problem paying their salaries. “Oyo State is in crisis and Lagos State is surviving because of its reserve. Ogun State lost

N1billion in July and August. Losing this amount every month means there’s crisis in the land. “People are losing hope. It will slow down economy because governments are the largest employers of labour. Some federal ministries are owing or not paying their salaries as at when due. “The Federal Government should either stop paying into the ECA and pay our debts first and meet their obligation or there will be crisis.” The commissioner added that at the last FAAC meeting in Abuja, the minister of state for finance pleaded with commissioners for two weeks grace to bring the demand of the states for augmentation of monthly allocations to be shared to the attention of President Goodluck Jonathan. The commissioners agreed to give Yuguda the grace period because he is new on the job, but in the last two months, the country had experienced continued revenue shortfall. The commissioners warned that the Federal Government’s credibility was at stake as many states are battling to meet their basic obligations to their citizens.

Passenger on flight from Lagos quarantined for suspected Ebola

ADRID authorities evacuated an Air F r a n c e plane yesterday after a passenger started shaking on the flight to Madrid from Lagos via Paris, prompting fears the person had Ebola, Air France and air-

ports operator Aena said. The passenger was taken to Madrid’s Carlos III Hospital in an ambulance flanked by a police motorcade, television images showed. The driver was wearing full protective suit and goggles.

2015: PDP, Presidency jittery over Buhari’s rally

Continued from page 1

Presidency. Although some strategists attempted to dismiss or underrate the rally, the Presidency and the PDP thought otherwise.

A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Contrary to the permutations of some forces in the Presidency and PDP, the huge crowd at the declaration indicated that Buhari is still enjoying large following. “The wrong assumptions in the ruling party were that Buhari’s influence had waned since 2011 election and the emergence of other presidential aspirants in APC might reduce his chances. “Some APC leaders and governors at the rally also lent credence to the readiness of the opposition to support Buhari for the party’s ticket.” A member of the NWC of the PDP said: “We are not underrating the implications of Buhari’s declaration rally. We have woken up to the reality that we must gird our loins. With Buhari, the battle has started. “Our leaders are already doing some rethinking because we know what Buhari’s candidacy portends for our party. A source in the PDP Governors

Jonathan tackles former leader over comment

HE Presidency yesterday faulted the claims by former Head of State and Presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammad Buhari. Gen. Buhari, on Wednesday during his declaration of intention to run for President in Abuja, picked holes in the economy and past elections conducted under the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The former Head of State had claimed that the last 16 years of PDP government has witnessed a decline in all critical sectors while the economy continued to deteriorate. But in a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, titled “Conduct your presidential campaign with greater regard for the truth, Jonathan tells Buhari”, the President said Gen. Buhari’s claims are false and unForum said: “I cannot deceive you, we met on Wednesday night on some issues and Gen. Buhari’s declaration rally took the central stage because he seems to be in control of the North-East and Northwest. “And if you look at the NorthCentral, APC is certainly stronger in Niger, Kwara, Benue and Nasarawa. “To us, the forthcoming poll might not be an easy ride as being projected by some strategists

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

charitable. Stressing that he will not be discouraged from implementing his transformation agenda, Jonathan noted that Gen. Buhari’s claims are not in agreement with local and international statistics on Nigeria’s growing economy. He said: “The falsity of General Buhari’s anti-Jonathan and anti-PDP claims will be obvious to knowledgeable Nigerians and friends of the country, but for the benefit of others we affirm that there is absolutely no truth whatsoever in his charge that ‘the last 16 years of PDP government has witnessed a decline in all critical sectors of life in Nigeria’ or that ‘the economy continues to deteriorate’. “Statistics and rankings from the National Bureau of Statistics, the Central Bank of

in the Presidency.” There were indications last night that Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors have resolved to either be allowed to anoint their successors or leave the party to its fate in next year’s poll. Gen. Buhari yesterday picked his nomination form to contest for the ticket of the party 24 hours after he declared in Abuja. He expressed concern about the N27.5 million.

Nigeria, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and other international economic agencies give the lie to General Buhari’s claims on the state of the Nigerian economy. “As is well known, available figures, statistics and ratings show that the Nigerian economy has consistently maintained an unprecedented growth rate of 6-7% under the Jonathan administration. They also show that the Nigerian economy is now the leading economy in Africa and the 26th largest in the world with a gross domestic product of over $500 billion per annum. “Also, contrary to General Buhari’s assertion yesterday, Nigeria’s agricultural sector is thriving under the reforms being implemented by the Jonathan administration as current production figures show and nei-

The former leader who spoke at the party’s national secretariat said “If I were not part of the constitutional body of the party and the fact that I am part of those that formed this party, I would have complained about the amount that we have to pay. “It is a pity that I could not influence this amount like was done for the women who are trying to participate and for the disabled. I looked left and right and could not read sympathy on

Continued on page 60

anybody’s face and so, I kept my trap and felt heavily sorry for myself because I don’t want to go and ask anybody to pay for my nomination. “If you could recall, in all the contests, I have always tried to pay myself at least for the nomination. But paying N27.5 million these days is not easy. Thank God I have a personal relationship with the Chairman of my bank. I called him and told him that the forms are coming and

•Dr. Jonathan

so, whether my account is in red or green or black, you must honour this, otherwise, I will lose the nomination. “I was about to go to Kaduna today and I told the Chairman and he said, you better pick the form and he kept a straight face. That means that there is no excuse. I thank God that we have got to this stage and all speculations will now cease and now, in the best tradition of democracy, people can now follow their Continued on page 60

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THE NATION OCTOBER FRIDAY 17, 2014

NEWS

APC to Jonathan: don’t use Chibok girls for politics

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to release the schoolgirls who were abducted at Chibok, Borno State, over six months ago, if indeed he knows where they are, instead of seeking to make political gains out of their release. “Mr. President, tongues are wagging that you know where the girls are and that you want them to be released only when it will give you the maximum political advantage. We don’t know if this is true or not, but if it is, please, release the girls now,” the party said in a statement yesterday in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed. APC added: “It is cruel and unconscionable for anyone to use these girls as pawns on a political chess board. They have now been in captivity for over six months. Please, end the agony of the girls’ parents and other Nigerians.” The party said Dr

By Olamilekan Andu

Jonathan’s body language since the abduction of the girls “points to the fact that he knows more than he is willing to admit” on the unfortunate issue, adding that he has exhibited an unprecedented nonchalance over the plight of the girls. It said: “First, the President waited for 19 days before even admitting that the girls had been abducted, losing a critical window of opportunity to rescue them from their abductors. When eventually he was forced by global pressure to admit that the abduction was real, Mr. President and his wife chose to subject the girls’ parents and others to untold verbal assault and mental torture. “A little over a month after the girls were abducted, the Chief of Defence Staff said the security leadership in the country had located where Boko Haram was holding the abducted girls. Since then, Nigerians have been waiting for the girls to be rescued, to no avail. No one has told Nigerians the problems that are militating

against the release of the girls - logistics or otherwise. “More recently, on September 23, the military tweeted the imminent release of the girls, only to retract the statement shortly thereafter. However, in the intervening period, thousands of ‘supporters’ of the President gathered at the Pierre Hotel in New York to welcome Dr Jonathan (who was then in New York for the United Nations General Assembly session) after the release of the girls, while media interviews had been booked for him. No one has told Nigerians why that ‘imminent release’ of the girls was botched. “Also recently, a flurry of nocturnal activities have been going on, ostensibly to negotiate the release of the girls, even after the same government, which is apparently behind the activities, had bluntly ignored wise counsel and said it would never negotiate their release. “Finally, President Jonathan, in his characteristic ‘I-don’t-give-a-damn’ attitude, refused to meet with the

selfless men and women who have been championing the campaign for the release of the girls on the sixth-month anniversary of their abduction. Instead, the President sent a team of impudent ministers, who lambasted the altruistic campaigners and called them names. “Juxtapose that with the global solidarity shown to the campaigners from non-celebrities and celebrities alike, including Alicia Keys, and you will realise how insensitive this administration has been.” The party said from the ongoing, it is clear that President Jonathan has consciously manipulated the abduction of the girls for maximum political advantage. APC said: “It is clear that President Jonathan has suddenly shown more interest in their release after his consensus nomination as PDP candidate for next year’s elections. Our appeal, therefore, is for the President to allow the immediate release of the girls, rather than wait for when it will give maximum boost to his political fortunes.”

CNN/MultiChoice African Journalist Awards hold in Tanzania •The Nation man Ololade among finalists

HE 19th edition of the prestigious CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards will hold tomorrow at the Mlimani Convention Centre in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, John Ugbe, who made the announcement, said this year’s edition received entries from 48 countries. These include French and Portuguese-speaking countries. He said there are 28 finalists from 10 countries. Ugbe said some Nigerian journalists were nominated for the awards. They include Obinna Emelike (BusinessDay); Olatunji Ololade (The Nation), Bayo Olupohunda, a columnist with The Punch and joint nominees - Ben Ezeamalu and Emmanuel Ogala of Premium Times. The managing director said the CNN/MultiChoice African Journalist Awards represent the premier accolade for excellence in journalism on the continent. He said: “The awards have become the standard for excellence in journalism on the African continent and it is the

•Ololade

reason for which journalists and media houses on the continent want to be associated with them.” In the past 19 years, Ugbe added, the awards have grown into a genuinely Pan-African event, with many cities on the continent hosting the ceremony. This year, CNN and MultiChoice celebrate their 10th year of partnership for the awards. The major sponsors of the awards are: The Coca-Cola Company; Ecobank Plc; GE Africa; IPP Media, Tanzania; Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) and A24 Media.

Nigeria sliding into despotism, HE Vice Chancellor says VC

•Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (second left) presenting the star prize for Agricultural Science Quiz Competition among state secondary schools to Oluyode Olalekan (second right) and Adewunmi Olalekan (third right). With them is Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperative, Prince Gbolahan Lawal (left) and Head Teacher, Ikeja Senior Grammar School, Oshodi, Mrs Victoria Modupe Yusuf, during 2014 World Food Day Agric Value Chains Empowerment, at Oko-Oba, · PHOTO:OMOSEHIN MOSES Agege, Lagos...yesterday

2015: INEC seeks participation for displaced persons

HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is seeking ways to ensure that displaced persons, especially those sent away from their homes by the Boko Haram sect, participate in the 2015 elections. INEC Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega spoke in Abuja when he hosted the management of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, led by its Director-General, Prof Oshita o. Oshita. The INEC chairman urged the institute to assist the commission with ideas that could enable the displaced person participate in the elections. Jega, according to the commission’s bulletin, had expressed worry that some Nigerians might be circumstantially disenfranchised. The INEC chairman urged the institute to study the peculiar circumstance of internally displaced persons

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

(IDPs) to determine their number, especially in the Northeast states under emergency rule. He urged the institute “to see how the commission can reach those people, register them so they can vote in the elections”. Jega said INEC had galvanised its Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Directorate, adding that the commission would explore the possibility of using the institute for training and research. He said: “The institute will be of immense benefit to the commission in this regard.” Jega also called for collaboration with the institute to address security challenges ahead of the 2015 elections to ensure free, fair, credible and peaceful elections. The INEC chairman said the commission was looking for

credible partners to assist it to conduct free, fair, credible and peaceful elections in 2015, adding that the institute would be a credible partner to achieve the goal. He noted the activities of the institute in conflict management and its interface in the appointment of judges had improved the judicial process. Jega assured that INEC would examine those areas to explore a joint activity with the institute. Oshita said the team was at INEC to examine how the institute could be involved in the observation of next year’s elections and other areas of collaboration with commission. He requested for the inclusion of the institute in the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).

Jega explained that ICCES was a platform comprising only security agencies to address real security issues as they affected elections. He told Oshita that INEC’s nature did not allow participation of outsiders, adding that whatever information that would be helpful in securing the electoral process would be shared among the stakeholders involved in the conduct of elections. INEC’s Chief Technical Assistant to the Chairman, Prof. Okey Ibeanu, briefing the team on the risk management tool the commission deployed in the conduct of elections. He said the idea was to track a number of indicators of risk before, during and after elections. Ibeanu added that the major aspect of risk management tool was to harmonise various electoral risks management information brought forward by agencies observing elections.

of Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, has said there have been increasing signals that the nation is sliding towards despotism. The professor of Political Science urged Nigerians, especially experts in governance, to put heads together and proffer solutions to the looming crisis. He said the sad experiences under despotic rulers, like the late Field Marshal Idi-Amin Dada of Uganda; Emperor Mobutu Sese Seko (Kuku Ngbendu Wa Za Banga) of former Zaire and the type of lawlessness many people had thought could not happen in Nige-

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

ria, have become prevalent in Nigeria. The former lecturer at the University of Ibadan (UI), Oyo State, spoke yesterday at the Babcock University, Ilisan, Ogun State, at a lecture, titled: Political Scientists and Governance in Nigeria. He noted that the rate of impunity in the country is not only increasing but also happening at a higher scale. Prof Osaghae cited the botched cash-for-arms deal, corruption and insecurity as some of the major instances of aberration in the country.

Easy access to health care guaranteed

HE National Health Insurance Scheme’s (NHIS’) eight-city experiential campaign will start soon in the six geo-political zones. The campaign, the first of its kind in the public sector, is aimed at reaching Nigerians, especially those at the grassroots and the informal sector with the NHIS value-essence, tagged: “Easy access to health care for all.” It targets the registration of 40 million Nigerians next year. NHIS Assistant General Manager (AGM), Media and Public Relations Ayo Isinlu said the new management, under the leadership of Dr. Femi Thomas, would reposition the scheme to the health needs of Nigerians and provide access to quality health plan. He spoke in Abuja yesterday on the campaign. Isinlu said: “The NMHIP is a GSM-based activation platform set to register users of mobile telephone networks to the NHIS benefits at the dial of the relevant code for each network. With the cumulative recharge of N1,000, subscribers will receive access to NHIS-accredited hospitals anywhere, anytime, through the use of their permanent NHIS MTS ID number, which will be provided by every mobile network.”

Reporters barred from covering EPORTERS covering mutiny trial

the trial of 59 soldiers charged with alleged mutiny were barred yesterday from covering the court’s proceedings. Reporters were allowed to cover the first sitting of the court on Wednesday but were told to stay off yesterday when they got to the venue of the trial. The chairman of the all

From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

military court martial, Maj.Gen. Musa Yusuf, explained that military authorities took the decision in the interest of national security. He assured that the decision of the court would be made public at the end of the trial.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

NEWS Dettol launches ‘give-life-a-hand’ campaign

Bill on violence scales second reading in Senate

By Tonia ‘Diyan

POPULAR antiseptic, Dettol, has launched “Give-Life-AHand” campaign in Lagos to mark this year’s Global Handwashing Day. The campaign, the manufacturers of the global antiseptic said, would strengthen its commitment to improved hygiene practices and make hand-washing a habit in Nigeria. They also said it would raise awareness on the importance of hand hygiene to prevent diseases that cause deaths among children under five. These include preventable illnesses, such as diarrhoea and acute respiratory infections, which is often caused by poor hygiene. Addressing reporters in Lagos, the General Manager, West Africa, Reckitt Benckiser Mr. Rahul Murgai said: “...Our global vision is to have a world where people are healthier and live better.

Institute advises members

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni

Onogu, Abuja

•Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (centre); his Deputy, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori (second right); former President, International Court of Justice (ICJ), Prince Bola Ajibola (second left); chairman of the occasion, Prof Nurudeen Adedipe (right) and Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Prof Omolayo Ajayi, at the Sixth Prince Bola Ajibola Annual Lecture Series at OAU, Ile-Ife, Osun State

Jonathan should declare war on Boko Haram, says Falae •Balarabe Musa: sect is govt’s plan to rig 2015 election

WO eminent Nigerians spoke yesterday THE President/Chairman of on the protracted inthe Governing Council of surgency in the Northeast and Chartered Institute of Personthe alleged Federal nel Management of Nigeria (CIPM), Mr. Victor Famuyibo, Government’s complicity in Boko Haram’s activities. has urged human resource Former Finance Minister practitioners to creative, Chief Olu Falae yesterday innovative and revolutionadvised President Goodluck ary, if they wish to remain Joanthan to declare war on relevant in contemporary the sect. society. “I have said it that if I were Famuyibo spoke in Abuja at the President of the country, I the opening of the CIPM would have declared war on annual national conference. Boko Haram,” he said. The institute chief stressed The former minister spoke the need for human resources in Abuja with the Chairman professionals and business of the Conference of Nigeria leaders to demonstrate contemporary and quality skills, Political parties (CNPP), Alhaji Balarabe Musa, at the exhibit positive values and inaugural media briefing of embrace the desire for flawless execution to drive growth the Credible Alternative Alliance (CAA). in their places of work. By Chikodi Okereocha

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

Falae said: “There should be an opportunity for everyone to vote without fear. The government should ensure that it does not compromise. Anybody who is disrupting the election process is an enemy of the country. “Boko Haram is not only killing people but also taking territories. I think war should be declared. We do not know who they are; we do not know if they are our citizens. So, the government should declare war on them. They are threatening the peace of the country; so, a war on them is the way out. The solution is to wipe them out. The government should not negotiate with them.”

Musa, a former Kaduna State governor, alleged that the Federal Government planned to use Boko Haram to destabilise the 2015 elections. He said: “The solution to Boko Haram is that we should find out who is Boko Haram? Who are the people funding them? We hear that Boko Haram was founded for the purpose of the 2015 elections. “Their plan is to make every Nigerian insecure to come out and vote. This plan will afford the ruling party the opportunity to rig the elections and declare itself the winner. It wants to make it impossible for the elections to hold so that it can continue in office. “The 1999 constitution says that the President can only

hand over to an elected President. So, if there is no election, the incumbent President can continue in office. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is colourless. You cannot predict it. The Federal Government is incompetent towards the issue of the Chibok schoolgirls.” CAA, the duo said, is a nationwide mass democratic and electoral movement comprising political parties, political associations, civil society groups and individual Nigerians. They said the alliance was coalescing into a democratic and electoral alliance to contest, support and promote the interest of credible and patriotic candidates for next year’s presidential elections among other elective positions.

Church to lay foundation Oct 22

Jonathan decries politicisation of Ebola containment

A BIBLE-based church society in over 120 churches in Anglican, Methodist and African churches in Nigeria and the United States, Fountain of Hope International (FOHI), will lay the foundation stone of its proposed 48-room hostel at Samonda in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. The ceremony, which will hold on October 22 at 11am, will be hosted by the Archbishop of the Ibadan Province of the Anglican Communion and the Bishop of Ibadan North Diocese, Rev. Segun Okubadejo and the Bishop of Ibadan Diocese, Dr. J. A. Akinfenwa. They will be supported by the Dean Emeritus of Church of Nigeria, Dr. Adebola Ademowo. Invited clerics are: Rev. B. T. Adeyemi, of African Church and Rev. Amos Atiboye, of Methodist Cathedral. FOHI’s Secretary General Debo Atunwa said the society decided to start the project after its 46 years to increase its revenue base. A statement by FOHI Chairman Bosun Falore said guests expected at the ceremony include: Bode Amao, Toyin Okeowo, Tunji Ogunyemi, Ms Yemisi Soola, Adebayo Ayodele, Yomi Legunsen, Tunde Adeyemo, Olu Olatunji, DapoSanu, Demola Ilori, Olu Okuboyejo and former chairmen of the body.

•Fed Govt donates N250m •Don’t celebrate yet, minister tells Nigerians RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan kicked yesterday against attempts to politicise Nigeria’s success in containing the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak. The President spoke at the launch of the Tony Elumelu Nigeria Empowerment Fund at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. He said neither himself nor any governor should claim credit for the efforts of ordinary Nigerians which stopped the disease from spreading in Nigeria. According to him, credit should rather go to every Nigerian, religious and social groups for their sacrifices with attitudes and conduct for making Nigeria Ebola-free. Jonathan noted that such unity of purpose and compassion among Nigerians were exhibited during the fund raising, two years ago, for victims of the 2011 floods. The President said N11 billion was still in the coffers of the floods fund. He said the Federal Government donated N250 million to the N1.5 billion Elumelu Fund, which the promoters said would be used to revitalise the economies of post-conflict communities, like those in the Niger Delta and Jos, Plateau State.

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja and Justice Ilevabre

A member of the fund and Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Bishop Matthew Kukah, called for common fora that would enable philanthropic Nigerians to connect with one another to bring succour to devastated communities. Jonathan sad: “I’m quite pleased with what is happening because I have realised that government alone cannot solve human problems. Anything done by government, once you involve the private sector and the civil society, there is always a difference. “The most recent one is our ability to manage Ebola. People are trying to play politics with it, which is quite unfortunate. But we had assistance from international donors; our development partners participated, in terms of giving protective gear and various suggestions. “The Federal Government did a lot of things, in terms of logistics, moving people from one part of the country to the other, quarantining people within their homes and getting doctors or medical experts to follow up. We did not arrest anybody, moving people from Port Harcourt to Lagos for treatment and so on. A number of things were done.

“But the key thing that made the government to succeed is the buy-in by the ordinary Nigerians. When the government said we must be mindful of gatherings, of handshakes, we should not move bodies unnecessarily, even churches that I was afraid would resist because of practice of Holy Communion, having 1,000 people sharing the same cup and so on, stopped that practice within that period. “Even the saluting by shaking people was suspended by religious organisations within that period. Nigerians became mindful; friends stopped embracing one another, saying until we get out of Ebola. “So, it had the buy-in of the populace. Of course, that is why we succeeded so fast. Otherwise, we couldn’t have. There is no magic the government would have used to solve that problem. No President or governor would claim any credit. The credit should go to the ordinary Nigerians for their cooperation and buy-in.” Also, Health Minister Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu has said the battle against the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) may have been won in Nigeria but the war is not yet over. Chukwu spoke in Abuja at the plenary of this year’s Summit on Women and Girl-Child

Education with the theme: Reinforcing the Agenda for Girl Child Education. The minister noted that while the global accolades Nigeria got for tackling the disease was well deserved, the country cannot afford to go to sleep on a likely new case since the scourge was still ravaging some West African countries. He said: “I have confidence that the war against the EVD has been won (in Nigeria). But I must also warn that the preventive measures still in place should be taken seriously, as long as the disease is still ravaging some African countries and spreading beyond.” Chukwu said the Nigerian experience at containing the scourge had amazed many, who wonder how the country subdued it, despite some lapses in the nation’s health care delivery system. The minister added that it was an exemplary achievement worthy of replication in any Ebola-infested country. President Goodluck Jonathan, who was represented by the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina, said the Federal Government would continue to recognise the valuable contributions of Nigerian women and girls to the sustenance of the society.

BILl seeking to eliminate violence against persons, especially

women, children and the vulnerable in society, was yesterday read for the second time in the Senate. The Bill titled: “Violence against persons (Prohibition) Bill, 2014” was sponsored by Senate Leader Victor NdomaEgba. Ndoma-Egba in his lead debate, noted that that the Boll was forwarded to the Senate from the House of Representatives and was read for the first time on March 18. He said: “The Bill seeks to eliminate or reduce to a minimum the occurrence of gender based violence in the Nigerian society particularly against women, children and the vulnerable in the privacy of homes, public spaces, in conflict situations and as well as address violence by state actors. The lawmaker however lamented that violence has become a recurring decimal in our society. He said: “It is endemic and has permeated all facets of public and private life. More particularly in Nigeria, violence in relation to women, girls and other vulnerable groups is most pervasive particularly in the context of our customs, traditions and religious practices. “As a matter of fact, the threat posed by violence in the country is so enormous that it has taken a huge toll on the peaceful co-existence of citizens.”

Minister to sack NSCDC officers for ‘corruption’ From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

NTERIOR Minister Abba Moro has warned officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to avoid corrupt practices that can tarnish the image of the corps. The minister vowed to sack any officer found culpable. Moro spoke in Abuja when he inaugurated 30 units of two-bedroom flats worth N300 million in Kubuwa. The Goodluck Jonathan administration, the minister said, would ensure that housing does not become a problem to Nigerians. He said: “This is part of President Jonathan’s transformation. This is to reposition the service for effective service delivery. Some of the officers are not happy that this is taking place. I advise officers not to involve in any corrupt practices because this development will also help junior officers not to participate in corruption. “With this, housing will not be a problem. If any officer is involved in corrupt practices, you know what I can do: the person will be shown the way out of the system. Nobody should give the corps a bad name. We will not encourage corruption or any act that will destroy the system. I urge those bad officers to change or face the law. “...I assure you that the Ministry of Interior will support and encourage you. Other agencies should emulate the NSCDC.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

NEWS

Fayose: I will empower all citizens

Ekiti Assembly begins recess

HE Ekiti State House of Assembly will begin a month recess today. A statement by the Speaker’s spokesman, Wole Olujobi, said the Speaker, Adewale Omirin, has declared a month recess, which begins today. The statement reads: “In line with the spirit of the moment culminating in the change of personnel manning the government, the Ekiti State House of Assembly, as a major player, wishes to appraise its position with a view to ensuring continuity in good governance within the state. “The Speaker has therefore declared a month's recess, which begins today.”

Lagos Assembly praises motorists By Oziegbe Okoeki

HE Lagos State House of Assembly has hailed motorists for complying with the horn-free day on Wednesday. The Chairman, Committee on Information, Strategy, Security and Publicity, Segun Olulade, said the level of compliance among commercial motorists was overwhelming. On Wednesday, Lagos marked the maiden edition of ‘A day without horn in Lagos’, aimed at reducing noise pollution. The lawmaker noted that environmental hazards generated from the inappropriate use of horns amount to greater percentage of the total pollution in the society. He said the government was committed to ensuring a better living condition for the citizenry. Olulade said: “What political intention can one deduce by asking people to reduce the use of horns and thus reduce pollution in the state? “I am surprised that some disgruntled elements are reading meanings to every government action. The exercise is nothing but yet another good initiative of the progressive government. The exercise is a global practice at reducing environmental pollution.”

•Governor appoints SSG, stomach infrastructure aide, others

YODELE Fayose was sworn in yesterday as Ekiti State Governor by the Chief Judge, Justice Ayodeji Daramola. Also sworn in was his deputy, Dr. Olusola Eleka. Fayose won the June 21 governorship election, which was contested by 16 other candidates. The ceremony, anchored by Mrs. Moji Makanjuola, was held at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in AdoEkiti, the state capital. It was attended by national leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The event, which was televised live, witnessed a large crowd of admirers. The governor and his wife, Feyisetan, rode into the stadium at 12:40pm in an unmarked Mercedes Benz 200, W110, 1965 model. He was dressed in a flowing white Danshiki (a short sleeved Yoruba Agbada). Fayose was all smiles, waving to his horde of admirers, who defied the scorching sun, as he made his way onto the podium amid songs rendered by popular Juju musician Yinka Ayefele. In his inaugural speech, the governor listed ‘empowerment’ as the priority of his administration, adding that agriculture; infrastructural

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

development; education, science and technology; health wouls also be given prominence. Fayose said while it was important to build roads, rehabilitate schools, refurbish hospitals and give free laptops to students, it was necessary to find a way to attend to individual needs. His words: “If you tar the roads, you must also tar peoples’ stomach. Whatever the length of road you construct or reconstruct, stomach infrastructure is compulsory. “I am a governor of your imagination. I am a governor who eats boli (roasted plantain) with you; I am the governor who drinks agbo jedi (herbal mixture) with you. I am working for you.” He said he would review “all public service personnel issues, including appointment, promotion and discipline, which were “hurriedly effected after the June 21 governorship elections”. “The Head of Service is hereby directed to return all officers to their substantive positions as at June 21. A review panel will be constituted immediately to advise government on the merit of each issue as may be appropriate.” Fayose also announced the

defection of some All Progressives Congress (APC) members of the House of Assembly into the PDP. They are Olowo Ajiboye (Oye Two); Adeloye Adeyinka (Ikole One); Abeni Olayinka (Ado Two); Fatunbi Olajide (Moba Two); Olugbemi Joseph (Ikole One) and Adeojo Felix Ayodele (Ekiti South West Two). “This government shall seek an egalitarian society for all Ekiti at home and in the diaspora. It shall rekindle hope and restore self confidence that we are known for. Government shall create an enabling environment and provide basic facilities for youths. “I remain grateful to God for making me the first Ekiti indigene to be sworn in as governor twice. “It is difficult for a man to get second chance; difficult for God to even grant a man a second opportunity. But God has granted me that second chance. I remain eternally grateful to Him,” he said. The governor said the state had been plunged into a debt burden of over N57.45 billion. The breakdown, he said, included bond (capital market) and agric loan: N21.2 billion; other bank loans: N15.5 billion; outstanding salary (two

months): N3.2 billion; unremitted monthly deductions from salary (4 months): N2.4 billion; unpaid subventions to parastatals and tertiary institutions: N700 million; 2014 leave bonus N400million; unpaid pensions and gratuities N3.2 billion; unremitted withholding taxes and other deductions: N850million; and indebtedness to contractors N10 billion.” Present at the event were former Oyo State governors Senator Rasheed Ladoja and Chief Adebayo Alao-Alaka and their wives; Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, Governors Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom); Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo); Ramalan Yero (Kaduna); Liyel Imoke (Cross River); Isa Yuguda (Bauchi); Sule Lamido (Jigawa); Ibrahim Shema (Katsina) ; Saidu Dakingari (Kebbi) and Theodore Orji (Abia). Fayose approved the appointment of Dr. Modupe Alade as secretary to the state government. In a statement in Ado-Ekiti by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, the governor also announced the appointment of Owoseni Ajayi as special assistant on legal matters; Kayode Oso (special assistant on works and infrastructure;

HE death toll of the Ibadan tanker fire has increased to 22 with three more deaths. The victims died yesterday at the Burns Unit of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. Eleven victims were taken to the hospital on Saturday evening. A source said most of the victims suffered third degree burns. A loaded petrol tanker fell at Molete Bridge on Saturday, sparking a fire. The Oyo State government had taken over the payment of hospital bills.

‘Reopen our school’

By Musa Odoshimokhe

Ibadan tanker fire toll hits 22 From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

Aspirant: sustain bicameral Assembly N All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives aspirant, Toyin Balogun, has said a bicameral National Assembly will strengthen democracy in Nigeria. Addressing reporters yesterday at the APC secretariat, Lagos, after obtaining his letter of intent, the aspirant said the present National Assembly was best for the country. He said: “If you recall the happenings in the country and how the two chambers tackled some of the issues, you will realise that only a bicameral Assembly is healthy for the country.’’ The aspirant added that if all the laws are made by a single assembly the country will suffer. Balogun said he was contesting for the Kosofe Federal Constituency to give the youth a voice in the country.

Sola Owoeye (special assistant on protocol); and Mrs Sola Olowookere (personal assistant (Abuja). Others are Toyin Ojo (special assistant on finance), Sunday Anifowose (personal assistant on special duties and stomach infrastructure); Sunday Omosilade (personal assistant to the governor on domestic matters) and Lere Olayinka (special assistant, information and social media). Workers announced yesterday the suspension of their 15-day strike “to honour and welcome the new government and ensure the payment of their outstanding two months salaries and allowances”. The workers, who would resume today, went on strike on October 2, following what they said was “the government’s refusal” to pay them. The State Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) Chairman, Oladipupo Johnson, said the workers agreed in a meeting with the Head of Service, Olubunmi Famosaya, to suspend the strike to honour Fayose. “We met at the Labour House and agreed to suspend the strike in order to allow the governor settle down.”

•Fayose taking the oath before Justice Daramola...yesterday. With him is his wife, Feyisetan

Govt not owing salaries, says Amosun

GUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun said yesterday that the government was not owing salaries. He said his administration inherited N2.4billion from his predecessor on the payroll of the Tai Solarin College of Education (TASCE) alone. The governor urged the institution’s workers to dialogue with the government rather than protesting. Amosun spoke at a tour of Ijebu Ode Local Government. He said: “If the government pays such huge amount of money, it will collapse and won’t be able to do other projects.

• Awujale, others endorse governor From Jeremiah Oke, Abeokuta

“Few days ago, our lecturers protested the non-payment of their arrears. “When I was coming, I saw some placards with inscription, such as “Amosun pay our 48month arrears” but I want to tell you that we do not owe anybody in the state. “We will invite you again and fine-tune things. But let me say this because we are responsible to you. “As we are speaking, Amosun and the Ogun State government do not owe anybody in the state.

“We do not intend to owe anybody and we will not owe. If I say I will pay the money once, the government will collapse but we will pay gradually.” The paramount ruler of Ijebu land, Oba Sikiru Adetona, the Chief Imam of Ijebu, Abdlerasaq Salaudeen and leaders in Ijebu have endorsed Amosun for a second term. The monarch said: “The people will repay your good works in the 2015 election. What we have seen in this administration has not been experienced in Ogun East Senatorial District before.

“In December, I will celebrate my 55th coronation anniversary and I have never experienced such in the past. “The two flyover bridges here have contributed to the development of Ijebu land..” Salaudeen said: “We accept our governor the way other zones in the state accepted him. We even accept him more than them. We pray that God gives him more knowledge and strength to move the state forward.” Speaking on behalf of other leaders, M.O Olaiya, urged the people to consider the good work the governor had done.

TUDENTS of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Osun State University, Ikire, have lamented the continued closure of the faculty. The campus was shut on August 16, following a protest by some of the students. Student leaders Siji Samson and Abubarka Abdul-Basit have called on the government to reopen the campus. They said: “We believe this is sacrosanct because with the continued closure of the campus, we are now behind our colleagues in the Osogbo, Okuku, Ipetu Ijesha, Ejigbo and Ifetedo campuses, who are looking forward to the 2014/2015 academic session. “We are yet to complete our course work and have not written the rain semester examination for the 2013/2014 session. “We are pleading with the university senate, government and other stakeholders to please come to our aid.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

NEWS Oyo begins ‘operation fill potholes’

HE Oyo State government is to begin a mass rehabilitation and reconstruction of roads in all its local governments. Towards facilitating the programme codenamed: “Operation Fill Potholes’’, Governor Abiola Ajimobi has approved the purchase of 66 graders for the rehabilitation of damaged roads across the state. The governor announced this yesterday after being conferred with the award of exemplary leadership by the state chapter of the National Council of Women’s Society (NCWS) at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan. The NCWS endorsed the governor’s second term bid. Ajimobi assured that his administration would not relent in its efforts in making life worth living for the people. He said no administration had protected women’s interest than his own.

•Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun addressing supporters at a tour of Ijebu Ode Local Government...yesterday.

Modakeke, Ife ‘spoiling for war’

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

FE and Modakeke towns in Osun State may be heading for another round of crisis. It was gathered that residents of Mokakeke villages have started “preparing for war”. A source said they were trying to resist an alleged attempt by Ife people to recover some farmlands which the Modakeke indigenes seized during their last crisis. The source said the crisis started two weeks ago. He said: “Modakeke people have said they would prefer to go to war rather than relinquish the farm lands. “Yesterday, armed youths barricaded roads from Modakeke to Alapata, Oyolowa and Amokegun communities tying ropes laced with charms across the roads.” It was gathered that officials of a private construction company building a toilet in a school at Alapata, Olalekan Lawal and Oseni Raji, narrowly escaped death when the irate youth shot at them. According to them, the youth pursued their truck but they were saved by some elders, who identified them as contractors. A police source admitted that some arrests were made two weeks ago on the matter but denied knowledge of yesterday’s renewed crisis in Modakeke villages.

Owu elders disclaim advert

LDERS of Owu kingdom in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, have dissociated the community from an advertorial published in some newspapers over its vast

land. In a statement by the Jagunmolu Owu, Chief Sheu Oladunjoye and the Olori Igbimo Owu, Chief Olufemi Sodeinde, the community said it doesn’t know the author of the publication. “The publication was purportedly made by O. Ajanaku Esq about “the vast area/expanse of land at Olowo, Olori (Opaleye), Ilugboro, Osungboye, Omitoro 1&2, Oji, and Oniyanmo villages all within Gbalefa Peninsula in Ifo-Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State.” “O. Ajanaku Esq said the vast area of land belonged to the Gbalefa Community, comprising the villages mentioned and warned that anyone who deals with any other person(s) aside Baale Olori Soetan, Rev. Shodenonde, D. Oyedele and T. Onifade does so at his or her own risk,” the statement noted. But the elders said the five people mentioned above and O. Ajanaku Esq who made the publication are unknown to them. “If they are genuine members of Gbalefa Peninsula as they claim, they ought to know the extent of Gbalefa as described by the INA Survey of 1917. Furthermore they ought to know that for about 20 years now, there has been nothing as Ifo-Ota Local Government,” they said. Warning the public to disregard the “unauthorised” publication, the statement said the group lacks the mandate to act for the area.

Education vital, says Aregbesola

SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has said education is critical to sustainable national development and security. Aregbesola made the assertion when he delivered a lecture titled: “Education as a Panacea to National Insecurity and Developmental Challenges,” at the sixth Prince Bola Ajibola annual lecture series at the Obafemi Awolowo University, IleIfe. The governor praised the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bamitale Omole, for standing against the “highest civilian attempt to stage a coup against democracy” at the governorship election

in Osun State. Aregbesola said for any society to achieve enduring progress, education must be the unavoidable bedrock of its efforts. He added that for Nigeria to develop its human capacity to impact socio-economic development, the path to follow is the education track. “In engaging with the issue of education as a remedy for national insecurity and developmental challenges, I wish to contend that a conception of education as a process rather than as a

tool will do us a whole world of good. “To conceive education as an instrument meant to be deployed in achieving certain practical ends is to conclude that education is all about the physical development of people. “Sadly, Nigeria today is assailed by manifold layers of insecurity and its progress is hampered by a myriad of developmental challenges all because of the continual erosion in the quality and standard of its educational system.” He said lack of investment in education by successive have crippled the system to an extent that what seems to matter is the ac-

quisition of certificates. Aregbesola posited that there is no reason why the children and youths in parts of the North and the Niger Delta of Nigeria should not have the same quality education as their mates in other parts of the country. “Even in the Southwest, where we used to have a 50year education head start, it is no longer a bed of roses. The chairman, Prof. Nurudeen Adedipe, described Aregbesola as an uncommon man who has turned education around in the state. He said: “There is a link between his philosophy and that of United States President Barack Obama.”

Youths call for democratic change

IVIL society groups marched on the Office of the Lagos State Governor yesterday, demanding democratic change against terrorism, poverty, hunger, joblessness and impunity. The rally, organised by the Nigerian human rights community, started from Ikeja and ended in Alausa. The protesters carried placards with inscriptions, such as “Stop abuse of law in Ekiti”; “Stop corruption”; “Say no to violence”; “Save Nigeria from dictatorship” and “Stop refuge regime”, among others. The coordinator, Adewole Adeoye, said the protest was to express displeasure over the state of affairs in the country and to rekindle the spirit of protests among Nigerians. “We are here to address the level of corruption, and we want to revive the spirit instead of throwing bombs.

By Olatunde Odebiyi

“We have also passed a letter to the president to let him know that Nigerians are not happy and that Nigeria need to be restructured,” he said. Secretary, June 12 Collation, Nelson Ekunjimi noted that there is need for the government to address money laundering and those sponsoring Boko Haram. Former Publicity Secretary, All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, Tunde Adeleke said: “Nigerians are hungry, many of us are poor, many are living in abject poverty and majority are tenants. “Our resources are in the hand of a tiny segment and the larger population is suffering. We cannot continue like this, we should be equal.”

Aspirant seeks Oyo PDP members’ support

YO State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant Seyi Makinde has taken his campaign to Oyo town.

Olowude’s funeral begins Monday

HE funeral programme for the late Executive Vice Chairman, Industrial and General Insurance Plc, Remi Olowude, has been released. Olowude died in the United States on September 27. The one-week event will start at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, on Monday, with a service of songs by the Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA). The IGI Group, which Olowude founded and his Committee of Friends will host services of songs on Tuesday and Wednesday at the IGI head office, Adeola Hopewell, Victoria Island, Lagos. A Christian wake will be held on Thursday, October 23, at the Ikoyi Baptist Church, Lateef Jakande Avenue, Ikoyi, Lagos. On Friday, October 24, there will be a day of

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

tributes as the body lies in state at his Ikoyi home. Thereafter, a funeral service will hold at the Ikoyi Baptist Church. The body will be interred at the Ikoyi Vaults and Gardens, , Lagos. Guests will be entertained at the Ark Event Centre, Remi Olowude Way, Oniru, Lekki, Lagos. Olowude was a former NIA chairman. He is survived by his wife, Olubunmi; children – Olaleye and Mofoluwaso, Gbenga and Folasade Adeyi, Olubukola and Andrew Jnr; a grandchild, Simisola Gbadamosi.

Makinde met with PDP leaders in the ancient town and solicited their support. He was received by the Chairman, Chief Ojelabi Isiaka Adebayo, other executive members and party faithful. Giving reasons for his involvement in politics, the engineer, who is the chief executive of MAKON Group, said he desired to realise the good life for the people. He said: ‘’ What I have been telling our leaders is that some of us might say we have nothing to lose if the party fails to win the next election, because we have sources of income but, what about other people, who are toiling day and night for the party to emerge victorious, hoping they would reap the

benefits while those of us who say we are leaders fail to unite for the realisation of this objective. ‘’I plead with you not to fight one another. Osun PDP members have realised their mistakes I advise you to remain impartial, let’s find out what the people want and put forward our best materials.” According to the governorship aspirant, the delegates who will vote at the primaries are not up to five per cent of the state’s population but the candidate they select would determine the party’s fate in the next four years. Makinde added that the days when an aspirant hijacks the party’s ticket are gone. He advised the members not to let

anyone deceive them that an aspirant has been anointed. ‘’In two weeks, we shall begin the process of nominating delegates. Let us go to our wards on November 1 to vote delegates and tell them that when they get to the primaries, Seyi Makinde is the man to vote for. ‘’I stand in front of you to promise that if those who emerge as delegates among you use their votes to make me, your son, Seyi Makinde, the PDP governorship candidate, I will not disappoint you, ‘’he vowed. The politician also visited the former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Maruf Atilola in Oyo West. He was received by party chairman, Oseni Atilade and other party executive.

THE NATION FRIDAY OCTOBER 17, 2014

NEWS

Chime’s, Ekweremadu’s battle for Enugu West heightens

Orji disappointed with monarch From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

BIA State Governor Theodore Orji has deplored media attack on him by the Aba monarch, Eze Isaac Ikonne, in one of the national newspapers that he has not done enough for the state. The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Ajunwa, described as “very shameful and the height of hypocrisy, the vituperation by Eze Isaac Ikonne against the government.” Orji noted with “displeasure and disappointment, the appalling attitude of the royal father, who has made himself a willing political tool in the hands of my opponents as part of their plot to portray my administration in bad light.” He expressed shock that Eze Ikonne, who at various times hailed him for his achievements, suddenly became hostile. The governor attributed the change to political reasons. He recalled that in 2012, the traditional ruler wrote him a letter of commendation, appreciating him for his efforts to revive infrastructures in Aba and other parts of the state.

Prayer for Teslim

HE eighth-day prayer for the late Alhaji Teslim Muritala Akande (alias Sogetie), has been fixed for Saturday in his home at Oluwalogbon Lane, Adalemo, Ogun State. He died on October 11and was buried the same day according to Islamic rites. He was 63.

From Chris Oji, Enugu

•Chime

HE struggle for the Enugu West ticket between Governor Sullivan Chime and Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu has heightened. Three councillors in Awgu Local Government, said to be

Ekweremadu’s loyalists, on Wednesday circulated a statement said to be a notice of impeachment to the council Chairman, Mathanus Nnanna Nze, who is reportedly an apostle of Chime. But sources said the councillorsMike Kele, Chukwuagozie Onuoha and Kingsley Mba, had been suspended for alleged indiscipline and high handedness. The councillors accused the chairman of misconduct. The notice was reportedly signed by the councillors. They, however, denied signing it. When our reporter visited the

council secretariat in Awgu yesterday, activities were going on. The eight councillors, including the three, who denied signing the document, were seen. The Deputy Leader, Emeka Oji, who spoke on behalf of the councilors, confirmed that three councillors are under suspension. He wondered how three councillors, out of 11, could impeach the chairman and suspend the principal officers of the legislature. “It is not possible that three councillors can impeach or suspend our principal officers,” Oji said. The Chairman, Mathanus Nze, dismissed the purported impeachment.

He said: “I’ve not been impeached and I have not received any impeachment notice. “It’s all politics. Do people carry out impeachment on the pages of newspapers and in the streets?” Nze attributed the development to “someone who is insisting on representing us for life in the Senate.” “I don’t hide it. I am supporting Governor Chime for the Enugu West seat. In Awgu we are for Chime,” he added. The local government boss said the plan to destabilise Awgu to the advantage of any politician, other than Chime, would not work. “Their plan will not yield any dividend,” he said.

‘I ‘ll govern Ebonyi as I’ve tackled Ebola’

HE Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, yesterday promised to govern Ebonyi State with the same energy and commitment he tackled the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), if elected governor next year. He spoke at the Women Development Centre, Abakaliki while accepting his endorsement by stakeholders. In his acceptance speech titled: “Here I am, send me”, the minister vowed to take Ebonyi State “to the new economy and apply its benefits to empower our people.” He said the transition next year represents a great moment of opportunity and risk for the country. Chukwu said: “It is a moment of opportunity because it offers us a channel to transmit the dreams of our founding fathers down the generational line and to infuse the mission with renewed energy and vitality. We have an opportunity to keep the flame aglow and ensure that the labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain. “On the other hand, the coming elec-

From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

toral season is also a moment of risk. If we make the wrong choice, God forbid, we may lay our state open to a reversal of our good fortunes, incestuous rape of our resources and unbridled brigandage.” Thanking Governor Martin Elechi and the indigenes for inviting him to contest the election, the minister noted that political office should never be an avenue for personal aggrandisement or accumulation of wealth, but a call to service. He said: “In accepting this call to contest the high office of governor of Ebonyi State, I want to say to my great people of Ebonyi State, ‘I hear you’. “I hear you when you say you want a governor, who will follow diligently in the footsteps of our great leader, Ochoudo, to consolidate the building of physical and metaphysical bridges of peace, unity and development. “I hear you when you say you want a governor, who is imbued with a high sense of ethics, integrity and

honour, who will shun corruption and who will be morally above board. I say to you, consider it done. “I hear you when you say you want a governor, who knows neither East nor West, neither North nor South or even Central, but only knows Ebonyi. I say consider it done. “I hear you when you say you want a governor, who will continue the liberation of our people by expanding access to qualitative education. I say consider it done. “I hear you when you say you want a governor, who will assure Ebonyi people of accessible and affordable healthcare facilities. I say to you, consider it done. “I hear you when you say you want a governor, who will satisfy the yearnings of our people for potable water in every nook and cranny of our state. I say consider it done. “I hear you when you say you want a governor, who will advance our industrialisation, thereby creating jobs for our teeming population. I say consider it done.

“I hear you when you say you want a governor, who will take our young state into the new economy and apply its benefits to empower our people. I say consider it done. “And finally, I hear you when you say you want a governor, who will tackle ignorance and commitment as we recently combated Ebola. I say to you consider it done.” The minister visited Governor Elechi and tendered two letters, notifying him of his resignation as minister and of his readiness to contest the governorship poll. He said his resignation would take effect from Sunday midnight. His words: “I’m still the Minister of Health till Sunday midnight. I thank the governor for nominating me to serve as a minister. I thank the governor for the courage he has been giving me to succeed him. I have not disappointed the people of the state. “I’m here to inform you that I have notified President Goodluck Jonathan of my intention to leave office with effect from October 20.”

•The late Teslim

Funeral for ex-Railway secretary

HE remains of the former legal adviser and secretary to the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), Mrs Ifeoma Onyeabo, who died at the National Hospital, Abuja on May 17 will be interred on October 25 in Onitsha, Anambra State. A statement by her husband, Mr Ifeanyi Kanayo Onyeabo, said the funeral would be preceded by a wake on October 18 in her home at 121, Abubakar Road, Railway Compound, Ebute-Meta, Lagos. Mrs Onyeabo retired as the legal adviser and secretary to the NRC in February. She graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in 1976. She joined NRC in 1984 as a principal legal officer after working with the Imo State public service as a state counsel in 1979.

‘Vote of confidence in Uwazuruike’ From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

EMBERS of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), at Njaba in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State, pledged yesterday their loyalty to the leader and founder of the group, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike. MASSOB’s Regional Administrator Mr. Emmanuel Nwokeji, in a statement, described the purported leadership crack as “an unrealised plan by the enemies of MASSOB to contaminate the members, who are loyal to our leader, to create justification for their pre-determined objective.”

•Some of the protesters

Aba youths protest lawmaker’s second term bid

OUTHS in Aba North and South have protested the second term bid of the lawmaker representing Aba North and South in the House of Representatives, Chief Uzor Azubuike. The over 2,000 placard-carrying youths said the decision was reached after a meeting of the Aba Peoples Movement, where they resolved that “no non- indigene will represent us in the House of Representatives, since we have capable people.” Some of the placards read: “For 16 years we have not been given a chance to speak”. “Let an indigene represent Aba People in the House of Reps”. “Uzor, Aba People are ready for you, leave us alone. Enough is enough.” Spokesman for the group Mr. Andrew Okechukwu said: “For the purpose of promoting peace, equity, fair play, justice and tranquility in Abia State and Nigeria, members of the Aba

From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

Peoples Movement, after a brainstorming session in which critical issues bordering on neglect, humiliation and denial of right to representative democracy were discussed, resolved that Aba indigenes should be given priority in their agitation for self-representation and a sense of belonging in politics.” The group resolved that aspirants like Uzor Azubuike, who hails from Isiala Ngwa North, Ossy Prestige from Abiriba in Abia North and others who are not of Aba origin should go to their constituencies and contest. Okechukwu said the body’s resolution was necessitated by the fact that since the return of democracy in 1999, no Aba indigene had “represented us in the House of Representatives.” Receiving the protesters at the gate

of the Government House in Umuahia, Governor Theodore Orji, represented by his Adviser on Special Duties, Chief Ukpai Agwu Ukpai, hailed them for their maturity and the peaceful way they comported themselves.

He assured them that their message would be passed to the governor, “who is away on a national duty.” Reacting on the phone, Azubuike said: “No comment. They have a right in a democracy. I have no reaction, it’s their right. We are in a democracy.”

Vehicle owners get ultimatum

HE Lagos and Ogun police commands have warned owners of abandoned vehicles at the Idimu division in Lagos, SARS office in Abeokuta and the Idiroko division to remove them or lose them to the public through auctions, two weeks after this publication. The vehicles are: One Explorer Ford sport utility vehicle (unregistered); one scrap Expedition Ford sport utility vehicle registered as AS356KWL; one scrap Toyota Camry (DE621SMK); Nissan Sunny car (PV800AAA); Nissan Primera XZ298AE; Toyota Camry (Orobo) (LSR361AZ); Honda Accord (LSR361AZ); Honda Accord (LSR35BC); three Honda Accord (unregistered); another Honda Accord (AGL298AE); Volkswagen Passat (unregistered); two Toyota Camry (unregistered); Toyota Hiace bus (unregistered); Nissan Almera (MEK272XA); Nissan Sunny (FST55CB); Izuzu Rodio sport utility vehicle, Toyota MR-2 (unregistered), Mazda (SV82KJA); another Mazda (KRD616BL); Bajaj motorcycles QJ631EKY, QN730EPE and QJ152JJJ and 13 others.

THE NATION FRIDAY OCTOBER 17, 2014

NEWS Teacher gets life for defiling pupil From Osagie Otabor, Benin

A HIGH Court in Benin, the Edo State capital, has sentenced a 35-year-old teacher, Bright Asiruwa, to life imprisonment for defiling an 11-year-old pupil. The convict was a teacher at Osazuwa Primary School, Ehor, the headquarters of Uhunmwode Local Government Area. The incident occurred in 2007, but hearing in the matter started at an Abudu High Court in 2008, before it was transferred to the state capital. Justice G. O. Imadegbelo after examining the evidence brought against the accused, pronounced him guilty of rape and sentenced him to life imprisonment. The pupil’s elder brother, Zini Braima, hailed the judgment, saying that all the family wanted was justice. “As a matter of fact, I am happy and I give glory to God that justice is done today. Because from the beginning of the case, we have been praying that what we need is justice,” he said.

Ilaboya for Edo Assembly From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

VETERAN sports reporter and former Lagos State Chairman of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Frank Ilaboya, was among those that picked expression of interest forms yesterday. Ilaboya wants to contest for the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) into the House of Assembly to represent Owan West Constituency. Also, another journalist, who is the Commissioner for Transport, Orobosa Omo-Ojo, also picked the expression of interest to vie for the party’s ticket for the House of Representatives to represent Ovia Federal Constituency. Ilaboya, in an interview with reporters after obtaining the form, said he was in the race to correct the imbalance in the representation of his people in the House of Assembly. “I want to be used as a vehicle to touch my people. I also know that our people deserve a voice and not just a voice, a voice that can represent them well.”

Amosun visits Yewa South OGUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun will visit Yewa South Local Government Area on Monday as part of his assessment tour of the local government areas. During the visit, the governor is expected to inspect some projects and address residents of the council at the Empire Field, Iloro. The Chairman of the council, Alhaji Saliu Abiodun Odebiyi, has urged “royal fathers, All Progressives Congress (APC) members, community and market leaders, students and residents to come out and give the governor a rousing welcome.”

•Members of Nigerian Human Rights Community (NHRC) during their rally against misrule, terrorism and bad governance in Lagos...yesterday. PHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA

Oshiomhole denies vying for APC presidential ticket E DO State Governor Adams Eric Oshiomhole has denied insinuations that he is vying for the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) presidential ticket. The governor, in a statement yesterday, said while he remained committed to the Nigerian project, his focus was on how to accelerate the pace of development in Edo State. The statement reads: “Following persistent inquiries from friends, political associates and well-meaning Nigerians, both at home and abroad, over speculations of my interest in the 2015 presidential elec-

tion and media comments by my aides, I wish to categorically state that I am not contesting the 2015 presidential election. “My focus now is to continue with our efforts to accelerate the pace of development programmes to take Edo State to the next level. “Today, I believe my party, the APC, has enough credible materials to pick from to fly the party’s flag in the 2015 presidential election. “Anyone conversant with my

antecedents will attest that I am not the type who does things half-heartedly. If I had resolved to run in 2015, I would have come out boldly and publicly to declare my intention. “Recall that in 2007, shortly after the expiration of my tenure as two-term President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), I similarly came under pressure from well-meaning Nigerians from across all the divides (including fore-

most human rights lawyer and activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi of blessed memory) to vie for the Presidency. “But convinced that anyone genuinely interested in service could do so in any capacity, I insisted against popular demand not to contest the presidency, but the governorship of Edo State in 2007 and, to the Glory of God, I won. Again, in 2012, I sought re-election and resoundingly won. “I remain absolutely committed to the Nigerian project. “I offer this clarification to clear the air once and for all.”

EFCC detains Edo lawmakers for alleged forgery

HREE principal officers of the Edo State House of Assembly have been arrested and detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged forgery. They are Speaker Uyi Igbe, Majority Leader Philip Shaibu and Chief Whip Folly Ogedengbe. EFCC asked them to report to Abuja last Wednesday and they were detained. Chairman of the Assembly’s Committee on Information and Sports Kabiru Adjoto confirmed that they were being detained by the EFCC for allegedly forging the signature

•Colleagues, others protest detention From Osagie Otabor and Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

of Abdularazaq Momoh, whose seat has since been declared vacant. Momoh, who recently defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was said to be among signatories to the petition that led to the impeachment of former Deputy Speaker Festus Ebea. Adjoto, Elizabeth Ativie and others led a peaceful protest in Benin, calling on President Goodluck Jonathan to prevail

on the EFCC to release the arrested lawmakers. Adjoto, who spoke with reporters, urged the EFCC to investigate serious financial crimes committed under the PDP-led Federal Government, rather that pursuing impeachment proceedings. He said the detained lawmakers were denied medical attention despite injuries they sustained during last Saturday’s attack on them by suspected hoodlums. The lawmaker said: “Shaibu was seriously injured. In fact, three of them

were injured in the attack on us. The Speaker collapsed two times at Abuja. EFCC said they forged the signature of Razaq Momoh when former deputy speaker, Festus Ebea, was impeached. “When has EFCC become an agency to investigate forgery of signature? When has forgery of signature become a financial crime? Impeachment of either Mr. Speaker or Deputy Speaker is an internal affair of the Assembly. EFCC has no business to do with this. We are surprised that the EFCC can reduce itself to investigating a crime that has already been spelt out.”

States urged to improve revenue generation From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

HE Chairman of the Joint Tax Board (JTB), Kabir Mohammad Mashi, has advised states to look inwards and improve revenue generation to enable them meet their fiscal responsibilities. But Mashi, who opened the 130th meeting of the board in Warri, warned tax authorities to avoid multiple taxation in their eagerness to raise taxes. He noted that the JTB had used its meetings to compare notes among tax and revenue generating agencies to enable them learn how various field challenges could be surmounted as well as provide capacity-building for officials. “This 130th meeting once again affords us another opportunity to discuss some of these issues and one very topical issue at this moment is the need for state governments to improve their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in order to meet the needs of their citizens. “There is a general consensus that states must begin to look inwards towards boosting their revenue profiles and reduce dependence on allocations from Federal Government, especially in the face of dwindling revenues from oil,” he said.

‘Calabar port contract followed due process’

FIRM, Niger Global Engineering Services, has said the award of the contract for Calabar Channel by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to a joint venture, Calabar Channel Management Limited (CCM) and Niger Global Engineering Services Limited, followed due process. The company’s director, Popoola Ayeni, spoke yesterday in a reaction to allegations by some firms that lost out in the contract’s bidding process. He said the bidding was handled by Mobotek, an internationally acclaimed consult-

ants based in Holland, “in line with international best practices.” About 49 companies, Ayeni added, submitted bids for the contract with the active participation of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), noting that after a rigorous exercise, the best company emerged. “It is the same consultants that handled the Lagos Channel Management Company and the Bonny Channel Management Company that produced the same process for the Calabar exercise. Our company passed the financial and technical bids and was duly handed

a ‘No Objection’ Certificate by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP). “It is, therefore, completely erroneous for anyone to insinuate that CCM Limited was not subjected to a pre-qualification test to ascertain its competence as required by the law before being awarded the contract,” he added. Ayeni stressed that contrary to insinuations, his company had been involved in many dredging activities, which it had successfully executed. He explained that for the

dredging of the Calabar Channel, it would partner world’s best, Westminster Dredging and Royal Bokalis of Netherlands. The contracts for the management of four channels, namely Lagos, Bonny, Calabar and Warri, were advertised. The bid was conducted internationally by Mobotek, a Dutch consulting firm, where about 49 international companies applied. At the end of the pre-qualification exercise involving the technical and financial bid verification with series of bid clarification meetings be-

tween NPA and Federal Ministry of Transport, some companies emerged. These include DEPASSA, leading a consortium of companies for Lagos Channel; Dredging International Services (a conglomerate of companies for Bonny Channel) and Niger Global Engineering, leading another consortium of companies for Calabar Channel. Ayeni promised that the joint venture partners would ensure the dredging of the Calabar Channel, removal of wrecks and derelicts.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

CITYBEATS Kosofe youths seek change Police kill civilian while trying Y to catch robber A

CITYBEATS LINE: 08023247888

POLICE sergeant attached to Somolu Police Station in Lagos has been arrested for shooting to death a civilian while trying to catch an armed robber. Sunday Ajide and his team were said to have killed the victim while attempting to target the vehicle of a suspected robber trying to escape. Rather than get the tyre of the vehicle of the “fleeing” robber, the bullet hit the civilian who was busy on the other side of the road, changing his car’s tyres at a vulcaniser’s workshop. The death of the deceased sparked off a protest in the community. A mob was said to have confronted Ajide and his men and attempted to lynch them, but for police re-

By Jude Isiguzo

enforcement from the station. According to a police source, Ajide, as a patrol commander in that axis, was on duty with his team when they received a distress call that armed robbers were operating in Somolu area. The incident occurred around 4.30pm. Ajide quickly gathered his men into their patrol van. They headed for the direction the distress caller identified. The team suddenly noticed a speeding Honda Accord car and sensed that the occupants were the suspect-

ed robbers. “It was Sunday himself who flagged the Honda Accord driver, but he refused to stop,” said another police source, adding: “Sunday aimed at the car’s tyres, but the bullets failed to hit target. Sunday and his men started chasing the Honda car until the car was forced to stop by a traffic jam. The driver was searched, but nothing incriminating was found on him. There was no gun, nothing! The man’s vehicle papers were complete and up-to-date. The policemen were forced to allow him to go.” It was when Sunday and his

men were returning to base that they were stopped by the mob. “The mob told them that their bullets got a man changing tyres and that the guy died,” the source said. After police re-enforcement rescued Sunday and his team, they were taken to the Police Headquarters, Ikeja, where an X-Squad team interrogated the patrol commander. He was handed over to the Provost Office for orderly room trial. Sunday was accused of using his rifle recklessly and was also reminded that in police regulation, it is better to allow 1000 armed robbers to escape than kill an innocent person. Sunday, who was dismissed, is now in detention, awaiting prosecution.

OUTHS in Kosofe area of Lagos State, under the aegis of Kosofe Youth Movement, are seeking improved leadership in the area as the 2015 general election approaches. In a statement signed by its coordinator, Ayodele Babatunde, the group said: “Time for us to constitute leadership over ourselves is fast approaching; never again shall we fold our hands and watch things play out to our disadvantage. We have suffered enough in silence. We only hope that our unanimous noble demand is met by authority concerned, else we will not regret destroying the same house we have over the years built with our own hands. “We have been used for long by a selfish few and this they are preparing to do again in the fast-approaching general election. We are more than

By Basirat Braimah

ready and willing to take our destinies into our own hands and we will do our best to challenging the status quo. The All Progressives Congress (APC) is a new bottle; it must give us a new wine. The current political office holders are good examples of bad progressives.” “Some of them are seeking third or the fourth term as if they are the only ones in Kosofe. Kosofe has not faired better under their leadership. None of them has at any time done empowerment programme not even for once. We are appealing to our leaders, most especially out national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Many of us are still in this party because of him. We appeal to them to please take cognizance of our yearning,” the statement added.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 08023247888

Murder of member: Lagos APC warns against witch hunt

HE Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has alerted Nigerians a plan by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its enforcers to use the police to clamp down on APC members. The party said the killing of an APC Leader, Alhaji Azeez Asake by a notorious thug group known as Abija has become a weapon with which the PDP is turning around and hunting APC members on Lagos Island. The Party urged the police to restrain their men from being used to foment trouble in Lagos. In a statement yesterday, Lagos APC spokesman Joe Igbokwe, said that the police, in a curious manner, released the main suspect in the gruesome murder, one Rafiu Bashorun a.k.a Abija and instead declared wanted three APC members; Mustapha Adekunle, Fatai Ali and Fatai Olori. The party warned that nothing should be done to further provoke the members of APC

By Musa Odoshimoke

in Lagos because of the implication of such provocation in the face of the impunity and lawlessness the PDP is perpetrating. “It is on record that we demanded for justice for the murder of Asake by thugs who work with Minister of State for Defence Musliu Obanikoro. We are demanding that the well-known real perpetrators of the crime against our member be brought to justice. We were under the impression that having arrested the perpetrator of the murder of Asake, the Police was determined to do a good job and bring the sponsors of that cruel act to justice. “We were alarmed that the Police in a curious way not only mocks justice, released the prime suspect and escorted him home. In a bizarre twist, it rather declared wanted three members of our party in a move that we suspect is dictated by the very people that ordered the killing

of Asake. “This is a rehash of the cruel ear of military despotism when our patriots who were fighting for democracy and justice were attacked and blamed as the real perpetrators of these attacks. We are shocked that the police did not even care to be guided by little decency in freeing the suspect but using the same act as excuse to hunt and frame up his political associates. “Lagos APC is saying that this is unacceptable even as we have been inundated by gory spectacles of PDP’s lawlessness, brigandage and impunity in seeking to overwhelm and conquer the badly governed country in 2015. We warn that we will never tolerate such act of brazen intimidation by a party that should be apologizing to Nigerians for taking it from a medium height to the very nadirs of development in sixteen bizarre years of corruption and rudderless gangsterism. “We want to warn the police that it should not contin-

ue rubbing in on its not so good image. We warn that the Police risks being seen as the enemies of Lagosians should it allow itself to be used by desperate political way farers to perpetrate and cover crimes against Lagosians. We warn the police to restrain itself against the rampaging political greed of the PDP and fish out both the perpetrators and

sponsors of the killing of Alhaji Asake as that remains the only path of truth and justice in this case. “While we urge our teeming supporters and members to remain calm in the face of the increasing provocation from the PDP and its masters in Lagos, we warn that nothing should be done to challenge the readiness and com-

petence of Lagosians to defend themselves against the annoying petulance of the greedy, desperate political invaders and their masters. The police should call off this annoying siege to our members right now and move in to arrest and prosecute both the perpetrators and sponsors of the killing of Alhaji Asake.”

•Scene of a trailer that fell down at Iyana Isolo in Lagos ... yesterday. PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

Coroner to synagogue: Release manifest to pathologist

HE Lagos State Coroner investigating the cause of the collapse of a six-storey building at the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), Ikotun, yesterday directed the church to give the state’s pathologist a copy of the manifest of the people inside the building when it caved in. Coroner Oyetade Komolafe gave the directive at the church during a visit to the scene, following the inavailability of a list containing the names of victims and survivors of the September 12 mishap. No fewer than 115 bodies, mostly South Africans, were recovered from the debris of the building with 131 persons reportedly rescued alive. However, there was a disagreement as to whether or not the pathologist needs the list to do his job, with the church’s lawyer, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, stating that DNA samples had been taken over two weeks ago. He insisted that the church would obey the court’s request for manifest “when we get to the bridge”. But Komolafe insisted that the manifest must be handed over to the Chief Pa-

•Church asked to provide contractor’s details By Precious Igbonwelundu

thologist, Prof. John Obafunwa, without delay. The coroner said: “One of the things we will be asking for is the manifest of people occupying the building before the incident. We have read from the media that some of the artisans working on the building were from Togo. We need names of everybody that was in the premises, both residents and workers. “Without these names, bodies will not be released to their relatives and that will mean unclaimed or unknown bodies, hence, they will be given mass burial. Let us not go into all this (argument). Give the CMO the manifest. “They need it and it is something that should not be postponed. As I said before, see it as it is. Nobody is on trial or being persecuted. We have to know what happened to avert future occurrence.” While inspecting the collapse site as well as the CCTV cameras that captured the footages backing

the church’s claim of “terrorist attack”, the Coroner requested to see the contractor, but was told he was not available. Consequently, he asked the church to make available the details of the contractor since it hired him, so that the court could reach him. Although the church tried to object to the directive, the Coroner insisted that no body would be released without proper identification. Fagbemi, arguing for the church, said: “With respect sir, I think the issue of identification will not need blood samples if the families can come and identify their relations.” He went on: “DNA samples have been submitted to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) over two weeks ago. I do not know what they have done with that. “The families involved submitted samples, which were handed over to the state. The manifest is not needed now, when we get to that bridge, we will cross it. Nobody is picking holes in

•Komolafe (3rd from left) and Okojie (1st right) with others during the coroner’s visit to the PHOTO: NAN site yesterday.

what youý are doing but we are only saying that we submitted something a long time ago. With this directive which your Lordship has given, we will comply when we get to that bridge.” Explaining the need for

the manifest, Obafunwa said the demand was to enable them match bodies with names for effective DNA result. He publicly delivered a request letter to the church, which was received and acknowledged by SCOAN’s Chief Security Officer

(CSO), Sunday Okojie. The CSO, who took the delegation round the premises, disclosed that the CCTV cameras that got the footages were “cameras three and six”. He explained that the collapsed building did not affect any other structure.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

PEOPLE THE NATION

A SIX-PAGE SECTION ON SOCIETY

When a governor’s daughter said ‘I do’ •FAMILY DANCE! Governor Okorocha digging it out with his wife Nkechi (left), the bride, Uju (second left) and another daughter, Ucy

PHOTOS: NNEKA NWANERI

Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha gave out his daughter, Uju Vanstasia, a pharmacist, in marriage to Uzo Tony, an America-based medical doctor and son of the Secretary to Imo State Government, Prof Anthony Anwuka, at a glamorous ceremony. It attracted the cream of the society. NNEKA NWANERI witnessed it all in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

T was nothing short of a show of class. The much-talked about union between Uju Vanstasia, the second daughter of the number one citizen of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, and Uzoma Tony, son of the Secretary to the state government of Imo, Prof Anthony Anwuka, was perfected last weekend. The two-legged event began last Thursday. As the ‘eagles’ landed, all roads led to Ogboko Village, Ideato South in Orlu Local Government of Imo State, the home town of the governor. Various posh cars dotted the landscape of the rural coommunity. Many sedans and SUVs crisscrossed the roads. The villagers watched in bewilderment as dignitariries from across the country trooped into their village. Igbo traditional weddings are usually done in Igboland to promote the culture, values and celebration of the people. With cars parked miles away, many had to

walk to the compaound of the Okorochas. There were no less than 6,000 guests. Most indigenes stood under the scorching sun, stretching their necks to catch a glipmse of the young man who has stolen the heart of their daughter. They disregarded the two large screens in the compound which screened the Igba Nkwu. It was the celebration of culture at its best. The ceremony was a carnival of sort. The aesthetic design of the compound gave it a completely different look. The setting could not have been more perfect. By sunset, there was a skyline with street lights illuminating the neighbourhood. Many groups were fully represented. Orsu women over 70 years and above performed to portray the patrimony of the local government. Anwuka, who is the former Vice-Chancellor of Imo State University, led his delegation from Egbuoma-Oguta Local Government to perform the traditional rites and be integrated

• Prof Anwuka (right) dancing with his wife, Justice Christy and the groom Uzo

into the family of the Okorochas. He told the people of the state that he had always wanted his son to have an ideal wife. In humility, he said: “Who am I that my governor should give his most priced jewel to a man like me. But I am optimistic that they will bring forth the intellectual phoenix the country needs. Today is a special one for me and

the happiest day of my life.” His speech was followed by chants of ‘Olowu’ as the SSG is fondly called. The bride was delectable in every sense of the word. She soon became the spotlight as she danced out accompanied by her two sisters and friends. Uju was bright and enthusi•Continued on page 14

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

SOCIETY

When a governor’s daughter said ‘I do’ •Continued from page 13

astic, utterly self assured and charming like a flower that had just blossomed. She was given a cup of palmwine to present to her chosen man. She knelt, gave Uzo the cup. He drank and she led him to her father. Okorocha jokingly told his friends around him not to call him a grandfather but simply ‘GF’. Then he asked his told people to be witnesses. “My people...my people...” They responded: “Our governor, our governor”. He thereafter asked Uju if Uzo was really the man she had chosen to be with. He warned the couple that as tradition demands, there is no coming back to her father’s house. When they had both consented, he gave them double blessings as a father and a governor. He removed his cap and prayed that their marriage be fruitful. He also thanked his wife, Nkechi, and saluted her for being a pillar of support in his life, recalling the days when she carried palm to sell to get money to train the children. “If a child does not resemble his father, he will be like the mother. Now, people will think I am losing a daughter, but they don’t know I have just gained a son,” Okorocha said. Last Saturday, the union was solemnised at the St Joseph’s Catholic Chaplaincy, Imo State University, Owerri, by Bishop of Okigwe Diocese Rt Rev Solomon Amazu. The church was filled. The gallery was jam-packed. It was a special day for the town and the Okorochas couldn’t have had it any better. All men removed their caps and hats and women covered their hair on entering into the church. There were quite a number of politicians and socialites. Owerri virtually hosted the entire country. The Nation learnt that those who could not make it to the venue were glued to their television sets where the event was aired live. In a vote of thanks, Okorocha was full of appreciation. He described himself as a proud father and his daughter a lovely intellectual. “Uju is very precious to me. After many years of training her everywhere, I collected only N10,000 as bride price. Even when I married my wife, I used a tipper to carry her bride price to her father’s house. Who then am I that all these people are here to honour us and be with me on this happy day.” The reception was held at the International Conference Centre in the state capital. The duo of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire TV game show host, Frank Edoho and comedian Emeka Smith were the hosts. Senator Chris Ngige of Anambra State gave the opening prayer. Akwa Ibom State Governor Goodswill Akpabio chaired the occasion. He urged Nigerians to love one another and stay in peace so that the peace of God will dwell in the country. Mother of the bride presented her daughter with items, such as a mortar, pestle and broom, among other items to see her off. Okorocha and the entire members of his family mounted the stage to amuse guests with their dance steps. The groom’s family followed suit and thrilled with their steps. The gathering was later entertained by Sekem master Innocent Udofot with the stage name MC

•Gen Buhari (right) exchanging plesantries Alhaji Atiku

• Asiwaju Tinubu (right) chatting with Senator Saraki

•Chief Odigie-Oyegun (right) and Prince Madumere

• Governor Kwakwanso

• From right: Governor Orji; Chief Falae and Sen Izunaso

• Governor Akpabio (left) and Dr Onu

• Gov Ajimobi and his wife, Florence

• Chief Akande

•Chief Sylvia

•Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari

•Wife of Borno State Governor Mrs Nana Shettima PHOTOS: NNEKA NWANERI

•Chief Ogbeh

Galaxy, and Panshak Zamani with the stage name Ice Prince also performed, electrifying the gathering with music and dance. The roll of attendees was endless. They included former Military Head of State Gen Muhamadu Buhari; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; National Leader of the All Progressives Congress Asiwaju

•Senator Ngige

Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Deputy Governor of Imo Prince Eze Madumere; former Governor of Bayelsa Timipreye Sylva; Catholic Bishop of Owerri Rt Rev Cyril Okorocha; National Chairman of APC Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and his predecessor Chief Bisi Akande; the party National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; State governors:

Umaru Tanko Al-Makura (Nassarawa); AbdulFatai Ahmed (Kwara); Theodore Orji (Abia); Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo) and Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano). Deputy Governor of Niger State; Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly Chief Benjamin Uwajumogu; former Ministers Chief Audu Ogbe and Chief Olu Falae; Traditional rulers too numer-

• Governor Al-Makura

ous to count; Publisher of the Leadership Newspapers Sam Nda-Isaiah; former Kwara State Governor Senator Bukola Saraki and former Abia Governor Dr Ogbonnaya Onu; National Organising Secretary of APC Senator Osita Izunaso and former Super Eagles star Tijani Babangida, among others, were there.

THE

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

SOCIETY

Osun State Governor’s Chief of Staff Alhaji Hammed Adegboyega Oyetola has celebrated his 60th birthday at his Iragbiji, Boripe Local Government Area home. ADESOJI ADENIYI was there.

Clocking 60 in style

RAGBIJI, the headquarters of Boripe Local Government Area of Osun State, on last Monday stood still for one of its illustrious sons, Alhaji Hammed Adegboyega Oyetola, the Chief of Staff to Governor Rauf Aregbesola. Oyetola hosted friends and associates to a colourful bash to mark his 60th birthday. Dignitaries, including traditional rulers, top civil servants and politicians attended the party held at his sprawling Iragbiji country home. Oyetola’s amiable wife, Alhaja Kafayat, children: Femi, Yemi, Kemi and Adeola, and grandchildren shone in beautiful clothes. A section of the Oyetola’s vast compound was decorated for the event. Guests were treated to sumptuous African and foreign dishes. The Fuji maestro, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, a.k.a KWAM 1, entertained the guests. The emcees, Alhaji Oyesiku Adelu and Alhaji Adeoye Bakare from the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC) displayed uncommon talents and professionalism. Governor Rauf Aregbesola; his wife, Alhaja Sherifat; deputy governor Otunba Titi Laoye-Tomori, and the Secretary to the Osun State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, led dignitaries to the event. The former Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, conducted the cutting of the cake and the tribute was rendered to the celebrator. Aregbesola and his wife, Sherifat, opened the dance floor with the celebrator and his wife, Kafayat. He was joined on the dance floor by the former Governor, Alhaji Isiaka Adeleke, Prince Oyinlola and other dignitaries. KWAM 1 sang praises of the eminent personalities, particularly the governor, past governors and the celebrator. Market women, led by their leader, Alhaja Awawu Asindemade, came in their white uniform (Aso-Ebi). With their traditional dance steps, they too joined Oyetola and Aregbesola to enliven the occasion. KWAM 1 dished out various numbers from his old albums to entertain the guests. The vast canopy, where the guests were entertained, was tastefully decorated and filled to capacity. In a tribute sent to Oyetola, former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu described as trustworthy, astute and having “the ability to accurately assess situations and people and turn them to the advantage of the state. “Adegboyega Oyetola embodies the vision of the progressives that leadership is not about spoils of office or ethnic loyalties but about ideas, the prime idea being that democratic governance must be transparently fair and must deliver tangible benefits to the people,” Tinubu said. Former Osun State Governor and immediate past All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande described the celebrator as modest and unassuming. “I have known Gboyega as a business motivator in Lagos before he was invited to the government of Osun as Chief of Staff to the Governor. And since he came, he has always been modest and unassuming in his dealings with people generally,” Akande said. Aregbesola described Oyetola as a very calm person with a cool demeanor and focused vision. He said the brilliance Oyetola has

• The celebrator, Alhaji Oyetola (fourth right) with his wife, Alhaja Kafayat; children and grand children

•From right: Governor Aregbesola; Prince Oyinlola and Alhaji Adeleke

•Oba Adedeji (right) greeting Alhaji Oyetola

•Alhaja Aregbesola (left) and Hon Ayo Omidiran

•From right: Mr Adebusuyi, Chairman Committee on Osun Schools Building and Renovation, Chief Lai Oyeduntan and his wife

brought to his office in was remarkable. Alhaja Sherifat said: “Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola is a complete gentleman with a rare human qual-

ity which endears him to all. He brings smiles and radiance into people’s lives in a very peculiar and uncommon manner.” Mrs Laoye-Tomori said: “Interest-

•From left: Chief Akande; Chief Adewoyin and Alhaji Sule Aderemi

•Chief Akinyelure (left) and Senator Fasanmi

ingly, at 60, you remain refreshingly vibrant, committed as ever to the ideals and philosophy of selfless service to humanity without being loud about it.” For Lagos-based lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), Oyetola is a man of humility. The celebrator’s wife, Alhaja Kafayat thanked Allah for the day. “Gboyega,” she said, “is a loving, brilliant, inspiring, caring, reliable and passionate husband; a loyal friend and a father to me. He is devoted, dedicated and loving father to my children and a wonderful grandpa. He is a rallying point for the family; selfless and dependable; a giver, who is always willing to help others achieve their ambitions irrespective of age.” Oyetola’s daughter Yemisi Alubankudi-Saliu described her father as a man of his words. “He and my mum taught me all I know about love, family and honour,” she said. Alhaji Oyetola’s brother-in-law Shittu Williams said: “The pivotal role you played (as uncle, father, brother and a good friend) in my life is a testimony of your greatness.” Osun State Head of Service Mr Sunday Owoeye said: “In a society highly deficient in availability of men of goodwill, Mr Oyetola stands out as a gem of inestimable value to the downtrodden and the less-privileged.” In attendance were the Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Hon.

Najeem Salaam; his deputy, Hon Adegboye Akintunde; Osun State former deputy governor, Sooko Adewoyin; Senator Sola Adeyeye; Senator Babajide Omoworare; Senator Felix Ogunwale; Senator Ayo Fasanmi; Chief Pius Akinyelure, the industrialist, Chief Amuda Lawal Obelawo; Hon. Ajibola Famurewa; and chairman, MicCom Golf Resort, Prince Tunde Ponle. Also, were Vintage Press Limited Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Mr Ade Odunewu; the chairman and secretary of the All Progressives Congress in Osun State, Elder Adebiyi Adelowo, and Prince Gboyega Famodun; Osun State University Vice-Chancellor Prof Bashiru Okesina; his deputy (administration,) Prof. Siyan Oyeweso; Osun State Chief Judge, Justice Gloria Adegoke; APC leader in Osun State, Alhaji Fatai Diekola Oyedel; the state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Saka Adesiyan; OSBC Director General Prince Soji Fadehan; the former DG, OSBC, Pastor Yeye Oyedokun; Deputy Chief of Staff to Osun State governor, Mr Gbenga Adebusuyi, Afenifere chieftain Mr Ayo Afolabi. Some of the traditional rulers at the event were the host monarch, Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdulrasheed Olabomi; the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun; Timi of Ede, Oba Munirudeen Lawal; the Akirun of Ikirun, Oba Abdulrauf Olawale; ý Olona of Ada, Oba Abimbola Abioye, among others.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

SOCIETY

‘She is my jewel’ Last Saturday, family members and friends gathered at the Saint Peters and Paul Catholic Church, Palm Groove, Lagos, for the wedding between Adefunke Omotolani, an Estate Management graduate cum Union Bank staff member and her beau, Taiwo Oluwole Faluade, a Mechanical Engineering graduate of the University of Benin, reports AMIDU ARIJE.

COMMUNICATE YOUR IDEAS Selectivity

•The couple, Taiwo and Adefunke

HE early downpour could not deter guests from coming from far and near to rejoice with the couple and their family members at the solemnisation of their wedding. As early as 8am, family members had gathered at the Saint Peters and Paul Catholic Church, Palm Groove, Lagos for the first leg of the wedding - the engagement. The late Olatoye Faluade family members presented gifts and a letter, the traditional requirements to Mr Michael Adeboye Adebanjo family to seek the hand of their daughter, Adefunke, in marriage. With joy, the Adebanjos received the gifts and blessed the union of Omotolani and Taiwo. The blessing and acceptance of the union by both families was followed by a dance. Thereafter, the couple and a few members of their families proceeded to the Somolu Local Government Marriage Registry for the signing of the dotted lines. Having been declared man and wife by the court registrar, the couple proceeded to the Saint Peters and Paul Catholic Church Hall for the reception. Before their arrival, guests had filled the expansive hall. There was hardly any space for the late comers to seat. More chairs and tables were set outside the hall to accommodate all. As guests waited for the couple’s arrival, the hall was thrown into a competition of a sort as the band of Okiki Crown Band dished out melodious songs that left everyone dancing. The hall was adorned in beautiful blue and pink satin materials. The couple’s setting was unique. It had white satin with lightings surrounding it; a white umbrella was placed by their side. It was a beauty to behold. The bride’s parents were the cynosure of all eyes. The bride’s father was everywhere, attending to the needs of his guests. Oloye as he is popularly called, wore a blue agbada and buba with a cap. He acknowledged cheers from guests; he shook hands with some who were close while he waved to those far from him. The couple were the centre of attention when they drove into the premises. Those outside the hall welcomed them with enthusiasm. The conviviality of the occasion increased when the MC, Babatunde Okunade, called for

•Bride’s parents, Mr Adebanjo and his wives, Yemisi (left) and Folasade

•From left: Otunba Olusanya and representatives of the groom’s parents, the Faluades

•Chief Rasak Adebanjo

•Alhaji Olumide Olufowobi

the entry of the couple. All stood still to welcome Adefunke and Taiwo. Their coming in was like a show. They danced into the hall. Everyone was amazed. They clapped and laughed as the couple danced to their seats. One of the guests offered the opening prayer for the reception to begin. Chairman on the occasion Otunba Olumade Olusanya advised the couple to have a forgiving spirit and always consult each other on all matters.

Olusanya said holding firm to the words of God and applying same in their day-to-day activities was the only way to guarantee a sustainable marital home. He urged all not to intervene in the couple’s marital affairs. Olusanya also supervised the cutting of the cake. It was done after he spelt the word LOVE. All clapped. Thereafter, the couple fed each other. The bride was the first to feed her husband. She knelt to feed him. The groom

reciprocated the gesture. They moved to the dance floor immediately after the feeding assignment. They danced alone for some time but were later joined by family members and friends on the stage. The groom, Taiwo, a Mechanical Engineering graduate of the University of Benin, described the day as memorable. “It is what I have really longed for. I thank God that it came up today. It is the day I will never forget; it is a memorable day in my life because it marks the beginning of another realm of my life,” he said. He said his wife was caring, loving and a jewel of inestimable value. The bride, a staff of Union bank, said the day was her happiest ever. Adefunke described her husband as God-fearing and loving. “He is simply the best,” she said.

ICE to have you read this column on public speaking. Recently, we began a series on the importance of listening in public speaking. Someone may ask, "Isn't it ironic that public speaking is about voicing your ideas, yet we are talking about listening?" Well, not quite. First, for you to speak effectively, you must be able to listen to your mentors to learn from them; listen to other speakers to reinforce what you know; and lisAMODU LANRE OLAOLU tening to your audience to identify their needs, among others. (Ph.D) sospeak2lanre@yahoo.com. Secondly, your knowledge of 07034737394 what listening entails will make @lanreamodu you an intelligent speaker; you will know how to get the attention of your audience. In 1960, Joseph T. Klapper, a researcher at the Columbia University, published a book titled, "The Effects of Mass Communication". According to Klapper, audiences are not passive recipients of political and commercial propaganda from mass media, rather, the mass media only reinforce the convictions the audiences already hold. He argued against the prevailing notion of his days that mass media had significant power to influence individual opinion, such that the audiences passively complied with whatever the media suggested. His book coincided with the works of other researchers who discovered that several targeted messages were not effective, which proved that audiences didn't just "swallow" the information in the media. Hence, it was discovered that as a result of too much information in circulation, people select what they expose themselves to. This means that people either accept or reject a message based on their internal filters. "What has Klapper's book got to do with listening, or even public speaking", you may ask. If people choose how mass media messages affect them and they don't merely swallow the messages mindlessly, we can be sure that our public speaking messages will be thoroughly evaluated by our listeners before they receive them. No doubt, Klapper's views are mass media oriented; nevertheless, they can give us ideas of how people react to messages and how we can maximize our communication. Therefore, though I will be using the basic ideas of Klapper, I will only explain them in relation public speaking. Joseph T. Klapper identified five major factors that can affect people's disposition towards messages but we shall only consider the following four: predispositions and the related processes of selective exposure, perception and retention; the type and norm of the group the audiences belong to; interpersonal dissemination of the content of communication; and the role of opinion leaders. For a public speaker, good preparation is one of the major determinants of success. However, the preparation will be of no use if the audience is not ready for the message. While we may not have any control over how people will react to what we say, our understanding of how they think will help our planning and strategy. Let's breakdown the first factor above for better understanding: •Selective exposure: according to Klapper, people only expose themselves to information that is in agreement with their beliefs and attitudes. Since there is so much information available and attention cannot be paid to all, people select only the information they are comfortable with and they filter out the rest. The implication of this for you as a public speaker is that if your message is contrary to the attitude of your listeners, they may block you out. Hence, it is very important for you to understand your audience as much as possible. If you have two friends and one appreciates you while the other criticizes you unnecessarily, you are likely to spend more time with the former. If you respect someone and a speaker comes up to speak against the person, you may find yourself naturally disliking the speaker. Hence, understanding the attitudes and beliefs of your audience will help you to present your message in an acceptable way. •Selective perception: if people have no choice but to expose themselves to 'undesirable' information, they may refuse to process it. Processing in this context refers to paying attention and interpreting a message. A public speaker should not only be contented with having a hall full of people who appear to be listening. Their presence could be because they have no choice. If you have people in the audience who are not interested in listening to you, you will have more work to do to pass across your message. This challenge can also be tackled by learning how to link your message to the interest of your listeners. Even if they came with a negative attitude, you can stir up their interest by identifying with their beliefs. •Selective retention: when is a public speaker considered a success? Is it when he prepares his speech, when he delivers it or when the audience cheers? A public speaker is only successful after he/she has influenced the audience to see the subject matter through his/her eyes. People can select what they retain in their minds. Several times, people choose to forget some things because they don't consider those things important. In a world where there are so many voices, how can you ensure that yours is among those that would be retained in people's minds? The answer is simple; your audience should be your priority. Let your message leave them as better people and not make them feel worse. Please watch out for more next week, by the grace of God. Enjoy your weekend. Dr. Amodu teaches at the Department of Mass Communication, Covenant University, Ogun State.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

SOCIETY

•From left: Mr Ayodele Odukomaiya; Adetoun Odukomaiya; Mr Ambode, his wife, Bolanle; Mr Tokunbo Odukomaiya and his wife, Kemi

A memorable farewell

By Our Reporter

T was a mixture of celebration and politics as Lagos State governorship aspirant Akinwunmi Ambode buried his mother-in-law in Epe, Lagos outskirt. Although, it was supposed to be a celebration of life and times of the late Madam Comfort Oluwafunmilayo Odukomaiya, it turned out to be that and more – a gathering of frontline politicians. Indeed, the sleepy town had to literally bend backwards to contain the surge of crowd that besieged the First African Church Mission at Poka, a suburb in the ancient town. Mama Olufunmilayo Oluyisola Odukomaiya was born on of August 6, 1924 to the family of the late Pa Thomas Onabanjo, she started her primary education in 1937 at Saint Paul’s School Omu and later kicked off a brilliant teaching career at Pobo Community Primary School, Poka in 1947, the same year she got married to Late Pa M.S Odukomaiya. Ambode, the amiable former accountant-general of Lagos State, alongside his wife Bolanle hosted the cream of politicians at the funeral. Politicians jostled to catch the attention of Ambode, in what appeared a clear signal that he is the man to beat to the ticket of the All Progressive Congress (APC) at the Centre of Excellence. All smile, Ambode moved round to greet those who came to honour him and his wife. Without doubt, Ambode, who left the service three years ago after 27 years of meritorious service, has successfully transmuted from a passive retired civil servant to an astute politician. At the ceremony were APC Lagos Vice-Chairman (West), Chief Funso Ologunde; APC Lagos Deputy Chairman Cardinal James Odunbaku; Hon James Faleke; Mr Paul Kalejaiye; Oba Kamoru Akinlaja; Oba Adelaja; former Special Adviser to Governor Fashola and Alhaji Abdul Hakeem Abdul Lateef. Also there were Chief Lanre Razak; Hon Yomi Ogunnusi, leader of APC Lagos East Senatorial District Alhaji Busura Alebiosu and actor, Desmond Elliot, among others.

•Oloja of Epe, Oba Kamorudeen Animashaun (right) and Olisa of Epe Chief Waheed Alaolu

•Otunba Ogunnusi (left) and Mr Toks Rufai

•From right: Alhaji Abdul Hakeem Abdul Lateef; Dr Noah Jinadu and Hon Omolola Essien •Lagos State Commissioner for Education Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye (left) and Hon Toun Adediran

•APC chieftains (From right): Otunba Alebiosu; Pa Abiodun Sunmola and Alhaji Sakiru Akanni

•CONFERENCE 57 chairman, Akeem Sulaiman; Secretary-General Hakeem Bamgbola and Bolaji Muse-Ariyoh

•Mrs Omobolanle Akinyemi-Obe

•Representatives of Senator Oluremi Tinubu (From left): Mrs Anike Adekanye; Mrs Doyin Adeniji and Mrs Modupe Elegushi PHOTOS: NIYI ADENIRAN

•Comrade Ayodele Adewale

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

SOCIETY

Lagos State Commissioner for Establishment, Training and Pension Mrs Florence Oguntuase celebrated her 60th birthday and 34th wedding anniversary last Saturday at Freedom Park, Broad Street, Lagos. OLATUNDE ODEBIYI reports.

T was like a gathering for civil servants in Lagos State. Different personalities across ministries including, commissioners, permanent secretaries, senior special assistants, special advisers and directors stood to be counted. Friends, family members and church members were also there. Most of the guests arrived in exotic cars. Many of them were dressed in casual but smart and classic outfits. Others wore native outfits. They converged on Freedom Park on Lagos Island for the 60th birthday and 34th wedding anniversary of Lagos State Commissioner for Establishment, Training and Pension, Mrs Florence Oguntuase. Ladies on orange satin tops with blue jeans welcomed guests and led them to labelled seats. The little drizzle that day was no hindrance to the turnout as the venue was filled to capacity. The drizzle rather kept the environment cool and calm. Freedom Park was decorated in ash and orange colours. Gold chairs were set around tables covered with gold fabric. There were about 10 small tents all over. Personalities sat under the tent where the cake was. The cake stand was beautiful to behold. It had three cakes on it. Two were one step each, while the third was a-three-step cake in orange colour and ‘60’ was written in front of it with white. Mrs Oguntuase was the cynosure of eyes. She looked stunning in an ash glittering dress and orange shoes. The cream beads on her neck and hands complemented her beauty. She sat under the tent where the personalities from various ministries sat. At intervals, she moved from one tent to another to greet her guests and ensured that they were all comfortable. Her husband, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, BOFOM Limited, Mr Ben Oguntuase sat under another tent in the company of his friends. He also went round to greet other guests. Their children hardly sat throughout the event. They went round attending to guests needs and ensuring that all were at ease. The ceremony began with an opening prayer from Mrs Abimbola Wale-Idowu. Ray Bee Brown DJ led by Bola Brown entertained guests with music to which many responded by shaking their heads, hands and body on their seats. Guests dine, wined and spoke glowingly about the celebrator. The Master of Ceremony, who is also the son of the celebrator, Mr Banji Oguntuase supervised the cutting of the cake. Her husband and children assisted her to cut the cake after the spell of LOVE. Other guests were called from each

table to snap with the celebrator. Speaking about the celebrator, Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, Mr Tunji Bello, said that she was someone he enjoyed working with since he knew her in 2003 as a Permanent Secretary. “She is a wonderful woman with good human relations. She is receptive to ideas and I want her to remain calm, maintain her stature and the way she has always related with people,” he said. Commissioner for Justise and Lagos State Attorney-General, Mr Ade Ipaye described her as an engaging personality he had known for a while. “She is diligent, a principled person; she is not shy to stand by whatever she believes in; she deals with matters, objectively and promptly and she is a good person to know,” he said. Immediate past state director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Ekiti State Mr Dele Morakinyo, said the celebrator is a down –to- earth woman, serious at work and knows how to balance life. He said she is ageing gracefully and has done well for herself at 60. “Remember that you are now 60, continue to laugh but do less of serious work because that is the secret of longevity,” he said. Commissioner for Housing, Mr Bosun Jeje described her as a jolly good fellow, a woman that is always ready to assist and somebody that takes everybody as of her age mate. Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Ganiyu Johnson described Mrs Oguntuase as a hardworking, energetic and a loving woman. “At 60, she looks like an 18 – year- old, she is too radiant and I want her to get ready to be a grandmother, great grandmother as I wish her all the best,” he said. The celebrator’s husband, Mr Oguntuase congratulated her. “At 60, it is like when I first met her years back. She is very honest, humble and hard working, dedicated, loyal and I have no regret marrying her; I am proud of her for all she has done for the family,” he said. The celebrator said she feels fulfilled. “I started my career and I ended up at a top position. For me, life at 60 is full of reflection and it is an opportunity to see the areas where you can still improve on. I am lucky that a number of my dreams have been fulfilled. 60 is a time to plan what you want to do with the rest of your life. All I want is to give more time to the service of God and to humanity,” she said.

Twin celebration •The celebrator, Mrs Oguntuase assisted by her husband, Ben (middle) and (from right) Mr Ladi Jeje; Mr Ipaye; Mr Johnson; Mr Bola Sodipe and Mr Jeje

•Mrs Oworu

•Mr Bello and Dr Adebule

•Mr Morakinyo (right) and e-11 chairman Mr Femi Ajiniran •Hon Lawal

Among those present at the event were; Secretary to the State Government, Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule; Lagos State Commissioners for Tourism, Alowe Disu; Finance -Ayo Gbeleya; Commerce and Agriculture - Gbolahan Lawal; Commerce and Industry - Sola Oworu; Economy, Planning and Budget - Mr Ben Akabueze; Special Adviser on Primary Health, Dr Yewande Adesina, among others.

SENDOFF

•Out gone Permanent Secretary/Auditor-General for Local Governments Alhaji Mubashiru Hassan (second left) greeting Lagos State Accountant General Mr Adewale Sunmoni during Hassan sendforth in Lagos. With them (from left) Hassan’s wife, Aminat; Chairman Local Government Service Commission Alhaji Oluwole Ojikutu and Permanent Secretary, Training, Establishment and Pension Alhaji Jamiu Ashimi.

•Mr Akabueze

•Dr Adesina

PHOTOS: BIODUN ADEYEWA

AWARD •Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer, Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation (ZSF), Imam Abdullahi Shuaib receiving African Legacy for True Leadership Award from Hon Edward Addo who represented Ghanaian President, John Dramani, at M.J Grand Hotel, Accra, Ghana.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

COMMENTARY LETTER

EDITORIAL

Chibok shame •FG’s latest threat to arrest BBOG protesters shows Jonathan’s clear impotence on saving the Chibok girls

HE Chibok kidnap saga, in its six months, is a test the Goodluck Jonathan Presidency continues to fail. The latest threat to arrest Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) protesters, led by Oby Ezekwesili, former education minister, is an empty bluff to cover clear impotence. Mike Omeri, director-general of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), getting whiff of the BBOG lobby’s planned march on Aso Villa to meet the president, issued the threat. He went into adjectival overdrive, dismissing the protests as “inconsequential” and “unpatriotic”; and climaxed with a flourish that the protests were a “distraction.” Mr. Omeri did not end his tantrums without the reflex charge that the protests were opposition-driven — the same allegation President Jonathan was levying when the kidnap was still fresh, and a prompt reaction could perhaps have saved the girls. Mr. Omeri then bared his fangs that the BBOG protesters risked arrest. Mr. Omeri clearly thought his threat would abort the march. Well, it didn’t — which is some good news from a very bad situation. The BBOG protesters have done well by pressing their right to free and lawful assembly. They have proved that in a republican democracy, even the president and his high office are bound by the laws of the land — these same laws that created his office and raised its occupier above co-equal citizens, so the president can deliver on his duties — cannot be taken away by a lowly official of state, which Mr. Omeri is. But even the BBOG march only gifted the Jonathan presidency the chance to further belittle itself. First, a contingent of police women cordoned off the gate of Aso Villa. The president apparently was too

busy to meet with a group of citizens, among them hurting mothers of the kidnapped girls. The protesters were told to contact Mr. Omeri — the same Omeri that had earlier threatened them with arrest — to read the president’s body language on the matter! In fairness to the president, he sent a quad of female ministers — Zainab Maina (Women Affairs), Sarah Ochekpe (Water Resources), Lawrentia Mallam (Environment) and Ekon Eyaakenyi (Lands, Housing and Urban Development). But even that proved a cold comfort. One of the ministers rather trivialised issues, thus underscoring the administration’s crass insensitivity on Chibok. Told by Dr. Ezekwesili that one of the escaped Chibok girls would address the gathering in Hausa (she was not proficient in English because of Nigeria’s educational collapse), Mrs Ochepe fired back that it was under Ezekwesili’s tenure as education minister that the educational system collapsed. Talk of leaving the ball and going for the leg! True, Dr. Ezekwesili should not have added the caveat of collapsed education, true as it is. Still, should Mrs Ochekpe have been so insensitive as to launch a spiteful personal attack on Dr. Ezekwesili — an attack that drew stinging rebuke from the protesters? So, because the Chibok girls were no use educationally anyway, their country should not protect them from terrorists? Or did she think attacking Ezekwesili would remove the perceived impotence of the Jonathan Presidency on the Chibok affair? That attack was simply reckless and Minister Ochekpe did her government no credit by it. But then so had the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, done her husband no

credit, when she tried to put the Chibok kidnap victims in the dock on prime time television. That, of course, backfired in the infamous “Dia ris God ooo ...” tragicomedy. The president too had lost precious lead time letting himself be misguided that the Chibok kidnap was an opposition ploy to discredit his government. On Chibok, the Jonathan government becomes more discredited by the day — which is a pity: because the government manifests lack of rigour and compassion, which questions the president’s competence to continue holding on to his job. Let Mr. Omeri be warned: not even the president can take away the rights of citizens guaranteed by the Constitution. The president too should do the needful and bring the Chibok girls back home, however difficult that is. The Chibok stain would not go away, despite the childish and contemptible grandstanding by the administration’s officials.

‘Let Mr. Omeri be warned: not even the president can take away the rights of citizens guaranteed by the Constitution. The president too should do the needful and bring the Chibok girls back home, however difficult that is. The Chibok stain would not go away, despite the childish and contemptible grandstanding by the administration’s officials’

Mental health crisis

• Rising cases are symptomatic of the many challenges that Nigerians are grappling with

HE revelation that over 5,000 cases of mental health disorders were recorded in Plateau State in the last one year is certainly indicative of an even more alarming manifestation of the problem nationwide. Delivering a paper at an event in commemoration of the Y2014 World Mental Health Day, Dr Taiwo Obindu, Head of the Psychiatric Department, Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Jos, disclosed the magnitude of the mental health crisis in the state while lamenting the dearth of personnel and facilities to effectively meet the challenge. This sensitisation of Nigerians to the scale of mental health cases in the country is a positive function of the setting aside of October 10 every year to commemorate the World Mental Health Day, which offers an opportunity for stakeholders across the globe, particularly mental health profes-

‘Against this background, it is unfortunate that the country does not have a Mental Health Policy to provide a comprehensive and coherent policy framework for tackling her daunting challenges of mental healthcare ... We call on the National Assembly to appreciate the danger that mental ill-health poses for national security and productivity and urgently pass the Mental Health Bill into law’

sionals, to advocate for better mental health and address the stigma associated with the illness due to limited public awareness. One of the most prevalent mental health conditions, schizophrenia, was the focus of this year’s commemoration of the day. Noting that schizophrenia is a common occurrence among mental health patients in Plateau State, Dr Obindo described the disease as “a condition in psychiatry where the individual has problems with his thinking the way he interacts with people and …the way the person thinks and the beliefs he has is awkward”. Schizophrenics tend to hear imaginary voices and see images that are non-existent to others. The widespread occurrence of such behavioural disorders in Plateau State can be understood within the context of the pervasive and persistent violence that has plagued the state since 2001, resulting in the loss of thousands of lives and large-scale dislocation of whole communities. Incessant destructive clashes between settlers and indigenes in the state are further compounded by ethnic, religious and politically motivated violence. A situation of psychological siege is, therefore created in which destabilised individuals and groups are vulnerable to mental disturbance. But then this scenario is not limited to Plateau State as every part of the country is confronted with one spectre of violence or the other. Apart from the Boko Haram terrorism that has turned the North-East into a war zone, armed robberies, kidnappings, assassinations, ritual killings, rape, thuggery and bloody communal conflicts are taking a heavy toll on lives, property and the psychological wellbeing of millions of Nigerians across the country.

It is thus not surprising that during the commemoration of last year’s World Mental Health Day, the founder of the Mental Health Foundation, Emmanuel Owoyemi, disclosed that about 64 million Nigerians suffer from mental illness. This is understandable since experts confirm that it is possible for schizophrenics, for instance, to function well and appear normal despite the debility. This high incidence of mental ill health has been attributed to increased poverty, insecurity and hopelessness leading to greater frequency of anxiety, depression and despair among the populace. This situation is aggravated by the persistent economic crisis characterised, among others, by astronomical unemployment and frustrating underemployment. Against this background, it is unfortunate that the country does not have a Mental Health Policy to provide a comprehensive and coherent policy framework for tackling her daunting challenges of mental healthcare. For inexplicable reasons, the National Assembly continues to delay in passing the Mental Health Bill, which makes provision, among others, for access to mental healthcare and services, voluntary and involuntary treatment, accreditation of professionals and facilities, enforcement and other judicial issues affecting people with mental health issues as well as implementing the provision of mental health legislations. We call on the National Assembly to appreciate the danger that mental illhealth poses for national security and productivity and urgently pass the Mental Health Bill into law.

Appeal to Atiku Abubakar

IR: I read with mixed feelings, the report credited to the former vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in some national dailies that he was not in support of consensus option for choosing the presidential flag bearer of the APC. There is no doubt that consensus option is slightly undemocratic, but the situation in which this nation finds itself, which makes change imperative and for the sacrifice of the founding fathers of the APC not to be in vain, the option has become an imperative. APC is a child of circumstance, and borne out of great sacrifice by the various leaderships of the legacy parties that merged to form the party. The acrimony that ensued over the election of the national chairman of a party, few months ago is still fresh in memory. Not only that, the ruling PDP will do all in its power to plant moles in the party to scuttle the legitimate aspiration of the founders of the party to bring the much needed change to the nation. This has been its stock in trade. Therefore, all hands must be on desk to forestall any sinister motive from the ruling party. Consequently, Alhaji Abubakar is advised not to see his present ambition as an end in itself, but a means to an end which is to rescue this nation irrespective of who accomplished the task. We should bear it in mind that thousands are in the party who are equally talented and up to the task, but have to forgo their ambition in other to support the leadership of a party in its quest to come out with a consensus candidate which is the only way to prevent acrimony and untoward consequences which always followed the conduct of a direct primary. Of particular mention is Senator Bukola Saraki whose patriotic action in withdrawing from the race has been acknowledged by all and sundry. • Adewuyi Adegbite Apake, Ogbomoso. 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

• Executive Director (Finance & Administration) Ade Odunewu

•Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon

•Advert Manager Robinson Osirike

•Deputy Editor (News) Adeniyi Adesina

• Gen. Manager (Training and Development) Soji Omotunde •General Manager (Abuja Press) Kehinde Olowu •AGM (PH Press) Tunde Olasogba

•IT Manager Bolarinwa Meekness •Deputy Editor (Nation’s Capital) •Press Manager Yomi Odunuga Udensi Chikaodi •Group Political Editor Emmanuel Oladesu •Legal Counsel John Unachukwu •Group Business Editor Simeon Ebulu • Manager (Admin) Folake Adeoye •Group Sports Editor Ade Ojeikere •Acting Manager (sales) •Editorial Page Editor Olaribigbe Bello Sanya Oni

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

CARTOON & LETTERS

IR: When Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State and other patriots in the Nigerian Governor’s Forum were raising awareness on the massive misappropriation of the country’s oil earnings and lack of accountability, the PDP led Federal Government went all out to weaken, if not destroy, the governors forum. It suited them to do so in order to have no challenge in their rapacious treasury looting. But now, even PDP governors are feeling the pinch, yet none of them can muster the guts to complain. A major fallout of this is the inability of some states – ironically enough, mostly PDP – controlled – to pay workers’ salaries. In Abia State, the situation is about one of the worst. For about four months now, primary and secondary school teachers, Abia SUBEB staff and staff of Secondary Education Management Board have not been paid their salaries. (Salaries were last paid for April).

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Abia workers’ unpaid salaries Local Government workers were last paid in May. Staff of the state radio and television station, the BCA, are equally being owed salaries running into months as are those of Abia State Polytechnic, Aba. That of Abia Poly was so bad that for eight months no salary was paid to workers until recently when they were paid only four months following a strike. The question workers – teacher, LG Staff, Abia SUBEB staff, etc. are asking is: What is going on in Abia State? Are the state and local government allocations not coming to Abia State? How is it that the local

governments, being run with Governor T. A. Orji’s appointees since 2011, cannot pay salaries given that none of the councils embarked on any meaningful development projects. It is infuriating when the government assails us with propaganda on its so – called Legacy Projects. Who will enjoy these ‘Legacy Projects’? Corpses. When citizens have been starved to death, who then will enjoy those “Legacy Projects”? It may suit the Abia State governor to treat workers anyhow because he is not coming up for reelection, but his party, PDP, should note the ill-will his actions is

Benue: let’s get it right in 2015

IR: Benue State by all ramifications should be a thriving agrarian society but due to vision-less leadership and corrupt minded politicians, the state probably the least developed in the country. The food basket of the nation has over the years seen little seen little or no advancement in almost all sectors of the economy. It is riddled with poor road networks, potable drinking water is nearly absent in all corners of the state, high employment rate, dead industries, enormous brain-drain to other states, primary and

secondary schools are lacking in basic infrastructure and so many ills to numerous to mention. The cause of the many societal ills lies mainly with the political class. The political class of the state care for only itself and not for the future of the state hence wouldn’t shed a tear for the growing poverty in the state. Largely the little infrastructural projects put in place is usually centered at the state’s capital. This trend is not only ugly but inhuman as there are other citizens who stay outside the capital city and deserve the dividends of

democracy. I want to use the medium to call on all my brothers and sisters from Benue State to come en-mass and vote only leaders with a plan for the state, leaders whose manifesto’s posses the spirit to exploit and build on both human and natural resources in other for greatness to be achieved. Let us shun electoral violence, rigging and general misconduct because we will suffer the brunt of evil leadership. • Ikwuh John Otukpo, Benue State

attracting to the party. The labour unions – NULGE, NASU, NUT, etc, and the parent body, NLC – should note that their members are disappointed in them for keeping quiet over this matter.

As for the opposition parties, namely APC and APGA, I urge them to sit up and speak out on the many failings of the T.A. Orji-led government of Abia State. With a good, sustained campaign on the failings of the PDP government in Abia, the opposition will easily defeat the party in the 2015 general elections. The governor and his party are forgetting that civil servants constitute a significant part of the population that bothers to vote at elections. • Ibe A. Uche Umuahia

Re-The Senator Afemaai need

I read with disgust, the report of the campaign carried out in Etsako central local government area of Edo state by Professor Julius Ihonvbere in The Nation, October 14, page 57. The professor claimed that he is the most qualified of all the aspirants vying for Edo North Senatorial seat, to represent them at the National Assembly under the platform of All Progressive Congress, APC. I want to say the claim by Ihonvbere is wrong; the era of paper qualification as a yardstick for elective position is gone in Nigeria. I want to commend the current senator representing Edo North Senatorial district for his commitment and loyalty to the APC. When others won election on the platform of the then ACN and later defected to the PDP, Senator Domingo Obende remained firm and stood by Governor Adams Oshiomhole. With Obende’s performance as senator, and as one loved by the people, I want to disagree with the professor particularly on his claim

to be more qualified to represent the zone. What we need is an individual who can bring the dividend of democracy to the people. Professor Ihonbvere was the presidential aide on project monitoring to former President Olusegun Obasanjo; yet he was unable to influence any project from the federal government to Edo North Senatorial Zone. What credentials has he to showcase his professorship? He should stop the campaign of calumny against other aspirants. The current Senator has performed creditably in the 64 wards that make up Edo North with physical projects and distribution of items. He has moved motions at the National Assembly that has positive impact on the lives of the people. One of such is the gay law. I make bold to say that Senator Domingo Obende deserves a second term in office. • Afolabi Daodu, Akoko-Edo LG, Edo State

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014 16

COMMENTS

In Ebele’s wonderland Email: tunji_ololade@yahoo.co.uk 08038551123, 08111845040

EAR Reader – Sir – the “Sir” being my desperate heartfelt articulation of the proverbial epoch when you will become everything but ‘nobody’ and I and every other columnist and soapbox activist shall begin to say anything and everything, like the truth as it is, and thus expectedly become, upright. So, Sir, I who perhaps should never have to address you as I do now thus address you for the umpteenth time; I think I hear the spirited grind and swish of your wits and heartbeat as you translate the perception of flung words on sensational newsprint, into truth. Truth…strange thing, truth. Truth is everything. However relative it gets, you just love to hear it and read it, and say it as it is, as the circumstances dictate, I presume. Me too. Hence every day, we traverse the whole mad miles to bury the truth in order to say it. Now, in spite of all my previous and perhaps pathetic attempts, indecipherable ardour and compulsion, this too, could be truth as you love to have it or hate it. By lies, elocution, vain-glory and shame, we have transformed our world into that in which every filth perpetuates and we remain vital

parts of the corruption of the dreams that corrupt the Nigerian dream. Thus at 54, we celebrate in orgasm of filth, poverty, animosity and death. Four years ago, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and company budgeted N6.5 billion to celebrate our 50-year old independence from Britain. Bet you saw how N6.5 billion worth of euphoria exploded to split darkness. In its wake, our ecstasy at having clocked 50 dissipates, quite rapidly too and we are swaddled in poverty, ill-bliss and darkness. Darkness perhaps is what waits after the plunder, vain-glory, idiocy, shamelessness…death. Today, we clock 54, dreaming of abundance like we do at every anniversary, and the desperate hope that somewhere, somehow, we will chance on progress and feel at last, the merciful glow of indescribable grace - that which has no grief to spare of future or past. But while we commemorate yet another anniversary doing our characteristic dance of shame, the owlish whets his note, the maniacal asseverates manically, things that we always forget because it is politically correct to forget them: think death-stung Olapeleke, Ewekoro, Niger Delta, and the twi-

‘Beyond the haze of double-speak and political clap-trap, would you say we have grown above the politics of brigandage and murder? Are our lives better yet? Have we attained greater appeal in the eyes of the world now? Does our future foretell greater bounties than it did 54 years ago?’

AST WEEK, a powerful delegation of Igbo leaders made up of secretary to the federal government, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, Senator Hope Uzodinma, Minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu, National Publicity Secretary PDP, Olisa Metuh, Ifeanyi Ubah and former Governor Peter Obi stormed Dover Hotel, Lekki Phase 1 Lagos to woo Ndigbo Lagos for President Jonathan’s 2015 presidential bid. At Dover Hotel, they met eminent and prominent Igbo leaders namely President General Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Gary Enwo-Igariwey, President Ndigbo Lagos, Professor Anya. O. Anya, President Aka Ikenga, Chief Goddy Uwazurike, former Chairman Diamond Bank, Chief Pascal Dozie, former Governor of Lagos State, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (rtd), former President of Nigeria Stock Exchange, Raymond Obieri, Eze Ndigbo of Ikeja, Eze Uche Dimgba and President Ohaneze Ndigbo Lagos, Barr Fabian Onwughalu and many other eminent Igbos in Lagos. Like I said, their mission was to persuade Ndigbo in Lagos to join the train in the campaign to make President Jonathan to continue in office even after 2015. The meeting was well attended and this mission was clear: It is President Jonathan or nothing! The Lagos mission has indeed thrown up some big questions on what Igbo agenda is in Nigeria. What does Igbo want in Nigeria? What is their strategy? What is their mission? What is their plan for Nigeria? What is their strength? What is their thinking? What is wrong with Igbo politics? Few weeks back, an Igbo youth I cannot remember his name posted a question on his Facebook page thus: “Why is it that Igbo are always in the forefront to work for other people to be president in Nigeria? Is it that no Igbo is good to be president of Nigeria?” He traced the days of IBB and Abacha when Chief Arthur Nzeribe and one Daniel Kanu played prominent roles to extend their tenures in office. Nzeribe went to court to stop June 12, 1993 election so that IBB will continue in office. It failed: Daniel Kanu, Arthur Eze, Orji Uzor Kalu, Sam Mbakwe, Onyeka Onwenu and others staged a two million man march tagged Youths Earnestly Ask for Abacha, YEAA in Abuja to get an extension of tenure for Abacha. It failed also. Of all the men that have led Ohaneze, only Professor Ben Nwabueze and Dr Dozie Ikedife gave good account of themselves. Professor Irukwu sold Ohaneze to President Obasanjo’s failed third term bid for a price. The late Chief Ralph Uwechue sold Ohaneze for cash to President Jonathan in 2011. Now the current President General Ohaneze Chief Gary Enwo-Igariwey has sold

lit power sector; lest we forget our rusty oil refineries, comatose Ajaokuta Steel complex, vanishing industries, cratered bridges and highways to the grave; impoverished teachers, dim-witted graduates, corrupt law enforcers, unemployment, substandard education, crooked banking and health sectors, pervasive poverty, decadent parents, fraudulent youth and government of men born with hearts in the pants and two hands in the till. In this prevalent osmosis of death and despair, the maniacal attempts to justify that which is unjustifiable: the right to mount the soapbox, garnishing prevalent ills with bouquets of insolence and desolateness. Our love of grandstanding and pretensions to candour rankle an ominous note. It conveniently deserts when the situation demands that we actually speak truth to power; which brings to mind how we accommodated Mr. President’s justification of N16.4 billion…then N10 billion and then N6.5 billion worth of independence celebrations ‘conscientiously’ explained as follows four years ago: N950 million worth of anniversary parade; N350 million National Unity Torch tour; Special visits to orphanages, prisons and hospitals – N50 million; special session of the National Children’s Parliament – N20 million; party for 1000 children – N20 million; presidential banquet – N40 million; calisthenics performance – N50 million. Then cultural, historical and military exhibitions – N310 million; food week – N40 million; design and unveiling of 50th anniversary logo – N30 million; secretariat equipment, accommodation logistics and utilities – N320 million; special reports on Nigeria in local and international media – N1.2 billion; jingles, adverts billboards, documentary and publicity – N320 million. And more: accommodation and transportation of guests – N700 mil-

lion; souvenirs – N450 million; variety gala night and fireworks – N210 million; international friendly football match – N200 million; design and publication of compendium on Nigeria – N400 million and security and protocol – N500 million. Lest we forget the presidency’s recent allocation of $1 billion (about N165 billion) to itself to fight Boko Haram. Is it just me hyper-acting or did our leaders somehow, somewhere along the line, irredeemably go mad? Even if they had gone mad, I guess they earned their right to everlasting madness, among other rights. For any such leadership or ruling class that manages to deceive and silence, albeit effortlessly, a nation of so-called esteemed thinkers, activists, maverick managers and academia inured by elitist abstractions, equity, humanity and tenets of progress, deserves to hold sway for as long as it can manage. Yet it is the blood of the departed and the corpses still breathing that stirs and elongates our malfeasance of nature and filth of fate. Thus today our official history, flaunting total disaster, speaks with the wind. It magnifies our defects and gives them to us gratis. It acknowledges that ours afflictions are borne of individual and institutionalised folly, contemptuousness and treason. Consequently we wade through atrocious stew and stink of yesterday into the age that grudges and grieves although it was meant to be golden; turning 50 wasn’t quite a treat after all. Turning 54 offers no greater delight. Today, the ill-wind blows certainly and quite generously across our land; it peels back every glamorous lie we decorate as truth, to reveal what is left of all that we pinch and plunder. And despite the tragedy we foster and suffer, we summon strength in will and number to re-enact our compulsive story of ruin and grief

come 2015. As we approach the coming polls, we congregate chaos-stung and deceit-enabled, to elect the one who will dig deeper, our grave, and maul our bruised, chewed-off ribs till we remain nothing more than broken husks incapable of everything and small things, like casting a shadow in the twilight. Now that our independence jamboree is over, tell me, of all the cheap consolation and ‘patriotic apologies’ we mustered to justify that which is unjustifiable: for instance, our wasteful expenditure to celebrate independence, has our world truly turned golden? Are we actually, respectably, matured, at 54? Beyond the haze of double-speak and political clap-trap, would you say we have grown above the politics of brigandage and murder? Are our lives better yet? Have we attained greater appeal in the eyes of the world now? Does our future foretell greater bounties than it did 54 years ago? And would you say that Mr President – for all the hope reposed in his leadership and humanity – may in any way be different, from our traditional ogres from the order of the dark bight? Would you say there are blessings to be had by his leadership, unlike all others? Very soon, we will hear from his apologists, all the ways President Jonathan have made our lives better, but can you really say from personal experience, that such argument is as cogent as the offer made by the March Hare during the Mad Tea Party in “Alice in Wonderland?” “Have some wine,” the March Hare said in an encouraging tone. Alice looked all round the table, but there was nothing on it but tea. “I don’t see any wine,” she remarked. “There isn’t any,” said the March Hare. (Apology to Hedges)

What is wrong with Igbo politics? By Joe Igbokwe Ohaneze again to President Jonathan for 2015 elections. Today, like Daniel Kanu of YEAA, Ifeanyi Ubah is driving TAN for Jonathan. Now where does all this lead Igbo to? Is there anything they know that we do not know? South-east has the least number of states in Nigeria, the least number of senators, the least number of House of Representatives members, least number of states House of Assembly members, least number of ministers at the federal level, least revenue allocation, least federal presence or investment, least local governments, least wards and the least of everything in Nigeria. Can we conclude that Igbo worry about nothing except their stomach? Can we assume that an Igbo is not good to be president of Nigeria? Can we conclude that top Igbo politicians lack strategy, tact and vision to think deep in matters of politics? Can we conclude that we are satisfied with the status-quo ante? Is there hope for Ndigbo in Nigeria’s political equation? Igbo politics worries me to the marrows! For eight years the former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi ruled on the platform of APGA and according to him then, it was either APGA or nothing. To celebrate the late Ikemba Nnewi Chief Emeka Ojukwu, he wore his clothes everywhere he went, he erected billboards bearing his photo with Ikemba. Now few months after he left office, the bug has caught him up and he has moved to PDP, betraying the late Ikemba and APGA. Again what will you call this? Is it politics of ideas or what? Is it politics of the stomach? If Ndigbo helps President Jonathan to remain in power till 2019, where does this leave Ndigbo? By 2019 Southern Nigeria would have been in power for 18 years. Now do you think the North will just sit down to continue to be spectators in a democracy? Is this what we struggled for from 1985 to 1999? The south did not struggle for power shift to the south so as to keep it for 18 years. It will be a threat to democracy, a threat to national unity and a threat to the corporate existence of Nigeria as a political entity. This is a timely warning! As 2015 draws near, our prominent and eminent Igbo leaders do not think about the state of the nation. They are not worried about insecurity in the land. They are not worried about the tragedy in the power sector, they are not worried about outrageous corruption, impunity and mediocrity at

the federal level, they are not worried about the threat to national unity, they are not worried about colossal decay of infrastructure, they are not worried about the decay in our schools and hospitals, they are not worried about Nigeria’s battered image and they are not worried about Nigeria’s threatened future. There is no strategic alliance with the major ethnic groups, the Hausa-Fulani and the Yoruba just for the sake of Nigeria. They abuse them and call them names forgetting that they need their votes to rule Nigeria. They allow their flanks to be infiltrated for a mess of porridge. The truth is that Igbo has been left behind in matters of Nigerian politics. There is no strong presence in PDP and no strong presence in APC, the two major parties. Igbo politics worries me to the bones! But it is not yet a hopeless case for Igbo. Things can get better if we sit down to discuss strategies and think properly. If you do not know where you are going, nobody can help you. If you do not stand for something, nobody will take you serious. If you do not love others, then they can never trust you. If you do not show some seriousness in anything you do, nobody will take you serious. The truth is that South-south and South-east votes cannot make Jonathan president again in 2015 if politics is still a game of numbers. Given the situation in the country, given the gamut of failures staring us in the face in every department in Nigeria, and given the bloodshed we have recorded in the past 15 years of democracy, President Jonathan’s ambition to rule Nigeria for 10 years is a difficult pill to swallow.

‘If Ndigbo helps President Jonathan to remain in power till 2019, where does this leave Ndigbo? By 2019 Southern Nigeria would have been in power for 18 years. Now do you think the North will just sit down to continue to be spectators in a democracy?’

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

COMMENTS

OR God and the country! These ought to be the mantra of every serious minded politician and one is not surprised the scion and heir to the Olusola Saraki political dynasty; Senator Bukola Saraki has imbibed this mantra. At a time when it is fashionable to signify one’s intention to contest a political post and paste scanty posters about town, which confers opportunities for personal negotiations and compromise with others in the case of a loss, the chairman, senate committee on environment and ecology has done what in this clime is apparently unthinkable: he has withdrawn from the race. He did not withdraw because he lacked the fund to prosecute a presidential aspiration. He did not withdraw because he felt unqualified compared with other aspirants; indeed he had thrown his hat into the ring once against a sitting President and rattled the system enough. He did not withdraw because he lacked the structure and support system for the race; as a matter of fact, one of the other prominent aspirants in his party, the All progressive Congress, General Muhammadu Buhari acknowledged this when he came visiting Kwara the other day. The General said about Saraki: “He is known

‘We need to change the way the country is run, we need change in our security and the values we place on human life, we need to change the current disgraceful situation in security and corruption. And I believe only the APC can bring about this change and give our country the leadership it deserves’

ONSENSUS, according to the Merriam-Webmaster dictionary, is a general agreement about something; an idea or opinion that is shared by all the people in a group. It also defines the word as group solidarity in sentiment and belief. Last Sunday, one of the national newspapers ran a report on the recent adoption of Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi by the Enugu chapter of the ruling PDP as the party’s consensus candidate for next year’s governorship election in the state. Apart from the hear-say references, the story read quite well. But, according to a local wisecrack, once there is a BUT in a narrative, it cannot be wholesome again. The BUT in the story is the claim by a group, League of Enugu Voters for Good Governance (LEVGG) that the September 26 adoption of Hon. Ugwuanyi by the EnuguNorth PDP and his subsequent validation by Enugu East and West zonal chapters as the party’s consensus candidate for next year’s governorship election was undemocratic. In a statement signed by its chairman, Robinson Chukwuemeka and secretary Manifest Obioma, the group declared that the “so-called consensus option has forced other well- meaning aspirants on the party platform to shut up their mouth and resign to fate, albeit man-made. The result is that the larger people of Enugu State are faced with a choice made by one of three senatorial zones. While there is no question as to the right of Nsukka Zone to produce the next governor of Enugu State in 2015, that right does not extend to imposing an aspirant on the other two zones. The presentation to Enugu East Zonal Caucus on Wednesday, October 1, and Enugu West Zonal Caucus for Friday, October 1, do not (sic) and cannot validate the otherwise undemocratic methodology already adopted by the PDP.” While LEVGG’s argument may be eloquent, it unfortunately proceeds from some false premises. One, the claim that consensus as a ‘methodology’ for selecting a candidate for election by a political party is undemocratic is wrong. By its very definition, consensus is a very valid tool for democratic decision-making. If consensus means an idea or opinion that is shared by all the people in a group, then it stands to reason that that opinion would be shared only after members of the group must have weighed the pros and cons of an issue and come to the conclusion that an agreement on such an issue serves their collective interest better. So, reaching a consensus on who is to bear its flag in an election does not in any way detract from

Saraki: For the love of country By Abdulwahaab Oba throughout the country. His father worked extremely hard and virtually established a dynasty, voluntarily supported by the people of the state.” Bukola is the heir of that dynasty which is still waxing strong under his leadership. This dynasty has afforded all and sundry, irrespective of social or economic status, equal opportunity to maximize their potentials. This dynasty has given the lowly and the mighty a level playing level. Those against it are mostly those who feel their social status should provide special privileges and the right of exclusivity. Saraki did not withdraw because he was silenced and intimidated to do so by his party’s hierarchy, unlike what we have seen in the ruling party where the ambition of one man supersedes the rights of others to aspire to the same office even when guaranteed by the constitution. He was not begged or induced to withdraw. Saraki stepped down in the interest of the nation. It takes a man of vision, courage and integrity to make such decision.”This is the time for every patriotic politician to situate his personal ambition in the context of the country’s overall interest,” he said. No one can fault such matured, nationalistic disposition. He recounted how he, along with other progressives in the PDP decided to leave the party to join the APC when it was clear that PDP, especially at the national level, had become too invested in the personal ambition of one man at the overall detriment of the country and its democracy. His words carry the weight of a man with conscience and concern for the fatherland: “I

have always maintained that I did not leave the ruling party to join the opposition because of any personal interest. Anyone who understands Nigeria’s politics would know that it takes courage and self-sacrifice to do that. Therefore, whether it is on the issue of the party or all other issues that I have been pushing in my position as a Senator of the Federal Republic, I have been driven primarily by my desire to see a better and more purposely governed country”. “We need to change the way the country is run, we need change in our security and the values we place on human life, we need to change the current disgraceful situation in security and corruption. And I believe only the APC can bring about this change and give our country the leadership it deserves.” These are the words of a nation-builder: “Nigeria’s political outlook for 2015 is very complicated and requires every patriotic politician to submit to the overall interest of the nation instead of personal ambition. There have been many predictions about Nigeria and 2015 and I believe that at a time like this we need to stand up and be counted for the salvation of Nigeria and to do that you must put aside your personal ambition.” He stepped down to contribute his quota to the growth of democracy and the progress of his party, a phenomenon that is becoming apparent among the fold of the progressives. According to him, party primaries in any healthy democracy would always leave several contenders disappointed and, sometimes bitter, as there would be only one winner. The party would then invest so much energy and time afterwards managing and reconciling various interests. He says, “I don’t think our party can afford too much internal rancour going into next

Consensus not antithetical to democracy By JohnPaul Ezeaku the principles of internal democracy in a political party. Two, LEVGG argues that to allow Enugu North to produce a consensus candidate is to let the zone impose its candidate on the rest of the state and that it does not even matter that Enugu East and Enugu West have validated that choice. This is wrong-headed, in my view. Would the cause of democracy be better served in Enugu State, in LEVGG’s estimation, if the state were to organize an inevitably rancorous, costly primary, with chaos and mayhem possibly in tow, just for the world to see and say, ‘yes the candidate is the product of a primary election?’ Or would it be better served if stakeholders came together and unanimously agreed to present a consensus candidate, to save the state the bitterness and acrimony that that often come with primary elections in these parts? In any case, going by media reports, what happened in Enugu on September 26 cannot be reasonably equated to an imposition. According to the reports, all 14 governorship aspirants from Enugu North were invited to a meeting at the Governor’s Lodge, Enugu, with Governor Chime and all the party stakeholders from the zone. At the meeting, the issue of choosing a consensus candidate so as to make the up-coming primaries less rancorous was broached. Some of the aspirants initially objected to the idea and said so. But, after listening to contributions from other stakeholders, they became sold on the idea. One of the aspirants, Fidel Ayogu, former Nigerian Ambassador to Uganda, reportedly nominated Hon. Ugwuanyi and then moved a motion for his adoption as the consensus candidate of the Enugu North chapter of the party, who would be presented to the state PDP Exco for ratification as the candidate to be supported by delegates to win the party primary slated for November 29 this year. The ayes had it. What could be more democratic than this? To be sure, the Enugu PDP only took a preprimary action designed principally to prune

down the number of governorship aspirants from Enugu North to which it has zoned the 2015 governorship. This is with a view to reducing the chances of acrimony and bitterness down the party line that could result from a laissez faire primary election featuring all 14 aspirants and their supporters. As Governor Chime clarified in an interview published in several newspapers last week, the adoption of Ugwuanyi has not at all violated the PDP Constitution because it has not come as a substitute for party primary. When the primary election holds on November 29, Ugwuanyi will still be slugging it out with Senator Ayogu Eze, Eugene Odo and Chinedu Onuh, the three aspirants who didn’t step or haven’t stepped down for him, for the party’s ticket for the governorship election Enugu State in February next year. Those who criticize the democratic process in Enugu fail to see the larger picture in what has taken place, namely, that through deft party organization and management, the PDP leadership in the coal-city state has managed to put in place a sustainable party structure that has made the chapter probably the strongest and most peaceful of all the state chapters. The party is so well organized in the state—from the ward, local government, zonal to the state level—that Enugu is easily the only state in the country where no opposition party has had any strong footing, especially since 2007. This is because every decision taken by the party, every favour dispensed by it through the government machinery, every membership obligation discharged by stakeholders, is almost always just, equitable and fair. Isn’t it cause for applause that while the party in other states of the South-east and parts of the South-south are in crisis, that of Enugu is 99.9 per cent intact and at peace with itself? What is better in political calculations— in these parts—than a ruling party without an iota of crisis, which inspires a sense of belonging in every segment of the society and which gives practical expression to the vision of its founding fathers through its insistence on justice, equity and fair play as cardinal principles of governance? The disavowal of consensus candidacy by

year’s election. I therefore think some of us need to make the sacrifice and be part of the solution rather than part of the problem of the party.” According to him, the APC can only live up to the aspirations of Nigerians for change if it is not derailed by too much acrimony from its primaries which is coming so close to the general elections. “This is why some of us felt that we must make the necessary sacrifice and contribute to building a strong and united party that provides the only real alternative to the floundering government that has become so constipated on power and lost touch with the realities that ordinary Nigerians grapple with everyday.” This is a classical portrayal of a man with personal integrity and love for the country. Personal sacrifice is a trait inherited from his father; the late Olusola Saraki who spent the better part of his political career assisting others into elective office when he could have sponsored any of his children. It is common knowledge in Kwara that the year the elder Saraki decided to pick Bukola Saraki as governorship candidate of his party, he wept openly. His decision was due to pressure from his followers who argued forcefully that the old man had spent years helping others and must so help his own. And that decision has left Kwara state better. It is the same trait Bukola has demonstrated even in Kwara state when he decided, against odds, to support Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, as governorship candidate, when he could have easily picked any of his kinsmen for the job. His song that time was that the governorship seat is not meant for his family alone. With that singular act, among many others, he protected the integrity of his family and secured the confidence of the people of the state. He has demonstrated the same maturity again by supporting the governor for another term in office even when he could have pleased some of his kinsmen who ran out of his political structure because they wanted to be governor with on ticket. Saraki is a Nigerian to be celebrated. • Oba writes from Ilorin, Kwara State the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP is a mere academic and hypocritical. It is akin to shooting oneself in the foot. Let’s face it, every candidate selection process that the PDP has undergone since its founding has been defined by consensus arrangement one way or the other. Right from Obasanjo’s candidacy, through Yar’Adua to Jonathan, party stakeholders had practically settled the matter of who would fly the party flag for the presidential election before television beamed the charade called party primary taking place in Eagle Square live to our homes. And, pray, what manner of primaries and subsequent elections brought some of the governors to power? Truth is that the only difference between what Enugu has done and what the NWC of the PDP often does is that the former is more sincere and less costly while the latter is largely hypocritical and outlandishly wasteful. But no matter. Suffice however to say that National Secretary, Professor Wale Oladipo’s preachment about the sanctity of the party’s nomination process is a mere academic exercise. He should stop wasting his time because even if his NWC manages to force party stakeholders in Enugu to verbally recant their adoption of Ugwuanyi, their hearts sure will not recant it. From the language of Oladipo’s press release, especially the aspect about not hesitating “to protect any of our members who in anyway stands to be shortchanged, cheated or victimized…,” it is obvious where all this is coming from. But, he should beware of allowing himself to be used by frustrated pretenders to the throne who can’t live down the fact that they have been beaten by more popular, widely acceptable contestants, to cause crisis in an otherwise peaceful and progressive chapter. After all, consensus, especially the Enugu variant, is not antithetical to democracy! • Ezeaku, sent this piece from Enugu-Ezike, Enugu State.

‘Truth is that the only difference between what Enugu has done and what the NWC of the PDP often does is that the former is more sincere and less costly while the latter is largely hypocritical and outlandishly wasteful’

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net Stories by Taofik Salako

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

Nutricima unveils Olympic powdered milk, flavoured drink

‘Improve public disclosures for transparency’ By Daniel Essiet

By Balikis Moyosore

FINANCIAL consultant, Mr Victor Odiase has called on public quoted companies’ audit committees to improve public disclosures to increase investors’ confidence. Addressing the forum of firms on joint audit held in Lagos and organised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Odiase, who is the Chief Consultant, Andrew Russell Consulting Country Office, said audit committees’ transparency is one way of increasing investor confidence. As the scope of audit committees’ responsibilities has grown, he said, so have regulators’ and investors’ interest in the way in which they are carried out. He called for separation between the management and the audit committee, adding that it helps to strengthen the independence expected from the two organs. The President, ICAN, Mr Chidi Ajaegbu called for improved auditing practice to advance corporate governance and deter fraud. Ajaegbu noted that improving audit practice will help reduce the vulnerability of the economy to financial crises, and providing incentives for investors to invest and perform efficiently in a socially responsible manner. According to him, sound audit practices inspire investors’ confidence, spur domestic investment, and improve corporate competitiveness. Ajaegbu said the quality of financial reporting was of serious concern for investors and other capital market stakeholders and as such, practitioners must be committed to enhancing investors’ confidence and public trust in the capital markets.

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 -0.2958 EUR -206.9 £ -242.1 $ -156 ¥ -1.9179 SDR -238 RIYAL -40.472

•From left: Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikufuriji; Olympic Milk Brand Ambassador, Peter Okoye of P-Square musical group; MD Nutricima, Mr. Suneel Vasudevan and Chairman, Nutricima, Chief Kola Jamodu during the official unveiling of Olympic Milk and Olympic Apple Flavoured Drink in Lagos.

Global demand growth for fuel weakens, says IEA G

LOBAL demand growth for fuel has weakened, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has said. The agency warned that the rise in Middle East refining capacity would create huge glut of automotive gas oil or diesel. According to the global energy watch dog’s monthly report, IEA forecast that the Middle East’s net oil product exports will reach nearly one million barrels per day (bpd) next year from an average of less than 400,000 bpd last year. Newly built mega refineries are coming into production just as demand growth for their core product – diesel – is beginning to fade, which could leave them searching for outlets, the IEA

By Akinola Ajibade

said. “The configuration of the plants, designed to maximise diesel production, seems somewhat at odds with market trends that in recent months have shown stronger demand growth for gasoline and jet fuel than for middle distillates,” the agency said in its Oil Market Report. The IEA expects ultra low-sulphur diesel and jet fuel production from two newly built Saudi refineries and one in the UAE alone to reach 800,000 bpd, against regional distillate demand growth of less than 100,000 bpd per year in 2014 and

2015. “The current economic and oil demand picture is quite different from what was envisaged at the time when they got underway in the mid2000s,” the report said. “Since the financial crisis of 2008 and 2009, the economic slowdown has had a more marked impact on distillate demand than on that for other products, such as gasoline.” The 400,000 bpd Jubail refinery, a joint venture between Saudi Aramco and France’s Total, reached full production in August and the 400,000 bpd Yanbu refinery, run with China’s Sinopec, is set to start in early 2015. The 420,000 bpd Ruwais refinery in the UAE is tar-

geting an end-of-year startnup. But sputtering growth in key growing markets, such as India, Brazil and other Latin American countries, is limiting outlets for diesel, while subsidy cuts in those countries also threatens consumption. After India phased in gradual subsidy cuts, demand reversed annual growth that had characterized its distillates markets from the 1970s, and demand shrank from June last year until April this year. Even Europe, which is net short of ultra low-sulphur diesel now, and set to become more reliant on imports as regional refineries shut down and cut production, is not the boom market that the refineries hoped for when they were commissioned.

CWG urges local content application in ICT

HE Group Chief Executive Officer, Computer Warehouse Group, Mr Austin Okere, has urged stakeholders in the information communications technology (ICT) industry to apply the spirit of local content in the industry to achieve sustainable growth. Speaking as a panelist on Local Content at the just concluded Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON’s) Telecom Executives and Regulator’s Forum at the Eko Hotels & Suites, he said the right type of local content policy should be developed and applied to the industry. According to Mr. Okere, “We should not stampede the NCC into taking actions that will impede the much needed Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the sector. We should not confuse local content with taking businesses from foreign investors and handing them over to locals without recourse to technical ability

Lucas Ajanaku

and financial capability within the value chain.” Austin said while telecoms operation is extremely financially intensive, the rewards are very slow in manifesting. For example Etisalat, with over 15million subscribers, has admitted that it is not making any profit despite huge investments on its network since inception. Also, many of the local code division multiple access (CDMA) operators are finding it increasingly difficult to sustain the heavy investments needed to make their networks viable, and are bleeding subscribers at an alarming rate, threatening their very existence. Austin made a distinction between the capital-intensive laying of communication pipes which he referred to as ‘plumbing’, and the utilisation of the pipes to provide value added services such as e-commerce.

In his view, local entrepreneurs will benefit more in the value chain by taking advantage of the communication infrastructure to launch hitherto unrealisable business models as has been demonstrated by Jumia, Konga, and the CWG Group which has taken advantage of the pervasive broadband infrastructure in the country to launch a cloud-based subscription business providing technology to SMEs tagged CWG2.0. Okere gave examples of how local companies such as Alibaba in China have taken this initiative to create businesses much bigger than the telecoms ‘plumbing providers’. Other examples are Google, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter in the United States (U.S.) and MPESA in Kenya. He warned: “Local content should not be about targeting a bigger share of the small cake, but rather baking a much bigger cake that can go round everybody, with people paying in the

areas of their greatest strengths.” The Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Eugene Juwah, challenged local operators to ensure that they imbibe adequate skills, access to finance and also display the requisite commitment so that they could be taken seriously. He said: “CDMA is dying because of lack of adequate investment capital. Telecoms is not for small companies, be capable or you will die.” He said the result of the Infraco bidding exercise would soon be made public. On the issue of spectrum, he reiterated that the policy of spectrum vending shall continue while the advertisement of information memorandum for the 2.6 gigahertz (GHz) spectrum shall be advertised in the coming days. Other issues deliberated upon were multiple taxation, right of way, vandalism, security and smart city initiatives.

UTRICIMA Limited has unveiled two new variants under the Olympic brand of products. The firm now offers Olympic Powdered Milk and ready-todrink Olympic Apple Flavoured bottled drink to join the popular Olympic Evaporated Milk which has always been in the market. The new rich and nutritious milk comes in 16g single serve sachet and 300g family pack, while the grab-and-go Olympic Apple Flavoured food drink is available in 500ml bottle, while the 160g evaporated milk now has the rebranded pack. According to the company, the Olympic Powdered milk and Olympic Apple Flavoured Drink offer nourishment, vitality and healthy choices to children, youths, adults, every home and family. Speaking at the occasion, its Managing Director, Mr. Suneel Vasudevan, said: “We commence today a new phase of our journey aimed at empowering consumers in Nigeria across West Africa with healthy choice in milk, one of the most important nutritious products known to man. “Olympic Milk is the first of our key brands. Market insight shows that Olympic Milk as an evaporated milk brand leads the economy segment of that market. We have now strengthened the brand as an added-value beverage that consumers can access in various formats,” he said. Its Head of Marketing, Mrs. Wande Oluwasegunfunmi, said: “The new products under the Olympic milk portfolio have been improved to give our teeming consumers the highest level of value they can get for their money,” adding that, “the 500ml ready to drink apple flavoured drink is made from the best quality European apples and is highly refreshing. Nutricima, the makers of Coast, Nunu, Olympic milk and other nutritious food drinks, said its choice of the award-winning Hip-hop Star is premised on the fact that his qualities perfectly portray the essential goodness offered by the brand including vitality, fitness and health which Olympic milk offers to youths, adults and families in Nigeria.The event was attended by Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji; Chairman, Nutricima Limited, Chief Kola Jamodu (OFR); Vice Chairman, PZ Cussons, Mr. Tunde Oyelola; Ex-officio of Nutritional Society of Nigeria, Dr. Bartholomew Brai including top executives of Nutricima Limited. Speaking after the unveiling, P-Square’s Peter Okoye, said: “Among thousands or perhaps millions of people in the entertainment industry, I feel honoured to be chosen as the brand ambassador. The deal means a lot not just to me but also to my fans. If a brand isn’t worth it I have nothing to do with such brand. The fact that I am ready to work with this brand is an indication of its top quality.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS BRANDS & MARKETING

e-mail: adedejiademigbuji@yahoo.com /mobile line: 08131075667

•A promotional item

Promotional items in branding are set to have their own share of the marketing budget. Experts believe that the drive for cost-effective platforms would guarantee emerging promotional mix a good place in marketing, writes ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI.

Optimising awareness with unrented media F

ROM branded apparels to specially printed premiums, otherwise called promotional merchandise or souvenirs, advertising items are more than colourful clever giveaways. They’re brand ambassadors that can improve a company’s bottom line at low-cost budget. The right promo items – presented with a strong support programme – have the power to build a better, enduring brand. Called unrented media as a below-the-line media tool, they are articles of merchandise (often branded with a logo) used in marketing and communication programmes. The items are usually imprinted with a company’s name, logo or slogan, and given away at trade shows, conferences, and as part of guerrilla marketing campaigns. The use of T-shirts, caps, key chains, posters, bumper stickers, pens, mugs, mouse pads, clocks and diary, among others, as the promotional conveyance or media is not new in marketing. It is as old as the world itself. Findings revealed that the first known promotional products in the United States (U.S.) were commemorative buttons dating back to the election of George Washington in 1789. During the early 19th Century, there were some advertising calendars, rulers, and wooden specialties, but there wasn’t an organised industry for the creation and distribution of promotional items until later in the 19th Century. Jasper Meeks, a printer in Coshocton, Ohio, is considered by many to be the originator of the industry when he convinced a local shoe store to supply book bags imprinted with the store name to local schools. Henry

Beach, another Coshocton printer and a competitor of Meeks, picked up the idea, and soon the two men were selling and printing bags for marbles, buggy whips, card cases, fans, calendars, cloth caps, aprons, and hats for horses. The idea later became popular in marketing and politics across the globe. In 1904, 12 manufacturers of promotional items got together to form the first trade association for the industry. That organisation is now known as the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), which currently has more than 10,000 global members including Nigeria. PPAI represents the promotional products industry of more than 22,000 distributors and approximately 4,800 manufacturers. Though, it is commonly used by brands to support other marketing efforts, but also it is not uncommon to find value merchandise display tourism, campaigns for governments, political parties and their candidates. Communication expert believe that “most people remember a brand, and feel more favorable about the brand after receiving highly-perceived value mer-

chandise.” Not all branded items or value merchandise are created equal. There’s a brand treasure, and there are trinkets and trash, but providing customers brand treasure according to a study can increase positive perception of the brand by over 70 per cent. Last year, Global Advertising Specialties Impressions Study stated that branded items reinforce the advertiser’s connection with the item hence, bonds them with consumers and customers.

Why it is becoming popular The PPAI president in Nigeria and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dugo, a brand promotion items company, Mrs. Ngozi Nzegwu, said the use of promotional items is gaining momentum in the marketing mix in Nigeria. She said while traditional advertising platforms such as television, newspapers, magazines and billboards, among others, are becoming expensive and hardly create the bond and experience for customers, they have become the tools for building brand awareness. Nzegwu said: “Brand awareness is the most

common use for promotional items. Marketers also use promotional items to facilitate employee relations and events, tradeshow, traffic-building, public relations, new customer generation, dealer and distributor programmes, new product introductions, employee service awards, not-for-profit programmes, internal incentive programmes, safety education, customer referrals, and marketing research. “The days of high saluting of advertising in the papers so that you can be seen is gone. These days when recession hits the globe and marketing budget in Nigeria is not immune, so, it is what you see and touch and feel that gives you the lasting impact. “So, that is where promotional products and whatever tools of expression to keep your brand in the face of your clients play a greater role. Promotional items branding is a constant reminder to build. I call them the gifts that keep giving.” Nzegwu also explained that worldwide, the use of promotional items has been embraced by government officials and political parties and their candi-

‘The days of high saluting of advertising in the papers so that you can be seen is gone. These days when recession has hit the globe and marketing budget in Nigeria is not immune, so, it is what you see and touch and feel that gives you the lasting impact. So, that is where promotional products and whatever tools of expression to keep your brand in the face of your clients play a greater role. Promotional items branding is a constant reminder to build”

dates as well as non-governmental organisation. “Promotional items are also used in politics to promote candidates and causes. Promotional items as tools for non-commercial organisations, such as schools and charities are often used as a part of fund raising and awareness-raising campaigns. A prominent example was the live strong wristband, used to promote cancer awareness and raise funds to support cancer survivorship programmes and research,” she noted. Using Promotional Merchandise in Guerrilla Marketing (a marketing strategy in which lowcost, unconventional means (including the use of graffiti, sticker bombing, flyer posting, etc.) are used in a (generally) localised fashion to draw attention to an idea, product, or service) is a recent and popular phenomenon. Items are branded in such a way to create a unique visual effect, attracting more attention and displaying a strong marketing message. Promotional products become particularly useful in this type of marketing, due to the wide range of products that can be tailored to specific campaigns and the various ways in which they may be printed. In July 2009 published research demonstrated that the top 10 promotional merchandise products were pens, bags, clothing, plastic items, USB memory sticks, mugs, leather items, polyurethane conference folders and umbrellas. The July research from a representation industry focus group also found that the current fastest growing product was hand sanitiser, which at the time coincided with the outbreak & growth of swine flu in the UK and Ebola in the world.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

Brandnews

Marketing in 21st century is challenging, says ADVAN President

“T

HE 21st Century customers are global citizens resident in your neighbourhood. Many of them are connected to the internet and can compare company prices with competitors. You fail them they switch to other brands,” the President of Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN)/General Manager, Consumer Marketing, MTN, Mr. Kola Oyeyemi, told about representatives of various advertisers at this year’s edition

Stories by Adedeji Ademigbuji

of ADVAN award for marketing excellence. With growing understanding of how consumers are changing the marketing game, Oyeyemi said the growth of internet and mobile phone penetration, 21st Century consumers have been transformed and as a result, the marketing landscape is being forced to gravitate towards the consumers. “They are so powerful such that

they are brutally demanding and they know the global standard. They are not emotional and no longer loyal. If you fail them they switch their loyalty. This transformation has changed the marketing landscape in the 21st Century. Research variables and methodology too have changed with technology innovation. You no longer wait for long to get research results because of technology,” Oyeyemi said. He noted that the change has

also collapsed the historical product distribution structure as mega malls; adding that e-commerce and new generation of logistics companies are also changing the marketing game. “Historical distribution structure are collapsing as mega malls, e-commerce are up. Night markets are disappearing and new generation of logistics companies are springing up. We are all aware of how traditional advertising is under threat. Internet penetration in

Africa is changing marketing. Mobile device, social media are creating one of the most destructive impacts on the marketing industry,” he added. He noted that to avoid the wrath of consumers, advertisers must cocreate product proposition with consumers. He said when consumers are involved in brand development from conception, packaging to the end result, it will be easier to relate with consumers in the 21st Century.

‘Our air-conditioner’s built for African market’

HE newest Japanese technology, Daikin’s residential air conditioner, is said to be specially built to serve African and, indeed, Nigerian consumers. The President, Daikin Middle East & Africa, Hiroshi Fujioka, said this at the product introduction in Lagos. The product would be distributed, sold and serviced in Nigeria by Panaserv Nigeria. The 2014 model product launch was hosted in conjunction with Daikin Middle East and Africa. Product line up of 2014 models of air conditioners was unveiled at the ceremony. According to Fujioka, Daikin air conditioners have been developed in order to meet Africa’s most challenging

•From left: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)/Registrar, Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) Garba Bello-Kankarofi; CEO, Shepherdfield Network/Mediacrest, Mr. Allen Ose-Ediale; Executive Secretary, Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN), Mrs. Ediri Ose-Ediale and ADVAN President/GM, Consumer Marketing, MTN Nigeria, Kola Oyeyemi during ADVAN Marketing Award in Lagos.

Global hotel brands eye Nigeria

HE President of the White House Hotel, Ikeja, Mr. Austin Eruotor, has said many global brands are eyeing the country, despite the challenges facing it. He said the country has witnessed lots of negative perceptions, but they have not prevented foreign hotel brands from coming into the country. “It is a big market and so many brands, mainly international ones, are coming to the country. These brands have realised that they make a lot of money in Nigeria because of our population, our oil industry, and we have a lot of other mineral resources, which encourage investment. Many investors in the world are realising that Nigeria is a place to be, despite our security challenges,” he said.

He said despite the influx of global hotel brands, the locally owned ones are not affected by the competition. While celebrating the 10th anniversary of White House, Eruotor said the growing fame of the Nigerian entertainment industry has provided the need for local hotels to rebrand and create unique offerings in other to remain in business. “And when you look at the American economy, they are not doing well, and the European economy is at a standstill. Nigeria has become a beautiful bride of the world economy. There are lots of opportunities, which do not exist in America and Europe. Nigeria is now the place to be. Everybody is coming to Nigeria in spite of all the negative publicity we get. Our entertainment industry is really help-

ing our local hotels to reposition and rebrand,” he noted. Citing the experience of White House, he said in the past 10 years, the hotel has been able to stay afloat despite competition from global brands and it has ridden on the entertainment industry to remain a sustainable brand. He said: “In the past 10 years, the facility has hosted programmes that featured celebrities such as P Square, Tuface, Dbanj, DZ Jeez, Tunde & Wunmi Obe and Timaya. White House Hotel turned 10 on October 1. You would agree with me that 10 years is not a joke in the life of any brand. We started as an entertainment/event centre, which was mainly a hall. Today, we are a full hospitality brand.”

Coca-Cola reviews PR account, appoints new agency A FTER a recent review of its Public Relations account, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited has appointed The Quadrant Company, a local affiliate of the Fleishman Hillard network, its new public relations consultants to handle its corporate and beverage brands. The appointment took effect last month. Its Public Affairs & Communications Director, Clem Ugorji, said The Quadrant Company was selected through a keenly-contested pitch involving six PR agencies in the country, including the former agency, C&F Porter Novelli.

‘The recent pitch for the CocaCola PR account was informed by our policy to periodically evaluate and refresh our capabilities in order to effectively drive our growth plans.” He noted that the agencies all demonstrated remarkable competencies and that The Quadrant Company was adjudged to be well positioned to sustainably deliver on the expectations in the fastevolving PR landscape,” said Ugorji. The Managing Director of The

Quadrant Company, Bolaji Okusaga, was delighted his company netted the accountr. “We are pleased to emerge winners in the keenly competed pitch to render PR consultancy services to Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited on its corporate and beverage brands. We feel honoured to win a contest that also involved other eminently qualified and professionally competent agencies. The Quadrant Company shall bring requisite professional competences to bear on sustaining the brands on the stable of Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited as well as the corporate brand,” said Okusaga.

needs for the best air conditioning”. According to Suraj Rupani of Panaserv Nigeria Limited, the new entrant has built-in protection against power fluctuations and blackouts. “As a standard, the equipment is protected against over current, over-voltage and under-voltage,” he said. Other features that come with the Japanese technology include energy saving feature, which offers efficient operation on its equipment with lower electricity consumption, up to grade A (EER). Rupani said Daikin indoor units offer whisper quiet, a huge departure from the current products in the market.

Applied Media launches new advertising channel

PPLIED Media has launched a unique and innovative advertising medium, the applied media floor graphic panel. The new channel, according to the firm, will provide for advertisers, brand owners, media agencies, media buyers, large and small businesses, government and non-government agencies with new opportunities to promote their brands within environments of significant dwell time. It will also help them across transport hubs, shopping centers, walkway, car parks, airports, access roads, banking and financial access points, tertiary and high institutions, as well as leisure parks. Its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Patrick Ogebe said: “Many people nowadays spend 70 percent

of their time out of home and are constantly exposed to all forms of advertising. Applied Media provides a new high profile brand exposure to meet the changing behaviour of consumers and allow interaction whilst maintaining the traditional strengths of outdoor advertising. “Our patented technology will change the game in the outdoor industry by delivering an unrivalled product and service whilst facilitating a new way to advertise at new locations with direct brand engagement with a defined audience.” He further explained that Applied Media is always looking for prominent media spaces with high footfall and vehicular traffic to install surface applied graphic systems, thus turning space into an asset.

Firm unveils Banga fruits extracts

HE nation’s culinary market has received a big boost, as Pally Agro introduced Banga, a canned fresh palm fruit extracts, into the market. The new product, the company explained, has become imperative to ease the burden associated with preparing palm fruit extracts by Nigerians. The company’s Director, Anwuli Onyeagu, said though Banga is a popular fresh palm fruits extracts among Nigerians, it is still not accessible to those who would have loved to make it part of their culinary, due to the herculean task of preparing it. Onyeagu explained that the new product, which comes in two sizes of 400 and 800 grammes, will revolutionise the nation’s culinary market and set

quality standards in that market segment. She noted that besides being the first company to produce such product in the nation’s market, its freshness and natural oil remain one of the factors that would set the product apart from competition. While expressing the company’s readiness to fight for its own share of the market, she explained that the firm is already cultivating a farm, which would give it the needed advantage of getting its raw materials fresh to complete its production. Besides employing both direct and indirect marketing to push the new product, the Banga team, would also be visiting universities across the country to further bond the new offering with its target market.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS SHOPPING

E-mail: toniaitose@gmail.com

Sms : 07035302326 Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.net

About a decade ago when shopping malls made their debut in the country, retailers jostled for the few spaces available. Today, the story has changed as retailers are quitting the malls. Could this have been due to low patronage? Could it have been as a result of stratospheric rise in rent or an attempt to reposition the malls? TONIA ‘DIYAN asks. •Some vacated stores

Why tenants are quitting malls A

FEW years ago, the former Chief Executive Officer, Broll Nigeria, Mrs Erejuwa Gbadebo, said any

start-up eyeing the malls would be on a wild geese chase because raising the funds to do that would be herculean. She said: “A young entrepreneur, who wants to start up a business inside any of the malls, may find raising the start-up money difficult. Only big retailers can become tenants in the malls because they can afford the high rent and meet management requirements.” Like a prophetess, what she said years ago is playing out as even top brands with the financial war chest are leaving the malls due to some of the challenges she identified. The Nation Shopping found out that most of the tenants in these stores no longer generate reasonable rate of returns on such investment and are forced to quit those cozy buildings. It is however not a general phenomenon as some tenants continue to report good returns on their investment as the lease renewal factor in some malls say it all. Mall owners argue that there is still high demand for retail space as human traffic remains extremely high and sales grow exponentially. They say more and more

brands want to move into the few available malls on a daily basis. According to them, 99 per cent of tenants have renewed their lease agreement in the malls. They however argue that the reason for the trend might be to reposition the malls for continuous patronage. They said brands that have left the malls are those that did not meet the needs of the customer on price, variety, type and size of merchandise. Ikeja City Mall Marketing Manager, Eniola Ositelu, said most of the tenants that have left the mall used the wrong business model and were not prepared to change the model to conform to the mall’s policy. Thus, they became casualties because their values to the mall with their low sales became unsatisfactory. He said: “There have been three other casualties recently and these have been replaced with tenants that are performing extremely well. Tenants such as TM Lewin, V Shop and Melting Moments are doing wonderfully well, meeting all the requirements their clients,” he said. The Nation Shopping also found out that the exit of some South African retailers from some malls is solely based on the decision of the management of these malls to restructure the tenant mix and ensure the mall delivers a complete shopping experience to shoppers. Supply chain is said to have become an issue for some foreign retailers, particularly the South African retailers. Mall managements say they have discussed in detail with the retailers but most of them cannot change their business model to suit the Nigerian customer. According to mall experts, local tenants also face the same supply chain issues but overcome them with proper planning and proper stock picking. Though, there are a few tenants that underperform relating to issues of stock, display, merchandising, size ranges, varieties and so on, others have the best performances in their groups in some instances because they put the right effort and brain work into running their businesses. Ositelu told The Nation Shopping that there are strong brands that still trade in the mall. Brands such as Silverbird Cinemas, Mr Price,

Da Viva, Mango (clothing outfits) amongst others are still in the mall. He explained that top brands such as Lacoste, Audacious and Max have recently moved in and have started trading. His words: “Woolworths was the only store to arbitrarily close and that space has been re-let to two international brand clothing and fashion houses (Max and Red Tag)” He added that the decision for Truworths and Identity to quit the mall was taken by its management and the space has been relet to Woodin, a new outfit. “75 per cent of Truworths space has been re-let to a brand that will be announced in due course when the lease is finalized,” he said. He said the mall anticipates that the balance of the space will be gone shortly as offers are out to 4 other international brand tenants adding that the mall still attracts the most foot traffic than any other mall in Lagos. “At Ikeja City Mall, tenants continue to trade and do well and will continue to do so. The fact that all tenants who are due for lease renewal this year want to renew their leases is encouraging,” he said. Experts have said Nigerian businesses and consumers can and will benefit in due course as the point of the spear which will drive Nigerian retail business into the future is a number of new malls that are under construction or are being planned. Once Nigerians stop going to London to shop for goods and services they could conveniently get in Nigeria, then the first hurdle has been overcome. Devolving regulation on imports would be very good for the retail business. For example, if costs are brought down on electricity by having a steady supply, this will lead to substantial savings for retailers, thus will benefit the consumer. Ositelu concluded by saying: “There is a lot more positive news than negative and the smart retailers are taking advantage of this first wave, because they know they will grow retail empires in the years to come.” Advising retailers and brand owners, Gbadebo, said: “Owners of these malls look for successful merchants who are ready to convince them that the new store they are about to house has reasonable chance of success and will help the tenant mix.

“If, as a retailer, you are considering a mall for a first-store venture, your financial backing and merchandising experience must be proven. Some small merchants with good business records and proven understanding of the market have a good chance of being considered by a mall developer. So, if a particular merchant has a good reputation in retailing, it might make a strong case for acceptance into his/her choice mall.” Mall experts say before a retailer moves into a mall, it is necessary to ask important questions such as: ‘Are the mall’s shoppers my prospective customers? Would the mall offer the best sales volume potential for my kind of products? Can I produce the appeal that will make customers come to my store? Can I deal with the competition of other stores within the mall? How much space do I need to handle the sales volume I expect to have? Where do I need the space (location within the mal)l? South African Norman Sander who works with Broll Nigeria said, for retailers who are prepared to develop a country-specific model and invest in research to support a supply chain, they should get the right stock, provide the best price and render the best services, rather than quit doing business in the country because there’s a bright future here. Sander said he has noticed a massive gap in the market for home ware retailers and he advises them to come and do business in Nigeria. Having said all these, some merchants say they find full satisfaction as mall tenants and do not intend to quit. For Moradeke, owner of an accessory store, the drive is the crowd that throngs these malls daily. “Accessory stores make huge sales, especially at weekends and people visit the mall more on weekends; so, I make double the amount I make during the week. Another benefit is the location of these malls. They are very accessible,” she said And for Temitope, a cosmetics retailer, the mall is an interactive business-friendly environment. “Sales are better now that I am in a mall,” she said.

Newspaper of the Year

AN EIGHT-PAGE PULLOUT ON THE SOUTHSOUTH STATES

IJ AW YOUTH IJA

CALAB AR CALABAR

Rising from a summit in Warri, the commmercial heartbeat of Delta State, Ijaw youths are demanding a paradigm shift in the leadership of the country and the nation. They are serving the old a red card, insisting it is the youth’s time.

IT is a sight that attracts many. The first double decker bus in Nigeria is one that fascinates all who see it as it manoeuvres through the streets of Calabar, the Cross River State capital. The novelty is generating reactions.

•PAGE 35

•Mrs Bamuza-Mutu

•Geraldine Itoe

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

PAGE 29

HELP NEEDED A 43-year-old Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital’s resident, Okechukwu Okoro, has not urinated since January--no thanks to a kidney problem. He needsN9 million for a transplant to lead a normal life again.Who wants to help?

•PAGE 30

•PAGE 31 •Okoro

Delta ‘bad boys’ are back •Armed robbers scale up operations in Warri, others •Police, govt promise to fight crime to a standstill

From Shola O’Neil, Regional Editor Southsouth

HE shooting to death by armed robbers of Ms Frances Oneya, daughter of Brig-Gen. Dominic Oneya, last Friday in Effurun, Delta State was not the first by criminals in the state or the first on that ill-fated day. Yet, the circumstance of the incident left residents of the area reeling with shock and fear of what this year’s ‘Ember months hold in stock. It also tells them that the ‘bad boys’ are back to harvest from where they did not sow. That morning, Ms Oneya, as she was wont to do, shared a Christian meditational verse with her friends on social media. For her last day’s reading, she chose the book of Ephesians: 31-32: “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you along with malice. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” It was to be her last. Her killers showed no mercy to the tenderhearted lady. She was shot with so much hatred the bloodied and shattered remains of the Honda Accord car, which she drove, bore the venom of her killers. The mother of four was returning home from the bank at about 10:30am that Friday when the gang struck on Ovie Palace Road, Effurun, headquarters of Uvwie Local Government Area council. They came in a tricycle (keke). Robbers in the area and its neighboring Warri, like their counterparts in other parts of the country, have been robbing unmolested in cities since the beginning of the ‘Ember Period’ last month. As the clock races towards December, the spate of robbery, kidnappings and other violent crimes has gone up, in spite of efforts by the state government and the state police command. Sources close to the Oneya family said: “On that very morning, she left the house to sell some cloths and brocades to her customers, including those in the new generation bank, located on PTI Road. The cloths were packed inside a big bag. • CONTINUED ON PAGES 30 & 35

• Theblood-stained interior of Ms Oneya’s car

• The bullet holes

• The late Ms. Oneya

• YOU HAVE STORIES FOR US? PLEASE CONTACT US ON 07066954441 OR 08123521990

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

NIGER DELTA REPORT COVER

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

Delta ‘bad boys’ are back “W

HEN she was leaving the house, her father, General Frances Oneya, gave her a cheque of about N200,000 to cash for him.” Gen. Oneya, a former military administrator of Kano State, was getting ready to attend the funeral of his late friend and comrade, Brig-Gen Patrick Aziza in Adagbarassa, an Urhobo town in Okpe Local Government Area, which is barely 20 minutes’ drive from the Effurun GRA. NDR investigations revealed that the robbers, who were probably lurking around the bank premises thought that the big (Ghana-must-go) bag she pulled into the car contained a huge amount of money, instead of the cloths she was carrying. An eyewitness said the criminals trailed her to a bad section of the road and opened fire on her. In her desperate bid to escape she ran into a ditch and hit a fence as the robbers rained bullet on her. She died on the spot Meanwhile, a source close to the family said Gen. Oneya was informed about the shooting at about 11am. He was with his wife and other dignitaries, which including Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and retired military chiefs, at Adagbarassa, when the sad news came. “He was merely informed that robbers shot his daughter, but he didn’t know that she was dead,” a source added. The General reportedly remained calm and partook in all the activities at the ceremony until after he paid his last respect to his late colleague and friend, who was laid to rest at about 2:30pm. “Immediately after the interment, he apologised to the governor that he had to break protocol and leave before him (Governor) because his daughter was shot by robbers. The governor was amazed that he was able to stay back over three hours and went through the proceedings. “Governor Uduaghan asked Dr Chris Oghenechovwen, Commissioner for Water Resources, to accompany Gen Oneya to his house and to do everything possible to save the woman because they did not know that she was dead.” It was gathered that when Oneya left, his wife who stayed back at the ceremony started calling their daughter. “She wanted to tell Frances to cook for her father, because he had not eaten all day. When Frances’ calls went on answered, she decided to rush home herself to make the food.” When Mrs Oneya got home, she met a crowd of people milling around the house built on a road named after her husband. She immediately knew all was not well. Among the visitors in the house was Reverend Father Toby, the Parish Priest of St Jude Catholic Church, which shares a common fence with

the Oneyas’ compound. At that point, the woman became nervous because the priest had never visited before. “She was worried. Then when she got inside, she saw people around her husband. But because her mother was sick, she initially that it was her mother that had died. When her husband told her, ‘we lost one of our daughters’, it became clear to her and without asking she said: ‘It is Frances, isn’t it?” Expectedly the incident has thrown the family into mourning with her elder brother, Tony lamenting the loss of a dear sister. He said she was “the one that called me up when food was ready, the Landlord that gave me a room when I came back home to Nigeria. The sibling that ensured that colour matched the walls of my new home. The Liaison Officer, the Wedding Planner and the sibling who never knew how much I loved her.” Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan on Sunday afternoon led top government functionaries to the Oneya’s family to commiserate with them on another painful death of a promising young Deltan in the state. As the painful reality of the death of the wonderful woman sets in for her family and friends, anger is growing over the worsening security situation in Delta and other states of the federation. Mr Oghenejabor Ikimi, Executive Director Centre for the Vulnerable and Underprivileged, said: “The incident and others too numerous to mention simply underscores the quantum insecurity nationwide and the urgent need for the Police to brace up to tackle the spate of lawlessness in our society.” Ikimi, a lawyer, urged the Delta Police Commissioner, Mr. Alkali Usman Baba to ensure that the hoodlums are apprehended and brought to book so as to serve as a deterrent to others, “we also call on the CP to also ensure that adequate security is provided throughout the state particularly in this ember months.” In her reaction, the Police Public Relations Office in Delta Command, DSP Celestina Kalu, vowed that the days of the hoodlums were numbered. She said several crimes in the area, including a siege to the EffurunUghelli axis of the East/West highway was traced to the gang. “Now that they have taken life we will hunt them and bring them to justice. The police is not resting we have brought other gangs to justice, this group will not go unpunished,” she vowed in a telephone chat with our reporter. While the police spokesperson’s tough talk is assuring, residents of the area are wary of another bloody ember period as the spectre of the Ember months of 2011 loomed large. While the city was still mourning

•Uduaghan (middle) and Gen. and Mrs Oneya.

‘

It is like the wild west; we are constantly on the lookout. When you see people running, you too just have to join them and run; later you can ask to know what the matter was

‘ •Danger Zones •Sokoh Estate Road •Ovie Palace Road •Jakpa Junction/Road •Airport Road •NNPC Housing Complex Road •Effurun-eku-abraka Highway the death of the cheerful Ms Oneya, hoodlums again struck on the Effurun end of the busy Old Airport by the local branch of a new generation bank in the area on Saturday afternoon. Three youths armed with cut-to-size single and double barrel rifles attacked shop owners in the area and carted away huge sums of money, bulk mobile recharge cards and other valuables. The activities of gangs of criminals operating on Jakpa Road in Effurun have forced residents to impose duskto-curfew on themselves. Unfortunately, the activities of the hooligans are not restricted by time or place. “It is like the wild west; we are con-

stantly on the lookout. When you see people running, you too just have to join them and run; later you can ask to know what the matter was,” a business centre owner in the area told our reporter. Israel Ophori, a photojournalist escaped death by the whiskers two weeks ago when he was attacked by knife-wielding criminals at Jakpa Junction. He was serially stabbed and dispossessed of cash and other valuable. At about mid-September the popular Airport Road and adjoining Sokoh Estate road were shut down when a band of robbers trailed a victim who had gone to withdraw huge sum of money from a new generation bank around the vicinity. The victim was chased into a mechanic workshop under a shower of hot bullets. He was forced to abandon the Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) along with a bag-load of cash running into several millions of naira. After retrieving the money, the robbers continued to fire into the air until they left the scene. On October 9, a man went to a new generation bank located at the Total Filling Station area of Okumagba

•The late Ms Oneya and her children

Avenue in Warri. He left the bank with N2.1million on his way to the Blue Waters area of Ekpan; he was robbed at gunpoint and the money carted away at the NNPC Housing Complex Road. A statement by the state command of the Police said the victim, identified as Ephraim Iyamukre, trailed the 4-man gang through the Airport Road to Ogunu Road, where in their desperate bid to getaway, they were involved in a multiple crash. The crash attracted policemen from the nearby Quick Response (QRS). Consequently, the armed robbers jumped out of their vehicle and ran to different directions. Three successfully escaped after a gunfight with the police team led by ASP Okey Nweke, but the fourth was not so lucky. He was shot dead and the money, arms and ammunition were retrieved. Three persons who suffered various wounds were taken to the General Hospital, Warri. Earlier on that day, hundreds of passengers were left stranded on the busy Effurun-Ughelli axis of the EastWest highway, following hour-long siege by a 10-man. The hoodlums indiscriminately shot and molested

passengers, before they left the scene. At about the same time, a middleaged man was shot and wounded along Sokoh Estate road. DSP Kalu, who confirmed the incident on Ughelli Road, hinted that the preliminary investigation showed that the same gang was behind the coldblooded murder of Ms Oneya. She said they usually moved around in large number. On Saturday, October 11, dozens of motorists and commuters going to Ekpan and other parts of Uvwie were rounded up by armed men around the NNPC Housing Complex Road. The victims were dispossessed of huge sums of money and other valuables. The robbery spree on the road continued on Sunday when scores of worshippers returning home from church were waylaid around the bridge on the road. A government official, who pleaded not to be named, said the administration would leave no stone unturned to ensure the security of lives and property. The Uduaghan administration has invested so much in security, acquiring operational vehicles and security gadgets for the police.

Man, who has not urinated since January, needs N9m for kidney transplant

OR 43-YEAR-OLD Okechukwu Okoro, life has been so tough. He has not urinated since January-- no thanks to a kidney problem that requires N9m to rectify. Okoro, who is resident in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, is from Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State. He is on admission at the male medical/surgical ward of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH). The young man’s wife, Chinenye, stated in Port Harcourt that her hus-

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

band was diagnosed of End Stage Kidney Failure, with the two kidneys affected and had been sustaining his life through dialysis three times a week, since September 2013. Chinenye said: “My husband is now on maintenance dialysis three times a week. The cost of dialysis, with blood transfusion, iron sucrus injection, recormon injection, glucometer, pre and post-dialysis tests is N54,000 per session, at three times a week, totalling N162,000. For one month, it

is N648,000. “According to medical advice, the only solution to save the life of my husband is transplanting of kidney and one year anti-rejection drugs, which is N9 million. We cannot afford the money. “I am pleading with government, corporate and non-governmental organisations, individuals and other members of the public to assist us, so that my husband will survive. Support should please be sent to: Okechukwu Okoro, GTB – 0139571638.”

Chinenye also presented a letter from the Renal Unit of UPTH, signed by Dr. C. Wachukwu, a Consultant Nephrologist, affirming that Okechukwu is on admission in the hospital and suffering from end stage kidney failure. Wachukwu noted that survival of Okoro depended on life-long maintenance dialysis or kidney transplant, stressing that both modalities of treatment are expensive, requiring a minimum of $40,000 or the local equivalent, not within the reach of average patient.

•Okoro

Niger Delta youths seek agric devt, power shift to new generation F

OR two days last week, thousands of youths from across the nine Niger Delta states converged on the PTI Conference Centre, Effurun, Delta State for the ‘IYC World Summit’, organised by the Ijaw Youth Council, led by Comrade Udengs Eradiri. The spokesperson of the IYC Worldwide, Mr Eric Omare, said the summit that has “Partnering for Prosperity and Sustainable Development” as theme, was convened to tackle some of the challenges facing, not just the Ijaw, but all ethnic nationalities. He said the initiative of the IYC was informed by the group’s desire to play a leading role in bringing together other ethnic bodies to fight a common cause for the development of the region. He said: “In the post-amnesty era, one of the biggest challenges now facing the Niger-Delta Region just like other parts of the Country is lack of engagement for both skilled and unskilled youths despite the acquisition of various skills through the Presidential Amnesty programme and other medium of training. “This summit seeks to set a new agenda by redirecting the focus of the youths of the Niger Delta on agriculture, job creation, promoting small and medium scale enterprises (SME), empowering, educating and enlightening the young minds to take advantage of the opportunities available in the agro and allied sector to create better livelihood for themselves and the society,” he added. In spite of a no-show by President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience, who were expected to declare the summit open, as well as the absence of Chief Edwin Clark, Ijaw national leader and leader of the South/ south, and some governors of the region, the summit gradually gathered steam and lived up to its billing. Only the host, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and his Bayelsa state counterparts sent representatives. Uduaghan, who was represented by Mr Frank Omare, Commissioner for Environment, tasked attendees to adopt peaceful means in conflict resolution, revealing that the government had through its 3-Point agenda, bettered the lives of its people. Speaking with newsmen at the summit, IYC President, Udengs Eradiri emphasized the need for Niger Delta youths to unite and shun the antics of those who seek to divide them for political gain. He particularly lamented the ten He said: “Today we have an EPZ (Export Processing Zone) that is coming to Delta State. There has been so much argument between the Ijaw and Itsekiri that are neighbours. They have a project that will add so much value to this region and the land that has been lying fallow for donkey years without producing any kobo on the table is the cause of strife.” He advised the bickering Ijaw and Itsekiri groups to bury their hatchets, remarking that if the projects kicks off there would be jobs for everybody in the region. “Yet, politicians have started deceiving our young people by fighting themselves.” He said the summit would set machinery in motion to unite the various interests so that they project could kick off. He advised that a sharing formula should be agreed by both sides to build trust and unity, stressing that the project could hold the key to the region and Nigeria’s industrialization. “There is an auto policy and if this project kicks off most of the auto companies like Toyota, Mercedes and MBW will come and set up plants here in Delta state because it is close to the

•Chief V.B BamuzaMutu speaking at the conference.

•Comrade Eric Oluwole

•Eradiri welcoming a delegate leader from the Southeast From Shola O’Neil, Port Harcourt

ocean. If they are producing with a cheaper price they can export from Nigeria to other parts of the world. This will create jobs and by that process open our environment. Businesses will spring up, there would be hotels etc. People must see the idea of bringing an EPZ to this environment and forget all our difference,” he added. Eradiri also canvassed for a generational change, stressing that young people must rethink their relationship with ‘elders’ whose times have passed. He said: “They must step aside and allow us decide our future. All the conflicts are about sustaining political interest of other people.” To this end, he urged the president revealed his plans for the youths of the region as it affects their future. “Much as he has done some things in the Niger Delta, we are not satisfied; we have no jobs, our roads are not completed and things are not happening as they should in the Niger Delta. “In as much as we are happy about what the amnesty is doing, there are just about 30,000 captured. We have over 10 million young people in the Niger Delta. Look at the ratio of 10m Niger Delta youths and 30,000 amnesty beneficiaries. The amnesty is just one area, what are they going to do for education, economy, and job creation? Those are the things we expected the president to come here today and highlight,” he said. Nevertheless, the IYC president appealed to the opposition All Progressive Congress and other political parties to follow the example of the Peoples Democratic Party and adopt President Goodluck Jonathan for the 2015 election. He said such move would help build unity, peace and avert crisis resulting from protracted electioneering campaign. In his goodwill message, the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Hon Kingsley Kuku, thumbed-

‘

In as much as we are happy about what the amnesty is doing, there are just about 30,000 captured. We have over 10 million young people in the Niger Delta. Look at the ratio of 10m Niger Delta youths and 30,000 amnesty beneficiaries. The amnesty is just one area, what are they going to do for education, economy, and job creation? Those are the things we expected the president to come here today and highlight

‘

up the amnesty programme, describing it as a huge success. “This programme has succeeded in ushering unprecedented peace in the Niger Delta as well as astronomical increase in oil production and revenue for our country. “With the Amnesty Programme now in its reintegration phase, the challenge that stares us in the face is how to positively and profoundly engaged the thousands of youths that have been trained.” Kuku expressed the expectation that the summit would provide opportunity for stakeholders to proffer practical steps towards engaging majority of the youths, especially those who have acquired vocational skills.” The summit attracted youth leaders from the Ikwerre, Itsekiri, Urhobo, Ogoni, Isoko and Yorubas, among others. The highpoint was the release of a communiqye on Friday, October 10, by IYC spokesperson, Mr Eric Omare, a lawyer. The document expressed concern about the growing unemployment in the region. It noted that the development was more worrisome considering that substantial number of the un-

employed youths had acquired various skills. Therefore, he disclosed that “It was resolved that there should be massive development of the agriculture and allied industries sector in the Niger Delta to provide jobs for the teeming unemployed youths and make them self-reliant. Henceforth, government efforts towards the economic empowerment of the youths of the Niger Delta should be geared towards making them self-reliant,” the document added. The communique lamented that although the President Good luck Jonathan administration has recorded remarkable strides in agricultural sector, the benefits are not felt in the Niger Delta because such monies were spent in the northern parts of the country.It urged the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and the National Assembly to take conscious steps to address the perceived imbalance in the nation’s agricultural policy. Similarly, the youths expressed concern over the perceived nonchalant attitude of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practice Commission towards discharge of their duties.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

Excitement as first double decker bus launches in Calabar I

T is a sight that attracts many to stare. The first double decker bus in Nigeria is one that fascinates all who see it as it manoeuvres through the streets of Calabar, the Cross River State capital. It is a sight that may well be common on the streets of London, but in Nigeria it is a novelty. The bus which is courtesy of NovaRosta Ltd aims to increase the tourism value of the state. Managing Director of NovaRosta, Ms Geraldine Itoe, said having realised that the lack of quality visitor experiences was an industry disadvantage they had to tackle head in our immediate service capacity, if were to sustain the desired visitor footfall that will translate to our desired corporate returns.

•Geraldine Itoe

•The double decker bus From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

“In an effort to tacking this challenge, we realised that daring steps

had to taken towards improving the Calabar destination appeal and that was to first ensure that both business and leisure visitors had something

to look forward to on each visit to Calabar. Then the journey of the Double Decker Tour initiative began,” Itoe said.

“Two years down the line, we are here today to launch a dream that has now materialised and physically present in our midst. The DD Tour service has been tailored to suit our indigenous market in Calabar and Nigeria by extension and will complement our local destination and tourist services offered by different tourism stakeholders. She said their three main services will cut across a varied market and they include Sightseeing Tours, Mobile Advertising and Charters for special groups. “Our goal is to provide safe, fun and reliable services with an unparalleled customer service to keep client coming back for more. To achieve this, we have carefully crafted special tour routes, packages, deals and tailored activities that will allow us to achieve the ultimate goal of creating delightful experiences. “The DD Tour Service is a virgin concept to our tourism market in Nigeria and West Africa as a matter of fact, and it is our believe that it will grow beyond NovaRosta as a company. We have recently established partnership deals with Transcorp Metropolitan and Axari Hotel and we want to encourage more partnerships and patronage of this service and hopefully the sky will be our starting point.”

‘Our grievances with Bayelsa federal lawmakers’ T HE day of reckoning has come. It is now the turn of the downtrodden, the rich and the mighty who make up the constituencies and wards in Bayelsa State to decide the fate of their elected representatives. The constituents have rolled out their scales to weigh the performances and achievements of persons they gave their mandates some years ago to fight for their collective interests at the National Assembly. But the scaling results seem unsatisfactory to the power owners, the constituents whom sovereignty belongs. Elders and leaders of the three senatorial districts that make up the state had at different separate enlarged meetings taken collective decisions that appeared to have foreclosed the possibility of the federal lawmakers to return to their seats in 2015. Unless the decision which zoned the seats out of the reach of incumbent lawmakers are reversed, the legislators are not even fit to stand for primary elections on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015. They can, however, seek to retain their positions in another political party possibly the All Progressive Congress (APC). Already, some heavyweights who are believed to have the blessings of major power brokers in the state are rising to challenge the lawmakers. The first to indicate a senatorial interest is the Secretary, South-South Peoples Assembly (SSPA), Dr. Ayakeme Whiskey. Whisky, who is one of the board

From

Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

members of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), is seeking to occupy the seat of the Bayelsa West Senatorial District at the Senate. The senatorial district is made up of Ekeremor and Sagbama local government areas. He is up against Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, who hails from Ekeremor. While Lokpobiri represents the district in the upper legislative house; Dr. Stella Dorgu, who is from Sagbama, represents Sagbama/Ekeremor in the House of Representatives. Lokpobiri is serving his second term in the Senate while Dorgu, who replaced Governor Seriake Dickson, when the former became governor, is doing her first term. Recently, the stakeholders in the district had zoned the senatorial seat to Sagbama and the House of Representatives position to Ekeremor. The zoning which was kicked against by the supporters of Lokpobiri has become a big threat to the third term ambition of the senator. The supporters of Lokpobiri had argued that the decision of the PDP elders was against performance and legislative experience. According to them the state deserved to have ranking senators and Lokpobiri should be reelected in 2015 to fill the void. Favoured by the zoning, Whisky, who spoke to the Niger Delta Report, thinks otherwise. Whisky who was also a former commissioner in the state said beyond zoning, the incumbent lawmakers have failed to give their constituencies effective representation. He said: “As far as I am concerned,

our democratic experiment is still at infancy. It has not matured to a stage where somebody will say we want ranking senator. Ranking should be a product of service to the people you represent. “Ranking should not become an issue only when you feel that by going to the Senate two, three times, you will have the opportunity of being given highly valued House position. It should take more than that. “If the people you represent see evidence of effective representation, they feel being carried along at every point in time, they share in a sense of belonging to the National Assembly, it should be voluntary position on their part to say our son has done well, let him go. “To that extent, I fully subscribe to the decision of the senatorial party leadership that Sagbama Local Government, which started representation at Senate for eight years and relinquished that to Ekeremor, and Ekeremor having made eight years, the office of the Senate should now be zoned to Sagbama. “I fully subscribe to it. Those who want to go three, four times should be a product of people’s consensus agreement and not because they want it.” Whisky, who hails from BoluOrua, a community that shares boundary with the hometown of Governor Dickson’s Toru-Orua in Sagbama further identified the flaws of the incumbent federal lawmakers from the state. He said: “I am not coming out because it is zoned to Sagbama. Even if party leadership had not come up with the decision to zone the Senate

to Sagbama, I would have still indicated interest. I am one of those that believe that the people to whom sovereignty belongs have not been effectively carried along. “Representation is beyond getting up to speak in the hallowed chambers. The democracy we practice is called representative democracy. How many times have the people of Bayelsa been involved by their representatives in defining laws, in being educated on the various bills? “In advance democracies, I stand to be corrected, representatives are every now and then being in touch with their people. If any substantive law is in the offing to be enacted, they go back to their people. “Now the other argument people will propose is that there is always public hearing. How many of us from Sagbama-Ekeremor have the means to go to Abuja to attend public hearing on proposed bills? I think part of the responsibility of those who aspire to represent us is to come back home to consult their people. “For instance, the entire Niger Delta area and Bayelsa in particular, our main resource here is oil. Now a bill as sensitive as Petroleum Industry Bill was being introduced, how many people of my senatorial district and how many people of other senatorial districts were briefed by our senators and House of Rep members on the fundamentals of the PIB? “They will say there was public hearing, but how many people have the capacity to go to Abuja for public hearing? These are the fundamentals. It is not just an issue to say that the senatorial leadership of the party had

zoned the Senate to Sagbama. I as a person feel that there are fundamental flaws in representation and I would ordinarily have come up to challenge the status quo. “Even while I was a commissioner here, we brought up a policy called bottom-up approach in budgeting. A good representative should be able to come back home in a pre-budgeting season, gather stakeholders of their constituencies and discuss issues that could be included in the budget. “After discussing the issues and demands, you should be able to prioritise the demands and see how many of the demands you can fix in the various budgets. It is not just merely constituency projects. “We know that constituency project is the euphemism to lining the pockets of legislators. Representatives are only interested in constituency projects and they become the contractors of the projects and line their pockets.” On why he wanted to abandon a South-South regional leadership for the Senate, he said: “South-South Peoples Assembly is a pressure group. You can at best place the issues affecting your people before relevant authorities and agencies. “You cannot define the solution. As the Secretary of the assembly for the past eight years, I have become very conversant with the issues that border, militate and concern the people of South-South. “Secretary of Southsouth can only afford me the rights and privileges of making a noise and how that noise will be translated to reality can only become possible if I am in the Senate”.

Firm sells kerosene to Warri, Udu communities at N50

EOPLE of Pessu in Warri South council area, Ogbe-Ijoh in Warri South-West council area and Aladja in Udu council area, yesterday reaped the goods of subsidised kerosene, which sold at N50 per litre. The unusual booty, which was named KERO-Direct, delivered more than 500,000 litres of the domestic petroleum product to the people at a special centre, situated at Pessu market. The project, facilitated by A&E Pet-

Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

rol, an indigenous oil and gas company, was targeted at the people in the rural areas of Delta state, especially those in the remote riverine areas. Speaking on the choice of Pessu as a selling point, the Chief Executive Officer of A&E Petrol, Chief Ayiri Emami, said his company deemed it necessary to extend the gesture to people in who cannot really say they are part of the main economy of the Warri metropolis, but who live on the city’s fringes.

Emami, who supervised the sale of the product to the people, thanked the federal government for the privilege given A&E Petrol to assist the less privileged through the sale of subsidized kerosene at N 50 per litre. He, however, promised continuity of the Kero-Direct Programme and the possible inclusion of the sale of subsidised petrol so long as his company gets supply consistently. He said his company would not sell beyond N50 per litre to any individual to avoid a situation where the

product, which is already experiencing scarcity in gas stations, would be hoarded and sold at exorbitant prices. He also promised to liaise with the Hon. Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Deziani Allison Maduekwe and the Delta state government with a view to incorporating the sale of subsidised petrol in the programme across the riverine communities of the state. He called on people of the state, especially the riverine communities to support the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015 to enable

him continue its laudable programmes for Nigerians and people of Niger Delta communities in particular. Three beneficiaries of the programme, Madam Polo Emadedon, Rachael Ogboru, a nurse and Olukuyon Emmanuel, who said he is unemployed, thanked A&E Petrol for extending the Kero-Direct Programme to Pessu Water-Side, stating that they hardly get the product to buy and whenever it is available at filling stations, it sells for between N150 and N175 per litre.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

Exposing illegal bunkering, oil theft in the Niger Delta A report on oil theft called “Private Gain, Public Disaster: Social Context of Illegal Oil Bunkering and Artisanal Refining in the Niger Delta,” details how the economic sabotage could be reduced to the barest minimum, since completely wiping them out would be an impossible task, writes BISI OLANIYI in Port Harcourt

RUDE oil was first discovered in commercial quantity in 1956 at Oloibiri in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, with Nigeria now losing huge revenue through crude oil theft/illegal bunkering, illegal refining and pipeline vandalism, leading to the pollution and degradation of the environment. The activities of oil thieves and illegal bunkerers, made the Federal Government of Nigeria to put in place the Joint Military Task Force (JTF), now codenamed Operation Pulo (Oil) Shield, with its operatives combing the creeks of the Niger Delta, but the criminals, backed by powerful persons, are still beating the security personnel, who at times collude with the oil thieves. A University of Port Harcourt’s (UNIPORT) Professor of Economic History, Ben Naanen, and Patrick Tolani, who is the Chief Executive of Oxford, United Kingdom-based Redeemers Relief Agency International, in their new book: “Private Gain, Public Disaster: Social Context of Illegal Oil Bunkering and Artisanal Refining in the Niger Delta,” which is the report of three years of research on oil theft in Nigeria, which they conducted, exposed illegal bunkering and refining, especially in the region rich in crude oil and gas and how they could be reduced to the barest minimum, since completely wiping them out would be an impossible task. The presentation of the research report, which took place at the Ebitimi Banigo Auditorium of UNIPORT, was chaired by the ProChancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the university, Gesi Asamaowei, an engineer. The Bayelsa State’s Commissioner for Environment, Iniruo Wills; a member of the House of Representatives from Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, who represents AndoniOpobo/Nkoro constituency was represented by Benebo Alabraba; the Southsouth Zonal Operations Controller of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Mrs. Onyebuchi Sibeudu, and many eminent personalities were also in attendance. Asamaowei, in his remarks, urged the Federal Government and the security agencies to frontally tackle illegal bunkering and refining of crude oil in the Niger Delta. The UNIPORT’s Pro-Chancellor also stressed that more attention should be focused on agriculture, rather that wholly depending on crude oil, which is non-renewable, describing the 122-page book as well-researched.

Naanen, who is also a Trustee of the Port Harcourt, Rivers Statebased Niger Delta Environment and Relief Foundation (NIDEREF), while speaking on the occasion, disclosed that the project started in 2011 and was almost abandoned, in view of the cost implication, while the research resumed in 2013. He noted that the research focused on Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta States, notorious for illegal bunkering and refining of crude oil, with Akwa Ibom State not considered, in spite of currently having the highest production of crude oil, but offshore, while the illegal activities take place onshore. Naanen, the pioneer General Secretary of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) and the former Chairman of the MOSOP Provisional Council, also stated that the research was risky, in view of the involvement of militants and cultists in the theft of crude oil and illegally refining it or sold to international buyers. The UNIPORT don (Naanen) said: “Nigeria loses more crude oil than any other country in the world – more than seven per cent of daily production. The Federal Government of Nigeria and the oil companies suffer huge financial losses, an estimated $6 billion per annum. Oil theft especially victimises the poor. “To reduce illegal bunkering and illegal refining, the socio-economic origin of oil theft must be addressed through a decisive attack on poverty, particularly through job creation, targeted at the youths, who are involved in oil theft. “The pipelines should be protected through community-based surveillance. A special judicial mechanism should be established to expedite prosecution of oil theft cases.” Naanen, an indigene of BodoOgoni in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, also lamented that Nigeria’s economy is dangerously dependent on crude oil, while stating that the consequences of oil theft are grave and widespread. Nigeria has total length of crude oil pipelines of 4,350 kilometres, which must be protected against oil theft and vandalism. The first Port Harcourt refinery, with capacity of 60,000 barrels per day (bpd), was inaugurated in 1965, while the second refinery in Port Harcourt has the capacity of 150,000 bpd. The Warri refinery in Delta state, inaugurated in 1978, has capacity of 125,000 bpd, while the refinery in Kaduna, which was put in place in

‘

There are also those who tend to believe that coming from the Niger Delta is all it takes to live a comfortable life, because the region produces crude oil. What the youths need is the opportunity to develop their potential and grow, not pampering. The state and the oil companies have to make a creative use of the resources of the region to create the opportunity

‘ 1980, has capacity of 110,000 bpd and it is linked to Niger Delta oil fields by 600 kilometres of pipelines, but designed to process imported heavy crude oil. Only 20 per cent of the total crude oil allocated to the four refineries for domestic consumption is utilised, making Nigeria to depend on imported petroleum products and artisanal refining to fill the gap. In 2012, according to the report, crude oil contributed 96.8 per cent of Nigeria’s total export earnings, 60.5 per cent of gross government receipts and 37 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), yet the country loses to crude oil theft, more than $6 billion worth of its crude oil production or 6.25 per cent of its total export value. Crude oil, the strategic backbone of the Nigerian economy, is what large scale oil thieves target at disconnecting, with the nation bleeding painfully and tragically from the pipelines, with the country appearing helpless and unable to curtail the danger.There does not seem to be adequate appreciation of the danger, not even among the top oil bureaucrats at the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), among other stakeholders. Crude oil theft has international dimension, while artisanal refining locally also calls for concern. The theft of crude oil or illegal bunkering in national parlance and its corollary – artisanal refining – are fundamentally social problems. An artisanal refining unit is a simplified petroleum distillation unit, which is conceptualised like a crude school science project. It can also be likened to the production of the local dry gin, commonly called “Ogogoro.” The aim of artisanal refining is to boil barrels of stolen crude oil with naked fire in a metal constructed sealed tank. The crude evaporates and passes through two parallel pipes, connected to the tank

• An illegal refinery

through a wooden constructed cooling water bath. The refined product then drips out slowly into a container at the other end, with different products emerging at different intervals. Delta State has the highest number of artisanal refining sites, according to the researchers, and they can be easily seen in creeks, forests and villages. It was also revealed that it takes about three days to get up to five drums of refined petroleum products. After the refining processes, the products are filled into rubber and metal drums for transloading and storage, from where they are transported to their final destinations. Since most of the artisanal refining sites are located near the creeks, the refined products are usually transported through the waterways to the neighbouring towns and villages, while transportation of large volume of crude oil to mother ships offshore is done by the use of barges. The barges and Cotonou boats are usually anchored within the creeks, where they are filled with the required volume of crude oil, before they are transported and transferred into the mother ship, which can be in the coastal waters of Ghana or Benin Republic. It is unlikely to visit jetties within any of the communities involved in illegal bunkering, without seeing piles of drums and rubber containers used for transporting the petroleum products. Most of the locally-produced petroleum products (through artisanal refining) are transported to the cities, where they are probably mixed with the regular products and sold in conventional filling stations. The dominant product is diesel. Since the tolerance of diesel engines in high, it is usually not easy to detect locally-refined diesel from the regular product. In Port Harcourt, the researchers observed that the main point of entry for the locally-refined products is the Akpajo Sandfill Jetty, stressing that most of the refined prod-

•Tolani

•Naanen

ucts coming from Bodo-Ogoni in Gokana LGA and the neighbouring communities are brought to the Akpajo Sandfill jetty, where buyers from the Port Harcourt city and other parts of Nigeria assemble to buy and resell to members of the public. A major driving force of the thriving illegal bunkering business in Nigeria is market demand. There is a huge local and international market for the crude oil stolen from Nigeria. While the stolen crude oil is sold in countries within the West African sub-region and Europe, the locallyrefined petroleum products are mostly sold in the local villages and towns, but now getting to Onitsha in Anambra State and Lagos. The researchers disclosed that the weekly boat that sails from Ekeremor in Bayelsa State to Onitsha, usually carries illegally-refined petroleum products, while a drum of locally-refined diesel goes for N7,000 in the creeks and as much as N12,000 to N15,000 in the cities. The involvement of women in the whole process of illegal bunkering and artisanal refining is more or less secondary, because they are generally not involved in obtaining crude oil or in the refining process. Women, however, play pivotal roles in the transportation and marketing of the refined products, as well as cooking and provision of sexual services for the predominantly male operators. Children, mostly orphans and aged between 10 and 13, also work in the illegal bunkering sites and run errands at the camps, while absentee owners of illegal refining sites always appoint managers to run the operations. The JTF estimated in 2010 that there were 1,500 illegal refining operations in the region, with Bodo Creeks in Gokana LGA harbouring over 1,000 youths, who were directly involved in illegal refining, which might have been higher now. The JTF claimed that in 2012, it destroyed 4,349 illegal refining units. Illegal bunkering business represents a substantial informal

economy, whose value has never been captured, since it is regarded as illegal. The study reveals that there are three main sets of actors involved in illegal bunkering: those who compromise the pipelines by breaking and installing taps on them to procure crude oil for sale; those who buy the crude oil for export and the local operators who process stolen crude oil into low quality fuels for the domestic market, with the three sets of actors referred to as oil thieves or illegal bunkerers. Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta States account for 80 per cent of Nigeria’s onshore oil production and a predominant proportion of crude oil theft. The researchers held consultations with the people and leaders of Niger Delta communities, while over 200 persons directly connected to the illegal siphoning of crude oil and artisanal were interviewed, while top officials of the leading International Oil Companies (IOCs), NNPC, the regulatory agencies, the JTF, police, navy and other security agencies in the Niger Delta and Abuja were also spoken with. Naanen and Tolani also interviewed oil dealers in Europe, especially in Rotterdam, Aberdeen and London, as well as the people involved in the transportation and marketing of illegally-refined petroleum products in the Niger Delta and end users of the products, while direct observations of the refining processes were also made at many sites. Urine samples were taken by the researchers from the youths directly involved in refining and copies of questionnaire were also given to them to assess their health status, while fish samples were collected from two heavily-impacted sites in Rivers and Bayelsa states and one less impacted site, to test the level of contamination of sea food and the potential effects on human consumers. The samples were analysed at accredited laboratories in Nigeria and the results interpreted by an inde-

pendent expert. The researchers said: “Illegal bunkering and artisanal refining are rooted in the grim economic and social circumstances of the Niger Delta. Poverty is endemic and unemployment is high. Nigeria loses $6 billion to oil theft annually. 28,000 people receive incomes directly or directly from illegal bunkering. “The illegal bunkering economy has an annual value of $9 billion. Those who export 80 per cent of the stolen crude oil are not poor people. They are connected to the political and military establishments, as well as the oil bureaucracy. “Concerted international action to check the Nigerian crude oil theft is not feasible, because the stolen crude oil represents a minor fraction of international crude oil traffic and does not present any credible threat to the world’s economy and international security.” The researchers said: “The notion that individuals and the people of local communities can engage in self help, by tampering with strategic national assets, such as the oil facilities, simply because they are located on their land, is fundamentally flawed. “There are also those who tend to believe that coming from the Niger Delta is all it takes to live a comfortable life, because the region produces crude oil. What the youths need is the opportunity to develop their potential and grow, not pampering. The state and the oil companies have to make a creative use of the resources of the region to create the opportunity.” While giving further insight into the menace of crude oil theft, Naanen and Tolani pointed out that some people have probably not thought about, in respect of the relationship between illegal bunkering and poverty is that persons who steal the larger volume of the crude oil for export, are not poor people. They said: “They are driven primarily by the imperative of capital accumulation. These are operators who can muster the financial capital necessary for a high risk illegal interna-

tional business, as well as the political capital to protect the business. These are not ordinary men. “They are connected to the apex of Nigerian political, military and business establishment. They are known to the people who should know them, as they are not ghosts. Yet, there has been a systematic official refusal to reveal the identities of these supposedly mysterious oil barons and make them face the law. “This refusal speaks loud about the official identities of most of these illegal bunkering kingpins. Nigeria loses about 145,000 barrels of crude oil per day to oil theft-related incidents, which is more than the production of many individual oil exporting nations.” The researchers also noted that politically, the capture of oil revenues had become the driving force for political contestations in Nigeria, with illegal bunkering aiding the process, while Nigeria is passing under the control of persons with varying measures of legal and illegal interest in the oil and gas industry, a political trend they described as “petrocracy.” In combating illegal bunkering, they stressed that the Federal Government and the IOCs had tried many measures, ranging from criminalisation, advocacy and pipeline surveillance to the deployment of JTF personnel, which they said had not yielded the tangible results, in view of lack of implementation. On the high level political and military structures, three categories of operators were identified in the illegal bunkering and artisanal refining business: the tapping or bunkering point owners, who drill holes in the pipes and siphon crude oil for sale; the big players who buy the stolen crude oil from the bunkering point owners and export it and the artisanal refiners who purchase the stolen crude oil or occasionally steal it directly and process it into low quality fuels for the local market in the Niger Delta region and beyond. Artisanal refining is now undergoing structural changes, featuring

concentration and centralisation, making possible oil theft on an industrial scale. The huge storage steel tanks being constructed and other requirements, including security insurance in case of arrest, require considerable starter capital of about N1 million. A major implication of this change is that many of the small operators of the past now work for the powerful “big boys” and financiers, who can muster the capital requirement and necessary law enforcement contacts for the protection of the business. Workers and other people with legitimate livelihoods are investing in the illegal businesses of artisanal refining and bunkering, in order to provide for themselves an additional and more rewarding income stream. The industry is also undergoing technical innovations, while expanding its commodity chain. Well paid specialists now drill the holes and install valves on them for siphoning crude oil from pipelines. In Bodo-Ogoni, the researchers gathered that the fee for drilling a tapping point is between N250,000 and N300,000, part of which goes to the operatives of the JTF, with the changes giving the illegal bunkering and refining business the grounding for sustainability. It was also confirmed that the nationals who are mostly involved in moving stolen Nigerian crude oil are mainly non-English speaking, while it is common to sight Lebanese, Cameroonians, Pilipino, Romanians, Thais and Ghanaians, with the recipient refineries of crude oil stolen from Nigeria being in the United States of America, Brazil and the Gulf of Guinea. Among the many initiatives recommended by the researchers to mitigate illegal bunkering and refining, three specific areas that require immediate action were emphasised, including addressing the socioeconomic foundation of illegal bunkering, through the attack on poverty and job creation targeted at the youths, who must be made to come

out of the creeks. Also imperative is pipeline protection, through community-based surveillance programme, which will replace the present private contractor surveillance system, since the ineffectiveness of private contractors, according to the researchers, is glaring, with some of them implicated in the theft of crude oil. They noted that with communitybased surveillance, the people of the various Niger Delta communities would take over the protection of the pipelines, while in exchange for the role, they would receive development support from the IOCs, through the Global Memoranda of Understanding (GMoU). The third approach is to ensure speedy prosecution of oil theft cases, by setting up a special judicial mechanism, exemplified by special courts. Naanen and Tolani said: “Nigeria has no excuse importing refined petroleum products. The country should control the petroleum products’ market in the ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) sub-region, as a way of diversifying the economy, creating quality jobs and earning foreign exchange. “There should be policy reform to promote cottage/modular refineries that will contribute to addressing the local supply disequilibrium, build local capacity in the downstream sector and empower the local communities through job creation. Emphasis must also be placed on good governance. “The ten per cent community equity, recommended in the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), will create a sense of belonging in the Niger Delta. However, the management of the fund will be problematic. Effective and agreeable management mechanism should be designed. Otherwise, the fund will fuel crisis in the communities.” The Federal Government of Nigeria must show strong political will to tackle the menace of illegal bunkering and artisanal refining, in order to move the nation forward.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

Pain, sorrow as commissioner buries wife

T was a very painful and emotional ceremony for Chief Cyprian Chukwu as he bid final farewell to his lovely and faithful late wife, late Mrs Kate Wigo, as her remains were lowered into the grave. The late Mrs Chukwua, was a legal practitioner like her husband. She died in London after a brief illness and was buried last weekend at Rumuwike community in Obio/Akpor Local government of Rivers State. Guests at the burial described her as a strong politician, a woman leader and said she was the first woman caretaker committee Chairperson of Obio/ Akpor Local government. During her short period in office, they said she achieved more than her male counterparts who occupied officer for longer time. The calibre of personalities that attended her funeral was a testament of her commitment and dedication to whatever she did during her life time. The caretaker committee Chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA, Dr. Lawrence Chukwu led eminent politicians including, Hon. Dakuku Peterside of the House of Representative, the Rivers Government State Chief of Staff, Hon.Tony Okacha among others to the funeral. Her professional colleagues, members of the state Bar were also in attendance. Her younger sister Mrs. Susan Owhor, told Niger Delta Report that Mrs Chukwu was born on 11th April, 1973 to Late Elder Godswill Ogutum Ovunda and Mrs. Dorothy Peace Ovunda of Otogbo family in Rumuigbo Clan, Apara Kingdom in Obio/Akpor Local government area of Rivers State of Nigeria. She said the entire family would miss her love and companion. "We love her so much she was always there for us. She grew up with our parents at Rumuigbo, She was so close to our mother who instilled in her the discipline required of mothers. Through this discipline, she acquired valuable knowledge and experiences that shaped her life and helped her to cope with the challenges that life brings. Amongst all, she learnt tolerance, patience, endurance and easy communication with people. She was loved by all." In his remark, Sir Ogundu Charles Chukwu, her brother-in-law, de-

From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

scribed the late legal practitioner as a real wife of the family would be difficult to forget. "She was a very lovely woman who contributed her own quota while alive. "You can see the kind of people that came to h e r bur-

•The late Mrs. Chukwu

ial that shows you the kind of woman she was. We are going to miss her forever but her memory will continue to live with us. She lived a peaceful life in the community and she was a community woman leader being the chairperson of Rumuwike Community Women Council until her demise and a member of Rumuepirikom Clan Women Council. She was an epitome of what a leader should be in her community. She was an easy-going person who was easily approachable by everyone. "The growth of her community was a personal challenge to her and she undertook and championed it in such a way that she was admired, believed and also trusted by her fellow women in her immediate family, the Rumuwike community and the entire Rumuepirikom clan. Based on her leadership qualities and style her fellow women and to a large extent the men of the community, believed and trusted her leadership and charismatic qualities. As a result of her demise, her

fellow women are feeling her exit; amongst them are the Rumuwike Community Women Council and the entire members of Rumuepirikom Clan of Women Council." Her grieving husband, who is a Commissioner in the Rivers State Local government Commission, said he almost gave up when t h e wife died i n Lon-

"I will continue where both of us stopped and promise to make more remarkable progress and achievements as if she was still by my side. It will only require me to double my efforts so that our set goals will be achieved. Chief Chukwu said his late wife started her political career in 1999 as a member of Alliance for Democracy (AD) "In 1999 and later in the year 2000 she joined the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and held the position of Ex- officio member of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) Obio/Akpor chapter and she was a member of Ikwerre Women Forum (IWF) which is a social political organisation in Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality. The Executive governor of Rivers state, His Excellency Rt. Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, found her worthy and credible and appointed her the chairperson, Obio/ Akpor local government Council Caretaker Committee (CTC) in the year 2011. "Within her short stay in office as the chairperson of Obio/Akpor Local government council caretaker committee (CTC), she resurfaced Ihunwo •The widower, Chief Wike Street and constructed a drainChukwu age system to ease water on the street. don. She did not stop at that; she donated a He described his late 500KVA transformer to the Rumuwife as "amy wife and my friend, she wike community immediately after didn't give me worries in life and I her stay in office. Uptil now her pro•Imoke didn't give her too. I told the congregagramme initiatives have continued to tion that she was my helper and every- enrich the villages, communities, and thing I needed in life. She died in Lon- the entire Obio/Akpor local governdon Hospital on the 18th day of Au- ment area of Rivers State." gust 2014 it was as if I was also dead The late lawyer attended State but by the grace of God I found myself School II Holy Trinity Rumuapara in Nigeria. " from 1980 to 1985 and obtained her He said that the dreaded Ebola vi- First school leaving certificate (FSLC). rus and the huge cost of transporting She attended Community Secondary her remain almost derailed his plan to School Isiokpo from 1985 to 1987. bring the remains of his beloved wife Thereafter, she went to Archdeacon back to Nigeria for burial. But with the Crowder Memorial Girls' School (AChelp of his family and younger broth- MGS) Elelenwo, where she sat for her er, he said h was able to get the permit West African Examination Council to bring her home. (WAEC) and passed with credits. She Speaking on her achievements, he obtained a certificate in French from noted that his brilliant wife could have University of Port Harcourt in 1992 achieved more than what she intend and obtained a BSc degree in socioloto achieve in life if death had allowed gy in 1998 before obtaining bachelor her to live more years. "I did all I could of law (LL. B Hons) from Rivers State humanly possible to remove her from University of Science and Technology the wicked hands of death, but our Fa- (RSUST), Port Harcourt, in 2006 -and ther Lord had decided that she would graduated was called to the bar in leave me at this time." 2008.

In Ogbia, one good term deserves another

NE good turn, they say, deserves another. But for the representatives of the 18 communities that make up the Ogbia Constituency ll in Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, one good term deserves another. Men and women, young and old from the constituncy trooped to Yenagoa, the state capital on Tuesday. They found their ways to the capital city through different means of transportation. Persons living in the rural communities came on chartered buses while those living in Yenagoa and close to the venue of the event walked some distance. In their best traditional attires they came. Their physiognomical countenances radiated with joy as they exchanged pleasantries. Youths, elders, women groups and traditional rulers of about 18 communities that make up the constituency were present. To them, Chief Obedient Emoto has served them well in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and he deserves a second term. To reinforce their decision, the elated constituents rolled out their drums and danced to their ancestral rhythm. Niger Delta Report was told that the event was put together by the lovers of the lawmaker to passionately appeal to him to return to the hallowed chamber in 2015. Emoto who was described by various people as a grassroot politician was in attendance with his beautiful wife.

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

So, he listened to speeches from the Obhan Anyama Council of Community Development Committee (OACDC), Pro-Jonathan Vanguard (PJV), Ogbia Gradutae Forum (OGF), Ogbia Constituency ll Advancement Forum (OCAF) and Obanema’s representative. Their solidarity speeches were laced with commendations and appreciation of Emoto’s personality and performance. Some described him as a selfless and honest lawmaker; others referred to him as a man of outstanding integrity; still others said the lawmaker who hails from Ologi community in Ogbia, has outstanding leadership qualities. The hall, however, erupted with intermittent applauses when a community leader, Mr. Majesty Inegbagha, seized the floor for over an hour to enumerate the achievements of Emoto in less than three years in office. He highlighted the importance of legislation and said: “The office of the state House of Assembly cannot be occupied by riff-raff, nonentities, criminals, impostors and ego-centric persons whose motives of entering politics are borne out of selfish desire to amass wealth at the detriment of the people. “Days have gone when people use guns, thugs and all forms of criminal tendencies to hijack the mandate of the people so as to under-develop them.

Today, people have realised that politics is meant for persons who place public interest above their personal gains. “The people of Ogbia Constituency ll have woken from their slumber and have resolved to sustain the mandate of their elected leaders who have shown exemplary and unparalleled leadership qualities for the overall interest of all devoid of sentiment, discrimination and domestic tendencies. “The people have concluded that legislators like Chief Obedient Emoto who attach importance to public interest above his personal gains are very rare in the contemporary Nigerian politics. He observes the moral laws of politics which is based on honesty, goodness, righteousness and consideration for others”. He recalled that immediately he was sworn-in in June 2011, Emoto began to present the basic problems of his constituency to the state and the federal government for attention. He wrote letters and memos to the various ministries, agencies and parastatal. Some of the needs and problems he was said to have identified were dilapidated school buildings in the area, electrification and wiring of communities, provision of potable water, shore protection of Anyama, Ayakoro, Ologi and Otuegwe and sand filling of Otuedu community waterfront, provision of landing jetties, construction of road to link Ogbia Constituen-

cy ll to the state capital and construction of befitting general hospital in the constituency. Through Emoto’s efforts, Inegbagha said the government has given attention to some of the myriads of problems in the constituency. According to him, the inputs of the lawmaker were visible in the 45 bills so far passed into law by the assembly. “Indisputably, he is one of the most regular and punctual lawmaker in the state House of Assembly”, he said. He added that Emoto’s constituency projects were adjudged by the Directorate of Project Monitoring and Evaluation the best in the state. “The lawmaker has completed the boarding school constituency project at the Government Secondary School, Anyama, the constituency electrification project at Ologi, headmaster’s quarters at Otuedu while many primary school projects are ongoing”, he said. He noted that the lawmaker has been at the vanguard of paying school and WAEC fees of students from the constituency adding that his medical, infrastructural and social programmes were unbeatable. After thoroughly assessing the performances of the legislator. The constituents moved a motion to adopt him as their preferred choice for 2015. In unison, they gave him a clean bill of health. In his acceptance, Emoto promised more effective representation vowing to attract more development to the area.

GCU old boys honour KaghoOmomadia, Erivwo From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Ughelli

HE Old Boys Association of the Government College, Ughelli, Delta State has honoured the immediate past President of the home branch of the association, Dr. G. U KaghoOmomadia and Very Reverend (Prof) S. U Erivwo with awards of Ancient Mariners. Inducting the recipients in Ughelli at the weekend, the President of the Home branch, Lord Mayor J. K. H. Tagar, said the ceremony was set aside for old boys of the college who have successfully clocked 55 years from the day of their entry into the school. Tagar, who congratulated the recipients for the awards, expressed optimism that the skills and knowledge they had gained would enhance their competence and enable them provide value added services to their alma mater. He added that their induction as Ancient Mariners had imposed on them the challenges of having to stand tall in integrity and uphold high ethical and moral standards. He urged the recipients to strive at all times to do their alma mater and humanity proud, maintaining that their present rank “is not limited to the College alone as the school has built in you exemplary and successful conduct in private sector and in other fields of endeavour.” “The knowledge acquired in Government College, Ughelli can be gainfully applied to excel in any sector in the world. In this respect, I am delighted to note that the two very accomplishes Ancient Mariners that have honoured our invitation today have been hugely successful in their chosen fields since leaving Government College, Ughelli.” Dr. Kagho-Omomadia and Prof Erivwo expressed gratitude to the association and enjoined the young members to contribute as much as they can to make the association grow to greater heights.

Akpabio’s wife lifts 60 widows From Uyoatta Eshiet, Uyo

WIFE of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mrs Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, last Sunday touched the lives of 60 poor widows. She also donated to three churches in the state . Mrs Akpabio in company donated N7.620 million in cash to the three churches visited and 60 set of wrappers to 60 the widows. At St. John’s Parish, Catholic Church, Okobo, Okopedi-Okobo Local Government Area, the governor’s wife donated N1 million. She also gave 20 set of wrappers and N10, 000 each to 20 poor widows in the church. At the St Joseph’s Quasi Parish, a Catholic church, Eyongete, Udung Uko Local Government Area, where she was referred to as an ‘answer to prayer” by the Parish Priest, Rev Fr. Unyime Akpan, she gave the church N3 million. She also coordinated her entourage and additional N2.320 million was realised, making N5.320 million for the church. Mrs Akpabio also gave 20 set of wrappers and N10, 000 each to 20 poor widows in the church. At St Patrick Quasi Catholic Church, Obio Ndot, Abak Local Government Area, the governor’s wife, after announcing the donation of an 18-seater bus for evangelisation by her husband, Governor Godswill Akpabio, she made a personal donation of N200, 000 for fuelling of the bus. She also gave 20 set of wrappers and N10, 000 each to 20 very poor widows in the church. She urged the people of Abak which form part of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District to support her husband, who has indicated interest to represent them at the Senate from 2015.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

NIGER DELTA REPORT COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

OSEYN Ekiw knows of his many an enemy. He is quite sure Governor Timiro Ihceama of Waters State, whom he served as Controller of Staff, is the number one. But since Thursday of last week, he has become increasingly worried about the enemies inside. As the Sole Administrator of the Umbrella Peoples Party (UPP) in Waters State and a Junior Minister of the Federal Republic of Niagra, things should have been easier for him. His quest to fly the party's governorship flag should have been a walk-over. But the enemies within are bent on frustrating him. Yet, they were all nowhere to be found when he was wresting the party's structure from his ex-boss. He scratches his head, looks at the mirror in front of him and from the mirror he sees a copy of a newspaper with the event of Thursday of last week as its lead. "Rain of blows at UPP parley," the headline screams. He picks it up and reads the two quotes on the front page. "I came here to defend a petition before the reconciliation committee and Ekiw's thugs prevented me from doing so and Ekiw personally punched me," reads the first quote by a former commissioner in Waters State. "How could I have done that? The meeting went peacefully. Everything was peaceful. Everybody who had something to say was allowed to say it. A man of my status could not have done that," reads the second quote which the newspaper took from a telephone interview its correspondent had with Ekiw. He shudders after reading his response and thinks aloud: "How many people will believe me?" By intuition, he grabs his Galaxy tab and opens the website of another newspaper to see the comments of the people to the event of Thursday of last week. The first comment makes him sad. "Why is UPP always prodding up thugs as their arrowheads? Their arrowhead in a state ordered his thugs to tear a judge's suit; now see what this one has done." He hisses after reading this and goes ahead to see what others have to say. Of the 90 reactions to the report, only ten are favourable. He suspects the ten must be party faithful trying to remedy the situation. He feels bad, but quickly tells himself: "It is too late to back out. I will be killing myself politically if I back out at this stage. We must fight it to the finish." At that instant, the events leading to the event of Thursday of last week come back to him vividly. He was in his office when the man he installed as the party chair in Waters State, Haubo, came to meet him. He told him of how 22 aggrieved party men were planning to storm the House of Legacy to defend their petitions against his quest to become governor. "What do we do?" he remembers asking

OLUKOREDE YISHAU

ABOVE WHISPERS

•A weekly intervention on Southsouth people and matters

olukoredeyishau@gmail.com

Since Thursday of last week I know you are a‘good father... The only thing I think is left is for you to be a good politician. A good politician is one who reads the trend. When the trend favours you, flow with it. When it does not, re-assess yourself and plan for another time Haubo. "We've to stop them," he can still hear Haubo telling him. "How?" was his question. "We will use our boys and the police. With your position as minister, just get the police to look the other way when our boys are dealing with them. Our boys will be armed with cudgels, knifes, stones and all sorts. They don't need guns to deal with these people. They should just beat and bloody them enough to scare them away from accessing the panel headed by Prof." He remembers buying the idea and releasing money to Haubo to camp the boys in a hotel not far from House of Legacy. His phone rings and breaks into his thought. The caller ID shows it is his daughter. He picks the call. "Hello sweetheart?" "Hi dad?" "I'm fine dear," he says. "Where are you? I am outside knocking the door since." "Sorry dear," he says and hurries out of the room to go and open the main entrance door for her. Soon, they are together in the living room. It

LAST WORD

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

‘

They (old people) must step aside and allow us decide our future. All the conflicts are about sustaining political interest of other people...Much as he (President Goodluck Jonathan) has done some things in the Niger Delta, we are not satisfied...Things are not happening as they should in the Niger Delta __

‘

IYC chief Udens Eradiri

‘

takes a little time before she notices he is not his usual self. "What is the problem again, dad?" "Nothing," he pretends. She keeps quite for a while and soon fishes out a document from her bag and gives him to read. It is a print out of online comments on the event of Thursday last week. They are silent for a few minutes. "Are we going to emerge stronger from all these?" she asks later. He keeps mum concentrating instead eyes on the First Dame's picture on the wall. It is one of those her pictures taken by an ace female photographer which gave her beauty she can never have. She decides to be frank with him. "By the time this governor finishes his tenure, the upland people would have done 16 years. The pendulum favours the People on Water. Sincerely, I don't think the Goodluck Charm with the First Dame's husband is enough to make you governor." She pauses and continues after some minutes: "I think it is high time you faced reality. I will be shocked if the people support any party with a candidate outside of the People on the Water.

The Riverside people in Waters State have every reason to expect to have one of their own leading the state, based on history, fairness and balance. The People on Water are the largest ethnic group in the state with about 10 Local Government Areas and substantial populations in 2 others of 23 Local Government Areas. The other two have less than 5 each. The People on Water are 39.7 per cent of the population of the state. In 1999, Ilido emerged on popular Riverside support. Again in 2007 and 2011, the Riverside people gave the incumbent their mandate." When his daughter gets to this stage, he remembers he once told a group of editors in Lagos that he could never govern the Water State in 2015 because he is from the same ethnic stock with the governor. He had told the editors he would be creating problems for himself if he started thinking about succeeding his kinsman. Now, the problems are here and just taking new shapes every other day. His daughter continues: "Dad," she says and moves closer to him," as a young girl, I certainly will like to be the First Daughter of Waters State." He remembers her mum used a similar line the last time the other aspirants ganged up against him. "But, if you ask me to choose between my dad becoming hypertensive trying to be governor and my dad remaining sane without being addressed as His Excellency, certainly I will pick you retaining your sanity." She adds: "Politics surprises me at times, especially the type we play here." At this stage, he has no doubt the girl is paraphrasing her mother. He wonders how she knew of their past discussion. Perhaps she told her, he thinks. "One moment, you see people being good friends ready to sacrifice for one another and then the next moment, they are the worst enemies around. It baffles me, it really does. I can't even share quality time together with the governor's children again and we used to be good family friends. Everything is just upside now." She stands up, announcing: "I will be in my room. Whatever you do, just put your family into consideration. Since the event of Thursday of last week, I have not been happy and reading such nasty comments about you makes me really sad. I know you are a good father, you have been really good to us and mum has told me you are a good husband. The only thing I think is left is for you to be a good politician. And for me, a good politician is one who reads the trend. When the trend favours you, flow with it. When it does not, re-assess yourself and plan for another time. The event of Thursday of last week must not repeat itself again. If it does, I will be too ashamed to call you my father and I am sure mum too will feel terrible being identified as your wife." Now, he feels sad about the event of Thursday of last week.

BY BOLAJI OGUNDELE

The Ijaw quest for Rivers’ number one seat

JAW youths, under the aegis of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), gathered in Effurun, Delta state, last week for the maiden IYC World Summit. They brainstormed on critical national and local matters affecting the Ijaw stock, especially the younger generation. Themed ‘Partnering for Prosperity and Sustainable Development’, the summit was designed to focus the Ijaw youth’s mind on selfdevelopment so as to be able to take advantage of all the opportunities that Nigeria and the world might have to offer for self-actualisation and fulfilment. Much was said to the direction of the theme and the supposed heart of the programme, but other things, voiced and silenced, were also believed to be of serious consideration in putting the programme together; some are even believed to take preeminence space in the heart of the organisers than even the promo-ed theme. For instance, Nigeria’s politics, the 2015 elections, to be specific, is believed to be of more importance to the organisers and their sponsors than youth development. Much might not have been said in the opening remarks of the IYC President, Udengs Eradiri, about ‘the other reasons’ for putting the summit together, he did not forget to sound out the importance of the

ongoing political struggles that the Ijaw nation is involved in. The fight to see to the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan, a struggle that most Ijaw people, of various standings and persuasions, are involved in, was definitely expected to feature, even if it would come under a veil. As a matter of fact, the call was wrapped in a plea to all, especially the opposition parties. Another striking project of the Ijaw nation was the charge to all to ensure an Ijaw man succeeds the Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi in 2015. According to Eradiri, the project is not one that should be treated with everyday commonality; it is one that must be achieved. Though it was mentioned in a passing remark of sort, its import was not lost on those in the hall, especially journalists conversant with the political happenings in the state. “An Ijaw man must be governor in Rivers State, but we must help ourselves. Even now those who can’t even afford the form have started jostling to be governor. It is the youths that vote and we must be relevant at all times,’’ Eradiri said. Many who probably did not take the ‘Ijaw must take Rivers’ struggle so seriously might have had a change of mind when it featured in a programme, supposedly of international stature. The concerns, however, are the not-

very-encouraging factors bugging this project. One of such is, like Eradiri said, the deluge of aspirants coming up from the different Ijaw enclaves of the state, their capacities notwithstanding. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seems to have shut its door against the Ijaw quest, with the party saying no to zoning. The PDP is in the stranglehold of the Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, a kinsman of Governor Amaechi, who has no biological connection to Ijaw. Rivers is under the control of the opposition All Progressives’ Congress (APC), the leader of the PDP, Jonathan, is Ijaw and some Ijaw politicians in Rivers had tried to use this factor to subvert realities, most times claiming that Governor Amaechi has been trying to set Ijaw people in the state against their brother, the president, even when the state is losing its livelihood to Bayelsa under Mr President’s watch. Will the Ijaw quest become a reality in the face of the Ikwerre (or is it Wike challenge) and Ogoni challenge? The last word here is: utmost decency should guide which area gets the coveted seat. Violence should not be used in the quest of any of the area to achieve their end. After all, it is all about service and harming the people in the process of getting power is sure a disservice.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

Mr Chef launches 10-in-1 pack of seasoning cubes

R. Chef, one of Nigeria’s preferred food seasonings, has launched a market changing 10-in-1 pack of seasoning cubes in response to customers’ demands. The introduction of the moneysaving initiative was part of the product’s two instant big win incentives announced to distributors and wholesalers at a launch event, which held in Abuja. The 10-in-1 pack of seasoning is the first of its kind to be introduced by any seasoning producer in Nigeria to answer customers’ demand for convenience, hygiene, quality and affordability. Bayswater Industries Ltd., producers of the seasoning, said the concept was developed from insights gained from customers’ interactions over time, especially in terms of hygiene, quantity and pricing. According to its Managing Director, Mr. Piyush Nair, Mr. Chef’s 10-in-1 pack seasoning cubes combine hygiene, quality, quantity and convenience with right pricing to demonstrate that cooking could be both inexpensive and a great de-

•From left: Director, Bayswater Industries, Alhaji Lawal Idrisu_ distributors, Alhaji Surajo Mai Yahi, Mr and Mrs. Olubunmi Adeyemi and Managing Director, Bayswater Industries, Mr. Piyush Nair at the launch of Mr. Chef 10in-1 pack in Abuja. By Tonia ‘Diyan

light. “The cubes are sealed in tamperproof packs so customers are as-

sured of hygienic packaging because the cubes are not touched by hands before they are sealed in the packs,” he said, adding:

“The packaging ensures that the number of cubes is not subject to manipulation by re-sellers.” He said unlike current whole

packs in the market that may require customers to buy more than they need or packs of 20 cubes that may stretch customers’ budget, Mr. Chef’s 10-in-1 pack, which is sold at N20 per pack, matches the right quantity with the right price. “Mr. Chef 10-in-1 pack is an indispensable kitchen companion that gives value for money through a combination of quality, quantity and pricing, which are the reasons we say with Mr. Chef 10-in-1 pack of seasoning cubes, you can make ‘Beta Chop’ at ‘Chikini Money,’”Nair said. Abuja, he said, was chosen as the launch venue of the product in order to join in celebrating Nigeria’s 54th Independence anniversary and demonstrate that the nation’s unity must hold regardless of whatever challenges being faced. Nair expressed his appreciation to the cosumers of the product, promising that the brand would remain an indispensable kitchen companion that would continually be in the forefront of spicing their cooking experiences.

Indomie rewards winners with N6m • Ashafa, Bode Akindele support initiative

UFIL Prima Foods Plc, makers of Indomie Instant Noodles, has rewarded three outstanding children, who emerged winners of this year’s Indomie Independent Days Awards, with N6 million. The event held at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. The event, which witnessed a large turnout of dignitaries, saw some renowned personalities such as the Group Managing Director, FirstBank, Bisi Onasanya; Senator Gbenga Ashafa and Chairman, Masandola group, Chief Bode Akindele supporting the pasta firm with donations ranging from N500,000, to N1million and N2.25million respectively. The Indomie Independence Day Award for Heroes of Nigeria is a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Initiative of Dufil Prima Foods Plc, and is geared towards recognising children of 15 years and below, who have exhibited extraordinary acts of heroism in the face of danger or societal challenge which have sometimes brought them injuries. Delivering the keynote address, the Executive Director Corona Schools, Mrs. Olufunto Igun said: “The future of any nation or entity

lies heavily on the children. Whatever legacy we pass on, whether good or bad could make or mar us as a nation. We, therefore, must rise up to our responsibility as parents, guardians, schools and governments to ensure that the right values are inculcated in the children.” Igun, who addressed the winners as “the salvation for the nation’s future and the economy,” urged more organisations to toe the line of Dufil Prima Foods by making similar efforts which according to her, is bound to ensure a more secure and blissful future for our kids. A visibly elated, Group Managing Director of Dufil Prima Foods, Mr. Deepak Singhal, expressed delight at the success of the event. Singhal said: “Our motivation rests firmly on the fact that a lot of kids are out there, who do the extraordinary day by day; unsung heroes who have never been celebrated. That is why we have resolved that every year we would not relent in our search all around Nigeria for unique acts of bravery, worthy of celebration.” This year’s winners, which happened to be the 7th edition, are 15year-old Aniema Udokang from Cross River, who helped to save an accident victim on IBB Way in

•From left: First place Winner, Aniema Udokang; Third Place Winner, Bassey Itam, Group Managing Director, Dufil Prima Foods Plc Mr. Deepak Singhal and Second Place Winner, Semiya Modashiru at the event.

Calabar; a 14-year-old Semiya Modashiru, who helped save the lives of two babies by apprehending and confronting a kidnapper at a bus garage in Ogijo, while the third winner is a 10-year-old Bassey Itam, who helped a boy bitten by a snake. Winners in the first, second and third categories went home with N1,000,000, N750,000, N500,000 worth of scholarship respectively.

The firm’s Public Relations & Event Manager, Mr. Tope Ashiwaju congratulated the winners and reiterated the company’s commitment in never relenting in its support for the development and growth of the Nigerian child. Asiwaju said: “Having come this far with many success stories since inception as they relate to the chil-

Chi happy hour refreshes with three new variants

Mall for Africa: Bridging merchant-buyer gaps

IGERIANS willing to purchase items from European and North American markets will now have the opportunity of doing so from the comfort of their homes, courtesy of a new online mall called ‘Mall For Africa’ (MFA). The mall, which recognises that local purchase of goods from foreign markets is not entirely a new concept, has come to bridge the numerous merchant-buyer gaps noticeable in many of the existing platforms. It is said to be the world’s first virtual mall and promises to act as a channel between the online shopper and the merchant, spanning more than 80 shops in the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK). In all, a prospective buyers can select from more than 8.5 million items, which will be delivered between 10 and 15 working

By Hamed Shobiye, Assistant Editor, Online

days. The Mall’s chief executive officer, Tope Folayan, said: “We have built what I believe is the world’s first virtual mall where the merchant rejects payment options (debit/ credit cards and so on). MFA will accept these options and complete the transactions. Where the merchant blocks out Nigerian transactions, we accept them. Foreign companies usually don’t accept individual transactions via local credit cards, but because of MFA, they now do and the entire process of shopping via Mall for Africa is very easy,” he said Noting some of the challenges in the industry as willing buyers against merchants unwilling to sell to Nigerians, blacklisting of Nige-

ria by merchants and rejection of Nigerian payment system– credit/debit cards by merchants, Folayan said: “The consequence is that online retail alternatives are limited to shopping at the local open market or mall or from a few select online stores, where they run the risk of settling for overpriced purchases, fake/inferior purchases or just managing what is on offer. Another option, he said, is to keep a list of items and wait to get a visa, and then travel abroad to purchase items and bring them back. Or to look for a willing friend or family member living abroad, who will purchase the items and find another friend or family member to bring them back on their trip back home. ‘Mall For Africa’ is saying this excess-luggage nightmare can be avoided.

dren that have emerged as winners, I make bold to say that the editions to come will be more memorable than the previous ones.” In attendance were the representative of Governor Babatunde Fashola, Mr Wale Raji; Captains of Industries; Government functionaries and the crème de la crème of the society.

N order to satisfy consumers’ demand beyond the existing offerings, Chi Limited has introduced three new variants of Chi Happy Hour into the market. The variants are Apple Peach Pear, Guava and Kiwi Mint Lime. According to the company, they are just like the existing ones (Tropical, Peach, etc), and are specially blended to guarantee excitement and offer choices to its consumers. Unveiling them at the company’s head office in Lagos, the firm assured consumers that each pack of Chi Happy Hour is full of tasty fruitiness guaranteed to keep the consumer refreshed and satisfied. The new variants are sure to offer consumers more choice for refreshment from an engaging brand. Several studies conducted have revealed consumer’s preference for a healthy and refreshing alternative to carbonated soft drinks and the introduction of these variants is clearly based on understanding of the current reality. The company’s Managing Director, Mr. Roy Deepanjan said: “We recognise that consumers in the juice category prefer to explore exciting taste and different fruit mix options. We, therefore, arrived at these variants after several consumer studies, and we are quite confident that the taste will be liked by one and all.” As one of the fastest growing brands in the fruit Juice category, Chi Happy Hour is available in 1Lit, 500ml & 250ml packs and has become a regular feature at social events. By rolling them out, it is certain that Chi Happy Hour’s control over shelf space will increase and with it, share of the market and the consumer’s mind space.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS

AGRICBUSINESS

e-mail: agrobusiness@thenationonlineng.net

Enhancing small-scale food processing There has been an interest in the future of agro food processing and its role in generating employment. Experts say Nigeria’s agro-processing industry, if properly harnessed, could create jobs and grow the agroallied sector’s contributions to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). But the challenges facing small agro processors are numerous, but not insurmountable. DANIEL ESSIET reports.

HY does Nigeria exports raw cashew nuts and imports its processed form? Why do Nigerians import chocolate and other products made from cocoa when its beans are produced in the forests of Ondo, Osun, Ekiti, Cross River and other states? The reasons for these are not farfetched. For one, there is no competitive agro-processing sector that has a comparative advantage in agriculture. The sector again had suffered a long period neglect by successive governments. The cashew nuts industry is one area where the country is losing millions of dollars every year by exporting unprocessed cashew nuts. According to experts, one processed tonne of cashew nuts could fetch five-fold income after processing. Nigeria exports more than 70 per cent of its cashew production in raw form. After the commodity has been shelled in India, the nuts are re-exported to the United States (US) and Europe where they are sold at good prices. The National Cashew Association of Nigeria(NCAN) President, Mr Tola Faseru said exporting unprocessed cashew is the reason for farmers’ poverty. Faseru, who spoke with The Nation, said the food processing subsector is still dominated by smallscale food processors. “They cannot afford machines capable of carrying out large processing of the commodity. This explains the reason for the underdevelopment of the sector,” he said. With this gloomy picture, he said, the overall potential of processing is huge as it could increase the value of the crops of poor farmers thus yielding higher returns. Several trends, he added, indicated that the significance of agroprocessors in the food value chains is going to increase. He, however, lamented that the conditions for good integration are not favourable. He said in the last two years, there have been reports of few investments in processing taking place in fresh fruit and vegetable products which are showing little success. The President, Association of Micro-Entrepreneurs Nigeria (AMEN), Prince Saviour Iche is concerned about this development. According to him, the agric sector faces many problems emanating from various negative aspects of the economy. Some of them are the uncertainties that exist in access to finance, advice, information and reliable markets. He urged the government to take urgent measures to upgrade small-scale processing, adding that the current level of agro processing was not helping agriculture sector’s growth. To achieve this, encouraging investment in the agriculture and food processing sector, he said, will go a long way in establishing an efficient supply chain that links farmers and small manufacturers directly with retailers, and maximise value for all stakeholders.

•Dr Elemo

•Casssava processing machine

He called for the establishment of infrastructure, arguing that it will minimise wastage especially, in fresh perishable foods and vegetables, increase farmers’expectations, encourage best practices in crop management and improve food safety and hygiene. He reiterated that the agroprocessing industry has the potential to meet the local requirements and that medium-scale enterprises have potential to create employment opportunities. The cassava industry is an example. Farmers are increasing cultivation of neglected cassava after chipping machines introduced by the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi(FIIRO) has opened up market opportunities. The machines allow for quicker processing of raw cassava,

which is chipped, dried and ready for sale within days. Cassava, according to experts, perishes within 72 hours after harvest, making it unfit for for human and livestock consumption. Farmers, who cultivate the crop are being left with losses as poor market has limited its sale. The surplus, which is supposed to translate to joy to farmers, becomes their loss. This has forced them to limit production, leaving the crop to its nondescript backyard subsistence crop, even as farmers from other developing countries such as India continue to make millions from value added to the crop. However, FIIRO’s new processing machine is changing the face of cassava production. Its Director-General, Dr Gloria Elemo told a forum in Lagos that the institute is working on cas-

sava processing machine. Through selective breeding, scientists from major research institutes have managed to increase cassava yields sixfold and as a result expanded the average area farmers can plant with cassava almost 10-fold. While this has increased food security, there is a real threat of cassava getting spoilt before harvest. This eventually undermines the local market prices and farmers’ income. To prevent this, Mrs Elemo said FIIRO is helping local processors to get processing machines that could produce chipped cassava and flour. Aside, she said, the Institute has done extensive research on cassava apart from its high quality flour. These include de-odorised fufu; glucose syrup production; using cassava wastes in animal feeds; production of adhesives; ethanol; custard; biogas and enzymes among others. Another area where FIIRO is producing machines for is fruit juice processing. High demand for processed fruit juices is seeing new entrants in a market model that is also benefiting small hold farmers, who are earning from the demand for raw materials from these companies. She said fruits and vegetable processing and preservation offer a new viable opportunity, adding that though more effort needs to be put into promotion and marketing. The institute, Mrs Elemo said, is empowering small and medium agro-processing entrepreneurs to manufacture processed produce, adding that increasing the level of agro-processing would have a significant impact on the economy. This is due to the scale of output generation, employment creation

‘High demand for processed fruit juices is seeing new entrants in a market model that is also benefiting smallholder farmers who are earning from demand for raw materials from these companies. Fruit and vegetable processing and preservation offer a new viable opportunity though more effort needs to be put into product promotion and marketing’

and impact on rural economy. While FIIRO has made efforts to develop machines for mediumscale grain milling, bread-making enterprises, livestock feeds manufacturing and vegetable oil processing to facilitate entry of more entrepreneurs increase, Dr Elemo said the institute aims to increase the competitiveness and growth of agro-processing enterprises by helping them translating research results into improved products. She said it is the vision of the institute to commercialise its developed technologies. This, according to her, is being done through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) as evidenced by the number of Memoranda-of-Understanding (MoUs) the Institute has signed in the last few months. Notable among the private sector organisations that have signed the MoU are Honeywell Group Limited, Bio-organics Nutrients Systems Limited and Ladmok Nigeria Limited. According to her, some smallmedium scale enterprises have also signed MoUs with the institute in cassava processing and fortification of food products developed from the institute’s research activities. The institute, Mrs Elemo said, held a forum with equipment prototype fabricators to enable them produce equipment of higher quality and durability. She stressed the need for government at both federal and state levels to re-orientate the youths to embrace technical and vocational skills development by reviving the technical colleges and trade centres. According to her, the institute’s engineers will facilitate the assessment of the equipment available in technical colleges and polytechnics especially, in Lagos State and there after train personnel to operate the machines to ensure optimal use. To assist small scale entrepreneurs, FIIRO’s management met with the Bank of Industry (BoI) on ways to provide innovative interventions geared towards boosting the economy’s transformation from farming to developing smallscale enterprises, food processing and industrialised agro-industries. BoI’s Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa, said the collaboration became necessary in order to boost the 6.8 per cent contribution of the real sector to the nation’s GDP, through encouraging the development of localised solutions to the industrialisation gaps identified. He said the mandates of both organisations are the same, adding that stakeholders especially, SMEs in the area of agro-processing, would benefit if both organisations aligned their strategies to work together. He, therefore, promised FIIRO of BoI’s support, especially in the area of promoting the low-cost technologies developed by the Institute, which could help SMEs compete favourably through exhibitions and other avenues.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

AGRICBUSINESS

Fertiliser: Govt targets 20m farmers

HE Acting Director-General, National Agricultural Seed Councils (NASC), Dr Philips Olusegun-Ojo, has said the Federal Government was targeting 20 million farmers in the fertiliser distribution for the next year’s farming season. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that OlusegunOjo revealed this when he declared open a three-day training on seed certification and quality control held at the Institute of Agricultural Research (IAR), Zaria, Kaduna State. The training, organised by the council, had corps members, NASC certification officers, internal quality control and seed production officers of seed companies as participants. According to Olusegun-Ojo, the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme of the government got to over 90 per cent of Nigerian farmers, saying that this had never happened in the past. He said: “Before the introduction of GES, only 11 per cent of Nigerian farmers got fertilisers; but now, over 90 per cent receive the commodity from their redemption centres. “In view of the enormous success recorded by GES in Nigeria, countries like China, Brazil, Kenya and Tanzania came to bor-

row a leave from us.” Olusegun-Ojo applauded the government’s initiative in introducing the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) aimed at creating jobs for Nigerians apart from facilitating the attainment of national food security. The director-general noted that ATA had succeeded in encouraging farmers to view farming as a

business and not as an inherited traditional profession with bleak future. He said all tiers of government, cooperative societies, private organisations and individuals are partners in progress as far as agricultural transformation is concerned. He, however, observed that some state governments were re-

luctant in extending the necessary support to enhance the success of ATA in their respective states. The director-general said the task of making high quality seeds available to the farming population was enormous. Earlier in an address, the NASC Regional Head, North-West Zone, Malam Mohammed Ubandoma, said the training was one of the

ways to augment the efforts of ATA. According to him, sensitisation and training of stakeholders are part of government’s efforts to ensure food security. He explained that it was necessary to acquaint stakeholders with seed production and quality control techniques. He said the training was a collective responsibility towards ensuring quality seed production for consumption as well as agro-industries through the value chain approach.

Women farmers urge govt on funding

OMEN farmers have urged the Federal Government to provide funds for women, extensive capacity building programmes and resuscitation of dilapidated infrastructure at the grassroots. A cross-section of women made these demands at the ongoing National Agricultural Show organised by the National Agricultural Foundation of Nigeria in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The women listed challenges confronting them to include lack of funds, poor market access, inadequate storage facilities and undue processes in accessing credits. The National President, Nigerian Women Agro Allied Farmers Association, Mrs Lizzy Igbine, while commenting on the needs of

women farmers, said adequate funds were needed for field trials, land preparation, planting and harvest. “For women, the budgetary funds cannot be accessed and we have problems with undue procedures in accessing bank loans; many banks don’t even grant loans to rural farmers. “Our lands to them have no value; we cannot use them as collateral and especially as women, land papers were not handed over from our forefathers. “We, therefore, want President Goodluck Jonathan to give grants, especially to women farmers and help reduce the bottlenecks associated with securing loans in banks.’’

Other women farmers, who listed poor linkages to appropriate markets, urged government agencies to utilise the current farmers’ data through the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme to ensure adequate markets. They urged the government to buy back farm produce direct from farmers to encourage valuable income for them, while creating definite rural famers markets to decrease glut and wastage. Echoing similar views, Chairman, ActionAid Nigeria, Prof. Patricia Donli, while speaking on “Agriculture Investment and Nutrition Security”, noted that the sector’s budget was decreasing annually.

Donli further disagreed with the the claim by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) that Nigeria had already met the MDG Goal 1of halving the number of poor and hungry people in Nigeria. “I think Nigeria has not met the MDG Goal 1; we have a lot of poor and hungry people in Nigeria, although the Agricultural Transformation Agenda is a step in the direction. “Nigeria’s budgetary allocation has fallen below the target recommended by the Maputo Declaration; we need at least 10 per cent of the national budget, showing we are not yet serious about investment in agriculture.”

90 million Nigerians have no access to good food’

INETY million Nigerians have no access to nutritional meals, a non-governmental organisation, Food Bank Nigeria’s survey has shown. The orgnisation said many Nigerians live on less than a meal a day. Chairman,Foodbank and Senior Pastor of Trinity House Church, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo said despite that Nigeria has one of the best agricultural landscapes and vegetation, the food production system is not producing enough nutritious food. Addressing a press conference to mark the World Food Day in Lagos, Ighodalo said the event has provided another opportunity to address the problems of food unsustainability. In 2012, he said the group distributed 15, 810kg of foods ; 14,284kg in 2013 and 12,339kg last year. The decline, last year, he explained was due to the non involvement of some companies that partner with it to feed the hungry. Foodbank, he said preserves

By Nneka Nwaneri

food and distribute to those who do not have,adding that the Nigerian chapter is an extension of the global Food Banking Network based in the United States. To support the organisation, Ighodalo called on food dealers, eateries, supermarkets and hotels can give their wasted food to feed the hungry. While calling on companies and individuals to assist them in building partnership for a hunger-free nation, the clergy reiterated the commitment of the organisation to support the government to ensure that Nigeria becomes a self-food sustaining in the next five years. He also appealed to households to feed the hungry ones around them in line with the global goal to eradicate malnutrition and hunger in the country by next year. “The haves should give the have-nots. Seemingly wasted foods can be recycled. It is not fair for us to live in a land of plenty and yet there is still lack,” Ighodalo said.

Poultry lifts agric GDP with 25%

HE poultry industry contributes over 25 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the agricultural sector, the President, Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Dr. Ayoola Oduntan has said. He said an egg a day for 50 per cent of the population would produce a daily economic value of N1.7billion. He also said Nigeria is the largest producer of eggs in Africa. Dr. Oduntan spoke at a press briefing to mark the 2014 World Egg Day in Abuja with the theme: An Egg a Day for the Nigerian Child. According to him, an average Nigerian consumes 60 eggs per

From Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

person annually. He said: “In order to achieve the objectives of the Millennium Development Goals and Sustainable Development Agenda ahead of us, the importance of poultry products especially chickens and eggs which contribute about 36.5 per cent of the protein intake of Nigerians would need to be taken seriously. “Eggs and chicken are critical pillars of the successful attainment of the Millennium Development Goals for agriculture and health.” Dr. Oduntan added that eggs will improve the well being of the citizen and their diet.

• Ashafa(fourth from right) presenting equipment to Amuwo-Odofin SPFS representative, Mr Osondo Nweke.

Lagos reduces hunger, poverty, want

HE Programme Manager and Chief Executive, Lagos State Agricultural Development Authority (LSADA), Mr. Kayode Ashafa has said the state is repositioning the agriculture sector to improve food security and reduce hunger by encouraging Nigerians to invest in farming. Speaking during this year’s edition of farmers forum in Lagos, Ashafa said the government has taken up important new schemes to boost agricultural production. So far, he said, the state agricultural programmes are delivering results that are changing the face of poverty and hunger. According to him, the government has reached a lot of smallholder farmers with new technologies aimed at increasing agricultural production. Present at the farmers’ forum are the Commissioner for Agriculture, Prince Gbolahan Lawal; the Permanent Secretary, Dr Yakub Basorun; the Project manager, Agriculture Development Authority, Mr Kayode Ashafa, the State project Cordinator, Commercial Agriculture Development Project, Mr

By Daniel Essiet

Kehinde Ogunyinka, among others. As part of measures to boost the morale of the farmers in the state, the Lagos State Agriculture Development Authority (ADA), OkoOba, Lagos State gave out a total of 14.8 million naira, as well as farming equipment worth eight million naira to farmers spread across the state. The cash was given to boost agricultural activities in four State Programme for Food Security (SPFS) sites. The four SPFS sites that benefited from the cash gifts are; Igboye/Igbonla SPFS site which went home with a cheque of N3million; while Ado/Badore SPFS site went home with a cheque of 1.8 million naira; Ayobo/Ipaja and Igbalu/Gberigbe SPFS sites went home with a cheque five million naira each. SPFS sites major in agriculture activities which include poultry, piggery, crop production, aqualculture processing, among others. Ashafa said: “The cash is to assist the farmers in ensuring that there’s surplus food for our teem-

ing population, not only in Lagos, but across the country. ”We cannot afford to fail our people in feeding them.” Apart from the cash gifts, twenty groups spread across the state went home with farming equipment worth N8 million. The equipment are; 20 water pumps, 150 wheel barrow, 200 cutlasses, 200 J K files, 200 rain boots, 200 big hoes, 200 shovels/spades, 200 safety gadgets, 200 iron buckets, 150 big plastic bowls, among others. One of the beneficiaries who identified himself as Alhaji Hammed from Igboye/Igbonla SPFS site said: “Our site was one of those that benefited from the cash gifts. The Lagos State government has indeed been helpful to the farmers, and the only way to pay back is to make good use of the money to ensure more production of foods to our teeming population.” Another beneficiary who spoke with our reporter on condition of anonymity said: “Our group be nefitted from the farm equipment distributed. We are so grateful, we promise to make good use of those equipment.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

France begins deregulation as budget clash T with EU looms HE French government on Wednesday outlined measures to let more stores open on Sundays and free competition in some job sectors, an attempt to convince EU partners it can reform its economy as a clash loomed over unkept deficit-cutting promises. Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron gave an advance view of previously flagged measures including limited deregulation of pharmacies, legal jobs and inter-city bus transport on the same day as Paris sent its 2015 budget to Brussels for review. The as yet incomplete measures, which will be sent to parliament in December, followed repeated calls from Europe's executive arm to cut red tape and unleash economic growth. But Macron's show of goodwill risked being overshadowed by a clash with the Euro-

pean Commission, which is expected to demand changes after Paris acknowledged that it would not be able to keep its deficit-cutting promises. "The weight of laws and rules has become unbearable… We need to simplify, drastically," Macron told a news conference. Paris has confirmed it would not bring its budget deficit down to 3 percent of gross domestic product until 2017, four years after it should have done. EU officials have warned they could use their powers to reject the budget outright - a potential humilia-

tion for Europe's second-largest economy. France long resisted pressure to deregulate protected job sectors from notaries - equivalent to Britain's solicitors, or notaries public in the United States - to taxi drivers and pharmacists, even as smaller European states enforced rules governing the bloc's internal market. Macron said the so-called "activity law" would allow more stores to open on Sunday - a practice currently restricted to some tourist zones - by expanding those areas and letting neighbourhood mayors grant more spe-

cial authorizations to open. Rules restricting night work will also be loosened. The Socialist government will also encourage bus transport, currently under-developed, by allowing private firms to open lines, while rules surrounding dental practices and pharmacies are to be loosened. Barriers to entry to several legal professions are to be lowered so that more diploma-holders, now unable to open practices, can do so, and tariffs lowered. Hundreds of highly-paid notaries last month held their first-ever street protests against Macron's move, fearful that they would lose a cap on the number of professionals, following marches and strikes by bailiffs and taxi drivers.

LaCasera expands CSD market

HE LaCasera Company, Nigeria’s largest independent CSD manufacturer and makers of apple flavoured Drink - LaCasera, has introduced into the Nigerian market the first ever ready-to-drink chapman in an ‘on-thego’ plastic bottle called Smoov Chapman. The Smoov Chapman drink comes in a uniquely shaped, premium PET bottle with an elegant full length plastic sleeve that is ideal for consumers wanting a classy celebration. According to the Chief Operating Officer, the La Casera Company, Mr. Dileeban Ponniah, Smoov Chapman is one of the many innovations the company has in store for its ever growing consumer base. Ponniah also expressed pleasure that the launch of the Smoov Chapman - a premium drink that is associated with celebration - is perfectly timed to coincide with Nigeria’s 54th Independence Day celebrations and enable everyone to celebrate in style. Chapman is a famous, locally made drink invented in West Africa that is ideal for anyone who wants to celebrate but does not want to consume alcohol. Ponniah further stressed that Smoov Chapman is an exceptional drink that celebrates modern African culture. It is said to be invented in Nigeria and contains a distinctive and refreshing mix of sweet fruity taste and Angustora bitters for a unique taste which enables it to meet the standards of top hotels, restaurants and social events in the country. “The La Casera Company has a tradition of delivering great brands to our consumers. Smoov is no exception. Smoov Chapman is a premium value brand that will not only bring excitement to consumers, but also guarantees them value for money,” he said. Also speaking during the product launch, the General Manager of La Casera Company Marketing wing, Mr. Peter Candlish, described Smoov Chapman as an ideal drink that has been specially produced to cater for all forms of celebrations, stating that its unique taste and high quality make it a classy drink that is affordable for personal, household and ceremonial consumption occasions. “Smoov Chapman drink is targeted at chapman lovers everywhere, who want a convenient ready to drink Chapman, with a consistent taste that is made to high standards. Smoov Chapman’s unique taste and beautiful colour makes it one of a kind and we are glad to be the first to introduce it into the market for our consumers.” Candlish also revealed that LaCasera will soon launch an innovative consumer campaign via Digital, TV, Radio and Print media to be tagged “Be Smoov” in order to help endear the consumer to the Smoov brand and make people ‘Think Chapman. Drink Smoov.” He further added that the Smoov Chapman drink will feature at the Lagos and Ibadan Trade Fairs and will be available at the upcoming Lagos Wedding Exhibition. It would be recalled that The La Casera Company launched La Casera Apple Drink in 2001, Nirvana Table Water in 2008, La Casera Cream Soda in 2008; Nirvana Tonic and Soda Water in 2012.

• From left: Head, Benefit, ARM Pensions, Mr Sunday Adedoyin; Regional Manager, Lagos, Mr. Gbenga Dada; Head, Investment, Mrs. Kemi Ol;uwashina and Head, Business Development, Mr. Abisola Onigbogi duringthe inaugural Clients’ Forum of the firm in Southwest in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Bank of Rwanda chief says economy grows 7.4% T

HE Governor of the Central Bank of Rwanda John Rwangombwa said the economic performance of the country has continued to recover from less than good performance achieved last year growing by 7.4 per cent in 2014Q1 and this is because of the good performance of the global economy. The Governor was presenting the monetary policy and financial stability statement for the third quarter 2014 recently in Kigali. "Rwanda's growth as projected is expected to reach 6 per cent end year 2014 and is expectations to perform well in 2014Q2 and 2014Q3 in regard to an increase in total turnovers of 15.8 per cent in the first eight months of 2014 from 12.8 per cent in the same period 2013," Rwangombwa said.

The global economy is expected to improve from the performance achieve last year of 3.2 per centper cent to 3.4 per centand this is mainly driven by the improvement in the underlying economic fundamentals in the advanced economies. According to BNR, good economic performance of the country is supported by improvements in the economic financing whereby between December 2013 and August 2014, credit to the private sector increased by 11.7 per cent from 7.6 per cent in the same period of 2013, authorized loans growing by 45.1 per cent in the first eight months of 2014 from -13.2 per cent

same period of 2013 an increase to Rwf420.1billion from Rwf289.6billion, and money supply rose by 18.1per cent as compared to 10.5 per cent recorded same period 2013. Rwangombwa said inflationary pressures have also continued to ease which is as a result of sustained and well coordinated monetary and fiscal policies, stability of international oil prices and the decline in domestic food prices. "With all such developments this is why the monetary policy committee decided to keep the key repo rate at 6.5 per cent for the fourth quarter 2014," Rwangombwa said. Rwanda has continued to beat its EAC counterparts with inflation rates going down to 0.9 per cent followed by Uganda which has it at 2.8 per cent, Kenya, Tanzania and Burundi registering a slight increase.

BHP Billiton, Santos split on LNG pricing

USTRALIAN gas exports to Japan have traditionally been referenced to the benchmark oil price because the early use of gas in Japan was as a substitute for oil. Australian gas exports to Japan have traditionally been referenced to the benchmark oil price because the early use of gas in Japan was as a substitute for oil. Photo: Reuters BHP Billiton has broken ranks with other Australian gas exporters by urging the industry and its Asian customers to accelerate the shift away from oil-linked prices for LNG. Reigniting a sensitive issue between Australian LNG producers and their major customers in Japan, BHP marketing boss Mike Henry told an audience of Australian and Japanese business leaders that gas pricing markets were less transparent and liquid than they should be, and a move toward pure market pricing for gas was needed. Japanese power companies have campaigned for several years to sever the link between LNG prices and oil prices because it was forcing them to pay more for gas than consumers in Australia and North America. Australian gas exports to Japan have tradi-

tionally been referenced to the benchmark oil price because the early use of gas in Japan was as a substitute for oil. But gas has since become a crucial part of Japan's energy mix after the nation reduced its dependency on nuclear power in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear disaster, and Australian exporters rank among Japan's biggest suppliers. Mr Henry said the security of Japan's energy supply would be improved if gas pricing was not influenced by other commodities. "Support for greater spot market depth and pricing on the basis of LNG fundamentals rather than by way of linkage to other indices will enhance the functioning of the LNG market and hence supply resilience. And recent tentative moves by both buyers and sellers in that direction are encouraging but I think need to be accelerated," he told the audience in Darwin. "BHP believes LNG will be like every other major globally traded commodity in that it will move to pricing on its own dynamics over time and will stop referencing to other commodities." Japanese companies have sought to replace

the link to oil prices with a link to the US domestic gas price (known as the Henry Hub), which would create a gas price more than three times cheaper than the typical prices paid by Japanese buyers today. Mr Henry indicated that a shift toward a Henry Hub linkage was not preferable either, with a pricing system that was independent of other commodities the ideal solution. Gas exporters like Santos have traditionally opposed such changes because they would likely lead to lower received prices, and while Santos Vice President Peter Cleary conceded the gas pricing system was evolving, he said the vast majority of transactions would continue to be linked to oil prices over the next decade at least. "We are shifting toward new pricing schemes, but to shift to a commodity pricing scheme as Mike (Henry) said, these shifts don't happen overnight they historically take some time before both buyers and sellers have confidence in that, and if we look at iron ore, the transition from a bilateral long term contracts market to the transparent daily spot market took over a decade," he told the same audience.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

FRIDAY OCTOBER 17, 2014

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi spoke with reporters in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, on his his legacies, the transition crisis and his future. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU was there.

Fayemi: I’m leaving behind worthy legacies W

HY are you commissioning many projects few days to the expiration of your term? Did you plan it to happen this way? First, let me say that I did not keep anything till the end deliberately or inadvertently. It is just a coincidence that you are seeing the galaxy of stars in Ekiti at this particular period. If you recall, we have done this since our first anniversary in office in the last three years. Every October, we commission a whole series of projects and people come here. We have had both local and international personalities visit to commission one project or the other. This year is no exception. It just so happens that for this fourth anniversary, we are commissioning a lot more projects. Particularly, in the last two years because the projects we are commissioning now are the projects completed in the last one year. Last year we commissioned Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort, last year we commissioned most of the road projects; we haven’t really commissioned roads this time around except the local government roads. And we have projects we refer to as legacy projects, one of which you are currently inside (the Ayoba Villa, the Government House). They are mostly the projects being commissioned in this current phase. But, I think it basically seeks to demonstrate that for us it has been a legacy of service and sacrifice to our people and that whichever way you want to look at it, this was not the Ekiti we met. The Ekiti we met was in a far worse shape from what it is today. We didn’t have the kind of facilities we have now. Not just on government’s side. What is often not mentioned is that there is a considerable growth in the private sector activities that we didn’t have then. How? There is an increase in the number of available hotels as a measure of the economic growth and new investment in the state. We used to have just two decent hotels when I became governor here; Fountain Hotel and Pathfinder Hotel. But now, less than four years after, we have had an upsurge to at least ten very decent hotels and an increase from 500 to 2500 rooms and they are still not enough. In fact, some of the hotels are building extension of their facilities now. If you go to Prosperous or Midas, you will see the extension being built by the hoteliers, not to mention Abuad Inn, De Jewel, Queens and Delight. These are businesses that have sprung up due to the climate of peace, tranquillity and because of the investment friendly attitude of the government which really attract these people which brings me to your other concern about the somewhat increased level of uncertainty in the last few weeks. Before you became governor, there was no peace in Ekiti. Your administration has restored peace. But, few days to your exit, Ekiti is in crisis again. What is responsible? I have always said it that in our political clime that if you have a leadership that abhors violence, promote peace, the leadership will do everything within its powers to keep the temperature down in the state but once you create the conditions for irresponsible behaviours, human beings being what we are will take a cue from the leader. We tried to avoid this and that’s why the recent World Bank report on Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria ranks Ekiti very highly. Many people even expected that bloodshed would have descended on Ekiti by June 22 and I went out of my way to consciously push the line that sought peace. That whatever issue we might have had with the electoral process, we insisted that this was the way to go: I pulled in the governor-elect, supported him, advised him and kept him in the loop of what was going on. We have managed to create a climate that would allow transition to proceed without any hitch. It could have been otherwise. In fact, people were surprised that we took the line we took but we felt the peace of Ekiti is more important than the personal interest of any politician. But frankly, some people are not surprised that things are already moving in the direction that they predicted as far as the character of the person coming into the office is concerned. We all must find a way of supporting the incoming government to embrace peace. All that we can do is to con-

• Dr Fayemi

tinue to find a way to appeal to reason and sense to ensure that the people themselves would demonstrate their resentment to violent tendencies. As for the distinguished personalities that have honoured us with their presence in Ekiti during this fourth anniversary, it has to do with an identification with a legacy of service to the people of Ekiti State. To many of them, it remains a mystery that we were able to accomplish all these things with the relatively limited resources we have in this State. What lessons have you learnt in the last four years? It is attractive for one to say I learned a lot of lessons or that I have no regrets. But the truth of the matter is that I’m a student of Gandhian philosophy and one of the most interesting things Gandhi once said was that “freedom is something to be cherished but that must also include freedom to make mistakes. Any freedom that does not include the freedom to make mistakes would not work out”. So I’m sure in the last four years - since democratisation itself is a journey and not a destination, there must have been valleys, hills and undulating lines that I encountered. Indeed, I encountered several of such. I know I would still have time to properly reflect a lot more deeply about my experience in government, particularly as an activist who made a transition into partisan politics. Somebody once asked me what is the difference? And I said for me really it is a false dichotomy because the things I fought for as an activist were the things that drove what I did as Governor. The only thing is that activists being what we are, there is always the tendency to be more romantic about possibilities and about how things should run but then when you get into government it is a different story. Yes, it is a different story but if you are single minded you can still do what you want to do and I want to believe that many of the things I did were driven by the courage of my conviction and my commitment to a life more abundant for our people. Let us go into the communities and ask what the people want rather than staying in the comfort of the Governor’s office to write the state budget. Again, the Freedom of Information Act was something I was involved in from my days as Director, Centre for Democracy and Development and working with organisations such as the Media Rights Agenda and CLO, we have been campaigning to have the FOI in the country so it wasn’t a surprise that I came into Ekiti and we were the first state to have FOI Act. All the work we did around Gender based Violence Prohibition law, also stemmed from my work as a member of the Board of Baobab for Women’s Human Rights and my wife,s extensive work on gender equality and women empowerment. So many of the things I did as an activist were the things I did in office. Some of the things were not necessarily the most easily

‘This government, and I stand to be challenged, did more of what has become known as stomach infrastructure than any government Ekiti has ever had. But, we did not do it in the manner others do now. We did not go on the streets and start sharing money. We have no culture of ‘share the money,’ but we shared the money on an institutional basis because everybody who got the N5000 in our social security scheme was getting stomach infrastructure’ understood or even popular but then others like the Social Security Benefit Scheme for the elderly also came from my community organising experience in the United Kingdom. So, you could say it is a mistake on my part that I forged ahead nevertheless with my education reforms for example, particularly issues around improving teacher quality but in my view a politician is nothing if he doesn’t possess the courage of his conviction. But i know that the average politician is trained to believe that anything that is unpopular with the masses and the grassroots, even when it is the correct things to do and in the ultimate best interest of the people, you must avoid like a plague. But I pursued the promises I made to Ekiti people because for me, doing what is right is better than doing what is popular or attractive. And that is a lesson that I have no regret believing in. But there were also things that upon reflection created an exaggerated expectation on the part of the people, because when I was pursuing my court case and people have gotten used to many of the things we said we were going to do in office, even though we did them, we didn’t do them in the manner that the opportunistic politicians will do. The stomarch infrastructure? Let me give you an example; people, especially the media, have grown fond of the epithet ‘stomach infrastructure.’ This government, and I stand to be challenged, did more of what has become known as stomach infrastructure than any government Ekiti has ever had. But, we did not do it in the manner others do now. We did not go on the streets and start sharing money. We have no culture of ‘share the money,’ but we shared the money on an institutional basis because everybody who got the N5000 in our social security scheme was getting stomach infrastructure. Every young volunteer who was in our youth empowerment scheme earning N10, 000 a month for doing environmental work or traffic management to paramedics benefitted from stomach infrastructure. The teachers who earn rural allowance or core subject allowance apart from their salaries benefitted from our stomach infrastructure. The artisans too and I can go on and on. So it depends on your interpretation of these things and your ideological orientation. And like I have often said - as a social democrat I’m unapologetic about pulling up the weak and the vulnerable in the society. But I’m not going to do it by destroying the values that I grew up with as an Ekiti person. It is those values that have been corrupted by others and are being celebrated as stomach infrastructure on the street. I grew up in this place. I went to a school down the road here and I know that I could not for the life of me recall seeing some of the things I see on the streets around today. But then that is the dynamism of society. It happens in other places

too but as a leader and a politician I owe a duty to the courage of my conviction. And I will say it a thousand and one times, I will never be part of the game of ‘share the money’ in politics. Whether it produces the kind of result the people want or not, they should count me out on that because I’m in politics to make a fundamental difference, not a tokenistic difference, because it is easy to make a tokenistic difference. Ekiti gets averagely N3bn every month and take N500, 000 out of it to go to Fajuyi Park with the Okada riders and do baba rere baba ke and share the N500, 000, they’d say “the governor is a free giver” and then I pocket N1bn and the hapless urchins on the street are celebrating every time I drive past with dispatch riders, sirens and all the superficial attachments that big people have around them in this country. For me, I preferred to do politics in a different way. Hundred years along the line, my name would not disappear in this state. You will come to this building and no governor in this state would claim credit for what stands here, Ikogosi and other parts of the state. I have always said that it is easy to forget someone who gave you N500. I’m a student of the Awo School, I cannot recall any time growing up, in all my admiration of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, hearing that he was sitting by the road side eating ‘boli’ with some people in order to demonstrate how grassroots he was and I never saw him ride on Okada because he wanted to prove that he was a grassroots person. You will rather see him in his stretched Mercedes Benz 250 at that time and yet what happened to the same Awolowo for taking tough stand that he believed in? In 1954, he lost an election! Because he said come and pay one pounds tax for education. The thing he is most remembered for today is the free education that he was deprecated for at that time. So for me, history teaches a whole range of lessons, it depends on what we want to learn and what we want to jettison but service itself remains the highest form of duty that one can offer one’s society. So, the lessons are a mixed bag but wait for the book. I will write a book about my experience. With the hand of friendship you have extended to your successor, why is relations between the two of you not cordial? One thing I always say to you is that I’m not given to playing to the gallery. I’ll not denigrate this office. As an occupant of the office, I hold it in high esteem. That is why I sought the position and I also hold in high esteem anyone who has either held the office or is coming into the office. And I’m not going to get into personality issues. Suffice it to say though, that the record speaks for itself. There is no place you will find me or my Chief Press Secretary cast aspersion in the last three months on the Governor elect.. Instead, what you will see are people who cast aspersions on me from his camp and then withdraw their aspersions. For me, there is even nothing wrong in pushing the frontiers of debates but push it on the basis of facts. The steps I took which many saw as unusual, I didn’t see as unusual. I’ve given you the context. I knew the machination behind what transpired in Ekiti and I knew the next phase they were about to move into. I chose to rescue our people from that because I felt it would be double jeopardy. And there is no apology for doing that. This was why I then called the governor-elect; listen, I think it would help Ekiti – since you said you have changed to behave more maturely. To approach this in an institutional manner, put your team together, send me a list of people that you want in your transition committee. Let your team meet with my team and work through a process. If there is anything that is confusing or unclear, please feel free to ask me questions. You have to have the patience of job if you are conducting yourself in that manner with a brother and a successor-in-waiting and you start reading statements contrary to what decorum dictates. I’m not someone who will say don’t ask questions. As matter of fact, I do not expect you to come into any government and not review the activities of the past government. It’ll be irre •Continued on page 46

THE NATION FRIDAY OCTOBER 17, 2014

POLITICS

‘I’m prepared to render account’ •Continued from page 45

sponsible of you not to review what transpired, how did it transpire, what the gaps that you need information on and if there isn’t we move on. But if you choose not to do that, if you choose to play in the arena of public media because you are either soliciting sympathy in one form or another and creating the impression that what you are coming into is a failed state so to speak; then even if I don’t want to do it as a person, the institutions of government will not have a choice than to respond to you. And this is what has transpired here. So, if you take that away from it there is no breakdown in our relationship. It’ll interest you to know that up to two days ago I was still signing up some papers for the government coming in. And as you all now know, there is a regular support that has gone to the governorelect since he won the election. There is no big deal in that. It did not happen in other transitions but I cannot claim to be civilized and exposed as much as I’m and not also borrow a leaf from other places. If you have a person win an election in America today, automatically certain structured support base comes in to effect. It is unofficial here. It is not even something that can be defended because I’ve no budget line for it. So if I choose to do that out of the contingency funds of the government, it is not because I’m afraid of anybody and it is not because I owe anybody that but for me, I wanted the transition to be smooth, however, if someone coming into office prefers brickbat to reason, then clearly we will also have to respond to that. How prepared is the APC for next year’s elections? How? Very actively! APC has just finished its congress in this state. You may be aware, we have a new party structure in the state and clearly, these are elections we will always contest for. Right now, you may be aware, we have 25 out of 26 members in our House of Assembly and we have three out of the three senators and we have five out of the six House of Representatives members, including one who came in our platform and then defected. In essence, we were six before that defection. So it is our expectation that people will contest for those positions. The primaries will be on very soon and I expect that they would be keenly contested. What is the assurance that APC members of the House of Assembly will not defect? That question came because you are the leader of the party, giving the expectations and character of the person coming over, some have said the House of Assembly may not even sit because the Judiciary is not sitting now, so how do you hope to circumvent the situation? We have to also go into the antecedents of our party. In 2007, we won 15 seats in the state House of Assembly, PDP won 11 and then they manipulated it. We had to re-do Efon, Ekiti West II, Oke-Imesi, so it became 13/13. And I am sure you will recall that in three and a half years that I was in court, there was no pressure that was not brought to bear on the 13 members in that House of Assembly to decamp to the PDP, not only did our members refuse to decamp, we actually gained control of the House by winning over five members from the other side and through the efforts of our honourable members, we were able to change the leadership of that Assembly from Rt.Hon. Bamisile to Rt.Hon. Tunji Odeyemi. That is the history here, so let’s be conscious of that history. I am not saying that history will automatically repeat itself. I like to think that the people have come to join the progressive camp here because they believe in the core-values of this party. That may be a romantic view in today’s politics. But the reality is that I do not even see how it would be that easy because they also have constituencies and leaders to report back to and we must also as the leadership of the party rally round them and ensure that we keep them in constant touch with the reality of Ekiti State and Nigeria in general.

• Dr Fayemi

I don’t envisage that we would run into the kind of difficulties that you are talking about, but if it happens and in the event that it happens, it really doesn’t do anything fundamentally. But if you look at it, we have even gained more. We were 24 before; we are now 25 in the House. So if we assume that the lone PDP member is likely to join us, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the 25 from our side would do an Adamawa overnight and cross over to the other side. Once brigandage and thuggery descend on any society, there is a problem. What we have seen in the courts in Ekiti is monumental travesty that really shouldn’t be supported by any right thinking person. But to think that this is actually being choreographed and coordinated by elements within the Federal Government portends serious danger for Nigeria’s democracy and for the independence of the Judiciary. I hope the Judiciary and all of us, all right-thinking Nigerians would stand up firm to challenge what is going on because the minute you start using the Military and other security apparatus to hound Judges, the Chief Judge of this state was locked out of his own office when he attempted to go into his own court yesterday.This is not what was reported in the newspapers, you are hearing from me, that is what happened to the Chief Judge yesterday and his brother Judges. And you have the police commissioner and other security agents who are in cahoots with those subverting the courts. I think there is no adjective to use for deprecating what is happening now, not even in the days of Military rule in this country was a court invaded and Judges beaten up. They may disagree with you, they may invite you, they may use somebody to go and talk to you before they deliver judgment, but not even the Military in all of its brazenness adopted this jungle justice as a vehicle for getting their own way. I think you are right if that is extended to the Assembly, it is not impossible that it could be shut down. We have seen that before, it is the Judiciary that is the new one. After all, the Assembly in Gbenga Daniel’s Ogun State was shut down for more than a year, many would recall what happened. So that is actually not new, it

‘We have managed to create a climate that would allow transition to proceed without any hitch. It could have been otherwise. In fact, people were surprised that we took the line we took, but we felt the peace of Ekiti is more important than the personal interest of any politician’

could happen. But we shall have to deal with that when we get to that bridge. If there is an attack on the House of Assembly, just as the judiciary is being attacked now, what will the APC do? I don’t doubt your suggestion at all but if it happens, what would we do? Well, I am not going to reveal what we are going to do in a session like this, but we would cross the bridge when we get there. Are you eyeing the vice presidential slot of your party? I don’t even understand this notion of being considered. Do aspirants consider people for vice-presidency? I think the way it functions is that you become the candidate of a party and you look for somebody who could work with you and I think as far as the timetable of APC is concerned, we are far from that. If your question is hypothetical, what are you going to do in the event that you are asked to be vicepresidential candidate to whoever emerges as the candidate of your party, basically, I would tell you, one, I am not in the race for presidency. Two, I am a party man through and through and if that were to happen, I certainly would give it a serious thought because if you look at the seat I am occupying, I really did not run for this seat. I am one of the luckiest Nigerians that you can refer to in that sense. After your tenure, are you going back to the classroom? Oh certainly, I am a permanent student. I have already received a couple of offers both locally and internationally. I have a lot of jobs to do now. If I am going to go out at all, it will just for a short period to write and reflect on my experience in Ekiti, it would not be on a permanent basis.You know, I also have an on-going relationship with the University of Ibadan, the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies. And then, we just set up a Regional Institute for Peace and Governance in the Ekiti State University here, so either way, I am going back into the classroom, in one form or another. If you are called upon by the next governor to come and defend certain actions, what will be your response? Why not? I expect that I would be called to defend certain actions or clarify actions, to explain what I have done in office. That is stewardship. Anyone who has served must be prepared to render an account of stewardship, but even before I am called, I mean I have almost 1,500-page handover note for the incoming administration and I am sure they would have enough to chew on and if they are not satisfied, I am sure they can ask questions as long as the questions are asked in a manner that does not impugn my character which I hold very dearly. And there is no reason why they should not be free to ask questions. It is a legitimate expectation of any new government to ask questions about what has transpired. They need not necessarily be negative, they may just be because there are things I would have loved to do with the incoming administration, but I wouldn’t be able to do because of the way the incoming administration has conducted itself. If they conducted themselves appropriately, I do not even see any reason why I should not be taking the in-coming governor on a tour of this building, and showing him what we have done here and how he can maintain this as a monument to Ekiti, it is not a private property of any governor resident here. And there is no reason, on the basis of Ekiti development, we should not get together to do these things. I would have loved to bring all the past governors together to see how they can assist our brother who is coming in. Clearly, one of the things I promised for instance, I promised the World Bank, in the course of my tenure, they have eight projects in this state, so Ekiti became a major focus state for the World Bank in Nigeria during my tenure. And they are worried now, they are concerned about what is going to happen to their projects and to things we have been doing.

As the tenure of Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi ended yesterday, a new chapter opened in its annals as Mr. Ayo Fayose took the baton. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU writes on the strange wind of change and peoples expectation about the new government.

End of an era in Ekiti

HE four years will linger in the collective memory of the people. The consensus is that Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has lived up to expectation. The evidence is acknowledged across the 120 towns and villages savouring the impact of the administration. As he bowed out yesterday, a new chapter opened in the history of the far-flung state. His successor, Ayo Fayose, is on a familiar terrain. He became governor in 2003. But, he lost power in 2006, following his inability to manage his achievements. Five years after, he has regained power, despite the belief that Fayemi has performed. With the change of baton, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is bouncing back in the Fountain of Knowledge. Two issues are agitating watches of Ekiti politics. Will Fayose continue from Fayemi stopped by building on his legacies? How will the governor work harmoniously with a House of Assembly dominated by APC legislators? In 2010, Fayemi inherited a divided state, an impoverished and unmotivated civil service and a leaking treasury . The infrastructure battle had been abandoned. The famed confederation was in chaos and pain. Its future appeared gloomy. A culture of political intolerance, thuggery and brigandage perpetrated by the conservative bloc had converted Ekiti into a jungle of sorts. Families of victims of arson, intimidation and harassment cried for justice. Political instability made governance to suffer and Ekiti indigenes outside the state agonised over its battered image. During the campaigns, he told the people that he was embarking on a rescue mission. In fact, in December 2006, he had unfolded an eight-point agenda. The action plan focused on governance, infrastructural development, modernisation of agriculture, education and human capital development, healthcare services, industrial development, tourism and environmental sustainability, and gender equality and empowerment. In the saddle, reality dawned on him that more efforts would be required to reposition the enclave. Many believe that the governor has fulfilled his promises. Three achievements stand out. The governor succeeded in restoring peace, tranquility and security. Owing to his disdain for primitive accumulation, apathy to graft and lack of tolerance for corruption, the activist governor presided over a transparent government. However, last week, he told reporters in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, that he will like to be remembered for the security scheme for the old people. It is the first of its kind in the country. But, the governor will also be remembered for the roads he constructed, the hospitals he built, the additional councils he created, the Ire Burnt Brick industry he revived, and the development partners he attracted to the state. By blocking wastages and loopholes, he successfully increased the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from N109 m monthly to N600 m. His all-inclusive approach to governance made him to tour the 16 councils to elicit their inputs into the budget. In the areas of tourism and promotion of culture, the Fayemi Administration also made a mark. Within a year, the Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort was transformed. Rural development has also been given priority. Apart from the road construction and electricity projects, over 473 community-based projects were completed across the state. Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, was given a facelift. Few days ago, a new Government House was commissioned. Many believe that the governor has unfinished business. His plans for the future are premised on his vision for a better Ekiti. He is dreamt about a rail line between Ado and Abuja. He proposed a flyover at Fajuyi Roundabout, Ado, an airport, a modern industrial park, a civic centre pavilion, and ‘Ekiti Homes Agenda, a 5,000 publicprivate partnership housing units. However, he request for a second term was rejected. As Fayemi bows out, there are fears that Ekiti may return to its ugly past. The onus is on Fayose to prove skeptics wrong. The change of baton has not been absolutely smooth. The APC office was burnt down by suspected thugs. Fayemi campaign organisation was razed. The courts were invaded by thugs. Now, there are fears that the same tragedy may befall the House of Assembly, which is not controlled by the PDP. Will Fayose maintain a clean break from the past? Time will tell. • Fayose

THE NATION FRIDAY OCTOBER 17, 2014

POLITICS

INEC seeks youth involvement in politics By Olatunde Odebiyi

HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged youths to participate in governance to deepen democracy in the country. The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Lagos, Dr. Adekunle Ogunmola, said youths must participate for Nigeria to have a better future. He spoke during a leadership summit in Yaba, Lagos, organised by Carrington Youth Fellowship Initiative (CYFI), a group supported by the United States’ Consulate-General. Ogunmola, who was represented by the INEC’s Head of Department, Voter Education, Publicity, Gender and Civil Society Organisations, Mrs. Ijeoma OkeyIgbokwe, recalled that their involvement in 2011 elections assisted the commission to achieve better results. He said: “The youth corps members and final tertiary year students who were used as electoral officers had no grant from the government. So, they did the job well and the commission had no regret using them. “We are not paying their school fees. So, they didn’t have any reason to manipulate the result in favour of anybody. They made us proud and gave the country what it needed. The elections went well and next year must be better.” A fellow of the CYFI, Mr. Ebenezer Ogun, said there is the need to encourage political education among youths. he said: “The youths need to understand certain issues revolving round governance, to show that we are the leaders of today. We must be involved in the electoral process in relation to next year’s elections.The youths should not only be concerned about entertainment, fashion and fun on the social media, but they must engage in politics,” he said. The Chief Operating Officer, Impact Your World Leadership Initiative, Mr. Joseph Baiyekusi, said the social media could help the youths and the government to play their role in national development. “This can be achieved, if our leaders communicate their plans and activities on the social media and other communication technology media, with the aim of carrying the youths along,” he added. The Executive Director, Human Development Initiatives, Prof Bolaji Owasanoye, urged youths to use the advamntage of technology productively for the progress of the society. • Prof. Jega

’There is no zoning in Abia’ By Emmanuel Udodinma

GROUP, the Ngwa Progessives for Good Governance (NPGG), has chided the former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Abia State, Mr. Theo Nkire, over his comments on zoning. The lawyer has said that zoning is sacrosant, adding that it is the only criterion for unity and harmony. But, in a statement, Mr. Chris Ukah, said the group is opposed to the inflammatory statement. He said: ‘The statement contains a tissue of lies on the position of Ukwa Ngwa people on the choice of their candidate for next year’s elections.” Ukah said, contrary to Nkire’s view, majority of Ukwa-Ngwa people are opposed to the politics of exclusion, which zoning represents in Abia State. He said zoning is against the principles of natural justice, equity and fairness, adding that it can cause confusion and disaffection among in the state. Ukah stressed: “We would have simply ignored the inflammatory comments. It is controversial. But, because we saw a high degree of distortion in the statements, we decided to respond to put the records straight. “Ukwa-Ngwa people want the best candidate from among the contestants. They want a person who will deliver dividends of democracy toAbians. Retrogressive utterances will not solve any problem. “If Nkire meant well for UkwaNgwa people, why didn’t he comment on developmental issues as they affect the welfare of the ordinary people in the area? This kind of faulty disposition by respected Ukwa-Ngwa sons and daughters is a problem. • Theodore Orji

Commissioner joins House of Reps race

AGOS State Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture Hon. Oyinlomo Danmole has joined the House of Representatives race in Lagos Island Constituency 1 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The politician said the parliament is a familiar terrain, recalling that he has served as a member of the House of Assembly for two terms. At the primaries, the legislator from the constituency, Mrs. Jumoke Okoyathomas, and Danmole will struggle for the tickect. Since 1999 to date, the lawyer-turned politician has been in government. He was the Special Adviser to former Governor Bola Tinubu on Political and Legislative Matters. B2007 and 20112, he served as Special Adviser on Central Business District. In 2011, he claimed that he step down for mrs. Oluremi Tinubu at the senatorial primaries. Danmole’s entry into the race has swelled the number of commissioners and special advisers, who are jostling for elective positions. They include Commissioner for Housing Hon. Bosun Jeje, his Local Government and chieftaincy Affairs counterpart, hon. Ademorin Kuye, Special adviser on Information and Strategy Hon. Lateef Raji and Works Commissioner Dr. Obafemi hamzat.

Alhaji Adebayo Shittu, a lawyer, came into limelight in 1979, following his election into the Oyo State House of Assembly on the platform of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN). The Saki-born former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice is an All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant. He spoke with TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO on the political situation in the Pacesetter State, the Ajimobi Administration, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s quest for power shift and other issues.

‘ Oyo APC must put its house in order’

HY are you contesting for the governorship in the APC when you know that Governor Abiola Ajimobi is interested in a second term? It is not a constitutional right; it is a privilege to serve two terms in office. It is not a constitutional right that the incumbent must automatically fly the flag of the APC in 2015 election. Constitutionally, every governor spends four years. After four years, if he succeeds, he goes for another four years. I have a right as a member of the APC to also seek for the ticket of the party. And based on the peoples’ assessment, particularly the assessment of the members of our party, if the incumbent has done well and the party can guarantee that, with him as the flag bearer in 2015, he could deliver votes for the APC, he may get the nod. If on the other side, our party finds out that it will be too risky to present him for the governorship election in 2015, as I am sure that is the situation, I believe that members of the party would elect me at the primaries and I can assure you that in the Oyo APC today, I am the only person who can rescue the the APC from imminent electoral defeat I because the entire goodwill that the governor had in the 2011 election has been blown off and today, there are disenchantments within the Oyo APC. Many people have grudges against the style of the governor. Could you shed light on what you have described as the style of the governor? To start with, a man may think he is doing well, but his best may not the best for the state. If you look at his scorecard, he has done very well in infrastructural development within the Ibadan inner city and, may be, in three other towns and Oyo State is far bigger than that. We have about 33 local governments. He has also done well in the beautification of streets by growing flowers and providing water to sustain these flowers. He has done well in sanitation and transportation. If you look at the educational sector, I have not seen any achievement by the government. For instance, lately, he just tried to embark on the white elephant project of six model schools across the state in a situation where, for instance, Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State have built more than 30 schools and completed their constructions with 27 new ones in various state of completion. But, our governor is just starting with six when he has about six months to the end of his administration. So, you won’t call that a pass mark, compared to what a sister APC state is doing. In the area of employment, right now, there are more than 100,000 graduates in the state who are walking down the streets without job. Even, graduates of agriculture in their thousands are walking the streets jobless in a state where we have a fantastic productive soil; in a state when the sun shines when it should shine and when the rain falls when it should fall and this is one area where you should never have a problem. People are frustrated. Besides, if you look at the 2011 election that brought our governor into office, he defeated the PDP governor by just 33,000 votes. Compare that with Governor Aregbesola who defeated the PDP with 103,000 votes. Come to think of it, you would recall that his triumph at that election was made possible because there was crisis in the PDP and PDP leaders particularly from Ibadan-Senator Teslim Folarin; Afeez

• Shittu

Gbolarunmi; Alhaji Yekini Adeojo, Senator Lekan Balogun and Wole Oyelese-supported him. They all work for Governor Ajimobi; they abandoned their party at that time worked for him and that resulted in victory for Governor Ajimobi. Unfortunately, all of those who came from the PDP to work for him have gone back to their party because our governor was not grateful enough in action and speech. What do you mean by ‘grateful enough’? Well, if you have a benefactor and suddenly, the benefactor turns his back at you, what does that imply? Politics and leadership are about inclusiveness and not exclusiveness; when people work for you, you try to show them gratitude. Again, apart from the people who helped him to win the 2011 election, even erstwhile ACN members like Sharafdeen Abiodun Ali, Senator Femi Lanlehin, Senator Ayo Adeseun and some members of the House of Representatives from the ACN have also left the APC out of annoyance and disenchantment. So, you want to ask, could it be all of these people are bad not the one person who is a governor and who is in the better position to show leadership; he suppose to know the way he will give them the sense of belonging and show that leadership and governance is not about one person. Again, in Oyo State today, market men and women are not happy with our governor, traders and civil servants are not happy with our governor; the okada riders are not happy, transporters are not happy and today, if you walk down the streets of Oyo State and they see the symbol of the APC with you, the next thing they will say in Yoruba language is E fe e je tan na. That cannot be a commendable statement. So, these are things you

‘I am the only person who can rescue the the APC from imminent electoral defeat I because the entire goodwill that the governor had in the 2011 election has been blown off’

would see and assess and I know that for the APC in Oyo state, there is fire on the mountain come 2015 elections. What is the way out? Before I answer your question, this would not be the first time, but we hope to pray it does not come to pass because in 2003, the AD lost election, at that time, the flag bearer was Governor Lam Adesina, the party lost in 2003, lost in 2007 and won in 2011 only because of the contributions of PDP stalwarts. If in 2011, Akala has been change as the flag bearer of the PDP. If they had look for another candidate, who has not offended party members and the electorate, then, the PDP would have won that election. In Ekiti, we know what happened. During the APC primary election in Ekiti, Fayemi recorded 177,000 votes for endorsement. Unfortunately, he could not score that figure during the governorship election. That led to his defeat. The way out for us in Oyo State is to appreciate that a second term ticket for Governor Abiola Ajimobi is political suicide. We cannot win, if he gets the ticket and that is why a lot of PDP leaders, a lot of Accord party members, a lot of Labour Party members are praying for Ajimobi to get the APC ticket so that they can defeat him.The signs are also there for our party members, the signs are there on the wall and it is for us to make hay while the sunshine. What are your plans for the state? I have seven cardinal programmes; I have always prided myself as a graduate of Awolowo School of politics. s a student of the great University of Ife, I was a member of a Committee of Friends, which produced the four cardinal manifesto of the UPN, which was the platform we used for elections in 1979. I have learnt a lot from the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and my manifesto is formulated along his ideals. What were these ideals? The goal of governance must be the best interest of the majority of the people. I would spend greater part of my budget on what would benefit the majority and not on white elephant projects. The programme that touch the welfare of citizens of Oyo state. I will implement free education at all levels and I mean it. It’s unfortunate that, since Chief Obafemi Awolowo left in Yorubaland, we have never had any government which has implemented that programme. I want to revisit that, you know I want to implement it, I want to show to the world that with the best brain that God has endowed us with we can after all implement free education. What do I mean by that? Education in my government will be completely free at the primary school level; at the secondary school level; at the university level; at the polytechnic level; at the colleges of education level and so on and so forth. I mean government will take over the payment of school fees, I would not want to see a situation where any child of Oyo state is excluded from access to higher education because he does not have the means or his parents do not have the means to finance his education. I intend to produce a hundred of millionaires in Oyo State by the time I completed my first four-year tenure in office. What would you do, if you don’t get your party’s ticket? If the primary election goes in free and fair atmosphere and it is acceptable, I will remain with the party and work for the success of the party no matter who emerges.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17 2014

COMMENTARY

“S

urely, man becomes a subject of talk after his demise; therefore, endeavour to remain a good talk among those you are leaving behind”. By an Arab poet

Preamble

Life is a pilgrimage from the unknown to the unknown. No one knows whence he emanates or whither he is bound. As humans, we only found ourselves on the earth without being able to retrace our steps back to where we were coming from. And we just discover that we are on a journey without being able to pinpoint our destination with precision. For people who can ponder, the journey of life is a mystery which only Allah can unravel. And the cycle continues ad infinitum. In the introduction to his autobiography entitled ‘My Odyssey’ published in 1970, Nigeria’s first President, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, made an allusion to this mystery in his highly philosophical theory about human life as follows: “Man comes into the world and while he lives, he embarks upon a series of activities absorbing experience which enables him to formulate a philosophy of life and to chart his causes of action. But then, he dies. Nevertheless, his biography remains a guide to those of the living who may need guidance either as a warning on the vanity of human wishes or as encouragement or both”.

FEMI ABBAS ON femabbas756@gmail.com 08115708536

Mazrui: A falcon flies In search of the Golden Fleece

Observation

Perhaps no other African intellectual of contemporary time exemplifies the above philosophical quote as much as Professor Ali Al-Amin Mazrui who died in Binghamton, United States of America early last Monday (October 13, 2014) and will be buried at the 900-year-old Mazrui family graveyard near Fort Jesus in his home town of Mombasa, Kenya, in accordance with his Will. His corpse is expected to arrive in Kenya today. For African men and women of letters and intellectual prowess, the name Ali Mazrui cannot sound strange. This household name was a super star that dominated the intellectual orbit of Africa like a colossus in the decades of the 70s, the 80s and the 90s. His vertical stance against the horizontal posture of most of his academic colleagues depicted him a role model of rare stature. He was Africa’s darling intellectual to which the literary world of the 20th century beckoned with impeccable historic laurels. He was the answer to many questions about Africa while alive and he will remain the question on the lips of many lettered African generations in death. In a nutshell, Mazrui was an issue of substance alive and he will remain so in death for many decades.

Who was Ali Mazrui?

Since his profile may look exaggerated in the writing of a distant journalist like yours sincerely, the real identity of this African colossus is better left to some other African journalists who knew him more closely. One of such journalists is BBC’s Frenny Jowi who, in reaction to Muzrui’s death just looked back at how the Kenyan academic and political writer influenced a post-colonial generation. Here is what he said: “Mr. Mazrui has been a household name in Kenya and beyond. Born in the Kenyan coastal city of Mombasa on 24 February 1933, some 20 years before the Mau Mau uprising against the British colonial rule (in that country), he always portrayed himself as a true patriot. In his series of essays On Heroes and Uhuru-Worship, he wrote as an African scholar deeply involved in the fight for the freedom of his people, expressing empathy with those on the front line of the battle against colonialists. “….Mr. Mazrui’s writings, though embedded in history, still resonate because he talks about the need to recognise national heroes, without worshipping them. They also gave insight into some of the greatest concerns currently facing the world as he wrote about terrorism and Islam”.

Literary Works

“In one of his books: ‘Islam between Globalisation and Counter Terrorism’, he explained how the religion was entrapped in the danger of rising extremism. “Even

•The late Mazrui

the very vices of Western culture are acquiring worldwide prestige” Throughout his career, he wrote numerous books and expressed strong opinions in widely published papers. In the 1970s, Mr Mazrui’s sharp criticism of the then-Kenyan and Ugandan regimes - led by Daniel Arap Moi and Idi Amin respectively - displeased the ruling class, leading to his exile in the US. Ali Mazrui lamented the growing influence of Western culture. At the time of his death, he was an Albert Schweitzer professor in the humanities and Director of the Institute of Global Cultural Studies at Binghamton University in New York. And to complete Jowi’s historical perception of Mazrui, another journalist (a female) and a columnist, Evelyn Musambi of Nation Media Group of Kenya had the following to say: “He (Mazrui) wanted to become a jurist in Islamic law, as his father was the Chief Kadhi of Kenya in the 1940s. Though his father died when he was only 14, Prof Mazrui’s dream to follow his (father’s) footsteps was hindered by his poor results after secondary school in Mombasa, with other students going to Makerere University for further studies while he was left behind. His first job application was for a bank teller at Barclays, where he failed the urine medical test in 1948, though the diagnosis was later proven to have been wrong. Prof Mazrui was then hired by a Dutch multinational company, the Twensche Overseas Trading Company in Mombasa, as a managerial trainee, though his tender age denied him an opportunity to be employed after the training. He later was employed by the Mombasa Institute of Muslim Education (Miome) as a junior clerk and rose to be a boarding master”.

Scholarship

“His speech in 1952 in celebration of Prophet Mohammed’s birthday earned him a scholarship. Prof Mazrui, while still working at Miome, spoke at an event attended by the governor of colonial Kenya, Sir Philip Mitchell. He was later invited to chat with the governor, who asked him about his educational plans. He (Mazrui) spoke of his interest in legal studies and though the governor discouraged him from pursuing law, he recommended him for a scholarship, first at Huddersfield College in the UK to finish his secondary education, then to a British University to study for a bachelor of arts degree. He developed his writing and public-speaking skills through the media. He worked as a local correspondent for the Mombasa Times and the Arab Guardian along with hosting a weekly half-hour radio show in Sauti ya Mvita.

He (Mazrui) left Kenya in 1955 for Huddersfield College, where he met his first wife, Molly Vickerman. Prof. Mazrui and Molly met in a literature class and later married, siring three sons together. Prof. Ali Mazrui, as Chancellor of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, was conferred with a doctoral degree (Honoris Causa) at a graduation ceremony. His first son, Jamal, was born in the year when Kenya became independent. Though Prof. Mazrui and his wife had moved to Uganda where he was working at Makerere University, his friends insisted that he had to name his son “Jamal” because it was close to “Jomo”, the first President of Kenya. His third son, Kim Abubakar, adopted his wife Kay Forde’s name to become Kim Forde Mazrui and has professional links to his father. The adoption of a wife’s family name was common in British culture, where a man from a lower-status family who married the only daughter of a higher-status family would adopt her family name. Kim wanted to be a lawyer like his father while still young, but he went into the scholarly world, rising to become a professor at the relatively tender age of 32 (in the year 2001). Ali Mazrui rose to the rank of full professor at exactly the same age of 32 (in the year 1965). Both father and son have never been assistant professors since they rose from lecturers to professors. And in 1986, he produced a nine-hour TVseries, “The Africans: A Triple Heritage”, which The People Magazine in its September 1986 edition described “as one of the most controversial series ever seen on American television.” Incidentally, that was the programme that gave him the greatest fame of his life. Ali Mazrui married his second wife (Pauline Uti, a Nigerian teacher) while he was on a sabbatical leave at the University of Jos, Nigeria. Together, they had two sons, Farid and Harith. After their marriage, Pauline travelled to Mombasa in 1999 to meet Prof. Mazrui’s family. This was years after their marriage, as she had not acquired permanent US residence that would have allowed her to join her husband in that country. Mazrui lived with his grandson, Little Ali, who is Al’Amin’s son, after Little Ali’s mother, Jill, died of cancer in 2004. Professor Mazrui was awarded the national title of Commander of the Order of the Burning Spear (CBS), First Class, by the then President Kibaki because of his profession as an educator. Earlier, in 1986, he produced a nine-hour TV-series, “The Africans: A Triple Heritage”, which The People Magazine of Kenya, in its September 1986 edition described “as one of the most controversial series ever seen on American television.” Incidentally, that was the programme that gave him the greatest fame of his life.

Tributes

Since the death of this legendry personality a few days ago, many tributes have poured in from various parts of the world, foremost among whom is His Eminence, The Sultan of Sokoto, and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, (NSCIA) Alhaji Muhammad Sa‘ad Abubakar CFR, mni. But only a few can be accommodated here. Please, read on: The Sultan of Sokoto: “I followed very closely, Professor Ali AlAmin Mazrui’s academic brilliance for years. His ingenuous contribution to African cultural development through political history

from Islamic perspective made such tremendous impression on me that I became convinced that an African can reach any height in human endeavour after all, given the right environment. As a professor of Political History and a product of Oxford University, London, this academic colossus stood out of the pack even among his Western colleagues and changed the hitherto perception of the Western intellectuals who believed erroneously that nothing good could come from Africa. In the three decades of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, he was the dominant academic towering stature of reference not only in Africa but also in Europe, America and Asia. His BBC programme of 1986 entitled ‘Africans: A triple Heritage’ which was copied by many other television stations around the world exemplified his ingenuousness in intellectualism. He was a teacher of teachers, a Professor of Professors and an intellectual of intellectuals, a rare academic feat that earned him the appellation of ‘Nwalimu’ by which he was well known. It is delightful that despite growing up among non-Muslims and interacting closely with them throughout his life, Professor Mazrui never deviated from the right path of Islam. His death on Monday, October 13, 2014 at the age of 81 has left a big vacuum not only in the African intellectual realm but also in the global social-cultural sphere. I heartily condole with the government and people of Kenya, his family and the academic community of Africa and pray the Almighty God to grant them all the fortitude with which to bear the agony and to maintain the footprint which he left behind”. Professor Ishaq O. Oloyede (a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Nigeria and former President of Vice Chancellors of African Universities): “He was a passionate scholar who devoted his entire academic life innately to Islamic scholarship. Unlike many of his colleagues, he did not see Islam as a mere religious dogma meant for worship and rituals alone. He rather saw it as a profound philosophy divinely formulated to guide the way by which its adherents live on a daily basis. Though Professor Mazrui was not a specialist in Islamic Studies, his intellectual analysis of the religion vis a vis the contemporary Western way of life came to open the eyes of his Western colleagues in the academia to the reality of Islamic religion. He was not a mere academic theorist as he lived by every word he expressed in the hoisting of Islamic banner as embedded African culture. We thank the Almighty Allah for endowing him with an Islamic life and for enabling him to die as a Muslim. We pray Allah to repose his soul in eternal bliss”. Professor Oloyede is the current SecretaryGeneral of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA). Toyin Falola, a Nigerian Professor at the University of Texas, Austin, United States: “….Mazrui’s intellectual assembly was a combination of the plurality of issues, the plurality of subjects, the plurality of perspectives, and the plurality of languages. But that plurality of languages was enfolded in what I have identified as the recourse to orality, the constant references to fragmented histories and memory. But as Mazrui deployed the English language, he needed to fracture and fragment himself, that is, his own being and body; his presentation of the past, grounded in orality, sometimes became “mythical.” Indeed, he often took the Islamic as “indigenous,” thus casting its impact in mythical ways as well. This is where Mazrui not only betrayed his preference but his transparency: the Western and the Christian became patriarchal and masculine, in opposition to the innocence and femininity of the mythical. The dominance and status of the English language in Mazrui’s work are clear. The English language was used to present Africa to Africans and to the world, and to reAfricanize Africans in drawing from lost traditions. A blended language, the “Englishes” with doses of Swahili and Arabic revealed creativity but drew attention to curiosity as well. Creativity and curiosity raised questions not just about intellectual innovations, but the content of ideas. A language has such a powerful linkage with culture that writing in English does not mean a rejection of one’s cultural immersion. Let me illustrate this point with a citation from The Power of Babel…”

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

SHOWBIZ

GUS 11: Obiano visits contestants

HETHER or not they knew he was coming, the presence of the governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, in the jungle, excited the contestants of the ongoing Gulder Ultimate Search (GUS) reality show. In what the organisers called a surprise visit, the governor, who was taken round notable spots in the Aguleri jungle by the show host, Chidi Mokeme, eventually met with the contestants, who looked roughened owing to the gruelling tasks of the show. Obiano, upon approaching the contestants, raised his fist in the air and chanted ‘Wee!’, a popular military slogan. The contestants replied with a thunderous ‘Wah!’ extending comradeship to their visitor. After taking a look at their abode, the governor said he was glad to know that the contestants built their shelters themselves, but sought to know how

By Victor Akande they had been coping with rains. They told him, however, that they were already accustomed to the harsh conditions of the jungle. Apparently fascinated by the various spots and the Place of the Talking Drum, where Mokeme sits to pass verdicts on contestants, the governor took the same sitting position saying: “It is a very exciting sight for me. It reminds me of my Boys Scout days… I identify myself with the vision of Gulder Ultimate Search. For some of you that may be Boys Scouts or Girls Guide or Man O War members, you will like what is happening here. I was a very active member of the Boys Scout, so I understand the jungle; I understand what is happening around here.” According to him, the lesson being espoused by the organisers of GUS is that they are trying to bring up strong people. “And part of being able to check

•Governor Obiano with the contestants

•Recounts memories of his Boys Scout days whether you are strong or not is how you survive in the jungle. I understand they cook their food here; I saw the thatched houses the contestants built themselves that they now live in; I saw the beautiful reception area and I saw the Place of the Talking Drum, a beautiful place to behold,” he said. He further disclosed that Anambra State government would consider implementing certain aspects of Gulder Ultimate Search as a youth development initiative. He stated: “I will see how I can borrow some

ideas here and, perhaps, implement it for the Anambra youths. Once in a while, we might consider them to have a feel of the jungle. You will never know where you will find a jungle. So, the more you learn about survival tricks, the better for you as an individual.” On how the reality show fits into the four pillars of his administration, Obiano said: “It is part of trade and commerce that will come in here; it is part of hospitality business that we are talking about and it is also a part of youth empower-

Royalty for filmmakers: Audio Visual Rights Society seeks licence

ITH the feat attained so far by the Federal Government-approved Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), a Collective Management Organisation (CMO) for the music industry, plans are ongoing by stakeholders in the Nigerian motion picture industry to secure government license for the take-off of a similar organisation called Audio Visual Rights Society (AVRS). Speaking recently to journalists in his Surulere, Lagos office, chairman of AVRS, Mr. Mahmood Ali-Balogun, said the illegal use of intellectual property by individuals and organisations for commercial purposes, without the consent and benefit to right owners, must stop. “People play audio-visual works and even copy them and use them for commercial purposes without permission. In some cases, some broadcast stations air these works without the consent of the right owners or even do so outside agreed arrangements,” he said. According to Ali-Balogun, although the society is at the stage of being licensed by the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), everything is set for its take-off. Ali-Balogun, a foremost movie producer/director and CEO of Brickwalls Communications, who introduced Emem Akinbairo, a lawyer with specialty in copyright matters as the General Manager of AVRS, disclosed that the organisation had followed due process, but awaiting official approval from the NCC. He said: “We have an office and a Board of Directors in place, and I am privileged to be the chairman. We have

By Victor Akande a management team headed by the General Manager, Emem Akinbairo. We have an accountant, a licensing manager, a licensing officer and a utility assistant. Those are the people who the law requires us to have now. We have been carrying out market analysis to identify users and buyers of the works of our members or people whom we will possibly license to use our members’ works because they have agreed to pay for the rights. For now, we have the office and management set up. But we can’t go out and do any business for now, unless we are properly licensed by the NCC and that’s the stage we are now.” While shedding light on what the operations of AVRS will be like, Balogun said: “It is our duty to help owners of these rights who are registered with us to manage these rights and to monitor the usage of their works even online. In essence, the right to collect royalty on behalf of any filmmaker must be passed to the AVRS. “We reckon that it will be so much work for an individual to monitor and manage these rights themselves, especially after he or she must have received the initial payment and when he or she has moved on to do other works. So, it is that gap that AVRS wants to fill: to monitor the usage and collect your royalty,” he explained. Balogun said although registration for membership is free, the process is very key to the operations of the society. “If you are not registered with AVRS as a member, you are not entitled to anything from AVRS. When you come to apply to us to be a mem-

ber, we verify to ascertain that you are indeed a right owner. We do these because there are people who claim ownership of a work when in actual sense they are not the right owners. For instance, a director who is hired and paid to direct a movie cannot claim rights to the movie. The right owner is the Executive Producer, except of course the director is also the Executive Producer of the movie. But we even have two categories of right owners. We have those we call the financial partners, and these are people who invest their monies in the movie. Its either they are designated producers or executive producers. But they must be the right owners for us to deal with them,” he said. On how royalties are shared, the AVRS boss said the money is pooled into an account and “AVRS takes only 30 percent of the money as stipulated in the law for administration, while the remaining 70 percent goes to the right owner.” This is also cheering news to everyone in the production chain of an audio visual property, because, according to Balogun, while the ordinarily the law recognises such people as the right owners because they pay every other person to do their works, CMO has come to recognise the fact that it is not a winnertakes-all situation. “Because there are other contributors to the works, the producer or executive producer cannot continue to take royalty in perpetuity; so, you must be ready to release some of that residual compensation to other people involved in making that work. These people include artistes, technicians and so on. In oth-

ment, training and skills that we’ve been talking about. The reason is when the contestants leave here, they will not be the same again ever. This experience will take them through so many things in real life. For example, if for any reason, you don’t have electricity, what should you do? Should you panic? These are already skills that are being taught in the Gulder Ultimate Search. If they find themselves in any difficult situation, instead of raising their hands and panicking, they will remember what

they did in the jungle; so, that’s a great lesson. And more importantly, Nigerian Breweries chose Aguleri, where the giants lived, a city known for strength and prowess in wars. So, they made an ultimate’ choice in Aguleri, just like they are positioning the ultimate drink they call Gulder.” At a ceremony scheduled to take place on November 1, the last man standing will be crowned and offered the N10 million cash prize and a brand new Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), while others will also receive rewards, according to how they have been evicted from the show.

Digital transition: NBC partners MIPCOM on contents

A •Mahmood

er climes, all these people are recognised in the area of CMO. It has been in our laws, but until COSON and the likes came, no one knew that even those other than the artistes ought to get something. So, the other group of people that will benefit, aside the financial partners, are the people we call the creative collaborators like the directors, actors and writers. Actors, in this case, are the lead and supporting actors. You can’t possibly pay everyone, for instance, on the set of a historical film. Only the people with significant contributions to the production will get something from what gets to the financial partners. So, AVRS will take care of the financial partners and the creative collaborators,” he said. On whether the NCC may find reasons to delay the approval of AVRS, the initiative, he noted, was from the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) in collaboration with the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) and the NCC. “They then invited us, the right owners and together, they facilitated the setting up of AVRS. So, government was involved from stage one of the establishment of AVRS. That is why, most times, I don’t agree with my colleagues who say that government is not doing anything to help the industry,” he explained.

HEAD of the 2015 date for global digital transition, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has announced a major working relationship with MIPCOM, a renowned film and TV content market on the need to supplement for possible spectrum expansion. The Director General of the NBC, Emeka Mba, who intimated stakeholders on the deal, in Lagos, recently, said the Commission is ready to work with MIPCOM on co-production, buying, selling, financing and distribution of entertainment content. Mba, who emphasised the importance of Nigeria’s partnership with MIPCOM and the hosting of the coming Africast in Abuja from October 21 to 23, said every stakeholder must take advantage of the opportunities that come with digitization. He said though the country has started the adventure with Africast, there is need to take it higher by also focusing on the business of creating contents, a major reason for Nigeria’s partnership with MIPCOM. “We need to work together to realise the vision and a more dynamic industry. The idea of having the Nigerian pavilion at the Cannes Film Festival is critical because we need to join the global discussion and learn how these things are done professionally, besides having the connection. We do have a vision about what the future of television in Nigeria should be, but that can only

•Emeka Mba

By Dupe Ayinla-Olasunkanmi be achieved through collective efforts and not by NBC alone,” he stated. The NBC boss, who lauded the potentials of Nigeria, said his Commission’s desire is to reposition Africast as a reference point for the best of equipment and a destination for content every year, so that producers can find a market for their works. The Managing Director of Multichoice Nigeria, John Ugbe, said content is very important in the sector because any one can hold a camera, but it is what is done with the camera that matters. He cited this as the reason for his company’s support for Nigeria’s participation at MIPCOM and the hosting of Africast. He further stated: “We are planning a bigger and better Africast 2014. It promises to be a must-attend event as broadcasting industry leaders from across the globe will be converging on Abuja to cross-pollinate ideas and explore the opportunities for the success of digitisation.” He also expressed optimism that deliberations at the conference would proffer ways and solutions that would enable Africa make significant progress to meet the ITU deadline of June 17, 2015.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

BUSINESS EXTRA

Fed Govt votes N1.22tr for fuel subsidy

HE Federal Government plans to spend N1.221.4trillion to subsidise the importation of premium motor spirit (PMS) or petrol and dual purpose kerosene (DPK) or kerosene next year. The proposal is contained in the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) sent to the National Assembly by President Goodluck Jonathan for consideration and approval. A total of N971.4billion is being proposed as subsidy on PMS while N250 billion would be spent as subsidy on DPK. There was no provision for kerosene subsidy in this

• Govt to borrow N570b next year

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Asst. Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

year’s budget of N4.724 trillion. The document also contained a projected sum of N4.817trillion as budget for next year. The Fiscal Responsibility Act provides that the National Assembly must consider and approve the MTEF/ FSP before the president presents the budget to a joint session of the National Assembly. The Federal Government also projected that it would

spend N1.029 trillion as capital expenditure for ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) while N1.801 trillion would be spent as personnel costs for the MDAs. According to the document, service wide votes would gulp N376.05 billion while N570 billion is projected as new borrowings next year. As part of efforts to tackle crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism, the security agencies are expected to start ground and aerial surveillance while the Justice Ministry would ensure speedy prosecution of oil thieves

and vandals. The document read in part: “The activities of crude oil thieves and oil pipeline vandals remain the main risks to oil production. The potential implications of their activities are a reduction in government revenue with further impacts on government debts and fiscal deficits as well as pressures on the exchange rate. “Given the role of oil production volume on government finances, government remains committed to curbing these nefarious activities. Consequently, it is intensifying security, particularly ground and aerial surveillance, around oil facilities through the combined

efforts of security agencies and local communities’ participation. “These security forces under the National Executive Council Committee are being better equipped to checkmate the activities of oil thieves and pipeline vandals. There would also be better engagements of the Ministry of Justice and lawyers for faster prosecution of oil thieves. “In addition, a quick passage of the PIB will undo the uncertainties undermining new investments in the oil industry, thereby raising oil production.” The Federal Government also told the National Assembly that it has already set up a committee which is expected to partner with other agencies to tackle the Boko Haram sect. It said: “The issue of insurgency in parts of the North-

east is still a risk to economic and commercial activities, and by extension, government tax revenue. Consequently, government will intensify the utilisation of its three-pronged approach including a firm security response, continued political dialogue and a package of development assistance to check mating the security situation. “Already, a Presidential Initiative for the North East (PINE) Committee is working together with some development partners to finding a lasting solution to the insurgency.” Meanwhile, the MTEF/FSP was yesterday committed to the Senate Committee on Finance and National Planning for more legislative work. Senate President David Mark gave the affected committees two weeks to report back to Senate.

Why power supply to Abuja dropped, by AEDC CEO

• From left: Representative of Leadway Assurance, Tunji Amokade; Director, Southern Directorate, Royal Exchange General Insurance Company Limited, Benjamin Agili; Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, AIICO Insurance Plc, Edwin Igbiti; and Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer, Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, Samuel ‘Brume Ogbodu, during the launch of myautogenius.com, an online insurance product at Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos...yesterday.

NGOs must pay tax, FIRS insists

HE Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has ruled that non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are not exempted from paying tax. It described as false, statements that suggest that NGOs are exempted from paying taxes because they are recognised as basically not-for-profit entities which are therefore exempted from paying income tax. Speaking with members of NGOs during a sensitisation meeting in Abuja yesterday, the Acting Executive Chairman, said: “Nigerian tax laws do not necessarily exempt NGOs from paying taxes.” However, where an NGO engages in activities from which it derives profit, Marshi noted that “it will be required to pay taxes on such

From Nduka Chiejina (Asst. Editor)

profits, like any other profitmaking entity.” Marshi was represented by the Coordinating Director, Modernisation Group, Mr. Ossy Chuke at the forum. According to FIRS, aside income taxes, NGOs, he said “are not exempted from paying taxes such as Value Added Tax (VAT) on goods and services. They are also required to deduct and pay over personal income tax from salaries and allowances paid to their employees, amongst others.” Marshi said: “A more detailed presentation will be made on the tax obligations of NGOs so that there is greater clarity on the part of tax payers, tax officers, tax

professionals and of course, NGO operators.” The FIRS boss also said the service has now centralised all NGO tax issues within its Medium Tax Office (MTO), Abuja. This he said is to enable them better identify and monitor NGOs for tax purposes, improve its turnaround time on NGO issues and provide services to them. Accordingly, all NGO tax files are now domiciled with the MTO in Abuja and any such files yet to be sent to MTO will be transferred shortly. Yesterday’s deliberation Marshi added “will provide information on what types of entities constitute NGOs, so that the FIRS can make clear which files are to be transferred to the MTO.”

As an emerging economy, Nigeria he said “is moving away from resource dependence and focusing more on sustainable sources of revenue especially taxation, we cannot therefore afford to leave behind any taxpayer segment, neither can any group of taxpayers seek to exempt themselves from contributing to the development of Nigeria through paying taxes, except as permitted by law.” In his opening address, the Coordinating Director, Field Operations Group, Mr. Ajayi Bamidele, said the extant tax laws provided for some tax exemptions for NGOs in line with the recognition of their supportive roles in the society but some operators have misinterpreted the exemptions to cover all taxes.

Collateral Registry comes on stream Q2 2015

HE Collateral Registry being established to enable Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (SMEs) access the N220billion MSME Fund without difficulties may become operational by second quarter of next year. Speaking at the end of Bankers’ Committee meeting of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), yesterday in Abuja, Yinka Sanni of Stabic IBTC told reporters that “how to ensure timely disbursement of the Fund was among the major issues discussed” and that members expressed the desire to

From Nduka Chiejina (Asst. Editor)

achieve this within the shortest feasible time. The Managing Director, Zenith Bank Plc Peter Amangbo said the deposit money banks (DMBs) have started reaching out to their customers to ensure that they explore the immense opportunities in an operational collateral registry for their businesses. Amangbo added that one of the pillars of the Collateral Registry would be to ensure that smaller customers that

want access to loans and advances can register moveable assets as security. He said bankers were looking at having a registry that will be 100 per cent electronic and centralised. He said: “We will have a central database of all moveable security by customers, especially the smaller retail ones and the consumer ones. The advantage of this is that it takes care of all security types and it enables the banks to query that register, the registry itself and look at what the status is. “Each bank can come; each

creditor can come and register their interests. But the key thing is that it is very easy, it will make availability of loans much easier and much faster because what we need is just to query the system. It is going to be electronic and it is going to be centralised. “We are going to have, for the first time, a central database for all security by customers of DMBs. We believe that by second quarter of next year, it should actually be in place and it will enable the system to grant more small and medium scale loans.”

OWER supplied to Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has dropped from 400megawatts (Mw) to between 260Mw and 300Mw causing pains to its customers. Its Managing Director, Mr. Neil Croucher yesterday blamed the development on a corresponding drop of between 20 and 30 per cent in power supplied to the firm from the national grid. He also said the load allocation of 11.5 per cent to Abuja Distribution Company (DISCo) and the penalties charged to it by the Market Operator for energy taken above this ceiling puts additional constraint on the company. Croucher told the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo who paid an unscheduled visit to the firm’s office in Abuja. Nebo was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Ambassador Godknows Igali and other aides. The minister noted with concern the drop in power supply to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and pledged to review the ceiling placed on the quantum of electricity supplied to the

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

Abuja DISCo. In a statement endorsed by its spokesman, Ahmed Shekarau, Nebo said a situation where Abuja, which is the seat of government, suffers inadequate power supply is counter-productive to the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan, especially in terms of attracting foreign investments into the country. Nebo said the visit became imperative to find out from AEDC’s management what the challenges were and explore ways of tackling them. Croucher thanked the minister and the permanent secretary for the visit and commended them for the efforts being made to ensure the success of the President’s Transformation Agenda in the power sector. The AEDC boss appealed to the minister to help ensure that sufficient power is supplied to Abuja DISCo to meet the electricity needs of the FCT, considering its strategic importance. Croucher told the minister that AEDC is thinking out of the box as it is exploring the option of embedded power generation within its areas of coverage.

Reps get PIB’s report

HE House of Representatives yesterday said the report of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) is ready and is slated for presentation on its floor soon. Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Zakari Mohammed, spoke with reporters against the background of a PIB cashfor-passage allegation which he said was being flown around by “unseen hands” that were making the presentation of the PIB report impossible. He said: “We (Reps) don’t give credence to rumours. The PIB is a very sensitive legislation. A number of issues have come up with political and zonal connotations, there are no unseen hands stalling the presentation of the PIB report. “The PIB is ready and its just a matter of presentation. The PIB will change the workings of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector

From Victor Oluwasegun, Abuja

and also generate employment.” The report of the Ishaka Bawa-led Ad hoc Committee on the PIB has been long awaited and is seen as a precursor to an overhaul of the outdated laws governing the oil industry. The Speaker of the House, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal raised the Ad hoc Committee on the oil bill in mid- September with the mandate to submit a report within three weeks. The lawmaker also said the National Conference report sent by President Goodluck Jonathan in a “compressed” form has been received by the House. According to him, the Confab report has been circulated to members of the House, raising the possibility of the report being considered next week.

THE NATION FRIDAY OCTOBER 17, 2014

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

MONEYLINK to examine Enterprise Bank’s acqusition: Heritage seeks Bankers FDI challenges CBN’s, SEC’s approval H T ERITAGE Bank Limited yesterday in Lagos, said it made full payment for the acquisition of Enterprise Bank Limited two days ago. With this development, it is expected to pursue the agreed completion phase which includes seeking regulatory approvals from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC’s) approvals. The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) had in a statement yesterday, confirmed that HBCL Investment Services Limited (HISL), acting on behalf of Heritage Bank Limited, has paid the required balance for the purchase of bridged lender.

Stories by Collins Nweze

Heritage in a statement said Enterprise Bank’s acquisition is a clear signal that the lender is on its way to becoming a strong national bank. It entered the market over a year ago with a regional bank status following the acquisition of the banking licence and liabilities of the defunct Societe Generale Bank of Nigeria (SGBN). It said the acquisition of Enterprise Bank which currently boasts of 165 branches will increase its points of presence from 15 Experience Centers to nearly 200 branches spread all over

the country. Heritage Bank CEO, Ifie Sekibo confirmed that the lender 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. 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 hav-

FirstBank, MoneyGram partner

Citigroup to exit consumer banking in 11 markets

ITIGROUP Inc, the U.S. lender that derives most of its revenue from overseas markets, has announced plans to exit consumer banking in 11 markets as Chief Executive Officer Michael Corbat seeks to simplify the firm and boost returns. The sale of the businesses, a majority of which already are under way, are expected to be completed by the end of next year, the bank said yesterday in a statement. The units will be moved into the lender’s collection of unwanted assets for reporting purposes in the first quarter of next year. “I am committed to simplifying our company and allocating our finite resources to where we can generate the best returns for our shareholders. While we have made progress optimizing these 11 consumer markets, we believe our global consumer bank will achieve

stronger performance by focusing on those countries where our scale and network provide a competitive advantage,” Corbat, 54, said in the statement. The actions come two years after Corbat was named CEO to replace Vikram Pandit, who made expanding into emerging markets one of his central strategies. Since taking over, Corbat has announced plans to fire 11,000 workers and pull back from consumer banking in markets with low returns including Spain, Greece and Turkey. With yesterday’s announcement, New York-based Citigroup will exit consumer banking in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Japan, Guam, the Czech Republic, Egypt and Hungary, as well as the consumer-finance business in Korea, according to the statement. It will continue to work with institutional clients in those places.

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

ing the combination, we will be disposed having a business combination and it will have Heritage brand.” The emergence of HISL and Fidelity Bank as preferred and reserve bidders respectively, he said, resulted from a rigorous and competitive bidding process, which was coordinated for AMCON by Citigroup Global Markets Limited, Vetiva Capital Management Limited (Financial Advisers) and G. Elias & Co. (Legal Advisers). The bid process started with interest shown by 24 parties cutting across local and international boundaries.

•Onasanya

IRSTBANK of Nigeria Limited (FirstBank) and MoneyGram International have announced the launch of outbound remittance service in Nigeria. In a stateet, the lender said since money transfers began in 1998, consumers in the country have only been able to receive funds via MoneyGram’s money transfer services. It said the launch therefore represents a significant milestone because it enables customers to send funds to family

and friends around the globe in naira which can then be picked up in the currency of the receiving country where available. FirstBank is one of the first MoneyGram agents to offer this service in the country. With the launch, customers would be able to use MoneyGram’s new outbound service offering through the bank’s branches. Its Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Bisi Onasanya said the bank remains committed to delivering excellent customer experience to customers. He said the lender delivers excellent financial solutions and is proud to offer yet another excellent customer focused solution – the MoneyGram outbound service – to the Nigerian market. “As a brand, we remain committed to putting our customers first,” he said.

DATA BANK

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 16-10-14

HE Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) has assembled top operators from the banking, financial services industry and academia to examine the challenges and prospects of attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). This, it said, is aimed at proffering strategic solutions for the economy. The event, which holds on Saturday in Lagos, will avail the institute opportunity to confer Fellowship and Honorary Senior Membership awards on the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele; Managing Director/Chief Executive, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, Emeka Emuwa; Managing Director Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, and Managing Director/CE, Heritage Bank Company Limited, Ifiesimma Sekibo. The theme of the event is: “Making Nigeria a major Destination for Foreign Direct Investment” and would be addressed by Dr. Dick Kramer, Chairman, African Capital Alliance and Prof. (Mrs.) Comfort Ekpo, Vice Chancellor, University of Uyo. Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola (SAN) will be thespecial guest of honour while the President/Chairman of Council, the CIBN, Mrs. ’Debola Osibogun, will chair the occasion. Out of 200 top bankers to be invested at the event, two would receive the Honorary Fellowship award, 98 Associates will be conferred with Fellowship (FCIB) while 100 would receive Honorary Senior Membership (HCIB) of the Institute.

RETAIL DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM (RDAS) Transaction Dates 15/10/2014 13/10/2014 08/10/2014 ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Inflation: September

8.3%

Monetary Policy Rate

12.0%

Amount Offered in ($) 350m 350m 400m

Amount Sold in ($) 349.97m 349.96m 399.99m

CBN EXCHANGE RATES October 15, 2014

Currency

Buying (N)

Selling (N)

155.70

155.72

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

CHANGE

Foreign Reserves

$39.4b

US Dollar

7UP

147.73

162.86

15.13

Oil Price (Bonny Light/b)

$97.9

Pounds Sterling

250.7724

252.3929

CUTIX

1.88

1.97

0.09

HONYFLOUR

3.69

3.85

0.16

Euro

200.3394

201.634

COSTAIN

0.78

0.80

0.02

Credit to private Sector (CPS)

Swiss Franc

165.7385

166.8095

RTBRISCOE

0.91

0.93

0.02

Primary Lending Rate (PLR)

Yen

1.445

1.4544

FIDELITYBK

1.92

1.95

0.03

CFA

0.286

0.306

FCMB

4.12

4.17

0.05

WEMABANK

0.93

0.94

0.01

231.3531

232.8481

INTBREW

31.47

31.50

0.03

25.1773

25.3409

CADBURY

52.50

52.51

0.01

LOSERS AS AT 16-10-14

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

CHANGE

CAVERTON

4.84

4.40

-0.44

DANGSUGAR

7.60

7.22

-0.38

51.82

49.23

-2.59

218.00

207.10

-10.90

CONOIL FO WAPCO

Money Supply (M2)

N16.42 trillion. N17.2 trillion 16.5%

NIGERIAN INTER-BANK OFFERED RATES (NIBOR)

Tenor

13-10-14 Rate (%) Rate (%) 12-10-14 11.00

10.917

Riyal

41.259

41.5256

12.464

12.393

SDR

232.156

233.6562

13.281

13.201

14.205

14.110

FOREX RATES

123.00

116.85

-6.15

56.00

53.20

-2.80

R-DAS ($/N)

157.29

OANDO

23.28

22.12

-1.16

Interbank ($/N)

162.75

3.05

2.90

-0.15

14.85

14.13

-0.72

Parallel ($/N)

167.50

5.59

5.32

-0.27

CCNN UBA

Yuan/Renminbi

Overnight (O/N)

UACN IKEJAHOTEL

WAUA

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

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 16-10-14

25-07-14 DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 16-10-14

Equity market suffers biggest loss since February

HE nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s equity market extended losses into the ninth trading day, as the NSE ASI suffered the biggest daily loss since February, declining 201bps to 38,490.67 points just as the Index has so far shed 6.6per cent in October leaving the YTD performance at negative 6.9 per cent. Market capitalisation declined by an additional N260.1bn to N12.7tn. The decline was driven by broad selloffs in the market, particularly in Dangote Cement (2.3 per cent), Zenith (4.6 per cent) and Guaranty (3.6 per cent). Investors traded 525.2m units of shares valued at N7.7bn in 4,779 deals (a 24.8 per cent and 66.1 per cent in-

By Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

crease in turnover and value). All sector indices within our coverage closed in negative territory today. The NSE Oil and Gas Index led the declines with 3.9 per cent, paring the YTD gain to 23.6 per cent. The decline was majorly driven by maximum losses in Forte Oil (5.0 per cent), OANDO (5.0 per cent) and Conoil (5.0 per cent). Impressive nine months result of Wema failed to lift the overall negative sentiment in banking stocks, as the index shed 3.6 per cent â&#x20AC;&#x201D; pressured by sustained selloffs in Guaranty (3.6 per cent) and Zenith

Bank (4.6 per cent). Similarly, the Industrial Goods Index shed 3.3 per cent as Cement Stocks retreated Lafarge (5.0 per cent), CCNN (4.9 per cent), Dangote Cement (2.3 per cent) and Ashaka (2.3 per cent). The Insurance Index declined 0.4 per cent while Consumer Goods waned 0.1 per cent. Market Breadth as measured by the advancers/ decliners ratio closed at 0.2x (11 gainers and 53 losers) significantly below par at 1.0x. At the close of trading, 7up (10.2 per cent), Cutix (4.8 per cent and Honeywell (4.3 per cent) led gainers, while Caverton (9.1 per cent), Forte Oil (5.0 per cent) and Lafarge (5.0 per cent) led losers.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

FOREIGN NEWS

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014

Iraq crisis: Wave of attacks in Baghdad leave 40 dead

Nepal: Annapurna Circuit snow and avalanche deaths reach

T least 28 people have died on a key Nepali hiking route, officials say, after blizzards struck at the height of the Himalayan climbing season. There are fears the final toll will be higher. Nine bodies were found on Thursday and about 220 people have been rescued, but many are still missing. Nepalese, Israeli, Canadian, Indian, Slovak and Polish trekkers are among those killed. Severe rain and snow in Nepal appear linked to a recent cyclone in India. Tuesday’s exceptional weather was said to be part of the remnants of Cyclone Hudhud. Most of the deaths happened when a blizzard hit a point on the Annapurna Circuit, a wellknown trekking route in central Nepal. Rescuers will resume their search on Friday, with many trekkers still unaccounted for The bad weather hit a resting place 4,500m (14,800ft) above sea level, not far below the circuit’s highest point, the Thorung La pass. October is a popular trekking season and there were likely to have been many climbers on the passes. Home Ministry officials said more people could have been saved and rescued if there had been an early warning against the snow storm, the BBC’s Navin Singh Khadka in Kathmandu reports.

The scene of the attacks in Shia areas of the Iraqi capital

Ebola crisis: Hospital official ‘sorry for mistakes’

HE top doctor at the Texas hospital where an Ebola patient infected two nurses before dying has apologised for its failure to diagnose him promptly. Dr Daniel Varga of Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital told a congressional panel it remained unclear how the nurses caught the disease. Congressmen are questioning public health officials about the threat of an

Ebola outbreak in the US. The epidemic has killed more than 4,000 people, almost all in West Africa. The World Health Organization (WHO) has said it will “ramp up” efforts to prevent Ebola spreading beyond the three countries most affected by the deadly virus - Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Fifteen African countries are being prioritised, top WHO official Isabelle

Nuttall told a news conference in Geneva. They will receive more help in areas including prevention and protection. Dallas-Fort Worth Airport, a young couple embrace in arrivals and leave for the city centre discussing the case of Nina Pham, the Dallas nurse infected with Ebola who cared for Thomas Eric Duncan. How could it happen here, they ask in wonder.

There’s a pervasive sense of unease about the Ebola virus in the midst of this prosperous city. Three schools have closed temporarily because two of the pupils were on the same flight as nurse Amber Vinson on Monday night she has become the second nurse to contract Ebola from Duncan and the CDC want to trace all 132 people on the plane.

ORE than 40 people have been killed and dozens wounded in a series of attacks in mainly Shia areas of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, officials say.In the deadliest incident, two car bombs exploded simultaneously in the western district of Dawlai, killing 14. No-one claimed responsibility for the attacks, but they bore the hallmarks of previous operations by Islamic State. The Sunni jihadist group has seized large swathes of Iraq and is only 20km (12 miles) People living in Anbar are scared... They have been displaced and are getting killed, and the sound of explosions fills the air” Troops backed by Shia militiamen and US-led air strikes have stopped IS advancing on the capital, but have been unable to push it back. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared in a televised speech at a military ceremony on Wednesday that Baghdad was “safe and the vicious terrorists can’t and will not reach it”. “Our brave security forces have managed to secure Baghdad and its perimeter,” he added.

New graves found in Mexico in hunt for missing students

EOPLE searching for 43 missing Mexican students say they have found new burial pits. The 43 have been missing since they clashed with police almost three weeks ago in the town of Iguala. Vigilantes who joined the search said they had found six new burial pits, at least two of which contained what they believe are human remains. The search had been stepped up after forensic tests showed bodies found on 4 October were not those of the studentsd The latest burial pits were found by members of a group of vigilantes who had travelled to Iguala to help with the search.

A student hangs up a poster reading “They took them alive, we want them back alive” They said they had found six pits, two of which looked freshly dug but had not been used yet. They searched three of the remaining four and said they found what looked like human remains, clothes and hair in two of them. If confirmed, this would bring the total number of mass graves found around Iguala since the students’ disappearance to 19. So far, forensic experts have only concluded tests on 28 bodies found on 4 October They could not be matched with the DNA provided by the relatives of the students, raising questions as to who was in the mass grave. It is also not clear how long ago the grave may have been dug and by whom.

EXPRESSO

Super Eagles: Flying on a wing

•Continued

from Back Page

Monkeys in the Glass House: Another ill

of the Super Eagles is that the nation’s football house, the Glass House, has long become a monkey colony where all manner of primates engage in all sorts of monkey business. Though not unlike we have in all segments of our national life, it is a glass house of woes from where no good report emanates. We never hear about long-term strategic football development; we never hear about programmes to develop youth talent or the local league; our referees are perpetually pariahs, despised and ineligible for CAF and FIFA football fiestas. Our coaches are treated with disdain even by so-called administrators in

the Glass House, preferring to go into dubious schemes with cheap, mercenary white skins they call expatriates. The so-called Glass House comes across as a place of intrigues, touting, gangsterism and skullduggery. It surely is not a place where the beautiful art of soccer can thrive. So long as our football is run by a semi-illiterate mediocre gang who neither have integrity nor care about it, our football will remain an abiku.

Playing football under a rubble: Football

is one of the largest subsector of sports in more organised places, not only for its immense capacity for employing the youths but for engaging them and veering them away from trouble. But football is a joke here because it is in the grips of charlatans.

One pointer to that fact is our football facilities across the country which are in ruins. All the six federal stadia have been long dilapidated. A visit to our premier national stadium at Surulere, Lagos, will evoke tears. The stadium in Calabar is probably the worst of all the stadia in countries playing the AFCON qualifiers. And we deign to be playing football like the rest of the world; but if we must face it, we are not. We are merely clowning around yet. Not until governments at all levels hands off football and allow it run on its own steam; by private individuals, like the business it is and the way it is done in other serious climes. Until then, we can fool around all we want pretending to be playing football. We are not.

THE NATION FRIDAY OCTOBER 17, 2014

NEWS

Dangote Cement, community settle dispute

ANGOTE Cement Plc and its host community, Tse-kucha in Benue State, have agreed to an amicable resolution of a dispute. The dispute resulted from the March 8 killing of about seven members of the community by soldiers attached to the company. About seven others were injured. The community petitioned the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) shortly

•Firm to pay N49m compensation From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

after the incident, alleging that soldiers attached to the Dangote Cement Factory shot Terhile Jibor in the mouth for refusing to remove his faeces when he was caught defecating close to the company’s fence. The soldiers were said to have shot at youths who protested Jibor’s shooting, killing seven and injuring seven.

NHRC’s Chief Press Officer Fatimah Agwai Mohammed, in a statement yesterday, said Dangote Cement Plc agreed to pay N5 million each to the families of the seven deceased persons and N2 million each to the injured. She said upon receiving the community’s petition NHRC “undertook preliminary investigations and conducted hearings after which parties explored mediation and

reached an agreement brokered by Governor Gabriel Suswam between representatives of the victims and Dangote Cement Plc.” She quoted NHRC’s Executive Secretary, Prof. Bem Angwe, as urging the public to be law abiding, promising that the commission would continue to defend human rights.

Why council polls can’t hold, by Aliyu

IGER State Governor Mu’azu Aliyu yesterday said local government elections could not hold because of the 2015 general elections. The tenure of the 25 local government committees expired last Monday. Inaugurating caretaker council committees yesterday in Minna, the state capital, Aliyu said: “In view of the series of national elections, especially party primaries scheduled between now and next year, the government felt it was not expedient to hold

By Precious Igbonwelundu

OLLOWING America’s active participation in the war against the Islamic State (IS) terror group in Iraq and Syria, a youth, platform, #StandUpForNigeria, has written American President Barrack Obama, a demanding similar commitment in the battle against Boko Haram. A copy of the letter, which was delivered to the American Embassy in Lagos, noted the difference in the reaction of the United States (U.S.) and its allies to ISIS and Boko Haram. The group described international response to Nigeria’s fight against Boko Haram as “insignificant”. It said: “The response of global actors to Boko Haram threats has been one of palliative conferencing, rather than definitive military actions as in the case of IS. Please do not forget about us. “We understand your reluctance to commit ‘boots on the ground’, but at the very least, we need broader international military support and aid on the ground for victims of Boko Haram. “We also need Nigeria to be factored into any global strategy to defeat terrorism and for resources to be allocated accordingly. Pentagon spokesperson Rear Admiral John Kirby recently confirmed that Apache helicopters are doing support missions for Iraqi military. Can same be done in Nigeria? “We remind you that since independence in 1960, our country has always honoured its international commitments. Nigeria has committed more troops to international peace-keeping missions across the world than any other nation… Just as Nigeria fulfils its responsibilities as a leading nation in Africa, we ask that the U.S. does the same as the leading nation in the world. “With the dignity and strength of our youths, we are standing up for the more than 120 million young people of a nation that is groaning under the pressure of fighting a brutal terrorist insurgency, and we believe it is in the interest of global security for the world to assist us.”

From James Azania, Lokoja

•The boat and the Geepee tanks containing the product.

Umar too desperate for power, says Senator

HAIRMAN of the Senate Committee on Agriculture Emmanuel Bwacha yesterday said Taraba State Acting Governor Garba Umar was prevented from seeing ailing Governor Danbaba Suntai for security reasons. Bwacha told reporters in Abuja that “ceaseless unpleasant actions of the acting governor towards his principal since his involvement in a plane crash is highly suspicious.” He claimed that Umar’s actions showed that he was “not favourably disposed” to seeing the governor back in office. Bwacha said: “If we have empirical evidence that you are working towards sacking your principal and, from all available facts, if you want him

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sani Onogu, Abuja

sacked and you are not able to achieve that, suspicion will begin to emerge that other extraordinary means could be used. That is why, for security reasons, nobody would allow you to see him.” The senator, who represents Taraba South, said Umar was “too desperate for power”, adding: “We are aware of what the scriptures say that the world is actually running on its own, but we should be able to tell the world that there are those who Satan is trying to use now that the world is rounding up. “This is somebody who

common and whether human beings are still behaving like human beings or out of sheer love for power. People should learn to live like human beings and not behave like animals that are desperate to consume others.” Bwacha said those asking whether the governor was fit to return to office should consider morality rather than the governor’s fitness to resume to power. He said: “The question here is not about whether or not somebody is fit to rule, but the question of morality. Somebody who is morally upright should ask himself the question: ‘Did this man choose to be in this situation?”

From Johnny Danjuma, Lafia

HE Federal High Court has dismissed sacked Adamawa State Acting Governor Ahmadu Fintiri’s claim that it is working to frustrate his appeal. In two petitions to the National Judicial Council (NJC), Fintiri alleged that the court was reluctant to release to him a certified true copy of the October 8 judgment that voided his swearing in as acting governor. A senior official of the court said yesterday that a copy of the judgment had since been given to one of Fintiri’s lawyers, Theophilus Okwute, from Bayo Ojo’s (SAN) law firm. Ojo has been sacked as Fintiri’s lawyer. He showed an acknowledgment copy, where Okwute signed after collecting a copy of the judgment.

brought you from the dustbin and you want to oust him. Our belief is that God is waiting for him somewhere. The deputy governor wasn’t actually part of the election but was brought in midway, but he has decided to throw morality into the dustbin. That is actually the cause of the political problem in the state. “Simply put, the problem is from the deputy governor, who wants to remove his principal who, for no fault of his, had an accident. The accident occurred barely two weeks after Umar was sworn in as deputy governor. “The question we are faced with is that of morality; whether common sense is still

Nasarawa confirms appointments

Court faults Fintiri’s claim

•Fintiri From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

The court said the judge who delivered the judgment had seven days to get the judgment ready for collection by any party who sought to appeal. It said there was no basis for Fintiri’s lawyers to allege that they were not given copies of the judgment, adding that Justice Ademola ought to be commended for determining the suit within two months and not vilified.

council elections, hence the inauguration of caretaker committees.” He said local government elections would hold after the general elections next year. The governor urged the caretaker committees to complete projects, especially the 10-kilometre road project in local governments. Aliyu said the government would provide the caretaker committees the resources to perform their jobs.

Youths seek America’s help

Navy seizes boat, petroleum product HE Nigerian Navy has impounded a 40-metre long wooden boat conveying about 65,000 litres of petroleum product around the River Niger. Addressing reporters yesterday in Lokoja, the state capital, the Commander, NNS Lugard, Commodore Shuwa Muhammed, said the product was stored in nine Geepee tanks. He said bunkerers abandoned the boat at a marshy area along the River Niger. Commodore Muhammed said the product would be handed over to officials of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for testing and the boat would be destroyed. Other items recovered include two pumping machines, three Yamaha out-boat engines, three medium sized hoses, 150 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), one machete, plastic buckets, tools and five empty 25-litre Jerry cans.

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

HE appointments of the Vice-Chancellor of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Prof Muhammed Mainoma; the Provost of the state’s College of Education Dr. Rebecca Umaru and the Rector of the Lafia Polytechnic, Dr Silas Gyar, have been confirmed after serving in acting capacity for over two years. The Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Affairs and Special Duties, Abubakar Sadiq, said: “Governor Umaru Al-Makura has approved the appointments of the heads of the three tertiary institutions in the state. He confirmed the appointments after consultations with the Governing Councils of the institutions.”

Editor buried in Kaduna From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

N Associate Editor of New Nigerian, Mr. John Akpomoshi Akpus, has been buried in Kaduna. Akpus died last Friday after a brief illness. He is survived by a wife, six children, aged mother, uncles, aunties and friends. Akpus’ widow, Rakiya, described her husband’s death as “shocking”. Elder Hosea Yayock of the ECWA Goodnews Church in Sabon Tasha, Kaduna, who performed the funeral rites, urged the people to put God first in all they do. He said death was inevitable and could happen at anytime.

Nyako: Hearing stalled By Joseph Jibueze

EARING of a suit seeking to reinstate “impeached” Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako was stalled yesterday by the absence of Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Lagos. The suit was earlier slated for judgment, but the judge suspended it to hear a fresh application brought by one of the defendants. Hearing could not go on yesterday as the judge was said to be away. Litigants’ lawyers were given the impression that the court would sit, but they waited in vain. It was later learnt that Justice Abang travelled to Abuja for an official duty. Other cases listed for hearing in the court suffered the same fate and were adjourned. The hearing has been fixed for today, it was learnt. The suit, filed by Lagos lawyer Mr. Olukoya Ogungbeje, is seeking Nyako’s reinstatement. Ogungbeje said the process that led to Nyako’s impeachment was unconstitutional.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

NEWS Kwankwaso backs consensus candidacy for APC Continued from page 4

do is to ensure that it does not rise again.” The Kano State Governor said that there was no doubt that a lot of Nigerians are sick and tired of the existing status quo. According to him, “any leader, president, governor or local government chairman who decided to divide his people, to me, that leader is a very weak leader. You should convince your people by way of programme and projects; you don’t divide the people on religious lines, north or south, ethnicity and so on.” Kwankwaso added: “I am very happy that APC was formed and therefore, let me thank all those who have worked so hard, the governors, members of the National Assembly, elders, all those who thought that we need a mega party. “Now that we have a mega party I am sure the other party is shivering. We have done so much since the formation, ranging from the registration to the formation of the leadership at all levels to the various elections that we had across the country. “I am happy that I left PDP, I am so comfortable. I am so

happy that I have a party, a strong party that is strong enough to defeat the other party. “Let me also say that as an aspirant that I come here to brief you, tell you that God willing, very soon we will fix a date for declaration and I also want to take the opportunity to invite you to where we are going to have that declaration to support me and through me support the party. “People are worried and very much concerned about the issue of primary elections. Let me tell you that our constitution has provided for consensus, it has also provided for elections. “We know for those of us who came from PDP, we know the advantages and disadvantages of primary elections, but if you look at it critically from 1999 to 2011, every election year, PDP was having primary elections even when we had sitting president in 2003 and 2011, we had primary elections, but all other parties were not doing primary elections in the actual sense of it. “They sit down and look at faces and say ‘you, do a guess work and say, ‘yes’ may be he is number one here but when

you go to the field, he may not be number one. “That is why I am personally calling for a consensus, but if it doesn’t happen, I believe primary election is also good for the party. “We have seen that since we have quite a number of aspirants, all of us are working, everybody is working very hard especially those of us from PDP, we have a huge advantage, especially my humble self, we have been to so many places. “We need leadership that will judge somebody by the content of his character , somebody who can ensure that everybody is given what he deserves to get. “I hope all of us here and even those who are not here will team up together with us to defeat the PDP; PDP has already defeated itself. “On the other hand, all what we need is to ensure that it doesn’t rise again.” Kwankwaso, who also visited Senate President David Mark, told him that he came to pay him respect as the leader of the National Assembly. He told Mark: “I am sure you are aware that I am one of the aspirants of the APC. Of course, I am yet to declare.”

PDP governors at war with Mu’azu over Senate tickets Continued from page 4

meeting. “It is now taking a very dangerous dimension because our desire is to strengthen our National Assembly, especially the Senate. “We believe that the polity could benefit from their wealth of experience but the governors, with their desire to all go to the Senate, are constituting a big constraint on our desire for this. “While we believe that the governors are our field com-

manders, we cannot say in the same breath that our senators are no more useful and should be discarded. “So we have outlined some acceptable conditions that will guide both the governors and the senators, because there is no way the governors can have everything to themselves without consideration for others.” Some of the outgoing PDP governors who have indicated interest in the Senate include Sullivan Chime (Enugu); Martin Elechi (Ebonyi); Emmanuel Ud-

uaghan (Delta); Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom); Gabriel Suswam (Benue); Isa Yuguda (Bauchi); Jonah Jang (Plateau) and Babangida Aliyu (Niger). Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State is said to have shelved his plans to go to the Senate. He is reported to be scheming to replace the Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba with his anointed candidate, Mr. John Eno, who is a member of the House of Representatives.

rives at its destination. “We must run a rancour free runoff to the presidential primaries such that it becomes easy for all the aspirants to embrace each other and work with each other. We will do whatever we can in that regard. “I intend to talk to all the aspirants once we know the number of aspirants we have. I want you to tell me what you want to see in the process and I want you or your representative to participate actively in the process towards the presidential primaries so that everybody will be on board. “There is no secret about it as everybody will be part of it and whatever modification the aspirants want to make will be accommodated so that all the aspirants will know that we want to run things freely, transparently and above board”. Congratulating Gen. Buhari for the success of his declaration of intention, Chief Odigie-Oyegun said the implication of the success of the event is that Nigerians will be saying that “truly, the APC has arrived and they mean business”. He added that while the party is looking forward to a number of aspirants, he said: “we are

very glad by the kind of display that, one by one, they are putting up. It is a clear indication of the quality in the APC. “It is a clear indication of the quality of leadership that we are offering the nation which were being showcased yesterday before the entire nation. The nation will watch and then decide for themselves. “Of all the people being presented by the APC, There is no one, to my mind who is not eminently qualified to govern this country and who, when given half a chance can beat anybody the PDP is bringing to the fore. We have two aspirants who have come forward and what that means is that as at today, we already have two possible Presidents of this great nation, Nigeria. “I want to say that I was truly very glad watching the event yesterday. We saw the crowd and as usual, we saw how feverish they were and that is to be expected because that is vintage Buhari. “When you bring hope to the people, they are over joyed even without putting money into their pocket. That share feeling that tomorrow is going to be better than today brings them satisfaction”.

2015: PDP, Presidency jittery over Buhari’s rally Continued from page 4

choice aspirant into the arena”. National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun, said the N27.5 million nomination fee was meant to separate the boys from the men. Chief Odigie-Oyegun assured that the leadership would not impose any candidate on the party in the name of consensus, pointing out that if the aspirants decided on a consensus candidate among themselves, the party would go along with them. He said “I will give you one clear assurance and that is, if there is consensus among the aspirants, we as a party will welcome it. But if there is no consensus, we are going to give you the cleanest and the most transparent primaries. “We are going to let this country see, like your declaration has already showed that this is a party that is different, these are people that are different and these are leaders that are different and will do things differently and we will teach this nation a lesson in democracy and what democracy is all about. “There is one thing that the public is looking for today and I am sure that your friends, when they talk to you, always say it because when people talk to me, they always say, Mr. chairman, there is one more bridge to cross. Have a free, fair and transparent primaries to choose your candidate without rancour. “The implication of their statement is that once that happens, you are on your way. I am so confident that with proper leadership, once we get a proper candidate who will become the face of the party without rancour and we hammer the party and its great fighting force behind that candidate, nothing is going to stop that train except when it ar-

Jonathan tackles former leader Continued from page 4

ther manufacturing nor commerce is ‘down’ as the APC presidential aspirant alleged. “His most uncharitable and inexcusable accusation against the present administration was that election rigging continues to thrive in Nigeria. “We trust that all patriotic, objective and non-partisan Nigerians will reject that allegation, knowing it to be invalid and they will have the evidence

of the progressively freer, fairer and ever more credible elections conducted under the Jonathan administration to support their position. “Despite the other false accusations General Buhari made against the President who he clearly fears to take on in an honest, issues-driven presidential election contest, President Jonathan will continue to carry forward his transformation agenda in the power sector and other areas.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

SPORT EXTRA

NIGERIA VS SUDAN FALLOUT...NIGERIA VS SUDAN FALLOUT...NIGERIA VS SUDAN FALLOUT...NIGERIA VS SUDAN FALLOUT...NIGERIA VS SUDAN FALLOUT...

2015 AFCON TICKET

How Amodu beat Manu Garba to Eagles job

Amodu honoured to help Eagles

FRICANFOOTBALL.COM can exclusively reveal that Flying Eagles coach Manu Garba was one of the coaches tipped by top officials to replace Stephen Keshi as Eagles coach. A top NFF official told AfricanFootball.com: “Garba was one of the first coaches to be considered for Keshi’s job. “I can tell you on very good authority that he was spoken to by top officials in both the sports ministry and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in respect of the job. He is available now because he is on a short break as the Flying Eagles have not resumed training camp and will not do so immediately.” Manu’s name was also widely linked with the big post during the recent World Cup where most top stakeholders in Nigerian football were. The official added that it was possible that a more thorough look at the status of the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup-winning coach may have eventually cost him the plum post. Manu is now in charge of the country’s U-20 team, the Flying Eagles, and has qualified the team for next year’s African Youth Championship in Senegal.

I’m responsible for Keshi’s sack -Pinnick From Patrick Ngwaogu, Abuja

FF President Amaju Pinnick has taken full responsiblity for all the decisions of his committee regards the sacking of Stephen Keshi and his technical crew. Amaju whose executive committee sacked the Stephen

Keshi-led technical crew on Wednesday after their 3-1 goal margin win over the Falcons of Sudan, said "our decision is in the interest of the nation, and I am telling all Nigerians to hold me responsible for all my actions. We had a private meeting with the players and they promised to win, and they won. We have two more matches to go, and these are matches we must win. We are going to work hard and ensure we get the maximum points." Rising from its meeting on Wednesday night, the executive committee of the NFF decided to sack Stephen Keshi and all his technical committee members were relieved of the job and replaced with a consortuim of coaches, comprising of Shaibu Amodu, Gbenga Ogunbote, Salisu Yusuf and Aloysius Agu to handle the team for only the two remaining matches against Congo in Brazzaville and South Africa in Uyo, after which an expatriate Coach will be appointed to lead the team further. They also appointed Samson Siasia as the new Head Coach of the U-23 Men's team, and to be assisted by Fatai Amoo.

Desist from hiring an expatriate coach - Laloko tells NFF

ORMER technical director at the Nigeria football federation (NFF), Kashimawo Laloko has warned the federation against securing the services of an expatriate coach, describing it as a waste of time and money. This reaction stems from the sacking of Stephen Keshi and the appointment of a consortium of coaches led by Shaibu Amodu to

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steer the Super Eagles through the remaining two AFCON 2015 qualifying matches. “I do not subscribe to a foreign coach; the issue we have at hand is knowledge of those who know Nigeria, who know our league, our players and are ready to work. There is no foreign coach that we want to bring now that will show the commitment that Shuiabu will show” Laloko exclusively told footballlive.ng. “I worked with six or seven of them and they know nothing, the only one I will always give credit to in terms of his attitude to the job, motivation, and organisation would be Philippe Troussier so I think employing a foreign coach would be a waste of time and our money too”

• Says he will only stay for two games • Adds that he was reluctant to accept the job he first got 20 years ago From Tunde Liadi, Owerri NEW Super Eagles' interim coach, Shaibu Amodu has disclosed that patriotism rather then the willingness to be called the senior national team manager made him accept to take over the same position he first occupied 20 years ago. Amodu was asked to take over

e c n e l i s o t d e l i Keshi fa l a w a L s c i t i r c

EWLY assigned Super Eagles coordinator, Garba Lawal has stated that sacked Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi has not in any way silenced his critics following Wednesday’s 3-1 win against Sudan. “The national team is not for the coach; it’s for all of us and if things are going wrong we have to talk. When we talk, we don’t hate you but we just have to say the truth but he (Keshi) doesn’t want to take it in good faith. You cannot tell people to shut up; it’s out team as well and he has to

respect people too” he told footblllive.ng. Keshi was able to rally the troops to emerge victorious in the make or mar 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier played inside the Abuja National Stadium. Lawal went on to note that the Super Eagles still have a long way to go in the qualifiers with just two games to go. “It’s not over because we still have two games to go and if we can finish on ten points, it will be very good for us but we still have a long way to go and if we had won our previous games, nobody would have complained.”

Akpoborie demands top foreign coach for Nigeria

ORMER Nigeria star Jonathan Akpoborie has told AfricanFootball.com that the Nigeria Football Federation have to hire a big-name foreign coach, who boasts has a good track record. Shuaibu Amodu has replaced Stephen Keshi as Eagles coach, but the NFF have announced they will soon appoint a foreign coach for the country’s team. "NFF must bring a foreign coach with class, a top quality coach, a big name and established coach who has knowledge of African Football and who is ready to develop the game in the country,” said Akpoborie, who is now a top TV pundit. "And not bring a mediocre coach who can't even clean my shoe when we were playing, has no track record in the name of foreign coach. We need a coach that cannot be pushed around." He said he expects such a coach to bring in better culture to the team and get young and talented players into the team. He said Eagles soared high under Clemens Westerhof and Jo Bonfrere because they brought

Dutch football philosophy to the team and they stuck to it. "The coach must be one who has a culture. Switzerland, Germany, Holland and Spain have football culture and that's why they play well. I also don't agree with people who say Nigeria don't have quality players. We have them in abundance home and abroad, they only need to be harnessed,” he argued.

from Stephen Keshi, the erstwhile manager who was sacked after the Eagles' slow start to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations' qualifiers where Nigeria could only boast of 4 points from possible 12 after four games. Eagles shockingly lost to Republic of Congo in Calabar and also went down to Sudan for the first time in over 40 years before the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) could realise the needfulallowing Keshi to take a bow. The new coach, Amodu in a chat with SportingLife yesterday revealed that he considered the job of the Eagles a setback in his career having held the same position for four different times in the past. The Edo-born former BCC Lions and El Kanemi Warriors' gaffer was invited to tinker the Eagles for the first time in 1994 after the team's second round feat at the FIFA World Cup hosted by the United States. He was called up again in 1996-1997,2001-2002 and 2008-2010 before Wednesday's night appointment. Amodu nonetheless revealed to SportingLife that he would be more than happy to stay for only the two matches while awaiting something bigger and better in the near future. "Thank you for congratulating me but I don't wish for this one to be permanent. I will only stay for two games and I will be expecting something better than the Eagles' job. I have seen it all in the senior national team and besides holding consultancy roles, the motivation may not be there to coach the team for a very long time. "It is the work of every Nigerian to ensure that the Eagles are back on track for the 2015 AFCON in the last two games remaining. We will try our best to get the best out of the players," Amodu told SportingLife. Amodu would be assisted by Gbenga Ogunbote, Salisu Yusuf and Alloy Agu who is to serve as the goalkeeper trainer. The former Sharks coach won the Cup Winners Cup with BCC Lions in 1990 and got to the final again with the same team and the same competition as defending champions in 1991 before losing narrowly to Power Dynamos of Zambia 5-4 on aggregate. He won the Challenge Cup (now Federation Cup) several times with BCC Lions and El Kanemi Warriors before he went on a self imposed break from coaching in the domestic scene. Eagles are third in Group A with 4points and are behind South Africa (8 points) and Congo (7 points) in the qualifiers as they seek to fashion out a way to get a ticket to next year's AFCON where they would be hoping to defend the title won last year in South Africa.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

SPORT EXTRA

I’m not aware of Keshi’s sack, says Minister • ‘NFF has powers to sack,appoint coaches’ • Expatriate coach to be screened

PORTS Minister Tammy Danagogo has claimed that he was not informed about the sack of Super Eagles’ Chief Coach Stephen Keshi but was quick to note that the employers of Keshi, the Nigeria Football Federation have the constitutional powers to hire and sack any coach in their employment. Danagogo who said he was waiting to be formally informed of Keshi’s sack by the Amaju Pinnick led-NFF, also warned that any expatriate coach to be employed by the NFF would be duly screened to determine his suitably in the coaching business before he could endorse it. “A lot of Nigerians appreciate what Keshi has done for the country but the ultimate decision of having to be in the saddle rests with the NFF. So, if they insist that the only way they can achieve results is by having Keshi step aside, so be it. But I hope that they succeed in bringing in new people that will change the dwindling fortunes of our football. “I don't believe in hiding issues from the public and I am surprised that they took that decision. I am aware that were consistent calls to sack Keshi. I am

From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja also aware that it is the responsibility of the NFF to hire and fire coaches of the national teams. So, what they have done is their responsibility but I am still looking at it. “I woke up this morning (yesterday) to it. I expected them to have fired him when the team lost in Sudan from the way they were reacting then. I didn’t expect he would be sacked after the team's victory on Wednesday. “It is their responsibility to hire and fire coaches and when they told me that they didn't want to continue with Keshi again after coming from Sudan, I told them that they will be held responsible for whatever decision they take. ”That was why I allowed them as professional to do their things and be ready to give account to Nigerians whatever results it comes out with. “If they have come to a conclusion that they want a foreign coach and that is the only way the can achieve result, they will tell me the credentials of those foreign coaches. If I see that it is far and above what we have here and it will take a long time for those we have here to get there we will see it”, the Minis-

ter summed up. “For in stance, the Super Eagles for whatever reason have been going down. I have sat with the players, technical crew and the NFF asking what is wrong with the team and I cannot know why. I have told the NFF to be very careful on whatever action they are taking because I will not be the chief judge in any of these issues. NFF is a group of sportsmen and women and stakeholders who should know what they are doing. “I wouldn't have been shocked if it have been done then because when they came back they told me that they whatever to do that actually and I was trying to ask them the reason and advised them to be very objective on what they want to do. “Whatever decision they are taking they would have to substantiate it properly and if we don't have that caliber of coaches whoever they want to bring and he is such a reputable coach that will beat the record of all those we have here, we will wait and see. My advise to them is that we should give opportunities to local coaches to grow and the only way to grow is to expose them to competitions and training at whatever level", the Minister disclosed.

• Super Eagles striker, Ahmed Musa being chased by Sudanese player during their AFCON 2015 qualifier clash at the Abuja National Stadium on Wednesday

Keshi’s sack not surprising, says Ekpo

ORMER Super Eagles’ midfielder, Friday Ekpo, said on Thursday that the sacking of Super Eagles’ coach Stephen Keshi did not come as a surprise to him. Ekpo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the

sacking of thecoach was in the best interest of the country’s football. He said, ``Everybody saw it coming based on his performances and all the rest; not qualifying for the NationsCupwillalwaysspeakvolumes for the Nigerian people. ``Whether we go (for AFCON)

Morocco denies pulling out as hosts of 2015 AFCON

OROCCO has denied that it had withdrawn hosting of the 2015 AFCON. The North African country however insists that they still want the tournament postponed, forcing a conflict with organisers. The Confederation of African Football has maintained its stance that the tournament, to be held between January 17 and February 8, must go ahead as planned. The ebola virus has claimed more than 4,000 lives since the start of the year, and with around a million spectators expected to travel to watch the tournament, Morocco sports minister Mohamed Ouzzine reiterated the country’s desire to for a postponement.

“Our concern is the health of Africa, and based on WHO [World Health Organisation] reports and guidelines, we have to listen,” he said. “Zero safety does not exist, but one has to take the necessary precautions so that the coming tournament will be a football feast, bringing together our African brothers, but given the current ebola situation we don’t think such a feast can take place as expected. “I don’t think there is any state or any country that has the necessary capabilities to monitor, check and control the current ebola situation when faced with these numbers. This is our real problem. We don’t have a problem with visiting teams, we have a problem with visitors.”

or not, let us put our house in order (and) make sure that things are done properly and then we start all over again. ``Now that we might not be pursuing the Nations Cup, we should plan and see how we can move the game forward and where we feel that he didn’t do well, we can start to work on for now.`` Ekpo, who was a member of the Super Eagles’ squad that won bronze at the 1992 AFCON in Senegal, advised interim coach Amodu Shaibu to do the needful. ``Even they (the interim coaching crew) too don’t have much time on their hands, but they should start their work immediately. November is just around the corner for the two-legged game. ``So, they should make sure that they play their own part. It is not a permanent job for them, but they should equally play a strong role,`` he added. Keshi was appointed Super Eagles coach in 2011 following the dismissal of Samson Siasia for failing to qualify the Super Eagles for the 2012 AFCON.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

N the next three weeks my focus is on progress, hoping to pry a little into the foundations of progressivism as an ideology. I focus today on “imagining progress”. Next week I hope to focus on “thinking progress”, and the following week on “practicing progress”. That there is an embarrassing poverty of ideological orientation in our national politics is no news to its theorists and practitioners. While the former lament the situation, the latter could care less. In this group, we may also identify two sub-groups. First, there are those who don’t care about political ideologies because they rightly or wrongly see them as distractions from the practical objective of getting things done for the people and the nation. I think that they are wrong but I will not argue the point if, in fact, what they see as the important task of getting things done is actually achieved. The second sub-group is not bothered about ideology because for them, politics is not as much about getting things done for the people as it is about self-help and ideological niceties can get in the way of good self-promotion. Neither sub-group has a good case. With respect to the first, a good response is that getting things done requires a clear vision of what must be done and why it must be done. That is what a clear ideological standpoint does. For the second, even a focus on self-help lends itself perfectly to an ideological grounding. Ayn Rand wasn’t bashful about developing and defending an egoistic orientation to politics and ethics and with a deliberate and deliberative ploy, this has been packaged and glorified as the ideology of the right. In the absence of clearly identifiable distinction between political associations or parties, all pretending allegiance to the good of the people, the people blindly follow and make uninformed choices. Our political history has been a blend of personality and ethnic politics. Lately, religion has been put in the mix so that we now tend to throw our support for candidates for the very wrong reasons. While one cannot deny the right of a mature citizen to support and vote for a candidate of his or her choice for any reason or no reason, there is no doubt that if we all throw rationality to the dustbin, we are going to suffer the consequences of our embrace of its opposite. To his credit, General Ibrahim Babangida had the insight with his introduction of a two-party system for the Third Republic. But apart from the indecency of an imposition, he failed the ultimate test of an investment of the political

VOL.9 NO.3,003

TODAY IN THE NATION ‘Beyond the haze of double-speak and political clap-trap, would you say we have grown above the politics of brigandage and murder? Are our lives better yet? Have we attained greater appeal in the eyes of the world now? Does our future foretell greater bounties than it did 54 years ago?’ OLA TUNJI OL OLADE OLATUNJI OLOLADE

SEGUN GBADEGESIN gbadegesin@thenationonlineng.net

Imagining progress

will to see it through. There is a silver lining and the cloud is disappearing gradually. The merger of splinter opposition parties into one All Progressives Congress (APC) is a grand move that promises great dividends for our democracy, if not for particular individuals. But the will that brought it on must be complemented with a clear vision to guide it. The difference must be made clear for all to see. Without pretending to be an insider, I can at least pretend to suggest what the difference looks like to them going by their adopted nomenclature. It would appear that the ideal of progress appealed to them and they envision a progressive nation. How did this come about? The status quo ante is unacceptable and we all have the ability to imagine things that are not real. This is the dictionary definition of imagination: the ability to think new things. Without that ability no change can be experienced, and no progress can be envisioned. The question for the typical imagining person is “what if?” It was Robert F. Kennedy’s question: ‘There were those who look at things the way they are and ask “why?” I dream of things that never were and ask “why not?”’ Why not? That is the question that must have

ALSE sense of magnitude:

You can only walk so far facing backwards; that is an Igbo street saying. Stretching that a little, you can also only fly so high on a wing and that applies to our senior national football team, the Super Eagles. Even though the team managed to snatch a win from four matches last Wednesday, this team of ours cannot go much farther even if it faced forward. This team is not yet the great Nigerian team. If the truth must be told, it is still a patchwork; a tapestry of worn, tattered old pieces of clothes. Never mind that they managed to win over the Sudanese in the last match and wiped off the murk of humiliation from our face (and their own faces too); never mind that they may even go on to qualify for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON), it is still not morning yet for the current African champions. And talking about champions, this column is of the opinion that that victory in South Africa last year was a fluke that has only compounded our problems. The chance winning of that trophy has only afforded us a false sense of magnitude and importance on the African and world football arena. Bringing some perspective on the matter, our senior football team has been dismal for quite a while. Before the coming of the current coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, the AFCON trophy was 19 years in coming. That meant a span of almost 10 tournaments without lifting the coveted silverware. That is thoroughly dreadful for an African giant and continental football powerhouse as we used to be known in the 80s and early 90s. By the time Keshi arrived about two years ago and started getting some results with an assortment of not too talented foreign crew and a sprinkling of home based players, a famished mob of Nigerian soccer-crazy fans went over the moon with ecstasy. And when

motivated the initiators of the merger. Why not a single formidable opposition to give electorates a good basis for comparison and choice? Since 1999, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has taken the nation for a ride. Its leaders once boasted that it would rule for not less than 60 years. It would be alright if Nigerians were dummies since they would have no reasoning capacity to question the actions and policies that have been clearly against their interests. But tension has heightened. Questions have been asked—in the matter of declining education, increasing insecurity, politicised religion, runaway corruption and executive impunity. And answers have been scarce or inadequate. In the midst of the cloud of despair, we are asked to imagine progress. It’s not that difficult to imagine, as John Lennon once reminded us: “Imagine no possessions/I wonder if you can/ No need for greed or hunger/A brotherhood of man (and sisterhood of woman)/Imagine all the people/Sharing all the world/. Imagine progress then. Place before your mind’s eyes the prospect of progress from your present reality. Better yet, consider a baby born on this day. The happy parents look at her tiny fingers and toes, her small limbs and tender eyes. What do the parents see? What do they imagine? A beautiful girl in five years ready for preschool, in 12 years ready for high school and in 18 years or less ready for college. They imagine a young woman ready to wed in 2530 years. The parents imagine progress. In imagining progress for their infant baby, the parents also imagine, contrary to their present reality, a political system that guarantees or, at least, takes seriously the security of the life of their girl, protecting her from sectarian violence and sadist rapists. It is not hard to imagine what progress looks like for a doting parent. What is or ought to be in the imagination

STEVE OSUJI

EXPRESSO

steve.osuji@yahoo.com

Super Eagles: Flying on a wing

Hassan Lawal: Adoke must answer

T is perverse and criminal for the state to abort a criminal case in a matter relating to the stealing of huge taxpayers’ money. The use and abuse of plea bargain under this administration has reached a level of utter brigandage and psychological assault on the populace. The current matter of former Minister of Works, Dr. Hassan Lawal is a test case. Mr. Mohammed Adoke, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, must explain to Nigerians how and why the trial of Lawal was discontinued. Lawal and 11 others were under trial by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the past three years for stealing N6.4 billion. It was a 47-count charge for which over 130 exhibits had been tendered. This sum was part of the fund for constructing a bridge on the Benue River to

link Nasarawa and Kogi States. One day late September, the counsel to the EFCC, Mr. Wahab Shittu, simply walked into the court and announced that: “Without prejudice to the merit or otherwise of the matter, I have firm instruction that the case against the accused persons, all of them, be discontinued.” Several other criminals have been sprung from facing the law in the recent past and under Adoke but this case is singularly preposterous and an assault on the collective psyche of the people of this country. It is an assault on the judiciary and it is utterly unjust to all other denizen of the land standing trial under the EFCC today. Since the EFCC is supervised by Adoke, he must explain. He must also tell us why any other Nigerian must continue to stand trial before the EFCC.

the AFCON trophy came eventually, we simply cracked up. This team is wrong: Who can convince Nigerians that there is still a lot wrong with its

senior team or that in truth, we do not have a team yet. What is the trouble with Nigeria’s team and by extension, its soccer? Plenty: first, Nigeria is unfortunately in an era in which it is

of a progressive party? When the leadership and rank and file of a progressive party form a mental image of the future of the nation, what do they contemplate? The answer to this question is what marks the difference between it and its rival. Consider this. PDP cannot absolve itself of the present reality of the nation and its slide, at least, since 1999. That reality unfortunately includes a dismal public educational system, which appears to have been condemned to oblivion by its keepers; a dangerously sliding security system; and an economic system that features mass youth unemployment. In the midst of this calamitous reality that it has presided over for 15 years, the ruling party cannot conjure up an imagination of progress that has eluded the nation under its watch. The message of a progressive party such as the APC is simple and concise. It stakes a claim in the arena of the progressive development of every citizen. It does not exist for the 10 per cent. The present reality has shown that where the fortune of the 10 per cent is the objective, there is no guarantee of peace and stability. Besides this instrumental and prudential reasoning, however, the progressive party’s rationale is substantive. The right policy is one that promotes the progressive development of all without bias or discrimination on any ground. It is an obligation which a government must discharge faithfully. In the foregoing, I have discussed in general terms what it means to imagine progress, and what is in the imagination of a political party that is committed to progress. I have not discussed individuals because it is my considered view that the collective imagination of the whole is or ought to be the driving force and guide for individuals. In common parlance, the party is bigger than the individual. Of course, individuals, especially leaders, not only have a role to play in shaping and crystalising collective imagination, they also have a responsibility to guide the party towards bringing it to fruition. The best guide to a good answer to the question whether individual leaders of APC are up to the task of imagining progress is to look at the reality they have presided over in their states since 1999. Lagos is the proverbial shining city on the hill. The imagination that brought it to light cannot be anything but progressive. •For comments, send SMS to 08111813080 not blessed with first rate soccer talents. As many commentators have noted, we are in an unexciting age that boasts of no Jay Jay Okocha, Rashidi Yekini, Kanu Nwankwo, Segun Odegbami or Christian Chukwu. Yes there have not been exceptional talents around which teams are built and to compound it, we have not been able to hire a quality coach either, who can imbue an average team with discipline, sound technical and tactical knowhow. That is what Congo has today, a good coach who can get results even with mediocre players. Third, the harsh truth that we do not want to hear is that most of our players are jaded, aged and far out of their prime. No matter what they may claim to the contrary, I wager that 70 to 80 per cent of our Super Eagles’ players are way beyond 30 years. What this means is that no matter how experienced and skilled they may be, once they are matched against any team of young and fit boys, the Eagles huff and pant aimlessly on the pitch for 90 minutes! They are often lucky to win or not to lose. Why do we always do well at the agegrade level yet flop at the top. Simple, we are serial, incurable cheaters. And we are smart by half all the time. For instance, the so-called under-17 boys who won the world last year are mostly in their 20s and they ought to form the crux of our Super Eagles today. But they will never get a chance to feature in the senior team until they are almost 30 and wasted. This has been our vicious cycle. Those days we used to be certain the super Eagles would maul some national teams; today, even the least teams in Africa like Namibia, Rwanda and Benin give us hell.

•Continued

on page 58

•For comments, send SMS to 08111526725

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